June 23, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | | |
Over the weekend, the United States bombed sites in Iran to address the possible development of nuclear weapons in that country. We pray for all those people affected by the bombing as we continue to pray unceasingly for peace in the Middle East and around the world.
Retired Elder, Rev. Dr. Conrad Parker, died on June 18. His last appointment was at Grace UMC, Fort Washington, MD. He served at Grace from 1996 until his retirement in 2011. His funeral will be on Wednesday, July 2, at Grace United Methodist Church, 11700 Old Fort Road, Fort Washington, MD. Viewing is at 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Repast following service at Grace UMC.
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Dr. Diana L. Parker,
10676 Ashford Circle,
Waldorf, MD 20603-3209, or email cdparker1@verizon.net.
Effective July 1, the Rev. Tony Love, who has served in various roles on BWC staff for more than 20 years, the past eight years as assistant to the bishop, will be appointed full-time as senior pastor of St. Paul UMC in Oxen Hill. Rev. Love stepped in to serve as interim pastor at St. Paul last year while also serving as assistant to the bishop. Please join us in extending our gratitude to Tony, as well as our support for his new journey with the St. Paul UMC community.
| | Ministry Highlight: Vitality Conversations | | |
Is your congregation stuck? Are you unsure of where to start? Do you want to become more vital as a congregation? Is your congregation ready to discern and implement God’s next faithful step for you? If so, then a Vitality Conversation is the place to start. To begin this conversation, email Rev. Bill Brown.
Learn more.
| | Job Openings at the Baltimore-Washington Conference | | |
The Baltimore-Washington Conference is hiring.
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Justice Ministries Coordinator *new this week
- Latinx/Hispanic/Latino and Multicultural Ministry Coordinator
- Manidokan Health Coordinator
Learn more and apply for these positions.
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United Women in Faith President, Kim Marie Walker, has shared a call to action, updates on mission giving, impact stories, and a vision for 2025. Read the letter from the UWFaith president.
The United Methodist Council of Bishops and other church ministries are among 215 groups that received letters from a U.S. congressional committee seeking to know if they used taxpayer dollars to “facilitate illegal immigration.” However, neither the bishops nor the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, another letter recipient, receive any federal funding. Read the UMNS story.
| | The Taskforce on the Church and Artificial Intelligence will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, June 24, from noon to 1 p.m. If you are interested in attending the virtual meeting or working on the task force, please email the Rev. Mark Gorman. Clergy and laity are encouraged to join the task force, even if you cannot attend this initial meeting. | | |
Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Ministers for the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2025-2027 are now being accepted. Learn more and see the online application. The deadline to submit your application is July 1. The next cohort will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, conference director of Lay Servant Ministries.
Accessibility Audit Training - A virtual Accessibility Audit training via Zoom is scheduled for July 14 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. This training supports churches with completing the mandatory Annual Accessibility Audit form for church conferences. Contact the Rev. Leo Yates with any questions. Please submit any accommodation requests by July 1. Church consults are also available by contacting Rev. Yates.
Accessibility Coordinator Training - A virtual training via Zoom is scheduled for July 21 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. This training is to support churches in implementing an Accessibility Coordinator position. Contact Rev. Leo Yates with any questions. Please submit any accommodation requests by July 7th.
United Methodist Men invite you to the 2025 National Men's & Scouting Ministry Gathering from July 31 to Aug. 3 in St. Simons Island, GA, for a dynamic and empowering experience focused on men's ministry, spiritual growth, and Scouting activities. This event is designed for men and Scouts who are looking to deepen their faith and become true disciples in their communities. Download and share the flyer. Register.
The BWC United Women in Faith has a new scholarship application process for 2025.
They support youth and young adults, who are members of United Methodist churches within the BWC, as they enter higher education to help them grow and succeed in their fields of choice by providing financial assistance for undergraduate students. Applications are due by Friday, Aug. 1.
Save the Date for Mission u: The United Women of Faith of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area will host Mission u 2025 on Aug. 1 and 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis. The theme will be “Practicing Hope Together.” Learn more and register.
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Early Educators Conference: The BWC's Directors Roundtable will host an Early Childhood Educator Conference on Aug. 7 at St. Andrews UMC, at 48 Wallace Manor Road in Edgewater. The cost is $75. The theme is "Choose Joy." Learn more and Register.
The United Methodist Congress of the Deaf, a Deaf caucus, will hold its conference in Elkridge on September 12-13. Learn more, including information about scholarships, and register.
The Board of Ordained Ministry is hosting a BWC Candidacy Process webinar for those interested in becoming a mentor on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Anyone who feels called to ordained ministry -- candidates, certified candidates, provisional members, any full-member interested in becoming a mentor, current mentors, past mentors, pastors, SPRC members, DCOM members, and BOOM members are encouraged to register and participate in the training.
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Join others on June 21 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Silver Spring UMC for a discussion and support space for federal workers, federal contractors, and adjacent communities impacted by the sweeping changes in federal funding and the workforce. This discussion will include time to share your stories, dialogue with others, and build a community of support and prayer during this unprecedented time of change. For more information, contact Dianne Russell. Register.
A quintet will present a new chamber music version of Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka as well as Johannes Brahms’ timeless Piano Quintet on Friday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m. in Glen Mar Church’s Spirit Center, 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City. This event is free.
For more information, visit: glenmarumc.org/summerconcerts.
See a listing of more discipleship ministries and local church events
Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.
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Submissions?
Alison Burdett, Interim Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
410.309.3428 | aburdett@bwcumc.org
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