District News

Prayers of the People 

Nancy McCarthy, who worked for the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died July 5 after a battle with cancer. A viewing will be held Thursday, July 13, from 3 to 5 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be Friday, July 14, at 10:45 a.m. Both will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 8300 Old Columbia Road in Fulton.  She leaves behind her husband, Mike, and two daughters, Katie and Shannon. Condolences can be sent to 7656 Sweet Hours Way, Columbia, MD 21046.

Congratulations to Chris Schlieckert who has been named the new Director of Retreat and Camping for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Since 2007, he has been the Site Director at the Manidokan Camp and Retreat Center. He will also serve as the Site Director at West River Retreat and Camping Center. Schlieckert will follow Andy Thornton, who is retiring at the end of August.

Latest News and Information

Check out the e-connection highlights for a complete list of news and updates

New this Week

Praying Our Way Forward: Churches of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are called to participate in the "Praying Our Way Forward" initiative July 23 - 29. "The aim of 'Praying Our Way Forward' is to ask and listen for God's leadership at this critical time in the life of our church," said Bishop Al Gwinn, who co-chairs the initiative. Learn more.

Farewell Celebration: You are invited to celebrate the retirement of Andy Thornton, the BWC's director of Camping and Retreat Ministries Saturday, Aug. 5, beginning at 1 p.m., at West River Center, Chalk Point Road in West River. Learn more about parking, the chocolate chip cookie contest, creating a farewell video and RSVP at www.CelebrateAndyThornton.myevent.com. 

"Give Yourself Away": Bishop LaTrelle Easterling recently preached at the 2017 Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. John Coleman shared a video of her sermon, "Give Yourself Away," on YouTube.

United Methodist Church Handbook: The new United Methodist Church Handbook (for the 2017-1010 quadrennium) is free from United Methodist Communications. It is packed with denominational details, beliefs, history and contact information. Learn more.

There is still time to apply for admission to Wesley Theological Seminary for the 2017-2018 school year. The application deadline for master's degree programs is July 15.  Students wishing to take classes online or on campus as non-degree seekers can apply up to August 15. New Testament (Gospels), Early Church History and UMC History courses are available 100 percent online.  Wesley's Center for Public Theology will launch a new elective course entitled, "Church, Politics and Race in the Age of Trump," (ES-209) taught by Rev. Kristopher Norris. This is a two-hour class taught at the Wesley downtown location from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays from Oct. 5 to Nov. 16. The course meets one of the elective requirements for the Certificate in Faith and Public Life. Students interested in applying for master's degree programs or as non-degree seekers may find more information at wesleyseminary.edu  or by contacting Admissions at 202-885-8659 or . 

Continuing Highlights 

The BWC Retreat and Camping Ministries are sponsoring a fundraiser, Clean Closets for Campers, to help local churches raise money for camperships. Learn more.

Leadership Training: BWC's Vibrant Communities is alerting local church leaders to two promising learning opportunities.

• A Global Leadership Summit, sponsored by Willow Creek Community Church, will be held
  Aug. 10-11, and simulcast to 600 locations, including five in Maryland: Abundant Life Church in Glen Burnie, Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, First Baptist Church in Landover, Frederick Christian Fellowship in Frederick, Mountain Christian Church in Joppa. Learn more.
• Spark creativity, inspire leaders and transform your church at the Reach Summit in Grand Rapids, Mich., Oct. 20-21, with keynote speaker, the Rev. Olu Brown of Impact Church in Atlanta. Following the summit, participate in a Reach Network Group. Learn more.

The BWC's Early Childhood Educators Conference will be held Thursday, Aug. 10, from 7:30 am. to 

3 p.m. at St. Andrew's UMC, 4 Wallace Manor Road in Edgewater. The theme of the conference, is "Shaping Hearts and Changing Lives." The cost is $55. Learn more and register. 

Quality of Life Retreats is a BWC ministry that reaches out to people living with HIV/AIDS. The next retreat is scheduled for Aug. 17-20 at Camp Manidokan. The ministry's 30th anniversary celebration begins Sept. 1. Learn more in their newsletter, Celebrate Life!

Considering Retirement? The Board of Ordained Ministry is sponsoring a workshop for clergy and their spouses who are exploring the idea of retirement, which will be held Friday, Sept. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. The cost is $30. Learn more and register.  

An Academic Way Forward: The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the Association of United Methodist Theological Schools will co-host an academic theological colloquy, "Missio Dei and the United States: Toward a Faithful United Methodist Witness." The colloquy, planned in support of the Commission on a Way Forward, will take place November 12-15 at the Boston School of Theology at Boston University. The board has also published a new study guide, "The Unity of the Church and Human Sexuality: Toward a Faithful United Methodist Witness," which is available on Amazon.com.

The Foundation for Evangelism recognizes one clergy person each year as the Distinguished Evangelist of the Year for The United Methodist Church. The award comes with a grant for future ministries. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 15. Learn more and download a nominations form at Foundation for Evangelism.org.