e - connection - Friday, April 11, 2008
OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS
NEW -Update on UMC membership: Giving is on the rise among UMC members in the United States, although membership is on the decline. To read more, go to http://beta.bwcumc.org/content/umc-membership-declines-giving-grows.
Retreat and Camping events
For more information, go to www.bwcumc.org/camping, or call 800-922-6795. Visit the Manidokan blog for updates on the life at camp.
NEW - Church on immigration: There will be an interfaith clergy panel on immigration Monday, April 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church Social Hall, located at 11200 Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda. For more information, contact Becky Wagner at 301-3-5-1099 or rwagenr@communityministrymc.org.
NEW - Drama on life, death and eternity: Wesley students and staff will be performing a drama, "Wit" by Margaret Edson. The performance will be Wednesday, April 16, 7:30 p.m., Friday April 18, 7 p.m. and Sunday April 20, 2 p.m. RSVP to Dennis Crolley at 202-885-8637 or dcrolley@wesleyseminary.edu.
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.
CORRECTION- 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
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. The Asbury Room will be dedicated. An optional opportunity precedes the meeting: a bus tour from Lovely Lane to historical 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
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 -Community collaborations with UMC: Legislative Advocates Ministry seeks to equip and inform UMC members through community collaborations. As part of these collaborations, a free conference for the church community will be held Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Greenbelt Marriott, 6400 Ivy Lane in Greenbelt, sponsored by the American Cancer Society and S. Nikki Harrison Cancer Awareness Group. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. To register, call 202-483-2600 Ext. 161 or e-mail tawana.thomas-johnson@cancer.org.
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/.
UPDATE-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 men and women 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 Forrest C. Stith (Retired) will be held at the Baltimore-Washington Conference Center in Columbia, Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m., to 3 p.m., to allow people 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.
Activists for Advocacy ministry are invited to the Baltimore-Washington Conference Center in Columbia, 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.
NEW - "Are we there yet?"-A young adult workshop: FUMCHY Café, the young adult ministry of First UMC in Hyattsville, is sponsoring an educational workshop on effective evangelism and discipleship. The event will be held Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at First UMC, 6201 Belcrest Road in Hyattsville. The Rev. Rene Knight will speak on evangelism, Rev. Miguel Balderas will discuss discipleship and Rev. Kevin Smalls will lead the Café experience. The cost of the workshop is $10, payable to First UMC, young adult ministry. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration forms are available at the church or online at www.fumchy.org/. Registration deadline is Sunday, May 4. For more information, contact Greg Richards at 301-927-6133 or theyoungadults@gmail.com.
NEW - Congregations and gifts in ministry with Young Adults: Western Presbyterian Church at 2401 Virginia Ave., N.W., in Washington, D.C., will host a conference with a focus on understanding and engaging young people in their quest for passion, integrity and faith. The event will be held Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost of registration is $75 for two and $85 for three people, covers breakfast, lunch and a copy of Carol Howard Merritt's "Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation." For more information, contact Anne A. Michel at 202-885-8582 or amichel@wesleyseminary.edu.
To register online, go to www.thefund.org/calling/events or contact calling@thefund.org.
NEW -Fostering leadership and justice in young adults: The Office of Deaconess and the Home Missioner in the General Board of Global Ministries is organizing a "Living Justice" event to give young adults, ages 20-35, opportunities to explore issues of social justice. The program will be held at Alma Matthews House in New York City, from June 28 to July 2. It includes Bible study, worship, conversation, reflection and an introduction to the issues of land, poverty and community life. Application deadline is May 1. All costs including travel within the Unites States, lodging and meals will be covered. For information and application, go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/ or contact the Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner at 212-870-3850 or deaconess@gbgm-umc.org.
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.
UPDATE -Concert for Life:" That's Amor! Songs of Love," an all-volunteer choir, will perform to benefit people living with HIV/AIDS Friday, April 25, at 8 p.m. The concert will be held at Foundry UMC, 1500 16th St. Washington, D.C. Concert tickets are $50. There is a discounted rate of $25 for seniors, students and people living with HIV/AIDS. Tickets including reception at 6:15 p.m., are $75. To inquire about sponsorship or purchase tickets, call 202-332-4010 Ext.606 or go to http://www.concertforlife.org/. All proceeds go to organizations working with people living with HIV/AIDS.
Web Training Opportunities
NEW - Spring health fair and yard sale: Locust UMC, located at 6851 Martin Road in Columbia, is sponsoring a health fair and yard sale to be held Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain date is Saturday, May 17. Space is available for sellers and vendors. For more information, call 410-772-0940.
RESOURCES FOR MAKING DISCIPLES
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 today and April18, 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.
NEW - Candidates' ‘Compassion Forum' - Learn what candidates have to say about faith, spiritual life and public policy on Faith in Public Life's first national Compassion Forum featuring Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, broadcast live on CNN Sunday, April 13, at 8 p.m. (ET). Republican John McCain declined the invitation but will address the issues later.
NEW - B-WARM to meet: The Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists will meet Saturday, April 12, at Harmony UMC located at 155 East Mount Harmony Road in Owings, at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Adam Briddell at 202-255-8369 or adambriddell@hotmail.com.
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 - West Baltimore community health fair and blood drive: There will be diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure screening at West Baltimore UMC Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the corner of Greenwich Ave. and Charing Cross Road in West Baltimore. The health fair in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical System and American Red Cross, will also provide information for tobacco education, reduction of obesity and exercise programs for seniors. An appointment for blood donation may be made by calling Darren McGloin at 410-646-0242.
NEW - Play game to buy nets: Throughout April, visitors to the http://www.nothingbutnets.net/ can play an interactive game to deliver virtual sleeping nets to Africa and, in the process, raise money to buy real insecticide-treated nets through the malaria prevention campaign. It's part of a renewed push for the United Methodist-supported Nets campaign leading up to World Malaria Day on April 25. Each time someone plays the "Deliver the Net" game and signs up at http://www.nothingbutnets.net/ during April, an anonymous sponsor will donate $10 for a life-saving net.
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
NEW - One male volunteer to wanted: Faith Church in Rockville needs one male volunteer to complete the VIM team of 12 scheduled to travel to Russia, July 12 to 26. The team will be working at a children's hospital in Vladimir and will visit a sister church in St. Petersburg. Cost is $2,600. The deadline is close. For more information, contact the Rev. Ken Jones at 301-216-5210 or kjonesvim@comcast.net.
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.
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.
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
NEW - Camp Manidokan is in need of the following items: ATV, (preferably a four wheel drive), golf carts (2X), a van, a video projector and a carpet shampooer. Gently used items from the list are being sought. Cash donations could also be used to purchase them. For more information, contact Chris Schlieckert at 301-834-7244 or Manidokan@gmail.com.
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.
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.
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