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.
Local Church EventS
- Compassionate Space for Federal Workers, Contractors, and Others
Join others on Saturday, June 21st, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for a discussion and support space for federal workers, federal contractors, and adjacent communities affected by the sweeping changes in federal funding and workforce. This 90-minute discussion aims to create space for sharing our stories, engaging in dialogue with others, and building a community of support and prayer during this time of unprecedented change. We will create time for reflection, small-group discussion, and considering ongoing ways to support one another. For more information, contact Dianne Russell. Register.
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A quintet will present a new chamber music version of Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka as well as Johannes Brahms’ timeless Piano Quintet on Friday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m. in Glen Mar Church’s Spirit Center, 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City. This event is free. For more information, visit: glenmarumc.org/summerconcerts.
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Mission trip: St. James UMC invites you to join them on a 10-day study and mission opportunity on Nov. 7-16 with “Give Ye Them To Eat,” a rural development mission in Mexico. Participants will visit the city of Puebla, then spend most of our time near the small town of Tlancualpican where the Tree of Life Training Center is located. The cost is $1,150, plus roundtrip airfare to Mexico City. Contact the Rev. Patricia Abell for more information and an application.
Across the Connection
The Network of Biblical Storytellers will hold their international conference Aug. 6-8 at the Maritime Center in Linthicum. The theme of the event is “Searching for Peace in Troubling Times: The Abiding Wisdom of 2 Kings 5-6." The keynote speaker is Tavis West. Learn more and register.
Advocacy and action
Building Beloved Community: Throughout the nation, DEI programs and initiatives are under attack. The Baltimore-Washington Conference has long been committed to upholding the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These core principles are not only grounded in our lived experience as the Body of Christ, but they are also deeply embedded in the theological teachings of Scripture, our United Methodist traditions and the broader Christian call to justice. The pursuit of equity, diversity, and inclusion is integral to living out the Gospel’s radical message of love, unity, and justice for all people, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or social status. See our Call to Prayer and Action.
Wellness and Missions
Join the 2025 Baltimore County Christian Workcamp on July 20-26. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are needed to assist with providing home repairs. Register. | Learn more.
The Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area Mission u 2025, sponsored by the United Women of Faith and the Wellness and Missions Ministry, will be held Aug. 1-2 at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis. The theme is “Practicing Hope Together.”
Young People's Ministry
Early Educators Conference: The BWC's Directors Roundtable will host an Early Childhood Educators Conference on Aug. 7 at St. Andrews UMC, at 48 Wallace Manor Road in Edgewater. The cost is $75. The theme is "Choose Joy." Registration opens May 1. Register.
New Certified Lay Minister Class Applications are now being accepted – Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Minister, the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2025-2027 are now being accepted. Learn more and see the online application. The deadline to submit your application is July 1. The next cohort will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.
Please Note: Those interested in taking the CLM modules online through Beadisciple.com must also complete the application process above before registering for the online modules and meet the BWC requirements during the training.
A new Certificate in Congregational Leadership (CCL) program uses online learning to provide a comprehensive approach to developing leadership excellence in the local church. It is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of bi-vocational pastors, Certified Lay Ministers, and others interested in growing in their knowledge and faith. The courses, which take about 10 hours of work, can be taken for either personal enrichment or certification. Participants seeking certification must take the four required courses and at least one elective. The courses focus on church administration, sacraments, pastoral care, Wesleyan theology, time management, and United Methodist history and doctrine. To access the core courses, you will need an account in Assembly, the conference's electronic learning platform. If you do not have one, you can register directly on the site.