CELEBRATION SUNDAY

October 29, 2006

9:30 AM in the Auditorium of Bel Air High School

We will be celebrating the conclusion of 40 Days of Community

with ONE morning worship service.

This will be a time for special music and testimonials and praise

for the many ministries and outreach opportunities that have taken place

during these 40 Days.

And you know we can’t have a celebration without food!

Make plans now for you and your family to join the celebration!

Childcare for infants through age 4 will be provided at the High School.

Children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade will be participating

in the worship service and special activities.

There will be NO morning services or Sunday School classes here at the church.

5:30 PM Dinner at Mt. Carmel Chapel

There will also be an evening of celebration at Mt. Carmel Chapel!

A Potluck Dinner will be held at the Chapel at 5:30 PM.

If you’re planning to attend, or if you have any questions about what to bring,

please contact Don Renner at (home) 410-893-0401, (cell) 443-504-8308,

or e-mail imdonren1@comcast.net.

7:00 PM Celebration Concert at Mt. Carmel Chapel

The celebration concludes with a country gospel music concert by Mark Williams,

beginning at 7:00 PM. Everyone is invited to attend this free concert!

Did you know? There are over 40 Small Groups currently participating in the 40 Days of Community study, using the book Better Together – What On Earth Are We Here For? by Rick Warren.

During the 40 Days of Purpose, we discovered that God placed each of us on earth for five purposes: to get to know and love him (worship), to learn to love each other (fellowship), to grow in becoming like Jesus (discipleship), to practice using our talents in serving God (ministry), and to share the Good News with others (evangelism). Throughout these 40 Days of Community, our focus is on fulfilling God’s five purposes together. We’re doing this two ways: first, by deepening the community of love within our church family, and second, by reaching out in love to the community around our church family.

Our Sermon Series so far has provided insight into Why We Need Each Other (Romans 12:3-8), Reaching Out Together (Philippians 1:3-11), Building Relationships (1 John 4:13-17), and How We Help Each Other Grow (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11).

We Serve Better Together

● By Using Our Talents

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” 1 Peter 4:10

● By Offering Our Help

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

● By Sharing Our Resources

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:14

On Sunday, October 15, we’ll find out more about Serving Together during our MINISTRY FAIR. Following each morning worship service, you can “Take Action” at the Ministry Fair in McComas Hall. Don’t miss this great opportunity to start using your talents and time to offer a helping hand here at Bel Air United Methodist Church. There are numerous ministry opportunities for Adult Discipleship, Children & Family, Church & Society, Church Office, Congregational Care, Hospitality, Membership & Welcome, Missions, Worship & Arts, Youth Ministries, and other areas. Challenge yourself to find one new area where you can serve our church. If you are already serving, find a special one-time project you can do to help a fellow member through our “People Helping People” emphasis. When you take action and use your skills, knowledge, background, or experience to help someone else, you grow, you give back to our church family, and you glorify God.

How To Tell God You Love Him will be the sermon topic on Sunday, October 22. And then everyone will share in worship together on CELEBRATION SUNDAY – October 29, 2006. (See the front cover for all the details.) So… From the combined morning worship service at 9:30 AM in the Auditorium of Bel Air High School… To the Potluck Dinner at 5:30 PM and the Celebration Concert at 7:00 PM at Mt. Carmel Chapel… This will be a celebration for our entire church family!

Father, help me commit to living better together

in the community of my church and neighborhood…

REACH OUT: To love sharing my faith boldly

Pray that we will work side-by-side to share our faith with those locally

and around the world who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.

BELONG: To love living as the Body of Christ

Pray that we will love one another with the abundant love we ourselves

receive from God.

GROW: To love bringing out the best in others

Pray that we will grow spiritually as we encourage one another

to have daily devotions and memorize a weekly Bible verse.

SERVE: To love serving sacrificially

Pray that we will work together with one heart by using our talents,

offering our help, and sharing our resources with those in need.

WORSHIP: To love glorifying God with others

Pray that we will long to worship God together in our daily roles,

small groups, and church.

A LASTING LEGACY

Most of us would like to think that we could leave a legacy for the next generation. The Legacy Committee of Bel Air United Methodist Church wants to help you realize it is possible. We believe that we can continue the work of God’s Kingdom through leaving a legacy. Many people haven’t even thought about leaving a legacy to our church because they didn’t know how to go about it. We want to provide the information and resources to help you answer questions like:

1. Are there some SIMPLE methods of leaving a legacy to God’s Kingdom?

2. How do I develop a plan (a will or other document) that includes the work of God’s Kingdom?

3. How do I structure a beneficiary designation that could include leaving a legacy (large or small) to God’s Kingdom?

4. How would I benefit through tax-favored gifts to God’s Kingdom?

5. Is there a seminar that will outline several general guidelines to help understand ways to include leaving a legacy (regardless of size) to the work of God’s Kingdom?

The Bel Air United Methodist Church Legacy Committee was formed under the direction of the Finance Committee to help people fulfill their desire to leave a legacy. The Legacy Committee’s mission statement is:

“We, the Bel Air United Methodist Church Legacy Committee, are called to support people who wish to make a difference in God’s Kingdom through a lasting legacy by providing guidelines and direction toward making a charitable donation to Bel Air United Methodist Church.”

For many Christians, expressing their faith through a charitable gift is given out of their gratitude for what the Lord has done for them. To do the work of the Lord engenders a spirit of generosity. If you have that spirit of generosity and desire help in fulfilling your legacy, contact the Bel Air UMC Legacy Committee through the Church Office, through Rev. Barry Hidey, or through the committee chairman, Jim Paradise (410-877-7197).

Youth Ministry

Teenagers are very busy, but that’s the way they seem to like it. Who has time to rest? All of us older people (also known as “old fogies”) wonder where they get the energy to keep going! We may never know the answer to that, but I’m not worried about the answer as long as they keep going and doing! That’s the really neat thing about this new generation -- their energy level and the degree of passion with which they seem to attack things that have meaning to them.

Take for instance, the Baltimore Mission Trip at the end of July. It was a hot, humid week in the city, with people we really didn’t know all that well in a place that is much like a foreign country to us, yet our youth were servants with open hearts, energy, and compassion, and they showed the better parts of unconditional love. They opened their hearts and arms to small children living in the facility where we stayed and played with them and held them all throughout the day. They took verbal slashes from older children in the community. They ran around all afternoon on the playground with these kids. And they still had energy to smile and spend time together planning for the next day at night! I was -- and you should be -- proud of our youth as they went on mission to share the light of God’s presence in a place that may not see it very much.

We are looking forward to returning there next year and during “Saturday School” throughout the year. Saturday School helps us keep and maintain those relationships with the kids that we began during our week in the summer. We continue teaching them about Christ, but as the relationship grows, so does personal trust. With kids in a cultural setting that doesn’t often find much to trust in, this on-going mission of Saturday School is critically important and necessary. Please keep praying for all those involved in the Saturday School and the Baltimore Mission.

There are so many great things going on in the EXIT412 Student Ministry. Like BIG WEEK, which was held during the week of August 21-26. During Big Week, the incoming 9th Graders were introduced into the Senior High student ministry, and everybody got together at the Back-2-School Kick-Off Extravaganza. We had music from Faith Under Fire, and Dave Whitescarver (also known as King of Kings), and Unsearchable Riches. David Burke was our speaker and gave an inspirational and encouraging back-to-school message. There was food, a dunking booth, and a 35-foot wide bungee jumping machine. It was a lot of fun! We’re going all out to let the students in our community know how much we care for them and how we are here for them.

The Floodgate Café officially opened on Thursday, September 21 and is now open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:30-6:30 PM (in the Youth Center). Snacks and various amounts of junk food will be available for free, and fountain sodas will be available for only $.50 each. Every Wednesday will be “Movie Day” where we will show a movie and provide popcorn for everyone (movies will never exceed the “PG” rating). Every Thursday, ice cream will be available with all the toppings for only $1 per bowl (about 3 HUGE scoops). This after-school ministry will continually evolve as we grow into providing tutors for homework help, computers with filtered Internet access for homework help and typing up papers, and who knows what else. I am excited about the possibilities in providing this safe-haven for students to come after school and allow parents the peace of mind knowing that their kids aren’t always at home by themselves. There is now a place they can go and hang out and be accepted and have fun!

See You At The Pole took place on Wednesday, September 27. This annual event encourages students to meet around their school’s flag pole in the morning and just pray for their school, teachers, administrators, local government leaders, and national leaders, as well as issues around the globe. We will be supporting all our students this year with helping them achieve a visual presence and witness by supplying them with lanyards they can wear that will declare proudly, “I was there and I prayed!”

Other exciting news and things to add to your calendar…

Visit our web site for any information… www.exitstatusquo.com.
Student Leadership Council is formed.
Work continues on forming a Purpose Statement and Ministry Core Values.
Confirmation registration will begin soon. Last year’s Confirmands are looking forward

to helping this year’s group by becoming one-on-one mentors.

Thanksgiving weekend mission activity.
ROCK 2007 – a Conference youth rally in Ocean City – January 19-21.
Ski Retreat – February 9-12.
Confirmation Retreat – February 23-25.
Centrifuge Summer Camp for Middle School Youth - June 17-22 – Cost $285.
Senior High National Mission Experience – Early July.
Baltimore Mission Trip (Senior High) - Late July.

There’s a lot going on, as you can see. But, most importantly, your teens are getting good, consistent, and Biblically centered teaching in our Bible study times at TNT on Tuesday nights (for Senior High) and at FUEL on Wednesday nights (for Middle School).

If you ever have any questions regarding the EXIT412 Student Ministry, please email Tom Hodges at hodgest@baumc.com or call him at the Church Office (410-838-5181, ext. 16) or on his cell phone,

443-617-2842.

The Floodgate Café

An Afterschool Ministry of Bel Air UMC

Fountain Sodas & Drinks - $.50 to $1 each

Snacks & Chips - Free

Every Wednesday is Movie Day – with Free Popcorn!

The Floodgate Café is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

from 2:30-6:30 PM. The Café is located in the Youth Center

at Bel Air United Methodist Church (21 Linwood Avenue).

The Café follows the Harford County Public School schedule for closings,

for holidays, and for inclement weather. For information, call 410-838-5181.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Sometimes God calms the storm – sometimes He calms the child. – Anonymous

Ministry is when you serve others in the name of the Lord. It is a way of sharing the Good News with others in need and involves spirituality. Jesus was clear that the Spirit of the Lord was involved when he proclaimed that He had been appointed to preach Good News to the poor, to proclaim that captives should be freed, that the blind would see, that the downtrodden would be released from their yoke, and that the year of the Lord’s favor had come (Mark 4:18-19). But what does spirituality mean? It means we must pay attention to the Spirit that is inside of all of us. We must nurture this Spirit by taking time to pray, welcoming the Lord with an open heart and an open mind, and contemplating the majesty of our Lord and His everlasting love for us.

Grow Spiritually -- Make A Difference -- Become A Stephen Minister

What is a Stephen Minister like?

They are among us. No, we’re not talking about angels or aliens. We’re talking about individuals who care about others. The Scriptures describe their service well: “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3). If you or someone you know wants to do more as a Christian caregiver, consider Stephen Ministry.

What do Stephen Ministers do?

Stephen Ministers bring distinctively Christian care to those in need. They use both words and deeds to express Christ’s care for others – listening and comforting, calling on the training they have received and employing the tools of faith. If this job description fits your personal goals for ministry, consider becoming a Stephen Minister.

Stephen Ministers care.

When was the last time someone really listened to you? We’re talking about that undistracted, full attention kind of listening. That’s one of the ways Stephen Ministers care for others. We need Stephen Ministers to care for those who are making that long journey through the valley of a life crisis. Will you consider serving in this way?

An informational session about Stephen Ministry will be held on Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 PM in the Parlor. To find out more about whether serving as a Stephen Minister is something you’re being led to do, or if you have questions about what this ministry entails, please attend.

In January 2007, Bel Air UMC will begin training Stephen Ministers. As we begin to launch this God-anointed ministry, we will be sharing news articles and displaying posters and bulletin boards to help explain what Stephen Ministry is and what it involves. We invite you to watch for these displays and begin to familiarize yourself with this ministry – which may very well be a lifesaver for you or someone you love.

The leaders of Stephen Ministry are Connie McNey and Rev. Peggy Groseclose, who are trained to lead this ministry here at Bel Air UMC. If you feel led to know more about what it takes to be a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Peggy at 410-838-5181, ext. 14, or e-mail groseclosep@baumc.com.

The Fall Meeting & Silent Auction of the Baltimore-Harford District Board of Child Care Auxiliary will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 10:00 AM at Overlea Chapel UMC in Baltimore. Our representatives to the Auxiliary, Sandy Millner (443-299-6039) and Linda Myrick (410-638-1939), report that churches throughout the District have been asked to collect the following items for the upcoming holidays:

● Canned string beans and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving baskets.

● New or like-new items for the resident’s Christmas store.

We will be collecting these items on Sunday, November 5 at the Welcome Center. Your donations will be appreciated.

TRC The Recovery Connection

In a recent survey conducted at Bel Air United Methodist Church, nearly 85% of respondents reported that they believe it “very important” that our church help those who may have problems with alcohol or drugs, while nearly 64% of those responding reported not knowing where to go in the congregation to get help for someone who has an alcohol, drug, or other addiction.

The mission statement of The Recovery Connection is:

Bel Air United Methodist Church will provide support for the addiction sufferer and his or her family, education for the congregation and community, and a program of prevention in an open, caring atmosphere to help provide spiritual recovery from addiction.

In recognition of National Recovery Month in September, The Recovery Connection began a six-part educational series on topics related to addiction and recovery. The talks, including a separate roundtable discussion concluding the series, will be held on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Youth Center. Refreshments are served. Please register by calling the Church Office at 410-838-5181.

TEAM MEMBER PROFILE: Micki Thomas, C.A.C., C.R.P.S.

Micki Thomas is certified through the State of Maryland as an addictions counselor and through the CENAPS Corporation as a Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist. She has been affiliated with Father Martin’s Ashley, a treatment center for chemical dependency and alcoholism located in Havre de Grace, Maryland, since 1983.

Micki, who recently retired from Ashley, has an extensive background in education and treatment of the addicted person, and helped to develop and implement the relapse prevention program at Ashley. She has also developed an educational program for young children whose parent(s) are alcoholic or chemically dependent.

She has facilitated many workshops and training events for the recovering community, professionals in the field of addiction, and the alumni of Ashley.

Why did she join The Recovery Connection ministry? “The most common cause of death from alcoholism and drug addiction is not cirrhosis, heart disease, or other physical complications – rather it is the stigma of addiction or the many myths that we carry in our minds. It is my hope that through education and resources, we can illuminate the way for those dealing with addiction in their family to find help and ultimate change.”

Addiction and Recovery Education Series

#1 September 25, 2006

Parents: The Hidden Victims of Drug Abuse

Timothy P. Newnan, M.H.S., L.P.A.D.C.

President, Together Recovery Works

#2 October 30, 2006

What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of

Alcoholism and Drug Dependency?

David Matukaitis, C.A.C., Father Martin’s Ashley

#3 November 27, 2006

How Does Addiction Affect the Family?

Patty Denney, Family Counselor, Father Martin’s Ashley

#4 January 29, 2007

What is Family Co-Dependency and How Does It Start?

Marilyn Emanuel, L.P.C., Pastoral Counselor

#5 February 26, 2007

What Are the Effects of Alcohol and Drugs on Your Body?

Donna Allen, R.N., Father Martin’s Ashley

#6 March 26, 2007

A Closer Look at the Disease of Addiction

Micki Thomas, C.A.C., Counselor,

Homecoming Project (Long-term residential treatment for women)

#7 April 30, 2007

Round Table Discussion: How, When, and Why

to Intervene on Addiction in the Family

The Recovery Connection Ministry Team

A Recovery Connection Note of Hope

That’s how we are to live in this world: as citizens of what’s yet to come. There is no grief, no sin, no problem, no frustration, no captivity, no abuse that cannot be redeemed, and the redemption will be more than worthwhile. Paul assured us that the glory to be revealed will far outweigh anything in our present circumstances; that no eye has seen or ear has heard what God has in store for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). We’re to live like we know that.

From inWord, August 18, 2006

October is Mental Health Awareness Month.

NAMI Harford County (the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Harford County, Maryland) is a grassroots organization founded by and made up of families, sponsors, and friends of persons with major mental illnesses and persons with brain disorders. Together, they help to rebuild lives devastated by a loved one’s mental illness and vigorously promote a greater understanding of these disorders. This is done through support groups, education, and advocacy – along with lots of love, tears, and humor, too.

An informational brochure is available at the Welcome Center. NAMI meetings are held here at Bel Air United Methodist Church on the 1st Tuesday and on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. For further information, please call 410-879-0111 or 410-893-4968.

Please continue to keep in prayer those who are living with mental illness, and the people who love them and care for them.

Need to make travel arrangements? Why not do it through the NAMI website at www.nami.org/travel? Did you know that every time you use a travel website, the travel companies pay big commissions for your reservation? When you book your travel at this website, which provides the lowest available rates for all types of reservations, NAMI will receive 40% of the commission on your arrangements. By booking your travel through this website, you will be providing a donation to NAMI to help people living with mental illness. Many families are faced daily with the realization that someone they know and love is dealing with some form of mental illness. Take a step to make that road for those dealing with these sometimes life and death issues a bit easier, by using this to book your next vacation!

BLOOD DRIVE

♥ Totals… Our summertime Blood Drive on July 10 netted 59 units of blood, and our Blood Drive on September 11 netted a total of 54 units of blood. Our sincere thanks go out to each individual who came out in support of the drive as a willing donor or a volunteer worker, including those who made calls to schedule appointments.

♥ Looking Ahead… Our next Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, November 13 from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Your support is critical to someone else’s health. Please plan to donate if you are eligible. The appointment sheet is posted across from the Church Office.

♥ Red Cross Call List… Some of our donors are receiving calls from the Red Cross asking them to signup for our drive. If you would like to be removed from the Red Cross call list, please call 1-800-448-3543 and ask that your name be removed from the tele-recruiting list. Explain that you would like to be called by your donor sponsor (Bel Air UMC) only. This should stop the calls from the Red Cross. You will then get a call from the church for scheduling (if you’ve not signed up) and a reminder call (if you have a scheduled appointment) on the day before the drive.

Let’s Recycle!

Abitibi Consolidated, the World’s Largest Newspaper Manufacturer and the World’s Largest Newspaper Recycler, now has two collection bins on the parking lot of Bel Air United Methodist Church (in the back, near the apartments). Payment will be made by Abitibi on a monthly basis to benefit the Zimbabwe Medical Clinic Fund.

The following items CAN be placed in the recycling bin: catalogs, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, office paper, fax paper, notebooks, folders, envelopes (even with windows), shredded paper, and colored paper.

The following items CANNOT be placed in the bin: trash, phone books, or cardboard.

This program has been designed to make recycling both easy and profitable. In addition to promoting environmental stewardship and diverting paper from landfills, it will allow us to raise money for the Zimbabwe Medical Clinic. We hope you will join us in this effort!

For more information, go to www.paperretriever.com.

EXCITING ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

GIVE THANKS

WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

Join the Bel Air UMC Children & Family Ministries as we “GIVE THANKS”

For All of God’s Good Gifts

Sunday, November 19, 2006

5:00-6:30 PM in McComas Hall

There will be informal worship, family games and crafts, and a Pot Luck Thanksgiving Dinner (turkey, dessert, and beverages provided). Free! But please bring one non-perishable food item for the BAUMC Food Pantry AND a dish (vegetable, salad, potato) to share.

It was a sold-out crowd who enjoyed a great Fall evening at the Family Hayride at Beachmont Christian Camp on Friday the 13th of October! Mark your calendars now for the opportunities for fun and fellowship at these upcoming Family Activities. Remember that “family” means everyone – all “ages and stages” – as we are all family in Christ!

Monday, January 1, 2007

2:30-4:30 PM

BAUMC on Ice! Start the New Year at our

Annual Skating Party at Ice World in Abingdon.

More information to follow…

Saturday, May 5, 2007

5:00-6:30 PM

Come and celebrate at the Cinco De Mayo

Family Fiesta in McComas Hall.

More information to follow…

TINY TOTS SCHOOL NEWS

from Joan Elloff, Director

Tiny Tots School began its 59th year as an outreach of Bel Air United Methodist Church. Our 3 and 4 year old program will be serving over 137 children and their families this school year.

In September, our 3 year olds started “Getting Acquainted.” The children learned about the color red, the numbers zero and one, and circles. Our 4 year olds reviewed colors, shapes, and numbers. They began science, learned about the United States in social studies, and how God made us all different and unique. Most of all, we are making lots of new friends and having fun!

In October, we’ll take our first field trip to Harman’s Farm Market to learn about farming and pumpkins. We’ll learn about the number two and learn new sight words. In social studies, we’ll “travel” to England, and in music appreciation, we’ll be talking about classical music and composers. Our “All About Me” unit continues, and we’ll learn more about the creation story from Genesis. At the end of the month, we’ll sing at Manna House and have a parade, program, and party on Halloween. Wow, what a fun month!

The Charles W. Lightner Library of Bel Air United Methodist Church

Your Christian Community Library

LIGHTNER LIBRARY HOURS

Sunday – Open 8 AM-1 PM

Monday – Open 9 AM-12 Noon

Tuesday – Open 9 AM-12 Noon & 7-9 PM

Wednesday – Open 12 Noon-8 PM

Friday – Open 9 AM-12 Noon

Thanks to everyone who supported the Wednesday Night Dinner on October 11, 2006 to benefit the Lightner Library. Stop by and visit the Library – we have over 3,500 books cataloged so far!

Also, if you’re looking for a gift for that person who has everything, we’re offering “gift certificates” for the purchase of books or a donation to the Lightner Library in honor of that person. Please take advantage of this opportunity to obtain a great gift and support our Library!

SATELLITE/OFF-SITE PLANNING TEAM…

Do you know that we are exploring the development of a worship service and outreach out in the community?

We are developing a team of people who want to expand the reach of our church in a new way.

We might be looking for you!

Are you ready for the next step in your Journey?

Do you see the need to touch people who are not ending up at 21 Linwood Avenue at one of our worship services?

Do you have passion for those who are unchurched in Harford County?

Are you ready to pray and fast for discernment for this new ministry?

Will you commit to work with a team that will seek to do a new thing for the growth of the Kingdom?

If this sounds like something you want to a part of, then contact Jay Wohnlich at 410-459-1677

or wohnlich1@comcast.net, Tony Pitrat at 410-420-3690 or tkpitrat@comcast.net, or

Rev. Barry Hidey at 410-838-5181 or hideyb@baumc.com.

A Celebration & Thanksgiving of Our Heritage

In 1965, the Washington Annual Conference of the Central Jurisdiction and the Baltimore Annual Conference of the Northeast Jurisdiction merged together into the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, eliminating 100 years of some form of racially segregated structure in the Methodist Church. This year, we celebrate the heritage of the Washington Conference.

The following Litany of Thanksgiving is offered to all churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. All are invited to look to the future, knowing that our “help cometh from the Lord,” who will embolden us in a reconciled and transforming ministry for our Lord Jesus Christ.

God of our past, our present, and our future: We lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for your faithfulness to us through the generations. It was your Spirit that called us to be your people, your Spirit that filled the apostles and breathed the church into being, your Spirit that led the Wesleys to spark a new movement when the people needed a fresh Word from you. We remember with joy and gratitude the gifts and the unceasing witness of our African American brothers and sisters of the former Washington Conference and celebrate the richness of the community that has unfolded as a result of our being joined together.

Yes, Lord! At the same time that we celebrate the richness of our community, we lament the time that we were divided and the deep wounds inflicted by our separation because of racism. We remember the pain as we struggled to become united. We pray for continued healing and restoration. By your Spirit, make us one! We thank you for the leaders who were nurtured and raised up in the Washington Conference, including those who continue to serve faithfully today as committed lay members and clergy. These men and women have touched the lives of countless people of all ages and have shared important perspectives with brothers and sisters in faith.

We celebrate and offer thanks for the church we have become and the community that you have created. We envision a future where this church and community live, Spirit-led and Spirit-filled. Make us more like Christ as we seek to serve you! Amen.

Fifty years ago, the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church formed Epworth Federal Credit Union for the clergy and employees of the Conference. We recently received approval for any member of any United Methodist Church within the Conference to join the credit union. Please have anyone interested contact our office toll free at 1-800-738-7690.

Learning Our ABC’s

As we get ready for the annual Charge Conference on December 4, 2006, we are charged by the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference to account for the faith of our members, as well as to keep the rolls of the congregation in good order. To do that, we send letters to those people in the membership of our church who have not attended or made donations for at least 2 years. Some have moved away, others have had changes in their life circumstances, and still others have changed churches. These letters encourage those people who have moved from the area to connect with a church in their new hometown, encourage those living locally to return to the life of the congregation, or to inform us of their intentions regarding their membership with Bel Air UMC.

The rules of the Discipline of the United Methodist Church require that we contact a person at least three times before we can remove them from membership – unless they specifically request removal or transfer. Our “A” letters inform a person that we have tried to notify them three times to inquire of their intention. Our “B” letters are the second try, and the “C” letters are gentle reminders that they have committed to membership through their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their service. We will do what we can to help someone live up to their commitment to God.

These letters are now being sent out. Some people will be removed from the membership rolls – but please know that, whenever they wish to return, they will be welcomed into the life of the church. If you have any questions about the process, please contact Rev. Peggy Groseclose at groseclosep@baumc.com, Rev. Barry Hidey at hideyb@baumc.com, or call the Church Office at 410-838-5181.