CHARGE CONFERENCE UPDATE
Please use the following links to access the Charge Conference Information you may need.

For charge conference schedules which list the dates, times and locations, please go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/WashRegionChgConf2011.pdf.

For Charge Conference Sample Forms, please go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/chargeconferencemain and scroll down to the appropriate section.

For information on Clergy Housing and Compensation, please go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/chargeconferencemain and scroll down to additional resources.

For information about how to update your committee listings, please go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2011GatewayManual.pdf.

For information about Call to Action Numerical Goals, please go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/Call%20to%20Action%20Numerical%20Goals%20Training%20Guide.pdf.

For information about the charge conference agenda, please go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2011%20charge%20conference%20agenda.pdf.



Instructions for 2011 Charge Conferences
The theme for the 2011 Charge Conferences is GO DEEP!
Here are some key things to you will need to know to have a successful Charge Conference.

NOW
* Host churches will provide beverages and paper products. All other churches are asked to bring finger foods (desserts or appetizer-type items).
* The goal of having charge conferences in clusters is to share with and learn from neighboring churches. The sharing time during worship is crucial to this process, and it depends on your preparation for that time. Therefore, Please ask ONE lay person from your church to be prepared to answer the following question – and to speak for no more than 2 minutes:

Share a witness of how your small group did one of these things:
• Deepened your faith;
• Helped you to connect in a meaningful way with another person; and/or,
• Showed you something new/unexpected about God.

* Review the agenda. http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2011%20charge%20conference%20agenda.pdf.
* Share the date, time and location of the charge conference with your church council. To view the charge conference schedule, go to http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/WashRegionChgConf2011.pdf. Each church is expected to attend worship and charge conference. Please be sure to view the schedule details on the day of your charge conference to determine if your charge conference is before or after worship.
* Be sure that the appropriate team in your church is ready to handle the assigned reports. Pastors – please work with your church administrators to review the Committee Listing in Gateway and ensure that it is correct and up-to-date. For information on how to update the Committee Listing, go to http://www.bwcumc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2011GatewayManual.pdf.
* Use sample reports to collect charge conference information. Sample reports can be found at http://www.bwcumc.org/gateway/chargeconferencemain. We suggest that you document the answers to the reports in a Word document and then when you are ready to complete the report in Gateway, use the Word document to cut from and paste directly into the Gateway form.
* Be sure that all candidates (ordained ministry, lay speaking, CLM) to be recertified (or voted on in any way) are present at the charge conference. If they are not present, the will not be eligible to be voted on. If there is a compelling reason that a candidate cannot attend the charge conference, prior permission must be obtained from the guide or district superintendent.

ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CHARGE CONFERENCE
* All reports are to be completed and ready for your guides to review in Gateway one week prior to your charge conference. If there is an omission and forms are incomplete, you will be contacted by your guide.
* For more information about completing the reports, please see the training documents at http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/training.
* If your charge conference is being held on the weekend of October 8 and 9, please see be sure to bring non-perishable food items and toiletries for collection at the host churches for Change The World Mission Weekend. More details about the event can be found at http://www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld.

FINAL PREP FOR CHARGE CONFERENCE
* Only enter whole digits on Gateway forms. Do not use decimals, percent signs or dollar signs.
* Print the following documents for all attendees at charge conference so they can see what they are voting on. Please be sure they are in the order as it appears on the agenda:
o Pastor’s Report
o Call to Action Numerical Goals
o 2012 Congregational Goals
o Ministry to Disciples
o Clergy Compensation Report
o Finance Committee Report
o Lay Leadership Development Form

* Prepare a folder to give to your guide with all of the forms listed above. Be sure that this folder is in the order of the agenda.
* Prepare ballots for all categories of lay speakers, with names, candidates for recertification as CLM’s and recommendations of ministerial candidates.
Please note: It is the responsibility of the local church to maintain the files of the Laity Sexual Misconduct Questionnaire and to verify lay speaker reports. Please do not give these forms to your guide.

ONE WEEK AFTER CHARGE CONFERENCE
* Be that sure that the online clergy compensation report is correct (accurate as to what was voted on at charge conference) and SUBMIT.
* Record votes for lay speakers, CLM’s and ministerial candidates and SUBMIT.
* Send minutes to washregion@bwcumc.org within two weeks of charge conference.
* Remember to update any new officers and end terms of retiring officers in Gateway under the Committee Listings.



BWC United Methodist Men Annual Meeting
Saturday, Oct 8, 2011: Registration 8am , Breakfast 9am

The United Methodist Men of Asbury UMC, 926 11th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001 are hosting the BWC UMM Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 8 from 9am to noon. We are asking $20/adult or $5/youth to cover the cost of the event. Free parking will be available next door or if you prefer, the Annapolis District UMM has made arrangements for bus transportation for the nominal fee of $10. The bus will stop at the Park & Ride on Riva Rd, Annapolis, Md (7am) and at St Marks UMC, Hanover, Md (8am). Deadline to register for the bus is September 28.

Please register online at http://www.bwcumm.org/eventRegistration.aspx. Don't delay register now! Or contact Malcolm Clory at 301-420-0299, or Richard Campbell at 888-870-7171 or send an email to rcampbell@bwcumm.org. Payment will be made at the door.

Join us for breakfast, fellowship, worship, including an inspirational message, praise singing, special music by two outstanding male choirs , holy communion, and the presentation of the Conference UMM Man of the Year and Conference UMM Youth of the Year awards. Download a flyer at http://www.bwcumm.org/BWCUMM2/docs/Oct08_2011SaveTheDateFlyer.pdf. Help us reach our goal of 400 men united in prayer, praise and ministry. Spread the word!

Visit http://www.bwcumm.org/ for posting of the proposed bylaws, proposed FY 2012 budget and the final program (when it becomes available).



ROCK 2012
ROCK 2012 will be held on January 20-22, 2012 in Ocean City, MD.
We welcome special guest speaker Steve Fitzhugh and praise and worship by Nichole C. Mullen.
To register, go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/rock/rock-registration
New this year – Mass Choir for Sunday Worship at ROCK. For more information, go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/content/rock_sunday_mass_choir.



Change the World
Change the World will be here before you know it! We thank God for the following churches who are planning events for the weekend of October 8-10 to be a witness to the love of God in the community!

Locust UMC
West Liberty UMC
Douglas Memorial UMC
Foundry United Methodist Church
Millian Memorial United Methodist Church
Potomac United Methodist Church
Simpson-Hamline
American University United Methodist Campus Ministry
Araby UMC, Washington, DC
Bethesda United Methodist
Chevy Chase UMC
Christ United Methodist Church
Colesville UMC
College Park United Methodist Church
Emmanuel UMC
Emory Beacon of Light, LLC
Emory United Methodist Church
Epworth United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville
Forest Memorial UMC
Glen Mar UMC
Good Hope Union United Methodist Church
Hopkins United Methodist Church
Hughes United Methodist Church and the Conference Commission on Disabilities
Ijamsville UMC
Jerusalem-Mt.Pleasant United Methodist Church/United Methodist Women
Mustard Seed Cooperative Parish
Silver Spring United Methodist Cooperative Parish (Woodside and Marvin Memorial)
St. Paul UMC, Laytonville
Trinity United Methodist Church
United Methodist Campus Ministry University of Maryland
Wesley Freedom

For more information about Change The World, please go to: http://www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld.