District News

AN District News.....UMC Buzz...... September 27, 2018

Posted by Willine Kamara on

Learn More about the UMC Way Forward 


Conversation on a Way Forward: As local churches discuss The Commission on A Way Forward and the special February session of General Conference to discern how the church will address issues of homosexuality, the Rev. Tom Berlin is offering a detailed look into the possibilities that lie ahead for the denomination. Berlin spoke on Sept. 15 and a video of that conversation is available online. On Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., he will offer a similar presentation at Grace UMC in Gaithersburg. All clergy are especially encouraged to attend. Please either bring your lunch or plan to eat at one of the nearby restaurants. 

Latest News and Information

New This Week

 

Church conference scheduling: The Annapolis District/Southern Region has distributed all the necessary information regarding Church Conference 2018.  The presiding elder’s information and changes to church conference letter are all posted on the church conference documents website.  Please be sure to send me your scheduled church conference date, time and confirmed presiding elder of your choice in an outlook calendar invite or email it to me so that I may add it to the calendar ASAP.  Please also note that all church conference document submissions are due 10 business days (not calendar days) prior to your chosen church conference date to be reviewed by the district office, DS, and your presiding elder.

To view all documents regarding the changes to church conference for 2018, please follow the link here.

Finding Peace amid the Storm: Registration is now open for Bishop LaTrelle Easterling's Pre-Advent Day Apart with the Clergy on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Epworth UMC, 9008 Rosemont Drive in Gaithersburg. This year, the guest preacher and presenter will be the Rev. Kirk Byron Jones, senior pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Lynn, Mass., and a professor of social ethics, preaching and pastoral ministry. His most recent book is "Soul Talk: How to Have the Most Important Conversation of All." The cost for the event, which includes lunch, is $35 for active clergy and $25 for retired clergy. Learn more and register.

Fall Festival: Wesley Grove UMC in Hanover will hold its annual Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Swing by for BBQ platters, live music, pumpkin painting, produce, baked goods, and shopping.

Lay Servant Training: The Washington Region will hold its Fall 2018 Lay Servant Ministries Academy over 10 hours, Saturday and Sunday, Oct 13 and 14, at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. 

Continuing Highlights

The Annapolis District is proud to announce our district missional event. Please join us on October 20, 2018, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Arundel House of Hope, 514 Crain Hwy N # K, Glen Burnie, MD 21061. 

We will gather at the central location, 514 Crain Hwy N # K, Glen Burnie, MD 21061; then break out into our appointed areas. There are three centers that are sponsored by the Arundel House of Hope: Community Recovery Center, the Day and Resource Center, and the Spouse and Church Transitional Houses.  

We will be painting, cleaning and/or landscaping at the three sites sponsored by Arundel House of Hope.  Please note that the Spouses and Church Transitional Houses center is at a different location: 6401 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD, 21061. 

We will first meet at 514 Crain Hwy N # K, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 and break out into our neighboring centers.  Please dress in comfortable clothes to perform community service. Join us for this missional experience that you won't forget! To RSVP for the event, please click this link here

For further information, please contact Willine at .

 

BMCR meets: The Northeastern Jurisdiction Black Methodists of Church Renewal will hold their annual meeting Oct. 11-12 at St. Marks UMC in Hanover. The event will be hosted by the Baltimore-Washington Conference chapter of BMCR. Learn more.  Register online

reCall Summit 2018: The reCall Summit is a time of brave conversations as the church explores racial justice and reconciliation Oct. 26-27 at the DoubleTree Hotel by the BWI Airport. Registration is $129 before Aug. 31. Featured speakers will include Jim Wallis of Sojourners and Marvin McMickle of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Learn more and register

Missional work: Arundel House of Hope is preparing for the next season of their Winter Relief Emergency Shelter Program and find themselves short a few hosts.  Many partners in this ministry of grace and mercy are Methodist Churches.  Are their any Annapolis District churches willing to host approximately 30 homeless guests for a week? If so, please contact Pam at 410.863.4888 ext. 112. 

Thinking about retirement? The BWC's Pension and Benefits team will hold a Pre-Retirement Session Thursday, Oct. 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.at Mt. Zion UMC, 12430 Scaggsville Road in Highland. Spouses are also encouraged to attend.

Pension and Health Benefits Sessions in the Districts: In preparation for Annual Election (Oct. 31 - Nov. 15), the Staff of the BWC's Benefits Office will spend a day in October in each of the eight districts, to talk to clergy and lay employees about questions they may have with their benefits. An e-mail will go out this week to active clergy and HealthFlex participants in each district with the dates and locations including a link to sign up for a 30-minute benefits conversation. Staff will also be available to meet at the Conference Mission Center on Oct. 29 and 30.

Music Workshop

 

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