District News

Happy New Year Annapolis District!

I hope you had a restful and joyful Christmas. As we look forward to the new year, please allow me to be a resource for all of your District informational needs.

Premiered Jan. 5th -- Thursdays at the Table with Bishop LaTrelle Easterling
Join Bishop Easterling for her new podcast, Thursdays at the Table. In this monthly conversation, she will be joined by leaders from across the connection, serving up new insights and interesting and vital ways of experiencing our lives together.  In the first episode, the bishop speaks with church leaders whose anti-racist work changed their lives. You can find it on podcasting sites and at https://www.pdcbwc.org/thursdays-at-the-table.html

Jan. 10 (7pm) -- Training Tuesday: Statistical Report Training
It’s that time of the year again, Statistical Report Season. This year we will move away from the Ezra statistical reporting system, so plan to join us as we become familiar with AC Stats, our new system. We strongly encourage everyone who will work on the stats to attend this training. During our time together we will walk through AC Stats, show you the features and answer your questions. Registration link: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3452&event=6289

 

 

 

Winter Youth Retreat

The youth groups of Annapolis District churches are invited to participate in a Winter Youth Retreat at West River UMC hosted by Calvary UMC Annapolis. The retreat will be held January 13-15, 2023 and will be an opportunity provide a place to celebrate Christ’s love with other youth in the area to build a stronger community of faith. The cost per participant is $165 and includes lodging for your group and meals. Each church is responsible for providing appropriate adult chaperone coverage for your youth. For more information or to register, contact Joe Gryder ( ).

 

Multiple Dates -- Virtual Mental Health First Aid Training
The Wellness & Missions Board invites you to attend the training. Upon completion, participants will be certified for three years. CEUs are available for clergy. There are a variety of training options (1 day or 2 days) so please review the dates and follow the registration link next to your selection. Registration deadlines are not flexible. This ensures participants have adequate time to complete the pre-work. For more information, send an email to .

• Feb. 2 (9am-4pm) -- Register now: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ACAE2EA7F8C70-adultmental4 -- the registration deadline is Jan. 12
• Mar. 17 (4-8pm) & Mar. 18 (9am-1pm) -- Register now:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ACAE2EA7F8C70-adultmental5 -- the registration deadline is  Feb. 24
• Apr. 20 & Apr. 21 (9am-1pm) -- Register now:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ACAE2EA7F8C70-adultmental6 -- the registration deadline is Mar. 30

Jan. 15 -- Human Relations Day Sunday
Human Relations Day calls United Methodists to recognize the right of all God’s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with one another. The special offering benefits neighborhood ministries through community developers, community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services and work with at-risk teens through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program. Check-out resources to celebrate and promote this Special Sunday.    

Jan. 18 & Jan. 25 (10am) and Jan. 19 & Jan. 25 (7pm) -- Developing a Year-Round Stewardship Plan Webinar
The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation is starting January 2023 by offering a free webinar on the subject of "Developing a Year-Round Stewardship Plan".  The webinar will be presented by Financial Leadership Academy coaches, who have implemented many of the suggested actions in their own churches.  Registrants will receive a copy of the recorded webinar after the fact, as well as the powerpoint slides used and additional templated materials for use in their own church.  This webinar is designed for pastors and lay leadership.  It is being offered at 4 different times to accommodate all schedules.  Register now -- https://midatlanticfoundation.org/education/ 

Jan. 18 (3pm) -- Disabilities Ministries Gathering
The General Board of Church and Society, General Commission on Religion and Race, and the Disability Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church invite you to join them for a gathering of all Disability Ministry chairs and coordinators, Church and Society chairs, Peace with Justice coordinators, and other disability rights advocates for a one-hour, Connection-wide online discussion. The conversation will be held on Zoom. Register now. 

Feb. 1 (deadline) -- Annual Conference Resolutions
Resolutions to be considered by BWC conference members should be emailed to Conference Secretary, Kevin Silberzahn at . The Annual Conference session is May 31-June 3. Find more details here.

Feb. 2 -- Journey to Beloved Community: 6 Actions for Belonging and Becoming
Spring Registration Now Open!  This 8-session course will focus on six actions that you and community partners can take to grow in building beloved community and hence create spaces of belonging and becoming. You will learn how to have contextual brave conversations that matter, learn evidence-based strategies for bias reduction, become rooted in Theological and Wesleyan principles that undergird this work, and participate in brief spiritual practices that are designed to deepen your capacity to better build bridges, heal divisions and participate in holy reconciliation as disciples of Jesus Christ. Learn more and register.

Mar. 30 (deadline) – Now Accepting Applications for the Annual College Scholarship
Once again, the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be awarding scholarships for qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2023. The application process is now open and closes March 30, 2023. A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application which includes uploading their current transcripts. In addition, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference. For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/.