District News

News & Events  

2019 CHURCH CONFERENCE INFORMATION
•  Minutes from Church Conference are due in Arena 14-business days after the meeting.  Download instructions to learn how to post minutes in Arena.

JOB VACANCY

Saint James UMC (Marriottsville, MD) is searching for a Director of Music Ministry (13-15 hours per week) to work closely with the pastor, staff, and congregation to provide meaningful engagement with music that glorifies God in worship. The Music Ministry is vital to the life of Saint James UMC which has multiple choirs incorporating all ages, including a Chancel choir, a Praise Team, and a Hand Bell Choir. This position listing will remain open until filled. Qualified candidates should send resumes to: Kenna Haj at .  Candidates chosen for an interview should be prepared to send work product samples, such as: copies of performances by choral ensembles (MP3 file format or video), preferably mixed choirs, praise team, or small groups; copies of choral compositions/arrangements.   Download the job description. 

DECEMBER OFFERINGS

 •   Now-January—Coat Drive 
The Baltimore Metropolitan District, in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, invites you to donate new and gently used winter coasts, hats, gloves, and scarves, to a coat drive. Donations can be made at the BWC Mission Center, at 11711 E. Market Place in Fulton, or at Salem Baltimore Hispanic UMC, 3405 Gough St. in Baltimore. The Immigrant Relations Committee of Baltimore will distribute the coats to families arriving in the city during the winter months.

 •   December 16 (Deadline)—Nominate a Youth for the United to Love Moral Courage Award
The Moral Courage Awards are given to one to three youth 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. Nominate a youth here. To learn more about the award, visit, www.bwcumc.org/moral-courage-awards/.

 •   December 20 (8pm)—Gospel Christmas Celebration
The Susanna Wesley House, a UMW-sponsored home for women and children, has tickets for the Gospel Christmas Celebration featuring CeCe Winans, the Morgan State University Choir and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. in Baltimore. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased by calling 410-837-3787.

 •   December 22—Toy Drive 
The United Methodist Men of Randall Memorial UMC are collecting toys for 300 needy families in Ward 7. They are seeking money, clothes, bikes, and toys for children of all ages. Items should be donated before Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. To learn more, call 202-396-0375.

 •   December 27 (registration deadline)—Student Leader Cohort Retreat
High school students are invited to attend the BWC's Student Leader Cohort retreat on Jan. 10-12 at West River Camp near Annapolis. The Student Leader Cohort is a new approach to developing student leaders based upon interests and a format of events open to all youth and a small group time with a mentor. Registration closes Dec. 27.  Learn more and save a spot -- go to https://www.bwcumc.org/student-leader-cohort/.

JANUARY OFFERINGS

• January 3—BWC Scholarship Application Process Opens
The BWC awards scholarships are 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 January 3 and closes March 5. 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 completed online. Learn more and apply -- https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/scholarships/.   



• January 6—"Who Are We as United Methodist?" Bible Study 
Is the suggested start date for Part 2 of this bible study series.  "Who Are We as United Methodists?," is a six-week, small group session designed to explore our Wesleyan heritage and the theology and passion of this movement of faith called Methodism.  Find more information online at https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/who-are-we// 

•  January 7 (7p-8:30p)—Unified Board Training
Visit https://www.bwcumc.org/events/training-tuesdays/ to register and play-back previous trainings.
 
•  January 14—Last day to pay Mission Shares (aka Apportionments).

 

•  January 20—Sixth Annual MLK Jr. Day of Service  
Glen Mar Church is planning its sixth annual MLK Jr. Day of Service, which is scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2020 (MLK Jr. Day).  The activities help with food security, community development, public health, and support the morale of service members and schoolteachers.  We would like to glorify God by serving even more people in need.  In preparation for this year’s event, we are recruiting for two categories:  1) Activity partners and sponsors (e.g. churches/groups to run an activity or donate materials) 2) Corporate sponsors and/or those who can use their connections to help solicit corporate sponsors.  To let us know, kindly email and we will be in touch.  For some preliminary information go to https://glenmarumc.org/gmcevents/dayofservice.   

• January 28 (by noon)—Statistical Reports are due. 


FEBRUARY OFFERINGS

•  February 7-9—ROCK 2020 
ROCK 2020 will be held at the Convention Center in Ocean City. The weekend retreat and revival for youth will feature Aaron Shust (My Savior, My God and My Hope is in You) leading praise and worship, along with B Haley from Toby Mac as the main speaker and the Morgan State U Praise Dance Team.  Go to at www.bwcumc.org/ROCK to register and get more details.

•  February 18—Lenten Day Apart
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will host the clergy of the Baltimore-Washington Conference in a Lenten Day Apart. The speaker will be Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown, the Bandy Professor of Preaching at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.   Registration coming soon.

UPCOMING EVENTS (Save the Dates) 

 •  March 7 ~ Washington Region:  Connect Leadership Summit 
•  April 18 ~ Pre- Conference Briefing
•  April 21 ~ Central Maryland Clergy Gathering
 •  May 2-3 ~ Washington Region Lay Servant Ministries Academy
 •  May 5 –15 ~ General Conference
 •  May 27 –29 ~ Annual Conference
 •  July 13 –17 ~ Jurisdictional Conference -- Volunteers needed for NEJ.  Contact Rev. Patricia Allen, NEJ Host Chairperson at  
 •  September 12-13 ~ Washington Region Lay Servant Ministries Academy

---

MORE Opportunities 

A Season of Gratitude  
Use the seven weeks encompassing the Thanksgiving (U.S.), Advent and Christmas seasons to pour out your gratitude.  Download the handout at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/a-season-of-gratitude.

Mental Health First Aid Training
A growing number of church leaders are preparing to respond to signs of mental illness in their congregations through a Mental Health First Aid training course. Participants are empowered to assess situations, listen appropriately and direct those in need to professional help. Go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/churches-offer-mental-health-fist-aid-training to learn more and find a class nearby.

 "Not the Only One"
The United Methodist Church has launched an advertising campaign to help offer encouragement through community. Research continues to emphasize people are experiencing a growing sense of loneliness. In fact, nearly half of Americans feel alone or left out, and it's taking a mental and physical toll on them.  The new ads encourage people to visit a local United Methodist church. The message is that the Church doesn't have all of the answers. Rather, our belief is that hope and answers can be found when seeking God together. The first video ad is available for viewing and sharing on YouTube. 

UMC Market 
This program is free for both you as a shopper and to your home Ministry. You generate a donation every time you click through umcmarket.org site or browser extension, and shop. The amount you earn is shown for each store and will vary throughout the year. In addition to earning, you will also get the same sales/discounts (and often better) as if you went directly to the store site and your ministry earns a donation at the same time.  Visit https://www.gcfa.org/partners/umc-market/ to learn more.

Resources for Local Church Leaders
Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church has launched its newly redesigned website, UMCDiscipleship.org. The updated look and redesigned architecture are doorways to new and improved ways to resource the UMC, especially in the area of preparing for weekly workshop. The UMC also offers a webpage with resources for local church leaders at https://www.resourceumc.org.

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: Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 12, May 7, and June 4. Sign up (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFq4ImEYxgs70WhTi-VzfgAcgOoHtd03LkwbAv2kIVZIbvkg/viewform) to receive reminders and the link to join. 

Gratitude Resources for Families
Scripture, prayer and questions are available to get families talking about an attitude of gratitude.  See the full list -- http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/get-them-talking-gratitude

2019 Conference Journal  
Order your copy today.

BWC Programs Directory
View the Conference Leaders directory for a list of programs and contacts.

Volunteers are needed for NEJ 
Interested? Contact Rev. Patricia Allen, NEJ Host Chairperson at  

Opportunity Zones
OZs are available in the State of Maryland which may be applicable to congregations in the CM District.

• Learn more about OZs
• Determine which OZs are specific to Central Maryland

Online Courses for Youth Leaders
Two online courses are available to teach adults how to mentor young people listening for and pursuing a call.  Each course is 3-weeks and $45.  More information and enrollment is available at www.beadisciple.com/timothy.

St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute 
The Baltimore based Institute announces a new scholarship/internship covering both the cost of four courses and book expenses for one year. Preference will be given to a United Methodist interested in the MDiv partnership with Lancaster Theological Seminary. For more information, contact Kaye Guidugli at . 

Spiritual Direction Opportunity 
Life is filled with paradox: times of great joy and times of great suffering; times of certainty and times of indecision. Of course, the list could go on and on, but in all times God is present with us and wants us to know that. Making the time to seek God, to explore the question “What do I hear from God in this situation?”, and to explore the complementary question “Who am I called to be in this situation?” describe the core of a Spiritual Direction relationship.  Cathie Leimenstoll is a retired Elder from the Tennessee Conference and moved to Maryland seven years ago to be near family. She will soon become a certified Spiritual Director in May. At no charge, she is approved to begin meeting with people who are interested in spiritual direction. Her commitment in this is to be a non-anxious companion with a person during a specific time in his/her spiritual journey, to pray with and for the person, to offer resources when appropriate, and to listen deeply to the individual and to the Holy Spirit who is ever-present when two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name. It is a privilege to walk with one another as we seek a deeper relationship with the God we serve in all our life-situations.  If you would like more information about such an opportunity, email and use the subject line Spiritual Direction.

Introducing Winter Grace Senior Ministries, Inc.   
WGSM is a non-profit organization with a mission to “Enrich and Empower the Lives of Older Adults through Christian Initiatives Connecting People, Ideas, and Resources.” WGSM seeks to assist churches in starting and growing their Older Adult ministries with a holistic approach that addresses the wide variety of needs of Older Adults and their families. Ministry for, by, and with Older Adults values the dignity and worth of each individual, encourages engagement of the gifts and talents of each person, and grows disciples of Jesus Christ until a person’s last breath for the transformation of the world. Additionally, WGSM connects Older Adults and their families to the resources in the community that can help each Older Adult live each day to the fullest by addressing needs from spiritual to practical. Founder and president, Debbie Burgio, is a candidate for Deacon, recommended by the Board of Ordained Ministry for Commissioning as a Provisional Deacon at the 2019 BWC Annual Conference.  For more information, go to www.wintergrace.org, email or call 443-832-3805.

United to Love: Advocacy and Action Team Sign-ups
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.

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/.

Are You Called to Lead Beyond Your Local Faith Community?
The Nominations Committee is seeking a few good men and women to serve in key leadership roles including in the areas of Leadership Development, New Faith Expressions, Young People’s Ministry, Abundant Health (including local and global missions, holistic health and ERT), Advocacy & Action, Native American Ministry, Gender Equality (COSROW), and the Board of Trustees. In addition to passion and experience in the above, some boards are seeking persons with expertise in training, coaching, grant administration, project management, and data analysis and evaluation. Please complete this leadership interest form and encourage gifted young leaders (30 or under) to do the same: https://www.bwcumc.org/conference-agency-leadership-nominations/.