District News

Prayers of the People

 Join us in praying this week for the thousands of youth, youth leaders, chaperones and volunteers who are gathering in Ocean City, Md., this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, for ROCK. We pray for a safe and blessed weekend as people experience the amazing love of Jesus Christ.

 We continue to pray for the denomination as the February Special Session of General Conference approaches. The Council of Bishop is encouraging United Methodists to participate in the Praying Our Way Forward Initiative. On Feb. 23, the bishops will gather with the delegates in the St. Louis America's Center for a time of prayer from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit umcprays.org. 

 

Save the date: on Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling is calling the people of the BWC together at the Mission Center and via live streaming to pray and share information following the Special Session. 

 

Clergy appointment season has begun. We pray for Bishop Easterling, the Cabinet, and all those who are appointed to new churches in the coming year.  See the appointments. 

 

We thank God for the justice ministries of Asbury UMC in Jessup, which won the 2018-2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Living the Dream" award, presented by the Office of Human Rights in Howard County.

 

Register now for Feb. 20 clergy day apart 

 

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling invites the clergy of the Baltimore-Washington Conference to a special Lenten Day Apart, which will focus on contemplative practices. "Our lives are enriched through the practices that awaken our deepest expressions of grace and love," the bishop said. "I believe contemplative prayer and practice take us to the depths of those experiences in God."

 

The day apart will be held Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Glen Mar UMC at 4701 New Cut Road in Ellicott City. The cost, which is $35 for active clergy and $25 for retired clergy, includes a catered lunch. Retired clergy must enter a special code to receive the discounted rate. Enter "RETIRED" (all caps) when you register.  Register online.

Southern Region Advanced SPRC Training Saturday, Feb. 23.

The Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee is the administrative unit in the local church where staff/pastor and congregational interests are integrated to focus on the mission of the church.  The SPRC has more components to operating that personnel and clergy compensation issues.  This is a critical Committee in the life of the local church. 

This advanced training will prepare local church SPRCs not only regarding personnel and clergy compensation, but the role of the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, Certified Lay Ministers and Certified Lay Servants, how to conduct a comprehensive and effective evaluation, how to resolve conflicts, and what to do when an area needs improvement.  It will also address the role of the District Superintendent and when to involve them in areas of unresolved conflict or concern.

The class will be held on February 23, 2019 at Centenary UMC, 6248 Shady Side Rd., Shady Side, MD 20764 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. You are strongly encouraged to attend this training as a Team. The cost is $5 per person. One person should be assigned to register each team. Registration is now open Register.

Southern Region Annual Leadership Day April 13, 2019

The Southern Region will host our annual training for clergy and laity on April 13, 2019 at Nichols-Bethel UMC, 1239 Murray Rd, Odenton MD.  This year our keynote speaker will be Matt Lake, Lead Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Williamsport, PA—an urban congregation that consists of a mix of traditional and contemporary worship experiences.  First Church also currently hosts a network of fresh expressions of ministry called the Acts Network in which people meet in places such as homes, gyms, and coffee shops. Registration is now open.  To register please click here.

A Way Forward Resources 

At our regional gathering on October 28, Bishop stressed the importance of staying informed, attending listening sessions and praying daily at 2:23 pm for five minutes for those who will meet at the General Conference on February 23. The Bishop referenced three resources during our time together to gain understanding and stay informed:

• A Word from the Bishop: We Can Remain Together - Why I Support the One Church Plan 
• Plans - At - A - Glance: A Summary and Side-by-Side Comparison of the One Church Plan
• Browse Resources on A Way Forward and Connect with the BWC Delegates 

Featured this Week

 

As the denomination seeks a Way Forward on addressing issues of homosexuality at the Special Session in February, an increasing number of questions are being raised about how the various plans will affect pastors' pension plans. WesPath offers some information and an FAQ sheet to address many of these questions.

 

 

Annual Conference news:

• The 2020 Annual Conference Session will be held Wednesday, May 29 through Saturday, June 1, at the Waterfront Marriott Hotel in Baltimore. The additional day this year will allow for a focus on Young People's Ministry. Learn more.
• Registration opens Wednesday, Feb. 20. 
• An important Pre-Conference Briefing will be held Saturday, May 18. The morning session will be held at Jackson Chapel UMC in Frederick, and the afternoon session is at St. Johns United Church in Columbia.
• All resolutions to come before the 235th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are due to the Conference Secretary by April 1. Learn more.
• Delegates to the 2020 General Conference will be elected at this Session.
• The BWC is seeking student leaders to serve their peers as members-at-large at the 2019 Annual Conference Session. Applications, which are due April 2, will be posted online this week. Youth must be active members of their local churches and be able to be present from Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, contact Cheryl Cook.

 

Leadership Development

• The Laity Fix workshop, with presenter Lynda Byrd, will be offered twice: Friday Feb. 15, and Saturday, Feb. 16. Both sessions will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton.  Learn more and register. 

Advocacy and Action

• The United to Love Moral Courage Awards celebrate people who put their faith into action especially when doing so is uncomfortable or unpopular.  If you know Young Adults and/or Adults who are boldly living their faith in ways that exemplify/advance discipleship, amplify our Social Principles, exemplify the love of Christ and illuminate God's call for justice, please invite them to apply.  Applications are open now and will be accepted through April 1, 2019.  For more information and/or to apply, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/moral-courage-awards/ (applications are toward the end of the page). Awards will be presented to finalists at Annual Conference 2019. 

• The Annual Legislative Advocacy and Action Day will be held March 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Asbury UMC in Annapolis. It will address aspects of health care reform, criminal justice reform; School to Prison Pipeline issues, and immigration reform. To register or for more information, please contact Judy Smith. The cost is $6.

Young People's Ministry  

• College scholarship applications are now online. The deadline is March 7. Learn more.

• Christians Engaged in Faith Formation is a resource group for all local church Sunday School teachers and other Christian Educators. On the morning of Feb.14, they will meet at Silver Sprig UMC to discuss worship bags and resourcing families for Lent.
   
• The CCYM Stress Less Project offers resources to help youth battle the many sources of stress in their lives. The project was created by youth for youth. Learn more. 

Classifieds

Linthicum Heights UMC in Linthicum, MD is seeking a Director of Music.

The Director of Music develops and leads the music ministries of Linthicum Heights UMC, in consultation with the Pastor and others involved in the music ministry. The responsibilities include accompanying the congregation on piano and organ during traditional worship celebrations, working with the pastor to select music for worship celebrations, directing and accompanying adult and children choirs, directing a bell choir, and coordinating special music.

The candidate will have a desire to share the love of Christ through their gift and love of music. The candidate will be familiar and comfortable with traditional, contemporary, and modern forms of music and worship.

The desired candidate will demonstrate professional proficiency in playing the piano and organ, be creative in working with the present configuration of the music ministry, and flexible to other configurations and possibilities for developing the music ministry. The candidate will exercise characteristics of creativity, flexibility, and good humor, while nurturing the community created through music.

The candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or higher in music, 3-5 years’ experience as a Director of Music or similar position (including experience in directing choirs and instrumental groups), with good communication and organizational skills.

 This is a part-time job (15-20 hours per week). Salary is Commensurate with experience.

 If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Linthicum Heights UMC at . 

Mt. Zion UMC, 3592 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel, have three 8-foot pews and one 6-foot pew to give away. Each pew has orange cushions and space on the back for books. Pick-up needs to be arranged by the purchaser. Contact Mary D. Gibson at 301-498-9431 before Feb. 14.

 

John Wesley-Waterbury in Crownsville needs a musician for its 9 a.m. Sunday worship service. Contact Mrs. Pope at 301-404-1587.