CM District News, Events and Updates ~ January 11, 2021
EventS
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February 1 (deadline) -- Project Transformation
The BWC's partner that runs a summer literacy program, is opening its summer internship application process for young adults to work with children and literacy this summer in Washington and Baltimore. Young adults seeking to live in Beloved Community and share God's transformative love, should apply by Feb. 1. Young adults can apply online -- https://projecttransformation.org/washington-dc/our-programs/college-internships/intern-application
February 5-6 -- ROCK(ish) 2021
This free interactive online experience is designed for youth. Friday night will feature an interactive time with Bishop Easterling, as well as music by Urban Street Level and the ROCK Mass Choir. Saturday's session will offer a range of virtual interactive breakout sessions. Topics will include addressing racism, human rights, mental health, life after high school, and regional breakouts. At 9 a.m., there will be a youth-leader training. Register now -- https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3452&event=5909
February 17 -- 2021 Lenten Season Begins
This year’s theme identified by Living Compass founder Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner is “Listening With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind”. Download the devotional and other resources free on the website (https://www.livingcompass.org/lent) to share with your congregation.
MARCH EVENTS
March 1 -- Deadline for Submitting Statistical Reports
More information about the Statistical Reports can be found here (https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/finance/statistical-reports/). In addition, church leaders will want to review the recently revised 2020 EZRA Table Instructions, which contains updated guidance regarding worship attendance and COVID-19 grants/relief.
RESOURCES
New People, New Places: A Wesleyan Lens of Fresh Expressions is a yearlong experience for congregations that includes live webinar training, independent team learning of 17 modules at your own pace, and an ongoing cohort/incubator group to help you set goals and encourage you in the process. It means equipping United Methodists to go out into physical and digital spaces and to meet new people in new places to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them through ongoing relationships. The BWC's New Faith Expressions is one of the sponsors of this program, along with Path 1, so there is no cost to any of our churches. To learn more, contact the Rev. Bill Brown, director of New Faith Expressions, at .
BWC's Racial Justice Committee has been committed to shining a light on systemic racism within our churches and within our society at large. Get involved, join the Equity 2.0 Cohort (https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/racial-justice/equity-20-eq/), this cohort will serve as a support mechanism for making this call to action a priority. Built on a system of accountability, you will partner with others who've made a commitment to the work in building equity and justice for all of God's children. Mapping a Path to Healing around the supper table begins Jan. 12 (7pm), you are invited to engage in five "supper sessions" to gain the skills and tools needed to build a more equitable future by understanding each other, learn more by following this link -- https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/racial-justice/mapping-a-path-to-healing-a-journey-to-beloved-community/
Randolph-Macon College Pre-Ministerial Program for Youth Discerning Call to Ministry
Do you know a bright, inquisitive high school senior who is sensing a call to ministry? Randolph-Macon is committed to nurturing young adults who are sensing a call to Christian vocation. Weekly meetings allow students to more deeply discern their calling prior to selecting a seminary and to gain valuable leadership experiences in ministry during the undergraduate years. Find out more and apply at: http://www.rmc.edu/academics/pre-ministerial. Applications are due Feb 8, 2021.
During Bishop LaTrelle Easterling's conversations on the regions, United Methodist leaders shared questions and ideas. Those resources have been gathered for your information.
Online Worship: As churches improve their abilities to conduct hybrid worship -- in-person and online --the following platforms may prove helpful:
• StreamYard
• Streamlabs
• Church Online Platform
• Church Streaming.TV
• Sermon by Phone
Who Are We? An 18-week small group journey from head to heart explores our identity as children of God, United Methodists, and the people of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. This study is an outstanding resource for churches seeking to grow deeper in their understanding of identity, faith, and discipleship. See the Study and begin your exploration of "Who Are We?" -- https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/who-are-we/
During Bishop Easterling's conversations on the region's last week, several books were recommended by people throughout the Conference that can be used for personal
study, book groups, or small-group conversations. They include:
- America's Original Sin by Jim Wallis
- Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility by George Yancey
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Black and White: Disrupting Racism One Friendship at a Time by Teesha Hadra and John Hambrick
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
- The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone
- How to Be an AntiRacist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall
- Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
- Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
The next annual session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be held Oct 25-27, 2021.
Improving Your Church's Web Presence
Sometimes we're overwhelmed by all that's involved in (re)building or maintaining a church website. Because a site requires a mix of time and skills, it's hard to know
where to begin. In part one of three screencast sessions, you'll learn how to improve your web presence by identifying the ministry needs and the multiple audiences
served by your church's website. Take the first step -- https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/improving-your-churchs-web-presence-part-1
Re-Entering Well 
Resources
• Find the Re-Entering Well Guidelines (https://www.bwcumc.org/article/re-entering-well-guidelines/)
• View the Re-Entering tip sheets (https://www.bwcumc.org/article/re-entering-well/)
BWC News
• Find current BWC news and share your stories at https://www.bwcumc.org/news/
Church Resources
• Where do you go to get a grant or loan for your church? There are resources to help you and your church. Visit https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/local-church-resources/
Coronavirus Resources
• A number of resources are available to assist local churches in their response to the Coronavirus—https://www.bwcumc.org/article/coronavirus-resources/