Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church

Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church's cover photo

Adam Hamilton on 'Methodists in the middle' and what's next for the denomination - Religion News Service

As The United Methodist Church has spent decades debating the place of LGBTQ Christians in its ministries, the Rev. Adam Hamilton has emerged as “the Pied Piper for Methodists in the middle.” Hamilton — who pastors the largest United Methodist church in the United States — recently convened a meeting of 600 leaders at his church in Kansas City. Religion News Service's Emily McFarlan Miller has this interview. https://religionnews.com/2019/06/04/adam-hamilton-on-methodists-in-the-middle-and-whats-next-for-the-denomination/

religionnews.com (RNS) — As the United Methodist Church has spent decades wrestling over the inclusion of its LGBTQ members, the Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the United States, has emerged, as one local radio station put it, as 'the Pied Piper for Methodists in the middle.'

Come, Holy Ghost: A Wesleyan perspective on the Spirit – The United Methodist Church

Pentecost is this coming Sunday. Other than wearing red (LOTS of red) this Sunday, this day is all about the Holy Spirit. So what do we United Methodists believe about the Holy Spirit? Glad you asked... http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/come-holy-ghost-a-wesleyan-perspective-on-the-spirit?fbclid=IwAR1vtIU2hkRqvTpdnt0Y4rNDLRpwYUCFHeHwDG_cqwZ1fJ4k1xSCdfGu2A0

umc.org An early Methodist sermon and a Wesley hymn offer a fresh understanding of this sometimes misunderstood member of the Trinity.

The 2019 Annual Conference Session is now in the history books, but many people in our churches have yet to hear and see what happened. If you're wanting to report back to your local church on the goings-on, the June issue of the UMConnection contains everything you need to know. It's now online: http://ow.ly/hixJ50uxnIA

The Rev. Sherri Woods-Powe participates in the Memorial Service during the Annual Conference Session

North Texas Conference ordains openly gay pastor | United Methodist News Service

Jane Graner, a non-practicing lesbian, was ordained an Elder in the North Texas Conference yesterday. Sam Hodges reports for United Methodist News Service. http://ow.ly/XLhY50uwDYD

umnews.org The Rev. Jane Graner, 57, and a lesbian but not ‘practicing,’ achieves dream she’s had since high school.

Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC

The 235th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference was packed with Holy Spirit moments. Melissa Lauber found several and offers highlights in this overview story. https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/annual-conference-packed-with-holy-spirit-moments/

bwcumc.org Annual Conference packed with Holy Spirit momentsMelissa LauberJun 03, 2019  by Melissa Lauber The Rev. Sherri Wood-Powe, a member of the BWC’s worship team, assists with the Memorial Service May 30. Photo by Tony Richards.   A Facebook post from the Rev. Stephanie Vader may sum it up best: “T...

Bishop Easterling's ordination sermon at the 2019 Annual Conference of the BWC

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling preached a powerful, prophetic sermon Friday night at the Service of Commissioning and Ordination. It's now on our website: https://youtu.be/KWxHfIvIx6o

BWC AC 2019 Final Wrap Up by Rev. Sarah Schlieckert

Young People’s Ministry Presentation Update

Saturday Morning Update

Final Session Update

Clergy Gathering for Ordination

Friday Afternoon Update

Friday Morning Session Update

Baltimore Metropolitan District

Here’s how you celebrate packing meals for 60,000 people....

So how do you celebrate making 10,000 meal packages which will provide 60,000 meals?
You hit the gong (see the previous post)... then follow it up with an impromptu dance party.

We pray that you have a rest-filled evening, and we'll see you tomorrow at the BWC Annual Conference Session with Bible Study, starting at 8 a.m. It will be live-streamed at www.bwcumc.org.

Food Packing with Rise Against Hunger

Thursday Afternoon Session Update

Thursday Morning Session Update

Thursday Morning Intro from Rev. Sarah Schlieckert

Opening Worship Update

Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC

Live stream for the Opening Worship of the 235th Annual Conference Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference starts now. Go to www.bwcumc.org. #bwcumc19 #umc @bwcumc

bwcumc.org Bishop Easterling’s Statement Following The Council of Bishops MeetingMay. 10, 2019 by Bishop LaTrelle Miller EasterlingBeloved,  Grace and peace to you in the name of the One through whom we live and move and have our being, Jesus the Christ.  The Council of Bishops convened our spring meeting ...

BWAC Live Streaming

You can watch the live stream of opening worship here:

https://live.gntv.info/bwac/fullscreen.php

live.gntv.info

Live stream for the Opening Worship of the 235th Annual Conference Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference starts in 15 minutes, at 7 pm. Go to www.bwcumc.org. #bwcumc19 #umc @bwcumc

Live stream for the Opening Worship of the 235th Annual Conference Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference starts in 30 minutes, at 7 pm. Go to www.bwcumc.org. #bwcumc19 #umc @bwcumc

Executive Session of Clergy Summary

Heading into Executive Session of the Clergy

Welcome to Baltimore!

#bwcumc19

#bwcumc19

The 235th Annual Conference Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference starts tomorrow. There are a host of workshops in the morning hours, then the Clergy Session starts at 1:30 p.m., and the Laity Session starts at 2 p.m. Opening worship will begin at 7 p.m., and will be live streamed at www.bwcumc.org. We invite you, if you're not in Baltimore, to join us via the live stream, and to join us in prayer.

Rev. Sarah Schlieckert describes the work of the Executive Session of Clergy at Annual Conference. She also touches on the work of the marshalls at Annual Conference and some voting procedures

[05/28/19]   Annual Conference starts tomorrow with workshops in the morning. Opening worship, which will be live streamed, starts at 7 p.m.

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember, pray, and give thanks.

The Baltimore-Washington Conference, in partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary, InspireDC, and young people’s ministries, came together for the Change Makers Project. It's an opportunity for young adults to explore their call through innovation. Thursday, May 23, Change Makers came together to "pitch" their new ministry projects. Sheila George was there from Wesley, and share these photos.

An exciting experience: Wesley graduates and students were part of a “Pitch and Pledge” event May 23, where they had 3 minutes each to pitch their innovative ministry, non-profit or social business to seek funding and support from national and international leaders in social enterprise development.

This event is part of The Change Makers Project, a pioneering collaboration between Wesley and the Baltimore – Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church to create an entrepreneurial ministry incubator, co-directed by the Rev. Dr. Beth Ludlum, Wesley’s VP for Strategic Initiatives and Christine Latona, BWC Director of Connectional Ministries.

Many Wesley grads were in attendance, serving as mentors to the young adult Changemakers. We are so excited for our Wesley Changemakers Rachel Luna, Jaleesa Hall, Tiffany Brooks and Christin Cooper and other Wesley students and grads involved!
Learn more about The Change Makers Project here: https://www.thechangemakersproject.com/get-involved.html. #umc #bwcumc #Wesleygradsdochangetheworld #futurechurch #entrepreneurialministry

The 235th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference begins next week. Are you ready? All the information you might need is in one spot: http://ow.ly/7Luj50uoRlr @bwcumc #bwcumc19 #umc

Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC

The Baltimore-Washington Conference was well represented -- and very active -- as more than 600 U.S. United Methodists spent three days grappling with possible options for forging what they hope will be a more just and inclusive church future. Erik Alsgaard talked with several people who were at the UMCNext meeting in Kansas City, and filed this report. https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/bwc-leaders-active-at-umcnext/

bwcumc.org BWC leaders active at UMCNextErik AlsgaardMay 24, 2019  By Erik Alsgaard, Heather Hahn, and Sam Hodges*  The Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, center, answers a question at the press conference following UMCNext. With her are fellow convening team members, the Rev. DJ del Rosario, left, and Karen G. Pru...

United Methodist News

Happy Aldersgate Day!!

Happy Aldersgate Day! Is your heart strangely warmed? #AskTheUMC explains what the church teaches about conversion and how it's OK if it doesn't happen in one moment.

How does the Annual Conference relate to General Conference?

The Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the Wesleyan Covenant Association issued a response to the April 29 Vision Statement by the Conference Discipleship Council in Response to Legislation Enacted during the 2019 General Conference. Read their statement: https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/wca-responds-to-discipleship-council-vision/

Planning new directions for the church | United Methodist News Service

More than 600 U.S. United Methodists spent three days grappling with possible options for forging what they hope will be a more just and inclusive church future.

What united those at UMCNext, which met May 20-22 behind closed doors, was their opposition to the Traditional Plan.

Heather Hahn reports for United Methodist News Service.

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/planning-new-directions-for-the-church

umnews.org What united those at UMCNext was a desire for inclusion of LGBTQ Christians in all aspects of life in the church.

At the Pre-Conference Briefings this past Saturday, many questions were asked of presenters on topics ranging from resolutions to the budget. We've compiled those questions, and provided some answers. https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/q-a-from-pre-conference-briefings/

Summit plans inclusive Methodist movement | United Methodist News Service

United Methodists are wrestling with what’s next in a multinational denomination still deeply divided over the role of LGBTQ Christians.

Some 350 U.S. United Methodists staked out their position during a May 17-18 gathering in Minneapolis, Minn., launching a movement centered on voices they see as too often marginalized — namely people of color and queer and transgender individuals. Heather Hahn reports for United Methodist News Service. http://ow.ly/2Yzx50umGw5

umnews.org Some 350 U.S. United Methodists gathered May 17-18 to discuss what a new Methodist expression centered on the marginalized might look like.