District News

This is W. E. 2_1_2022

Posted by Christol Medley on

Speak a word of faith as you enter into a weekly study for Lent featuring prayer-poems by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. This six-week small group study delves deeply into reflections, for individuals or groups, on truth, of trust, healing, hope, love, of humility, journey, joy, service and more. See the study.


Four new Congregational Vitality Pathways will equip your church to take its next faithful steps. The pathways include the Launch Initiative, the Catalyst Initiative, the Readiness Initiative and the Legacy Church Conversation Initiative. To get started, you will need to request a Readiness 360 link by Feb 7. Learn more and apply.


Journey to Beloved Community is an innovative course that focuses on six actions that you and community partners can take to grow in building beloved community and create spaces of belonging and becoming. The orientation is Feb. 24; the course begins Feb. 25. Learn more and register.


A Small Membership Churches Forum will be held via Zoom Friday, March 18, 1:30 to 3 p.m.  The second offering of the forum will be held that evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

The Small Membership Church Forum, designed for congregations who have fewer than 100 people in worship, is a place where people come together to talk and learn from each other. 

Questions?  Contact Rev. Rick Oursler, Convener, Small Membership Local Churches, or  Rev. Neal Christie, Executive Minister of Connected Engagement, at 202-285-4544. Register


Gun Violence Prevention webinars Feb. 8 and 15 at 6 p.m.: To help congregations hold courageous conversations on gun violence, the BWC’s social action team will hold two webinars. The Feb. 8 webinar will be on Safe Storage of Firearms. Register. The Feb. 15 webinar will be on gun violence interruption programs. Learn more and register.


Leading with Cultural Humility and Building Beloved Community is the theme of Training Tuesday on Feb. 15. The Rev. Dr. Stacey Cole Wilson, the BWC’s Executive Minister of Beloved Community will explore discipleship and cultural diversity and introduce the Journey to Beloved Community: Six Actions for Belonging and Becoming Course. Register.


Resolutions due Feb. 21: The deadline for resolutions to the 2022 Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Session is Monday, Feb. 21. Individuals and groups who wish to submit a resolution may send it to the Conference Secretary Kevin Silberzahn. All resolutions must follow the format outlined on the BWC website.


Help with taxes for clergy: Clergy stressed about filing their tax returns are invited to a Feb. 7 webinar. Questions about Social Security payments, estimated tax payments and housing allowances and exclusions as well as reimbursed expenses will be addressed. Learn more and register.


Internship opportunity: The Board of Church and Society is recruiting for Ethnic Young Adult interns to work at the D.C. agency, June 5 to July 30, learning about the work of justice, peace and advocacy. Applicants must be United Methodists between the ages of 18 and 22. Apply by March 21. Learn more.


#BeUMC toolkit for local churches: A new #BeUMC online toolkit has launched to assist church leaders in creating engagement in their church communities. Resources include inspiring ideas and practical suggestions, worship and preaching aids, communication tools, informative research and more. The campaign focuses on disciple-making; belonging and inclusion; influence, connection and impact; and experiencing God through The UMC. Churches may access tools and details at ResourceUMC.org/BeUMC.


First Aid for Mental Health: One in five Americans experience mental illness each year. A 2021 Clergy Well-Being Survey found that United Methodist clergy are increasingly struggling with mental health. To address some of the issues and stigmas around this issue, Wespath is offering first aid training for mental health in March 10 and 24. See the toolkit with details on the First Aid for Mental Health event page. Register.


Camp Pecometh in Centreville offers two upcoming retreats

 

February Personal Retreats with Spiritual Direction: Previously known as our “Silent Retreat,” this program offers flexible options for quiet time away. From Feb. 20-24, you can choose your length of stay. They have options from one day, to all five days. The winter Personal Retreat has been adapted to meet the needs of the guests as we navigate this time of pandemic. Learn more and register.

 

Can’t make it then? All three BWC and Pen-Del sites offer free stays for clergy personal retreats. Contact Amy Marshall (BWC) or Richelle Darrell (Pen-Del) for more information. 

Confirmation Retreat: On March 5, Camp Pecometh is offering a day retreat designed for confirmation classes, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. You bring your youth and chaperones, and they'll supply the program. Participants will come together for a day of worship, fellowship, and exploring our faith through experiential learning. $25/student, $19/adult. Register.

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