CM District News, Events and Updates ~ October 25, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENTS
237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be Virtual
The clergy and lay members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will gather online for holy conferencing at the 237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Oct. 25-27. The sessions will be live streamed on the BWC website.
- You are invited to pray during the three days, as the work centers around the themes of Standing, Transforming and Rising.
- Please view or download the Conference Booklet, which includes all the resolutions, the proposed 2022 budget, Discipleship Ministries report and much more.
- See the agenda of the event, which begins with a clergy session at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 25. The first plenary session starts at 2 p.m. The BWC worship team invites everyone to engage in the worship experiences.
- Opening worship will begin at 5 p.m. on Monday. Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the presiding bishop, will preach. Worshippers are invited to have bread and water close for a Wesleyan Love Feast.
- The Memorial Service of Remembrance will held at 5 p.m. on Oct. 26, with the Rev. HiRho Park preaching. During this service, participants are asked to have candles that can be lit for remembrance of the saints.
- Ordination will be on Oct. 27, beginning at 2 p.m. The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, will preach. Online worshippers are invited to have a cup and bowl of water during worship to remember their baptism.
Members will hear a number of ministry reports and vote on seven resolutions and the proposed 2022 budget. This voting tip sheet may be of assistance. Members are reminded to have their voting ID number, which was e-mailed to them on Oct. 18. If you have registered and have not received your six-digit voting number, please contact Debbie Albrecht.
If you have any technical issues during Annual Conference, the number for the GNTV help desk is 478-245-4042. Call or text this number. Online resources are available at gntv.info/zoom.
EventS
NOVEMBER EVENTS
November 4 (12pm) -- Re-Entry and Re-Engaging Well--Best Practices for Young People’s Ministry
Continued adjustments to the pandemic requires ministry with young people to evolve. Re-entry into our churches looks different based on our context. Please join in a Zoom conversation with Chris Wilterdink, Director of Young People’s Ministries at Discipleship Ministries for the United Methodist Church and Jenna Johnson, Assistant Director for the West River Center to hear about several of the challenges along the way and the many inspiring success stories shared by congregations who are re-engaging young people well in new and creative ways. A variety of platforms will be highlighted from in-person to virtual and online as congregations re-engage well with young people. Register online today -- https://arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3452&event=6050
November 6 (3pm) – DS Dawn M. Hand’s Installation
The Installation service for DS Dawn M. Hand is confirmed for Saturday, November 6 at Epworth UMC located at 9008 Rosemont Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 20877-1519. Registration is required to attend this hybrid event. Register now.
Bishop Easterling will meet virtually with several clergy groups this fall, including
• November 15 (9:30am) -- The Order of Elders
• November 20 (9am) -- The Order of Deacons
• November 20 (11am) -- The fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members
• November 20 (2pm) -- Clergy serving beyond the local church
Registration for these meetings will open soon.
November 16-17 -- In The Quiet Place: A Clergy Renewal Retreat (Nov. 10 deadline)
What is feeding you? How are you empty? Pandemic leadership is exhausting, and you deserve a break. In The Quiet Place will nourish your soul, renew your spirit, and revive your body through optional opportunities for spiritual practice and play. Mostly, it’s a chance to be still, to decompress and enjoy space where God can restore you through nature and community. This event will be held at the Riverview Retreat Center (RRC) at Pecometh in Centreville, MD. All clergy are eligible for one free night per year at the RRC. This can be used for an add-on night at In The Quiet Place. In The Quiet Place is a program of The Center for Vital Leadership. For more information, click here -- https://www.pecometh.org/quiet-place
November 28 -- UM Student Day Sunday
On this special giving Sunday, this offering is collected to provide scholarship funds for United Methodist College, university and graduate students. Order your materials here -- https://umcgiving.outreach.com/partners/united-methodist-special-sunday#Top 
DECEMBER EVENTS
December 1 (application deadline) -- Application to Join the National Youth 2023 Design Team!
Join the Youth 2023 Design Team! We would love for you to prayerfully consider sharing your gifts and talents as a member of the Design Team. The Design Team is the heartbeat of this national YOUTH event. While YOUTH 2023 is organized and primarily sponsored by Discipleship Ministries and Young People’s Ministries, the Design Team drives the programming, theme, and worship plans for the event. We want the Design Team to showcase the best of the United Methodist Church’s connectional nature by bringing together a diverse team of passionate servant leaders. This is an opportunity for those 18 years of age and up who are based in the United States. Learn more and sign-up
December 1-2 -- Shift Happens: Doing Ministry From The Right Side National Conference
Come to Houston and hear firsthand from Rev. Olu Brown, Dr. Rudy and Rev. Juanita Rasmus and a myriad of ministry leaders who will not only motivate you, but offer strategies, resources, contacts and so much more for you to go back to your church equipped to SHIFT and lead in your context. Registration is available for In-person or Virtual. In-Person registration is limited to 200 participants. Learn more and register
December 2, 9 and 16 (6:30pm) -- Deaf Advent Bible Study
Hosted by BWC & Pen-Del Deaf Ministries. Presented by Rev. Dr. Margaret Hodges & Rev. Leo Yates. Get full details now.
December 4 -- Annual SOS Virtual Gala
October is Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. Save the date for the Annual SOS virtual gala. This is a free event, however, in-kind donations make possible seed-grants for SOS ministry and safe housing across our connection. For more information contact
.
• Learn more about the Seeds of Security (SOS) by visiting bwcumc.org/sos and inquire how your congregation can support this vital work.
• Read BWC’s “Hidden in Plain Sight: A Call to End Domestic Violence”
December 5 (1pm) -- Signing For the Holidays
A free webinar to learn Christmas-related signs and a Christmas hymn, get details here
December 7 -- Pathways to Health Equity Calls for Proposals
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) calls for proposals for the Pathways to Health Equity grant program, which will provide $13 million in new grant funding to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in underserved communities. This new funding was made available by the Maryland Health Equity Resource Act approved by the Maryland General Assembly earlier this year. The Call for Proposals and supporting documentation can be found on the CHRC’s website
JANUARY EVENTS
January 4 (deadline) -- Register for Wesley Theological Seminary’s Spring 2022 Health Minister Certificate
The Certificate allows participants to understand the basic foundations of health ministry – a ministry which integrates body, mind, and spirit. Partial and full scholarships are available . E-mail Tom Pruski at
with any questions.
January 7-9 -- WAVE 2022 Registration LIVE
With the affiliation of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, an opportunity arose to take the two youth events that were similar in purpose and combine them for a pilot year. Youth from both conferences met in July where they came up with a new name – WAVE – and a new logo! We had over 25 ideas for the name, but when 45 people can unanimously decide on a name, you know it’s God-inspired! It’s important to know that the event is still youth designed and driven, still held at the Ocean City Convention Center, and still focused on connecting youth to Christ and one another in fun and powerful ways.
• To register and learn everything about WAVE 2022, visit the website: https://waveoc.org
• If you wish to register directly, click this link-- https://na.eventscloud.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=633832&
• If you have any questions, please email
RESOURCES
Tell Congress to support the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy
We have a responsibility and opportunity to advocate alongside Native peoples in support of examining fully and truthfully U.S policies that codified and encouraged these immoral actions.
• Tell Congress to Support Truth and healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy
• Read the Full Announcement from Reverend Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe
Sickle Cell Awareness
Sickle Cell affects more than 100,000 Americans, most of African ancestry. Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell (PSSC) is a new, virtual community-based ministry founded by Rev. R. Lorraine Brown of Simpson UMC in Mt. Airy. The ministry offers one-on-one and group, non-denominational chaplain-led services at no cost to assist and support young adults who are in transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, discovering their personal sense of spirituality and navigating life challenges with sickle cell disease. For more information contact Rev. Brown
at 240-780-8986 and visit https://youtu.be/jDJ2qq4UK-Q
Creating a Narrative Budget: The Story Behind the Numbers
The Wellness & Missions Board is pleased to share Discipleship Ministries' launch of a new self-paced course for local church leaders: Creating a Narrative Budget: The Story Behind the Numbers. Through eight self-paced sessions, participants will learn the nuts and bolts of constructing a narrative budget. Visit the registration page for more information.
Church Stat Reports are Available in Arena
Access the Church's Stats via Arena
Statistical data submitted via EZRA, the data collection system of the United Methodist Church, can now be viewed in Arena. And, Arena users can view 2017-2020 reports for their church if they serve in one or more of the following roles:
• Chair or President of a local church, district or conference committee
• Church Pastor
• Church Administrator
100 Man Mission to Support the NEJ United Methodist Men
Men’s Ministry Specialists will lead this effort and be supported by Conference Men who have a love for God and their fellow men. To do this 100 GENEROUS Men are needed to pledge to the NEJ, fifty cents per day, or $15.00 a month for 12 months, or a total of $180.00 per year. These men pledge to send their contribution MONTHLY to their UMM conference treasurer, who will forward one-half of these funds to the Northeastern Jurisdiction Treasurer, Mr. John Conklin. The conference will retain the other half for their expenses and to purchase education materials to support the NEJ efforts. Learn more here -- https://www.bwcumm.org/100man-prayerwalk
TAKE ACTION! DACA and Immigration Priorities
President Biden met with DACA recipients to discuss his immigration priorities and encourage Congress to act to protect Dreamers. Take action by contacting your Senators and asking them to pass the Dream Act of 2021, which would provide a permanent lawful status to nearly two million Dreamers and would shield them from deportation and allow them to work and support their families. Click here to contact your senators.
TAKE ACTION! Raise the Refugee Admissions Level
The Guaranteed Refugee Admissions Ceiling Enhancement Act, or GRACE Act, would protect and restore the U.S. resettlement program by setting a minimum refugee admissions goal of 125,000 and increasing congressional oversight over the administration's operations of the resettlement program. Ask your legislator to restore the U.S.’s role as a global humanitarian leader by passing the GRACE Act. Click here to contact your congressperson.
BWC's Racial Justice Committee has been committed to shining a light on systemic racism within our churches and within our society at large. We Rise United Bi-Weekly Prayer Call – We all must look to God for help, guidance, and support during this time and as we journey forward towards reaching the goal of being an antiracist Church, let's lift our voices and be heard so that together, We Rise United. To join the prayer call and for more information, visit https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1946656-2021-02-03-we-rise-united-prayer-call/. The prayer call is held the first and third Wednesday every month until December 16, 2021.
Prayer in a Time of National Crisis – In this prayer from The United Methodist Church's Book of Worship, 517, we seek God's direction and enlightenment for our nation as it experiences turmoil and conflict. Take a moment to say and reflect upon the prayer, and then share it with your congregation -- https://www.umc.org/en/content/prayer-in-time-of-national-crisis?utm_source=thesource&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=resourceumc&utm_content=01/26/21paid
Lay Servant Ministries Grace Period Extended – The Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries has extended the grace period begun in 2020 for those who cannot take necessary courses during the COVID 19 pandemic. Download the form.
New Certified Lay Minister
Class applications are now being accepted: Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Ministers, the Baltimore-Washington Conference Class of 2021-2023, are now being accepted. Visit the BWC website to learn more about the pre-requisite requirements. (Click "Learn More" under "Certified Lay Minister" for information and application package, as well as a pastor information package.) Prospective CLM students must currently be a Certified Lay Servant or Certified Lay Speaker. The application process includes meeting with one's pastor, church Staff-Parish Relations Committee, and the district superintendent before the July 1 deadline. The next class will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan (
), the Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.
Download a 12-month schedule of Health & Wellness topics to keep your congregation and community safe and well year round.
Free 2021 Worship Bundle Package – Download the Discipleship Ministries’ 2021 Worship and Music Planning Calendar and the 2021 Revised Common Lectionary Sundays and Special Days Calendar -- https://store.umcdiscipleship.org/product/2021-worship-planning-bundle/
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/
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
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/