District News

Good Afternoon Friends --  following are upcoming events in the Cumberland-Hagerstown District and Conference Mission Center. Please share with this information with others in your congregation.

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BWC Connectional Survey –

I have had a few calls about an e-mail sent asking if this is SPAM.  The email address is: via SurveyMonkey,  ; Let Your Ministry Engagement Count!

Yes, the conference DID send out a survey to folks based on event registration or because they are a key leader in their local church, district or conference. It has been more than a decade since we sent a conference-wide survey.

The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of how people are engaging in ministry and to understand what is being celebrated about being a United Methodist even in the midst of difficult times as a denomination. Your perspective and ministry matter to us and is an essential part of the BWC's vitality and strength. The results of this survey will be used to strengthen local church disciple making and to increase our collective impact in this region and around the globe.

It is a brief survey taking about 15 minutes to complete, depending upon your level of engagement. The first 200 non-clergy people under the age of 30 who complete this survey will receive a $10 gift certificate from Panera. The survey closes at midnight on Monday, March 25, 2019.

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Western Region’s LEADERSHIP DAYS 2019 --   Deadline to register is March 22, 2019. 

Transforming Community at the Western Region Leadership Day 2019 which will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 9:00 am – 3:45 pm at Otterbein UMC, Hagerstown.  The cost is $40 which includes a light continental breakfast, lunch, and handouts. A FREE copy of Transforming Community Book will be given to the first 200 who register. Limited quantity — don’t delay.

Please share this information with others in your congregation. The flyer, paper registration form can be downloaded from the website. Carpooling is encouraged, and folks are invited to drop off their “passengers” and move their car to one of the lots or parking garage.  Saturday parking is FREE!  Attached you will also find a map of off-site parking within a 6-minute walk from Otterbein UMC.  Remember…. Don’t parking in the alley behind Otterbein or your vehicle will be towed.

REGISTRATION
~  On-line Registration —$40 per person  —  go to event and log into Arena using User ID and password to register on-line and pay with a credit card.     
~  Paper Registration — $40 per person — the form is attached, complete it and mail it with a check made payable to BWC Treasurer to:  BWC Western Region Office, Attn. Leadership Days, 703 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701.   [New address!]

NOTE:  If you are sending paper registration please make sure select one class in EACH afternoon session. Also add a note to the form of the Panera Bread Lunch ¨you would like to have at Leadership Days. Choices include: ¨ Gluten-Free Salad and Soup;  ¨ Tuna Sandwich; ¨ Chicken Salad Sandwich; ¨ Ham & Cheese Sandwich;  ¨ Turkey & Cheese Sandwich;  or ¨ Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich.

Please contact me or Tonia directly if you have a large group attending or are paying with one check or church credit card. To expedite the process please make sure each person completed the paper registration form and has selected ONE CLASS in EACH afternoon session.   

NEED HELP REGISTERING? Contact C-H District Administrator, Penny Gaver [301.788.0016; e-mail:  ] or Frederick District Administrator, Tonia Bennett [410.309.3480; e-mail:  ].

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VIM Teams Needed for Location Right off Rt. 15 or 40 near Frederick Area
We received an inquiry for help from local Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams near the Frederick area in March or early April! There are three opportunities to help families still recovering from flooding in the region last year all three locations are in close proximity of Frederick, right off Routes 15 or 40. 

The three opportunities are:
1. one large project (replace 2x4 studs, drywall, paint, some plumbing);
2. one middle-sized project (repair and paint drywall);
3. and one small project (replace exterior basement door). 

Materials will be provided for all three projects.  Contact the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Fred Sipes at    or (410)967-9134 for more information or contact the Frederick District Disaster Response Coordinator, Rev. Shannon Sullivan at   .

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Please Join Us for a Celebration of the Ministry of Rev. Conrad O Link.
On Friday May 3, 2019 we will met at FAMILY RECREATION PARK, 21036 National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713 from 11 am – 4 pm to celebrate Rev. Conrad Link and his 40 years of ministry. We will also bid Farewell and Roast Rev. Link, as ends his tenure as the Cumberland-Hagerstown District Superintendent. Following the program, we will enjoy a Buffet Lunch of Pork BBQ & Pit Beef Meat with all the fixings. After lunch, we will have access to the entire park which features Miniature Golf (19 or 24 courses), Figure 8 Go –Cart Tracks and much more. The cost for the meal is $15.00 per person (adult or children) for Western Region clergy or laity. We hope to see you there.

Click on this link  to register and pay with a credit card. To pay with a check or register multiple people, please contact Penny Gaver (e-mail: ) or call: 301-788-0016.   The deadline to register is Noon on Friday April 26, 2019. This is a rain or shine event.

ENTERTAINMENT:  Just sign up after you arrive at the Park to join the fun after lunch. Your wristband entitles you to access the entire of park which includes:  Miniature Golf (19 or 24 courses);  Figure 8 Go –Cart Tracks (subject to height restrictions);  Water Wars;  Moon Bounce Playground;  Driving Range;  Horse-Shoe Pit and a Game Room [bring your quarters].

Conrad’s Campers:  If you wish to honor Rev. Link, please make a donation to the BWC campership fund called “Conrad’s Campers.” These camperships are for children and youth in need who live in the Western Region, so they may attend any BWC Summer Camp Program. Campership information can be found at:  http://www.bwccampsandretreats.com/manidokan/summer-camp/camperships/

Checks may be made payable to “BW Conference Treasurer” [please put “Conrad’s Camperships” in the memo line] and mailed to The West River Center, Attn. Conrad’s Campers, P.O. Box 429, Churchton, MD 20733.   On-line donation may be made at: http://www.bwccampsandretreats.com/donate/

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Annual Conference Registration is Open  --  Online registration is now open for the 235th Annual Conference Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, which will be held May 29-June 1 at the Waterfront Marriott Hotel in Baltimore. 

Click here to register. 

If you register before March 7 thru midnight May 1, general admission cost is $149.   See a listing of meal prices and other expenses.  Please note:

~  New for 2019- Conference registration fee does NOT include any pre-applied meal discount
~  New for 2019- During the registration process you will NOT be asked if you are purchasing meals
~  Since 2015- Conference registration does NOT automatically include any meals.

During the registration process, you can also sign up for a workshop for Wednesday, May 29. See a listing of all the workshops. 

The daily hotel room rate is $168 plus tax for a single, double or triple room until these rooms are sold out. You can register online or call 877-212-5752 to reserve a room. Please advise the reservation agent that you are eligible to receive the BWC Conference rate.

The theme of this year's session is We are One: United to Love. We hope you will join us in prayer as we unite for a time of meaningful fellowship, profound worship and holy conferencing. For more information, visit www.bwcumc.org/events/annual-conference.

Questions or issues with registration should be sent to Darlene Washington, Annual Conference Registrar, her email address is:    and her direct 301.309.3498 or 1.800.492.2525 x 3498. Please leave a message and she will respond as soon as possible.  I do not have access to any registration information.

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Peace and Blessings,
Miss P

Penny R Gaver
Cumberland-Hagerstown District Administrator

“Thank you God for work that matters!”

The United Methodist Church
Baltimore-Washington Conference 

New address is: 
BWC Western Region Office
703 W. Patrick Street 
Frederick, Maryland 21701

New Direct #: 301-788-0016