AN District News......UMC Buzz....April 14, 2023
E-CONNECTION
This week, the BWC sent out an e-Connection notice regarding a general threat to clergy and although it is believed the threat is specific to Prince George's County, we wanted to be sure that you were aware. If you missed the notice, you can view it here.
Read current and back issues of the e-Connection to learn what's happening across the Baltimore-Washington Conference or subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter.
239TH SESSION OF THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON CONFERENCE
NEW: Urgent Request for Annapolis District Youth Members at Large (YMAL)
At every Annual Conference, each district has the opportunity to send 3 youth to serve as district youth members at large (YMAL) to represent the youth voice/opinion of the district! Serving as a YMAL means that the youth are an integral and important part of holy conferencing. Youth members at large should be between the age of 12-18. YMAL are expected to arrive on Wed, May 31 (preferably in time for dinner) and they stay and participate in the full Annual Conference event until Saturday, June 3. Expenses are completely covered – hotel room and all meals during their stay. YMAL will share a hotel room with another YMAL of the same gender. YMAL all stay on the same floor at the hotel and there are adult chaperones on the floor with them. The chaperones shepherd the youth from arrival on Wed until their departure on Sat. YMAL have full voting privileges and the opportunity to speak at the microphones on issues that are important to them and their district. Voting will be done with personal devices this year, so YMAL should bring a cellphone, tablet or other personal device that they can connect to WIFI and use for voting purposes. If you know of a youth that would be interested, please send contact information for them and their guardian to
as soon as possible.
Register for Annual Conference
May 31-June 3, Hilton Hotel, 401 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD
• Register for the virtual Pre-Conference Session on May 6, 9am-noon
• Register for the Annual Conference – registration closes May 17, no on-site registration
• Make reservations at the Hilton
• See a list of workshop offerings
• Find all things Annual Conference
• Contact Darlene Washington, Conference Registrar with questions about registration and lodging:
/ 410-309-3498
NEW: Lay Member to Annual Conference & Reserve Lay Member to Annual Conference
Now is the time to check Arena to ensure your elected Lay Member or Reserve Lay Member to Annual Conference are up-to-date before registration closes on May 17. Read the 2023 Annual Conference Primer – information for BWC clergy and lay members, see page 3 -- Who Can Vote and How Do I Vote.
Deceased Lay Member to Annual Conference
In preparation for the Service of Remembrance, the district office needs your help identifying current or past Lay Members to Annual Conference who died after the 2022 Annual Conference. Please send their full name, a photo and their dates of birth and death to
.
OTHER NEWS
Lay Servant Ministry Training— May and June
The Annapolis District is offering virtual lay servant ministry training sessions. Please stay tuned for communications and class openings. Laity from other districts are invited to attend.
Support Migrants Seeking Asylum
As migrants continue arriving in Washington, DC, we ask you to support our new neighbors. Donate to help purchase new undergarments for children and adults. Share the information flyer and see the various ways to donate:
• Online at: bwcumc.org/migrantcrisisdonations
• Text MIGRANT to (410) 220-2402
• Mail a check made payable to “BWC Treasurer” with “migrant” in the memo field to: Baltimore-Washington Conference Center, 11711 E Market Place, Suite 1, Fulton, MD, 20759, ATTN: Dr. Escobar Arely Escobar
Pen-Del-BWC Native American Ministries Conference Announcement
Please tell us how you celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday or Native American Heritage Month. Tell about a missional activity or study related to Native Americans that you've had. We’d love to share this information across the connection. Please share here.
Scholarships Available for YOUTH 2023 in Daytona, FL
The denomination’s annual youth event will be held July 25-28 in Daytona, FL. Full details about the event including the agenda and costs can be found online. Scholarships are no longer available from the denomination, but if your youth group is interested in attending, we want to help support you! We will match the denomination’s original scholarship, $100 per student who attends. Scholarships are limited, so email Cheryl Cook at
for more details.
Fund Balance Report (deadline June 30) – Upload in Arena
Who can upload a signed copy of the Fund Balance Report in Arena?
• Church Finance Chair or Church Treasurer or Church Pastor – log-in as themselves
• Church Administrator (must log-in with the Church's Arena Account credentials)
The Fund Balance Report template can be downloaded from the BWC Financial Forms & Reports web page.
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Apr. 16 – Fundraising Dinner for Camping Scholarships Apr. 24-26 – Stronger Together! UM National Planters Gathering |
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Jul. 1 (deadline) – New Certified Lay Minister Class Applications Jul. 16-22 – Appalachian Service Project |