August 25, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | | |
We celebrate that Rev. Rick Vance, an ordained elder in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, has been named the new General Secretary of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, effective October 1. As General Secretary, he will guide the Commission in its mission to support men’s ministry and scouting across the denomination. Please join us in praying for him as he steps into this new chapter of ministry. Read the press release.
We pray for and celebrate Rev. Mernie Crane, who was elected to and has begun her extension ministry role as the Chaplain General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) for a three-year term. Crane, a United Methodist elder, will lead worship services around the country, including an annual memorial service at Constitution Hall in D.C., and will represent DAR members from many faith traditions. Read the press release.
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Our new district and hub names are now reflected in MissionInsite. MissionInsite provides instant access to in-depth demographic information about your community. The system also provides the ability for local churches to locate their church members and others affiliated with the church on your map.
Loaves and Fishes Pantry at Mount Olive has received $5,000 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help nourish neighbors experiencing hunger. The “Nourishing Our Neighbors” grant supports community feeding partners as they tackle food insecurity and promote healthier lifestyles through nutritional education initiatives. Read more.
Rev. Sharon Milton received a message from the Holy Spirit guiding her to hold a "Testimonies & Communion Worship Service." She says she showed up to the service expecting a mighty move of God. And God showed up mightily. Read the story.
The United Methodist Church’s Native American International Caucus has issued a statement offering solidarity with the homeless community in the U.S. capital. “We cannot be silent when we hear that those without shelter may be forcibly removed, pushed far away or jailed simply for surviving in public view,” said the group. Read the statement.
| | Days on the Districts – Fall 2025 | | |
Bishop Easterling will be visiting each of the Districts in the Baltimore-Washington Conference in September. This will be a time to meet with clergy and laity for sharing and communication. As our new structure takes effect and we begin new relationships in each of our new districts and across the area, this will be an important time of connection.
To request an ASL interpreter, contact Rev. Leo Yates at lyates@bwcumc.org.
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Canal District:
Date: Monday, September 08, 7 p.m.
Location: Hancock UMC
170 W Main St, Hancock, MD 21750
Harbor District:
Date: Tuesday, September 09, 7 p.m.
Location: Linthicum Heights UMC
200 School Ln., Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Two Rivers District:
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 6 p.m.
Location: St. Matthews UMC
14900 Annapolis Rd, Bowie, MD 20715
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Lakes District:
Date: Monday, September 15, 6 p.m.
Location: Deer Park UMC
2205 Sykesville Rd., Westminster, MD 21157
Tidal Basin District:
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 6 p.m.
Location: First UMC of Hyattsville
6201 Belcrest Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Reservoir District:
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 7 p.m.
Location: Fallston UMC
1509 Fallston Road, Fallston, MD 21047
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The Baltimore-Washington Conference Lay Servant Academy is dedicated to equipping leaders among the laity of the church. The Academy offers courses approved by UMC Discipleship Ministries as credit-bearing for those in the Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, and Certified Lay Minister tracks; however, the courses are open to all.
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Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course (via Zoom)
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Life Together in the United Methodist Connection-Polity - Advanced Course (via Zoom)
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From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering Effective Sermons - Advanced Course (In-person: Mount Zion UMC)
- Deaf Certified Lay Servant Spiritual Gifts-Advanced Course (In person - presented in ASL during the UM Congress of the Deaf Conference)
See dates, course descriptions, and register. Registration deadlines are approaching soon.
| | Just as the Baltimore-Washington Lay Servant Academy courses are open to all, the Peninsula-Delaware Conference invites you to attend any of its Lay Servant Academy courses. See dates and locations and register. | | |
Join “Common Ground”: A New Interfaith Clergy Initiative Across Maryland
Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives invite Maryland clergy of all faiths to join Common Ground: Clergy | Conversation | Connection—a year-long program fostering interfaith relationships through small-group dialogue and connection. Participants will be matched with diverse clergy in their area for quarterly conversations, beginning with a launch event on Zoom, Sept. 10, from noon to 1 p.m. The experience will culminate in an in-person statewide gathering in Fall 2026. Register by August 28. Questions? Contact Rev. Alisha Wimbush.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute has one remaining Patterson scholarship available for a United Methodist in the greater Baltimore area interested in exploring Scripture and theology at the seminary level. The scholarship covers two-thirds of tuition for six courses, or full tuition for a student with demonstrated financial need. Students may choose foundational courses, electives, or the Certificate in Biblical Studies. The six courses could count as one-third of an EI master’s degree, or 25% of UMC ordination requirements through our MDiv partnership. Contact Galen at gzook@stmarys.edu for details.
Now Open this fall: RESTORE Cohorts for Clergywomen
RESTORE is a group coaching experience supporting clergywomen in their well-being, leadership, and resilience. This experience includes five group sessions, two individual coaching sessions, and three workshops with trusted well-being professionals. Our Living Well team recommends this resource. Many participants have used continuing education or clergy care funds to participate. Learn more and register.
The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has extended the deadline until September 7 for United Methodist congregations and groups to apply online for grants in three categories. The agency administers grants for Peace with Justice, the Ethnic Local Church, and Human Relations Day programs. Learn more. Apply.
The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee (DHM), a partner of Global Ministries, is meeting September 9-11, in Elkridge, MD. This 3-day meeting precedes the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf (UMCD) conference held September 12-13. Read the DHM Newsletter (Google Doc | Plain text).
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.
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 are invited to relive your childhood for a weekend and do all the fun things you used to do at camp at the Manidokan Young Adult Retreat on September 12-14. The retreat will offer classic camp activities including high ropes, swimming in the pool, hikes, tie-dye, and a river trip. If you have someone in your life that has never experienced camp, this would be a perfect opportunity to bring them along. The price of young adult camp is $175/person and covers all meals, lodging, and activities. If you and a spouse plan to attend and want a private room, email the program director, Jarrett Snider, or give us a call at 301-834-7244 ext. 3. Register.
Come learn more about our different Social Action Teams, the advocacy work they’re leading, and how you can get involved at the virtual Social Action Team Chair's Lunch & Learn on Sept. 17 at noon. This virtual gathering is a great opportunity to connect, explore areas of passion, and discover ways to take action together for justice. 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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Service Celebrating the Appointment of Conference Superintendents: September 20
With the creation of six new districts, all of our superintendents have new assignments. We will welcome our two newest superintendents and formally celebrate the appointment of all six superintendents in worship on Saturday, September 20. The 10 a.m. service will be at Glen Mar UMC, 8430 Glenmar Rd., Ellicott City, MD.
| Strengthening the Black Church (SBC21) and the Baltimore-Washington Conference invite you to join in-person for The Black Collective (Lead Well) on September 25. This is a sacred space designed to nourish the spirit, elevate leadership, and strengthen the communal call to justice and transformation. The Black Collective is more than a gathering; it is a movement within the Lead Well initiative, rooted in the belief that Black leaders must be supported, resourced, and seen. This one-day event will take place at The Baltimore-Washington Conference Center (11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register. | |
On Saturday, September 27, the Baltimore-Washington Conference Mission Center is hosting a blood drive to support Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell. If you are an eligible type O, B -, or A - donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component. Your blood helps save lives! Download the flyer.
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Spark interest and community about the IGNITE Youth Conference being held in March 2026 in Ocean City by attending an IGNITE bonfire. While each site will have its own unique twist, youth, young adults and chaperones will find fun, fellowship, s’mores and camp activities. Bring friends from the community and start fanning the flame toward the IGNITE Conference. RSVP.
Locations:
West River Center - Sunday, September 28, 5 to 7 p.m.
Camp Manidokan - Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Please bring your own chair)
Camp Pecometh - Sunday, October 19, 4 to 7 p.m.
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Save the date to attend the Connect Leadership Summit on Feb. 7, 2026. The Connect Leadership Summit, hosted at multiple locations, is designed to spark creativity and inspire lay and clergy to transform lives, churches, and communities. This year’s theme is "Living Water." In a time when many leaders are weary, systems are strained, and hope feels parched, "Living Water" invites us to return to the source, to Jesus, who offers water that quenches our deepest thirst and flows through us to nourish others. As we continue to plan for the summit in February, we want to hear from you about what you want to learn. Take the survey and save the date.
| | The Peninsula-Delaware Conference invites you to join them for their first Black Clergy Retreat, hosted by Strengthening the Black Church, from November 14–16, at the Grand Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. This transformative gathering is themed: "Moving Forward: Leadership and Worship in the African American Church." The guiding scripture is Philippians 3:13-14 – “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…” Download the flyer. | | |
Submissions?
Alison Burdett, Interim Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
410.309.3428 | aburdett@bwcumc.org
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