This is W. E.! 11_3_2020
Lift up your Hearts:
A weekly prayer for the Baltimore-Washington Conference from the Appointive Cabinet.
God Enough: A Prayer of Faith to an All-Sufficient God
God of all grace, all power, and all glory,
Today we are grateful that you are God enough.
When we feel isolated and alone, your presence is enough;
When we are fearful and uncertain, your faithfulness is enough;
When we are surrounded by hatred and
divided by agendas, opinions, and points of view, your love is enough;
When, we don't know what to say to the challenges of the day,
your word is enough.
When our hearts break, you heal;
When our tongues fail, you speak;
So speak to our hearts O God.
Quiet us with your peace,
Strengthen us with your joy,
Steady us with your wisdom,
And remind us of your promises.
Help us to know that weapons may form, but not enough to prosper;
Trials may come, but only to make us strong;
Darkness may fall, but it must give way to the day.
Light of the world: protector, provider, friend
Thank you for being more than enough.
AMEN.
November 12th at 9:30 am: Christians Engaged in Faith Formation; This meeting will explore talking about racism with children and families. Join the Zoom meeting athttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89150929659. The meeting ID is 891 5092 9659. Password is 297120. Or, dial by phone: +13017158592. Future CEF meetings will be held Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8 and May 13.
Lay Planter Training, an innovative program by New Faith Expressions and Path 1, is offering opportunities for all laity to explore how to create new ministries, including new faith communities. It includes three online classes that focus on the "why" of planting new faith communities, and seven self-paced sessions that cover how to plant a new ministry or church. A video of a Zoom session that explores details of the Lay Planter Training is online.
The training is $100, or $200 for Certified Lay Ministers seeking specialization. Questions? Please contact Lauren Harris at
.
Register for the training.
Register as a CLM.
November 14th: The Laity Session of Annual Conference will be held online Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon. This year's session is open to everyone -- all clergy and lay people. However, attendance will be limited to the first 1,000 people to register (.https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=5870) . We will livestream everything except the interactive dialogue which is why registration is required and limited.
In addition to the time of equipping, our gathering will include:
- A time of worship and welcome from BWC Lay Leader Delores Martin;
- An address to leaders of the Baltimore-Washington Conference by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling;
- Honoring the BWC's 11 new Certified Lay Ministers;
- Presentations of five awards to churches and individuals that honor outstanding discipleship. Learn more at www.bwcumc.org/resources/grants-and-awards.
Young People's Voices Needed for the Laity Session: It is critical for the future of our churches to have young people engaged. Encourage your youth and young adults to lift their voices as participants in this year's virtual Laity Session. Young people have three opportunities to participate by recording themselves either reading scripture, singing "This Little Light of Mine," or finishing the prompt, "The church can keep the dream alive by... " Contact Cheryl Cook at for more details.
Next Level Leaders Academy Rescheduled for November 20th – 21st :The Academy will train leaders who understand the purpose, design, mission, character, and power of the church and are capable of leading others to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Registration extended and the cost is $30. For more information and to register:https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1871210-2020-10-30-next-level-leaders-academy/
We celebrate that many BWC congregations that have committed to becoming an anti-racist church. The BWC's Discipleship Council encourages all churches to rise as they consider and sign the Commitment to Become an Anti-Racist Church by clicking the following link: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/commitment-to-becoming-an-anti-racist-church?source=direct_link&. Resources will be provided to all the signatories to assist in their efforts to seek justice, do the work, and end racism. See an FAQ (https://www.bwcumc.org/article/faq-on-the-commitment-to-becoming-an-anti-racist-church/) and download a PDF of the Commitment to Become an Anti-Racist Church clicking the following link: https://b65de766771c0b853a36-be165dca3b4cdda77f8dc2ad6b17900c.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/uploaded/c/0e10565326_1592505033_commitment-to-becoming-an-anti-racist-churchfinalpdf.pdf.
Who Are We?
A Journey From Head to Heart
As the church faces an uncertain future, churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference are called to explore the heart of their faith with this 18-week interactive study on who we are as a people of God, as United Methodists, and as the people of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. This interactive resource can be used in a variety of ways in congregations.
Click here for video https://youtu.be/_znHcnJytoQ
Washington East Virtual Choir - Please use following link to register for the choir:
https://stpauloxonhill.org/events/washington-east-virtual-choir-/