This is W.E. 5_15_2022
Changes to Washington East District Blog Postings -The Washington East District Blog will be posted on the 1st and 15th of each month. The deadline to submit information for the posting will be the 28th for the 1st of the month's posting and the 12th for the posting on the 15th of the month. This information should be sent to Christol Medley at
We continue to address COVID: This can be a challenging time as faith communities encounter contradictory messages and advice as they continue to address COVID-19. Ella Curry, PhD, MTS, RN, a consultant in infectious disease, offers timely, in-depth and important facts and resources to shape your decision making. Read her What We Know Now – March 28, 2022 COVID Update.
Maryland Tax Exempt Renewal- All current Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificates held by non-profit organizations expire on September 30, 2022. Information regarding the 2022 renewal application, including instructions to complete your renewal application online, will be mailed to the organization beginning May 2, 2022. Their online renewal service will be available for the 2022 renewal period starting May 9, 2022. Upon a successful renewal, your organization will receive a new Maryland Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate valid until September 30, 2027. To learn more about the process go to https://interactive.marylandtaxes.gov/bServices/EOR/Home.aspx
United Methodist Men launch new name and ministry
The United Methodist Men have a new name – United Men’s Ministry – and a new approach to ministry. United Men’s Ministry is an innovative online resource providing an easy-to-follow package of resources including leader coaching, online learning, support, topical studies, connection, and more. Each subscribed church will receive a “kick-off kit” packed with items when signing up for United Men’s Ministry. The goal is to help churches launch, grow, and sustain effective men’s ministry.”
The “Let’s Talk About _____” is a tour that symbolically opens the doors of the churches of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church for conversation and fellowship for young adults. The next gathering will be held Saturday, May 21, (for all young adults across the conference) at Old Otterbein UMC, 5 p.m. dinner followed by a Baltimore Orioles game at 7 p.m. Learn more.
May 23rd- 25th: Clergy explore Bonhoeffer's legacy: The Rev. Al Hammer, a Deacon who served in the BWC, is now the executive director of Olmsted Manor United Methodist Retreat Center, in the middle of the Allegheny National Forest, in Pennsylvania. Hammer invites all clergy to a continuing education event that focuses on the life and writing of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, senior pastor of Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore, will lead this pastors’ academy, to be held May 23-25. Learn more and register.
May 23rd: Faithful Climate Action Fellowship: Creation Justice Ministries is partnering with other organizations to do the third iteration of the Faithful Climate Action Fellowship. Are you or do you know a young person who is Christian, Jewish, or Muslim concerned about the climate crisis? Join us in exploring how our faith traditions can support and guide our climate activism. Young Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (18-26) in the United States (including U.S. territories) are invited to apply for the Faithful Climate Action Fellowship. Visit the website to learn more and submit an application. The application deadline is May 23, 2022. This is an opportunity for young, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to serve as Fellows who will engage in 7 weeks of evening training to hone climate action skills. Weekly interactive webinars from July 7 through August 18, 2022, and will provide a chance to meet young faith and climate leaders across the country. Fellows are also responsible for doing a project ranging from op-eds to artistic expression to delivering a message to their house of worship/faith community and participate in faith-based resource development. This is a time commitment of only 2-3 hours per week plus the time needed to complete a project and is designed to fit with full-time employment or schoolwork. A $500 stipend will be provided upon successful completion of the fellowship. To learn more go to: https://www.creationjustice.org/bipocfellowship.html
May 24th at 8 pm: Raise Up Your Voice Against Racism: Hosted by Asian American Language Ministries (AALM), May's topic will be an informative discussion on migration, immigration, and racism. Rev. Carlos Samuel Reyes Rodríguez, Racial Equity and Community Engagement Manager at the National Justice For Our Neighbors, in Annandale, VA and Rev. Jack Amick, Director of Global Migration and Special Assignments at UMCOR in Atlanta, GA. The conversation will be moderated by Rev. Neal Christie, Baltimore Washington Conference, and Dr. Dana Lyles, Director and Team Lead, Multiethnic Ministries at Global Ministries. Please register here for May's "Raise Up Your Voice Against Racism" webinar.
May 27th at noon: A Faithful Response to the War in Ukraine: It’s Impact and What Makes What Peace?: Join a conversation on the war in Ukraine with people on the ground there: As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its third month, it has brought calls for prayer and statements of deep concern from United Methodists globally; it has also brought first-hand accounts of the impact of the war and ways United Methodists respond to the trauma of people in harm’s way. Join a discussion with Rev. Oleg Starodubets, the district superintendent of the Ukraine Conference; Rev. Dr. Julia Starodubets, a pastor and medical doctor in the Ukraine Conference; and Rev. Bill Lovelace, missionary who ministers with migrants in the Norway Conference. This conversation is supported by the BWC In Mission Together -- Eurasia Committee. Registration information will be in next week’s e-connection. To register click, here.
June 9th: Ethnic Local Church Forum 2022: Thursday, June 9, 1:30-3:00 pm or Thursday, June 9th, 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm. To learn more and to register, click here.
June 25th: Understanding Your Congregation & Community through Your ComparativeInsite Report: Your District Missional Action Planning (dMAP) team is working to ensure that your church has the data it needs to develop meaningful relationships and ministry with your community using the ComparativeInsite report from MissionInsite. One of the first steps in this process is to upload resident, active participants in order to run the ComparativeInsite report–the most ministry-impacting MissionInsite standard report. Click here for a step-by-step guide. Registration will open soon.
The recording and accompanying resources for the Stay or Go Information Session is now available and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.bwcumc.org/resources-for-united-methodists-discerning-our-future/. Please share this resource with your congregation.
BWC Ministries Grants & Awards | Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC - bwcumc.org
Advocacy & Action. Advocacy & Action partners with communities so that we join in advocating to transform systems that disenfranchise, marginalize, and oppress and to create a BWC presence on urgent policy matters at local, state and national levels. Advocacy & Action Award $1,000 given to one faith community that exemplifies partnering with their communities in advocating to transform ...
Re-Entering Well | Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC
CURRent Updates. As we enter the third year of the CoVID-19 pandemic, the Omicron variant and other developments present challenges for public health that require churches and other community groups to stay well-informed about the virus’ spread and the vaccination rates in their areas. www.bwcumc.org
Certified Lay Ministers | Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC
Certified Lay Ministers serve in local churches providing assistance to pastors. Sometimes, they are assigned by a district superintendent to provide pastoral leadership in small congregations. The idea of laity serving as lay preachers, exhorters, and class leaders goes back to the early day of Methodism. www.bwcumc.org
Applications for the 2022-2024 CLM class of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are now being accepted. Learn more. The application process includes meeting with the pastor, local SPRC, and the district superintendent before the July 1 deadline. The class starts in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions may be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.