AN District News......UMC Buzz....March 3, 2023
Next Level Leaders
Mar. 8 (9:30am) – Next Level Leader with Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis
Severna Park UMC, 731 Benefield Rd., Severna Park, MD or Online
Bishop Easterling will host another Next Level Leader conversation on with Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, author of “Fierce Love: a Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness that Can Heal the World.”
OTHER NEWS
Support the Expansion of Mental Health Services to the Families of Crime Victims
The BWC is called to advocate for the full human dignity and human dignity of all persons including persons who are or have been perpetrators and survivors of crime. We ask that you support House Bill 801, new legislation which alters which individuals are eligible to receive mental health counseling paid for by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund. Learn more and contact your state representatives here.
Spread the word: Summer camp is hiring
Summer camp is one of the best things about United Methodism. This year, camp registrations for this summer are already well ahead of last year's pace. But this great news of children's lives being shaped by the spectacular, means we need your help!
Both Manidokan, near Harper's Ferry, and West River, near Annapolis, are looking for staff to fill various roles this summer.
- Program Staff (Manidokan and West River) – Run activities for campers (must be 18+)
- In-Cabin Counselors (Manidokan and West River) – Provide general 24-hour supervision of campers (must be 18+)
- Day Camp Staff (West River) – Run activities for day campers 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (must be high school graduate)
- Lifeguard (Manidokan and West River) – Keep campers safe at the pool and on the river (must be 16+)
- Van Driver (Manidokan) – Drive campers to activities (must be 21+)
- Kitchen Aide (Manidokan and West River) – Help with dishes, meal preparation, and clean up (must be 14+; year-round opportunities)
- Cook (Manidokan and West River) – Prepare and serve delicious meals (year-round opportunities)
- Nurse (Manidokan) – Provide health care to campers and staff (RN preferred)
Contact the office or call 800-922-6795 for more information. Apply online today.
Faith in Action: Join BWC and Pen-Del members for the 2023 Legislative Advocacy Days in Annapolis on March 16, and Washington D.C. on March 29, to advocate for United Methodist legislative priorities. Learn more.
Conversations with the Bishop: On March 25, at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton, Bishop Easterling will meet with local pastors at 10 a.m., Deacons at 1 p.m., and clergy serving beyond the local church at 3 p.m.
Discipleship Pathway: A Mastermind group is forming to help you create your church's Discipleship Pathway. The 12-month, cohort-based course is designed for churches that are ready to develop and implement an intentional discipleship pathway. If accepted, the pastor and a person in lay leadership will work together to learn Discipleship Pathway concepts and principles and discern the best way to apply them to their ministry context. The application deadline is March 24, and the program will begin the week of April 24. There is no cost to participate in this program. Space is limited to five pastor/layperson pairs. Learn more and apply now.
The BWC's Abundant Health Ministry Team has created a six-week Walk to Jerusalem Lenten Study Guide. It's not too late to begin. Learn more.
The BWC's initiative to offer charging stations for electric vehicles was recently highlighted by Religion News Service. Read the story.
Discipleship Opportunities
Unified Funding Grants application process: Baltimore-Washington Conference Congregational Development Grants help local faith communities by providing grants to launch new ministry initiatives, congregational renewal projects, leader development ministries and opportunities to reach new people. The application period closes on April 1. Learn more.
World Day of Prayer: St. Matthews UMC in Bowie will observe the World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 3, at 1 p.m. This year, they will join people worldwide in lifting up prayers for women living in Taiwan. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook and available for viewing later that day.
Save the Date: The United Women in Faith and missions leaders from the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences will hold Mission u on July 22 at Community UMC in Crofton. The theme is “Living the Kin-dom: Exploring the Lord’s Prayer as Spiritual Practice for Social Transformation.” Studies will be available for youth and adults. For more information, contact the dean, Denise Snyder.
IDEA Internships: The Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences offer several summer internships to college students seeking to work in the areas of inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. Interns will be able to engage in direct social justice action, learn from social justice experts, and connect with United Methodist advocates. These internships run from June 5 - July 28. The stipend is $2,500. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from Feb. 20 to March 31. Learn more and apply.
Sign up now to join Bishop LaTrelle Easterling on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Jan. 29 - Feb. 7, 2024. This sacred journey to Israel and the West Bank will be hosted by the Society for Biblical Studies and costs $3,439. The theme of the trip is, "The Land of Jesus: Then and Now." Learn more and register.