September 15, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | | The Rev. George A. Aist, a retired elder of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died on September 6, at the age of 92. Rev. Aist faithfully served congregations throughout his ministry, concluding his pastoral service at Faith United Methodist Church in Accokeek, Maryland. Condolences can be sent to: The Family of Rev. George A. Aist: 415 Russell Avenue, Apt. 619, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. | | |
Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling speaks out in the wake of the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk, affirming that “every life bears value” and calling for an end to violence, hatred, and othering, regardless of political or ideological differences. Read statement.
United Methodist bishops see a growing threat of political violence. They are calling churchgoers to pray and act for peace following a school shooting and the killing of activist Charlie Kirk. Read UMNS story.
The Gun Violence Prevention social action team encourages congregations to do the 3-week Bible Study “Kingdom Dreams; Violent Realities,” recently updated by the General Board of Church & Society. Bible study guide. Please email advocacy@bwcumc.org to let us know if you do the program, and share your thoughts and suggestions.
The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), joined by United Methodist agencies, issues a powerful call to action against racial profiling, condemning the recent Noem v. Perdomo decision that allows people to be targeted based on accent, appearance, or work, and urging the Church to resist discrimination in all its forms. Read the statement.
Deaf Ministries leaders and community members gathered at the 2025 UMCD Conference in Elkridge to celebrate, honor long-standing leaders, and empower Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, and hearing allies through workshops, worship, and awards. Learn more.
At its annual meeting, BWARM (Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists) reaffirmed its mission of LGBTQ+ inclusion, adopting a new mission statement and revised bylaws, and called the church to reclaim Methodist roots grounded in radical love and boundary-crossing. Read more.
| | |
Registration is now open for the 2025 Clergy Retirement Planning Session, which is being held virtually on Thursday, September 18 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This virtual session, presented by Wespath Benefit Educators, will cover the retirement plans, the welfare plan, UMPIP and the LifeStage Solution Suite. Register.
Missional innovation uses principles of design thinking and some of the best practices of the corporate and nonprofit worlds to explore what God is calling you to invent. Area churches and individuals have experimented with missional innovation to create a spirit of entrepreneurship mixed with faith. Apply for a Missional Innovation Grant by October 1.
Join Rev. Bill Brown for the October 7 Training Tuesday as he welcomes Ken Willard, Director of Faith Communities ReNEWal for the West Virginia Conference of the UMC, for "Reaching and Welcoming New People." During this session, Ken will discuss how pastors can lead congregations to embody the love of Christ in ways that are authentic, intentional, and transformative. Learn more and register.
The Ministry Innovation (MI) internship is a one-year, cohort-based, paid internship for adults aged 23–29 from across the country, which includes community formation, spiritual direction, graduate-level courses, and hands-on experience in leading innovation. The internship, sponsored by The Hub for (Re)imagining Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary, is designed to accommodate full-time or part-time work, school, and other commitments. Each intern earns a $4,000 stipend, travel opportunities, consulting training, experience, and four graduate academic course credits. The 2026 MI applications are open until Tuesday, September 30, with the new cohort set to begin in January 2026. Learn more and apply.
One of our Harbor District clergy, Pastor Richard Keller, leads the Recycling and Waste Management team for Baltimore County. He and his team have created some great materials to educate and encourage us to reduce food waste.
Our United Methodist Social Principles state: "We affirm our sacred calling to be responsible stewards and to lovingly tend all that God has wrought. We recognize the inherent worth of God’s creation, celebrate earth’s abundance and diversity, and, along with the entirety of the cosmos, give praise to its Creator. We recognize we are interconnected members of complex ecosystems, intricate webs of life, all of which have their origins in God’s gracious act of creation." Download the resources.
The Mid Atlantic Faith Foundation (MAFF), a nonprofit, faith-based investment foundation serving United Methodist Annual Conferences and affiliated ministries, seeks an accomplished and visionary Executive Director to provide strategic and operational leadership. Reporting to the Board of Directors through the Board President, the Executive Director will be responsible for the overall management of the Foundation, including fiduciary oversight, staff leadership, client relations, and the advancement of the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities. Learn more and apply.
| | |
Registration is LIVE for the IGNITE Conference in Ocean City
Too many of our young people feel disconnected, unseen, and uncertain of their worth in a divided world. IGNITE 2026 responds with "Belong" - a theme that grounds youth in their identity as God’s beloved, equips them to embrace their own sacred worth, and calls them into a just and loving community with others.
"You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:23
Learn more and register. Watch the video.
| | In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) | | |
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 - October 15. Local church resources have been provided by the General Commission on Religion and Race, including a book study on “Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity” by Robert Chao Romero. See Hispanic Heritage Month Resources.
September is Deaf Awareness Month and UMC Deaf caucus (UMCD) and the national committee on Deaf Ministries (DHM) have resources.
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. Visit our event calendar for locations, dates, and times.
To request an ASL interpreter, contact Rev. Leo Yates at lyates@bwcumc.org.
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. Learn more.
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.
On September 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., marchers participating in the "We Are America" march from Philadelphia will arrive in Silver Spring en route to the capital. Silver Spring UMC invites you to participate as they host an event alongside DoTheMostGood, Indivisible MoCoWoMen, EmpowerHERed, and other grassroots organizations. The event will include providing food for approximately 60 marchers, a local band, and welcome remarks from elected officials.
| |
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, 4701 New Cut Rd., Ellicott City, MD.
| |
The Baltimore-Washington Creation Care team supports SUN DAY, Sunday, September 21, a day of action celebrating solar and wind power, and the movement to leave fossil fuels behind. Solar energy is now the most cost-effective source of power on the planet, providing us with an opportunity to take meaningful action against the climate crisis. BWCUMC churches are invited to energize members to combat the climate crisis. Churches can help in many ways: (1) Talk to youth and adults about solar energy, EVs, and climate change. (2) Consider roof-top solar. Visit thirdact.org/sun-day or email maryland@thirdact.org for more information.
The governor's office is hosting a "Faith in Community Opioid/Overdose Forum" on September 30 at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center in Baltimore. Download flyer. On September 23, you are invited to join the Lt. Governor, Aruna Miller, and Dr. Lora Hargrove, Director of Faith Outreach, for a Call to Action pre-forum gathering for faith leaders to meet and discuss the opioid crisis in Maryland, particularly as it affects our Black men 55 years of age and older. Download flyer.
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.
| |
In observance of Sickle Cell Awareness Month 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.
| |
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.
| |
Join us for 28 days of prayer and discernment as we seek to multiply impact within our Beloved Communities. The 2025 United to Love - “28 Days of Prayer” experience will begin on October 1 and continue through October 28. We invite you to set aside just 30 minutes each day to connect with God, reflect, and listen for the Spirit’s leading alongside a community of people committed to inspiring change and building a more just world. We will feature the transformative book Dynamite Prayer by Rev. Dr. Rosario “Roz” Picardo and Rev. Dr. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
How to Join:
- Get your copy of Dynamite Prayer (if ordering 10 or more books, use code INNOVATE50 for 50% off your order).
- Commit to pray daily from October 1–28.
-
RSVP and let us know you’re ready to pray boldly, listen deeply, and move forward together in love.
- Optional: Join others in live prayer from 7 to 7:30 a.m.via Zoom.
- If joining the 7 a.m. Zoom, download the calendar reminder to add the daily prayer time directly to your schedule.
Congregational Development Grants are now available. Do you have an innovative and exciting idea or a plan for a new ministry that will help your congregation go to the “next level?" Or are you developing a way to reach new people who are not yet a part of any church? The BWC's Congregational Development Grants can assist you in launching your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, or leader development ministry. All materials must be uploaded by October 1. Learn more and apply.
The Council of Bishops ecumenical staff has announced the availability of two opportunities for United Methodists interested in Christian unity and interfaith engagement. These include three Local Initiative Grants for conference groups as well as a scholarship for a young adult to attend the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Switzerland. Scholarship applications are due on October 1, and grant applications are due on November 3. Learn more and apply.
Deaf Ministries is offering a seminar: "Introduction to Signing Music." This seminar will be held on October 11, 9:30 a.m. to noon at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 1440 Dorsey Rd. Hanover, MD 21076. Download the flyer. Register.
Join us for our Annual Confirmation Pilgrimages on Saturday, October 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You will see four historic sites and learn about your Methodist Roots. New this year: Junior Circuit Rider Program and interactive touch boxes. Please RSVP to Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, Director of Museums & Pilgrimage. Groups are limited to 40 people (youth and adults) from multiple churches.
The key to effective leadership is the ability to be a non-anxious presence. This is deceptively simple, but tremendously difficult. We invite you to embark on this journey, where you can lead change in even the most challenging contexts. The Non-Anxious Leader: Family Systems Basics is a four-week online course, beginning October 13, that will help you learn the principles behind this approach, as well as how to put them into practice. You will earn 3.0 CEU’s for a successful completion of this course. There is no cost to lay and clergy members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Learn more and register.
| | |
Submissions?
Alison Burdett, Interim Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
410.309.3428 | aburdett@bwcumc.org
| |
| | | |
