AN District News.......UMC Buzz.......August 20, 2020
Church Conference Training recording
Training Tuesday on LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES Aug. 25
Presenters: Linda Flanagan - Director of Lay Servant Ministries, Deborah Sims - Frederick District Director of Lay Servant Ministries, Carol Travis - Greater Washington District Director of Lay Servant Ministries
We are all called to serve God and His purposes, and we should prepare ourselves to do that as best as we can. The UMC Lay Servant Ministry program offers that preparation to all laity. Join us in this webinar to understand the many facets of this program in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Designed for all laity, church leaders, pastors, and Conference officials, this webinar will offer clear information and essential, timely updates about the current UMC Lay Servant Ministry program here. We will explain the program components and benefits for all laity. We will also present new Conference guidelines for this year of virtual learning and cancelled courses. Whether you are simply curious or a long-time certified lay member, you will find helpful information during this time. Program leaders will offer time to answer your questions as well.
in OTHER NEWS
Fund Balance Report Deadline Approaching
The 2019 Annual Fund Balance Report deadline has been extended to August 31, 2020. There are two ways to submit the report, email the attached file to
or log-in to Arena (https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/).
Who can see/complete a Fund Balance report in Arena?
• Church Finance Chair/President
• Church Treasurer
• Church Pastor (under construction)
• Church Administrator (must be logged in with Church Arena Account credentials)
Aug. 23 is deadline to register for Annual Conference
Clergy and lay voting members of Annual Conference must register for the Sept. 12 session by Aug. 23. Those who do not register can watch through a live feed; the link to watch will be provided at a later date, provided by Good News TV. If you have questions about registration, send an email to .
Mandatory training on the electronic voting will be held
Sept. 3 at 6 p.m., Sept. 9 at 10 a.m., and Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.
The online Clergy Session on Sept. 12 begins at 9 a.m. Lay members will join the Annual Conference session online at 1 p.m. The Ordination Service, which can be viewed online, will be at 6 p.m.
The Laity Session is scheduled for Nov. 14.
Register for annual conference (and the voter training)
See an FAQ about registering
Wellness and Missions
The times we are breathing through, and living in, test our resolve, test our patience, and test our humanity. In communities across the Conference, many are creating ways to help one another during these difficult times. Tell us how you or your congregation are helping to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and love thy neighbor. Send an email to .
Young People's Ministry
The BWC's Young People's Ministry will host the Rev. Chap Clark in a Zoom session on "Adoptive Youth Ministry," Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. Clark, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, will focus on a theology of mutual adoption and what it takes to grow a thriving youth ministry (spiritual formation as opposed to counting attendance as a measure of success) that engages the whole congregation, and the importance of the youth leader's role in making that happen. Register now for the event.
Advocacy and Action
Dismantling Racism: Two new interactive town hall discussions are planned as part of the denomination's "Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom" initiative's town hall series on anti-racism to explore both old and new approaches to organizing for racial justice in church and community. In the first of the two discussions, participants will hear from a panel of seasoned leaders on Aug. 19 at 1 p.m., followed by a discussion featuring a panel of emerging leaders on Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. The webinar will be at available at UMC.org/EndRacismTownHall, as well as a live airing on The United Methodist Church Facebook page.
Voter Registration Events: Every voice counts. Volunteer to host or assist in a non-partisan voter registration event to help ensure that no voice is silenced. The deadline for voter registration is Oct. 13. Encourage all members of your community to be registered voters. If you are interested in hosting a voter registration event in Maryland, contact the Rev. Amanda McMurtrey at Mayo UMC by Sept. 1.
Across the Connection
School supply giveaway: Asbury UMC, 10420 Guilford Road in Jessup, will hold a special mission project Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon with a contactless giveaway of free school supplies. All are welcome.