AN District News.......UMC Buzz.......May 6, 2021
Register today for Next Level Leaders Academy
The online Next Level Leaders Academy on "Evaluating, Eliminating, and Energizing: Making Ministry Matter," is tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon.
The presenter will be the Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol, pastor of Mt. Vernon Place UMC in Washington, D.C., and co-author of the book, "A New Day in the City: Urban Church Revival."
The church has been jostled and rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Old ministries were abandoned and new ones born. How might we faithfully discern how to cultivate the ministries that are bearing fruit while letting go of ministries that are no longer needed or making a difference? What would an effective ministry evaluation plan entail for your congregation?
You are invited to gather as we seek to name our learnings from this unique season and effectively lead into the future by pondering these questions and many others. Register.
New Web cam captures Living Shoreline at West River
The West River Center has begun its Living Shoreline project, and you can watch the progress from the comfort of your own home. A webcam captures live images 24/7 so you can see what it looks like. Learn more about the project.
New this Week
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. The Conference is offering non-renewable micro-grants of up to $1,000 to help offset expenses related to launching and maintaining an 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. The grant will only be for those churches that DID NOT receive a grant in 2020. The closing date is June 30. Click here to apply.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month: “The United Methodist Church pledges to foster policies that promote compassion, advocate for access to care, and eradicate stigma within the church and communities.” (Social Principles, ¶162.X) Please use this bulletin insert or visit the Conference website for additional ideas of how to share this information with others as we lift up Mental Health Awareness Month.
Wesley Theological Seminary is thrilled to announce their in-person, socially-distanced Commencement 2021 graduation ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 10, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. The graduating Class of 2021 will be joined by Wesley graduates of the Class of 2020, who were only able to have an online ceremony in May 2020 due to the pandemic. Only graduates and required WTS administration and faculty will be in attendance. Watch the Commencement via live-stream at https://youtu.be/ODe9lXfKo1M or at www.wesleyseminary.edu.
Discipleship News and Ideas
The church must go to the people: Kate Rivera is a young person who is a member of Nichols Bethel UMC in Odenton. In her role as an audio technician at the church, she notes that even as churches are re-entering their buildings, many are opting to also maintain an online presence for worship. She offers some insights on keeping people focused on faith and creating online experiences. Read her commentary.
BWC award nominations close May 15: At this Annual Conference session, several ministry awards will be presented to congregations in the areas of abundant health and advocacy, and to individuals for evangelism, youth ministry, and moral courage. The deadline to nominate a congregation or individual is May 15. To learn more and submit a nomination, visit bwcumc.org/awards.
If You are Between the Ages 12-30 and Want to Serve, Let Us Know: The Baltimore-Washington Conference is committed to the ministry for young people, by young people. We know young people aren’t only leaders of the future church but today’s church. Complete the Youth Interest Form if you are in Middle and High School, or this Leadership Interest form if you are between 19-30 years old.
Churches serving as vaccination clinics
Metropolitan UMC
548 Queenstown Road, Severn
May 4 (first dose) and June 1(second dose) 1-3 pm; Moderna (18+). First-come-first-served basis.
During this first clinic, they can only offer first doses to patients and cannot offer second doses to people that have already started their vaccine series with another provider. The second dose clinic for those vaccinated on May 4 from 1 to 3 pm, will be on Tuesday, June 1, also from 1 to 3 pm.
Baltimore-Washington Conference Mission Center
11711 East Market Place, Fulton
May 13 and June 10, 3-5 pm.
For more information, contact:
Walk-ins, drive-ups, and no pre-registration needed.
Mt. Zion UMC, Laurel
3592 Whiskey Bottom Rd, Maryland City
May 18, 1 to 3 pm, Moderna
Partner: Anne Arundel County Health and Who’s House? God’s House?
Nichols-Bethel UMC
1239 Murray Road, Odenton
May 21 from 1-3 pm.
By appointment only
Learn more about the vaccines.
We extend thanks to BWC congregational leaders, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, FEMA, Howard County Government, D.C. Health Dept., Baltimore City Health Dept., Mayor Bowser’s Office of Religious Affairs, Governor Hogan’s Office of Community Initiatives and Mobile Med for their role in supporting these efforts.
If your congregation is hosting an upcoming clinic or is willing to help persons get to a state vaccination clinic, please contact .
Classifieds
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. Apply at https://www.bwccampsandretreats.com/get-involved/summer-jobs/
In Other News
Print and Kindle copies of 2020 BWC Journal are available to orderat Amazon.
The 2021 Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Session is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 25, to Wednesday, Oct. 27.
The Special Session of the General Conference, scheduled for May 8, has been canceled. The postponed 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church will be held Aug. 29-Sept. 6, 2022 in Minneapolis.
For families who have been left to grieve the loss of loved ones due to COVID-19, FEMA will be offering financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurring after January 20, 2020. We continue to be in prayer for all the souls lost and for those left to honor their memories. We kindly ask that you share the following information regarding FEMA's upcoming Funeral Reimbursement Program. For more information and details, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.
Local Church Fund Balance Report (Audit): Word | PDF | Excel
We did not include this report with Charge Conference material so that it could cover the fiscal year of January 1 – December 31. This audit needs to be in your District Superintendent’s office by June 30.
Discipleship, Growth, and Transformation
ACES Training May 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free, online training on understanding and supporting children facing adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and trauma. Sponsored by Retreat and Camping Ministries and Wellness and Mission. Learn more and register.
Next Level Leader Academy: May 4, 10 a.m. to Noon
"Evaluating, Eliminating, and Energizing: Making Ministry Matter," presented by Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol. Learn more. Register.
Native American Ministries Webinar May 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Casey Church will lead a Zoom conversation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Register.
Board of Child Care Auxiliary meeting May 13, 1 p.m. The keynote speaker will be L.A. Spagnola, president and chief executive officer of the Board of Child Care. Register before April 30 and Zoom contact information will be sent to you.
Christians Engaged in Faith Formation May 13, 9:30 a.m. Christian educators gather to discuss, “How to begin again – Children and Family Ministry After Re-opening." Learn more.
Deacon Exploration Session May 15, 1 p.m. Provides an overview of the Deacon's role and ministry within the life of the church. Register online. Contact the Rev. Leo Yates for more information.
BWC Events Calendar Online 24/7 Be sure to visit the BWC Events Calendar frequently to stay up-to-date on all the wonderful trainings, resource webinars, and events coming in the weeks and months ahead. Visit www.bwcumc.org/events/