Discipler Group Reminder
Just a reminder that Discipler Groups are not being held on Thursday, September 1. The groups will meet on September 6, 7, & 8. For more details on the groups, dates, inclement weather information, etc., please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/disciplergroups. There was an error in the address for Jones Memorial UMC. It was listed as being in SW DC, but it is actually located in SE DC. Please make note of the updated address if you have to travel there next week.
Gateway Training
Our next featured Gateway training is Compensation training. This training will teach you how to complete the compensation form through Gateway. Someone will be available to answer any question you may have about your pastor’s compensation and filling the form out online. Only SPRC, Treasurers and Pastors should attend this training session.
Please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/gatewaytraining to register. Registration is free but required since many of our trainings are limited due to space constraints.
Charge Conference Forms Online
Charge Conference forms are now available online. You will need to log into Gateway to access the forms. Sample forms can be found at http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/chargeconferencemain.
Bridges to Wholeness Global Forum
In preparation for the 2012 General Conference, conversations will be around the emphasis of a Global Church and “what it means to be a connectional church globally”. For more information and to register, please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/events/bridgestowholeness.
What Every Child Should Experience: A Guide for Leaders and Teachers in United Methodist Congregations
This is a guide for leaders and teachers of children in the area of faith formation. The resource contains a comprehensive guide to scripture significant for children as they develop cognitively and theologically. It also contains a chart of what children need and understand developmentally around the beliefs and concepts of God, Worship, the Bible, Home and Family, Everyday Life, Community, and Wesleyan Heritage. This is a new resource from GBOD available as a free downloadable PDF at http://www.gbod.org/atf/cf/%7B3482e846-598f-460a-b9a7-386734470eda%7D/WHATEVERYCHILDSHOULDEXPERIENCEUMC_2011.PDF
Dealing with Anonymous Critics
Vivian says she found this week’s ministry matters newsletter to have some interesting points on handling anonymous critics… If you are not subscribed, you might like to be! http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/article/entry/1639/dealing-with-anonymous-critics
To: ALL HEALTHFLEX PARTICIPANT (if you are enrolled in our medical plan, you are in HEALTHFLEX)
Re: HealthQuotient (HQ) online health risk questionnaire.
The HQ health risk questionnaire is a requirement of HealthFlex to avoid a higher deductible in 2012 plan year. All active participant and their enrolled spouses MUST take the HQ to avoid the higher deductible. If you did HQ prior to August 1, 2011, you must do it again during this timeframe to save (August 1 – September 30, 2011).
To get started: please go to http://www.gbophb.org/, click on “HealthFlex/WebMD” and enter your username and password. The click on “HealthQuotient” under Get Started.
PLEASE CALL WEBMD AT 1-866-302-5742 FOR HELP LOGGING IN OR WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT HQ.
PLEASE PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO ALL LOCAL CHURCH LAY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ENROLLED IN OUR MEDICAL PLAN.
Evan Young Installation Service
An offering will be collected at Evan Young’s Installation Service to benefit homeless efforts in the Greater Washington District. The service will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Colesville UMC. If you plan on attending, please send your RSVP to washregion@bwcumc.org.
Donations Accepted at Conference Mission Center
Stopping by the Conference Mission Center in the coming weeks for a training, event or meeting? We welcome you to bring donations of non-perishable food and personal items (toothbrushes, diapers, shampoo, etc.) to be contributed to the Mission Center Change the World Food Drive event on October 8. All donations to the drive will benefit local pantries and agencies in need. Please leave donations with the front desk staff.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Apportionment Information
For those churches that sent in a dispute form for the 2012 apportionments, the BWC Finance Team will be responding to your dispute request during the first week of September. The pastor and treasurer will be copied on the email.
Personal/Office Safety Seminar
You are invited to attend the Personal/Office Safety Seminar hosted by the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center. This seminar will cover office, church and personal safety. A local county police officer and the local fire department will be present to discuss:
• Your personal safety
• The prevention of office theft and robberies.
• Office and elevator safety
• Parking lot/Garage safety
• Identity Theft
• Fire Prevention
• And other useful information
Register Today! http://www.bwcumc.org/events/safetyseminars
The cost is free!
BWC Mission Center Address: 11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
Gateway Training
Registration for our Gateway Trainings is now up and running. Please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/gatewaytraining to register. Registration is free but required since many of our trainings are limited due to space constraints. For most of our trainings we will be offering them at multiple locations and multiple times. You can select which location and time work best for you.
Charge Conference Forms Online
Charge Conference forms are now available online. You will need to log into Gateway to access the forms. Sample forms can be found at http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/chargeconferencemain.
Evan Young Installation Service
An offering will be collected at Evan Young’s Installation Service to benefit homeless efforts in the Greater Washington District. The service will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Colesville UMC. If you plan on attending, please send your RSVP to washregion@bwcumc.org.
Charge Conference InformationThe locations for all of the Cluster Charge Conferences have been confirmed. Please check out the locations at http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/WashRegionChgConf2011.pdf.
Please note that charge conferences being held the weekend of October 8-9, 2011, are invited to celebrate World Mission Day at the host church. The host churches will be collecting non-perishable food items to use for their mission work with local food pantries, shelters, etc. Please try and bring a donation so you can be counted as one of 15,000 in mission that weekend.
Host churches will be providing drinks during the cluster conferences; we are asking that each church attending a cluster conference bring a small dessert to share with other churches.
Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate with author J. Clif Christopher
Presented by: Northeast Jurisdiction Vision Table and The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation, 800-828-9093. Popular Stewardship Author Dr. J. Clif Christopher will be coming to Wilmington, DE, and conducting a workshop related to his book “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” on Wednesday September 14, 2012 at Simpson United Methodist Church in Wilmington Delaware.
The workshop is being underwritten by a grant from The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation and the Northeast Jurisdiction UMC Vision Team.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Lunch and materials are included in the $25 per person registration fee.
Simpson United Methodist Church, 907 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19804-2633; (302) 998-4222.
REGISTER NOW ONLINE: https://epaumc.smartevents.com/public/events/not-your-parents-offering-plate
“Dr. Christopher is a very popular speaker and generous teacher. Both his books “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” and “Who’s Offering Plate Is It” have become important instructional guides for any church developing a comprehensive and effective stewardship program” said Jack Brooks, Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation. “With his busy schedule, we are delighted with the opportunity for Clif to come to the Mid-Atlantic Region and address our area’s United Methodist Leadership, Clergy, and Stewardship Teams.”
In addition to this workshop, Dr. Christopher will be a guest speaker at the National Association of United Methodist Foundations Annual Conference in Philadelphia the following day and will be a speaker at the National Association of United Methodist Treasurers the following week. A free copy of the book “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” will be given to the first 25 churches that register. Registration is limited to 150 people. Registration can be completed online at: www.midatlanticfoundation.org .
For more information contact the foundation at 484-762-8211. About the Foundation: The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation provides Stewardship and Investment Services for churches and agencies in the Eastern Pennsylvania, Peninsula, and Baltimore Washington Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church. https://epaumc.smartevents.com/public/events/not-your-parents-offering-plate
Citizenship Class Information Needed
Chevy Chase UMC is interested in hosting citizenship classes at their church and are looking for information from other churches who have already hosted this class. If you have information that you can offer, please contact Judy Smith at Smarmayor@aol.com.
Call to Action Vital Signs
Just a reminder that you can get your church vital signs at www.umcvitalcongregations.org.
EPWORTH CHAPEL, School of Christian Life and Learning presents:
The Christian’s Career Journey
Saturday, September 10, 2011 and Saturday, September 17, 2011
Finding a new job can be an overwhelming experience. Instead of becoming flustered and losing hope, many job seekers find comfort in knowing God has a plan and a purpose for their life and career. Not only does this course reveal the seven-step process to discovering the Master F.I.T. for one’s career, it offers Christ-Centered coaching exercises and spirit-inspired “pocket prayers” for power and peace every step of the journey. Also, the course offers the Myers Briggs Assessment (MBTI) to help the participants explore their personality type with their career matching. The course helps Christians discover the new definition of a J.O.B. – a Journey of Becoming!
Your $50.00 registration includes both sessions, textbook and Myers Briggs exam.
For information and registration, please contact the
Epworth Chapel office: 410-944-1070
Enroll Now! Class is limited to the first 15 registrants!
EPWORTH UNITED METHODIST CHAPEL
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIFE AND LEARNING
Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, Pastor
Dr. Clayton C. Stansbury, President
3317 St. Lukes Lane
Baltimore, Maryland 21207
Church Office: 410-944-1070
OCTOBER 8-10, 2011 – Change The World Mission Day
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists all working together in mission in their communities. The Change the World Mission Day will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. Congregations will be encouraged to move outside the walls of their local churches to serve in their communities.
Check the website below to:
• Register your church or group;
• Download lots of resources - sermon series, study tools for Youth & Young Adults, a Children's supplement, flyers, & tips for promoting your event;
• Download promotional videos; and,
• Connect with others on the event’s Facebook page.
For more information contact Olivia Gross at ogross@bwcumc.org
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists Working Together to Make Positive Changes in their Communities. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
The Change the World Mission Work Day of the Baltimore-Washington Conference on October 8-10, will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. We invite you and your congregation to move outside the walls of your local churches to serve in your communities.
Join us, and be one of 15,000, all lending hands and hearts to change the world by registering your church or organization at www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld. For more information on this event, please contact Olivia Gross at ogross@bwcumc.org.
Donations Accepted at Conference Mission Center
Stopping by the Conference Mission Center in the coming weeks for a training, event or meeting? We welcome you to bring donations of non-perishable food and personal items (toothbrushes, diapers, shampoo, etc) to be contributed to the Mission Center Change the World Food Drive event on October 8. All donations to the drive will benefit local pantries and agencies in need. Please leave donations with the front desk staff.
Please pray for…
… David Hodsdon’s father, David Hodsdon. He is in the hospital near his home in Maine where heart issues have led to a stent procedure yesterday. David is there with him now and we keep him in our prayers as well. His father is in good spirits. David is pastor at the Hyattstown-Clarksburg Charge.
For those churches that sent in a dispute form for the 2012 apportionments, the BWC Finance Team will be responding to your dispute request during the first week of September. The pastor and treasurer will be copied on the email.
Personal/Office Safety Seminar
You are invited to attend the Personal/Office Safety Seminar hosted by the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center. This seminar will cover office, church and personal safety. A local county police officer and the local fire department will be present to discuss:
• Your personal safety
• The prevention of office theft and robberies.
• Office and elevator safety
• Parking lot/Garage safety
• Identity Theft
• Fire Prevention
• And other useful information
Register Today! http://www.bwcumc.org/events/safetyseminars
The cost is free!
BWC Mission Center Address: 11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
Gateway Training
Registration for our Gateway Trainings is now up and running. Please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/gatewaytraining to register. Registration is free but required since many of our trainings are limited due to space constraints. For most of our trainings we will be offering them at multiple locations and multiple times. You can select which location and time work best for you.
Charge Conference Forms Online
Charge Conference forms are now available online. You will need to log into Gateway to access the forms. Sample forms can be found at http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/chargeconferencemain.
Evan Young Installation Service
An offering will be collected at Evan Young’s Installation Service to benefit homeless efforts in the Greater Washington District. The service will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Colesville UMC. If you plan on attending, please send your RSVP to washregion@bwcumc.org.
Charge Conference InformationThe locations for all of the Cluster Charge Conferences have been confirmed. Please check out the locations at http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/WashRegionChgConf2011.pdf.
Please note that charge conferences being held the weekend of October 8-9, 2011, are invited to celebrate World Mission Day at the host church. The host churches will be collecting non-perishable food items to use for their mission work with local food pantries, shelters, etc. Please try and bring a donation so you can be counted as one of 15,000 in mission that weekend.
Host churches will be providing drinks during the cluster conferences; we are asking that each church attending a cluster conference bring a small dessert to share with other churches.
Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate with author J. Clif Christopher
Presented by: Northeast Jurisdiction Vision Table and The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation, 800-828-9093. Popular Stewardship Author Dr. J. Clif Christopher will be coming to Wilmington, DE, and conducting a workshop related to his book “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” on Wednesday September 14, 2012 at Simpson United Methodist Church in Wilmington Delaware.
The workshop is being underwritten by a grant from The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation and the Northeast Jurisdiction UMC Vision Team.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Lunch and materials are included in the $25 per person registration fee.
Simpson United Methodist Church, 907 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19804-2633; (302) 998-4222.
REGISTER NOW ONLINE: https://epaumc.smartevents.com/public/events/not-your-parents-offering-plate
“Dr. Christopher is a very popular speaker and generous teacher. Both his books “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” and “Who’s Offering Plate Is It” have become important instructional guides for any church developing a comprehensive and effective stewardship program” said Jack Brooks, Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation. “With his busy schedule, we are delighted with the opportunity for Clif to come to the Mid-Atlantic Region and address our area’s United Methodist Leadership, Clergy, and Stewardship Teams.”
In addition to this workshop, Dr. Christopher will be a guest speaker at the National Association of United Methodist Foundations Annual Conference in Philadelphia the following day and will be a speaker at the National Association of United Methodist Treasurers the following week. A free copy of the book “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” will be given to the first 25 churches that register. Registration is limited to 150 people. Registration can be completed online at: www.midatlanticfoundation.org .
For more information contact the foundation at 484-762-8211. About the Foundation: The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation provides Stewardship and Investment Services for churches and agencies in the Eastern Pennsylvania, Peninsula, and Baltimore Washington Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church. https://epaumc.smartevents.com/public/events/not-your-parents-offering-plate
Citizenship Class Information Needed
Chevy Chase UMC is interested in hosting citizenship classes at their church and are looking for information from other churches who have already hosted this class. If you have information that you can offer, please contact Judy Smith at Smarmayor@aol.com.
Call to Action Vital Signs
Just a reminder that you can get your church vital signs at www.umcvitalcongregations.org.
EPWORTH CHAPEL, School of Christian Life and Learning presents:
The Christian’s Career Journey
Saturday, September 10, 2011 and Saturday, September 17, 2011
Finding a new job can be an overwhelming experience. Instead of becoming flustered and losing hope, many job seekers find comfort in knowing God has a plan and a purpose for their life and career. Not only does this course reveal the seven-step process to discovering the Master F.I.T. for one’s career, it offers Christ-Centered coaching exercises and spirit-inspired “pocket prayers” for power and peace every step of the journey. Also, the course offers the Myers Briggs Assessment (MBTI) to help the participants explore their personality type with their career matching. The course helps Christians discover the new definition of a J.O.B. – a Journey of Becoming!
Your $50.00 registration includes both sessions, textbook and Myers Briggs exam.
For information and registration, please contact the
Epworth Chapel office: 410-944-1070
Enroll Now! Class is limited to the first 15 registrants!
EPWORTH UNITED METHODIST CHAPEL
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIFE AND LEARNING
Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, Pastor
Dr. Clayton C. Stansbury, President
3317 St. Lukes Lane
Baltimore, Maryland 21207
Church Office: 410-944-1070
OCTOBER 8-10, 2011 – Change The World Mission Day
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists all working together in mission in their communities. The Change the World Mission Day will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. Congregations will be encouraged to move outside the walls of their local churches to serve in their communities.
Check the website below to:
• Register your church or group;
• Download lots of resources - sermon series, study tools for Youth & Young Adults, a Children's supplement, flyers, & tips for promoting your event;
• Download promotional videos; and,
• Connect with others on the event’s Facebook page.
For more information contact Olivia Gross at ogross@bwcumc.org
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists Working Together to Make Positive Changes in their Communities. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
The Change the World Mission Work Day of the Baltimore-Washington Conference on October 8-10, will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. We invite you and your congregation to move outside the walls of your local churches to serve in your communities.
Join us, and be one of 15,000, all lending hands and hearts to change the world by registering your church or organization at www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld. For more information on this event, please contact Olivia Gross at ogross@bwcumc.org.
Donations Accepted at Conference Mission Center
Stopping by the Conference Mission Center in the coming weeks for a training, event or meeting? We welcome you to bring donations of non-perishable food and personal items (toothbrushes, diapers, shampoo, etc) to be contributed to the Mission Center Change the World Food Drive event on October 8. All donations to the drive will benefit local pantries and agencies in need. Please leave donations with the front desk staff.
Please pray for…
… David Hodsdon’s father, David Hodsdon. He is in the hospital near his home in Maine where heart issues have led to a stent procedure yesterday. David is there with him now and we keep him in our prayers as well. His father is in good spirits. David is pastor at the Hyattstown-Clarksburg Charge.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Gateway Training
Registration for our Gateway Trainings is now up and running. Please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/gatewaytraining to register. Registration is free but required since many of our trainings are limited due to space constraints. For most of our trainings we will be offering them at multiple locations and multiple times. You can select which location and time work best for you.
Discipler Groups/Charge Conference Schedules – Please check the listings since some changes/updates have been made to the schedules!
The Discipler Groups and Charge Conference Schedule listings can be found on the website. Discipler Groups at http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/disciplergroups and Charge Conference Schedule Listings at http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/WashRegionChgConf2011.pdf.
Churches that applied for the Small Employer Tax Credit
From: BWC Benefits Office (pastors and church admin – please be sure to get this information to the appropriate people in your church)
This is in response to inquiries from several local churches who received follow-up inquiries from the IRS regarding their claims. The General Board has issued information regarding how to respond to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requests for documentation for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit—specifically what to provide as a “certificate of insurance” or “insurance policy.” More details are provided http://www.gbophb.org/TheWell/Root/HFLX/4272.pdf.
If you are not one of the churches that applied for the Tax Credit, please disregard this message.
Free Resources for Your Church
What does it really mean to be a United Methodist? Here are resources that we hope you will encourage your churches to use, they will find the answer to this question—and more—in these resources.
These free resources are available to you and are shipped via UPS at no charge.
Order online at www.umcgiving.org/store; e-mail csc@umcom.org; call toll free (888) 346-3862.
“The People of The United Methodist Church” U.M. Handbook—Product #8420020
“Together We Can” brochure—Product #420809
“Who We Are” brochure—Product #420709
“Together We Can” DVD—Product #500310
“Why We Apportion”—Product #500810
“Why We Give”—Product#500710
Thank you for making these materials available through your congregations’ generous support of the World Service Fund apportionment.
Interpreter Enrollment – Free Subscriptions
Pastors/Church Leaders: It’s time to enroll or re-enroll so you can receive free subscriptions to Interpreter magazine - the denomination’s top-rated resource for ministry tips and tools.
Interpreter magazine will send the 2012 enrollment forms directly to each church, and should arrive sometime in early August. Your support for taking advantage of this subscription opportunity can make a difference. Please fill out your enrollment forms as soon as they receive them to take advantage of the opportunity to equip 10 of your leaders with this important “how-to” publication.
Bishop’s Day Apart with Laity Event Information
Bishop’s Laity Day Apart
Saturday, September 24, 2011
9:00am-3:00pm
Frederick: Trinity United Methodist Church
Come and join Bishop Schol as we fellowship and are inspired by Kim Miller, the worship leader at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Ohio. The theme for the day will be Vital Worship: Celebrate, Engage, Inspire, and Transform. This is going to be an amazingly uplifting day for all of the Conference laity. For more information and to register go to http://www.bwcumc.org/events/bishopsdayapart. We look forward in seeing you.
Discipleship Academy – New Class Added
A New Fall Class will been added to the Discipleship Academy web pages today under Other Classes and Workshops and School of Church Leadership.
How to Start New Worship Services -- Rev. Andy Lunt, Instructor
According to Dr. Charles Arn, president of Church Growth, Inc., eight out of ten congregations that add a new style of worship service to their weekly schedule will experience a measurable increase in 1) total attendance, 2) total giving, and 3) total conversions.
This workshop will address the nuts and bolts of starting a new worship service in your congregation. This “how to” workshop will offer practical experience to address what it takes to start and grow a new worship experience so that it becomes an established part of you church’s ministry and helps your congregation to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The workshop will be most helpful if a team including pastor and laity attends from each congregation. The session will include times for beginning to talk about and develop specific strategies for each congregation’s particular setting.
For more information contact Christine Kumar at ckumar@bwcumc.org
Instructor: Rev. Andy Lunt
Registration fee: $35, optional box lunch $10
NO walk-in registrations will be accepted.
Location: Baltimore-Washington Conference Mission Center
11711 East Market Place
Fulton, MD 20759
September 10, 2011
9am-3pm
$35 online registration paying by credit card NO WALK-INs
$10 box lunch
To register, go to http://www.bwcumc.org/academy/newworshipservices.
Personal/Office Safety Seminar
There will be five FREE seminars available throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference to cover office, church and personal safety.
A local county police officer will be present at each location to discuss:
• Your personal safety
• The prevention of office theft and robberies.
• Office and elevator safety
• Parking lot/Garage safety
• Identity Theft
• And other useful information
Dates and locations of Safety Trainings include:
• Aug. 25, 2011, 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.
BWC Mission Center, 11711 E. Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
• Aug. 30, 2011, 9 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Williamsport UMC, 25 E. Church St., Williamsport, MD 21795
• Aug. 31, 2011, 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Huntingtown UMC, 4020 Hunting Creek Rd., Huntingtown, MD 20639
• Sept. 1, 2011, 9 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Cresaptown UMC, 14805 McMullen Hwy SW, Cresaptown, MD 21502
• Sept. 8, 2011, 2 — 4 p.m.
Trinity UMC, 703 W. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701
The classes are FREE so register on-line today!
You will need your Gateway User ID and Password to register at: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/safetyseminars.
OCTOBER 8-10, 2011
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists all working together in mission in their communities. The Change the World Mission Day will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. Congregations will be encouraged to move outside the walls of their local churches to serve in their communities.
Check the website below to:
• Register your church or group;
• Download lots of resources - sermon series, study tools for Youth & Young Adults, a Children's supplement, flyers, & tips for promoting your event;
• Download promotional videos; and,
• Connect with others on the event’s Facebook page.
For more information contact Olivia Gross at ogross@bwcumc.org
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists Working Together to Make Positive Changes in their Communities
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
The Change the World Mission Work Day of the Baltimore-Washington Conference on October 8-10, will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. We invite you and your congregation to move outside the walls of your local churches to serve in your communities.
Join us, and be one of 15,000, all lending hands and hearts to change the world by registering your church or organization at www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld.
Beware of Bogus Website
Please read and share the information below from Dave Schoeller, Business Data Analyst in at the Mission Center about a website address very similar to the General Board of Global Ministries.
The General Board’s web address is http://www.gbgm-umc.org/. Unfortunately, there is another website www.gbgm.org, that does nothing but immediately pop up an advertisement window and locks up your browser so that you cannot do anything other than click the “OK” button.
If you stumble on the bogus site, DO NOT CLICK THE OK BUTTON on the pop-up window. If you click the “OK” button, you may infect your computer with a virus and create a security breach on our (your) network.
Protect your PC and the BWC by using Control-Alt-Delete so that you can forcibly close your browser application. In fact, this is a good solution if you ever face that type of situation with a website that is behaving in a similar manner.
Engaging in Ministry with the Poor Workshop
Are you or your lay leaders engaging in ministry with the poor, yearn to do so but don’t know how or are looking to take another step to in developing authentic relationships and partnerships and welcome their neighbors into a worshiping community? If so perhaps you would be interested in Working and Worshiping Together: Next Steps in Engaging in Ministry With the Poor at the UM Church for All People in Columbus, OH, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2011, which will include presentations, workshops and a ministry practicum. For more information or to register, go to http://www.4allpeople.org/training.html or contact George Howard at ghoward@4allpeople.net or - 614-445-7342.
Registration for our Gateway Trainings is now up and running. Please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/gatewaytraining to register. Registration is free but required since many of our trainings are limited due to space constraints. For most of our trainings we will be offering them at multiple locations and multiple times. You can select which location and time work best for you.
Discipler Groups/Charge Conference Schedules – Please check the listings since some changes/updates have been made to the schedules!
The Discipler Groups and Charge Conference Schedule listings can be found on the website. Discipler Groups at http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/disciplergroups and Charge Conference Schedule Listings at http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/WashRegionChgConf2011.pdf.
Churches that applied for the Small Employer Tax Credit
From: BWC Benefits Office (pastors and church admin – please be sure to get this information to the appropriate people in your church)
This is in response to inquiries from several local churches who received follow-up inquiries from the IRS regarding their claims. The General Board has issued information regarding how to respond to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requests for documentation for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit—specifically what to provide as a “certificate of insurance” or “insurance policy.” More details are provided http://www.gbophb.org/TheWell/Root/HFLX/4272.pdf.
If you are not one of the churches that applied for the Tax Credit, please disregard this message.
Free Resources for Your Church
What does it really mean to be a United Methodist? Here are resources that we hope you will encourage your churches to use, they will find the answer to this question—and more—in these resources.
These free resources are available to you and are shipped via UPS at no charge.
Order online at www.umcgiving.org/store; e-mail csc@umcom.org; call toll free (888) 346-3862.
“The People of The United Methodist Church” U.M. Handbook—Product #8420020
“Together We Can” brochure—Product #420809
“Who We Are” brochure—Product #420709
“Together We Can” DVD—Product #500310
“Why We Apportion”—Product #500810
“Why We Give”—Product#500710
Thank you for making these materials available through your congregations’ generous support of the World Service Fund apportionment.
Interpreter Enrollment – Free Subscriptions
Pastors/Church Leaders: It’s time to enroll or re-enroll so you can receive free subscriptions to Interpreter magazine - the denomination’s top-rated resource for ministry tips and tools.
Interpreter magazine will send the 2012 enrollment forms directly to each church, and should arrive sometime in early August. Your support for taking advantage of this subscription opportunity can make a difference. Please fill out your enrollment forms as soon as they receive them to take advantage of the opportunity to equip 10 of your leaders with this important “how-to” publication.
Bishop’s Day Apart with Laity Event Information
Bishop’s Laity Day Apart
Saturday, September 24, 2011
9:00am-3:00pm
Frederick: Trinity United Methodist Church
Come and join Bishop Schol as we fellowship and are inspired by Kim Miller, the worship leader at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Ohio. The theme for the day will be Vital Worship: Celebrate, Engage, Inspire, and Transform. This is going to be an amazingly uplifting day for all of the Conference laity. For more information and to register go to http://www.bwcumc.org/events/bishopsdayapart. We look forward in seeing you.
Discipleship Academy – New Class Added
A New Fall Class will been added to the Discipleship Academy web pages today under Other Classes and Workshops and School of Church Leadership.
How to Start New Worship Services -- Rev. Andy Lunt, Instructor
According to Dr. Charles Arn, president of Church Growth, Inc., eight out of ten congregations that add a new style of worship service to their weekly schedule will experience a measurable increase in 1) total attendance, 2) total giving, and 3) total conversions.
This workshop will address the nuts and bolts of starting a new worship service in your congregation. This “how to” workshop will offer practical experience to address what it takes to start and grow a new worship experience so that it becomes an established part of you church’s ministry and helps your congregation to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The workshop will be most helpful if a team including pastor and laity attends from each congregation. The session will include times for beginning to talk about and develop specific strategies for each congregation’s particular setting.
For more information contact Christine Kumar at ckumar@bwcumc.org
Instructor: Rev. Andy Lunt
Registration fee: $35, optional box lunch $10
NO walk-in registrations will be accepted.
Location: Baltimore-Washington Conference Mission Center
11711 East Market Place
Fulton, MD 20759
September 10, 2011
9am-3pm
$35 online registration paying by credit card NO WALK-INs
$10 box lunch
To register, go to http://www.bwcumc.org/academy/newworshipservices.
Personal/Office Safety Seminar
There will be five FREE seminars available throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference to cover office, church and personal safety.
A local county police officer will be present at each location to discuss:
• Your personal safety
• The prevention of office theft and robberies.
• Office and elevator safety
• Parking lot/Garage safety
• Identity Theft
• And other useful information
Dates and locations of Safety Trainings include:
• Aug. 25, 2011, 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.
BWC Mission Center, 11711 E. Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
• Aug. 30, 2011, 9 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Williamsport UMC, 25 E. Church St., Williamsport, MD 21795
• Aug. 31, 2011, 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Huntingtown UMC, 4020 Hunting Creek Rd., Huntingtown, MD 20639
• Sept. 1, 2011, 9 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Cresaptown UMC, 14805 McMullen Hwy SW, Cresaptown, MD 21502
• Sept. 8, 2011, 2 — 4 p.m.
Trinity UMC, 703 W. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701
The classes are FREE so register on-line today!
You will need your Gateway User ID and Password to register at: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/safetyseminars.
OCTOBER 8-10, 2011
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists all working together in mission in their communities. The Change the World Mission Day will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. Congregations will be encouraged to move outside the walls of their local churches to serve in their communities.
Check the website below to:
• Register your church or group;
• Download lots of resources - sermon series, study tools for Youth & Young Adults, a Children's supplement, flyers, & tips for promoting your event;
• Download promotional videos; and,
• Connect with others on the event’s Facebook page.
For more information contact Olivia Gross at ogross@bwcumc.org
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists Working Together to Make Positive Changes in their Communities
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
The Change the World Mission Work Day of the Baltimore-Washington Conference on October 8-10, will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. We invite you and your congregation to move outside the walls of your local churches to serve in your communities.
Join us, and be one of 15,000, all lending hands and hearts to change the world by registering your church or organization at www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld.
Beware of Bogus Website
Please read and share the information below from Dave Schoeller, Business Data Analyst in at the Mission Center about a website address very similar to the General Board of Global Ministries.
The General Board’s web address is http://www.gbgm-umc.org/. Unfortunately, there is another website www.gbgm.org, that does nothing but immediately pop up an advertisement window and locks up your browser so that you cannot do anything other than click the “OK” button.
If you stumble on the bogus site, DO NOT CLICK THE OK BUTTON on the pop-up window. If you click the “OK” button, you may infect your computer with a virus and create a security breach on our (your) network.
Protect your PC and the BWC by using Control-Alt-Delete so that you can forcibly close your browser application. In fact, this is a good solution if you ever face that type of situation with a website that is behaving in a similar manner.
Engaging in Ministry with the Poor Workshop
Are you or your lay leaders engaging in ministry with the poor, yearn to do so but don’t know how or are looking to take another step to in developing authentic relationships and partnerships and welcome their neighbors into a worshiping community? If so perhaps you would be interested in Working and Worshiping Together: Next Steps in Engaging in Ministry With the Poor at the UM Church for All People in Columbus, OH, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2011, which will include presentations, workshops and a ministry practicum. For more information or to register, go to http://www.4allpeople.org/training.html or contact George Howard at ghoward@4allpeople.net or - 614-445-7342.
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