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October 26^th: Recordings due for the Virtual Choir: Calling all voices, young and old from across the BWC -- You are invited to join virtually with others to be salt and light through singing the familiar spiritual, "This Little Light of Mine." It will air on Saturday, November 14, as a part of our virtual conference-wide time of equipping and celebrating, which includes the BWC Laity Session. Instructions and links to music may be found here: https://www.bwcumc.org/article/virtual-choir-instructions-this-little-light-of-mine/

October 27^th: Bishop’s Day with the Baltimore Region; There will be separate sessions for clergy and laity. Please contact your church or the district office if you did not receive the district's email with the Zoom information to participate.

October 30^th – 31^st: Next Level Leaders. The Academy will train leaders who understand the purpose, design, mission, character, and power of the church and are capable of leading others to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Registration closes October 28^th and the cost is $30.  For more information and to register:https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1871210-2020-10-30-next-level-leaders-academy/

November 12^th at 9:30 am: Christians Engaged in Faith Formation; This meeting will explore talking about racism with children and families. Join the Zoom meeting athttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89150929659. The meeting ID is 891 5092 9659. Password is 297120. Or, dial by phone: +13017158592. Future CEF meetings will be held Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8 and May 13.

November 14^th:  The Laity Session of Annual Conference will be held online Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon. This year's session is open to everyone -- all clergy and lay people. However, attendance will be limited to the first 1,000 people to register (.https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=5870) . We will livestream everything except the interactive dialogue which is why registration is required and limited.

In addition to the time of equipping, our gathering will include:

• A time of worship and welcome from BWC Lay Leader Delores Martin; 
• An address to leaders of the Baltimore-Washington Conference by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling;
• Honoring the BWC's 11 new Certified Lay Ministers;
• Presentations of five awards to churches and individuals that honor outstanding discipleship. Learn more at  www.bwcumc.org/resources/grants-and-awards.

Young People's Voices Needed for the Laity Session: It is critical for the future of our churches to have young people engaged. Encourage your youth and young adults to lift their voices as participants in this year's virtual Laity Session. Young people have three opportunities to participate by recording themselves either reading scripture, singing "This Little Light of Mine," or finishing the prompt, "The church can keep the dream alive by... " Contact Cheryl Cook at for more details.  

Church Conferences: 

 

To access all church conference worksheets and forms, district-specific information relating to the church conference agenda, report checklist, report signature guidance, and link to complete your church conference registration, visit https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/church-conference-forms/. Please note that forms are not located in Arena.

 

Please do not send any documents to the district office; all reports must be submitted via Arena.

 

Be reminded that due to the virtual format of church conferences, registration is required. Those wishing to participate in church conferences should plan to register no later than 2 days before the date of the conference. The Zoom information will be provided to those who registered two days before the scheduled church conference, not at the time of your registration. The registration link can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/church-conference-forms/.

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 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Greetings Baltimore Metropolitan District,

We ask that you join us in prayer for the BWC as we convene for our 236^th Annual Conference tomorrow, September 12^th, at 9 am. The district offices were asked to share with you the following information:

To review the agenda: https://www.bwcumc.org/events/2020-annual-conference/

• 9 a.m. -- Gathering time, for both clergy and laity with a half-hour for worship and centering. (Laity will watch the gathering time via livestream; clergy will participate via Zoom.)
• 9:30 a.m. -- The Clergy Session 
• 1 p.m. Plenary Session, which will include consideration of the 2021 budget.
• 6 p.m. Service of Ordination and Commissioning

Only clergy and lay members to AC will participate via Zoom. All others will be able to view the live stream: www.bwcumc.org/livestream

For accessibility accommodations, please contact Rev. Leo Yates at  . 

Voting members: Your voter id information was sent the first week in September.  Please contact to receive that information, if you did not receive it.  To review the material you’ll be voting on before the session: https://www.bwcumc.org/events/2020-annual-conference/stewardship-budget/

Please refer to the Zoom Cheat Sheet for any assistance with voting as the district office will not have access to provide you with assistance with voting or your voting ids.

The proceedings and parliamentary procedures involved in this year's online session have been carefully considered by the BWC's Rules Committee. The most significant change is the number of speeches for or against an item has been raised from three to four, but the time allotted for each speech is now a minute. This change allows for greater participation.

We encourage you to review the revised rules in this season of virtual holy conferencing. Additionally, there is a video with Rev. Mark Gorman, chair of the Rules Committee, about these changes (click the following link to view): https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=cEK1v08Q2M4&feature=youtu.be

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Greetings Baltimore Metropolitan District,

It's been a while since we have updated the blog.  We pray that all is well with you and your loved ones.  Church Conference is fast approaching and the schedule will be published in the coming days.  Please note that there is a conference-wide church conference report deadline of October 1st regardless of the date.  There will be a Church Conference Training Session on Tuesday, August 18th at 7 pm (see below for registration details). Please do not hesitate to contact the district office if you need assistance at .  Don't forget to check out the Conference's event calendar on the website for any upcoming events not listed below.  The website also has a wealth of support materials regarding church re-entry, grants and awards, youth ministry, lay servant ministry, and much, much more!

May God bless you and keep you in a peace that only God can provide.  Be safe, be well, and be blessed!  

August 14^th at 11 am: Elevate your communication skills and boldly engage in today's cultural conversation. Danielle Strickland's Boundless Voices ministry is sponsoring this online class and it is being endorsed by the BWC's office of New Faith Expression office as a leadership resource to help people communicate well in conversations about culture. Pastors and lay leaders who want to speak on issues of race and culture in today's climate are encouraged to attend. For more information, click the following link: https://www.daniellestrickland.com/boundless-voices?utm 

August 18^th at 7 pm: Training Tuesday: Church Conference Training; Join us on this webinar as we discuss what the Church Conference season will look like this year. We will walk you through the Arena forms and show you the difference between the worksheets and forms on our website. We will show you how to end someone’s term and add someone to the committee leader toolbox.  You will also learn the importance of having someone listed as the church administrator. 
We encourage anyone who will be completing a church conference form to attend this training, whether they are new or they would like a refresher course. To register, click the following link: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3452&event=5844.

Additionally, church conference forms can be found on the Conference website.  Click the following link to navigate the page: To access them, please click the following link:   https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/church-conference-forms/.  

August 19^th at 1 pm: Dismantling Racism: Two new interactive town hall discussions are planned as part of the denomination's "Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom" initiative's town hall series on anti-racism to explore both old and new approaches to organizing for racial justice in church and community. In the first of the two discussions, participants will hear from a panel of seasoned leaders on Aug. 19 at 1 p.m., followed by a discussion featuring a panel of emerging leaders on Aug.  26 at 1 p.m. The webinar will be at available at UMC.org/EndRacismTownHall, as well as a live airing on The United Methodist Church Facebook page.  To Learn more, click https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodists-to-host-new-dismantling-racism-town-hall-discussions

August 20^th at 7 pm: BWC's Young People's Ministry will host the Rev. Chap Clark in a Zoom session on "Adoptive Youth Ministry," Clark, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, will focus on a theology of mutual adoption and what it takes to grow a thriving youth ministry (spiritual formation as opposed to counting attendance as a measure of success) that engages the whole congregation, and the importance of the youth leader's role in making that happen.  Click the following link to register: https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1853230-2020-08-20-adoptive-youth-ministry-with-chap-clark/. 

August 26^th at 1 pm: Dismantling Racism Follow Up: Two new interactive town hall discussions are planned as part of the denomination's "Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom" initiative's town hall series on anti-racism to explore both old and new approaches to organizing for racial justice in church and community. In the first of the two discussions, participants will hear from a panel of seasoned leaders on Aug. 19 at 1 p.m., followed by a discussion featuring a panel of emerging leaders on Aug.  26 at 1 p.m. The webinar will be at available at UMC.org/EndRacismTownHall, as well as a live airing on The United Methodist Church Facebook page.  To Learn more, click https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodists-to-host-new-dismantling-racism-town-hall-discussions

September 3^rd and 4^th: The General Board of Global Ministry's Mission Volunteer office will offer a virtual orientation experience. Orientation is for all individuals and couples interested in learning more about the Mission Volunteer program or those who are discerning future long-term volunteer service as part of their journey. There is no registration cost to share in the virtual orientation; register by click the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb3NTvXh9_VgdwibnhfOyG1GICIj3vKkeBWXOLJBA_T4oaFQ/viewform.  Registrations will be accepted through Aug. 15

September 24^th-25^th: Leadership Institute; The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has opened registration for Leadership Institute 2020, to be held online Sept. 24-25. The online event includes speakers Ron Heifetz, founder of Harvard's Center for Public Leadership; the Most Reverend Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church; and the Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of Church of the Resurrection. Individual tickets are $49 through Sept. 1. Details and registration can be found at li.cor.org. 

October 9^th - 10^th: Cross-Cultural Training; A virtual cross-racial/cross-cultural ministry training camp, hosted by Crowley Coaching and the North Texas Conference Center for Leadership Development, will be held on Oct. 9-10. Early-bird registration is $149. Learn more at http://www.umnewchurch.org/?fbclid=IwAR0jn1JOSH6mmFzodX1Ef-IsahJWzcdM03RwkEsPnMwk-7A7xku5XbNtgwg

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The Conference is asking for churches to share a sentence or two about where they have seen "Rays of Hope".  In this challenging season, we could all use a little light. How is your church responding to the coronavirus? What's made you smile? What's brought you a small moment of joy? Where have you seen Rays of Hope? Click the following to Share hope. Your submission will be shared in the Monday e-connection.

There have been two confirmed reports of email scams asking people to purchase several gift cards totaling a large sum of money.  Often these scams use a familiar email address leading the person to believe that it is a legitimate request.  We recommend that you and your members remain vigilant as well as exercise caution opening emails from both known and unknown sources. 

We also recommend increased vigilance around the timely collection of mail due to theft.  Also, there is still time to take advantage of the Conference’s offer to assist small churches who wish to add online giving as an option to its worshippers. For more details and to sign up, click the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/article/online-giving-assistance-for-small-churches/ 

May 14^th at 7 pm: Youth Ministry Rx ; Starting this Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m., the Young People's Ministry of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will host six weekly youth ministry check-ins for youth workers across the Conference. Youth workers are invited to join for an hour of support for themselves and their ministries, hosted by Chris Sasser and John McNeill of Ministry Architects. 

Each session will have a different theme and topic for discussion and learning. In Session Two on May 14^th, we’ll share some learnings about some of the best practices in virtual ministry as well as some practical suggestions and tools you can use to increase engagement in your environments. Registration is required. To register and to get more information on this session and the upcoming sessions: https://www.bwcumc.org/youth-ministry-rx/

May 12^th, noon- 1 pm: BWC’s Advocacy and Action weekly webinar will feature a conversation with Lisa Cooper, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, on how to access health care and address health disparities in a COVID-19 era.

Dr. Cooper directs The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity, where she and her trans-disciplinary team work with stakeholders from healthcare and the community to implement rigorous clinical trials, identifying interventions that alleviate racial and income disparities in social determinants and health outcomes.  Registration is required. Click the following link to register: https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1805770-2020-05-12-how-to-access-health-care-and-address-health-disparities-in-a-covid-19-era/

 

May 14^th at 10 am: The BWC's Chapter of Christians Engaged in Faith Formation will meet via Zoom. The conversation will focus on summer programming and Vacation Bible School. Christians Engaged in Faith Formation is a gathering of clergy and laity, paid and volunteer people, whose ministry involves faith formation. Join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9072956082

Meeting ID: 907 295 6082; Password: 6082; Or dial by phone: +1 301 715 8592

Information:

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. 

Be sure to visit the Conference website and check your email for the e-connection to remain plugged in to the latest information regarding COVID-19 and various resources available to support churches during this season of ministry.   If you are not receiving the e-connection, please click the following link to sign up: Sign up for the e-connection.

We are in need of mask donations:  As of Saturday, April 18th, Governor Hogan mandated that masks or face coverings are required when in retail stores or when riding public transportation. Some people in our churches and communities are without masks, including our immigrant sisters and brothers, persons experiencing homelessness, and those working in essential jobs without essential supplies. If you or your congregation would like to donate masks, including homemade masks or bandanas, please contact the district office at   or 410-309-3447.  Download Flyer

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. The Conference is 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. To apply, click the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevJQpdGiIznPYRH6JBtrx_70aBwUzS3gr29ZYMVYstqPLYHA/viewform.   For your convenience, the district office has created and attached a hard copy of the online application to facilitate the preparation of the required information.  Additionally, you will need to know what percentage that your church paid towards their 2019 Mission Shares.  

$500 Peace with Justice Microgrant: As we support one another through the COVID-19 epidemic, we continue to respond to God's call in Matthew 25:35-26 to feed, clothe, and care for persons in need/crisis. These micro-grants are available for amounts up to $500. Applicants will be notified of their status no later than seven days after applications are received. To apply, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJysW-tMjHj6yZaOkGgn7DA6QFhQ4u2vk5cC-mqAx_8pHdxQ/viewform. 

Additionally, the Conference is collecting monetary donations to continue providing assistance to the vulnerable during the pandemic. Donations will help financially support churches who are continuing to support their communities via food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. To donate, click the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/donations-matched-for-covid-19-micro-grants/

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Did you miss the State of the Church Address?

You can watch it here: 

https://www.bwcumc.org/article/state-of-the-church/

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Greetings Baltimore Metropolitan District,

What a glorious weekend it was in the Baltimore Region.  Our 2020 leadership day, newly named the Connect Leadership Summit is in the books.  We thank all who participated and pray that you found worship uplifting and the plernary session, track classes, and workshops enriching.

Upcoming Events (new events in purple): 

February 15^th- March 14^th: Baltimore Region’s time of intentional prayer and fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays from sunrise to sunset. (See attached flyer for more details.)

March 12^th, May 7^th, June 4^th: Engage College Students Lunch and Learn via Zoom Is your church located near a college campus, community college, or trade school and interested in learning how to better engage young adults and college students? Join Rev. Brandon Harris, The Protestant Chaplain to the Main Campus at Georgetown University, for a monthly conversation on engaging Millennials and Generation Z, innovative forms of worship, and church-based college ministries. Lunch & Learn from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 6, March 12, May 7, and June 4. Sign up here to receive reminders and the link to join. Learn more about Brandon's qualifications and some of the topics for exploration.

March 23^rd: Youth Members At Large Application Due; every year, three youth per district have the opportunity to serve as youth members at large to Annual Conference.  As a youth member at large, youth get to experience holy conferencing and participate in all the sessions, worship services, and vote on resolutions and reports.  If you are interested in serving, fill out the application online at: https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/young-peoples-ministries/youth-ministry/youth-members-at-large-application/  Applicants will be notified by April 1 if they are selected to serve.  Please contact Cheryl Cook at with any questions.

March 31^st, 6:30 pm: Project Transformation Partner Church Meetings; You are invited to join Project Transformation as they prepare for their 3rd summer of ministry in DC and our first in Baltimore! At the meeting, you will have the opportunity to learn about 2020 summer details and ways for your congregation to get involved. This will also be your first chance to sign up to volunteer with Project Transformation this summer.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

April 18^th: Pre Conference; This briefing will share information and  prepare lay and clergy members for the 236th session of Baltimore-Washington Conference, which will be held May 27-29, 2020 in Baltimore.  The briefing will be held at the Ranson Civic Center in Ranson, W.Va. and at Asbury UMC in Charlestown, W.Va.  Also on this day, in the afternoon, the annual lay and clergy voting sessions will be held. These sessions were traditionally held on the first day of the Annual Conference Session. Registration is required.  Click the following link to register: https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1434206-2020-04-18-pre-conference-briefing-clergy-executive-and-laity-sessions/

April 27^th: Seeds of Security Golf Tournament; Seeds of Security, an entity of The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church, is a collaboration of networks and persons committed to educating, advocating, resourcing, and providing a safe haven for survivors of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence (DV/IPV).  By attending the Seeds of Security Golf Tournament, you will help us be a source of healing for persons experiencing the practical, relational, and spiritual impact of intimate partner violence.  Last year our very own Sharp Street Memorial won the tournament.  For more information and to register, please click on the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1371739-2020-04-27-sos-golf-tournament/

Scholarship/Grant Information:

Apply for a BWC College Scholarship-application is open:  Once again, the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be awarding scholarships for qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2020. The application process opens on Jan. 3 and closes March 5, 2020. 

A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application, which includes uploading their current transcripts. In addition, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference.            

For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/. 

Sophia Dietsch Education Scholarship: For students of Baltimore City, only who are going into ministry/seminary student / or in the candidacy process. The award is $400 per year up to $2,000 total (no more than 5 years). Students must be a candidate for ministry in The United Methodist Church and be from Baltimore City. The student must have held membership in a church of the Baltimore-Washington Conference for at least one year. Applicant must be a degree candidate at an accredited college, university or seminary.  For more information on this scholarship and others, click the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/

Discipleship Awards - NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!

We want to celebrate leaders and faith communities who are doing excellent ministry and transforming lives.  One of the ways we do this is through an annual call for nominations and applications which are due April 1 and will be revealed at Annual Conference unless otherwise noted.

The awards that will be presented are: 

• Wellness & Missions - $1,000 to a faith community that exemplifies the fostering of spiritual, physical and mental health
• Advocacy & Action - $1,000 for partnerships that advocate to transform systems which disenfranchise, marginalize and oppress
• Harry Denman Evangelism Award - recognition for exceptional ministry of evangelism
• Moral Courage Award - recognition for the pursuit of justice, loving-kindness, and walking humbly with God. 
• Youth Group Leader of the Year - honors a BWC United Methodist who exemplifies inviting, inspiring and strengthening youth skilled servant workers

Nominate a deserving person today!  Visit https://www.bwcumc.org/annual-conference-awards/

Applications and Nominations for Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute Are OPEN! (please see attached flyer)

Do you have a current high schooler in your life who is ready to learn about how their faith in Jesus Christ calls them to live and be in the world in a way that seeks justice? Nominate and encourage them to apply for the Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute! SUYTI is a two-week, credit-bearing program for any young person who is currently in high school (that is, any student who will be a rising sophomore through recent high school graduate this summer). Students spend one week on SU’s campus in Winchester, VA, and one week on the campus of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and through a daily rhythm of worship, academic study, experiential and service-learning, and (of course) sabbath rest, learn to become stronger Christian leaders in their local communities. The 2020 Institute will run from July 19-August 1, 2020, and thanks to a grant from the Lilly Endowment, we are able to give your student all that SUYTI has to offer (room and board, program expenses, and three college credits) to our cohort members at a cost of only $200 per student. To nominate a student or to apply, visit our website at www.su.edu/youththeology. For more information, contact Ian Urriola, Director of the SUYTI, by calling (540) 665-5453 or e-mailing  .

Youth/Youth Leader Opportunities:

 

Youth Member at Large for Annual Conference

Every year, three youth per district have the opportunity to serve as youth members at large to Annual Conference.  As a youth member at large, youth get to experience holy conferencing and participate in all the sessions, worship services, and vote on resolutions and reports.  If you are interested in serving, fill out the application online at: https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/young-peoples-ministries/youth-ministry/youth-members-at-large-application/  Applicants will be notified by April 1 if they are selected to serve.  Please contact Cheryl Cook at with any questions.

Stay and Find Out What You Were Made For

At ROCK 2020, an awareness campaign was launched to raise funding toward youth suicide prevention. With your generous offering of $9,360 at ROCK 2020, we are expanding suicide prevention and wellness resourcing with and for youth and those who love them. (www.bwcumc.org/YPMWellness)  Watch the video and accompanying resourcing here: https://www.bwcumc.org/article/stay-suicide-prevention-campaign/ If you are a youth who wants to be involved in working with experts to develop peer resourcing, please complete this Student Leadership Cohort Interest Form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BWCSLC19.

REFRESH- 2020 Youth Leader Retreat

Working in youth ministry can be incredibly rewarding but just as equally challenging.  Whether your youth group has 10 people or 100 people, or whether you are brand new to youth ministry or a veteran youth leader, it is vital to take time to rest and reset so that you and your ministry can grow.   Join youth workers from across the BWC for a weekend to REFRESH.  Attendees will spend a weekend at Manidokan Camp & Retreat center for worship, training, and intentional reflection and restoration.  Youth & Family Ministry experts from Ministry Architects will lead the weekend alongside fellow BWC youth leaders.   Cost is $225 per person for lodging, meals, and a weekend of worship, reflection, and restoration. Register online by March 6 or contact Cheryl Cook ( ) with any questions.

 

The CCYM Stress Less Project offers resources to help youth battle the many sources of stress in their lives.  The project was created by youth for youth and include resources for both youth and youth workers.  More information can be found atwww.bwcumc.org/stressless.

Essential Youth Worker Training: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma – Join us on March 28^th for a day event that explores the evidence-based research on long term physical and mental health implications of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), toxic stress and trauma. Facilitators are Dr. Cynthia Greer, Dr. Luane Oprea, Dr. Diane Reese, all with Trinity Washington University in D.C.   Limited registration to 50. https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=94703074445

 

General Opportunities:

Screenign of Bryan Stevenson’s Movie: True Justice: The United Methodist Women of Mount Olive UMC will feature Bryan Stevenson’s film, True Justice on Saturday, March 14^th at 2 pm as a part of the UMW focus on "Criminalization of Communities of Color" and their commitment to "interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. See the flyer attached. For more information, please contact Cynthia Taylor at .

 

Relief for Puerto Rico: From our Partners in PR

Continue to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico by making a donation via https://www.shelbygiving.com/g3/ or by  donating the following to one or more of our hubs: Pampers for children and adults, Hygiene kits, Tents 

Bottles of water, First Aid kits, Inflatable beds, Blankets, Wipes

Leaders and staff of the Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico and ReHace IMPR report they are working hard to assist those impacted by the many devastating earthquakes that have struck Puerto Rico recently. They are addressing urgent needs, providing shelter, distributing supplies, and conducting assessments and outreach.  UMCOR has awarded a solidarity grant to undergird these initial response efforts. An UMCOR team will be traveling to the island to conduct an assessment and determine how best they can support the MCPR and ReHace in their response efforts.

To arrange donations and for more information, please contact Fred Sipes at or Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson at

Interested in Becoming a Certified Lay Minister? 

Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Minister, the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2020-2022, are now being accepted.  Go to the BWC website  www.bwcumc.org/ministries/leadership-development/laity-development/  to learn more and see if you qualify and if you have met the pre-requisite requirements. (Click "Learn More" under Certified Lay Minister for information and application pack.) 

 Prospective CLM students must currently be a Certified Lay Servant or Certified Lay Speaker and must consult with their pastor before beginning the process.  The website contains information to be shared with your pastor and information about steps and deadlines that must be taken before you can register for the first class.  This application process includes meeting with the pastor, the local SPRC, and the District Superintendent before the July 1 deadline. The next class will start in September and is a 2- year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries, at

 

Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to  http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.b wcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.

 

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The Baltimore Region’s Connect Leadership Summit, formerly known as Leadership Day, is almost here and we are excited for you to take advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow as disciples of Christ.  If you haven’t registered yet, please do so before the deadline (February 28^th).  Please see Upcoming Events section for more information and the link to register.

Additionally, the final part of the 3-part conference-wide Bible study is now available.  In this final part, participants will explore our identity as United Methodist within the Baltimore-Washington Conference.  The recommended start date is Wednesday, February 26^th.  Resource materials (for all 3 parts), including the facilitator guide and participant guide, are available on the Conference website: https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/who-are-we/.

Upcoming Events: 

February 15^th- March 14^th: Baltimore Region’s time of intentional prayer and fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays from sunrise to sunset. (See attached flyer for more details.)

February 28^th:  Registration deadline for Lay Servant Academy courses scheduled to take place on March 15^th.  For more information and registration, click the following link: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=5630

March 4^th: District Clergy Gathering 9:30 am- 12:30 pm; John Wesley UMC; Registration is required so that we can properly prepare for your participation; click the following link to register: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=5730

March 5^th:  BWC Legislative Advocacy Day in Annapolis- You’re Invited!

Join the United Methodist Women and the Advocacy and Action Network on March 5, 2020 from 8:30 am- 2 pm for our Legislative Advocacy Day in Annapolis. Meet us  at Asbury UMC located on 87 West Street in Annapolis for worship followed by workshops, lunch and a visit to the Maryland State House for legislative hearings/visits. Choose one of three workshop tracks:  Climate Justice, Immigration Reform, or School to Prison Pipeline (Restorative Justice). If you are a beginner in justice work and/ or a professional advocate, this ministry opportunity is for you. No legislative experience is necessary and legislative visits will be done in groups. All participants are asked to wear red as a color of solidarity. To register, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQoHHVTq_OFDJcC3aCeUZ8ls_av35q4GGHy7voeyfi8/prefill and/or for more information, contact Linda Yost, BWCUMW President, , Jeannie Lee Panesi, Social Action Coordinator, or Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson at . Please make sure to bring your photo ID if you plan to enter the State House. The event cost is $12.00. 

 March 7^th: Connect Leadership Summit (formerly known as Leadership Day): Inspiring and Equipping Churches to Connect More People to Jesus; this one-day training opportunity, you’ll hear from Daniel Im, author of “No Silver Bullets,” who will help you lead, thrive, and create a culture of discipleship in your church. You can also immerse yourself in one of six learning tracks or explore two topics relevant to your interests and ministry in expert-led workshops.  Additionally, there is a Youth Cohort; we encourage you to invite your youth to attend (see attached).  To register, click the following link: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=5689

March 12^th, May 7^th, June 4^th: Engage College Students Lunch and Learn via Zoom Is your church located near a college campus, community college, or trade school and interested in learning how to better engage young adults and college students? Join Rev. Brandon Harris, The Protestant Chaplain to the Main Campus at Georgetown University, for a monthly conversation on engaging Millennials and Generation Z, innovative forms of worship, and church-based college ministries. Lunch & Learn from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 6, March 12, May 7, and June 4. Sign up here to receive reminders and the link to join. Learn more about Brandon's qualifications and some of the topics for exploration.

March 31^st, 6:30 pm: Project Transformation Partner Church Meetings; You are invited to join Project Transformation as they prepare for their 3rd summer of ministry in DC and our first in Baltimore! At the meeting, you will have the opportunity to learn about 2020 summer details and ways for your congregation to get involved. This will also be your first chance to sign up to volunteer with Project Transformation this summer.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

April 18^th: Pre Conference; Registration will open on February 26^th, but please mark your calendars and plan to participate on April 18th.  This briefing will share information and  prepare lay and clergy members for the 236th session of Baltimore-Washington Conference, which will be held May 27-29, 2020 in Baltimore.  The briefing will be held at the Ranson Civic Center in Ranson, W.Va. and at Asbury UMC in Charlestown, W.Va.  Also on this day, in the afternoon, the annual lay and clergy sessions will be held. These sessions were traditionally held on the first day of the Annual Conference Session. 

 April 27^th: Seeds of Security Golf Tournament; Seeds of Security, an entity of The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church, is a collaboration of networks and persons committed to educating, advocating, resourcing, and providing a safe haven for survivors of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence (DV/IPV).  By attending the Seeds of Security Golf Tournament, you will help us be a source of healing for persons experiencing the practical, relational, and spiritual impact of intimate partner violence.  Last year our very own Sharp Street Memorial won the tournament.  For more information and to register, please click on the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1371739-2020-04-27-sos-golf-tournament/

Scholarship/Grant Information:

Apply for a BWC College Scholarship-application is open:  Once again, the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be awarding scholarships for qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2020. The application process opens on Jan. 3 and closes March 5, 2020. 

A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application, which includes uploading their current transcripts. In addition, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference.            

For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/. 

Sophia Dietsch Education Scholarship: For students of Baltimore City, only who are going into ministry/seminary student / or in the candidacy process. The award is $400 per year up to $2,000 total (no more than 5 years). Students must be a candidate for ministry in The United Methodist Church and be from Baltimore City. The student must have held membership in a church of the Baltimore-Washington Conference for at least one year. Applicant must be a degree candidate at an accredited college, university or seminary.  For more information on this scholarship and others, click the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/

Discipleship Awards - NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!

We want to celebrate leaders and faith communities who are doing excellent ministry and transforming lives.  One of the ways we do this is through an annual call for nominations and applications which are due April 1 and will be revealed at Annual Conference unless otherwise noted.

The awards that will be presented are: 

• Wellness & Missions - $1,000 to a faith community that exemplifies the fostering of spiritual, physical and mental health
• Advocacy & Action - $1,000 for partnerships that advocate to transform systems which disenfranchise, marginalize and oppress
• Harry Denman Evangelism Award - recognition for exceptional ministry of evangelism
• Moral Courage Award - recognition for the pursuit of justice, loving-kindness, and walking humbly with God. 
• Youth Group Leader of the Year - honors a BWC United Methodist who exemplifies inviting, inspiring and strengthening youth skilled servant workers

Nominate a deserving person today!  Visit https://www.bwcumc.org/annual-conference-awards/

Applications and Nominations for Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute Are OPEN! (please see attached flyer) Do you have a current high schooler in your life who is ready to learn about how their faith in Jesus Christ calls them to live and be in the world in a way that seeks justice? Nominate and encourage them to apply for the Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute! SUYTI is a two-week, credit-bearing program for any young person who is currently in high school (that is, any student who will be a rising sophomore through recent high school graduate this summer). Students spend one week on SU’s campus in Winchester, VA, and one week on the campus of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and through a daily rhythm of worship, academic study, experiential and service-learning, and (of course) sabbath rest, learn to become stronger Christian leaders in their local communities. The 2020 Institute will run from July 19-August 1, 2020, and thanks to a grant from the Lilly Endowment, we are able to give your student all that SUYTI has to offer (room and board, program expenses, and three college credits) to our cohort members at a cost of only $200 per student. To nominate a student or to apply, visit our website at www.su.edu/youththeology. For more information, contact Ian Urriola, Director of the SUYTI, by calling (540) 665-5453 or emailing  . 

Youth/Youth Leader Opportunities:

 

Youth Member at Large for Annual Conference

Every year, three youth per district have the opportunity to serve as youth members at large to Annual Conference.  As a youth member at large, youth get to experience holy conferencing and participate in all the sessions, worship services, and vote on resolutions and reports.  If you are interested in serving, fill out the application online at: https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/young-peoples-ministries/youth-ministry/youth-members-at-large-application/  Applicants will be notified by April 1 if they are selected to serve.  Please contact Cheryl Cook at with any questions.

At ROCK 2020, an awareness campaign was launched to raise funding toward youth suicide prevention. With your generous offering of $9,360 at ROCK 2020, we are expanding suicide prevention and wellness resourcing with and for youth and those who love them. (www.bwcumc.org/YPMWellness)  Watch the video and accompanying resourcing here: https://www.bwcumc.org/article/stay-suicide-prevention-campaign/ If you are a youth who wants to be involved in working with experts to develop peer resourcing, please complete this Student Leadership Cohort Interest Form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BWCSLC19.

REFRESH- 2020 Youth Leader Retreat

Working in youth ministry can be incredibly rewarding but just as equally challenging.  Whether your youth group has 10 people or 100 people, or whether you are brand new to youth ministry or a veteran youth leader, it is vital to take time to rest and reset so that you and your ministry can grow.   Join youth workers from across the BWC for a weekend to REFRESH.  Attendees will spend a weekend at Manidokan Camp & Retreat center for worship, training, and intentional reflection and restoration.  Youth & Family Ministry experts from Ministry Architects will lead the weekend alongside fellow BWC youth leaders.   Cost is $225 per person for lodging, meals, and a weekend of worship, reflection, and restoration. Register online by March 6 or contact Cheryl Cook ( ) with any questions.

The CCYM Stress Less Project offers resources to help youth battle the many sources of stress in their lives.  The project was created by youth for youth and include resources for both youth and youth workers.  More information can be found atwww.bwcumc.org/stressless.

Essential Youth Worker Training: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma – Join us on March 28^th for a day event that explores the evidence-based research on long term physical and mental health implications of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), toxic stress and trauma. Facilitators are Dr. Cynthia Greer, Dr. Luane Oprea, Dr. Diane Reese, all with Trinity Washington University in D.C.   Limited registration to 50. https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=94703074445

General Opportunities:

Screening of Bryan Stevenson’s Movie: True Justice: The United Methodist Women of Mount Olive UMC will feature Bryan Stevenson’s film, True Justice on Saturday, March 23 at 2 pm as a part of the UMW focus on "Criminalization of Communities of Color" and their commitment to "interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. See the flyer attached. For more information, please contact Cynthia Taylor at .

 

Relief for Puerto Rico: From our Partners in PR

Continue to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico by making a donation via https://www.shelbygiving.com/g3/ or by  donating the following to one or more of our hubs: Pampers for children and adults, Hygiene kits, Tents, Bottles of water, First Aid kits, Inflatable beds, Blankets, Wipes

Leaders and staff of the Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico and ReHace IMPR report they are working hard to assist those impacted by the many devastating earthquakes that have struck Puerto Rico recently. They are addressing urgent needs, providing shelter, distributing supplies, and conducting assessments and outreach.  UMCOR has awarded a solidarity grant to undergird these initial response efforts. An UMCOR team will be traveling to the island to conduct an assessment and determine how best they can support the MCPR and ReHace in their response efforts.  To arrange donations and for more information, please contact Fred Sipes at   or Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson at  

Interested in Becoming a Certified Lay Minister? 

Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Minister, the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2020-2022, are now being accepted.  Go to the BWC website  www.bwcumc.org/ministries/leadership-development/laity-development/  to learn more and see if you qualify and if you have met the pre-requisite requirements. (Click "Learn More" under Certified Lay Minister for information and application pack.) 

 Prospective CLM students must currently be a Certified Lay Servant or Certified Lay Speaker and must consult with their pastor before beginning the process.  The website contains information to be shared with your pastor and information about steps and deadlines that must be taken before you can register for the first class.  This application process includes meeting with the pastor, the local SPRC, and the District Superintendent before the July 1 deadline. The next class will start in September and is a 2- year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries, at

 

Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to  http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.b wcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.

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Baltimore Metropolitan District T-shirts!

Cost: $25 (additional fee for shipping)

Order Yours TODAY!

 

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Connect Leadership Summit

Have you registered?

 Click here to register.

 

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Click to View the Course Catalog

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Epiphany Message to the Baltimore Metropolitan District

Rev. Wanda Bynum Duckett, District Superintendent

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (Matthew 2:9-10)

Like many people, I pray each year that God will give me a focus, a theme, a compass, an epiphany for life and ministry in the new year. I pray that God shows me the star. God always answers that prayer with a word or thought that not only guides me in the coming season, but also seems to be waiting for me as I journey forward…being confirmed along the way as if it is calling, lighting a way, and beckoning me to it. One year, that theme was ‘transformation’ and in that year practically everything and everyone around me – including me - was transformed.  In another year it was ‘grace’ and God gave me many opportunities to experience and expand my own capacity for living a grace-filled life. In yet another year, the word was simply ‘why’. In that year, God re-connected me with a profound sense of purpose.  

This year, as 2020 dawns and everyone is talking about vision, God answered my prayer a bit differently. As I prayed about what the year would bring and what I should be doing in the midst of the many significant issues I am seeing in our churches, our communities and our nation, God redirected my prayer from the things we see but cannot control, to a peaceful sense of what we actually have the capacity to effect. Rather than being concerned with what will happen in 2020 - what will happen with at-risk churches; what will happen with the increasing tide of violence in our communities; what will happen at General Conference; what will happen with appointments, finances, and congregational conflict - I believe God is clearly calling us from a place of trying to control what will happen to a place of being the people we need to be in the midst of it all.

So here, in this season of Epiphany, is God’s answer to my prayer. I share it because perhaps it’s an answer to yours as well. In this season, I believe God is calling us to be people who are:

FOCUSED – Christ was clear in literally nailing the commandments down to two upon which all the others rest: Love of God and love of neighbor. (Matthew 22: 36-40; 1 John 4:20-21) If we can be a people focused on love, we can have a profound impact on our world and its challenges. When faced with conflict, difficult choices, and hard conversations, let us allow our thoughts, words, behaviors, and decisions to be rooted in the commandment to love. The question, “Is it loving?” should guide us in all our ways.

FAITHFUL – The days ahead promise to try our faith. Will we continue to give, to serve, to show up even when things are hard and don’t go our way? Will we have the maturity to act out of what we believe about God rather than how we feel about people or issues? No prolonged infancies among us, please! (Ephesians 4:14-16) God’s word says that if we are faithful over a few things, God will make us rulers over many. (Matthew 25:23) God calls all of us to be rulers in the sense of having dominion, influence, and impact. Without mature faith and faithfulness, it is impossible to exercise this responsibility in ways that please God.

FLEXIBLE – The word our bishop uses is ‘nimble’. These times require us to be able to move flexibly with God’s Spirit.  Being faithful does not mean being rigid. We must be able to discern, adapt, and adopt new ways of being God’s faithful people in this present age. I hear God’s compelling appeal through the prophet Isaiah: See, I am doing a new thing! (Isaiah 43:19) What an exciting proposition to join God in new work and ministry. We must not allow ourselves to die of spiritual atrophy. New things require us to be flexible, nimble, and agile.

FORGIVING – As long as humans are humans, and life is life, there is always something to be forgiven. The good news is that Christ has given us the template for forgiveness, i.e. giving in the fore. While we were yet sinners, Jesus forgave us.  (Romans 5:8). The Word of God says that Christ commanded his forgiveness toward us. That lets us know that forgiveness does not always come naturally or easily; it is an intentional discipline that we must command of ourselves. What a powerful year it can be if we go into it, not waiting to see what will need to be forgiven, but ‘fore-giving’ with discipline and intention!

FEARLESS – The scariest things in life are the unknowns. Things we don’t know keep us up at night worrying and wondering. Rather than being fearful about what we don’t know, what we can’t know, and what we won’t know until God reveals it, let us be fearless because of what and Who we do know. God is able. God loves us. God has promised us good, even if that good comes through discomfort. We simply don’t know what will happen at General Conference, the upcoming local and national election(s), global conflicts, or personal conflicts. However, God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) Peace of mind and fearlessness are powerful, steadying companions, particularly in times of change, uncertainty, and anxiety.

I’m excited about 2020. Not because it promises to be a perfect year, but because we have the capacity to be a perfected people. With the help of the Holy Spirit, let us be such a people…so that history will not only reflect what happened in 2020, but generations will be inspired by the ways in which we showed up: as people of  focus, faithfulness, flexibility, forgiveness, and fearlessness who continued to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Blessed Epiphany!

Wanda

Click to Register.

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We need your help reaching our goal of collecting 300 coats, gloves, and scarves for our fellow refugee brothers and sisters who are traveling here from warmer climates.  We are hoping to collect 300 coats in total, but are looking to collect half,150 coats, before Thanksgiving. Spread the word! You can download the flyer below to help us get the word out. With your help, we can reach our goal.

Download Flyer

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Training Tuesdays

Training Tuesdays is a new online training experience to inspire and equip local church leaders to connect more people with Jesus. Using Zoom, leaders call in and connect from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to learn from an expert about their committee and its ministry. The calls are videotaped and can be accessed later online.

The Training Tuesdays sessions listed below replace the committee training previously offered at Leadership Days.  This will prepare leaders to serve before they begin (or resume) leadership positions in January 2020.

November 5^th: SPRC and Pastor
November 12^th: Trustees
November 19^th: Finance
November 26^th: Church Council
December 3^rd: Nominations
January 7^th: Unified Board

Download the Flyer

Click to Register

How to participate:

1. Register for one of the trainings to the left to obtain the meeting link.
2. Download ZOOM 
3. After launching Zoom, click Join a Meeting or Sign In. To sign in, use your Zoom, Google, or Facebook account. If you don't have an account, click Sign Up Free.
4. Refer to your registration confirmation email for a direct link to the training or for the meeting ID.
5. You can choose to have video on or off, but make sure you DO connect audio so you can ask questions. You will have the ability to mute yourself /turn your video on/off during the training through the tools at the top of your screen after connecting.
6. To ask questions, click on Participants at the top of your screen, then raise your hand. You may ask questions aloud or via the Chat tool at the top of your screen.

Additional help getting started with ZOOM

 

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Christ UMC  (2005 E Chase Street, Baltimore, MD 21213) invites girls ages 7- 17 to participate in a Girls Empowerment Conference on Friday,  August 9th from 1 pm- 5 pm.  The event is free to attend but registration is required.  Please see the flyer below for more details.  Click the following link to register: www.beyondbeautifultour.org. 

 

All local church administrators are strongly recommended to attend a training session. Additionally, all those who are responsible for completing any of the documents required for church conferences-as well as- pastors are also strongly encouraged to attend.  Registration is required so that we are properly prepared for your participation.  See below to register for a training session.

The training sessions will include the following:

• Arena Accounts Overview
• Where to find the Church Conference Form
• How to complete the forms and submit them
• Which forms to bring to your conference
• Committee Leader Toolbox - How to update your committee list in Arena and how to easily contact those members. 

Upcoming Training Sessions:

Training Sessions at the Conference Center (11711 E Market Place, Fulton, Maryland 20759) Click the following to register for a training session at the BWC:  https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=5370%20
Dates	Times	Location
Monday, August 5th	10 am- 12 pm; 2 pm- 4 pm	Conference Center
Wednesday, August 14th	2 pm- 4 pm; 7 pm- 9 pm	Conference Center
Thursday, August 22nd	10 am- 12 pm; 7 pm- 9 pm	Conference Center
Training Sessions in the District Click the following to register for a training session in the district: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=5364
Dates	Times	Location
Wednesday, August 7th	10 am- 12 pm	Cherry Hill UMC
Wednesday, August 7th	2 pm-4 pm	Govans Boundary UMC
Tuesday, August 13th	6 pm- 8 pm	Chase UMC
Saturday, August 17th	10 am- 12 pm	Emmarts UMC

 

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Baltimore Metro is going to the ballpark!

Join us on Friday, August 23rd for the Orioles vs Tampa Bay Rays game.  There will be fireworks and music that night!  Tickets are $17 for ages 3 and older.  The tickets will be emailed in advance of the game.  We hope you can join us.  We had a great time last year!  If you have any questions, contact the district office at 410-309-3447 or   

Purchase Orioles tickets.

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June 3rd, 2019

We would like to thank everyone for the many ways you to helped make Annual Conference a success.  Some of you were called on last minute to assist, and you did so with a smile.  We would also like to thank all who helped with the Rise Against Hunger Event, whether it was support through a monetary donation, helping to pack meals or both.  It was an overwhelming success.  Stay tuned for another Rise Against Hunger meal packing opportunity!

Please be reminded that June 12^th will be our end-of-appointment year District Clergy Gathering at Beechfield UMC, located at 541 S. Beechfield Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21229 (notification of the gathering was sent on May 15th).  We want to acknowledge and celebrate the great work you have done in and out of the L.I.F.E. of the church (including those who have graduated, been ordained or commissioned).  Click the following link to register: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4356

Upcoming Events (newly added events in purple):

June 12^th: District Clergy Gathering at Beechfield UMC from 9:30 am- 12:30 pm

Click the following link to register: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4356

 

June 30^th: Fund Balance Report due to the District Office on April 12^th an email with detailed instructions was sent to the Finance Committee and the church pastor.  If an email was not received, please contact the district office at 410-309-3447 or .  Please email your fund balance report to   or mail your report to the following address:

Baltimore-Washington Conference

ATTN: Christine Taylor

11711 East Market Place

Fulton, MD 20759

 

Upcoming Workshops: (Registration for these workshops are forthcoming)

 

Discipleship Systems:  The 3D Journey

Presenter:   Rev. Dr. Quincy D. Brown

This workshop will help clergy and laity walk through a transition of: discern / dream / develop.

The mission of the church is about making disciples. Simply put, the church is in the business of connecting people with Jesus through relationships.

One event --Two locations  --  Same information being presented at both sites

September 6, 2019, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm BWC Mission Center

September 7, 2019, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm TBD

 

Registration Required (registration coming soon)

Cost $35 per person (includes lunch)

 

From Franchise to Local Dive: Multiplying Your Church by Discovering Your Contextual Flavor

Presenter:  Jason Moore

Many local churches are stuck in a rut, have reached a plateau, or — worst of all — are declining. The temptation is to serve up the same exact ministry models that worked in another time and space but ultimately feel safe to existing churches.  Like ordering from a menu at the franchise chain restaurant and expecting the meal to be palatable in the local context, many churches try and start something new by serving up the same old thing, failing to discover what their local community is actually hungry for.

 

One event --Two locations  --  Same information being presented at both sites.  

Friday, November 8th  8:30 am - 3:30 pm BWC Mission Center

Saturday, November 9th  8:30 am - 3:30 pm Location TBD

 

Registration Required (registration coming soon)

Cost $35 per person (includes lunch)

 

Please check out The Conference’s event page for more information and links to registrations for various conference events, as well as opportunities for service and resourcing your ministries. 

July 1^st-5^th: The Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA)

In partnership with United Methodist colleges, universities, seminaries and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) seeks to help high school youth and college young adults explore their call to ministry. Youth involved in HYLA gather each summer to consider issues such as Christian discipleship, vocational development, leadership in the church, college prep assistance, and a variety of other issues important to the continued development of Hispanic youth and young adults in The United Methodist Church.

Hispanic-Latinos in the BWC can still register for HYLA at Wesley Theological Seminary, July 1-5th, 2019.

http://hylaumc.com/special-dates-deadlines/

Information:

Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to,http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.b wcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.

The CCYM Stress Less Project offers resources to help youth battle the many sources of stress in their lives.  The project was created by youth for youth and include resources for both youth and youth workers.  More information can be found atwww.bwcumc.org/stressless.

 

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Annual Conference is almost here.  This year we’ve partnered with Rise Against Hunger for our Mission Focus.  Rise Against Hunger is an international relief organization whose mission is to end world hunger by the year 2030.  We plan to package 120,000 meals on-site at Annual Conference.  But we need your help to make this year’s mission focus a success.  Your donation really counts! 

$10 = 30 meals $25 = 75 meals $75 = 220 meals $150 = 440 meals

Donate and/or sign up to help package meals in a 30-minute time slot during lunch or dinner on Thursday, May 30 (registration for Annual Conference is not required to donate or to volunteer to package meals), by clicking the following link:

I want to donate/I want to pack meals

or www.bwcumc.org/RAH

Want to know more about Rise Against Hunger?

Check out their webpage: https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/about-us/

 

Want to see Rise Against Hunger’s impact?

Check out this video:

Growing Hope in Haiti from Rise Against Hunger on Vimeo.

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The Baltimore Region Laity Gathering (scheduled for Saturday, April 27th) has been POSTPONED.  We will notify the district of the new date once we have chosen one.  

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Baltimore Region Laity Gathering

 

Saturday, April 27, 2019

9 am – 12 pm

Friendly Farm Restaurant

17434 Foreston Road, Upperco, MD 21155

Discussion on best practices

Mini-workshop on outward mindset

Commissioning Ceremony

$35 per person

Includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch Buffet

Register Here

 

 

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Baltimore Region Leadership Day 

Last year, we asked you to celebrate your part in the Baltimore Region ‘Orchestra’ with “One Band, One Sound”. This year join us on April 6, 2019 at Towson United Methodist Church to see how the “Echoes of Mercy” spread throughout our communities. We are proud to present Dr. Douglas Walker, Pastor at Temple UMC in Tampa Florida and Director of the Center for Church and Community at the Tampa Bay Center for Community Transformation, who will bring to us his extensive experience in trauma-informed ministry with a plenary and workshops to help guide us through the difficult passages ahead.

Saturday, April 6^th, 8:30- 4 pm

Towson UMC

501 Hampton Ln.

Towson, MD 21286 

Pre-registration required; no on-site registration.

 

Contact your District Administrator for assistance with registration.

Christine Taylor, Baltimore Metropolitan District, 410-309-3447 or  

John Gauthier, Baltimore Suburban District, 410-290-7311 or  

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. 

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March 7,  2019

While at times life, as we know it, may seem uncertain, never forget that there is absolutely nothing uncertain about God’s love for us.  May this Lenten season be a reminder of God’s never-ending love for all of us as well as a season of renewal for your mind and spirit.  We pray for a fresh anointing in your continued efforts to live L.I.F.E. to its fullest.  This Lenten season and beyond, may the love and peace of Christ be in you and may it be contagious and infect those in, around, and outside of your communities.

 

District Request:

 

We kindly ask that you complete the Host Church Survey.  The survey will allow for increased efficiency in the planning of events and meetings in the district.  Click the following link to complete the Host Church Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclfV9gq6teG2g6dx8hA47NmH0BqVVOB0JdT1nXIcpQm2QCMA/viewform?usp=sf_link   We kindly ask that the survey is completed by March 30^th.

Leadership Training Opportunities:

Lay Servant Academy (formerly known as School of Christian Growth) is in full swing.  If you are interested in becoming certified, the initial basic course is offered on March 23^rd at Epworth Chapel UMC and again on March 23^rd at MD Line UMC.  Courses are also offered for those needing to take a course to maintain their certification.  Please be reminded that you must renew your certification every three years.  For more information, click https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sPZFQ80uvueSwoYIUqyqfLCSVrqlgZbh.  Registration is required. To register online, click https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4132.

Upcoming Events (new events in purple):

March 7^th: BWC Scholarship Application Submission Deadline: The scholarships are open to qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2019.  A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application which includes uploading their current transcripts.

Additionally, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference.  For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/.

 

March 9^th: Town Hall Meeting on the Opioid Crisis at Harmony UMC, Falling Waters.

March 13^th: District Clergy Gathering; CANCELLED.  Due to the vast number of events and trainings being offered, the March gathering is cancelled.  Stay tuned for when the next gathering will take place.

March 16^th: Outward Mindset Training Workshop 8:30 am- 1:30 pm at Loch Raven UMC.  After the training session on December 13^th of last year, we received several requests for us to extend another invitation to Rev. Brian Brown to offer a more in-depth session.  In this half-day training, on developing and implementing an outward mindset, participants will rediscover the following: (1)  Why mindset matters; (2) Two basic mindsets; (3) How we turn inward; (4) How to turn outward; and (5) Practical applications for keeping a heart at peace.  There is no cost to attend.  However, registration is required so we can prepare for your participation.  You can register by clicking the following link: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4174 .  (An Arena is not needed to register for the event.) Please contact the district office at 410-309-3447 or if you experience any issues with registration.  There is no cost to attend.  However, registration is required so we can prepare for your participation.  There is still time to register if you are interested.  Registration will close on Wednesday, March 13^th.  We ask that you encourage your laity to attend as this session will be open to all clergy and laity. 

March 22^th - 24^th: Youth Leader Retreat and Training; The BWC will host a weekend of training and renewal for youth leaders Mar 22-24, 2019 at Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg, MD.  Whether you are new to youth ministry or a seasoned veteran, there will be training and classes appropriate for any stage of your ministry and time for restoration and renewal.  Registration and additional information are available at https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4122.  For questions, please contact Cheryl Cook.  

 

April 1^st:  United to Love Moral Courage Awards for Young Adults and Adults: Applications Open Now!

 

The United to Love Moral Courage Awards celebrate people who put their faith into action especially when doing so is uncomfortable or unpopular for the sake of justice despite risk, comfort, and or societal silence.

 

Do you know someone who does the right thing even when it is a difficult thing to do? Someone who advocates to improve the life of others? Are you that person? All persons who want to share their stories of moral courage are invited to apply. To apply, please go to https://www.bwcumc.org/moral-courage-awards/. Finalists will be invited to the United to Love Moral Courage Luncheon at Annual Conference and the Winner will receive the opportunity to become our Moral Courage Ambassador.

April 1^st-4^th:  The 2019 NEJ Mission Academy - “When Helping Helps”@ Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, MA  -- April 1 - 4, 2019.  This year’s academy will focus on ministry initiatives that are responsible, sustainable, and asset-based.  In addition to their collaboration with UMCOR to provide a disaster response track, NEJ Mission Academy organizers will also welcome Global Missionary Willie Berman-Ramirez, NEJ United Methodist Sarah Sandsted who is co-founder of Rebuild Globally, and mission theologian Rev. Taylor Walters Denyer.  Registration is now open.  Early bird rates are in effect until March 1st, 2019.

April 6^th: Baltimore Region Leadership Day:  SAVE the DATE; more details along with registration are forthcoming.

April 22^nd: First Annual Seeds of Security (SOS) Golf Tournament at Hobbit’s Glen in Howard Co., 12 – 5 pm;  Join us for our first Baltimore-Washington Conference sponsored golf tournament to raise awareness of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence ,offer greater resources, create deeper partnerships, and develop and partner with safer havens. For ticket pricing and to register yourself or a team of four, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19

April 26^th: First Annual SOS Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Gala at Turn House in Howard County at 7 pm, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=386022&.  There are limited tickets. So please purchase your tickets today!

Please check out The Conference’s event page for more information and links to registrations for various conference events, as well as opportunities for service and resourcing your ministries. 

Reminders:

We wanted to put on your radar that it’s never too early to begin gathering the data for the church’s annual Fund Balance Report.  This report entails an audit of the 2018 fiscal year from January 1st- December 31^st.  The report will be due in June.  More details will be provided in the upcoming weeks.  Kindly remind your Finance Team that they should begin work on this important task.  An email will be sent in the upcoming weeks to provide more details on this yearly obligation.

If you have not already downloaded the church’s 2018 complete church conference packet for your records, please do so as soon as possible, as the church’s ability to do so will be removed in the upcoming weeks.  The PDF packet will include all of the reports that were completed in Arena.  However, please note that any file that was uploaded into Arena will not be included, but a clickable link will be provided in the PDF report that will give you access to download the uploaded file.   Click the following link for detailed instructions on how to download the packet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SzUG_V2pNO3ttxMovfX_KNs5iiUQ-mcK/view?usp=sharing

Information:

Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to, http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.b wcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.

Resolutions to the 235th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference

All resolutions set to come before the 235th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are due to the Conference Secretary by April 1, 2019.  The session will be held May 29-June 1, 2019.

Resolutions should be submitted using the BWC Resolution Submission Form available at:  http://tiny.cc/bwc-resolution-form

Please note:

• You must first consult with Mark Gorman, Chair of the Rules Committee, before submitting resolutions pertaining to Rules of the Session.  

• For resolutions that have budget implications, you must first consult with Phil Potter, Chair of CFA before submitting the resolution.

The CCYM Stress Less Project offers resources to help youth battle the many sources of stress in their lives.  The project was created by youth for youth and include resources for both youth and youth workers.  More information can be found at www.bwcumc.org/stressless. 

 

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February 22, 2019

Greetings Baltimore Metro District,

The Special Session of General Conference begins tomorrow, February 23^rd and will end on February 26^th.  Please include the attached congregational prayer offered to us by the Council of Bishops as a part of your worship service this Sunday.   In addition to this prayer, we ask that you continue to be in prayer daily from 2:23 pm- 2:26 pm.

On Saturday, March 2^nd from 9 am – 12 pm, Bishop Easterling has called the people of the BWC to gather at the Mission Center and via live streaming to pray and share information following the Special Session of the General Conference.  We want to thank John Wesley UMC (Rev. Joan Carter-Rimbach), Grace UMC (Rev. Amy McCullough and Assoc. Pastor Dane Wood), and Epworth Chapel UMC (Rev. Tony Hunt) for graciously accepting the request to serve as the district’s live streaming host sites.  More details can be found in the Upcoming Events section. 

Information:

Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to, http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.b wcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.

Resolutions to the 235th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference

All resolutions set to come before the 235th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are due to the Conference Secretary by April 1, 2019.  The session will be held May 29-June 1, 2019.

Resolutions should be submitted using the BWC Resolution Submission Form available at:  http://tiny.cc/bwc-resolution-form

Please note:

• You must first consult with Mark Gorman, Chair of the Rules Committee, before submitting resolutions pertaining to Rules of the Session.  

• For resolutions that have budget implications, you must first consult with Phil Potter, Chair of CFA before submitting the resolution.

The CCYM Stress Less Project offers resources to help youth battle the many sources of stress in their lives.  The project was created by youth for youth and include resources for both youth and youth workers.  More information can be found at www.bwcumc.org/stressless.

Reminders:

We wanted to put on your radar that it’s never too early to begin gathering the data for the church’s annual Fund Balance Report.  This report entails an audit of the 2018 fiscal year from January 1st- December 31^st.  The report will be due in June.  More details will be provided in the upcoming weeks.  Kindly remind your Finance Team that they should begin work on this important task.  An email will be sent in the upcoming weeks to provide more details on this yearly obligation.

If you have not already downloaded the church’s 2018 complete church conference packet for your records, please do so as soon as possible, as the church’s ability to do so will be removed in the upcoming weeks.  The PDF packet will include all of the reports that were completed in Arena.  However, please note that any file that was uploaded into Arena will not be included, but a clickable link will be provided in the PDF report that will give you access to download the uploaded file.   Click the following link for detailed instructions on how to download the packet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SzUG_V2pNO3ttxMovfX_KNs5iiUQ-mcK/view?usp=sharing

Upcoming Events (new events are in purple):

February 23^st -26^th: Special Session of the General Conference (Please continue to pray daily from 2:23 – 2:26 p.m.)

February 28^th: Homeless Workshops; The Baltimore County Faith Initiative Group is hosting a series of training and resource sharing sessions on the issue of the Homeless in Baltimore County. These sessions are aimed at creating stronger partnerships between local faith leaders, congregants, public & private sector resource providers, and the Baltimore County Police Department.  Please see the attached flyer for more details.

Session #3

Thursday, February 28^th 10 am-11:30 am Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center (Dundalk) 323 Sollers Point Road Dundalk, Maryland 21222

March 2^nd: United to Love: A Way Forward; 9 am – 12 pm 

We encourage you to gather at one of the three live streaming sites, but you can also access the live streaming on your computer, laptop, or phone by clicking the following link: https://live.gntv.info/bwac/index.html. 

Live Streaming Sites:

Epworth Chapel UMC- 3317 Saint Lukes Ln, Baltimore, MD 21207

Grace UMC- 5407 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21210

John Wesley UMC- 3202 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21216

 

March 7^th: BWC Scholarship Application Submission Deadline: The scholarships are open to qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2019.  A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application which includes uploading their current transcripts.

Additionally, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference.  For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/.

March 7^th: BWC Legislative Advocacy and Action Day in Annapolis; 8:30 -3 pm: Join us in Annapolis for our Annual Legislative Advocacy and Action Day co-sponsored by the BWC Advocacy and Action Board and The United Methodist Women. Newbies and interested advocates, join us as we address aspects of: Health Care Reform, Criminal Justice Reform: From School to Prison Pipeline, and Immigration Reform. To register or for more information, please contact Judy Smith at . The cost for this event is $6.

 

March 9^th: Town Hall Meeting on the Opioid Crisis at Harmony UMC, Falling Waters.

 

March 13^th: District Clergy Gathering; please let me know if your church would like to host the gathering. (Please note the this is a new date; the original date was April 3^rd.)

March 16^th: Outward Mindset Training Workshop 8:30 am- 1:30 pm at Loch Raven UMC.  After the training session on December 13^th of last year, we received several requests for us to extend another invitation to Rev. Brian Brown to offer a more in-depth session.  In this half-day training, on developing and implementing an outward mindset, participants will rediscover the following: (1)  Why mindset matters; (2) Two basic mindsets; (3) How we turn inward; (4) How to turn outward; and (5) Practical applications for keeping a heart at peace.  You can register by clicking the following link: https://tinyurl.com/owms2019.  (An Arena is not needed to register for the event.) Please contact the district office at 410-309-3447 or if you experience any issues with registration.  We ask that you encourage your laity to attend as this session will be open to all clergy and laity.  Don’t forget to download the attached flyer to share with your congregation. 

March 22^th - 24^th: Youth Leader Retreat and Training; The BWC will host a weekend of training and renewal for youth leaders Mar 22-24, 2019 at Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg, MD.  Whether you are new to youth ministry or a seasoned veteran, there will be training and classes appropriate for any stage of your ministry and time for restoration and renewal.  Registration and additional information are available at https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4122.  For questions, please contact Cheryl Cook.  

 

April 6^th: Baltimore Region Leadership Day:  SAVE the DATE; more details along with registration are forthcoming.

 

April 22^nd: First Annual Seeds of Security (SOS) Golf Tournament at Hobbit’s Glen in Howard Co., 12 – 5 pm;  Join us for our first Baltimore-Washington Conference sponsored golf tournament to raise awareness of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence ,offer greater resources, create deeper partnerships, and develop and partner with safer havens. For ticket pricing and to register yourself or a team of four, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19

 

April 26^th: First Annual SOS Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Gala at Turn House in Howard County at 7 pm, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19.  There are limited tickets. So please purchase your tickets today!

 

Please check out The Conference’s event page for more information and links to registrations for various conference events, as well as opportunities for service and resourcing your ministries. 

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February 11, 2019

Greetings, Baltimore Metro District,

Baltimore Metro ROCKED it out this past weekend at the BWC’s annual ROCK Youth Retreat.  We are grateful to you, your youth coordinators/directors, and your congregations for all that you all do to encourage young people in and around the district to seek God and/or grow in their relationship with Him.  We pray that this past weekend was a transformative one for all who attended and we hope to see you there again next year!

Additionally,  if your church attended ROCK, we kindly ask that you share your photos to the district’s Facebook page or email them to the district office at for us to share on the district’s Facebook page.

Please be reminded that the last day to register for the Bishop’s Lenten Day Apart, is February 18^th.  The registration link can be found in the Upcoming Events section of the email.

Information:

Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to, http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.b wcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.

Resolutions to the 235th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference

All resolutions set to come before the 235th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are due to the Conference Secretary by April 1, 2019.  The session will be held May 29-June 1, 2019.

Resolutions should be submitted using the BWC Resolution Submission Form available at:  http://tiny.cc/bwc-resolution-form

Please note:

• You must first consult with Mark Gorman, Chair of the Rules Committee, before submitting resolutions pertaining to Rules of the Session.  

• For resolutions that have budget implications, you must first consult with Phil Potter, Chair of CFA before submitting the resolution.

The CCYM Stress Less Project offers resources to help youth battle the many sources of stress in their lives.  The project was created by youth for youth and include resources for both youth and youth workers.  More information can be found at  www.bwcumc.org/stressless.

Reminders:

We wanted to put on your radar that it’s never too early to begin gathering the data for the church’s annual Fund Balance Report.  This report entails an audit of the 2018 fiscal year from January 1st- December 31^st.  The report will be due in June.  More details will be provided in the upcoming weeks.  Kindly remind your Finance Team that they should begin work on this important task.

If you have not already downloaded the church’s 2018 complete church conference packet for your records, please do so as soon as possible, as the church’s ability to do so will be removed in the upcoming weeks.  The PDF packet will include all of the reports that were completed in Arena.  However, please note that any file that was uploaded into Arena will not be included, but a clickable link will be provided in the PDF report that will give you access to download the uploaded file.   Click the following link for detailed instructions on how to download the packet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SzUG_V2pNO3ttxMovfX_KNs5iiUQ-mcK/view?usp=sharing

Upcoming Events (new events are in purple):

February 15^th or 16^th: The Laity Fix; This workshop will be offered twice; Friday, February 15, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm and Saturday, February 16, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at the BWC Conference Center

The Laity Fix is an inclusive approach to church growth.  We will examine the challenges and opportunities within today’s faith communities for leaders.  There are many questions that congregations face today, and leadership is just one of them.  All leaders across faith communities can increase their personal leadership skills by identifying what they are and learning how to use them appropriately.   We recognize that every congregation is different, every leader leads differently and recognizing this is critical.  This workshop is designed to: Explore the value of the congregational analysis; Offer strategies for sustained leadership development; and Identify growth opportunities through mission and ministry initiatives. The world has changed!  What do we do now?   Click here to register.

February 20^th: Bishop’s Pre-Lenten Day Apart at Glen Mar UMC, Ellicott City.  Registration closes on Monday, February 18^th.  To register, please click the following link: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4170

February 21^st and February 28^th: Homeless Workshops; The Baltimore County Faith Initiative Group is hosting a series of training and resource sharing sessions on the issue of the Homeless in Baltimore County. These sessions are aimed at creating stronger partnerships between local faith leaders, congregants, public & private sector resource providers, and the Baltimore County Police Department.  Click here to download the flyer for more details.

Session #1:

Thursday, February 21^st 10 am-11:30 am Loch Raven Library- 1046 Taylor Ave, Towson, MD 21286

Session #2

Thursday, February 21^st 7 pm-8:30 pm Lansdowne Library -500 3rd Ave, Lansdowne, MD 21227

Session #3

Thursday, February 28^th 10 am-11:30 am Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center (Dundalk) 323 Sollers Point Road Dundalk, Maryland 21222

February 23^st -26^th: Special Session of the General Conference (Please continue to pray daily from 2:23 – 2:26 p.m.)

March 2^nd: United to Love: A Way Forward; 9 am – 12 pm The Conference Mission Center’s Live Streaming of Prayer and Information Sharing following the Special Session of General Conference.  Grace UMC, John Wesley UMC, and Epworth Chapel have offered to serve as host sites; details are forthcoming.

March 7^th: BWC Scholarship Application Submission Deadline: The scholarships are open to qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2019.  A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application which includes uploading their current transcripts. Additionally, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference.  For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/.

March 7^th: BWC Legislative Advocacy and Action Day in Annapolis; 8:30 -3 pm: Join us in Annapolis for our Annual Legislative Advocacy and Action Day co-sponsored by the BWC Advocacy and Action Board and The United Methodist Women. Newbies and interested advocates, join us as we address aspects of: Health Care Reform, Criminal Justice Reform: From School to Prison Pipeline, and Immigration Reform. To register or for more information, please contact Judy Smith at . The cost for this event is $6.

March 9^th: Town Hall Meeting on the Opioid Crisis at Harmony UMC, Falling Waters.

March 13^th: District Clergy Gathering; please let me know if your church would like to host the gathering. (Please note the this is a new date; the original date was April 3^rd.)

March 16^th: Outward Mindset Training Workshop 8:30 am- 1:30 pm at Loch Raven UMC.  After the training session on December 13^th of last year, we received several requests for us to extend another invitation to Rev. Brian Brown to offer a more in-depth session.  In this half-day training, on developing and implementing an outward mindset, participants will rediscover the following: (1)  Why mindset matters; (2) Two basic mindsets; (3) How we turn inward; (4) How to turn outward; and (5) Practical applications for keeping a heart at peace.  You can register by clicking the following link: https://tinyurl.com/owms2019.  (An Arena is not needed to register for the event.) Please contact the district office at 410-309-3447 or if you experience any issues with registration.  We ask that you encourage your laity to attend as this session will be open to all clergy and laity.  Click here to download the attached flyer to share with your congregation. 

March 22^th - 24^th: Youth Leader Retreat and Training; The BWC will host a weekend of training and renewal for youth leaders Mar 22-24, 2019 at Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg, MD.  Whether you are new to youth ministry or a seasoned veteran, there will be training and classes appropriate for any stage of your ministry and time for restoration and renewal.  Registration and additional information are available at https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4122.  For questions, please contact Cheryl Cook.  

April 6^th: Baltimore Region Leadership Day:  SAVE the DATE; more details along with registration are forthcoming.

April 22^nd: First Annual Seeds of Security (SOS) Golf Tournament at Hobbit’s Glen in Howard Co., 12 – 5 pm;  Join us for our first Baltimore-Washington Conference sponsored golf tournament to raise awareness of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence ,offer greater resources, create deeper partnerships, and develop and partner with safer havens. For ticket pricing and to register yourself or a team of four, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19.

April 26^th: First Annual SOS Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Gala at Turn House in Howard County at 7 pm, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19.  There are limited tickets. So please purchase your tickets today!

Please check out The Conference’s event page for more information and links to registrations for various conference events, as well as opportunities for service and resourcing your ministries. 

 

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January 25, 2019

Greetings Baltimore Metro District,

Next week will bring an end to January, but we know the work you are called to do continues. We remain in prayer that this year will be a year filled with God’s abundant grace and mercy as He continues to move in and through you and your congregations.  Be encouraged as you stay the course in your commitment to do the L.I.F.E. work of the district.

Information:

Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities

The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to, http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.

Upcoming Events (new events are in purple):

Monday, January 28^th: Statistical Reports Due by 12 noon It is strongly encouraged to begin the inputting the required data if you have not done so already.   Support materials and instructional information can be found by clicking the following links: https://tinyurl.com/2018statsinfo;  http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/finance/statistical-reports/

January 31^st: Last day to sign up for United to Love: Advocacy and Action; We would like your voice at the table. The Baltimore-Washington Conference has six active teams to mobilize across our connection, and they are: Creation Care (Climate/Eco-Justice), Gender Equality, Gun Violence Prevention, Immigration Rights, Racial Justice, and Wealth Equity. If you are called to serve in one/more of these areas, if this is your passion and/or your faith community is leading in one or more of these areas, we would like to hear from you. Please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/ to sign-up so that we can connect with you.

February 8^th-10^th: ROCK Youth Retreat; Registration prices increased on January 1^st. Click here to register. 

February 9^th: District Pizza Party at ROCK Retreat; The party will take place at the Carousel Hotel from 12:30- 2 pm for our ROCK participants.

February 15^th or 16^th: The Laity Fix; This workshop will be offered twice; Friday, February 15, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm and Saturday, February 16, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at the BWC Conference Center

The Laity Fix is an inclusive approach to church growth.  We will examine the challenges and opportunities within today’s faith communities for leaders.  There are many questions that congregations face today, and leadership is just one of them.  All leaders across faith communities can increase their personal leadership skills by identifying what they are and learning how to use them appropriately.   We recognize that every congregation is different, every leader leads differently and recognizing this is critical.  This workshop is designed to: Explore the value of the congregational analysis; Offer strategies for sustained leadership development; and Identify growth opportunities through mission and ministry initiatives. The world has changed!  What do we do now?   Click here to register.

February 20^th: Bishop’s Pre-Lenten Day Apart at Glen Mar UMC, Ellicott City.  To register, please click the following link: https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3439&eventID=4170

February 23^st -26^th: Special Session of the General Conference (Please continue to pray daily from 2:23 – 2:26 p.m.)

March 2^nd: United to Love: A Way Forward; 9 am – 12 pm The Conference Mission Center’s Live Streaming of Prayer and Information Sharing following the Special Session of General Conference.  Grace UMC and John Wesley UMC had offered to serve as host sites.  We are hoping to add a 3^rd site and will provide more details in the coming weeks.

March 7^th: BWC Scholarship Application Submission Deadline: The scholarships are open to qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2019.  A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application which includes uploading their current transcripts. Additionally, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference.  For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/.

March 7^th: BWC Legislative Advocacy and Action Day in Annapolis; 8:30 -3 pm: Join us in Annapolis for our Annual Legislative Advocacy and Action Day co-sponsored by the BWC Advocacy and Action Board and The United Methodist Women. Newbies and interested advocates, join us as we address aspects of: Health Care Reform, Criminal Justice Reform: From School to Prison Pipeline, and Immigration Reform. To register or for more information, please contact Judy Smith at . The cost for this event is $6.

March 9^th: Town Hall Meeting on the Opioid Crisis at Harmony UMC, Falling Waters.

March 13^th: District Clergy Gathering; please let me know if your church would like to host the gathering. (Please note the this is a new date; the original date was April 3^rd.)

Please check out The Conference’s event page for more information and links to registrations for various conference events, as well as opportunities for service and resourcing your ministries. 

March 16^th: Outward Mindset Training Workshop.  After the training session on December 13^th of last year, we received several requests for us to extend another invitation to Rev. Brian Brown to offer a more in-depth session.  This session will use the Outward Mindset: Seeing beyond Ourselves as its foundation.  A registration link will be made available in the upcoming week.  Please note that the event registration will not require registrants to have an Arena account.  We ask that you encourage your laity to attend as this session will be open to all clergy and laity.

April 6^th: Baltimore Region Leadership Day:  SAVE the DATE; more details along with registration are forthcoming.

April 22^nd: First Annual Seeds of Security (SOS) Golf Tournament at Hobbit’s Glen in Howard Co., 12 – 5 pm;  Join us for our first Baltimore-Washington Conference sponsored golf tournament to raise awareness of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence ,offer greater resources, create deeper partnerships, and develop and partner with safer havens. For ticket pricing and to register yourself or a team of four, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19.

April 26^th: First Annual SOS Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Gala at Turn House in Howard County at 7 pm, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19.  There are limited tickets. So please purchase your tickets today!

 

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January 3, 2019

Greetings Baltimore Metro

 

Happy and Blessed New Year!

As we embark on the new journey that 2019 brings, we are anticipating that God is up to something good.  We pray that God will continue to do a marvelous work in you and through you and the congregations and communities you serve.  We are especially excited to see the work that is beginning to take place as you begin to cement the cluster model via joint cluster worship and other activities.  We pray that this clustering bears much fruit that blesses those around you.

Reminders:

The EZRA System is open for review and preparation for the submission of your 2018 Statistical Report.  A separate detailed email was sent regarding EZRA along with informational materials. If you did not receive the email, please contact the district office via email at .  You can also access the informational material that was attached by clicking the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2018statsinfo.  Additionally, information can be found on the BWC website: http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/finance/statistical-reports/   If the designated person responsible for submission of the report has not logged into the system, please motivate them to do so to make certain that there are no issues.  I encourage you to begin to input the data no later than January 11^th. This will ensure that the submission deadline can still be met even if a problem arises.

Upcoming Events:

January 3^rd - March 7^th: BWC Scholarship application submission window.  The scholarships are open to qualified students currently attending college, as well as high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2019.  A variety of scholarships are offered to fit the diverse needs of our students. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the full online application which includes uploading their current transcripts. In addition, the student must provide contact information for their pastor and one additional church reference. The pastor and reference will be contacted and asked to submit information on the student’s participation in the local church. The entire process will be done online for ease of the student, pastor, and reference.  For details about the individual scholarships or to apply for a scholarship, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/.

January 7^th: Last day to submit 2019 Pastor Compensation and Benefits corrections to the Benefits Office.  Corrections or changes to salary submitted to the Benefits Office after January 10 will not take effect until the February billing.    

January 10^th: Young People’s Ministry Strategic Plan Update; Join the BWC and members from Ministry Architects on Thursday, January 10 at 7pm for an update on the strategic plan for Young People’s Ministry in the BWC.  After a year of focus groups, surveys, trainings, and more conversations, a three-year, preliminary strategic plan has been outlined and is ready for review and feedback prior to bringing it before Annual Conference session on June 1.

We invite conference leaders, and everyone involved in areas of young people’s ministry (from camping to youth to campus ministry) to learn more about the process and the plan moving forward. Light refreshments will be provided. Register here.

January 15^th: Last day to pay your 2018 Mission Shares (Apportionments)

January 28^th: Statistical Reports Due by 12 noon

January 29^th- 31^st: Bishop’s Sexual Ethics and Boundary Training Sessions.  (Arnolia UMC will host the January 30th session.)  To register for one of the sessions, please click here.  Attendance is required for all clergy and laity assigned to pastoral roles (elders, deacons, licensed pastors, clergy from other denominations, extension ministers).  Lay staff from local churches or other conference leaders are encouraged to attend.  You can attend the session most convenient for you. Requests for excused absence are to be made in writing to Bishop Easterling with a courtesy copy to the DS by January 21. 

January 31^st: Last day to sign up for United to Love: Advocacy and Action.

We would like your voice at the table. The Baltimore-Washington Conference has six active teams to mobilize across our connection, and they are: Creation Care (Climate/Eco-Justice), Gender Equality, Gun Violence Prevention, Immigration Rights, Racial Justice, and Wealth Equity. If you are called to serve in one/more of these areas, if this is your passion and/or your faith community is leading in one or more of these areas, we would like to hear from you. Please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/ to sign-up so that we can connect with you.

February 8^th-10^th: ROCK Youth Retreat; Registration prices increase on January 1^st.  Click here to register.

February 15^th or 16^th: The Laity Fix; This workshop will be offered twice; Friday, February 15, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm and Saturday, February 16, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at the BWC Conference Center

The Laity Fix is an inclusive approach to church growth.  We will examine the challenges and opportunities within today’s faith communities for leaders.  There are many questions that congregations face today, and leadership is just one of them.  All leaders across faith communities can increase their personal leadership skills by identifying what they are and learning how to use them appropriately.   We recognize that every congregation is different, every leader leads differently, and recognizing this is critical.  This workshop is designed to: Explore the value of the congregational analysis; Offer strategies for sustained leadership development; and Identify growth opportunities through mission and ministry initiatives. The world has changed!  What do we do now?   Click here to register.

February 20^th: Bishop’s Pre-Lenten Day Apart; location TBD (A registration link will be provided once available).

February 23^st -26^th: Special Session of the General Conference (Please continue to pray daily from 2:23 – 2:26 p.m.)

March 2^nd: The Conference Mission Center’s Live Streaming of Prayer and Information Sharing following the Special Session of General Conference.  We are looking for churches in the district who can serve as satellite streaming locations.  Your church must have available parking and the necessary technology and audiovisual equipment to host.   If your church would like to serve in this capacity, please contact the district office via email: .

March 9^th: Town Hall Meeting on the Opioid Crisis at Harmony UMC, Falling Waters.

March 13^th: District Clergy Gathering; please let me know if your church would like to host the gathering. (Please note the this is new date; the original date was April 3^rd.)

Please check out The Conference’s event page for more information and links to registrations for various conference events, as well as opportunities for service and resourcing your ministries. 

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