Summer Mini-ROCK Youth Events


CCYM and the ROCK team are proud to announce a series of mini-ROCKs (one in each region) hosted at four of our churches. Although we will have fun, music, drama and a special message from Stephen Gallaher, the events will provide valuable youth leader and youth training. Something for everyone; youth who want to acquire leadership skills, training for beginner youth ministry leaders and advanced training for going deeper into the ministry for our experienced youth leaders. Plus, opportunities to discuss leadership roles and discerning your call in ministry. Working volunteers are always needed. Please contact Tom Price at tombecki@aol.com, pbowen@bwcumc.org or one of the churches listed below.

Locations and Dates: (one in each region)
Saturday, Aug 6th at Good Shepherd, Waldorf, MD
Sunday, Aug. 7th at Bel Air UMC, Bel Air, MD
Saturday, Aug. 13th at Bethany UMC, Ellicott City, MD
Sunday, Aug. 14th at Grace UMC, Hagerstown, MD

Schedule for the One-Day ROCK at each location:
3:00 pm Check-In and Gathering
3:30 pm Breakout Sessions Begin
5:30 pm Pizza Park Begins
7:00 pm Mini-ROCK begins (with music, dance, drama and message from Stephen Gallaher)
Event Ends at 10pm

Breakout Sessions - (concurrent 3:30-5:30pm)
1. Beginning in Youth Ministry (adults who are relatively new to youth ministry)
2. Youth Ministry at the Next Level – Going deeper and further; a team approach (adult youth leaders and youth who are leaders - working smarter and discovering and unleashing the potential of teens!)
3. Youth Ministry Fun and Games - Opportunities for fun, fellowship and learning (for youth and their chaperones - learn ice-breakers and fun & fellowship - great opportunity for youth who are newer or not feeling called into leadership in ministry as well as for adult youth workers)

Group Registration (same as ROCK) Cost:
One-Day ROCK (3pm - 9pm)
$9 per person (adults and youth) Includes Pizza Dinner on site and the
ROCK video resource for youth groups with Stephen Gallaher on DVD.

Mini-ROCK only (7pm-9pm)
$5 per person (adults and youth) Includes the ROCK video
resource for youth groups with Stephen Gallaher on DVD)

More information: www.bwcumc.org/events/onedayrock


Days Apart
Mark your calendar for the Days Apart with Bishop.
Clergy Day Apart
Date: October 12, 2011 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (tentative times)
Place: First: Hyattsville, 6201 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782

Laity Day Apart
Date: September 24, 2011 Time: TBD
Place: Trinity: Frederick, 703 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701


Small Employer Health Insurance Tax credit - DEADLINE May 15th
As many of you are aware, the recent health care reform act permits small employers, including Local United Methodist Churches to receive a credit for payment of health insurance premiums for employees and clergy members. Just recently the IRS issued directions and clarifications on how a Local Church may request a reimbursement check from the government for health insurance premium expenses.

A credit of 25% of premium paid in 2010 subject to Applicable limitations (capped by the amount of Federal Income and Medicare taxes withheld and paid) is available to Local Churches if claimed by the deadline of May 15, 2011. The credit is available for four years until 2013. Churches with 10 or fewer employees can claim the full credit; those between 11-25 employees can claim a reduced amount of credit. Churches with an average wage of $25,000 per FTE can claim the full credit; there is a partial credit for salaries up to $50,000 per FTE.

You are required to file two forms, a FORM 8941 "Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums" and a FORM 990-T "Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return."

The credit is taken against Medicare taxes paid by the Local Church and Medicare taxes and Federal Income taxes withheld from paychecks for any Local Church Lay employee and Clergy if voluntary Federal Income Tax withholding is chosen, regardless of that employee's enrollment in the Health Insurance Program. Namely, even though you do not withhold payroll taxes for your pastor you are able to claim the credit against payroll tax obligations of other employees (even those not in the health plan).

Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums
The recent Health Care Reform Act permits small employers, including local churches, to receive a 25% credit of health insurance premiums paid for employees and clergy members.

The IRS has issued clarification and directions about how local churches may request a reimbursement from the government for these expenses. IRS Website (www.irs.gov)
• Notice 2010-82 (clarifies how some rules apply to local churches in regard to the credit)
• Blank Form 8941
• Directions for Form 8941
• Blank Form 990-T
• Directions for Form 990-T

General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits website: (www.gbophb.org)
• At the bottom left of the main page “important information for participants” click on Health Care Reform
• Health Care Reform article of Jan. 13, 2011 titled "Small Business Tax Credit for Church Plan Employer's"
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit


Some Open Positions in the Region
Christian Preschool Director - Emmanuel Methodist Preschool, the first MSDE-accredited preschool in Howard County, MD, is seeking a dynamic leader to be our Preschool Director. EMP is a private Christian school in Laurel, and has been providing an excellent educational experience for approximately 150 children (ages 2-5) since 1978. Our staff believe that all children are God-given and that they have a right to an age-appropriate education that allows them to grow socially, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically at their own pace. The Director should be self-motivated and capable of providing superior leadership and vision while working closely with students, parents, staff and church leaders.

The successful candidate will have proven management skills, a comprehensive understanding of early childhood education, and clear marketing strategies for how to grow our exceptional program. Computer proficiency and excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills are required. Duties will include: oversight of preschool operations and administration, close coordination with the Church, program development and growth, supervision of 12 staff of varying experience levels, and budget and financial management.

Requirements include: Bachelors Degree (Education degree or Masters preferred), 2 years early childhood teaching experience and demonstrated leadership experience. Our Director is full-time for 10 months per year and part time in June & July. EMP offers a competitive salary, paid vacation, medical benefits and pension.

A complete job description can be obtained at our website, www.emmanuelpreschool.com/jobs. Interested candidates should email their resume with salary requirements to empjobs.preschool@gmail.com by Friday, April 29th.


Minister for Congregational Care - The Glen Mar mission is to praise God, to make disciples, and to serve the world. Staff members are leaders called to be examples to the rest of the church and are held to higher standards. Staff members model the values of constructive, positive relationship, caring and courtesy for all persons and humility as servant leaders. Staff sets the tone and pace and has a significant role in shaping the heart and character of the entire congregation. It is vital that we walk the path together by actively encouraging wholeness in personal, physical, emotional and spiritual health for each. Spiritually healthy leaders will produce a spiritually healthy church. To achieve these goals staff members are expected to pursue a disciplined lifestyle that is demonstrated by positive character and behavior, expectation and evidence of belief that God is alive and acts in today’s world, and considered actions that conform to denominational standards of practice.

Definition: The Minister for Congregational Care typically serves the members of the church and related church community. Generally, this means that this minister has oversight and responsibility for the programs and ministries; unpaid leadership; and related activities of community life which regards the spiritual and pastoral care of individuals and their families. This minister relates to other age-level ministers and staff, and is a member of the staff team shepherded by the Pastor for Community Life, as well as the church staff team led by the Senior Pastor. The Minister for Congregational Care helps provide leadership that supports the vision and mission of the church. The specific duties support the Community Life Ministry of the church in relation to the caring needs of those we are called to serve. It is important that the Minister for Congregational Care have a strong, positive working relationship with the Pastor for Community Life, the Lead Pastor, and the other age-level ministers and staff that results in a unified spirit in response to God’s call in working partnerships, with an ability to represent the vision, mission and values of the church to the community.

Summary and Definition: With minimal supervision from the Pastor for Community Life, the minister in this position will be able to develop, implement, administer, oversee and coordinate an overall strategy to provide congregation care and caring support ministries for individuals and families of Glen Mar Church. Particular emphasis will be given to planning, mobilizing, training, and empowering teams of unpaid leaders, together with staff, to provide congregational care for the community of Glen Mar Church. This minister will primarily develop and implement the ministry of the local church to care for people as Jesus Christ did and TO help them grow into His likeness for the transformation of the world. This may be done through ministries of education, small groups, visitation, prayer, companionship, worship, and service to others as the mission of the church is carried out in the world.

General Duties and Responsibilities: The minister in this position will be available to perform all the administrative, managerial and supervisory duties as needed to fulfill God’s call to servant leadership as Minister for Congregational Care, as they support the other paid and unpaid servants of Jesus Christ at GMUMC. This person will support the theology of the United Methodist Church. As part of a multi-staff team, the Minister for Congregational Care will be responsible for providing leadership to the Congregational Care Ministries of Glen Mar UMC. Congregational Care Ministries will serve the spiritual and pastoral care needs of the community and their families in accordance with the church's vision, mission, goals, values and policies. This includes the recruitment, nurture, formation, and equipping of persons to grow and serve as followers of Jesus Christ. This position calls for specific emphasis on the ministries of caring to equip the people of God for ministry and mission in the world for Jesus Christ, through Glen Mar UMC, to include, but not be limited to:

1. Provide leadership, managerial oversight and evaluation in all areas of administration, budget and finance, program development, goal setting, allocation of resources for congregational care ministries. Stay informed of new and effective ways to develop ministry of congregational care and share such knowledge with others in the church.
2. Provide ministry leadership to unpaid staff—specifically caring ministry teams, Stephen ministers, Caring Connections Resource ministers. Coordinate the pastors’ and staff activities within and related to Caring Ministry. Coordinate and communicate with Ministry Teams and the Glen Mar Community regarding the activities and organization of the Congregational Care Ministry. Perform general pastoral care as well as periodically plan and develop church-wide classes and workshops. Stay informed on new and effective ways to implement congregational care ministry and share such knowledge with others in the church.
3. In cooperation with the Pastor for Community Life, the Minister of Operations, and the other age-level ministers of GMUMC, implement and support the policies of Glen Mar Church, including the Safe Sanctuaries policy and process. Advise or guide church leadership regarding ethical and safe practices for the formation of church policy that minimize the church’s liability.
4. Provide leadership, organization and direction to the Glen Mar UMC Congregational Care ministry, to include, but not be limited to:
A. The administration of congregational care which includes but is not limited to: Assessment of caring needs of individuals and community. Referral to appropriate internal or external care and counseling resources. Development of goals, objectives, processes and systems for Congregational Care. Evaluation of congregational care. Organization and management of time, physical space, resources and supplies, and budget for the ministry. Implementation of church policy into ministry area. Communication of the ministries for Congregational Care to the church and community. Reservation and oversight of facility use for the ministry. Incorporation, Administration and management of confidential data for caring ministry in the church database. Ordering and inventory of equipment and supplies for ministry. Provide tools, resources, documentation and communication for paid and unpaid leadership as required. Attendance at team and staff meetings. Other duties as assigned by supervising Pastor(s).
B. Congregational Care Team Leadership and Development which includes but is not limited to: Recruitment, selection, training (First Aid, CPR, Safe Sanctuaries), placement, scheduling and evaluation of people in Congregational care ministry. Guidance of team members (regular team meetings, one-on-one) for the purpose of being a support and resource (prayer, spiritual development, problem solving).

Connection and collaboration with pastors and staff to address church wide issues and events. Provide coordination and direction regarding the day-to-day execution of the ministry. Train and supervise caring ministers and support small group leaders in the area of congregational care within their small groups.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Minimum Education: Degree in spiritual and pastoral care, counseling, social work or related field. Related licensure or certification preferred. Minimum of 2 years experience with leadership of spiritual and pastoral care in a congregation and/or clinical setting. Spiritual gifts of compassion, discernment, faith, leadership, and administration. Ability to articulate a call to ministry. Significant experience with the recruitment, training, management and direct supervision of others.

Knowledge of Christian caring resources, program design, planning and organization. Ability to respect and maintain the confidential nature of individual membership records, pastoral conversations, and much of the correspondence with pastors and staff. Knowledge of the spiritual formation processes and stages of faith development in individuals. Knowledge and experience with basic computer skills and use of technology for ministry. Ability to be resourceful, creative and collaborative in the development of ministry. Ability to work within the church and with ministry colleagues and groups in the church and community. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal relationship skills. Trained and experienced in conflict resolution. Excellent listening skills. Ability to establish and maintain a consistent weekly schedule and good time management practices that include regular office hours. Knowledgeable concerning relevant legal and ethical issues.

Interested candidates should send their resume to maryka.kanahan@glenmarumc.org by April 27, 2011.

Administrative Assistant - The Glen Mar mission is to praise God, to make disciples, and to serve the world. Staff members are leaders called to be examples to the rest of the church and are held to higher standards. Staff members model the values of constructive, positive relationships, caring and courtesy for all persons, and humility as servant leaders. Staff sets the tone and pace and has a significant role in shaping the heart and character of the entire congregation. It is vital that we walk the path together by actively encouraging wholeness in personal, physical, emotional and spiritual health for each. Spiritually healthy leaders will produce a spiritually healthy church. To achieve these goals staff members are expected to pursue a disciplined lifestyle that is demonstrated by positive character and behavior, expectation and evidence of belief that God is alive and acts in today’s world, and considered actions that conform to denominational standards of practice.

Definition: With regular supervision and guidance, the occupant of this hourly administrative position extends gracious hospitality by telephone manner and personal interactions; provides accurate and timely information to callers, church members, church leaders, congregation members, staff, vendors, visitors, and the general public; accurately updates the Glen Mar ACS database; schedules routine church activities, facilities, and other resources required; and provides staff support for operations and program staff, other than the Pastors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Serves as the primary voice and personal presence of Glen Mar Church. Answers the telephone professionally and properly refers calls to the appropriate place. Greets visitors, honored guests, congregation members, vendors, mail persons, information seekers, and anyone in our facility with gracious warmth and genuine welcome. Requires “extra mile” personal attention and “above and beyond” phone service, where possible.
• Accurately posts primary data to ACS database and Novell church-wide database. Updates information while posting attendance and recording visitors after weekly services. Provides visitor reports on Mondays to Pastor’s Assistant for pastoral follow-up and to the lay team to make initial visitor calls. Collects information from visitor calls and adds it to ACS database. Provides report of any membership status changes to Minister for Operations weekly. Assumes responsibility for the accuracy of reported information. Maintains backup documentation for 3 months, then shreds all personally identifying information.
• Supports scheduling of church events and activities into master church calendar. Makes routine scheduling changes as needed. Provides accurate records of the calendar events to Pastors’ Assistant for the weekly worship bulletins.
• Using information from the master calendar, prepares daily Wayfinder (television) slides with timely and accurate information.
• Reviews facility schedule daily with Building Services Supervisor. Prints and provides a weekend report for the Building Services Supervisor to use in managing the facility for worship and special events.
• Supports Minister for Operations by recording, maintaining, and tracking requirements for serving children, youth, and vulnerable adults according to Safe Sanctuaries policy, such as completed application, completed training, timely re-training, receipt of recommendations, etc. Demonstrates ability to handle personal information confidentially. Maintains completed forms and records alphabetically in secure files in the office of the Minister for Operations.
• Supports staff needs for routine administrative tasks, such as typing/keyboarding, filing, drafting correspondence, creating documents, copying, calendaring, coordinating, scanning records and communicating internally, among others. Maintains office machines, such as copiers and postage meter. Inventories supplies and coordinates with Pastors’ Assistant and Minister for Operations for ordering. Plans ahead, including appropriate lead time, to assure no loss in productivity of staff.
• Collaborates to avoid overlap and duplicated effort within ministry teams. Assistance with priority setting is provided by supervisor.
• May handle money, distribution of tickets, and/or bearer instruments in the course of registrations or release of books for discipleship studies, etc.
• Responsible for routing incoming mail to appropriate staff mailboxes daily.
• Coordinates schedule with Pastors’ Assistant to provide maximum personal presence of welcome in the facility.
• Other duties or special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, skill, and ability: Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred. Appropriate combinations of education, experience, and/or training in administration, business, management, education, management information systems, organizational development or other related field will be considered. Minimum of two-years experience in multi-tasking work environments, preferably in non-profit, professional, or church environment. Positive and cooperative attitude, shown in manner of speaking to others, word choices and actions. Responds effectively to verbal and written instructions. Skills in listening and speaking sufficient to present a report and communicate an idea effectively. Resolves problems and uses judgment to know when to refer decisions to supervisor.

Special Requirements: Computer competence in Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel , internet, and social media. Willingness and ability to learn, including the liturgical year, church members and their roles, repeating patterns in the calendar, policies and procedures, priority setting, and conflict resolution, as examples. Flexibility to adjust to fast-paced organization and different personalities asking for services. Honesty, and strength of personal character. Keeps good boundaries individually and among staff, maintains confidentiality, and uses information properly.

Interested candidates should send their resume to barb.julian@glenmarumc.org by April 27, 2011.



2nd Annual Revival & Prayer Summit
Sponsored by The Urban Connection of Greater Washington, DC & The United Methodist Churches consisting of Community, Douglas Memorial, Ebenezer, Hughes Memorial, Jones Memorial, Simpson-Hamline, McKendree-Simms-Brookland, Mount Vernon/Franklin P. Nash, Randall Memorial, Grace, Lincoln Park, Christ and Brighter Day Cooperative Parish

Theme: “Unleash the Power of the Holy Spirit through Prayer - Based on Ephesians 6:10-18
Preacher and Teacher - Bishop Violet Fisher
May 12-13, 2011 @ 7:00 PM
Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church
4501 16th Street, NW
Washington DC, 20011
For further information please call 202-882-2122
For Pastor’s Only Prayer Summit
Sponsored by The Urban Connection of Greater Washington, DC & The United Methodist Churches consisting of Community, Douglas Memorial, Ebenezer, Hughes Memorial, Jones Memorial, Simpson-Hamline, McKendree-Simms-Brookland, Mount Vernon/Franklin P. Nash, Randall Memorial, Grace, Lincoln Park, Christ and Brighter Day Cooperative Parish

Theme: “Unleash the Power of the Holy Spirit through Prayer” - Based on Ephesians 6:10-18
Preacher and Teacher - Bishop Violet Fisher
May 14, 2011 @ 9:00 PM
Breakfast will be served promptly at 9:15 AM
Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church 4501 16th Street, NW Washington DC, 20011
For further information please call 202-882-2122 or email shumcdc@yahoo.com or revfleming1@verizon.net



Native American Ministries Sunday
The next Special Sunday is Native American Ministries Sunday on May 8, 2011.
Graphics found under Website Advertising:
http://www.umcgiving.org/site/c.qwL6KkNWLrH/b.3904007/k.CA08/Special_Sundays__Native_American_Ministries_Sunday__Support_Materials.htm



Annual Audits Due June 30, 2011
An email with the report template was sent out at the beginning of April. We do appreciate you not waiting until the last minute to get this finished and submitted. Just plug in your numbers and the column on the far right automatically totals for you. Please make sure to add your Church’s ID number after the church’s name as you complete the form; it makes it easier for us when we submit them! Don’t forget to save the audit file to your hard drive and print a copy for your files. After the Audit form is completed attach it to an email and send washregion@bwcumc.org.

Audit reports are NOT to be included in your Charge Conference materials because they are due June 30 well before Charge Conference Meetings. These files are being stored electronically so you DO NOT need to send a hard-copy of the form to your District Superintendent.



Pre-Conference Booklets
The Pre-Conference booklets have been printed and are currently being mailed. It will take three to four weeks. You can expect them by mid April. You can also download the booklet online on the Annual Conference page or at this link: http://www.bwcumc.org/files/PRECON%202011_web.pdf.


May Discipler Group Information Available
The May Discipler Group information is now available for download. Clergy: Please download the session 47 participant’s guide at http://www.bwcumc.org/content/discipler-groups-curriculum.
The May make-up session will be held on Tuesday, May 17 at the Conference Mission Center from 9:30 am – noon.


Change The World!
Imagine 15,000 United Methodists all working together in mission in their communities. Plans are now underway for a conference-wide event on October 8, 9 & 10, 2011. 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.

More details will be announced as they become available. If your church would like a practice run, you are encouraged to participate in the denomination’s Change the World event, which is expected to draw 500,000 people across the nation into 3,500 mission projects May 14-15. www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld


Prayer Requests

Please pray for the following:

Prayers of celebration for Alisa Lasater Wailoo, pastor of Capitol Hill UMC on the birth of her son, Anthony Adolphus Wailoo. Anthony was born on April 4, 2011. Congratulations can be sent to office@chumc.net.


Jimmy Sherrod, pastor at Metropolitan Memorial UMC and his wife, Lesli, welcomed Henry James Sherrod on April 7, 2011. Mother and baby are doing well. Notes of congratulations can be sent to jsherrod@mmumc-dc.org.