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March 9, 2020
"Transformed Lives Transform Lives
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Prayers of the People
The
Rev. Tony Love, who serves as assistant to the bishop and interim senior pastor of Wesley Freedom UMC, has been chosen to serve as chairperson of the national Black Methodists for Church Renewal.
Ebenezer UMC in Sykesville is celebrating the completion of its new addition and food pantry. "This new building has laid a legacy for future generations. It is an act of hope," said the Rev. Judy Emerson.
The
Rev. Richard C. Chambers, 92, a retired pastor in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died
March 4. A graveside serve for the family will be today and a celebration of his life will be held at a later time.
We pray for the bishop and Cabinet in this appointment season and for all those planning to retire or are being appointed to new churches.
See the 2020 appointment list.
Joyce King receives a
financial gift from t
he Revs. Michael Parker, Ronald Triplett, and Esther Hollimon, of Bells, Forest Memorial, Gethsemane, and Redeemer UMC, for the Seeds for Security fund, which assists victims of domestic violence.
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Critical Conversation on The Protocol is March 21
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will meet with the clergy and laity of the Baltimore-Washington Conference in a Critical Conversation concerning the upcoming United Methodist
General Conference. Bishop Easterling will give special attention to
The Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation (The Protocol). This Critical Conversation will take place Saturday, March 21, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, at Harmony UMC, at 9455 Williamsport Pike in Falling Waters, W.Va.
As United Methodists move toward the
2020 General Conference, May 5-15 in Minneapolis, Minn., we know that many of you have questions and concerns about the future of our denomination and our conference. In particular, there are specific questions about
The Protocol, a plan that offers an end to the decades long struggle concerning human sexuality. In response, Bishop Easterling, who is not only our episcopal leader but also a member of the mediation team that crafted The Protocol, will be holding this Critical Conversation. For those unable to attend, live streaming will be available.
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Pre-Conference Briefing registration now open
Annual Conference registration opens Wednesday
Registration for the Pre-Conference Session of Annual Conference is open. Registration for the Annual Conference Session, in May, opens Wednesday, March 11.
The Pre-Conference Briefing will be held Saturday, April 18, at the Ranson Civic Center, 432 W. 2nd Ave. in Ranson, W.Va. from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The doors open for registration at 8:30 a.m. The briefing is designed to prepare lay and clergy members for the 236th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference,
which
will be held May 27-29 in Baltimore.
The laity and clergy sessions will be held after the Pre-Conference Briefing from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The laity will meet at the Ranson Civic Center.
Clergy will meet across the street at Asbury UMC at 110 W. North Street in Charles Town, W.Va.
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Registration for the Youth Leader Retreat on March 20-22 has been extended to Wednesday, March 11. Attendees will spend a weekend at Manidokan Camp & Retreat Center for worship, training, and intentional reflection and restoration. Youth and family ministry experts from Ministry Architects will lead the weekend alongside fellow BWC youth leaders. Cost is $225 per person for lodging, meals. If you are interested in attending on Saturday only, contact
Cheryl Cook. Learn more and register at
bwcumc.org/refresh.
Concert: Colesville UMC at 52 Randolph Road in Silver Spring is hosting the Spelman College Glee Club tonight, March 9, at 7 p.m. Their music selections will include selections from world cultures, Negro spirituals and music by African American composers.
The Future of the Black Church: Bishop
LaTrelle Easterling will meet with African American clergy and laity on Monday, March 16, at 10 a.m. at Queens Chapel UMC, 7410 Old Muirkirk Road in Beltsville. The discussion will revolve around the potentially dramatic changes in the denomination being proposed at General Conference. The bishop will share her thoughts about what's going on and the vision and hope for African Americans in Methodism. There will also be an opportunity for questions and dialogue. RSVP to
the
Revs. Steve Tillett or Will Butler.
Support
Campus Ministry:
Twelve Frostburg State University students will spend their spring break repairing homes in the Appalachia area. The trip is $350 per student. United Campus Ministry is encouraging you to support them by
making a donation
or buying a #FaithWorks shirt at
Witness Wear
.
The Baltimore-Washington Conference's Wesley Covenant Association will hold a "WCA-101" town hall meetings Sunday, March 15, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Emmanuel UMC, 24 Humbird Ave. in Cumberland.
The WCA will hold a dinner and panel discussion April 18, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Asbury UMC, 110 W.North St. in Charlestown, W.Va. The cost is $35. The panel includes Krystl Johnson, Matt Sichel and the Revs. Walter Fenton and Rudolph Bopleh.
Learn more and register.
Discipleship Opportunities
- Leadership in Times of Change: On March 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the BWC will host a viewing party of the Susan Beaumont online event that focuses on her latest book, "How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You Are Going." The webinar can be seen at the Mission Center in Fulton and in the Southern and Western regions (locations TBA). It is being streamed from the Arkansas Annual Conference and the BWC has purchased viewing rights for these three locations. Beaumont will address, "How do you lead an organization stuck between an ending and a new beginning when the old way of doing things no longer works but a way forward is not yet clear?"
- Special Training Tuesday March 24: A special Training Tuesday will be held with Connect Leadership Summit speaker Daniel Im, author of "No More Silver Bullets," on March 24 at 7:20 p.m. This Q&A webinar will connect people who might have questions or want to further explore Im's approach five micro-shifts for more effective and faithful disciple-making. Registration is needed to access this training.
- The BWC's Native American Ministries is seeking to rebuild its team and expand its work. If you are a member of a native tribal community, are linked ancestrally to a tribe, and/or desire to further First Nation or indigenous people's justice, contact the Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson by March 15.
- "True Justice" Screening: The United Methodist Women of Mount Olive UMC will hold a screening of Bryan Stevenson's film, "True Justice," on Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Cynthia Taylor.
Wellness and Missions
- UMCOR Sunday: On March 22, United Methodists will take a special offering to benefit the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR reaches children, families and communities who have experienced devastation in the wake of disaster. Download worship ideas, social media graphics and other resources from our UMCOR Sunday Pastor and Leader's Kit.
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Essential Youth Worker Training: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma - On March 28, Camping and Retreat Ministries and the BWC will sponsor this important event that explores the evidence-based research on long-term physical and mental health implications of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), toxic stress and trauma. Facilitators are Dr. Cynthia Greer, Dr. Luane Oprea, Dr. Diane Reese from Trinity Washington University in D.C. Registration is limited to 50.
Learn more and register.
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United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is hosting its annual Northeastern Jurisdictional Mission Academy April 14-17 at Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant, Pa.
The event is open to all United Methodists who want to develop their skills and knowledge for mission and disaster response. Registration and course selection are now live through their website at
umvimnej.org
or the direct registration link
.
- Mission u: Interrupting the School to Prison Pipeline, an event co-sponsored by the United Methodist Women and the BWC's Wellness and Missions team, will be held July 24-26 at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel. The 2020 studies will focus on Finding Peace in the Midst of Anxiety, and Mass Incarceration: School to Prison Pipeline. Learn more.
- When disasters happen, it is local churches that provide the first response to their communities. This basic understanding -- that disaster response is local -- forms the foundation for UMCOR's U.S. disaster training and response efforts. The BWC UMCOR ERT trainers are available to provide ERT trainings on March 22 and May 16. If your church is interested in hosting a training event on one of these dates, contact Pastor Fred Sipes, BWC Disaster Response Coordinator, to discuss the logistics of being a host site.
Young People's Ministry
- YPM Track @ Connect Leadership Summit in Two locations on March 15: Middle and high schoolers are encouraged to attend the Young People's Ministry Track at the Connect Leadership Summit in the afternoon March 15. The Rev. Chris Bishop will lead the session at Otterbein UMC in Hagerstown and the Pastor Jerome Jones will lead the session at Waters Memorial UMC in St. Leonard . Learn more about these free session that will focus on Growing Leadership Through Boosting Communication Skills. Register online. If youth would like to attend the whole day's session on scholarship, they can contact Sharonda Jones.
- Youth: Let your voices be heard and presence felt at Annual Conference in two ways --
1.) Youth Member at Large: Every year, three youth per district have the opportunity to serve as youth members at large to Annual Conference. As a member at large, youth get to experience and participate in all the sessions and vote on resolutions and reports. If you are interested in serving, fill out the application online by March 23.
2.) Participate in leading worship and making presentations and videos for Annual Conference on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Conference Mission Center. The time will start with a ROCK meeting. Contact Cheryl Cook with any questions.
- Save the Date for the Manidokan I-KAN 5K Obstacle Adventure Race Sep. 12. Run as an individual, make a team, run competitively or just for fun. A kid-size race will also be available for those ages 4-11. The event will raise funds for site improvements and camperships.
Glen Mar UMC is now accepting applications for the part-time position of Missions Ministry Coordinator. This vital role drives systems for impacting lives through mission trips and ministry partnerships locally, domestically and abroad. To be a part of the collaborative ministry team at Glen Mar, visit their
employment page.
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The Baltimore-Washington Conference will serve as the host conference of the
2020 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, July 13-17, 2020, at the Delta Hotel in Hunt Valley. People in this area are being asked to volunteer. Some of the servant opportunities include greeting, welcoming (at the airports/train stations, and light rail), pages, tellers and runners, and much more. The
Rev. Patricia Allen of St. Paul's UMC in Kensington is chairperson of volunteer coordination. Contact her at
pasto...@gmail.com and provide your name, best email contact, your region or district, and how you are willing to serve.
Other Conference-related news
The
236th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be Wednesday through Friday, May 27 to 29, at the Waterfront Marriott Hotel in Baltimore.
The denomination-wide
2020 General Conference will be held May 5-15 in Minneapolis, Minn. A resource page with news updates, analysis, and charts explaining the various proposals, is
available here.
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Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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