District News

Greetings Clergy and Church Leaders:

Grace and peace to you and your loved ones.  Please take a moment to view the information below and share what is relevant with your ministry partners and congregation. We rely on you to share news and offerings with those who will benefit from them the most.

NOTE: Our office phones are working, grateful for our IT support staff!

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RESOURCES 

Updated COVID Resources for Re-entry
After three years of living with the COVID pandemic, churches have grown in their resiliency. But there are still challenges. The BWC recently updated its re-entering well resources. They include a new update from Ella Curry, PhD, MTS, RN, a consultant in infectious disease.  This month, Curry provides a snapshot of the journey and encourages churches to use the CDC County Check Widget and the CDC guidelines on “How to Protect Yourself and Others".

 

July 1 (deadline) -- Are You Being Called to Become a Certified Lay Minister?
Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Ministers for the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2022-2024 are now being accepted. Learn more and see if you qualify. This application process includes meeting with the pastor, local SPRC, and the district superintendent before the July 1 deadline. The next class will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.

 

CLM applications now being accepted

Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Ministers for the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2022-2024 are now being accepted. Learn more and see if you qualify. 

This application process includes meeting with the pastor, local SPRC, and the district superintendent before the July 1 deadline. The next class will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.

 

Gun Violence Prevention webinar: To help congregations hold courageous conversations on gun violence, the BWC’s social action team will hold a webinar on gun violence prevention on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. Learn more and register. Learn more about gun violence prevention. Read an article by Sue Bender.

 

Journey to Beloved Community is an innovative course that focuses on six actions that you and community partners can take to grow in building beloved community and create spaces of belonging and becoming. The orientation is Feb. 24; the course begins Feb. 25. Learn more and register before Feb. 22.

A webinar on the Maryland Constitutional Amendment for Environmental Human Rights 

will be held Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. The Conference Racial Justice Legislative Team will host a webinar with Rabbi Nina Cardin of the Maryland Campaign for Environmental Human Rights. The rabbi will share information about this amendment, its path through the Assembly, and ways we can advocate for it. This amendment establishes every person’s right to a healthy and clean environment and commits our government to protecting this right. A copy of the Bill can be found online. You may join the call at this Zoom link  and enter Passcode 966376 (Meeting ID: 957 4327 3599). Sign the petition here, as a quick first step. Call your legislator and support the Environmental Human Rights Amendment.

A Training Tuesday webinar on how to secure your building and deescalate threats will be held Feb. 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. David Johnston from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will share four easy steps that your congregation can take to mitigate threats and help protect worshipers from assailants. Register.

A workshop for congregations applying for church security grant funding will be held Friday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. This workshop will provide an overview of the application and best practices to ensure that you properly submit your application to receive funds for church security systems. Learn more and register.

A small-membership churches forum will be held via Zoom, Friday, March 18, 1:30 to 3 p.m. The second offering of the forum will be held that evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Rev. Rick Oursler. Register.

First Aid for Mental Health: One in five Americans experience mental illness each year. A 2021 Clergy Well-Being Survey found that United Methodist clergy are increasingly struggling with mental health. To address some of the issues and stigmas around this issue, Wespath is offering first aid training for mental health in March 10 and 24. 

 

Vaccination clinics:

Chews Memorial UMC at 492 Owensville Road in Harwood, will hold a vaccination clinic for people 12 and older, Wednesday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Pre-registration is not required.

 

Lives change at summer camp. This summer, the BWC's Retreat and Camping Ministries offers a vast array of experiences for those entering third grade through adults in residential and day camps.

• Residential camp at West River near Annapolis
• Day camp at West River near Annapolis
• Summer camp at Manidokan near Harpers Ferry

Volunteers and summer staff are now being sought to work with the campers. To find out more about opportunities to serve, contact Jenna Johnson or Kirstin Shrom-Rhoads .

Speak a word of faith as you enter into a weekly study for Lent featuring prayer-poems by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. This six-week small group study delves deeply into reflections for individuals or groups, on truth, trust, healing, hope, love, humility, journey, joy, service and more. See the study.