by Daryl Williams* Where is your God now? It was the question that leaped off the screen as I caught up with a high school friend not too long ago. This friend wasn’t being malicious but was genuinely curious about how I, as a person of faith, was dealing with this unprecedented...
by Mandy Sayers* Being a pastor is wonderful and difficult, as most things God calls us to do can be. And one of the gifts of this calling is that we are part of a fellowship of Elders or Deacons, called to support one another and pray for one another. Sometimes, however, it can...
by Melissa Lauber The need for the church to really be the church, especially during the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, keeps Raimon Jackson up at night. For Jackson, the leader of the online worship experience “The Well,” discovering, creating, and sharing ways people...
The Rev. Heath Wilson in the kitchen at Toms Creek UMC, baking bread. by Erik Alsgaard During a time of physical distancing, when we’re being told – almost ordered – to stay at home, there appears to be a rise in the number of people baking bread. That is, if you can find yeast...
A screenshot from the Training Tuesday webinar, April 7. By Erik Alsgaard What people need the most, right now, during a global pandemic, is reassurance that we will get through this. That’s the job of clergy and lay leaders throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference, according to...
By Erik Alsgaard NOTE: Local church finance leaders and pastors who have questions about their particular situation are encouraged to sign-up for a 15-minute consultation with BWC finance team members. Go to https://www.bwcumc.org/article/local-church-consultations/ to sign up. There...
March 27, 2020 In response to the coronavirus, the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore has canceled all groups meeting at its venue through May. As a result, the 236th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, scheduled for May 27-29, has been...
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stewardship Teams of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are continuing to evaluate the multi-layer framework by which they can lend support to local churches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three new initiatives have been developed to assist churches with their...
Beloved, Grace and peace to you. You remain at the center of my prayers as you faithfully and creatively serve God's people in these extraordinary times. Our testimonies will be rich as we bear witness to the collaboration, teamwork, and innovation that this pandemic has fostered. We know...
By Ryan Danker* Pastors and those who lead our communities must be commended for the ways in which they are maintaining community during this difficult time. Many of our pastors are finding ways to pray, preach, teach, and counsel the faithful as we, together yet physically separate, face this...
