AN District News......UMC Buzz....October 6, 2023
Thank you for your patience and perseverance with Arena this week. Arena is back online and the extended deadline to submit church conference reports is by end of day today, Oct. 5!
As you browse through this email, please share what is new and relevant with your congregation.
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CHURCH CONFERENCE REMINDERS
For your information, attached is the REVISED church conference schedule and here are a few important reminders:
• Check to confirm the following reports are pre-signed before uploading them in Arena and before your church conference:
• Care of Members report -- pastor pre-signs (see 3B on the report)
• Certification of Compliance -- pastor and SPRC chair pre-sign
• Clergy Compensation -- pastor, SPRC chair & finance representative pre-sign
• Clergy Sexual Misconduct form-- pastor pre-signs
• Nominations report -- pastor pre-signs
• Before church conference pre-select a secretary to take minutes. Church conference minutes are due in Arena 10 days after your conference. Only those with the church's Arena credentials can upload the minutes.
DISTRICT NEWS & EVENTS
Job Openings
Organist - Friendship United Methodist Church, Friendship, Maryland https://friendshipmethodist.org/ “Love all. Serve all. Follow One.”
Friendship United Methodist Church in Friendship, Maryland is seeking an Organist to play our beautiful Oberlinger pipe organ, built in 2006 especially for our sanctuary. https://pipeorgandatabase.org/organ/64885. A strong candidate will have experience in church music for the organ, good teamwork and collaboration skills, and an enthusiasm for contributing to the worship experience. The Organist plays for Sunday morning worship and other congregational services; works with the Pastor and the Worship Committee on hymn selection; accompanies the choir, soloists and others as needed for special music.
Interested candidates should contact Rev. Rudy White at
Choir Director - Friendship United Methodist Church, Friendship, Maryland https://friendshipmethodist.org/ “Love all. Serve all. Follow One.”
Friendship United Methodist Church in Friendship, Maryland is seeking a Choir Director to lead our balanced adult Sanctuary Choir, capable four-part harmony in making a joyful noise unto the Lord, as well as to work with children, youth, and parents to facilitate choral activities. A strong candidate will have experience in church music and choir direction, piano skills, good teamwork and communication, and an enthusiasm for leading choir and enhancing worship. The Choir Director works with the Worship Committee and the Pastor to enhance the experience of the worship service; directs the weekly rehearsals and all performances of the Sanctuary Choir scheduled during Sunday worship services and for special/seasonal services in coordination with the Pastor.
Interested candidates should contact Rev. Rudy White at
OTHER NEWS
The Bulletin: Issue 7
In the most recent issue of The Bulletin, a reproducible resource for local churches, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling offers a word of gratitude for the United Methodists serving faithfully in a vast array of mission and ministry. This bulletin also features Hispanic Heritage Month; a remembrance of Fannie Crosby, who wrote more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs; and a reflection on how United Methodists are "Sent to Love." Download issue 7 of The Bulletin for your church.
New Downloadable BWC Resources Available
- BWC Leader Directory -- Connect the Dot Poster
• Congregational Development Learning Opportunities Brochure
• Missional Action Planning for Congregations (iMap) Flyer
OTHER NEWS
Cyber Security Resources
91% of all data breaches are from phishing attacks with unsuspecting users being tricked into giving account credentials to criminals. And the results of a breach might be completely undetected like stealing data or installing malware, all the way to folks locking down the accounts and data for ransom. Artificial Intelligence is making this risk far worse, and being aware and prepared for these attacks is as integral to the security of your church as locking the doors. GCFA and KnowBe4 have a number of resources regarding Cyber Security including a number of free tools for testing and training. Visit https://www.gcfa.org/technology-support-services and https://www.knowbe4.com/free-it-security-tools.
Accountable Reimbursement Plans Webinar Recording and Other GCFA Resources
Play-back the recording and download the slides from GCFA's webinar on accountable reimbursement plans if you missed it -- https://www.gcfa.org/resource/accountable-reimbursement-webinar. You can also find a host of resources on the GCFA site by going to -- https://www.gcfa.org/resources
Now-Oct. 18—Congregational Vitality Pathways - Intent to Apply form available NOW
The Congregational Vitality Pathways are a place to start – a place to take the first – or the next steps – toward more vitality. Just like learning to walk is a process, so is increasing vitality rooted in our discipleship. The Pathways guide leaders and churches to discover their next faithful step. No two churches are exactly alike and that is wonderful. Likewise, the journey isn’t the same or set in stone and the destination depends on each church and its context. We all have to start somewhere. Consider taking your first step today. Intent to apply form is now available in Arena. Learn more at https://www.pdcbwc.org/vitality-pathways.html
Oct. 16 (7pm)—BWC Ministries Grants & Awards Information Session
Join BWC's Advocacy and Action Board to learn about BWC Ministries Grants & Awards. This interactive workshop will allow participants to learn what funding is available, who offers funding, what qualifies for funding, how to apply for funding and the answers to any other grant-related questions. Register Now.
Oct. 18 (6:30pm)—Maryland's Fiscal Future
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into Maryland's fiscal landscape! By attending, you will get an understanding of the budget process; timelines and deadlines, analysis for advocacy and, get your questions answered. Learn more and register now.
Oct. 19 (9:30am)—Next Level
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling joins in conversation with the Rev. Kenda Creasy Dean, one of the nation's premier spiritual innovators, for Next Level event at Wyoming UMC, at 216 Wyoming Mill Road in Dover, Delaware. Registration ends Oct. 13 -- sign-up today!
Oct. 19 (7pm)—Best Church Practices for Alternate Income Streams Free Webinar
Most churches today are finding that tithes and offerings are not enough to fund ministry the way they did in the past. Church buildings and land are underutilized most of the week. Church property is estimated to be in actual use 12% of the week. How can you leverage your property, your people and your location to raise additional funding for your vital ministry and outreach? Register now and learn how to identify your assets, monetize your building and/or services and align your money and mission goals.
Oct. 26—Clergy Day Away
Beloved clergy, are you looking for opportunities to reconnect with other clergy friends and colleagues? Would you enjoy a day away to be refreshed by good company, the beauty of creation, and spiritual practices? Join us at Camp Manidokan (1600 Harpers Ferry Road, Knoxville, MD) for a day of fellowship and play. Learn more and register here.
Nov. 4 (9am)—Fresh Expressions Academy
Most church leaders tend to ask themselves two questions, one focuses on the past and one focuses on the present. Questions like: “What happened?”, “What led up to this?”, or “Remember when…” all focus on the past. Questions like: “What’s important right now?”, “How do we fix this?” or “What are our current challenges?”, tend to focus on the present. Innovative leaders ask questions focused on the future, without dismissing the past or being rooted in the present. If you’ve been asking the question, “What’s next?”, then this academy may be for you. The Fresh Expressions Academy launches November 4 and lasts for 12 months. It combines presentations, regular coaching, peer-to-peer discussions, immersion experiences, and an online group to help facilitate the cultivation of Fresh Expressions. It is designed to equip clergy and laity to innovate and take risks to engage people who are not yet part of a faith community. New information, including IMPORTANT DATES, has been added to the Registration Page. Click HERE to learn more.
Nov. 4 (9:30am)—Necessary Ingredients - Training and Resourcing for Youth, Children & Family Ministry
Join other Youth, Children and Family ministry staff and volunteers for a day of training and reflection at the West River Center. Workshops will be led by author, podcast host, and Pastor of Family Ministries for Port City Community Church (Wilmington, NC) – Chris Sasser. The morning workshop will be on Volunteers – recruiting, training, and retaining. The afternoon workshop will be on Intergenerational Worship and Ministry Practices – creating ways to bring the generations together for shared ministry. In addition to workshops there will be worship, small group work, lunch, and time for reflection. Registration closes Oct. 27 and the fee is $30 for church staff and $20 for volunteers.
Nov. 9 (9am)—Clergy Ethics & Boundaries Virtual Training
The Board of Ordained Ministry invites clergy of the Conference to a virtual workshop entitled "Impact of Pornography and the Intersection with Child Sex trafficking and Abuse". This workshop is presented by Linda Crockett, Director of Safe Communities and will delve into the world of pornography and its impact on congregants, children, our communities, and ourselves. Participants will explore the deep connections between pornography and the growing problem of domestic child sex trafficking and child sexual abuse in our own communities. Learn more and register now.
2024 Legislative Advocacy Days—Save the Dates!
Legislative Advocacy Days for MD Legislation (Feb. 21), Federal Legislation (Sept. 18), and DC Legislation (Oct. 23) have been announced for 2024. Register now.