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Esther Reaves, 92, a United Methodist who served as executive director of Baltimore’s Midtown Churches Community Association and was noted for helping thousands of people in need, died last week. A memorial service will be held on Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. at Lovely Lane UMC. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Manna House. Read a tribute to her by Dan Rodericks of the Baltimore Sun.

We celebrate and pray for Elijah Ferebee, who has been hired as the new chaplain of United Campus Ministries at Frostburg State University in Frostburg.

With Foundry UMC's unique ID ministry, more than a thousand people each year obtain the documentation they need to obtain jobs and social services. See the UMNS story.

Register now for a day of fun and fellowship at "United Methodist's Got Talent." Beginning at 11 a.m. on Sept 30, youth and youth leaders of BWC and Pen-Del will spend the day together at Camp Pecometh enjoying games, inspirational talks, music, and a talent show. All youth are invited to attend. Performing is not required. Youths interested in performing must fill out an audition form. The cost is $5 per person for lunch, snacks, games and more. For every four people registered, the fifth is free using the discount code Talent! Register.

If you or someone you know is interested in or has heard the call of God to serve as a Certified Lay Minister, check out the application packet. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, the Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries. Learn more.

If so, consider applying for these job opportunities, including the Campus Ministry Coordinator at the University of Maryland, College Park and Young People's Ministries Organizer.

Mission-Shaped Church is excited to have the Rev. Dr. Tom Bandy share monthly wisdom on how you can best use MissionInsite to support outreach and evangelism. See his first post on how MissionInsite can help you plan for September ministry events and welcome people back to church. Bandy is an internationally-recognized consultant and coach. He has made himself available for free one-on-one consultations for members of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware conferences. If you are a member of either of these conferences, you can schedule a time to meet with him.

March on Washington: In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, the Caucus of African American Leaders (CAAL) is planning a two-day event on Aug. 26, and 27 in Annapolis. Events include a march reenactment, youth program, and mural presentation on Saturday, and an activation event and worship service on Sunday. The Rev. Marlon B. Tilghman of Ames UMC in Bel Air will be one of the speakers on Sunday. Learn more.

A.I.M. (Administrators in Ministry) will meet on Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at West River Camp near Annapolis. All administrators in the UMC are invited to participate and learn to take their administry to the next level. The cost of the event is $35 for A.I.M. members and $60 for non-A.I.M. members. Register here. The mission focus for this year’s meeting is supporting St. Matthew's in Shady Side Baby Pantry. See a listing of requested items for the pantry. Learn more about A.I.M.

The BWC United Methodist Men are hosting their annual Fall Gathering on Oct. 21 at noon at the Mission Center in Fulton. The Northeastern Jurisdiction UMMen are hosting a Fall Gathering Oct. 27-28 at the Shadowbrook Resort in Tunkhannock, Penn.

Clergy Day Away: The Board of Ordained Ministry invites all pastors who are looking for opportunities to be refreshed by good company, the beauty of creation, and spiritual practices to a Clergy Day Away on Oct. 26 at Camp Manidokan in Knoxville for a time of fellowship and play. Learn more and register.

Walking the Labyrinth: Damascus UMC, at 9700 New Church Road in Damascus, invites you to walk their labyrinth in the church courtyard.

Life Skills Academy: The men of Pikeside UMC in Martinsburg, W.VA., invite young men (ages 12 and up) to join them for dinner on Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. The evening begins with dinner, followed by a discussion of important life skills which every young man should have so they can thrive in the real world.

Groundwork for Mastering Money: Brook Hill UMC is hosting Groundwork, a six-week faith-based money class to help you build a strong financial foundation or restore health to your finances on Sundays Sept. 10 - Oct. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. Register.

Stone Chapel UMC in New Windsor will celebrate its historic 240^th anniversary on Oct. 22. Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will preach at a 2 p.m. worship service. On Oct. 7, the church will host Saturday-Night Bluegrass, featuring the Carroll County Ramblers, at 7 p.m.

Pie sale: St. Luke’s UMC in Martinsburg, W.Va., is currently making and selling its famous pies. All pies are sold frozen. Pick-up days are Tuesdays between 9 a.m. and noon. Call the church office at 304-263-2788 to order a cherry, blueberry, peach, or apple pie for $11. The church will hold its 53^rd Annual Arts & Crafts Bazaar on Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Level Up is a video series that provides lessons in church leadership using best-selling secular writings by the Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center of Vital Leadership. This week, Shitama explores "How Self Determination Theory Can Make You a Better Leader."

The BWC’s 2023 Immigration Border Immersion is a transformative experience open to clergy and lay people, especially young adults, seeking to learn more about migration. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to God through the voice of the immigrant and be part of the change as they implement and take action in their local communities. The trip to San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, is Oct. 19 - 23. The cost, which includes airfare, is $860. Learn more about the trip. Register.

The BWC's Fresh Expressions Academy, designed to equip clergy and laity to innovate and take risks to engage people not yet part of a faith community, launches on Nov. 4 and runs for 12 months. It combines presentations, coaching, peer-to-peer discussions, immersion experiences, and an online group to facilitate the cultivation of Fresh Expressions. The experience has three key dates:

Learn more. Register.

Advocating for Nuclear Disarmament: There are about 15,000 nuclear weapons, most held by the US and Russia. The United Methodist Church rejects the possession of nuclear weapons. The BWC Creation Care Advocacy Ministry urges all United Methodists to learn about nuclear disarmament, become peacemakers, pray for peace and contact the White House and Congress to urge support for House of Representatives Resolution 77, which urges the US to make prevention of nuclear war and verified global nuclear disarmament a top priority of US foreign policy. Read the GBCS Action Alert.

Studying Sabbath: Join the Rev. Katherine Brown, a Deacon in the BWC, and Jewish scholar Dr. Susanna Garfein on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. this Fall at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute for a Jewish-Christian studies course on the topic of Sabbath. The class will explore Sabbath texts, practices, and ethics within Jewish and Christian traditions. It can be taken for three graduate credits or audited to fulfill four clergy CEUs. Attend in person or by Zoom. Learn more.

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