District News

Greater Washington District News ~ October 1, 2021

Posted by Olivia Gross on

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bishop Easterling will  meet virtually with several clergy groups this fall, including
• The Order of Elders on Nov. 15 from 9:30 a.m to noon
• The Order of Deacons on Nov. 20 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
• The fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members on Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and,
• Clergy serving beyond the local church on Nov. 20 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Registration for these meetings will open in mid-October.


237th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be Virtual
As announced in yesterday's E-connection,  Annual Conference will now be held virtually.  Annual Conference dates are Monday, Oct. 25 through Wednesday, Oct. 27.   Learn more about this decision, registration refunds and other important details -- https://www.bwcumc.org/events/2021-annual-conference/.  A mandatory training session on voting will be held October 19 at noon and October 21 at 7 p.m


EventS

OCTOBER  EVENTS

October 1 (registration deadline) -- The Source Collaborative
The Source Collaborative is a Wesley initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., seeks 10 UMC congregations that wish to thrive and grow in their community and context. The Source Collaborative will help selected churches identify their own markers of thriving and empower them to create and implement a congregational change strategic plan with the help of a coach. Following a one-year community learning and self-assessment process, a grant and an additional year of coaching for implementation will be provided.  Apply online and for more information, contact Rev. Beth Ludlum at 

October 1-15 -- Virtual 50+ Resource Fair
The Winter Grace Senior Ministries, Inc. will hold its Virtual 50+ Resource Fair -- https://resourcefair.wintergrace.org/. The fair, which is free, will feature more than 25 resources, expert speakers, fitness classes, workshops, and more. If you would like to join the live events in real-time, register at https://bit.ly/3yzlSXk. For more information, email  .

October 2 (9am) -- A Drive-Thru COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
Glen Mar UMC will host a vaccination clinic in their church’s main parking lot. The vaccine is free and available to everyone 12-years-old and older with onsite registration. Learn more--https://glenmarumc.org/events/vaccination-clinic/

October 6 (11am & 7pm) -- Orientation to the Accessibility Audit
This webinar is offered by the Commission on Disability Concerns of the BWC. The first session is at 11am Eastern. A second session is at 7pm Eastern. An overview of the accessibility audit will be presented. Individuals from local ministry settings responsible for completing the required church conference form are invited to join this free 45 minute session. For questions, please contact Rev. Leo Yates at Submit accessibility accommodations within 1 week of the webinar. Click here to join the sessions (same link for both) -- https://bwcumc.zoom.us/j/92980928985#success to join the sessions.

October 7 (6pm) -- See Me, I Am Here: Men of Color & Mental Health
This session is designed to help participants understand and explore racial inequities and psychosocial stigma that deny men of color access to quality mental health services. Participants will learn practical approaches and strategies to encourage active participation by men of color in their mental health trajectory. Register today -- https://bwcumc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m6PUeqRGRG-BYrBbpxXojA

October 12 (9:30am) -- The Dunkle-Mackey Preaching Seminar
This event will be held online and in-person at Asbury UMC in Salisbury, MD. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Thomas G. Long, the Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Candler School of Theology, who has served as the president of the Academy of Homiletics and as senior homiletics editor of the New Interpreter's Bible. The cost is $20 for those who attend in person. To register, contact the Rev. Doug Ridley at  .

October 16 (9am) -- Living with Pride and HIV Spanish-Speaking Retreat
Quality of Life Retreats welcomes People Living with HIV/AIDS to join the first Spanish-only retreat to discuss “Living with Pride and HIV in the Latinx Culture in 2021." If you are a person living with HIV/AIDS and you wish to participate, contact the registrar, Angel, via email at   or by calling 443-440-2312. This session is entirely in Spanish.

October 16 (1pm) -- A Deacon Exploration Session
This session is designed for those discerning deacon's orders. Register here -- https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcOmtrD8tHtwAtpifZ5onVab_kCL87U2C . Questions? Contact Rev. Leo Yates at  .

October 23 (9am) -- United Methodist Men
The conference’s United Methodist Men will hold their 2nd virtual annual gathering and all men across the BWC are invited. The keynote speaker will be Rev. William Butler, Sr., of Queens Chapel UMC, whose men’s ministry was selected as the best UMM unit in ministry in 2017. Learn more and register -- https://www.bwcumm.org/2021gathering


November  EVENTS

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
 

Sickle Cell Awareness 
Sickle Cell affects more than 100,000 Americans, most of African ancestry. Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell (PSSC) is a new, virtual community-based ministry founded by Rev. R. Lorraine Brown of Simpson UMC in Mt. Airy. The ministry offers one-on-one and group, non-denominational chaplain-led services at no cost to assist and support young adults who are in transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, discovering their personal sense of spirituality and navigating life challenges with sickle cell disease. For more information contact Rev. Brown   at 240-780-8986 and visit https://youtu.be/jDJ2qq4UK-Q

Creating a Narrative Budget:  The Story Behind the Numbers
The Wellness & Missions Board is pleased to share Discipleship Ministries' launch of a new self-paced course for local church leaders: Creating a Narrative Budget:  The Story Behind the Numbers. Through eight self-paced sessions, participants will learn the nuts and bolts of constructing a narrative budget. Visit the registration page for more information.  
Church Stat Reports are Available in Arena

Access the Church's Stats via Arena
Statistical data submitted via EZRA, the data collection system of the United Methodist Church, can now be viewed in Arena. And, Arena users can view 2017-2020 reports for their church if they serve in one or more of the following roles:
• Chair or President of a local church, district or conference committee 
• Church Pastor
• Church Administrator 

100 Man Mission to Support the NEJ United Methodist Men
Men’s Ministry Specialists will lead this effort and be supported by Conference Men who have a love for God and their fellow men. To do this 100 GENEROUS Men are needed to pledge to the NEJ, fifty cents per day, or $15.00 a month for 12 months, or a total of $180.00 per year. These men pledge to send their contribution MONTHLY to their UMM conference treasurer, who will forward one-half of these funds to the Northeastern Jurisdiction Treasurer, Mr. John Conklin. The conference will retain the other half for their expenses and to purchase education materials to support the NEJ efforts. Learn more here -- https://www.bwcumm.org/100man-prayerwalk

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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