Louisburg College remains accredited
Louisburg College will remain accredited on a probationary status for another six months, according to news posted on the college's web site. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' action came after accreditors met in June with Louisburg officials to review the college's financial situation. Last year, the association, concerned about Louisburg's finances, placed the college on warning that it could lose accreditation. College officials cut positions and made plans to raise tuition. Louisburg officials expressed relief at the reprieve. "This is extremely good news for Louisburg College, but we have a lot of important work ahead of us to realize our goals of long-term financial stability and reaffirmation of our accreditation," Rodney Foth, interim president, said in the news release. To read the Louisburg statement: Louisburg College
MERCI needs flood buckets to be sent to the Midwest
MERCI has received word that the Iowa conference is seeking help and has places for volunteers to reside. MERCI requests flood buckets, supplies for buckets or money ($54) for the supplies or shipping. Persons interested in volunteering for work in Iowa should contact Ann Huffman at MERCI, 888-440-9167 so that travel can be arranged in the most economical way. Each NC Conference district disaster response committee member should establish a central collection point in their district to collect flood supplies. MERCI will arrange a pick up of flood bucket supplies if districts are unable to deliver the materials to MERCI. The response to the request made at Annual Conference has been most gratifying. For more information on the contents of a flood bucket, please see Flood Buckets .
On-line Data Collection System to be down for updates
The charge conference forms will be unavailable on the On-line Data Collection System from July 1-15 so that updates for this year's charge conference season can be made. Appointments will also be updated at this time so any changes of appointment may not be accurately reflected until July 15. If your correct information does not display after that time, please contact helpdesk@nccumc.org . Remittances, health insurance and pension payment options will remain open and accessible during this time.
Conference Board of Trustees seeks your input
The 2008 Annual Conference approved a proposal by the Conference Board of Trustees to sell the existing United Methodist Building and build a new conference headquarters in Greenfield Park in Garner. The needs assessment phase of this building project is beginning. Comments and ideas about what should be in the building and advice from past building experiences are requested. Ideas and “best advice” should be sent to the building project team at nccbuilds@nccumc.org . All ideas will be compiled and considered during this important assessment phase. Share your thoughts and ideas with the team.
Alban Institute training event to be at Lake Junaluska
Moving from Maintenance to Mission, Sept. 26-28. Is your congregation ready to learn how to be faithful in the midst of ambiguity, conflict, and uncertainty, and to support each other on the journey? Are you eager to take on a more active role of leadership in order to help your church through the fundamental reorientation of community identity and life that happens when congregations move from maintenance to mission? If so, you'll want to join Alban consultant Ed White in this practical exploration of what it means for mainline churches to move out of the "membership business" and into the "disciple making business." For more information and to register, go to Alban Institute .
Pastors, change your contact information
All persons in appointive positions and particularly pastors who have moved to a new appointment should immediately check and correct their personal contact information in the On-Line Data Collection System. Retired pastors and those on leave should also keep personnel information updated. If assistance is needed with the data system, contact Jennifer Echert at jechert@nccumc.org or Shannon Medlin at smedlin@nccumc.org . This information will be used to compile the conference directory for 2008-09.
FROM THE OFFICE OF HISPANIC/LATINO MINISTRIES
Please join your voice with others related to the North Carolina Council of Churches in support of the Council's efforts to bring some “climate change” to the anti-immigrant feelings across North Carolina. Please read the statement at the following link Immigration Statement . . United Methodists are encouraged to sign as supporters of the statement called the North Carolina Religious Coalition for Justice for Immigrants . Please note that organizations are listed for identification purposes only, so this is a personal statement of support. Please join in supporting this statement of hospitality and justice.
FROM THE OFFICE OF MISSIONS AND JUSTICE MINISTRIES
Robeson County Church and Community Center in Danger of Closing – Urgent
The Church and Community Center, serving the most impoverished county in North Carolina desperately needs financial support. Grant funding is down and the needs of the community are up. This leaves the Center in very difficult financial times. For more information, please see the urgent appeal letter at: Urgent Appeal . Donations can be made through local church offerings. Please note on the check: Robeson County Church and Community Center – Advance #791742 or mail the check directly to the Church and Community Center at 600 West 5th Street, Lumberton, NC 28358. For more information please call 910-738-5204 or email rccccdir@ncrrbiz.com .
Welcoming the Sojourner learning event to be in September
A learning event on immigration will be held Sept.11-13, at Hendrix College in Conway, AR. Co-sponsored by the Arkansas Board of Church and Society, Arkansas Justice for Our Neighbors, and the General Board of Church and Society, "Welcoming the Sojourner" will respond to the immigration debate from a Biblical faith perspective. For more information and reservations go to Welcoming the Sojourner .
WHA passes resolution calling for a Global Alcohol Strategy
At its May World Health Assembly (WHA), the World Health Organization (WHO) approved a resolution calling for a global alcohol strategy. The General Board of Church and Society was a key player in this resolution. The resolution will intensify the work of the WHO to curb the harmful use of alcohol, the fifth leading risk factor for death and disability in the world. For more information please see: Call for a Global Alcohol Strategy .
Flooding in Mid-West – Response
As waters began to recede in central Iowa and the shock of a second “500-year flood” in 15 years became a numbing reality, the focus was shifting from the rescue phase to relief and long-term recovery. United Methodists are among a statewide interfaith consortium and action teams from local churches that are reaching out to the estimated 38,000 people left homeless, farmers who have lost a projected 10 percent of the 2008 corn crop and countless churches and parsonages inundated from the ravages of nine rivers. You can help – please consider a gift to: Domestic Disaster Response, Midwest Floods, UMCOR Advance #901670. You can give on-line at: Disaster Response .
General Board of Church & Society Ethnic Local Church Grant
The grant deadline to apply for an Ethnic Local Church Grant from the United Methodist Board of Church & Society is Aug. 10. The purpose of the grant is to strengthen ethnic local churches through education, advocacy or leadership training and development as they engage in social justice. Grants are awarded twice a year: Jan. 10 is deadline for the March funding cycle; Aug. 10 is deadline for the October cycle. To download an application see: Ethnic Grant.
Jerusalem Ark - Kids for Hope – Supporting Christian children & youth in Palestine
“Kids For Hope” exists to share the love of Jesus with the dwindling Christian Community in Palestine, especially the children. The ministry places children in tranquil and peaceful settings for several days of Christian fellowship, fun activities and worship. The goals are to give a space for peace for children who often face daily violence, provide solid Christian education for youth who have almost no Christian educational resources, and to create a forum for Christian fellowship for children, youth, and adults who are consistently separated by walls and soldiers. Please consider entering into this ministry of empowerment, Christian education, and evangelism with Christian children and youth in Palestine. For more information please contact the Rev. Harold Salmon at revfish@nccumc.org or phone: (910) 628-7427.
Robeson County Church and Community Center – Summer work teams
The Robeson County Church and Community Center has openings for summer work teams. Please consider sending a youth/adult work team to this culturally-unique setting and work to build God's Kingdom by working with our needy neighbors. Call the Robeson County Church and Community Center and reserve a space today! 910-738-5204 or email: rccccdir@ncrrbiz.com
A few of the Resources from the Office of Missions
All programs utilize adult popular education teaching methodology, i.e., high engagement and very interactive.
* Globalization – It's Impact on God's World & How You can Make a Difference – 2 to 6 hour in-depth study, scripturally based with high interaction & multi-media.
* Street Smarts – Risk Taking Ministry – discerning and empowering congregations for local mission.
* Missions – A Journey of Spirit and Justice – 6 to 8 weekly sessions, journeying in the life of Jesus, considering how we make that same journey today. Using the dynamic Biblical Animation (created by theologian, Ched Myers) – reading scripture in today's context.
* Reading scripture in our context … Changing the World through the Animation of God's Word and the implementation of Sabbath Economics … learning the techniques and possibilities of Biblical Animation, recontextualizing scripture into our contemporary reality (developed by theologian and teacher – Ched Myers) … 1½ to 2 hour session.
Other mission presentations, support, training, and sermons are available for local churches from the Office of Missions. For further information e-mail Becky Biegger – beckybiegger@nccumc.org or Steve Taylor – staylor@nccumc.org or call them at 1-800-849-4433.
