General Conference 2020: Plans and Legislation at a glance The United Methodist General Conference will convene in Minneapolis, Minnesota, next year, from Aug. 29 through Sept. 7. The 2020 General Conference was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Read news stories about the...
By Erik Alsgaard By a vote of 763 to 17, members to the 2020 Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Session approved a $17.7 million spending and income budget for 2021. Of that $17.7 million, just over $13 million will come from local churches in Mission Shares (formerly called...
by Mandy Sayers* (see below for commentary on empathy from Daryl Williams) “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the...
by Erik Alsgaard You know that old saying: “When life gives you lemons…”? That is exactly what happened at Rehoboth UMC in Williamsport this summer. Last October, the congregation at Rehoboth moved lock, stock, and barrel from its land-locked location in downtown Williamsport...
By Erik Alsgaard There was a time, pre-pandemic, when clergy or local pastors might go away on a retreat to recharge their spiritual batteries by booking a cabin in the woods, a lofty perch on a mountain, or a house by a sandy beach filled with long walks. Today, those opportunities are harder...
by Melissa Lauber The Board of Pensions and Health Benefits of the Baltimore-Washington Conference might not be the first place one would look to find examples of grace and growing discipleship. But in August, the pastor and members of Chews Memorial UMC in Harwood showed up in person at the...
NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF THE 2021 PROPOSED CONFERENCE BUDGET BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS Benevolence Factor – Proposed 2021: 17.550% The benevolence factor is the percentage churches are apportioned based on their operating expenditures less exclusions. The percentage for 2021...
By Erik Alsgaard There is no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of our lives. Churches throughout the United States have had to adapt to new ways of doing ministry including, of course, churches throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference. One of the key areas of...
By Erik Alsgaard Financial leaders in the Baltimore-Washington Conference have put the finishing touches on a recast 2021 budget that will be presented during the 2020 online Annual Conference Session Sept. 12. The original budget was finalized Feb. 29, mere days before the COVID-19 pandemic...
As the nation struggles with the challenges of systemic racism and white supremacy, the church is an incubator of deep thought, action, and prayer. The people of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are engaged in significant discernment and conversations about race. Some of the leaders of the...
