CM District News, Events and Updates ~ July 8, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENTS
237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference
Registration is now open for the 237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, which will be held virtually or in-person beginning Monday, Oct. 25 through Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel at 401 West Pratt Street in Baltimore. Members can register using the link below. Only clergy and Lay Members to Annual Conference may register to attend virtually or in person. No guests will be permitted to register or attend the sessions in person. Guests may watch the annual conference by live stream. Register for Annual Conference and learn more -- https://www.bwcumc.org/events/2021-annual-conference/
- Social distancing and other COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed. This year's Session will be a hybrid one. All clergy and lay members will have the option of attending in-person or virtually. Arrangements will be made to allow those attending online to participate in the voting.
- Registration opens after Independence Day. During registration, members will be asked whether they wish to attend in person or online. Early bird registration is $139. There will not be any registration for guests. The Session will be live-streamed on the BWC website.
- A virtual Pre-Conference Session will be held Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Connectional Table will meet Saturday, Aug. 28, to discuss resolutions coming before Annual Conference.
- The deadline for submitting resolutions is Monday, Aug. 2. Resolutions should be sent to BWC Secretary Kevin Silberzahn ( ). See the guidelines and format for submitting a resolution. Committee chairs should submit their annual reports for the Conference Journal to Silberzahn by Aug. 13.
Re-Entering Well Resources
• Visit the Re-Entering Well webpage
• View the Re-Entering guidelines
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.
Vacancies
Glenelg UMC: Seeking a Worship Production Director ( Part-Time)
Glenelg United Methodist Church (13900 Burntwoods Rd., Glenelg, MD) is seeking a part-time Worship Production Director. The WPD works closely with worship leaders, musicians, tech team, church staff and the pastor to ensure that the weekend online worship services and all church gatherings with multi-media requests operate at the highest level of excellence. For more information and to apply see https://www.indeed.com/job/production-director-c3294a4ec4fc49f3
Wesley Freedom: Custodian Opportunity
This position reports to the Church Administrator. At the direction of the Church Administrator, the Custodian is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing of church spaces. 35 hour per week, non-exempt position. Preferred work hours are Monday – Friday, 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Hours and work days negotiable. Wesley Freedom is located at 961 Johnsville Rd., Eldersburg, MD 21784-4903. Click here to read the full description and send questions to Kevin Silberzahn at
.
Montgomery UMC Seeks a Director of Youth Ministries
The Director of Youth Ministry at Montgomery United Methodist Church (MUMC) is responsible for the development, and resourcing of the Youth Ministry, (grades 6 – 12). This Director will passionately commit to and promote the mission of the church: To grow in faith, serve others, and share Christ with all people…to the glory of God. This is a part-time position (20-25 hours/week), with salary commensurate with background and experience. Send resume to John Rudisill, Senior Pastor, Montgomery UMC at
or call (301) 253-4460 with questions. Read the job description for more details.
EventS
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 20 (8pm) -- Raise Up Your Voice Against Racism
Join this webinar to examine the numerous challenges for the Latinx community when it comes to racism. The national webinar is hosted by the Revs. Neal Christie, the BWC’s Executive Minister of Connected Engagement, and John Oda, director of the denomination’s Asian American Language Ministry Plan. Register now -- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqCKrgg0eTOp94xfJZM5uzRrsa2y5wwxnI7DiBnImIVsy9hA/viewform
July 20 (12:30pm) -- Interfaith Vigil for Global Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
Join this in-person (Washington, DC) or online vigil which will be held west of the Capitol Building. The purpose of this gathering is to show compassionate solidarity with people globally facing the COVID-19 pandemic and call for the United States and global leaders to do more to deliver vaccines and other vital tools to stop the global health pandemic. Sign up to participate -- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfE-bicmljmpn8z7qfIlkfU-CMc62n5pUWrW8uWRTjPesxrCA/viewform
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.
AUGUST EVENTS
August 2 -- Annual Conference Resolution Submission Deadline
Resolutions should be sent to BWC Secretary Kevin Silberzahn. See the guidelines and format for submitting a resolution. Committee chairs should submit their annual reports for the Conference Journal to Silberzahn by Aug. 13.
August 10 (7pm) -- Church Conference Training (Training Tuesday Webinar )
SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendar, more details will soon be available on the Training Tuesday webpage -- https://www.bwcumc.org/events/training-tuesdays/
August 17 (7pm) -- New Discipleship Ministries Report: The Why, How and What (Training Tuesday Webinar)
SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendar, more details will soon be available on the Training Tuesday webpage -- https://www.bwcumc.org/events/training-tuesdays/
August 23 -- The Institute for Discipleship Offers Certifications
The five practical ministry certifications are available in spiritual formation, missions, rural ministry, women’s ministry, and Christian care and counseling. The certifications are split evenly between Biblical and theological instruction and practical, on-the-ground skills. Learn more about this virtual, fee-based program -- https://www.institutefordiscipleship.org/
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE: September 18 (10 am) -- ROCK 2022/Youth Rally Planning Meeting (BWC Mission Center)
Information about the planning meeting will be released soon. In the meantime, visit the ROCK webpage -- https://www.bwcumc.org/rock/ -- in 2022, youth from the BWC will be joining young people from the Peninsula-Delaware Conference at their youth rally, January 7-9 in Ocean City.
September 29 -- Bishop Easterling's Listening Session on the Washington Region
SAVE THE DATE: Clergy will gather at 2pm and laity will meet with the Bishop at 7pm. This event will be held at First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville (6201 Belcrest Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782). More details to follow.
OCTOBER EVENTS
October 25-27 -- BWC Annual Conference
The 237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore. The session will also be broadcast online. The business of the conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday with the clergy and laity sessions and end early Wednesday evening with the Ordination Service. To register and get more details, go to https://www.bwcumc.org/events/2021-annual-conference/
November EVENTS
November 6 or 7 -- DS Dawn M. Hand's Installation
SAVE THE DATE: The date will soon be confirmed and will be held at Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg. More details to follow.
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
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/