Discipleship Opportunities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference offers a number of opportunities for learning and growing in faith and discipleship. Scroll down this list of some of the offerings to put your faith into action.

  • CAMP JOY: offers youth a hands-on mission experience in the Appalachian region of Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, where participants serve communities impacted by rural poverty through home repair and meaningful relationship-building. Taking place July 12–18, this immersive week helps youth see how faith and service intersect while making a real difference. Learn more in the full flyer and at an upcoming Zoom info session held on February 2 at 7 p.m.

  • Underground Railroad Commemorative Walk and Celebration: Emmarts United Methodist Church (7100 Dogwood Road Windsor Mill, MD 21244) invites you to join them Saturday February 7, 2025 at 10 a.m. to kickoff of black history month with a walk along Historic rolling road. Learn more and Register.

  • Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry: Emmarts United Methodist Church (7100 Dogwood Road Windsor Mill, MD 21244) invites you to join them for their Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry Every 3rd Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome!

  • Lunch Event Focused on End-of-Life Planning: The OAKS Ministry of Pikeside Church is hosting a community luncheon at Hoss’s Steakhouse in Martinsburg on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., featuring a presentation by Julie Sayre of Hospice of the Panhandle on end-of-life planning. She will offer practical, compassionate guidance on preparing for difficult decisions and easing the burden on loved ones through advance planning. The event is open to the public, requires no RSVP, and attendees pay for their own lunch. For more information, please contact Pikeside Church at 304-263-4633 or visit them online at www.pikesideumc.org.

  • Chocolate festival: Join Grace Church for thier 13th Annual Chocolate Festival on February 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! (110 W. Bel Air Ave., Aberdeen, MD 21001) This year's theme is Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and we have the sweetness to match! Stroll by our Chocolate River of dipped strawberries. Build the ultimate ice cream sundae. Try your luck at the Oompa Loompa Cake Walk. Cozy up with hot cocoa loaded with all the toppings. Visit our Sweet Treats Table packed with hundreds of goodies to choose from! Keep your eyes open—you might just spot Willy Wonka himself, or maybe an Oompa Loompa (or two!)We’ll also have handcrafted goods for sale and lunch available, making it the perfect stop for the whole family. Join us and make this next Valentine's Day sweet for you and your family!

  • Pancake Breakfast & King Cake:  Sunday, February 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Join us for delicious pancakes and sausage, spiced apples and King Cake after worship. Donations received will go towards the Youth Mission trip in July. Emmanuel UMC 10755 Scaggsville Road, Laurel. Contact Donna Meoli for more information.

  • Bowie State Choir Black History Month Worship: Silver Spring United Methodist Church isexcited to welcome the Bowie State Concert Choir to help lead worship on Sunday, February 15. Be sure to save the date for this powerful time of worship celebrating Black History Month, and be sure to stick around after for a min-concert exploring themes of liberation with the choir at 11:30 a.m. in our Sanctuary. For more information, please email Leona Lowery Fitzhugh at 

  • Black Clergymen Fellowship Gathering: Black Clergymen Fellowship will gather on Friday, February 20, 11:30a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center. For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Jason Jordan-Griffin or Rev. Michael Parker.

  • Black History Month Choral Festival: Join Silver Spring United Methodist Church Saturday February 21st at 4 p.m. in welcoming the Washington Women's and Men of Color Chorales for "Celebrating the African American Spiritual," featuring the music of Hall Johnson, Rosephanye Powll, and Ysaye Barnwell. Email Leona Lowery Fitzhugh at  for more information. 

  • Biblical Improv class:  Grace UMC is offering a Biblical Improv class during Lent, and persons throughout the connection are welcome to join the class, Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., February 24 - March 24.  Have you ever wondered how Daniel really spent the night lying next to the harmless lions? Do you fancy to know what happened on the way up the mountain where Jesus was about to give his sermon?  Welcome to Biblical Improv, Improvisational Theater with a theological twist! This is a great way of discovering new things in well-known and unknown Biblical stories.  Led by an experienced Improv teacher and pastor in the Swiss Reformed Church, this class will tap into our natural talents to improvise while providing some basic training with improv techniques in order to apply them to biblical stories. No prior Improv experience needed! To sign up, contact the Grace Church office at 410-433-6650, or .

  • 2026 World Day of Prayer Worship Service: St Matthews UMC in Bowie, MD invites you to join them March 6 2026 at 1 p.m. for 2026 World Day of Prayer Worship Service. The Prayer Focus will be the country of NIGERIA and the theme is “I Will Give You Rest: Come” drawn from Matthew 11: 28-30 Please join in person or view service at 7 pm on SMUMC Facebook March 6.

  • Spring Country Breakfast:  Mt. Olive UMC invites you to join them for their Spring Country Breakfast Saturday March 14.  Served buffet-style from 7AM to 11AM. Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, potato casserole, sausage gravy, biscuits, and spiced apples. Mt. Olive UM Church Hall, 2927 Gillis Falls Road, Mt. Airy, MD. Adults $15, Children (8 and under) $5. Featuring delicious homemade food items available at the Bake Table. Contact information: 410-549-2285

  • Digital Safety, Online Exploitation, and How to Prevent It: Join Silver Spring United Methodist Church on Monday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. for an open and honest presentation on digital safety, online exploitation, and how to prevent it led by Secret Service Ambassador IT Specialist Mark Cobero along with Secret Service Ambassadors Kayla Brown and Kellie Sellers.  There will be a presentation for middle and high school students (7th grade and above) and a presentation for parents.  Both presentations will be held at the same time. This is a must for parents of children and youth of all ages.  Childcare will be provided as the presentations are not suitable for children younger than 7th grade. 

  • Cantata at Pikeside Church: "Jesus The Undefeated One – Celebrating Our Victorious Redeemer" March 29, 10:15 a.m., Join us for a powerful Easter celebration as the Pikeside Church Choir, under the direction of Mr. John Manor, presents "Jesus - The Undefeated One – Celebrating Our Victorious Redeemer." This inspiring new musical is overflowing with jubilant praise, intimate worship, and powerful testimony. Every moment is designed to foster worship and celebration of Christ’s victory, He is alive, and the grave is empty!  Bring your family and friends as we lift our voices and hearts in praise of the Risen King. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9 a.m., and the Easter Cantata begins at 10:15 a.m. Pikeside Church is located at 25 Paynes Ford Road, Martinsburg, WV, and our facilities are handicapped accessible. For more information, visit www.pikesideumc.org or contact the church office at 304-263-4633.

  • Sight & Sound Theatre - “Joshua”: Christ UM Church Outreach Ministry, has planned a bus trip to Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre in Lancaster, PA on April 25, 2026 to see “Joshua”. The cost for the 11:00 a.m. matinee is $225.00 with a deposit of $45.00  (Non-Refundable). The cost includes Coach Transportation, a floor seat at the theater, Family Style Buffet lunch at Hershey Farms, and refreshments, games and drawings for prizes on the bus. If you have any questions, please contact Phyllis Slater (301) 653-7345 and Summer Broadwater (240) 419-9328.

  • Ark Encounters & Creation Museum trip: Christ UM Church Outreach Ministry has planned a bus trip to Williamstown and Pittsburgh, KY, August 4-August 7, 2026. We will also visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The cost is $835.00 (Double Occupancy) and $1,104.00 (Single Occupancy) If you would like to travel with our Outreach Ministry, a deposit of $75.00 is due to hold your seat and the cost of the trip must be paid in full by 5/03/26. (All Payments will be Non Refundable) For more details contact Grace Bryant (301) 579-2070, Rudell Jones (301) 579-2014 or Phyllis Slater (301) 653-7345

  • Bus Trip to Myrtle Beach SC : St. Matthews New Life UMC is having a bus trip to Myrtle Beach SC in September 14 to 18, 2026. Roundtrip from SMNL UMC Baltimore to Myrtle Beach. 4 Nights Lodging 4 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners. Enjoy theater shows and beach walks. More information.