AN District New.....UMC Buzz...... May 18, 2017
Prayers of the People
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling has named Christie Latona to serve as the new Director of Connectional Ministries for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Latona currently works as the Conference's Washington Region Mission Strategist and is known denomination-wide as a trainer, facilitator and coach for individuals, groups, congregations and annual conferences. She begins the new position July 1. Learn more.
We celebrate the work of Tonia Bennett, administrator of the Frederick District, who was recently named Volunteer of the Month by the Greater Chesapeake Region of the American Red Cross. Bennett joined the Red Cross in June 2015 and has accumulated nearly 1,000 hours of service. She is also an active member of the Washington County Disaster Action Team, responding to house fires and floods.
Latest News and Information
The BWC License to Preach School for 2017 was held at Camp Manidokan from April 20-28. The school is the first step in the Course of Study program as gifted laity serve local churches across the connection. The 2017 school included several clergy instructors, Dean Joye Jones, and members Jerry Colbert, Mike Beiber and Richard Willson. In the photo are, front row: Christine Kumar, Bonnie Lee-Nicholas, Mary George, and Elizabeth Brisbane; Second row: Charley Taylor, Ron Gompf, Winnie Griffin, Delonta Hicks, Tom Sigler, Rick Shuman, David Fossett, Ernest Gayles, Bill Rowley, Terry Jones, Shawn Vollmerhausen and Joel Holmes. Back row: Darius Butler and Raimon Jackson. (Not shown: Patricia Turnage.)
New this Week
A retirement celebration for the Rev. Brenda J. Mack, pastor of Chews Memorial/Carters Charge, will be held Saturday, May 20, at 3 p.m. at Chews Memorial UMC, 492 Owensville Road in Harwood. For more information, contact Charlotte Green at 410-280-6131.
Hershey Park, the amusement park in Pennsylvania, is offering discounted tickets to members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. A one-day pass is $43.95, a $15.85 savings off the gate price. To purchase tickets, visit http://tinyurl.com/BWMETHODISTHPTKTS; use promo code 92117.
Wear orange June 2: Gun violence kills more than 90 Americans a day and injures hundreds more. On June 2, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Americans across the country will wear orange -- a color that demands to be seen. The observance is sponsored by Faiths United Against Gun Violence, a diverse coalition of more than 50 denominations and faith-based organizations, including the Methodist Federation of Social Action (MFSA). Learn more.
Peace with Justice Sunday: This special Sunday is observed June 11. The offering supports Peace with Justice ministries through the General Board of Church and Society and the Baltimore-Washington Conference. A Pastor and Leader's Kit with many downloadable resources - bulletin covers and inserts, videos, sermon suggestions and educational materials are available.
Ministry in transition: The most recent issue of Circuit Rider, which has been posted on Ministry Matters, focuses on clergy retirement. Read more
Free speech and religious liberty: President Trump recently signed an Executive Order entitled "Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty." Earlier this year, President Trump promised to "totally destroy" the Johnson Amendment. The Executive Order is an action related to that promise. Read the complete executive summary provided by The Legal Services Department of The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA).
Continuing Highlights
UMW Retreat: The United Methodist Women of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are sponsoring a "Refreshing Ourselves for Mission" spiritual retreat on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Potomac UMC at 9908 Glen Road in Potomac. The Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson will be the speaker. The cost is $25. Registrations are due by June 1. Checks should be made payable to BWC United Methodist Women and mailed to Sabrina White, 2042 Knotty Pine Drive, Abingdon, MD 21009.
Mission u, sponsored by the BWC's United Methodist Women and Board of Global Ministries, will be held July 28-30 at the Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda. This year's sessions will focus on living as covenant community, climate justice, and United Methodist missionary communities. A youth school, which covers the same themes, is also offered. Learn more and register, or contact Zilpha Pinkney.
The BWC's Early Childhood Educators Conference will be held Thursday, Aug. 10, from 7:30 am. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's UMC, 4 Wallace Manor Road in Edgewater. The theme of the conference, is "Shaping Hearts and Changing Lives." The cost is $55. Learn more and register.
Help Wanted
District Administrator: The BWC's Baltimore Metropolitan District is looking for a self-motivated, creative and effective individual to fill the position of district administrator. The successful applicant will report directly to the District Superintendent, The Baltimore Metropolitan District consists of 77 churches and 71 active clergy the administrator provides essential administrative and organizational support for ministry in this context. Send resume or inquiries to Francess Tagoe, Director of Human Resources and Benefits, at by close of business today.