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.

    • Monthly yard sales: Monthly yard sales will begin on Saturday April 4, 8am-2pm and the first Saturday of each month through October at Liberty Grove UMC.  No registration is required. Bring a table and set up as early as 7am.

    • Westminster Ringers To Perform A Benefit Concert: The Westminster Ringers,  an advanced Maryland community handbell ensemble of gifted musicians playing advanced handbell repertoire at the highest possible level of musical sensitivity and technical clarity, will be performing at Tom's Creek UMC in Emmitsburg on Thursday, May 14th at 7:00 pm.  All funds raised that evening will be donated  to Tom's Creek for the purchase of their own handbells.  The suggested ticket price is $10 per person.  Tom's Creek is located at 10926 Simmons Rd in Emmitsburg.  Come see the Westminster Ringers honor the 250th anniversary of America with their concert entitled Celebrate America.  For more information, please contact Debbie Henning, Music Director at Tom's Creek, at  or 410-259-5814.

    • Ames UMC 150 Celebration: Ames UMC in Bel Air Maryland is celebrating its 150th Church anniversary this year. From 1876- 2026, the church has been a focal point in Bel Air with spiritual worship, community outreach, educational and voter forums, housing the homeless, health & welfare initiatives, Bible study for all and engaging our youth. We will celebrate with activities for every month of 2026. The church is planning an Anniversary Gala May 16. We invite current and former members including past clergy to join us.

    • Women of Hope Tea: Join us for the annual Delores A. Brown Women of Hope Tea at Hopehill United Methodist Church, a delightful afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship on Saturday, May 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Guest speaker Pastor Zohnette Sligh of Treasures of the Heart Worship Center will be featured. Tickets are $30. The event will be held at Hopehill UMC, 7647 Fingerboard Rd., Frederick, MD 21704. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Debra Addison at 301-524-6859 or visit www.hopehillumc.org. Come enjoy an uplifting and elegant tea experience!

    • Women's Retreat: Cecil Memorial's Women's Retreat will be held on Saturday, May 16th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost to attend this event however space is limited so register today.

    • Bishop Otterbein Birthday Celebration: 2026 marks the 300 Birthday of Bishop Philip William Otterbein, one of the founding Bishops of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ strand of our denomination. On June 6-7, learn about this great history, view for the first time the artifacts from the 2023 archaeological excavation of Bishop Otterbein's cabin, visit Bishop Otterbein's grave, take a trip to the first United Brethren Cemetery in Keedysville, and more. Clergy who were ordained in the EUB and their spouses can attend for free. Email Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, Director of Museums and Pilgrimage, for a registration code or with questions. Register.

    • African American Mystics: Bowman, Murray, Thurman: Discover the power of African American mysticism in this immersive three-night retreat, June 16 - 19, exploring Divine hope and love shaped through resilience and faith. Guided by Rev. Joan Crawford, participants will engage the spiritual wisdom of Thea Bowman, Howard Thurman, and Pauli Murray through poetry, music, prayer, meditation, and creative expression. Rooted in a rich tradition that affirms dignity and sacred identity, this retreat offers space for reflection, healing, and deeper connection. Check-in begins June 16 at 4 p.m, with sessions starting Tuesday evening and concluding Friday at 4 p.m. an inspiring journey into spirituality, culture, and inner transformation. Cost is $525 Overnight for overnight participants and $370 Commuter at Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center. 

    •  Rise Up: Join Us at SCD 2026! The Congregational Vitality Team is inviting up to 20 clergy and laity from across the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Episcopal Area to attend SCD 2026: Rise Up — Love, Serve, and Lead in Columbus, Ohio! August 2–5, 2026 | Hyatt Regency Hotel | Columbus, OH This four-day gathering brings lay and clergy leaders together to reimagine the future of the church through worship, formation, and learning from practitioners on the cutting edge of church planting, revitalization, and innovation. Plenary speaker Carey Nieuwhof will lead us in exploring how to see where God is moving, create new pathways, and disciple in ways that truly form lives. The Congregational Vitality Team is covering transportation (rental van transportation) and registration costs. Participants are responsible for meals and lodging. Scholarships may be available upon request. Spots are limited — Register Today! For questions or scholarship inquiries, contact Rev. Bill Brown at or Abby Butler-Cefalo at .

    • 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.

    • Bible Study: Cecil Memorial UMC, 15 Parole Street, Annapolis, MD, hosts an in-person Bible study every Tuesday at 7 PM. All are encouraged to join.

    • Sight & Sound Theatre - “Joshua”: Trip on October 8, 2026, Thursday, Sight and Sound Theatre, "Joshua" Benefit Sollers UMC, 1219 Wrighton Road, Lothian, MD 20711, Cost $195.00 per person contact person Earlene McClain