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BY LINDA WORTHINGTON
UMCONNECTION STAFF

The Baltimore-Washington 2007 Cooperative School of Christian Mission will be held July 19-22 at a new location - the Hilton Inn in Gaithersburg.

It?s called 'cooperative' because it is sponsored by both the conference United Methodist Women and the Conference Board of Mission. The school is designed to educate people about missions and to inspire through worship, music and Bible study.

It is also an opportunity for fellowship and networking. The theme is 'Sing Across the Walls.' Saundra Brooks is this year?s dean.

The spiritual growth study, presented through plenary sessions, is 'Mission and Music.' The Rev. Terri Rae Chattin will remind the participants of the passion brought to mission work by ancestors and expressed in hymns, both old and new. She will focus on songs of hope that have the power to bring down walls of hatred and prejudice.

The Rev. Anthony Love will lead the music.

A class on Israel/Palestine will help participants to gain insight into the history and complexities of the relationships between Israel and Palestine. Teaching the courses will be Ruth Daugherty, Jim Vitarello and newly ordained Deacon, the Rev. Doris Warrell.

'Globalization: Its Impact in Our Lives' will focus on the nature of world economics today, and its effect on people and communities, including such topics as free trade policies, outsourcing, global media consolidation, and privatization of natural resources. Linda Douglas and the Rev. Cynthia Belt will teach the classes.

Besides the scheduled classes and the plenary sessions, those attending will also have the opportunity to pick from a variety of focus groups. They meet Saturday in sessions of a little more than an hour to give a taste of the subject matter. Bishop Forrest Stith will lead a focus group on Israel/Palestine.

The School of Christian Mission also offers the opportunity to talk with a missionary couple: the Rev. Chris Stockwell-Goering and Martha Stockwell-Goering who recently returned from serving in northern Argentina. His work was on the cultivation and formation of local leadership in marginalized and economically challenged communities, and she worked in base-community organizing in a low-income neighborhood. They will tell their stories during a mission sharing time on Friday, and also in a focus group on Saturday.

The school also offers leadership training for United Methodist Women officers, which is especially helpful for new officers or people attending for the first time. In their spare time, participants may explore the Discovery Center, with information about the study topics, missions and UMW leadership and programs.

Registration for this year?s school is closed, but those within commuting distance can consider attending some sessions. For information, contact registrar Heidi Eber at .