District News

Feb. 15 Congregation Development Grants (Unified Funding)
Do you have an innovative and exciting idea for a New Faith Expression or new worship service? Then the BWC Congregational Development Grants, may be able to assist you with a grant to launch your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, leader development ministry and or to reach new people. The application deadline is April 1. Learn more.

Feb. 21 (7pm) – Training Tuesday: The Power of a Non-Anxious Presence 
We live in challenging times. The pandemic, economic uncertainty, political division and a pending denominational split have raised anxiety in the church and in the world. Jack Shitama, Director of the Center for Vital Leadership, will share principles from his book, Anxious Church, Anxious People: How to Lead Change in an Age of Anxiety to help you grow as a non-anxious leader.  Register now. 

Feb. 27 (deadline) – Vitality Pathways Application Extension
The Vitality Pathways application deadline has been extended to allow congregations time to complete all the requirements in the process. More information about the Vitality Pathways can be found at, https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/new-faith-expressions-newfx/congregational-development/  

Mar. 4 (10am) – Rural Pastor Gathering with Bishop Easterling   
Bishop Easterling will meet with pastors serving in rural settings at Otterbein UMC (108 E Franklin St., Hagerstown, MD).  If your church identifies itself as a rural church or if you serve a rural community, we hope you take this opportunity to join the Bishop. Register and learn more. 

Mar. 6-Apr. 2 (deadline Mar. 1) – The Non-Anxious Leader Course
This four-week, online course, will help clergy and laity grow as a non-anxious leader. It will show you how to apply family systems theory so that you can be a non-anxious presence personally and professionally. All content can be accessed asynchronously. The four live sessions with the instructor are recorded in case you are unable to join them in real-time.  Earn 3 CEUs, free for laity and clergy.  Register today.  

______________________________________________________________________ 2023 UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
Mar. 8 (9:30am) – Next Level Leader with Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis Mar. 14 (7:30pm, ET) -- The Church Audit: It’s Easier Than You Think!   Mar. 16/Mar. 29 – UMC Legislative Advocacy Days 2023 (Save the dates) Multiple Dates – Virtual Mental Health First Aid Training • Mar. 17 (4-8pm) & Mar. 18 (9am-1pm) -- Registration deadline is Feb. 24 • Apr. 20 & Apr. 21 (9am-1pm) -- -Registration deadline is Mar. 30 Mar. 24 – Retreat for Youth & Children's Ministry Leaders (scholarships available) Mar. 30 (deadline) – Accepting Applications for the Annual College Scholarship		Apr. 24-26 – Stronger Together! UM National Planters Gathering May 31-Jun. 3 – Annual Conference  Jun. 30 (deadline) – Fund Balance Report  Jul. 1 (deadline) – New Certified Lay Minister Class Applications Jul. 16-22 – Appalachian Service Project Jan. 29-Feb. 7, 2024 – Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

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OTHER NEWS

Deceased Lay Member to Annual Conference
In preparation for the Service of Remembrance at the 2023 Annual Conference, the district office needs your help identifying Lay Members to Annual Conference who died after the 2022 Annual Conference. Please send their full name and dates of birth and death to .

 

Mental Health First Aid: The Wellness & Missions Board invites you to attend a virtual Mental Health First Aid class. Upon completion, participants will be certified for three years. CEUs are available for clergy. Review the choices below and follow the registration link next to your selection. Registration deadlines are not flexible; this ensures participants have adequate time to complete the pre-class work.

• March 17, 4 to 8 p.m., and March 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; registration due Feb. 24
• April 20 and 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days; registration due March 30

For more information, contact   .

 

The United Methodist National Planters Gathering will be held April 24 - 26 in Denver. The conference is a chance to learn the best of who we are and what we are creating from one another. The BWC’s Congregational Development ministry will cover the registration cost of some participants and scholarships are available. For more information contact Bill Brown or Lauren Harris. Learn more. Register. 

Appalachian Service Project invitation to serve: Cedar Grove UMC invites you and your church's VIM team to join them on an Appalachian Service Project mission trip to Eastern Kentucky, July 16 - 22. Learn more. Email Pastor Fred Sipes to sign up. Also, let us know where your VIM teams are serving by sending an email to   .

Sign up to join Bishop LaTrelle Easterling on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Jan. 29 - Feb. 7, 2024. This sacred journey to Israel and the West Bank will be hosted by the Society for Biblical Studies and costs $3,439. The theme of the trip is, "The Land of Jesus: Then and Now.

Learn more and register.

 

Tell Your "Training Tuesday" Story
Annual Conference is swiftly approaching, and we are looking for stories to tell about how our “Training Tuesday” webinar has positively impacted you and/or your ministry this conference year. If “Training Tuesday” has helped you grow or implement positive changes in your ministry and you are willing to tell the story for Annual Conference, please let us know. Please contact Lauren Harris at   at let her know which “Training Tuesday” impacted you. We will let you know the next steps in capturing your story.