e - connection - Friday, April 4, 2008
JOYS AND CONCERNS
The Rev. Lyle Harper, retired clergy, broke his hip severafl weeks ago and is recovering at home. Well wishes may be sent to him and his wife, Dottie, at P. O. Box 752, Micaville, NC 28755. He may also be reached by phone at 828-675-9110.
OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS
NEW -Retreat and camping open house at West River and Manidokan camps. There will be tours, nature walks and registration for summer camps.
- West River Center: Sunday, April 6, from 2-5 p.m
- Camp Manidokan: Sunday, April13, from 3-5 p.m. For more information, go to www.bwcumc.org/camping or call 800-922-6795.
- Older adults' day away: Lots of activities are scheduled for older adults as individuals and in small groups. They include: gardening, scrap book projects, Bible study, praying the Scriptures, boat rides at West River and Harpers Ferry historic tours at Manidokan. Cost of $24 per person includes morning snack, lunch and program. West River Centre: April 23, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Camp Manidokan : May 8, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For registration information, go to www.bwcumc.org/camping or call 800-922-6795.
UPDATE- Web training for committees and boards: The second Web training session for all conference boards and committees that would like a presence on the new BWC Website is open for June 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and June 6, noon to 2 p.m., at Howard County Community College, Gateway Campus in Columbia. RSVP with your name, contact information of your committee's Web updater and date available to Shaun Lane at slane@bwcumc.org.
Special Price on Adventure Devotionals: It is time to order the 2008-2009 Adventure Devotional. Those who order by April 30, through annual conference registration or order form, will get a special price of $3.50 per book. The devotionals will be available for pickup at annual conference, May 22-24. After April 30, prices will be $4.50 for 1-50 devotionals and $4 for orders of 51-100. Orders that are mailed are subject to additional shipping and handling fees. For more information, contact Christine Kumar at ckumar@bwcumc.org.
Native American Ministries Sunday, one of the denomination's six Special Sundays with offering, will be April 6. It is a day to celebrate the gifts and contributions of Native Americans. Fifty percent of the offering remains in the conference and helps to support the conference's Committee on Native American Ministry (CONAM). Churches that do not observe Native American Ministries Sunday, April 6, are urged to select another day to receive the offering. Resources for the offering can be found at http://www.umcgiving.org/ or by calling 888-346-3862.
NEW - Preachers Hall of Fame: There will be a Spring Revival preaching April 9, 10, and 11, at 7 p.m., at Simpson-Hamline UMC, 4501 16th Street, N.W., in Washington, DC. The preachers will be the Revs. Douglas B.Sands, Sr. Helen Fleming and Sylvester G. Gaines.
NEW - Order of Elders meeting will be held at the Conference Center, 7178 Gateway Drive, Suite D, in Columbia, Tuesday, April 15 at 1 p.m. The Agenda will include a discussion on interim ministry follow-up. The presenters will be Revs. Karin Walker and Chris Holmes. For more information, contact the Rev. Steve Tillet at abpastor@aol.com or the Rev. Valerie Barnes at RevVAB@comcast.net.
District coordinators needed for bishop's cruise: Each district is being asked to name someone to serve as district coordinator or assistant for Bishop Schol's travel/study cruise to follow Paul's fourth journey to Greece and Italy in November. The coordinator's responsibilities include recruiting clergy, church leaders, teachers and church members to join the bishop for the cruise. Volunteer coordinator may be clergy or laity. For more information or to volunteer, contact Olivia Gross at ogross@bwcumc.org. For information on cruise, see ad in April 2 UMConnection or go to http://www.bwcumc.org/.
Re: Annual Conference
- NEW-Reminder: The cost of annual conference registration will increase after April 15. Retirees and members-at-large will be responsible for the cost of their registration after the April 15 deadline. Those who have not registered are reminded that registration will close April 30. To register, go to http://www.bwcumc.org/.
- Registration to annual conference ongoing: User passwords for the Conference Web site (http://www.bwcumc.org/) were sent out to pastors and lay members to annual conference, March 7. These passwords are necessary to register for the annual conference session. Those who have not received their passwords should contact their regional administrator: Pam Neidig in the Southern Region, pneidig@bwcumc.org, Tonia Bennett in the Western Region, tbennett@bwcumc.org, Donnelle Lyons in the Washington Region, dlyons@bwcumc.org and Joyce King in the Baltimore Region, jking@bwcumc.org, or call 800-492-2525.
- Highlighting Small Churches' ministry: The Commission on Small Churches is seeking to affirm the ministry of small churches through a display at the annual conference. Churches with fewer than 100 people in worship should send pictures or stories of their ministry to the Rev. Jody Jessup at bjodyj@comcast.net or to Dorsey Emmanuel UMC, 6951 Dorsey Road, Elkridge, MD 21075, as soon as possible.
- Multi-ethnic celebration at Annual Conference: The multi-ethnic celebration committee invites people to share their ethnic/cultural heritage at this year's annual conference Friday, May 23. The celebration is after dinner and is free. For more information, contact Edith C. Williams at 301-933-3681 or williamsedth40@aol.com.
UPDATE- Historical Society annual meeting: The United Methodist Historical Society's annual meeting will be April 19, 1-2 p.m., preceded by lunch at noon, at Lovely Lane UMC, 2200 St. Paul St. in Baltimore. There will be a dedication of the Asbury Room as the new exhibit space for the museum. An optional opportunity precedes the meeting: a bus tour from Lovely Lane to open and closed churches of Baltimore with stops at Sharp Street UMC and Old Otterbein UMC will begin at 8:45 a.m. Cost for lunch is $12, tour is $14, both are $25, payable in advance. For information, contact the Historical Society at 410-889-4458. Mail reservations and checks to Peggy Rhorer, secretary, 118 Summit Hall Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, or contact her at 301-869-9943 or prhorer@starpower.net.
Disaster relief training: There will be Early Disaster Response training at Augusta UMC (W. Va.) Saturday, April 19, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in Augusta W.Va., off Route 50. The training will cover equipment needs, team formation, debris removal, and chain saw safety among other topics. Cost of $50 includes manual, breakfast and lunch. Registration deadline is April 12. Checks should be made to Augusta UMC-Mission Fund. For more information, contact Sandy Rowland Binotto at 304-496-7711 or yashe4@hotmail.com.
Lay speaking classes
- Washington Region: The Washington Region will offer basic and advanced Lay Speaker courses, April 5 and 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. A spiritual leadership course will also be taught as a refresher course for local church lay speakers April 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The courses will be held at Ashton UMC, 17341 New Hampshire Ave. in Ashton. For more information, contact Joan Thomas at 301-622-7048 or cats_20904@hotmail.com or go to www.gbgm-umc.org/wwdmd/.
- Lay Speakers' Convocation: A first lay speakers' convocation will be held in the Frederick District Saturday, April 12, at Trinity UMC, 703 West Patrick St., in Frederick, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $10 including lunch. There will be workshops and plenary sessions. The afternoon speaker will be the Rev. Rodney Smothers. Advanced registration is required. For information or to register, contact the Rev. Mary K. Worrel at 301-293-1258 or revworrel@msn.com.
- Conflict resolution training: The North Baltimore lay speaking ministries will be conducting their continuing education course at Loch Raven UMC, 6622 Loch Raven Blvd., in Baltimore. The course on Conflict Resolution and Management will be held April 6, 13, 20, and 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., led by the Revs. Steve Cochran and Karin Walker. Registration is required. Fee is $8. Make check to Conference Treasurer. For more information, contact Sarah Ford at 410-466-7605 or svford1@verizon.net. Registrations may also be mailed to her at 2525 Park Height Terrace, Baltimore, MD 21215.
- Baltimore West District Lay Speaking: Spring classes will be held at Mt. Olive UMC, 5115 Old Court Road in Randallstown. Basic and Basic Refresher classes will be Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m., April 7, 14, 21, 28 and May 5, 12. Advanced and Advanced Recertification Classes will be Saturdays, April 12, 9 to 11:30 a.m., April 19, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and May 3, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Pat Dorsey at 410-751-2562 or psdorse@comcast.net.
Activists for Advocacy ministry are invited to the Baltimore-Washington Conference Center in Columbia, April 8 and May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants are asked to bring information on issues they are passionate about and would like to educate others on. For more information and registration, contact 410-268-4122, Ext. 4, or bwcumcadvocate@aol.com.
Art and Music inspired worship: The Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts will sponsor "For Everything There Is a Season," a time to share anthem and worship ideas, Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Towson UMC. The cost is $5. For further information, visit the chapter's Web site, http://www.worshipartsbwc.org/, or contact the chapter president, the Rev. David Roberts, at pastor@carolls-gills.org.
NEW - Road to Damascus, an original musical composed by Bethany UMC residents Dave Kroop, Kathie Smith and John Kanahan will be held Saturday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m., at 2875 Bethany Lane in Ellicott City. There will be a free will offering to benefit the music ministry. For more information, call the church at 410-465-2919.
NEW - Godly play training event: An international trainer and author the Rev. Suzi Robertson, is coming to Washington, DC., to share her methods on the four types of Godly play namely: parable, sacred story, silence and worshipful action. The training will be held Friday, May 2, from 6-9 p.m., and Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at All Saints Episcopal Church, 3 Chevy Chase Circle in Chevy Chase. Registration is fee is $100. For more information, contact Susan Wright at 301-654-2488 or susan.wright@allsaintschurch.net.
Individual Clergy coaching offered: The Rev. Greg Brown, who served as a clergy coach for the conference and across the country for 10 years before he retired, is offering individual coaching. "Amid the day-to-day demands of work in the church, keeping goals, skills and awareness in alignment can be challenging," he said. His services provide critical feedback and direction toward effective, compassionate and visionary leadership. To benefit from candid and supportive feedback and strategy work, contact him at greg@gregbrownonline.com.
Annual Men's Jubilee: Annapolis District UMM celebrates their third annual Men's Jubilee Saturday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Conference Center in Columbia. Men of all ages are invited. Those who are 80 years and older will be recognized for their discipleship. For more information, contact Richard Campbell at rcampbell@annapolisdist.org or go to http://www.ad-umm.org/.
NEW - COSROW Workshop to give women a voice: The Baltimore-Washington Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW), will offer a training workshop to assist people in understanding the importance of making their voices heard. It will also teach them how to effectively speak and participate at annual conference The workshop led by Bishop Forest C. Stith (Retired) will be held at the Baltimore-Washington Conference Center in Columbia, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to allow folks to attend their respective Pre-Conference briefings to review legislation coming before annual conference. COSROW will provide lunch; the cost is $8 per person. For more information and to RSVP for lunch, please contact Rev. Iris Farabee-Lewis at stjamesumc1@verizon.net .
RESOURCES FOR MAKING DISCIPLES
Free film screening: There will be a screening of the film "For The Bible Tells Me So," Sunday, April 6, from 4 to 6 p.m., at North Bethesda UMC, 10100 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. The event is sponsored by B-WARM and Of Sacred Worth at Wesley Theological Seminary. For more information, contact Laura Rossbert at 202-680-2064 or LauraRossbert@gmail.com.
Explore church's role in AIDS: Grace UMC AIDS Task Force will have a special event to explore the role of local religious institutions in eliminating prejudices and embracing forgiveness, Sunday, April 6, at 5407 N. Charles St., in Baltimore. The program begins 6:45 p.m., after a 6 p.m. dinner. Dinner is $2. Call 410-433-6650 for dinner reservations. For more information, contact Kitty Allen at 410-494-8589.
Kings Dominion Fun Day: The conference will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Family Fun Day at Kings Dominion May 3. Discounted tickets will be on sale at the Conference Center Friday, April 11 and 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are valid Saturdays, May 3, 10, 17, and Memorial Day weekend May 24, 25. Cost is $25.95 for ages 3-61 and 48" tall or taller; and $24.95 for ages 3- 61 under 48" tall, or ages 62 and above. For park information or to purchase tickets online, go to http://www.kingsdominion.com/, ID is UMC1. Mailed ticket orders must be received two weeks prior to the date of attendance. For information from the Conference, contact sferguson@bwcumc.org.
Give Peace a chance: Sharing Jerusalem USA and other partner organizations are planning an interfaith prayer service and workshop to help in the peace building process between Israel and Palestine. The event will be held Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m., at St. Johns Episcopal Church of Georgetown, 3240 O St., N.W., in Washington, DC. For more information, contact the Rev. Monroe Wright at lanhamumc@msn.com.
Bose Church sound system seminar: Bethany UMC, 2875 Bethany Lane in Ellicott City will hold a church sound systems seminar Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The seminar will cover microphones, mixes and other basics. Those in the church audio and video ministries are encouraged to attend. A registration fee of $15 includes lunch. For more information, contact Dave Armbruster at 410-747-5134 or dave@daveaudio.com.
NEW - World Malaria Day will be observed April 25, join and be part of Nothing But Nets Campaign and help save lives. For more information, go to http://www.nothingbutnets.net/.
NEW -Breast Cancer Screening for women 40 years and older, will be held at St. Joseph Medical Center, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 7601 Osler Drive, Towson 21204. The screening is for women who have not had a mammogram within the past year and do not have breast disease. It includes a clinical breast exam and a screening mammogram. It is a free screening by appointment only. For more information, call 410-337-1479.
Journaling Workshop sponsored by the Pastoral Care Department and the Sibley Senior Association at Sibley Memorial Hospital will be held May 30-31 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and July 25-26. For more information, contact Julie Potter at 202-364-7602 or jpotter@sibley.org or pastoralcare@sibley.org
Stop legislation to foster underage drinking: The Maryland Association of County Health Officers and the Conference's social justice ministry is asking citizens to contact legislators in the House of Delegates and the Senate to defeat bills that would protect so-called "alcopops" with low tax rates and easy access to teenagers. The Attorney General has issued an opinion that these products should be classified as liquor, but the alcohol industry would fix taxes at the beer rate and permit the products to be sold wherever beer (not liquor) is sold, as is currently the case. The bills are Senate Bill 745 and House Bill 879. Contact members of the House of Delegates and Senate immediately. For more information, contact Vincent DeMarco at demarco@mdinitiative.org. See www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Alcohol+and+Tobacco+Tax+and+Trade+Bureau?tid=ionformline>.
Mission trips and work camps
- Operation Classroom team to Sierra Leone: The Operation Classroom Ministries Minnesota Medical Mission Trips to Sierra Leone needs physicians to complete a team for Sierra Leone, June 26 to July 8. Volunteers will work in a UMC rural clinic addressing primary health concerns, health education and promotion. Another team will leave Sept. 27 and return Oct. 7. This team needs physicians, nurses and other health professionals. The cost of each trip is $2,800. For more information, contact Doris Acton at 952-835-7585 or dorisacton@nhylandsumc.org.
- Baltimore County Christian work camp: is a multi-denominational volunteer program that shares the love of Christ by improving the homes of families with low incomes and other assistance. The 25th annual work camp will be held July 20-23. Volunteer workers of all ages and varied skills and abilities are needed. The work camp also needs supplies and donations. For more information, contact Chip Day at 410-744-2794 or Frank Thomas at 410-667-1725 and fthomas32@msn.com.
- Seeking Volunteers to Nicaraguan VIM trip: Metropolitan Memorial UMC is looking for volunteers to travel to Nicaragua, June 14-22. The group will work under the direction of United Methodist missionaries, Nan McCurdy and Miguel Mairena, and stay in Managua and Masaya. The cost of the trip is $1,350 per person. For more information, contact Ann Michel at 202-885-8582 or amichel@wesleyseminary.edu.
NEW - Volunteers at Annual Conference: Volunteers are needed to serve as Highlighters at the Annual conference to be held May 22- 24 at Gaylord National Harbor Hotel. Highlighters assist will delegates in providing information about questions they may have. For more information, contact Michelle Miles at highlighters@verizon.net.
NEW - Shelter needs volunteers: Susanna Wesley, Inc., a home for formerly homeless women and their children in Baltimore City, needs at least one or two volunteers two to four days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to provide administrative office support. The volunteer may also teach office skills and computer use to the residents. For more information, contact Carol Melvin at 410-837-3787 or susannawesley@verizon.net.
Volunteers needed to improve education: The NAACP Anne Arundel County
Branch Education Committee is designing a program to support Anne Arundel County students in their efforts to pass High School Assessment Tests. Volunteers are needed to help support this community based program. For more information, contact Mikio Manuel at 443-994-5471 or mkiom@gmail.com.
Auction for missions: Hunt's Memorial UMC, Old Court and W. Joppa Roads, in Riderwood will hold silent and live auctions Sunday, April 6, to benefit missions. The auction starts at 12 noon. There will be pre-auction lunch for those with pre-paid tickets at 11:30 a.m., for $10 per adult and $5 for children. For more information, contact Steve Lippy at 410-296-9150 or Kathy Davis at 410-321-9580.
Faithpoint Golf tournament: FaithPoint UMC will host its annual golf tournament benefiting Maryland Sheriff's Youth Ranch, June 2, at Glade Valley Golf Club in Walkersville. Cost is $85. For more information or registration, call 301-473-7181 or call http://www.faithpointum.org/.
Global praise emersion: Damascus UMC, 9700 New Church St. in Damascus, is hosting a "Global Praise Emersion" April 4-7. The event is in partnership with the General Board of Discipleship. For more information, contact the church at 301-253-0022 or Damascus.umc@verizon.net.
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NEW - Director of Christian Education is needed in Catonsville UMC to start working by June. Interviews will be held this month. The position involves working with Sunday and Vacation Bible School programs, confirmation classes and organizing events. For more information, contact the church office at 410-747-1886 or cumc21228@verizon.net. Send application and resume to Staff Parish Relations Committee, Catonsville UMC, 6 Melvin Ave. Catonsville, MD 21228.
NEW - Earth Day Sermon writing contest - Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light is exploring the connection of faith and global warming through a sermon writing contest to mark Earth Sunday, April 20. Top prize is $300 worth of CFL light bulbs for a favorite low income community project. Two runners-up prizes are $100 worth of CFL bulbs each. Contestant should submit a text of the entire sermon by May 2, to Allison Fisher at Allison@gwipl.org. For more information, contact her at 202-886- 8684 or go to http://www.gwipl.org/.
Director of congregational ministries and programs: Chevy Chase UMC is looking for someone to facilitate its Christian education, youth ministry, and visitation and mission ministries. The applicant should be spiritually grounded, a good communicator, technologically savvy and a team player who works well with people of all ages. Contact the Rev. David C. Myers at dmyers@chevychaseumc.org or send resume to Chevy Chase UMC, 7001 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815. For information, go to http://www.chevychaseumc.org/.
Project coordinator is needed at the Baltimore-Washington Conference, to manage projects that support the conference mission, vision and strategy. Requires organizational and event-planning skills. Applicant should be a team player with the ability to develop project budgets, have intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office and working knowledge of the denomination's culture and structure. For more information, contact the Human Resource Director. For consideration e-mail a resume and cover letter to the human resource director, at hrbwc@bwcumc.org.
Free Banquet tables: Faith UMC has 24 tables to give away. For more information, call the church at 301-881-1881.
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