As you journey through this Lenten season we invite you to consider wellness and to find moments to intentionally care for yourself -- body, mind and soul. If you haven't done so already, consider immersing yourself in the two-hour mini-retreat, created by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and leaders in the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences. Explore Resilience in the Wilderness: Breathing, Chanting, Persevering .

 

The poem above is from an online weekly Lenten Devotional for individuals and small groups that features Bishop Easterling's prayer-poems and some thoughts for reflection. Explore Speak a Word: A 2022 Lenten Study.

 

Discipleship Opportunities

Action and Advocacy 

The Seeds of Security Annual Golf Tournament, which raises funds to assist victims of domestic violence, will be held Monday, April 25, at 9 a.m. at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Course at11130 Willow Bottom Drive, in Columbia. Tickets are $150 for a single play and $500 for a team of four. You can choose to register one player or a team of four. Register for the event.

IDEA Corps Summer Internship: The IDEA Corps, focusing on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Antiracism, is a new six-week internship for students ages 18-23 offered by the Baltimore-Washington Conference. It will take place June 6 through July 15. Applications are due April 18. Learn more and apply.

Young People's Ministry

A Spirituality of Justice retreat, for youth ages 12-18, will be held April 1-3 at West River Center near Annapolis. Young people will explore different types of spiritual practices, hear from leading conference justice workers, and talk through what they’re learning in small groups. The cost is $52 per person. Youth will need a Safe Sanctuary chaperone. Register.

Christians Engaged in Faith Formation will hold their monthly meeting April 7 at 10 a.m. The theme for the conversation will be “Kids on Mission – Connecting with the community and budget-friendly missions.” Learn more and see how to get connected.

Manidokan and West River will hold an Open House on April 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. for new and prospective campers and families to visit the sites, ask questions, and become familiar with the property and programs. No registration is necessary. If this time does not work for a family they can reach out to Manidokan or West River to schedule another time to visit the site.

Lives change at summer camp. This summer, the BWC's Retreat and Camping Ministries offers a vast array of experiences for those entering third grade through adults in residential and day camps.

• Residential camp at West River near Annapolis
• Day camp at West River near Annapolis
• Summer camp at Manidokan near Harpers Ferry

Wellness and Missions

First Aid for Mental Health: One in five Americans experiences mental illness each year. A 2021 Clergy Well-Being Survey found that United Methodist clergy are increasingly struggling with mental health. To address some of the issues and stigmas around this issue, Wespath is offering first aid training for mental health. To address the high demand, additional sessions have been added. You can now attend on March 23 or 24. See the toolkit with details on the First Aid for Mental Health event page. Register.

 Lenten Study -- Learning Sign Language as a Spiritual Discipline: Participants are invited to register for a virtual sign language class via Zoom to further their spiritual growth during Lent. This introduction to sign language will be held March  26, at 11 a.m. Contact the Rev. Leo Yates to request accommodations and ask questions. Children are welcome to join with an adult. Register.

Autism Awareness Month is the topic of discussion for April's Accessibility Conversation on April 1 at 11 a.m.. Rev. Melinda Baber, a person on the Autism spectrum, is the guest speaker. Join us on April 1 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Learn more and register.  

 

Leadership Development

Appointment Transition Workshop: All clergy who are retiring or transitioning to new appointments are requested to attend a virtual workshop on Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to noon. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Jack Shitama, the Director of the Center for Vital Leadership. To register, contact your District Office.

Becoming a Certified Lay Ministers (CLM): Applications for the 2022-2024 CLM class of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are now being accepted. Learn more and see if you qualify. The application process includes meeting with the pastor, local SPRC, and the district superintendent before the July 1 deadline. The class starts in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions may be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.

Deacon Coffee Chats: A monthly deacon coffee chat, which is open to deacons and soon-to-be-deacons of both the BWC and Pen-Del Conferences, is held on the third Friday of the month at 3 p.m. Join via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87014319537#success) Meeting ID: 870 1431 9537; Phone in: 301-715-8592.

Annual Conference registration: Registration is now open to clergy and lay members for the June 1-3 session of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. Learn more.

New Faith Expressions

BWC grants available to assist your church: A new, non-renewable grant for up to $5,000 to help launch a new faith expression that reaches new people is now available through the BWC. The conference is also offering congregational development grants, through the Unified Funding Task Force, to assist churches with launching other new ministry initiatives, new or renewed congregation development, and leader development. Online applications must be submitted by March 20. Learn more and apply.

 

Stay or Go: Real Talk for United Methodists Exploring Their Future

April 23, 2022

9:00-10:30 a.m.

ZOOM Webinar

REGISTER HERE

https://bwcumc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_onJr6Fj3QQuYDXH8-2iiMQ

What will ministry for our local churches look like in the coming years, as the dust settles from our discussions and decisions regarding denominational separation? What will stay the same and what will change about ministry in the continuing UMC? What is the WCA’s vision for the Global Methodist Church? How will the logistics of each impact local churches and individuals? 

Join us for this discussion with panelists from UMNext and the Wesleyan Covenant Association as they answer your questions about their visions for ministry after separation.

Rev. Bill Brown will serve as moderator.

Panelists will include:

Rev.  Ginger Gaines-Cirelli (UMNext, BWC)

Rev. Dr. Vicki Gordy-Stith (UMNext, Pen-Del)

Rev. Dr. Rudy Bropleh (WCA, BWC)

Rev.  David Bennett (WCA, Pen-Del)

Attendees are invited to submit questions to , and topics will be selected based upon those submissions. This webinar will be recorded for later viewing.

This session will not address the process for disaffiliation or the history of how the UMC arrived at this point. For resources on those topics, please contact your District Superintendent.

Resources

Understanding Church Specific Insurance
Everyone knows that shopping around your insurance can save you money. But if you are a church, it might cost you down the road if you don't buy coverage specifically meant for a church. On March 31 at 2:30 EST, the United Methodist Insurance Program (UMIP) is hosting an informational webinar called "Church Specific Insurance: Why It Matters". Reserve your spot today -- https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MS8w1YOSTou7q5hKN_AHdA

Level Up Your Ministry with UMC Market
Have you ever wished that supporting your ministry could be simple, easy, and automated? By simply shopping online, you can do just that! On March 24 at 1:30 CDT, UMCmarket, powered by iGive, is hosting an information webinar called "Beginners & Beyond" to help you understand the tools, innovations, and earning opportunities that can take your mission and ministry to the next level.  Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8227864734676830479 

ACTION!!!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE REQUEST

In preparation for this year’s Service of the Saints, please submit the names of any Lay Member to Annual Conference who passed away after the 2021 virtual conference.  Send your submission as an email attachment to Olivia Gross, , no later than April 18 and include the following: 

• Lay Member’s Full name 
• Date of birth and death
• A picture
• Next of kin contact information