AN District News.......UMC Buzz.......June 5, 2020
Conference offers resources for re-entering well
Local churches throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference are following their area government directives for meeting in their buildings, but have also been advised by Conference leaders that congregations should meet for in-person gatherings only when it is safe to do so.
BWC Re-Entering Well Guidelines are available online, along with a number of Tip Sheets.
Learn more about re-entering well at www.bwcumc.org/re-entry.
Strengths Based Virtual Workshops
Blessings to our Annapolis District Laity, William T Chaney Jr., for sharing five free live Strengths Focused workshops June 8-12. When people live through their CliftonStrengths they have a higher degree of Well Being, are more productive, and build healthier relationships. William has been blessed to coach people through some difficult transitions to achieve some amazing results. The research shows that churches that are Strengths focused for congregational engagement have a higher percentage of giving, attendance, missional engagement and participation in the life of the church.
We invite the pastors of the Annapolis District to experience the power of living a Strengths Based Life.
Live Your Strengths Live Your Best Life Monday June 8, 1:30pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/105659893586
Discover Your Strengths – Build Your Team Tuesday June 9, 1:30 pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/105669277654
Strengths Based Families Thrive Wednesday June 10 1:30 pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/105716559074
Creating Strengths Based Workplaces Friday June 12 1:30 pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/106157844972
Creating Strengths Based Congregations Friday June 12 10:30 am
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/107111547522
DISTRICT FOOD PANTRIES AND ASSISTANCE
Magothy UMC food pantry is open as well. It is now by appointment only by calling Rev. Brooks at 410-739-1488.
Elkridge Love Mission Food Pantry has moved outside to provide touch free service the second and fourth Friday of every month for Elkridge area residents. This ministry is housed at Melville Chapel part of the 3 in 1 Fellowship. Distribution is from 4pm to 8pm for Food Pantry on the 2nd and 4th Friday’s, Please contact elkridgefoodpantry.org .
The Hungry Baby Mission is providing diapers and wipes to anyone in need. This ministry is housed at Dorsey Emmanuel also part of the 3 in 1 Fellowship. Hungry Baby Mission is on demand. Please contact or call and leave a message at 410-796-8598.
Food Pantry Assistance is also provide on Monday’s & Thursday’s 11:30 am- 1:00pm at Asbury Broadneck UMC. Please contact the church via email for any questions: .
St. Andrews UMC is providing a weekly drive through Food Pantry. They are also providing a flea market is open by appointment. Many come and shop for household goods and clothing. The church offers a weekly Zoom and youth bible studies for younger and older youth. Please email the pastor for that information
UPDATE: FUND BALANCE REPORT!
The deadline for the Fund Balance Report has been extended to August 31, 2020.
The Committee on Finance is required to make provision for an annual audit of the records of all the financial officers (including the financial secretary or church business manager and treasurers) of the church and all its organizations and shall report to the Charge Conference. Guidelines for handling of an accountability of funds can be found in the 2017-2020 United Methodist Church Financial Records Handbook and in Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation: FINANCE. Please note that Fund Balance reports have received an extension and are due on August 31, 2020. No exceptions.
New Faith Expressions
Micro-grants for Online Worship and Technology: As the congregations of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are living in unprecedented times, the Offices of Leadership and Congregational Development and New Faith Expressions are offering practical and timely support for congregations to connect with their communities and congregations while social distancing measures are a necessity. They are offering non-renewable micro-grants of up to $1,000 to help offset expenses related to launching and maintaining online ministry, including equipment, software licenses, training, and more. If you have already purchased equipment, software or licenses, you can apply to receive a reimbursement of the accrued costs. Apply online.
Leadership Development
Applications for the BWC class of 2020-2022 Certified Lay Ministers are now being accepted. Go to www.bwcumc.org/ministries/leadership-development/laity-development to learn more and see if you qualify. (Click "Learn More" under Certified Lay Minister for information and application pack.) The next class will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Certified Lay Ministers preach the Word, provide care ministry to the congregation, assist in program leadership, and are witnesses in the community as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergy person. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference director of Lay Servant Ministries.
Wesley Theological Seminary to offer courses in Baltimore: The faculty and Board of Governors of Wesley Theological Seminary are excited to announce a collaboration with Baltimore's Morning Star Baptist Church (MSBC Ministries) to make theological education more accessible to people in and beyond Baltimore. Courses are for degree and non-degree students, but all courses can be a pathway to a Wesley degree, if desired. They can also be used for CEU credit. Baltimore courses this fall are "Foundations of Preaching" with the Rev. Patrick Clayborn, Ph.D., Senior Pastor, Bethel AME, and "Theologies of Resistance and Liberation: Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas K. Gandhi," with Wesley's Rev. Sathianathan Clarke, Th.D., and the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, Ph.D. Learn more.
CEUs offered: Discipleship Ministries eLearning is offering Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completion of its online classes. The cost is $50 per one unit (10 hours of structured participation in training, workshops and e-learning courses). Courses are currently offered include: "See All the People," "The Committee," and "How to Start Small Groups." Learn more.
Webinar Highlights
From the BWC's Training Tuesday, Advocacy and Action Everyone Counts Series, and
- June 9, "When the Collection Plate Disappears: Funding Ministry in a Virtual World" with Rev. Daryl Willams
June 9 - When The Collection Plate Disappears - Funding Ministry in A Virtual World, Presenter: Rev. Daryl Williams Senior Pastor, St Paul UMC, Oxon Hill, MD
The question that is plaguing ministry leaders across the nations is, "What do we do now?" COVID-19 simultaneously made our ministries all the more essential and changed how we traditionally fund them. What most of us need now are strategies for ongoing stewardship and ministry funding in a virtual world. Join stewardship expert Dr. Daryl L. Williams, as he discusses how to engage your congregation and build a culture of generosity when the collection plate has disappeared.
https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3452&event=5803
- June 10,12 noon - US 2020 Census: What's at Stake and Creating a New World
- June 11, 7 p.m. - Youth and Dealing with Uncertainty and the New Normal of Life and Ministry
- June 16, 7 p.m. NEW: ReVisioning Ministry, with the Revs. Bill Brown, William Chaney, and Donna Claycomb Sokol
June 23, 7 p.m. NEW: "Multi-generational Leadership for the 22nd Century," with Rev. Rodney Smothers, Director of Leadership and Congregational Development for the Baltimore-Washington Conference