District News

BSD Update 9-14-2022

Posted by John Gauthier on

BSD LAY SERVANT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Registration for Laity Academy (formerly School of Christian Growth) is open. Those needing courses for recertification can register in time for Church Conference. This is important as the Statement of Grace which had provided leniency toward certification requirements expired as of 12/31/21.  At present, classes are being canceled because registration is low so please encourage members to register right away.

Here are the remaining BSD Classes on offer: 

September 24 Ames UMC Bel Air, MD

Basic Ophelia Brown-Carter STUDY #101: BASIC LAY SERVANT

Advanced Rev. Dr. Tilghman Developing an Intentional Discipleship System: Junius B. Dotson

October 1 Presbury UMC Edgewood, MD

Basic Barbara Dickson STUDY #101: BASIC LAY SERVANT

Advanced Rev. Neal Christie Social Principles

Individuals can take a class in any District.  Many options are available. Classes are open to all church attendees so please invite others to sign up too.

Follow this link for more information: https://www.bwcumc.org/lay-servant-ministry-training/

CHURCH CONFERENCE

Church Conference 2022 is just around the corner. Below is a reminder for where all the information currently resides for this year’s conferences.

FORMAT

This year, we are asking the pastoral leadership of our district to step into the role of Presiding Elder for each of our church conferences. This will not change the overall process and flow of our church conferences, but provides the opportunity for others in our district to take a leadership role business of our churches, and allows the District Superintendent, Rev. Laprade, to more fully take on her mandate in the Book of Discipline of strategic leader of the Baltimore Suburban District. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to reach out to me via email or phone. 

Conferences will be conducted via Zoom. 

SCHEDULE

We are confirming a few changes and a final schedule will be confirmed EOB, 9/15/2022

AGENDA

The link below is to the BSD Agenda for this 2022: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlzkvUv4P4CvuUTiCXEmy6EGYxuvRs3o/view?usp=sharing

FORMS

The process for completing and submitting forms is essentially the same as 2021. 
All forms are due, completed, in Arena by October 1, 2022. 
There is flexibility for the Nominations Committee Report. If necessary, this may be tabled for completion by the committee and affirmed by the Ad Council by December 1.

WORKSHEETS

All worksheets and forms are available on the conference website with the link below: 

https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/church-conference-forms/

TRAINING

We have created several training videos which can be accessed via the links below. If you have any questions or issues, please feel free to reach out to me!

EVALUATIONS

2022 Evaluation forms are live. We cannot stress enough how important accurate and thorough use of the evaluation forms are to the process of making appointments. This is the clearest way to directly indicate what it is you and your churches wish for an appointment relationship. Evaluations are due December 1. 

https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/church-conferences-evaluations/evaluations/

MARYLAND TAX-EXEMPT RENEWAL

All current Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificates held by non-profit organizations expire on September 30, 2022. Information regarding the 2022 renewal application, including instructions to complete your renewal application online, were  mailed to the organization beginning May 2, 2022. Their online renewal service will be available for the 2022 renewal period starting May 9, 2022. Upon a successful renewal, your organization will receive a new Maryland Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate valid until September 30, 2027. To learn more about the process go to https://interactive.marylandtaxes.gov/bServices/EOR/Home.aspx

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