CHARGE CONFERENCE SEASON-FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON GATEWAY
You should have received your schedule. The forms are now available for you to begin completing. There are sample forms on the website. http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/chargeconferencemain
Please remember that only those persons that have been designated as a officer/chair will be able to access the forms. The church administrator is the only person who will be able to access all of the forms. Please be sure that the person who is the chair of finance, SPRC, Trustee, etc. are updated in Gateway as just that, if not they will not be able to access the forms. The person who is listed whether they are not now that person in the position will be able to access the forms.

If you have forgotten your username and password, please first try using the “forgot my password” feature (remember you must have a e-mail address listed in Gateway to use this option). If you continue to have problems in accessing the forms please send an email to washregion@bwcumc.org requesting your user name and password. PLEASE DO NOT INSERT A NEW RECORD IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE ALREADY IN THE SYSTEM. If you have changed your e-mail address and have not changed it in gateway it will not recognize the new one.

An email with the agenda and other items that you will need for Charge Conference will be sent to all churches and pastors in the next few days.



Certified Lay Ministers in Gateway
If you have Certified Lay Ministers (CLM’s) in your congregation, please be sure that they are in Gateway under your Committee Leadership. Each district has their own designation in Gateway, CM-Certified Lay Minister for the Central Maryland District and GW-Certified Lay Minister for the Greater Washington District. There are forms that have to be filled out by CLM’s before charge conference. The form is similar to the Lay Speaking form. If you don’t designate them in Gateway as a CLM they will not be able to complete their form at charge conference and be voted on. The same goes for the Lay Speakers, if they are not correct in the system they cannot access their forms. For more information on how to set up someone on the Committee Leadership, please go to http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/training and select the Introduction to the Gateway System 2011 document.



Discipleship Academy Registration Closing
The registration deadline for Discipleship Academy is September 15, 2011. If you have anyone that still wants to take the class, please have them register by September 15. Online registration is available at http://www.bwcumc.org/academy/cls/washington.



Electronic billing: apportionments, pension, medical
It is expected that each church will receive medical and pension billing through the Gateway system. A monthly reminder will be sent via email. With the email reminder should also be an attachment describing how to access the payment history and make payments through gateway. This information has been sent with each electronic billing. The bills will be sent to the treasurer of record. NOTE: If you have a new treasurer or the treasurer’s email address has changed, please have the church’s gateway administrator make the appropriate changes, so that the church will receive the bills in a timely manner.



BISHOP’S DAY APART WITH CLERGY – REGISTRATION REQUIRED – NO WALK INS
Learning to preach to a new generation can raise a lot of questions—what reaches them, what inspires them, what motivates them to go out and be God’s light to others. The tricky part is this skill is never totally perfected as the new generation is always changing. Come and hear from keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas Long, what captivates the hearts of the youth, young adults and the ever changing adult population of today.

The Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long is the Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, and the author or editor of 14 books on preaching and worship. He is ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He is the chair of the Day1 Advisory Board, comprised of leading preachers, scholars, and other leaders.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.
First UMC, 6201 Belcrest Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782-2913
Cost $35 regular registration Aug. 29-Sept. 11
Cost $40 late registration Sept. 12-Oct. 1
Registration closes October 1
Register at: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/bishopsdayclergy2011


BISHOP’S DAY APART WITH LAITY – REGISTRATION REQUIRED – NO WALK INS
Learn new creative ways to design worship and ways to revitalize traditional worship from keynote speaker Kim Miller, who will charge the creative batteries of worship teams to create vital worship experiences and spaces that are engaging, transforming and celebratory.

Saturday, September 24, 2011
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.
Trinity UMC, 703 W. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701-4029

Speaker: Kim Miller currently leads the worship and campus design teams at Ginghamsburg Church, creating welcoming worship experiences and environments for the Ginghamsburg community across multiple campuses. Kim's passion for visually, artistically and theologically connecting people to God fueled the pioneering of Ginghamsburg's signature multisensory worship celebrations and continues at the core of her call and mission. Kim has authored several books on worship design (below) -all accessible tools for churches large and small. Also a consultant in the areas of worship and space design, Kim hosts a blog @ http://www.redesigningworship.com/

Cost $45 late registration Sept. 12-18
Registration closes Sept. 18 (no walk-ins)
Register at: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/bishopsdaylaity2011



WORSHIP DESIGN STUDIO
Greetings, Worship Design Studio Members!

It is with great excitement that I can announce that we are ready for you to renew your Worship Design Studio subscription for the 2011-2012 liturgical year. Why am I so excited?

Because your membership for next year will make you part of the BIG NEWS of what will be changing during the next subscription year. Not only will you enjoy all the resources and experts you usually do, but in 2012 we will be rolling out project management SOFTWARE based on my methodology of design so that every member of your team can literally be "on the same page" via their individual computers. This will take you from the brainstorming stages to resource gathering, all the way to script preparation. You will have access to an easy-to-use step-by-step program that will STREAMLINE and inspire you and your team. And this is ALL part of your subscription! Nothing further to buy, nothing further to download. As I love to say, "Woo Hoo!" (you can see more about this development at http://web.me.com/marciamcfee/2011_WDS_Signup_Page/Welcome.html)

So, here is how you renew your subscription AT THE "THANK YOU" RENEWAL RATE THAT IS GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 30 ($100 off the regular $250 rate)

Go to: http://www.marciamcfee.com/amember/member.php  Log in with your username and password - Click on the tab called "Add/Renew Subscription"
Choose 2011-2012 year
Enter this coupon code: 6162FFEFD6
You'll pay through PayPal.

Then return whenever you want to sign on to www.marciamcfee.com/studio.htm and click the 2011-2012 member login. You'll be directed to the introductory pages for the coming year. (Note: to get to all the 2010-2011 materials, you'll still click on the "2010-2011 member login" link). New subscribers get what you've already got, the Summer and Fall 2011 materials. But there are also some goodies there for you: a set of 6 articles I've written, one for every member of your team. These will be a great conversation starter for assessing where you are and where you want to go.

Remember, after October 30 your renewal rate will be the usual $250 so take care of this now :)

I'll be posting my own Series Visions (formerly known as "Marcia's Doorway") for the year soon!

Friends... sorry but I forgot to say that if you had a subscription through your conference, we are still waiting to hear about which conferences and districts will renew (Dakotas UMC, we have confirmation that your conference is paying for your subscription again so stay tuned for your coupon code. Baltimore/Washington, your conference will encourage you to subscribe but wants you to pay your way this time so go ahead with an individual subscription). Remember, you pay per church, not per team member! With individual paid subscriptions, all of your team members will share the login and password to the church account.

Thanks for all you do on behalf of the people of God!

Peace & Passion,
Dr. Marcia McFee
worshipworkshop@aol.com



Bridges to Wholeness Global Church Forum
Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center. Bridges to Wholeness explores ways that folks are excluded from the life of the church and its ministries and how churches can develop practices of inclusion. The guests are Dr. William B. McClain, Wesley Theological Seminary; Bishop Forrest C. Stith, Retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church; and James E. Winkler, General Secretary of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society (GBCS). On-line registration will open on August 5th. Paper registrations are due to Dee McCrae on or before September 24. Cost is $10 per person. Please e-mail questions bwcboards@aol.com.
Link to the Bridges to Wholeness Page: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/bridgestowholeness


2011 Women Veterans Conference
The National Center for Health Behavioral Change, A Step Forward, Incorporated and AARP are excited about the 2011 Women Veterans Conference entitled:
"Women Veterans: Empowered with the Tools for Success."

When: September 16, 2011
Where: Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom
Morgan State University Student Center
1700 East Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, Maryland 21251
Time: 8am - 4pm

This conference promises to be an event complete with power packed workshops and panel discussions on Finances/ Budgeting; "What Women Veteran Need to Know", Entrepreneurship, Utilizing GI Benefits for Education, Enhancing Health Care Benefits, Job Opportunities, College Fair, and Life Skills Techniques!

Also included will be health care screenings, massages, yoga workshops, relaxation techniques, vendors and entertainment. Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.

The conference is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include workshops, health screenings, vendors and entertainment; the fee is $25. To register, call 410-383-4119 or visit http://mvwc2011.eventbrite.com/.



World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday is coming up on October 3, 2011.Here is the new page for WCS. You will see a lot of resources that can be used with blogs.
http://www.umcgiving.org/site/c.qwL6KkNWLrH/b.3833897/k.D8EA/Special_Sundays__World_Communion_Sunday__Support_Materials.htm



Inaugural Benefit Concert
The Montgomery County Government and the Potomac Faith Community Present: Faith In Action.

Inaugural Benefit Concert - A “CHANGE THE WORLD” EVENT

Keynote Speaker - The Honorable Constance Morella
Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 4:30 PM
Reverend Dr. Ann Laprade
Potomac United Methodist Church
10300 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854

All donations will go to the Nonprofit Village
Featuring Music from the Washington Vocal Artists
Director, Rosemary Dyer
Reception to follow concert.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 301-299-9383
http://www.potomac-umc.org/  http://www.thenonprofitvillage.org/

Thank you for joining - first of a series between the Potomac faith community and county government on eliminating poverty in Montgomery County. It starts in our community and we will make a difference.

The Nonprofit Village is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax deductible.



Church Pianist Position Wanted
Patrick Lanahan, new graduate student at the University of Maryland, studying piano performance is looking for a position as a church pianist. He has several years of experience playing for a Methodist church in northwest Florida. If you are interested in receiving his resume, please contact Patrick at 850-866-4828 or p.lay1865@gmail.com.



Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Good Shepherd UMC, Silver Spring, MD: Good Shepherd UMC is seeking to hire a half-time Coordinator of Youth Ministry.The coordinator will develop, implement and oversee the youth ministry of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. For information and an application form, contact Rev. Joye Jones, Pastor, GoodShepUMC@verizon.net. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.



Children’s Sabbath Weekend
“Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue:” Answering God’s Call to Protect Children is the theme of the 2011 National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths Weekend

This year Children’s Sabbath will focus on the closing the achievement gap in education that currently has children in poverty and children of color falling further and further behind, and ensuring that education becomes the engine of equality, not inequality. Level of educational achievement is the best predictor of future income; ensuring that every child gets a high quality education is the best poverty-prevention program we have.

As Methodists, our heritage is steeped in the right of all children to have access to quality education, and on this weekend we join all of God’s children to advocate for children who deserve to grow up as equipped as possible for life. Although Children’s Sabbath is held on the weekend of October 14-16, many United Methodist congregations will hold activities on the weekend of October 7-9.

Children’s Sabbath is not Children’s Sunday, which is usually worship designed, developed, and led by children. Children’s Sabbath is a multi-generational weekend of worship and service that advocates for all children. For ideas on how to get started, go to http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/2011-sabbath-manual/sabbath-2011-welcome.pdf. To download a Children’s Sabbath manual, go to http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/2011-sabbath-manual/2011-childrens-sabbaths-manual.html.


FOR TWEETERS: 2011 National Children’s Sabbath Manual available http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/2011-sabbath-manual/2011-childrens-sabbaths-manual.html.




TRIP TO COMMON GROUND IN NEW YORK
From Karin Walker - DS, Baltimore Region
I am sure that you have read or heard about “Common Ground"--a ministry to the homeless in New York City which provides permanent housing for people. It is a story of hopefulness and commitment to the idea that all people deserve a place to live and given a hand up, will live as responsible citizens. Our hope in the Baltimore Region is to develop places where this kind of housing might be available.

The Baltimore Region is going on a road trip with a number of colleagues from other regions. We will leave at 7 a.m. on October 18 and return by 9 p.m. that same day. We will visit two sites in New York City where this ministry is ongoing and hear from the director about how it became a reality.

We are asking you because of your commitment to homeless ministry and outreach to the community and/or because your location may be ideal for this kind of program. There may be a layperson you wish to bring with you which would be excellent!

Tony, Sandy and I were overwhelmed at the success of "Common Ground" in New York--it's too amazing for words so we want you to see it for yourselves. Should you choose to accept this invitation, it will cost you:
*you will lose your current sense of what ministry to the homeless should be.
* you will no longer be satisfied with just feeding the homeless or providing temporary shelter.
*you will be overwhelmed with hope and possibility.

You will gain .5CEU's. We are asking people to pay their own way. The cost of the bus will be $50 per person. Lunch will be your only other expense.

The day will look like this: leave at 7 a.m. from Towson UMC (501 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286), arrive in New York by 11 a.m.; visit two sites with lunch in between, debrief on-site for an hour.

We must receive a check from you, made payable to the Conference Treasurer (write: “Common Ground” in the memo section), and sent to the care of Olivia Gross (BWC Mission Center, 11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20795), no later than September 30 for you to participate. If you are not interested, we would like to invite another so please let Olivia Gross know as soon as possible. Her email address is ogross@bwcumc.org.

Read more about Common Group click on link or cut and paste in your web browser: http://www.commonground.org/