Website available to accept donations to Africa University
Africa University is a United Methodist Church-related institution and is being nurtured and funded by church members from all over the world. This university provides theological and other educational programs on the continent where United Methodism is experiencing its fastest growth. The Africa University Fund reached 92% of its goal in 2007 and is looking towards reaching 100% of its need in 2008. A website has been set up for persons to make online donations to Africa University. It is"www.support-africauniversity.org." Please highlight this website and the story of Africa University with your church members.
Clergy Spouses to gather June 12 for luncheon
All clergy spouses are invited to the City Hotel and Bistro in Greenville at noon on June 12 for a luncheon. The Rev. Lib Campbell, retreat leader for the Academy for Spiritual Formation, will be the keynote speaker. Pre-registration is requested and a registration form with important information is available at http://www.nccumc.org/ac2008/clergspouslunch.pdf .
Latino Children's Festival to honor all children
The Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministries and the Office of Multicultural Ministries will co-sponsor with Wake County Human Services, the Latino Children's Festival (Festival para Nin@s) on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Saint Francis UMC in Cary. There will be music, games, drama, dance, and food. Bishop Al Gwinn will be at the church to bless all the children attending. This event will be a day of fun and fellowship for persons of all races and ethnicities. For more information, call the Rev. Edith Salazar (Spanish) at 919-609-9601 or Cindy McCorkle (English) at 919-388-5170, ext. 1.
Bishop and Cabinet to meet with Transitioning Pastors
Bishop Al Gwinn and the Cabinet will meet with transitioning pastors on Monday, May 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wilson: First UMC. There will be box lunches. Check with district superintendent for more details.
Order of Deacons to meet with Bishop Gwinn
The Order of Deacons will meet with Bishop Al Gwinn from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, May 20 at Edenton Street UMC in Raleigh. There will be a $5.00 charge for lunch. RSVP to Trish Archer, parcher@nccumc.org , or call 910-791-0353, ext. 124 by May 14.
Gathering of the Fellowship of Local Pastors
The fellowship of local pastors will meet with Bishop Al Gwinn at Nashville UMC on May 22. The gathering will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude near noon. NOTE: there will be no lunch served since the event ends at noon. Please contact Ray Pearce if you plan to attend or if you have any questions, rpearce@nccumc.org .
Clergywomen's Dinner to be held in Greenville
All lay members, clergy, family and friends are invited to attend the Clergywomen's Dinner on June 11 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel in Greenville. The program will include the Red Shoe Award Recognition and featured speaker, the Rev. Trish Archer. Reservations are necessary with an early bird cost of $17 per person before May 23 and $22 per person after May 23. Please include menu choice with payment: Chicken Marsala or Pasta Primavera (Vegetarian.) Checks may be made payable to: Fuquay-Varina UMC and mailed to the Rev. Elaine Lilliston, Fuquay-Varina UMC, 100 S. Judd Pkwy SE, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.
District Annual Conference Orientation Sessions
May 18: 3 - 5 p.m.
Burlington : Mebane UMC; Elizabeth City : Edenton UMC; New Bern : Trinity UMC, Jacksonville
May 18: 7 – 9 p.m
Durham : Glendale Heights UMC; Greenville : Bethel UMC; Wilmington : Trinity UMC
June 1: 3 – 5 p,m,
Fayetteville : St. Matthews UMC; Rocky Mount : Sandy Cross UMC; Sanford : Jonesboro UMC
June 1: 7 – 9 p.m
Goldsboro : St. Paul UMC; Raleigh : St. Marks UMC; Rockingham : St. Luke UMC, Laurinburg
Peace with Justice Sunday is May 18
United Methodist Churches will recognize Peace with Justice Sunday on May 18. A special offering is received to help provide a voice in advocating for peace and justice at home and around the world. Peace with Justice gifts empower compassionate people to advocate for human rights, care for the environment, demonstrate for important causes, feed the hungry, mediate conflict, provide health care, help to model non-violence and be engaged in many other ministries that further the mandate of Micah 6:8. For more information, sermon topics, and promotional material, go to Peace with Justice Sunday .
Book of Reports have been mailed
The 2008 Conference Program and Book of Reports have been mailed to conference members. Additional information about the Annual Conference, July 11-14 in Greenville is available on the conference website. To see current information, go to AC2008 .
FROM THE OFFICE OF MISSIONS AND JUSTICE MINISTRIES
NC Conference UMVIM to hold training events
North Carolina Conference United Methodist Volunteers In Mission will sponsor a training on May 16-17 at the MERCI Center in Goldsboro to enhance the skills of mission team leaders. The Basic class will cover a broad range of topics appropriate for new team leaders. The Advanced session will explore the topic "Budgeting, Fundraising and Team Paperwork." Early Response Training will also be held on May 16-17 at the MERCI Center. This course prepares those volunteers first allowed in a disaster area with the necessary training to make an area safe, sanitary and secure by doing temporary repairs. Both Basic and Advanced UMVIM, NC Team Leader Training classes begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and conclude by noon on Saturday. There are no fees for this class or materials. Early Response Training classes begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and conclude approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday. The cost of the session is $30 and includes training, badge and T-shirt. These sessions are offered simultaneously, so multiple persons from the same local church who desire to attend different sessions may choose to car-pool. Attendees for either class wishing to lodge overnight at the MERCI Center may do so for a fee of $20 per person, payable to MERCI. For more information, go to http://www.nccumvim.org.
Faithful Eating for All People
Join a discussion about food, health, faith, and community. What barriers keep anyone from eating fresh, healthy, local food? Come share personal stories and ideas about overcoming these barriers, then join Asbury Temple UMC in Durham for a community meal on Saturday, June 14. The discussion will begin at 10 a.m.. The event is sponsored by Come to the Table, a project of the Rural Life Committee of the NC Council of Churches with support from The Duke Endowment. For more information, see : www.cometothetablenc.org .
Mission Trip to Russia
A mission trip to Oryol, Russia (approximately 250 miles south of Moscow) is tentatively planned for July 17 - Aug. 1. For more information, contact Donna Fowler-Marchant at (910) 488-8789 or Scott Marchant at (910) 489-9749 or e-mail them at revdlf@aol.com . Scott's blog has pictures and an idea of day to day activities. Russian Missions in Orphanages .
Join in feeding hungry neighbors with Society of St. Andrew
Join with the Society of St. Andrew for a hands-on ministry that can be done with family and local church members, from 3 – 93 years-old-age, in a field in N.C. Contact Society of St. Andrew at: sosanc@endhunger.org or call (866) 453-2662. See their web site at: Society of St. Andrew . Please give to NC Advance, (#S-00081).
