CM District News, Events and Updates ~ September 14, 2020
Church conference 2020
• The due date for Church Conference Forms is October 1.
• Due to COVID, Church Conferences will be held via Zoom. Registration is required, please contact your church to reserve a seat. Download the REVISE Church Conference schedule.
• All forms and worksheets can be found on the Church Conference Forms webpage on the BWC website. You can get there by going to
• www.bwcumc.org > Administration > Church Conference Forms OR
• click https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/church-conference-forms/
• Follow this two-step process
• Step 1: Download and complete forms, acquire wet signatures, scan the forms to your computer to upload into Arena OR download worksheets and gather data to post in Arena
• Step 2: Upload completed forms and worksheet data in Arena
• REMINDERS:
• If you are logging into Arena as yourself, go to MY CHURCH CONFERENCE FORMS to upload forms and/or post data from worksheet
• If you are logging into Arena as the church, go to CHURCH CONFERENCE FORMS to upload forms and/or post data from worksheet
• For a refresher on completing forms and worksheets in Arena, please go to https://youtu.be/qJDvvQVYLZ8
EventS
SEPTEMBER
September 12—236th BWC Annual Conference
See the video of the full plenary session and the Ordination and Commissioning Service and read about the outcomes from votes by going to https://www.bwcumc.org/events/2020-annual-conference/
September 20 (3 pm)—BWC's Young People's Ministry and Advocacy & Action Boards
The ministry and board are partnering with Youth Creating Change (https://cuahmcmd.org/about-ycc) to equip youth activists. Founded by Ethan Tiao, member of Chevy Chase UMC and 2019 Youth Moral Courage Award winner, this organization is run by and for students who want to make change in their schools and/or communities. An interest meeting is being held on Sunday, September 20, for all curious middle or high school students. Register here—https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScICFKVjHf7vljsquCFR8kxJWWmakbW6vpGpZk_YgFaw_DiyA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
September 20-26—Deaf Awareness Week
Learn more about Deaf Awareness week by going to https://umdisability.blogspot.com/2020/09/deaf-awareness-week.html
September 21 (7 pm)—Wealth and Equity Webinar: Issues and Solutions for the 21st Century Church webinar
In this "Every One Counts" webinar series, you will explore issues and solutions on wealth and health equity advocacy. Register in advance for this webinar and you'll receive a confirmation email containing information about joining. To sign-up, go to https://bwcumc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9zY0zE4zSBG1QoLVKrZusA?utm_source
Starting September 22—Living Well Retreat
This fall, every clergy person in the Baltimore-Washington Conference is invited to attend a free, online Living Well retreat. Each of the themed, daylong retreats will provide opportunities for spiritual rest, renewal, and growth.
• Reawakening your Heart—Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9:30 am with Rev. Andy Peck-McClain, learn more and register—https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1871071-2020-09-22-living-well-retreat-heart/
• Renewing your Soul—Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9:30 am with Rev. Nick Bufano, sign-up and get more details at https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1871077-2020-10-07-living-well-retreat-soul/
• Reviving your Strength—Thursday, Oct. 15, 9:30 am with Rev. Twanda Prioleau, go to https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1871184-2020-10-15-living-well-retreat-strength/ to reserve your seat
• Renewing your Mind—Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9:30 am with Rev. John Nupp, learn more and register—https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1871194-2020-10-20-living-well-retreat-mind/
September 24 and September 29—For Active Clergy: The 2020 Clergy Retirement Planning Sessions
This event will be held virtually on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first session, Part 1, will be led by Wespath Educators. Part 2 will include three one-hour sessions on Social Security, dissolving debt, and achieving financial wellness. Learn more and register -- https://www.bwcumc.org/administration/benefits/
September 29 (5:30 pm) Prayer Vigil: Oakdale Emory UMC in Olney
Oakdale Emory UMC will hold an outdoor prayer vigil for the healing of the nation and for all those impacted by the sin of racism in the church parking lot at 3425 Emory Road. The event link is https://oakdale.church/event/1880615-2020-09-29-prayer-846/
OCTOBER
October 1-15—Fall 2020 Virtual 50+ Resource Fair
Winter Grace Senior Ministries, Inc. is hosting its Fall 2020 Virtual 50+ Resource Fair. There will be 30+ vendors, 2 nationally recognized authors, “Ask the Expert” panels, workshops, games and more. The event is completely on-line and completely FREE. No registration is necessary to view the Fair. For an all access pass to receive links to the live Panels, PDFs of info, a contact directory, and a game card, please register: https://bit.ly/3b22sQE. On October 1, visit www.Fall2020.wintergrace.org to participate in the program. Questions? Please contact Rev. Debbie Burgio at
October 10 (1 pm)—Deacon Exploration Virtual Session for candidates, seminarians, and those learning about the role of Deacons.
Register via Zoom. Contact Rev. Leo Yates at
for more information.
October 10 (10 am)—Lay Planter Training
This is a comprehensive online course, for laity to explore how to create new ministries, including new faith communities or new churches. Join the orientation meeting to receive information about the course. Online classes begin October 24. Learn more and register for the orientation by going to https://www.bwcumc.org/event/1865658-2020-10-10-lay-planter-training-introductory-meeting
October 30-31—Next Level Leaders Academy (Virtual)
Sponsored by the BWC Leadership Development office, the Next Level Leadership Academy is designed to produce a cadre of leaders who not only understand the purpose, design, mission, character, and power of the church, but are capable of leading others in implementing these things as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. See the flyer and save the date.
NOVEMBER EVENTS
November 14 (9 am)—Laity Gathering The Laity Session, which this year is open to every lay person in the BWC. More details coming soon.
RESOURCES
Race and Christianity in the US – Free Videos and Curriculum
This video series provides one lens through which to explore race in the United States. Focusing on the history of black/white relations in the U.S., it considers how race and Christianity have interacted, for good and for ill. It offers a narrative that helps to answer the question “how did we get here?” This resource can be used as an adult Sunday School or small group curriculum. Go to sarahruble.com to learn more.
Share your Story
The BWC's Racial Justice ministry team is calling on people across the conference to shine a light on the long-standing systemic and cultural practices that oppress people. In two or three minutes, share your or your congregation's story by answering one or more of these questions:
• Where have you witnessed racism in your daily life?
• How have you been affected by policies and social constructs that appear designed to discriminate based on the color of your skin or your ethnic origins?
• Where have you seen people step forward to bravely face racial injustice, even when doing so places them in harm's way?
• What actions have you taken to end racism so that all might be free?
To share your story, click this link to "Sharing my Story" on the Racial Justice web page.
Tell us how you or your congregation are helping to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and love thy neighbor. Send an email to
It's National Preparedness Month
This week, build your emergency supply kit. Gather supplies that will last for several days. Consider the needs of each person, including older people and individuals living with disabilities. Since disaster can happen at any time, consider using this checklist to determine what you might need in a kit if you are at home, in the car, or at work. Also, review the guidance to create a House of Worship Evacuation Plan, made available by the National Interfaith Disaster Network.
Disaster Recovery Ministries
As people in Louisiana and Texas continue relief efforts after Hurricane Laura and the fires in California, Disaster Relief Hub leaders at St. Matthews UMC in Bowie remind you that you can help by donating to UMCOR cleaning buckets and hygiene kits through an area Response and Emergency Outreach Hub in Bowie, Parkton, or Burtonsville. Through the United Methodist connectional system, the supplies will be delivered to UMCOR's Sager Brown Depot in Mississippi, or directly to a dedicated disaster site.
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/)
Racial Injustice Resources
• Bishop Easterling's Juneteenth address (https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/the-church-must-rise-against-racism/)
• As churches begin to more deeply discern their response to anti-racism, leadership teams are encouraged to take the online Implicit Association Test on race (https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html) and use the Implicit Bias Workbook (https://www.gcorr.org/implicit-bias-workbook/) to discuss the results as a team and then follow-up with relevant actions.
• Find Resources on Racial Justice here—https://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/racial-justice/
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/