District News

Prayers of the People 

Since Jan. 1, United Methodists around the world have been joining together in prayer for the Commission on the Way Forward. The Commission was proposed by the Council of Bishops and approved by the 2016 General Conference to do a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph of the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality, and to explore options that help maintain and strengthen the unity of the church. The "Praying Our Way Forward" initiative involves every Annual Conference being in prayer for the Commission for one week. Next week, July 23 to 29, is the week set aside for the BWC to be in prayer for the Commission. A prayer by the Rev. John Nupp, Director of the BWC's Center for Clergy Excellence, also offers a prayer. 

The Rev. Alva Tice, a retired Elder in the BWC, died July 14. The family will receive friends at Kyger Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 21. The memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on July 22, at Mt. Olive Brethren Church, 2977 Pineville Road, McGahersville, VA. Interment will be at the Mountain Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery prior to the memorial service. Condolences may be sent to H. Kent Tice (son), 104 Oakland Terrace, Charles Town, WV 25414. 

Word has been received of the death of retired local pastor Leander H. Anske last Oct. 28. A service was held in November 2016. His wife died in 2007. In 1998, he served the Morgan Chapel Charge in Woodbine, according to the Conference Journal. Over the years he was the pastor of Marriottsville, Flohrville, Morgan Chapel and Salem United Methodist Churches, according to an obituary in the Frederick News Post. Survivors include his second wife, June, and three sons and a daughter, 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 

New this Week

ROCK 2018 will be January 26-28, 2018. Registration will open on Sept 15. We are thrilled to announce that the speaker will be Bishop LaTrelle Easterling with music by Sorensen and Urban Street Level. It's gonna be awesome! The ROCK promo video is available here. It includes highlights from ROCK 2017 and a look at ROCK 2018. Please feel free to show in your church and share with others. VIDEO CONTEST-- Please continue your Random Acts of Christian Kindness (ROCK) and submit your videos (1-3 minutes) and/or pics of your youth group performing ROCKs.  Please email to . Video and pics submission deadline is Dec. 9. Please be sure to include the name of the church, the type of Christian kindness you are performing as well as the name and contact info of your youth leader/pastor. Winners will receive five free t-shirts. ROCK EMCEES - Auditions for ROCK 2018 emcees will be on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the ROCK Team Meeting at the BWC Conference center, 11711 E. Market Place. Any youth in the BWC in grade 6-12 are welcome to audition. Please do not audition if you're unable to follow the rules for emcees. ROCK TEAM MEETINGS will be held at 10 a.m. on the following Saturdays: Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 20, Feb. 24, Mar. 24, Apr. 28, May 19, and June 23. Meetings are at the BWC Conference Center unless otherwise noted. All youth and adults of the BWC are welcome. For more info, please visit www.bwcumc.org/ROCK

Registration for Exploration now open: Exploration, a biennial, three-day event for young adults, 18-26, will be held Nov. 3-5 in Portland, Ore. The event is for young adults who want to know more about what ministry is all about and explore their gifts for service as a Deacon or Elder in The United Methodist Church. It is sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Exploration creates opportunities for young adults to be in meaningful fellowship, passionate worship, theological reflection and practical workshops as they discern whether God's call on their life is to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church and what faithful steps they can take in response. To register, or learn more about Exploration, visit ExploreCalling.org. More information about GBHEM can be found at GBHEM.org.  See also Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM. 

September is Hunger Action Month: Make September a time for your congregation to stand together against hunger. Join with the Society of St. Andrew, a United Methodist-supported organization, to see that each person in this country has healthy, nourishing food to eat. A calendar for the month lists prayer and action for each day. Materials are free. Download the Calendar and Resources .

Continuing Highlights 

2017 Church (formerly Charge) Conference trainings will be held on August 2, 2017 at Cedar Grove UMC and August 3, 2017 at Hall UMC.  There will be two trainings held at each location.  The first training is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and the second training is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  We encourage churches to send at least two representatives as we will provide a tutorial on the new platform scheduled to launch on August 1, 2017.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact your Annapolis District Administrator, Willine Kamara at .

Farewell Celebration: You are invited to celebrate the retirement of Andy Thornton, the BWC's director of Camping and Retreat Ministries Saturday, Aug. 5, beginning at 1 p.m., at West River Center, Chalk Point Road in West River. Learn more about parking, the chocolate chip cookie contest, creating a farewell video and RSVP at www.CelebrateAndyThornton.myevent.com. 

"Give Yourself Away": Bishop LaTrelle Easterling recently preached at the 2017 Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. John Coleman shared a video of her sermon, "Give Yourself Away," on YouTube.

United Methodist Church Handbook: The new United Methodist Church Handbook (for the 2017-1010 quadrennium) is free from United Methodist Communications. It is packed with denominational details, beliefs, history and contact information. Learn more.

The BWC Retreat and Camping Ministries are sponsoring a fundraiser, Clean Closets for Campers, to help local churches raise money for camperships. Learn more.

Quality of Life Retreats is a BWC ministry that reaches out to people living with HIV/AIDS. The next retreat is scheduled for Aug. 17-20 at Camp Manidokan. The ministry's 30th anniversary celebration begins Sept. 1. Learn more in their newsletter, Celebrate Life!

Considering Retirement? The Board of Ordained Ministry is sponsoring a workshop for clergy and their spouses who are exploring the idea of retirement, which will be held Friday, Sept. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. The cost is $30. Learn more and register.  

In Other News

The Annapolis District is proud to share that two churches within the district, Centenary United Methodist Church and Franklin United Methodist Church have partnered in a can food and donation drive.  Both churches are working exceptionally well together and look forward to receiving more donations. If you would like to donate, please reach out the Brian Christian from Centenary at .

A special thank you to all those who lead a helping hand: Pastor’s Taysie Phillips and Alhassan Macauley; the VBS coordinator, Larry Cox; and Franklin UMC’s food pantry: Alice Ennals and Sheril Medley.