BWARM Meeting on February 17, 2024 from 10am-12pm - ONLINE ONLY
PLEASE NOTE OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION (SNOW PREDICTED) THIS WILL BE A ZOOM MEETING NOT IN PERSON

Join us for our BWARM winter quarterly meeting this Saturday, February 17th! Please register for the Zoom meeting to receive the link. Worship will be led Rev. Gayle Annis-Forder. After worship, our program will focus on Reclaiming Our Connection.

In this liminal time as our denomination inches towards much uncertainty at General Conference “2020” (beginning April 23, 2024) and as our annual conference weighs options for restructuring, much of the conversation is about the institution, the structure, and the administration of ministry. Meanwhile, we are aware that our primary mission is to create disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and our own Book of Discipline identifies what we all know to be true: local ministry (in churches and extension ministry) is “the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs” (¶120). Transformational local ministry happens through connections—yes, connections to the structure, but even more so connections to one another and with our community. How is it in this time of institutional re-ordering, we are nurturing health in these most fundamental relationships? How is it that we are building new relationships and continuing to draw the circle wider to those who have been excluded and/or lost in the shuffle?

Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton (serving Trinity UMC, Germantown) will begin our conversation. We will also hear from several folks who will share their pain as their home churches disaffiliated and their search for a new church home. We are all aware of the harm the church has done in this challenging time. Finally,we will hear an update on the Lighthouse Church program and what we can do to support and promote this vital connection at this particular moment in our church’s life.

BWARM MEETINGS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR - In person with livestream (9:30-10 fellowship; 10-noon worship followed by program)

March 16, 2024 at 1pm at North Bethesda UMC (10100 Old Georgetown Rd. Bethesda, MD)—join us for a conversation with RMN Executive Director Jan Lawrence as we prepare for General Conference and beyond. This will be an in-person event with a zoom option. Details to follow.

April 20, 2024 from 10am-11:45am, join us for a time of fellowship (10am-10:30am) followed by a time of sharing, and a prayer vigil (10:30am-11:45am) for General Conference. Location: Severna Park UMC, 731 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD 21146.