AN District News.......UMC Buzz.......March 11, 2021
Camps offer opportunities for employment and growth
Manidokan and West River camps are looking for program staff, day camp staff, cabin counselors, nurses, lifeguards, drivers, maintenance workers, cooks, and kitchen aides to staff their summer camp programs in 2021. Find out more on the website and apply online.
"Working at camp can be a strange balance of opposites: it's fun but hard, exciting but tiring, silly yet introspective, communal but personal, and so much more. This push and pull gives God opportunities to fill that space and change lives," said Chris Schlieckert, director of the Conference's Retreat and Camping Ministries.
"Camp teaches leadership, flexibility, work ethic, responsibility, compassion and more. As such, I believe a summer working at camp is the best experience a young person can have to prepare themselves for success in whatever career they pursue. Working at camp is simply the best!"
Adventure awaits! Discover the best and apply at https://www.bwccampsandretreats.com/get-involved/summer-jobs/
Discipleship Opportunities
Christians Engaged in Faith Formation, a gathering of those involved in Christian education, will meet March 11 from 9:30 to 11:30 to discuss ideas for family ministry. Join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89150929659 Meeting ID: 891 5092 9659; Password: 297120; or dial by phone: +13017158592
Clergy Wellness Retreat: A wounded healer is one who cares for their own wounds while also tending to the wounds of others; it's like wearing a dual hat -- "wounded minister/healing minister." How do we effectively journey with others in their need for healing as we also fulfill our own need for self-healing? We cannot become 'professionally aloof' by putting our own pain and suffering aside to help others. In fact, being a wounded healer is important to the process of helping others in their healing. All clergy are invited to a "Healing from Woundedness" retreat on Tuesday, March 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The retreat, led by the Revs. R. Lorraine Brown and Andy Peck-McClain, will include guided prayer and body practices. Register by March 12.
The Women of the World 2021 Conference, sponsored by the Anna Howard Shaw Center at Boston University, will be held Friday, March 26 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The theme this year is "Latinas and Religious Leadership." Learn more about the conference. RSVP.
Wellness and Missions
Relief Kits Sought: The BWC's Disaster Response ministry team of the Wellness & Missions Board is collecting cleaning and hygiene kits to assist people in crisis. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is seeking supplies to help with continued clean-up efforts in Texas following severe weather. Learn more about the necessary details of creating a cleaning kit. Learn more about the necessary details of creating a hygiene kit. The buckets can be brought to the BWC Mission Center, at 11711 E. Market Place in Fulton, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of the month. The front doors will be unlocked. Drop off the buckets on the table set up in the Fiesta Room, the first door on the right as you enter the building.
Celebrate UMCOR Sunday on March 14. UMCOR - the United Methodist Committee on Relief -- is the disaster relief arm of The United Methodist Church. UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) is a special offering that underwrites UMCOR's administrative costs so that all designated gifts will go to the project you specify. Your gift ensures UMCOR's response in times of crisis so that 100% of gifts to UMCOR help those who need it most. A pastor's and leader's kit is available, as well as downloadable resources to promote this giving opportunity.
Self Care: Wesley Theological Seminary's Heal the Sick program will be hosting a self-care workshop for those in ministry on March 10, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. This free interactive workshop will focus on three self-care practices -- nutrition, yoga, and mindfulness. Register online. View the flyer.
UMVIM 101 training will be taught via ZOOM on Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Rev. Jeff Childs will equip and orient those who are planning to journey forth as volunteers in God's mission. The workshop will cover theological and biblical foundations for mission, intercultural considerations, planning, budgeting, logistics, health and safety, and how to build a mission relationship.
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Gambling can be a serious mental health issue. Problem gambling affects people of any age, gender, religion, social status, or education. This year's theme is "Awareness + Action." Your awareness may help a loved one with a gambling problem seek the necessary help. Visit the Abundant Health Resource for ways to share this information with your congregation and surrounding community.
Health Minister Certificate: Wesley Theological Seminary will offer an online, 22 hour, 10-module Health Minister certificate this summer. This certificate allows participants to understand the basic foundations of health ministry, a ministry which integrates body, mind, and spirit. Learn more and register before April 12.
For more information, contact Tom Pruski.
Easter Services
Cabinet Worship for April 11, 2021: Please look out for more information soon, but for now please know that the cabinet has been working to prepare virtual worship for the churches of the BWC that will be available for April 11, 2021. Our collective hope is that having some options for worship the week after Easter Sunday will be a blessing for the clergy, tech teams, musicians, and all who have been involved in worship preparation during this unpredictable season. Again, further details, especially about the opportunity to preview, will be coming soon, and to God be the glory!
Beyond the Crystal Ball:
The State of the Church with Bishop Easterling
Register now for the webinar on Tuesday, March 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The last year has cast The United Methodist Church into tumultuous and Spirit-filled times. Even as people of faith, there are times when we desire greater certainty. However, there is no crystal ball that will predict or control the future.
We remain in a liminal season: The General Conference postponed its policy-making work for another year and called for a Special Session May 8 to keep the denomination in order; the Northeastern Jurisdiction postponed its session, thereby creating coverage issues as bishops retire; and the Baltimore-Washington Conference is making plans to affiliate and share episcopal leadership with the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. Add to that mix the announcement of a proposed new stream of Methodism -- the Global Methodist Church -- and it becomes clear that we have more questions than answers.
Amidst the unknowns, we are called to trust in God and lean even more deeply into discipleship. How are we called to faithfully respond and thrive in the season ahead?Bishop LaTrelle Easterlingshares information and insights in a webinarTuesday, March 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Register online and information on signing in with Zoom will be e-mailed to you.