AN District News......UMC Buzz....June 17, 2022
Prayers of the People
We celebrate the flexibility and creativity of the congregation of Calvary UMC in Annapolis, whose building is undergoing asbestos abatement. They are taking this opportunity to do something new with their VBS. In the past, the church brought children from the neighborhood to Calvary; but this year, they will be bussing folks to the Stanton Center for their three-day VBS, July 25-27.
More than a quarter of the leaders who negotiated the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation say they “can no longer in good faith support” the proposal. See the story from UMNS.
At the recent Annual Conference Session, Discipleship Ministries offered a number of videos to inspire and equip congregations as they grow in vitality and discipleship. See the video playlist.
Administrators in Ministry group to be formed in BWC
The BWC will start a local PAUMCS chapter, Administrators In Ministry (A.I.M.). This group is a way churches can strengthen their connectional bonds and create a more supportive base to help increase the effectiveness of our collective "administry."
You are invited to attend an informational meeting about A.I.M. via Zoom, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will be an interactive session and we encourage all church administrative staff and clergy to attend to find out more about how A.I.M. can support your "administry."
New and Featured
United Methodists will join in the Poor People's Campaign's Moral March on Washington and Polls on Saturday, June 18. Those from the BWC will meet at the U.S. Botanical Gardens in D.C. at 8:30 a.m.
Learn how you can participate.
New relationship agreements between United Methodists and Boy Scouts of America will be ready by June 30. To help orient congregational Scouting leaders, a ZOOM information session will be held Thursday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Register to attend the session and contact information will be emailed to you.
The BWC's Immigration Reform Team, in partnership with Just Neighbors, will host an Immigration 101 session celebrating Refugee Day on June 25 at 10:30 a.m. Learn about immigration law, the process for legalization, and how to use this knowledge to advocate and support immigrants in your midst. Please invite people in your church who would like to be involved in immigration work. Register via zoom. You will receive the event link after registration.
A virtual mini people’s supper will be held June 25 from 10 a.m. to noon. During this time together, there will be brave conversations regarding how we can be disciples of Jesus Christ who love well across all dimensions of difference, be a church that embodies antiracism, and build beloved community. This virtual session is free and open to all. Register.
Learn how to be vital in your community: Get ready to participate in understanding your congregation and community through your ComparativeInsite report on June 25. Your district Missional Action Planning (dMAP) team is working to ensure that your church has the data it needs to develop meaningful relationships and ministry with your community using the ComparativeInsite report from MissionInsite. One of the first steps to get this data is to upload participants selected to access the MissionInsite standard report. Click here for a step-by-step guide. Register.
Living Well is a seven-month program for clergy that provides a holistic understanding of their life and ministry and a personal development plan, and the steps pastors can take to make incremental and significant improvements in selected aspects of their life and ministry. The program is comprised of two retreats, one in the fall of 2022 and one in the spring of 2023. There are also monthly cohort meetings between the retreats to process learning and support each other. Learn more and register.
Mission u is scheduled for July 29, from 6:45 to 9 p.m. and July 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The theme is Building Communities of Hope and Joy from Luke 13. Sponsored by Women of Faith, Mission u will be held in-person and virtually via Zoom. Mission u for youth will be held in-person only. Register online. For more information, contact Rita Green at 301-648-8294. Learn more.
Discipleship Opportunities
The next Unfinished Church podcast, premiering June 16, features Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth." Learn more and explore resources at theunfishinedchurch.org. Engage with The Unfinished Church podcast by hosting a listening party or join others at The Unfinished Church's Lunch & Listen every other Thursday via Zoom, from 12:30-1:30 pm. The next opportunity is on June 23. Register here.
Voter registration training: The BWC’s Peace with Justice team wants to help your church register people to vote. They are holding two webinars, Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m. and Thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m. Register for the webinar and Zoom details will be emailed to you. Register for June 25; register for June 30. The facilitator will be Nicole Hill, an election judge with the Recruitment and Outreach Division of the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections.
Early Response Team (ERT) training for certification and re-certification will be held at four locations this summer and fall. The training is designed for those who wish to work in disaster response ministry. The cost for certification is $35 and re-certification is $20. Learn more and register through the links below:
- July 30 – Hiss UMC, Parkville
- 20 – BWC Mission Center, Fulton
- 15 – Benevola UMC, Boonsboro
- 12 – BWC Mission Center, Fulton
The Land of Jesus – Then and Now: Join Bishop LaTrelle Easterling on a Holy Land pilgrimage Jan. 29 - Feb. 7, 2024. The 10-day trip to Israel and the West Bank is $3,439. Register with the Society for Biblical Studies.
Across the Connection:
‘Draw the Circle Wide’: Mark Miller, musician, songwriter and professor at Yale and Drew Universities, will perform in a live concert, “Love and Justice for All,” at 3 p.m. on June 18 at Severna Park UMC. Admission is free.
Freedom Day: Carroll County will celebrate Juneteenth on June 18 from noon to 4 p.m. at 91 W. Main St. in Westminster. Learn more.
Deacon information session: Participants will learn about the history and role of an ordained deacon. Candidates, seminarians, clergy mentors, SPRC members, and others are welcome to attend on Saturday, July 16 at 10 a.m. Register.
Baltimore County Christian Workcamp, based at Hunt's Memorial UMC, will be held July 17-22. Volunteers of all ages are needed to repair houses of the needy in Baltimore County. Learn more.
Wesley Theological Seminary’s Health Minister Certificate Course aids individuals in learning and growing in faith and health. The registration deadline for registration is Aug. 26. E-mail Tom Pruski for more information. Register.
#BeUMC Leader Toolkit: This grassroots effort celebrates what draws us to The United Methodist Church and what we aspire to be. The #BeUMC Leader Toolkit includes new resources to help local churches embrace the campaign by including the "#BeUMC" hashtag in social media posts. New graphics and promotional videos were recently added to the toolkit and are ideal for Zoom and other backgrounds. Learn more.
June 30 (Deadline) -- Fund Balance Report
This form must be completed through Arena by the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Treasurer, or Pastor by June 30, 2022. We did not include this report with Charge Conference material so that it could cover the fiscal year of January 1 – December 31. If you need further assistance, contact your district office. Visit the Finance resource webpage for additional information -- https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/finance/forms-and-reports/
The churches of the Baltimore Washington Conference have a unique opportunity to bask in the inspirational songs of justice, equality, and grace from acclaimed musician and songwriter Mark Miller. In a rare appearance in our area, Mark Miller and Friends will perform in a live concert, “Love and Justice for All,” at 3 p.m. on June 18th at Severna Park UMC. Admission is free.
Miller is a musician, songwriter, and professor of sacred music at Yale University and a Professor of Church Music at Drew University in Madison, NJ. His hymns and anthems are sung by communities of faith throughout the world. Many of you are familiar with Miller’s harmonious melding of music, social justice, and belief in the beloved community. Come help us DRAW THE CIRCLE WIDE. A freewill offering will be taken.
For more information, please get in touch with Rev. Dr. Marvin Wamble at 240.766.9057 or
Learn how to be vital in your community: Get ready to participate in understanding your congregation and community through your Comparative Insite report on June 25. Your district Missional Action Planning (dMAP) team is working to ensure that your church has the data it needs to develop meaningful relationships and ministry with your community using the ComparativeInsite report from MissionInsite. One of the first steps to get this data is to upload participants to access the MissionInsite standard report. Click here for a step-by-step guide. Registration opens soon.