On Tuesday, June 25, local churches in the North Carolina Conference will welcome their pastors. Some of these pastors will continue serving at the same location of ministry, but many will begin new appointments on July 1. For suggestions on ways to welcome a new pastor, read this document by Robert Crossman from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The North Carolina Council of Churches’ 2013 Legislative Seminar brings together national experts with grassroots activists who share a progressive, prophetic vision for the state  This year’s seminar takes place on Thursday, April 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 4801 Six Forks Road, Raleigh. The Rev. Joseph Brown, Presiding Elder, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, will lead worship, and the Rev. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of GreenFaith, will lead the plenary on “Communicating the Values We Believe.” Register at Legislative Seminar or by calling 919-828-6501. Cost, including lunch, is $10 for students; $25 for all others. Lunch, provided by the Interfaith Food Shuttle’s Catering With A Cause, cannot be guaranteed after April 4.

Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness grant applications are due no later than April 10 at 4 p.m. (if hand-delivered) or postmarked no later than April 10. No faxed applications will be considered and all must have the appropriate signatures. Do not wait until the due date to gather signatures. Plan ahead! Applications may be downloaded from the Leadership Ministries page.

Online registration for Duke Divinity School’s 2013 Convocation on the Rural Church will begin May 15 at 9 a.m. Pastors of rural churches that are eligible for Duke Endowment grants are invited to register for the event, which will be held August 12-14 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort and Conference Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Thanks to the generous funding of The Duke Endowment, costs will be kept to a minimum. For additional information, visit the event website.

The Academy for Leadership Excellence will present Leading from the Center: Spiritual Practices for Ministry Excellence on Wed., May 8 from 9am-3pm at Edenton Street UMC.

Open to all clergy and laity, this Day of Learning will be facilitated by Dr. Bruce Epperly a theologian, minister, and author of over 20 books. This interactive and experiential workshop focuses on the importance of spiritual practices for excellence in ministry and congregational lay leadership related to administration, mission, decision-making, preaching, and worshipful work.

Register online at theafle.org or for more information, call The Academy for Leadership Excellence at 919-208-2169.

United Methodist Foundation is trustee of a special endowment called the “One Who Is Loved Fund,” a permanent endowment which makes gifts (not to exceed $1,000 per year per child) to children under the age of 19 who have special needs such as specialized medical equipment or supplies/medicine, transportation to hospitals or treatment centers, or other special needs.  Pastors of the NC Conference are encouraged to recommend children for the “One Who Is Loved” Fund. Inquiries and requests for consideration for gifts from the fund should be directed to United Methodist Foundation office, 700 Waterfield Ridge Pl., Garner NC 27529 by March 29.  Contributions from others are invited and encouraged to enable this special granting fund to serve the needs of more children.