Hearing Accessibility Conference is postponed
The Hearing Accessibility Conference planned for May 31 at Garner UMC has been postponed, possibly until the fall. Persons who have registered should contact Linda Harris, leeharris@nccumc.org as to whether you'd like a registration refund or would like it to apply to the next conference.
For those wishing to use audio-visuals at Annual Conference
Any group or individual planning to use an audio-visual at Annual Conference should let Bill Norton know about this possibility by May 22. These visuals include PowerPoints and videos. A new AV group will be used this year. Call Bill to discuss the audio-visual by May 22 (1-800-849-4433 or e-mail bnorton@nccumc.org . All videos must be in a specific format to be used. All completed PowerPoints or videos must be given to Bill no later than June 2 to be used during the conference. If there are questions, call Bill Norton at 1-800-8494433, ext. 263.
North Carolina Conference church highlighted in Interpreter Magazine
Read about Shepherd's House UMC in Durham, in the May-June 2008 issue of Interpreter , the official ministry magazine for the people of The United Methodist Church. Shepherd's House is included in one of several features on the growth of The United Methodist Church among diverse communities in the United States -- as well as the growth of the church in Africa and the Philippines. Read the story on-line at http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=12720.
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 .
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 5:30-6:30pm at the Hilton 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 check: 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
June 1: 3:00 - 5:00pm
Fayetteville : St. Matthews UMC; Rocky Mount : Sandy Cross UMC; Sanford : Jonesboro UMC
June 1: 7:00 - 9:00pm
Goldsboro : St. Paul UMC; Raleigh : St. Marks UMC; Rockingham : St. Luke UMC, Laurinburg
FROM THE OFFICE OF MISSIONS AND JUSTICE MINISTRIES
Epiphanie Mujawimana will speak during Annual Conference.
Epiphanie is a survivor of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Hired in September 2007, she leads ZOE's empowerment work among orphans in Africa. "Giving Hope for Life" is ZOE's newest initiative which equips orphans with the life skills needed to be self-sufficient within three years. Currently nearly 4,000 orphans are in "Giving Hope." Overall, ZOE's care now reaches nearly 30,000 orphans and vulnerable children. Epiphanie will speak at an event hosted by the Evangelical Fellowship at noon, Friday, June 13 at Covenant UMC. For reservations, please contact: donshields@nccumc.org . The cost to attend is $8.00.
Relief to Myanmar and China
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is persistently pursuing all avenues to provide relief in Myanmar and in China. What help is needed? Continue to pray for the cyclone and earthquake survivors and for additional venues for assistance to be opened to help those in need. Financial gifts for Myanmar will allow UMCOR to respond immediately and with generosity when the appropriate structures are in place to receive further assistance. Designate gifts to UMCOR Advance #3019674, Myanmar Emergency. To give to relief for the China earthquake, designate gifts to UMCOR Advance #982450, International Disaster Response, China Earthquake.
Tornado Response
Tornadoes and severe storms raced across the mid-South May 10, carving up towns throughout the region. In an unusually active tornado and spring storm season, UMCOR is actively working with affected United Methodist annual (regional) conferences as they establish their recovery ministries. UMCOR is working with all affected annual conferences to assess damage, help with the long-term recovery plans, and provide assistance to meet emergency needs. Help support all these annual conferences affected by these violent storms with gifts to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance # 901670.
Shana Harrison - NC Conference Elder - Missionary to Chile
Shana Harrison serves in the La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop and Group Home in Santiago, Chile. Each day she proclaims the love and grace of Jesus by sharing in the abundant life of Christ with mentally and physically handicapped adults. Read about Shana at Shana Harrison - Bio . To assist her in this wonderful ministry, Advance gift can be placed in the church's offering plate and mark it Missionary Support - Advance # 13089Z. Covenant Relationships can also be entered with Shana. Please see: Covenant Relationships . Consider supporting La Esperanza directly by making a gift to Advance - La Esperanza # 14056A.
ITEMS FROM THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS
Cyberspace, Cyberministry and Cybersafety
The Conference Safe Sanctuaries Committee and Sexual Ethics Committee are offering workshops on cyberministry and cybersafety in the Fall for pastors, church staff, age-level ministry leaders, local church webmasters, etc. The cost is $5 per person and registrations must be sent in at least 10 days prior to the event date desired. A registration brochure and other information will soon be available online at the Conference website. Each workshop will be on a Saturday morning, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sept. 6- Haymount UMC-Fayetteville; Sept. 20-White Plains UMC-Cary; Sept. 27-Wesley Memorial UMC-Wilmington; and Nov. 15- Edenton UMC-Edenton.
Registration deadlines
Registration deadlines for two summer youth events for high school are approaching. The registration deadline for the Appalachian Trail Hike is June 6. The registration deadline for ACS (Annual Conference Session for Youth) is July 1. There are limited spaces for both these events so early registration (prior to the deadline) is advised. The registration form for these events is found in the 2008 Youth Events brochure which is available for download at www.nccumc.org/youthministry .
Let the Children Come…
A resource event for adults in leadership of local church children's ministry will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at Page Memorial UMC in Aberdeen from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pre-registration is not required and there is no cost for the event. Four workshops will be offered on curriculum, use of the One Room resource, missions and families in partnership with the church for children's faith development. More information about this workshop is available at http://www.nccumc.org/childrnmin/children05.htm
