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.

  • Lenten fossil fuel fast for Creation: cut fossil fuel use for Lent by joining Community Solar (844-899-9763), lowering thermostat and hot water temperature a few degrees, driving at or a few mph below limit, buying fewer plastic containers, drinking tap water to care for God’s Creation and our neighbors.

  •  FREE ASL classes: During Lent, Magothy Deaf Church is offering FREE ASL classes on Zoom. Join Rev. Leo Yates for this Lenten American Sign Language class. This 2-part introduction class will be held on March 17 & 24 and will last approximately 45-60 minutes. Participants will learn acquaintance signs and phrases, an easy-to-learn song, AND common Lenten signs (e.g., fasting, praying, etc.). Children are welcome to join with their parents. Learn more and register.

  • Biblical Improv class:  Grace UMC is offering a Biblical Improv class during Lent, and persons throughout the connection are welcome to join the class, Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., February 24 - March 24.  Have you ever wondered how Daniel really spent the night lying next to the harmless lions? Do you fancy to know what happened on the way up the mountain where Jesus was about to give his sermon?  Welcome to Biblical Improv, Improvisational Theater with a theological twist! This is a great way of discovering new things in well-known and unknown Biblical stories.  Led by an experienced Improv teacher and pastor in the Swiss Reformed Church, this class will tap into our natural talents to improvise while providing some basic training with improv techniques in order to apply them to biblical stories. No prior Improv experience needed! To sign up, contact the Grace Church office at 410-433-6650, or .

  • Lenten Prayer Breakfast:  Emmanuel UMC in Scaggsville will host a Lenten Prayer Breakfast on Saturday March 14, from 9:30 a.m. to Noon. Please join us for a morning of fellowship and prayer. The theme is Gethsemane:  From Agony to Victory (with a display of the Stations of the Cross). The Keynote Speaker is Rev. Roberta S White, and an Expressive Art Activity by Rev. Dr. Martina E. Efodzi. RSVP to  . 

  • Spring Country Breakfast:  Mt. Olive UMC invites you to join them for their Spring Country Breakfast Saturday March 14.  Served buffet-style from 7AM to 11AM. Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, potato casserole, sausage gravy, biscuits, and spiced apples. Mt. Olive UM Church Hall, 2927 Gillis Falls Road, Mt. Airy, MD. Adults $15, Children (8 and under) $5. Featuring delicious homemade food items available at the Bake Table. Contact information: 410-549-2285

  • Digital Safety, Online Exploitation, and How to Prevent It: Join Silver Spring United Methodist Church on Monday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. for an open and honest presentation on digital safety, online exploitation, and how to prevent it led by Secret Service Ambassador IT Specialist Mark Cobero along with Secret Service Ambassadors Kayla Brown and Kellie Sellers.  There will be a presentation for middle and high school students (7th grade and above) and a presentation for parents.  Both presentations will be held at the same time. This is a must for parents of children and youth of all ages.  Childcare will be provided as the presentations are not suitable for children younger than 7th grade. 

  • In-person mentor training for clergy: Elders and Deacons play a vital, biblical role in mentoring those discerning a call and navigating the ordination process. The Board of Ordained Ministries will host an in-person mentor training for clergy on Wednesday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mission Center in Fulton. This training is designed for clergy mentoring candidates in pre-certification, certification, and provisional stages. Register.

  • Preventive health screenings: March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday, March 20, 2026, Life Line Screening will offer low-cost preventive health screenings at Clinton United Methodist Church. Screenings include a take-home FIT colorectal cancer test, plus checks for stroke risk, abdominal aortic aneurysm, osteoporosis, heart rhythm issues, and blood pressure. Screenings are fast, painless, and affordable. Pre-registration required. Call 800-324-9458, visit LLSA.SOCIAL/HABC, or text CIRCLE to 216-279-1607 to schedule.

  • Book Discussion on "Love in a Time of Climate Change": Author Sharon Delgado, UMC pastor in California, uses the Wesleyan quadrilateral: scripture, tradition, reason and experience, to help us deal with the greatest challenge of our time: climate change. Buy your book or get it on Kindle and join us in March in discussing it.  The author will join our discussion on Zoom March 24th, 7 pm. Link is forthcoming. For more information, contact Judy Smith.

  • Virtual Dinner Dialogue: Join the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women this Women’s Herstory Month for a Virtual Dinner Dialogue on March 27 as they reflect on The United Methodist Church’s apology and explore what it means to move from acknowledgment to action. This year, let’s begin the transition from "Resilience to Renaissance." Bring your meal. Bring your voice. Be part of the conversation. Zoom link.

  • Cantata at Pikeside Church: "Jesus The Undefeated One – Celebrating Our Victorious Redeemer" March 29, 10:15 a.m., Join us for a powerful Easter celebration as the Pikeside Church Choir, under the direction of Mr. John Manor, presents "Jesus - The Undefeated One – Celebrating Our Victorious Redeemer." This inspiring new musical is overflowing with jubilant praise, intimate worship, and powerful testimony. Every moment is designed to foster worship and celebration of Christ’s victory, He is alive, and the grave is empty!  Bring your family and friends as we lift our voices and hearts in praise of the Risen King. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9 a.m., and the Easter Cantata begins at 10:15 a.m. Pikeside Church is located at 25 Paynes Ford Road, Martinsburg, WV, and our facilities are handicapped accessible. For more information, visit www.pikesideumc.org or contact the church office at 304-263-4633.

  • The Seven Last Words Featuring Seven Sisters of the Spirit: Save the date for a historic Good Friday worship experience on April 3, at 7 p.m. at St. Mark UMC in Hanover. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, The Seven Last Words Featuring Seven Sisters of the Spirit will, for the first time ever, bring together all seven Active Ebony Female Bishops of The United Methodist Church, including our own Bishop Easterling, to proclaim the Seven Last Words of Christ. This powerful gathering marks a milestone in the Church’s witness and the enduring faithfulness of women in ministry. For more information, contact Rev. Jason O. Jordan-Griffin.

  • Good Friday Dinner: Cecil Memorial UMC, 15 Parole Street, Annapolis, MD will be selling Good Friday Dinners on Friday, April 3rd from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. pre-orders are strongly encouraged, however; ALL PIG FEET DINNERS MUST BE PRE-ORDERED.

  • Easter Scramble: Grace United Methodist Church will hold its Easter Scramble at Grace Church (110 West Bel Air Avenue Aberdeen, MD 21001) From 10:30am - 12:00pm on April 4th. Rain or shine, everyone is invited to enjoy a fun, free, community event of outdoor activities including pictures with the Easter Bunny and craft & game tables for kids of all ages, leading up to our Egg Hunt by age beginning. Bring the whole family & a bag/basket to help children to collect eggs. See you for some Easter fun! In the event of rain, all activities will be moved inside.

  • The Non-Anxious Leader: Family Systems Basics: The key to effective leadership is the ability to be a non-anxious presence. This is deceptively simple, but tremendously difficult. If you take this journey, you can lead change in even the most challenging contexts. The Non-Anxious Leader: Family Systems Basics is a four-week, online course that runs from April 12 - May 10. It will help you learn the principles behind this approach, as well as how to put them into practice. 3.0 CEU’s are awarded for successful completion. There is no cost to lay and clergy members of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences. Registration closes April 6. Learn more and register.

  • Health and Wellness Fair: Emory Fellowship United Methodist Church is having a "Health and Wellness Fair-360 Degrees" on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Emory Fellowship UM Church, 6100 Georgia Avenue, NW, DC. There will be a variety of Physical, Spiritual, Mental and Social activities for adults as well as youth.

  •  Endorsement 101 Webinar: Join the United Methodist Endorsing Agency for an Endorsement 101 Webinar on April 23, from 4 to 5 p.m., to learn what endorsement is and how United Methodists called to chaplaincy and other specialized ministries can serve beyond the local church. Endorsement is available to Licensed Local Pastors, Deacons (provisional and full connection) and Elders (provisional and full connection). Learn more.

  • Sight & Sound Theatre - “Joshua”: Christ UM Church Outreach Ministry, has planned a bus trip to Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre in Lancaster, PA on April 25, 2026 to see “Joshua”. The cost for the 11:00 a.m. matinee is $225.00 with a deposit of $45.00  (Non-Refundable). The cost includes Coach Transportation, a floor seat at the theater, Family Style Buffet lunch at Hershey Farms, and refreshments, games and drawings for prizes on the bus. If you have any questions, please contact Phyllis Slater (301) 653-7345 and Summer Broadwater (240) 419-9328.

  • 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.

  • 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.