Washington East District News & Updates 3_14_2019
Washington East District Lay Servant Academy
Lay Servants are to serve the local church or charge in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship. This includes the interpretation of scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the church. While one doesn't have to be certified to serve, there are opportunities for those who feel called to become Certified Lay Servants, Certified Lay Speakers or Certified Lay Ministers. One of the strengths of our connectional system is the trainings we offer.
The classes offered may be taken by anyone: member of a congregation, local church leader, or lay servant. All class offerings except Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries: The Basic Course may be used as a re-certification class for Certified Lay Servants, Certified Lay Speakers and Certified Lay Ministers.
You may attend classes outside of your district, based on your own needs.
Course Fee: $35
United to Love Moral Courage Young Adult and Adult Awards, Applications Open!
The United to Love Moral Courage Awards celebrate people who put their faith into action especially when doing so is uncomfortable or unpopular. If you know YAs and Adults who are boldly living their faith in ways that exemplify/advance discipleship, amplify our Social Principles, exemplify the love of Christ and illuminate God's call for justice, please invite them to apply. Applications are open now and will be accepted through April 1, 2019. For more information and/or to apply, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/moral-courage-awards/. Applications are toward the end of the page. Awards will be presented to finalists at Annual Conference 2019.
Resolutions to the 235th Session of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference
All resolutions set to come before the 235th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are due to the Conference Secretary by April 1, 2019. The session will be held May 29-June 1, 2019.
Resolutions should be submitted using the BWC Resolution Submission Form available at: http://tiny.cc/bwc-resolution-form
Please note:
You must first consult with Mark Gorman, Chair of the Rules Committee, prior to submitting resolutions pertaining to Rules of the Session.
For resolutions that have budget implications, you must first consult with Phil Potter, Chair of CFA prior to submitting the resolution.
Immigration Town Hall
March 23, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Emmanuel UMC, Laurel Explore the subject of immigration, reform and the church's role as an agent of justice and hope for all people.
Southern Region Annual Leadership Day April 13, 2019
The Southern Region will host our annual training for clergy and laity on April 13, 2019 at Nichols-Bethel UMC, 1239 Murray Rd, Odenton MD. This year our keynote speaker will be Matt Lake, Lead Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Williamsport, PA—an urban congregation that consists of a mix of traditional and contemporary worship experiences. First Church also currently hosts a network of fresh expressions of ministry called the Acts Network in which people meet in places such as homes, gyms, and coffee shops. To learn more about fresh expressions watch this video
Criminal Justice Mercy and Ministries Resources and Survey for Faith Communities
The Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church has a new CJAM website that has been created for congregations to become more aware and resourced in this vital area. You are invited to go to, http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries/ check out the resources and take the questionnaire so that we can better connect with you in this area. To go directly to the survey, please visit http://www.bwcumc.org/ministries/advocacy-action/criminal-justice-and-mercy-ministries-questionnaire/.
Golf Tournament and Gala in Support of Seeds of Security (SOS) Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention: Raising Awareness and Promoting Safe Havens
Join us at Hobbit’s Glen in Howard County on Monday, April 22, 2019 from 12 noon -5 pm for our first Baltimore-Washington Conference sponsored SOS Golf Tournament and Gala. These events will help us to raise awareness of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence, offer greater resources, create deeper partnerships, and develop and partner with more safe havens. For ticket pricing and to register yourself or a team of four, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19.
For tickets to join us for the Seeds of Security Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Gala to be held at Turn House in Howard County at 7 PM on Friday, April 26, 2019, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19. . There are limited tickets and this event will be sell-out. So please purchase your tickets today!
If you would like to become an event sponsor and or know someone who would like to sponsor this vital ministry, please go to https://www.eiseverywhere.com/sosgolf19 or contact .
FUND BALANCE REPORT ARE DUE JUNE 30th
The Committee on Finance is required to make provision for an annual audit of the records of all the financial officers (including the financial secretary or church business manager and treasurers) of the church and all its organizations and shall report to the Charge Conference. Guidelines for handling of an accountability of funds can be found in the 2017-2020 United Methodist Church Financial Records Handbook and in Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation: FINANCE
FOR LOCAL CHURCH STEWARDSHIP LEADERS GROWING GENEROSITY IN YOUR CONGREGATIONS
Thursday, May 9, 2019, 6:30PM CDT
Going Mobile to Fund Our Mission
The statistics are astounding! 95% of Americans own a cellphone, with 77%
owning smartphones.80% of social media time is spent on mobile devices,
and users of online media spend on average 69% of their media time on a
smart phone. How is your church commcating your funding? Postal mail?
Text in an email? There is a whole, wide world at your fingertips! Join us as
we scratch the surface of your smartphone for ways to move people to
generous support of your church’s mission!
Thursday, July 18, 2019, 6:30PM CDT
When Is It Time to Talk About Money?
Jesus spoke about money and possessions more than most any other topic,
yet he didn’t do it in the context of fundraising. His concern was that these
things not get in the way of our relationship with God. How can we talk to
people about the importance of handling money well, at a time when we are
not asking them to complete a pledge card? Join us as we explore new ways
to have these kinds of “money talks” as well as when we are looking for
commitments.
Thursday, September 12, 2019, 6:30PM CDT
Funding: Come Out Strong in the Fourth Quarter
In the NFL, the “red zone” is those last 20 yards you have to cover to make it
to the end zone and a touchdown. In your church, it’s those last six weeks
that will determine whether your financial year ends in the black or in the red.
As in football, this may not be the place to take wild chances, but to do the
basics extremely well! Join the conversation as we explore what this means
for local churches like yours!
Thursday, November 7, 2019, 6:30PM CDT
The Best Time to Develop a Stewardship Strategy…
An African proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is today.”
Similarly, the best time to develop a year-round plan for growing generous disciples in your congregation
was last year, second best is right now. Join us as we explore ways your team can have an intentional plan for incorporating stewardship into your 2020 plans!
These webinars are made possible by World Service Fund support!
Visit www.umcdiscipleship.org/webinars for registration information and links.
For Stewardship specific resources visit www.umcdiscipleship.org/stewardship
Email questions to
Be part of our Facebook following at www.facebook.com/UMCstewardship
Follow us on Twitter @umcstewardship