District News

Greater Washington District News ~ June 23, 2021

Posted by Olivia Gross on


ANNOUNCEMENTS


237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Mark your calendars for this fall's 237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, which will be held Monday, Oct. 25 through Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore. The theme of this year’s session is “Still One: Standing, Transforming, Rising.” The Session will also be broadcast online.

  Re-Entering Well Resources
  • Visit the Re-Entering Well webpage
  • View the Re-Entering guidelines   

Need for use of showers
Rev. Diana Wingeier-Rayo, pastor at Hughes UMC 10700 Georgia Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902 needs use of showers for teens who are coming to teach VBS on July 10-15. We need only to use the showers once a day in the afternoons. Email:  
 
Community-Based Farmers' Market
Gethsemane UMC (Rev. Ron Triplett: ) is in partnership with Capital Market, a community-based farmers’ market that provides healthy, affordable food options to our neighbors in the Capitol Heights and Suitland neighborhoods and surrounding vicinity; supports the growth of local-businesses and farms owned and operated by people of color; and advocates for equitable and culturally-aware food systems.  Download the information flyer and see market locations below (SNAP & WIC accepted at both locations):
Fridays @ Mary & Main
8801 Hampton Mall Drive
Capitol Heights, MD
12 pm – 4 pm

Sundays @ Creative Suitland
4719 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD
12 pm – 3 pm

Update Arena
New clergy appointments begin July 1. As clergy prepare to move to their next appointment, please update Arena. On occasion, the pastor’s email address serves as the church’s email. Please create an email account specifically for the church. If there are other transitions happening with key leaders, please update Arena to ensure we have the most current data on file.

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

 
Oak Chapel United Ministries: Hiring a Consolidated Services Hub Operations Manager 
This person is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of services onsite and offsite to the greater 20906 community including food distribution, diaper and Similac distribution, and home deliveries. Person needs management and operations experience. The ideal candidate has experience working in food service with familiarity keeping inventory, ordering food and other supplies, facilities management and care of equipment. Needs to be able to operate heavy equipment, lift heavy items upwards of 25 pounds, have an excellent driving record, skilled van driver, and their own transportation. For more information contact Dr. Sherri Wood-Powe at or 301.598.0000. Location: 14500 Layhill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906.  Download the job description for more details.

Oak Chapel United Ministries is hiring a Consolidated Services Hub Operations Assistant 
This person is responsible for planning and implementing service distributions onsite and offsite to the greater 20906 community including food distribution, diaper and Similac distribution, and home deliveries. Person needs to be able to operate heavy equipment, lift heavy items upwards of 25 pounds, have an excellent driving record, skilled van driver, and their own transportation. For more information contact Dr. Sherri Wood-Powe at or 301.598.0000. Location: 14500 Layhill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906.  Download the job description for more details.

See other job opportunities at the Baltimore-Washington Conference

EventS

JUNE EVENTS

June is Men’s Health Month
Throughout June, Men’s Health Month aims to encourage boys and men to take charge of their overall health by implementing healthy living decisions. During Men’s Health Month, we urge men to take steps to enrich their health and wellness through proper screenings and care. Visit the Abundant Health Resource page (https://www.bwcumc.org/article/abundant-health-ministry-plan-june/)  for ideas on how to share valuable health information with your congregation and surrounding community.

June 23 (2pm) -- Navigating Church Change
Wespath Benefits and Investments will host a webinar on Navigating Church Disruption and Change. The interactive session presented by Andy Hendren, Chief Legal and Governance Officer at Wespath, will focus on the upcoming UMC General Conference, proposals to divide the Church, developments and consequences of the General Conference delays, and important missional and financial considerations for tax-exempt organizations affiliated with the Church. Register for the Zoom webinar -- https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApcOqtpz8tGt0j9pw-lmJl2jZTBGKcCRE1 

June 25 (7pm) -- Concert by the U.S. Army Field Band Federal Brass 
Come for a free performance outdoors at Glen Mar United Methodist Church, weather permitting. The rain date is Thu., Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. Please bring chairs and/or blankets. Masks will be required. The church is located at 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City. For more information, visit www.glenmarumc.org/summerconcerts. 

June 30 (Deadline) -- Non-Renewable Micro-Grants for Online Ministry
As the congregations of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are living in unprecedented times, the Offices of Leadership and Congregational Development and New Faith Expressions are offering practical and timely support for congregations to connect with their communities and congregations while social distancing measures are a necessity. The Conference is offering non-renewable micro-grants of up to $1,000 to help offset expenses related to launching and maintaining an online ministry, including equipment, software licenses, training, and more. If you have already purchased equipment, software or licenses you can apply to receive a reimbursement of the accrued costs. The grant will only be for those churches that DID NOT receive a grant in 2020. The closing date is June 30.  Apply here -- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13dvGwKLOFH8ufZId5Y331i6UxEX6LjONSFAKePeUv-o/viewform?edit_requested=true 

June 30 (Deadline) -- Fund Balance Report
This report must be completed through Arena by the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Treasurer, or Pastor by June 30, 2021.  Download the template and complete the Fund Balance Report (Not for Submission):  Word  |  PDF  |  Excel.  Need guidance to complete this form?  Click HERE to playback the recording from the Training Tuesday webinar on the Administrative Year in Review/Annual Fund Balance Report.   

June 30-July 27:  Leadership and Family Systems Theory 
BeADisciple.com is offering an online course led by the Rev. Jack Shitama on The Non-Anxious Leader: Family Systems Basics.  The course is a deep dive into family systems theory with recorded presentations and three live, one-hour sessions (also recorded). Everything can be done asynchronously. The cost is $198. This summer, the BWC will enter into a contract with Camp Pecometh in Centreville, Md., to expand the scope of the Center so that Shitama can strategically grow leaders – lay, clergy, and young people – in both the BWC and Pen-Del conferences. This new Center for Vital Leadership will be both physical and virtual and will allow an intentional leadership development pathway to be available to all.  Register now -- https://www.beadisciple.com/online-christian-courses/ifd210-the-non-anxious-leader/ 


JULY EVENTS

July 1 -- Mission Innovation Grant Application Open
The BWC will once again be offering Mission Innovation grants in the areas of Advocacy and Action, Wellness and Missions, and Young People's Ministry. Grants will be awarded to projects that connect and advance our two focus areas:
(1) creating a more just and equitable (anti-racist) community, or
(2) community recovery from impact related to the health pandemic, COVID-19
Learn more -- https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/grants-and-awards/  and apply here -- https://bwc-umc.smapply.org/prog/bwc_grants_and_awards/ 

July 17 (10am) -- A Church Sign Language Interpreting Academy
The academy will have three tracks: introduction to church interpreting, interpreting Scripture, and introduction to sign language. Register for this Zoom session 

July 18-31 -- Nominations and Applications Open for 2021 Session of Shenandoah University Youth Theology Institute
Is there a high schooler in your life who is ready to learn about how their faith in Jesus Christ calls them to live and be in the world in a way that seeks justice, all while earning college credit that they can carry with them wherever they go after high school? Thanks to a grant from the Lilly Endowment, students will have all that SUYTI has to offer (room and board, program expenses, and three college credits) at a cost of only $200 per student. However, 2021 will be our final session, so now is the perfect time to apply! To nominate a student or to apply, visit www.su.edu/youththeology. For more information, contact Ian Urriola, Director of the SUYTI, by calling (540) 665-5453 or emailing

July 23-24 -- Mission U
This event is hosted by the BWC's United Methodist Women and this year's theme is "Do Not Lose Heart." This year, the registration fee is optional. Instead, the UMW is collecting donations for the UMW Conference Projects.  This event is open to both United Methodist Women members or not; men; and youth 7-12 grade. The event will explore the book, "PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools."  Learn more and register.

RESOURCES
 

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/ 

 

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