News and Views

By Erik Alsgaard
UMConnection Staff

What we celebrate, we become.

With that in mind, the Baltimore-Washington Conference will intentionally celebrate more ministries than ever at the May Annual Conference Session. But we need your help.

Starting now, the BWC will be collecting stories of ministry excellence as part of an online process that will lead to the celebration in May. Each shared story will be a nomination in one of five ministry areas, two of which carry monetary awards.

Five awards will be given. They include:

• The Harry Denman Evangelism Award; for one youth, one clergy and one lay person
• Youth Worker of the Year Award
• Young Adult Leader of the Year Award
• Advocacy and Action Award for faith communities
• Abundant Health Award for faith communities.

The two awards to faith communities come with a $1,000 prize. Applications and nominations are due April 30.

The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry of evangelism — expressed in word (what), sign (why), and deed (how) — brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. What distinguishes a Harry Denman Evangelism Award recipient is the commitment to consistently introduce others to the Good News of Jesus Christ in all ministry settings. Their ministry is exceptional for the number of new Christ-followers who credit encounters with this person as critical in helping to start or reignite their faith journey. One youth, one clergy, and one lay person will be recognized. The nomination form is online at bwcumc.org/harrydenmanaward.

Youth Worker of the Year Award will be given to a person who exemplifies inviting, inspiring and strengthening youth skilled servant workers. The nomination form is online at bwcumc.org/youthworkeraward.

Young Adult Leader of the Year Award will be given to a United Methodist who supports the development of mature Jesus followers and uses their gifts to build up the body of Christ for the transformation of the world. The nomination form is online here.

Advocacy & Action Award: $1,000 will be given to one faith community that exemplifies partnering with their communities in advocating to transform systems that disenfranchise, marginalize and oppress. Complete the application online at bwcumc.org/advocacyandactionaward.

Abundant Health Award: $1,000 will be given to one faith community that exemplifies the fostering of spiritual, physical and mental health for all and promotes an understanding of the interconnectedness of all aspects of health. Complete the application  online at bwcumc.org/abundanthealthaward.

The awards are a part of an effort to recognize and support individuals and faith communities that are flourishing and working to enhance God’s reign. This strategy includes a component, which will be rolled out this spring and summer, of providing grant money for inspiring and innovative ministry in local faith communities.

One example is the Peace with Justice Grant. The application process for this and other grants will be standardized and automated to streamline the online application system.

The BWC Peace with Justice grants are for up to $2,000. This funding is made possible by the annual Peace with Justice Offering. Fifty percent of this offering, which is to be taken on May 27, is retained for local Peace with Justice ministries. Peace with Justice witnesses to God's demand for a faithful, just, disarmed, and secure world. We will be awarding grants in the spring and in the fall this year. The spring deadline is April 30. Apply for a Peace with Justice Grant now.

Learn more about the BWC’s Discipleship Ministries Grants and Awards.