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September 16, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

"God said, yes; I say, Let's go!," Bishop LaTrelle Easterling told the staff at the Baltimore-Washington Conference last week when she returned for a new quadrennium as episcopal leader. As part of the celebration, the Rev. Wanda Duckett, superintendent of the Baltimore Metropolitan District, shared a spoken word piece. Read Four More Years.

Comics X Theology will begin at Fantom Comics in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. It is the brainchild of the Rev. Jonathan Brown, a pastor at Foundry UMC, who created this unique expression of faith as part of the BWC's New Fresh Expressions. Read the story.

Training Tuesdays begin Oct. 8 with Fresh Expressions

Season six of Training Tuesday, an online learning experience for United Methodists, kicks off Oct. 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Beck, the denomination’s director of Fresh Expressions, providing an introduction to Fresh Expressions who will talk about cultivating healing communities in everyday life.

A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture. When these new kinds of faith communities commit to reaching new people, in new places, and in new ways, revitalization and communal transformation are taking place. Register.

The Training Tuesday class on Oct. 15 will feature the Revs. Chelsea Spyres and Lucinda Kent. They will focus on "Reimagining Outreach & Stewardship" as they share information on how you can start to build community partnerships, start to get to know your neighbors and move towards creative modes for worship and building use. Register.

Innovation grants available to local churches

Do you have an innovative and exciting idea for a New Faith Expression or new worship service? Do you have a plan for a new ministry that will help your congregation go to the “next level”? Are you developing a way to reach new people who are not yet a part of any church? The Baltimore-Washington Conference Congregational Development Grants, offered through the Unified Funding Task Force, can assist you with a grant to launch your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, leader development ministry, or to reach new people. The application period opens Sept. 3 and closes Oct. 1. Learn more and apply.

New and Featured Ministries

A Federal Legislative Action Day will be held on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Capitol Hill UMC in Washington, D.C. Participants will meet with members of Congress in the afternoon and advocate for Supporting the Call for a Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine and

Prioritization of SNAP in the 2024 FARM Bill Reauthorization. Learn more and register.

In response to the recent school shootings, participants will also advocate for stricter gun legislation, including a bill to close the bump stock loophole and an assault weapons ban (HR 698 and S25). Both the United Methodist Council of Bishops and the Book of Resolutions support a ban on assault weapons.

Youth will have a chance to shine this fall at the IGNITE bonfires, each designed to light the sparks that lead to the IGNITE youth conference in Ocean City, March 7-9, 2025.

• On Sept. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m., the bonfire at Camp Manidokan, near Harper's Ferry, will include the 75th anniversary celebration of the camp.
• On Oct. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m., the West River Center bonfire in Churchton will include traditional camp activities.
• On Oct. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m., the Camp Pecometh bonfire in Centreville will feature a time of mission.

Each event will include a worship experience and opportunities for fellowship and revival.

Register today for the bonfire at Camp Manidokan, West River Center, or Camp Pecometh. Register for IGNITE 2025.

Summit to Defend Democracy: On Sept. 19 and 20, Georgetown University’s Center on Faith and Justice is hosting Test of Faith: A Summit to Defend Democracy at 125 E Street, in the new McCourt School of Public Policy building on Georgetown’s Capitol Campus. The summit will bring together local and national faith and non-profit leaders, civil rights advocates, scholars, and others working at the intersection of faith and democracy seeking to inform, inspire, equip, and connect people committed to democratic engagement for the common good. Learn more, see the lineup of speakers, and register.

Trauma-Informed Youth Ministry: The Baltimore Metropolitan District and St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute are holding two sessions on “Trauma-Informed and Intergenerationally-Engaged Youth Ministry” at the seminary in Baltimore. On Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon, the focus will be on identifying the effects of trauma and gaining practical strategies to begin the healing process. On Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, the topic will be cultivating intergenerational relationships and launching impactful initiatives in your church community. Register.

Meaningful Conversations: Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will speak with Joel Goza, author of Rebirth of a Nation, on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. at Busboys and Poets at 2021 14th St., NW, in Washington, D.C. They will discuss how to dismantle the deep-seated myths that perpetuate white supremacy. Learn more and register.

NEJ BMCR to meet: The Northeastern Jurisdiction of Black Methodists for Church Renewal will hold their annual meeting Oct. 10-12 at Fairbrook UMC at 4201 W. Whitehall Road in Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa. Register.

Fall Day Away for Clergy: The Board of Ordained Ministry's Culture of Call Committee is hosting a Day Away for Clergy on Oct. 17 at Camp Manidokan near Harper's Ferry. The day will include time for fellowship, relaxation, renewal, and optional art, hiking, and zip-line experiences. It can also be extended for an overnight stay. Learn more and register.

On Fire … or Burned Out? Clergy Renewal Day - Nov 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Calvary UMC in Annapolis

In this day of renewal and self-care, led by physician-theologian Dr. Pat Fosarelli, pastors will learn the difference between good stress and bad stress, how bad stresses affect people physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and what they can do to address their reaction to stress. In addition to the presentations, there will be time for solitude, prayer, and conversations with others experiencing similar challenges. Register by Nov. 13.

See a listing of local church events.

Discipleship Ministries Fall Calendar

More Opportunities to Grow

A quilt show featuring Baltimore Album quilts will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at Lovely Lane UMC, 2200 St. Paul Street in Baltimore. The largest private collection of Baltimore Album Quilts, owned by Lovely Lane Museum & Archives, will be on display, and a lecture on the history of quilt making will be given by Baltimore quilt expert Marylou McDonald and her team. Registration is $25. Register.

The Baltimore-Washington Conference's Advocacy and Action Ministries invites you to join them for the Building Beloved Relationships Training Webinar Series led by K Scarry of the People's Supper. Each class begins at 7 p.m. and will have a unique Zoom login. On Sept. 26, they'll focus on Conversations on Gender/Sexuality, and on Oct. 10, they'll explore How to Talk About Race.

The next EarthKeepers class will be held Oct. 3-6 at the Maritime Center in Linthicum. This opportunity from Global Ministries enables people to live out their passion for the natural world, God’s creation and environmental justice. Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing, and project planning. During the training, all participants will plan a bold, action-oriented project. Youth, ages 13-18 may participate with an adult. Learn more and apply.

Deacon News: Members of the Order of Deacons will meet via Zoom on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. Among other items, they will discuss some of the legislation pertaining to Deacons that was passed at the recent General Conference. Register. On the next day, Oct. 5, at 10 a.m. there will be an exploration session on Zoom for candidates exploring the ministry of deacons. Register. 

Non-Anxious Leader Course: The key to effective leadership is the ability to be a non-anxious presence. This is deceptively simple but tremendously difficult. If you take this journey, you can lead change in even the most challenging contexts. The Non-Anxious Leader: Family Systems Basics is a four-week online course, held online Oct. 7 through Nov. 3, that will help you learn the principles behind this approach, and how to put them into practice. Three CEUs are awarded for successful completion. There is no cost for lay and clergy members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Learn more and register.

The workshop C.A.L.L.E.D., (Challenging And Leading Laity Every Day), sponsored by the Cumberland-Hagerstown District, will be held Nov. 6, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Otterbein UMC at 108 E. Franklin Street in Hagerstown. The workshop, led by Cindy Reeder, will explore the concept of call and how to more fully engage the laity. Learn more and register.

Clergy Sexual Ethics and Boundaries Training will be held Thursday, Nov. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Mission Center in Fulton. The training will focus on “Boundaries, Power and Well-Being: Approaches for Healthy Leaders and Congregants,” presented by Linda Crockett with Safe Communities PA. This is an in-person class, with two hours of asynchronous learning required prior to the training date. This will be the last Conference-provided Ethics Training for the quadrennium. Register here by Oct. 18.

Creation care legislative seminar: The Greater Washington District United Women in Faith will hold their Annual Legislative Seminar on Sept. 28 (which is a new date) from 10 a.m. to noon in the Silver Spring UMC Chapel and via Zoom. The theme will be creation care. For registration and questions, contact Tijuana M. Irons at 301-821-0966.

Level Up! -- The Susquehanna, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia annual conferences are sponsoring Level Up, a two-day learning experience designed to empower your ministry as you take your next steps in 2025 and beyond. The event will be Nov. 8-9 at Christ UMC 44 Highland Road in Bethel Park, PA, near Pittsburgh. Learn more and register. If you have questions, contact the Rev. Bill Brown.

Registration is now open for the second Fresh Expressions Academy, which launches in November. The year-long experience will combine presentations, regular coaching, peer-to-peer discussions, immersion experiences, and an online group to help facilitate the cultivation of fresh expressions. It is designed to equip clergy and laity to innovate and take risks to engage people who are not yet part of a faith community.

Important Dates Include:

• Gather: Nov. 2 -- The opening training day provides an overview of Fresh Expressions and the blended ecology.
• Grow: Feb. 27 to March 1 -- Participants will travel to the FXUMC National Gathering 2025 in Atlanta, Ga. for a deep dive into practical guidance and shared learning as they engage in cultivating fresh expressions and other innovative forms of ministry.
• Go: Nov. 1, 2025 -- The closing gathering will be a day of “reverse mentorship” in which students will deliver a presentation on their new expression and share key learnings.

Learn more and register.

Explore more events and opportunities to grow in faith and vitality.

Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.

Grace UMC in Gaithersburg has a large Savin 4051 black and white copier that they no longer need. It’s in great shape and they’d love to donate it to a church in need of one. Contact jonim@graceumc.org.

The Peninsula-Delaware Conference is hiring a Controller to work in the stewardship area. Learn more.

See church classified ads now online.