News and Views

 A message from the Executive Team of the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders for the laity of The United Methodist Church

By Erik Alsgaard A new adult Lenten study, “Reclaiming and Living Covenant,” published by the Baltimore-Washington Conference, is a deep dive into biblical covenant and hope, and reconnecting relationships. That’s according to its two authors, who say the study is designed to...

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...

 Few things can move the heart more than music. As we celebrate Advent, the Rev. Fred Crider lifts up two hymns he wrote for the season.   By Fred Crider* “All People Shall See It” is set to the tune “Ash Grove” (see UMH #664 “Sent Forth By...

"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing...

By Virginia (Ginny) Lapham Member of Dumbarton UMC and a devoted advocate for the rights of Palestinians. Her connection to this part of the world began in 1956. My first glimpse of Jerusalem 70 years ago (January 1956) was from a small plane circling a makeshift airport just outside the...

A reflection by Greta Merrill  From October 9 to 13, I had the opportunity to visit San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico with the United Methodist Church and the Immigration Law and Justice Network. This trip included a lot of “firsts“ for me: my first time west of...

by Lauren Jones, Vitality Specialist If you’re looking for time away from the noise and busyness of the city and an opportunity to reconnect with God through nature, I highly recommend the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s camping and retreat center, Manidokan in Knoxville...

An editorial by Alison Burdett I watched K-Pop Demon Hunters a few weeks ago with my family of four, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. After we tucked the kids into bed that night, my husband and I stayed up talking about how incredibly relevant this movie is. And yes: the...

By Matthew K. Jenkins Bethany UMC, Ellicott City, Artist & Worship Leader In July, I had the honor of competing in, and ultimately winning, the You God’s Music Showcase, a national Christian music competition designed to uplift, inspire, and spotlight artists who carry a Kingdom...