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
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Summer Concert Series: Glen Mar looks forward to presenting three concerts in 2025. We have lined up ensemble132 on Friday, June 27 at 7:00 pm, the Marimba Linda Xelaju on July 18 at 7:00 pm, and The U.S. Army Field Band on Friday, August 8 at 7:00 pm. All are free and will be held in Glen Mar’s Spirit Center. Visit glenmarumc.org/summerconcerts to learn more.
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John Lewis Day of Action: Join us for a day of celebration, community empowerment, and action! The John Lewis Day of Action is a free event for all ages, featuring local artists, nonprofits, food vendors, and engaging activities that uplift and inspire. Discover resources, meet change-makers, and support local businesses while enjoying live performances and a vibrant atmosphere— all aimed at honoring the legacy of Congressman John Lewis through civic engagement and creativity. Saturday, July 19, 2025 Emmarts UMC | 7100 Dogwood Road | Windsor Mill, MD 21244. More info can be found here.
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Blood Drive: Celebrate the July 4th weekend by Donating Blood. Blood supply is extremely low during the holidays. This blood drive is in the memory of Christopher D. Gipson who was a Sickle Cell Warrior. (see flyer) Sickle Cell Warriors require 1unit to 9 units of blood monthly. Your blood donation will save life and add quality life to the Warrior and that of 3 people (cancer survivors, premature infants, fire victims, accident victims, etc). Your donation will Give the Gift of Life and you will receive the Gift of Gratitude. Location: Nichols Bethel UMC - Lighthouse Cafe, 1239 Murray Road, Odenton, MD 21113 Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm Register at redcrossblood.org; sponsor code – imocgipson; phone – 1-800-733-2787. Share this information with family and friends.
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.