United Methodist Insurance will host a new webinar, “Record Keeping Basics for Judicial Complaints” on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. eastern time. Presenters will be Rev. Joy Melton, Chief Resource Officer of United Methodist Insurance and Rev. Darryl Stephens, of the General Commission on the Status & Role of Women.
United Methodist Insurance will host a new webinar, “Safe Sanctuaries: Tips, Trends & Issues in Background Screening” on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. eastern time. Presenters will be Rev. Joy Melton, Chief Resource Officer of United Methodist Insurance and Chad Stair of Trak-1 Technology.
What’s so great about being a United Methodist clergyperson? Come to the Clergy Benefits Seminar to learn about the benefits and resources that support clergy in achieving financial, physcial, and emotional wellbeing. Visit the pension page for event details and registration.
The Spiritual Life team is sponsoring several prayer events offered at various points around the conference the weekend of February 25 and 26. These two-hour sessions are to call laity and clergy to come together for a time of prayer for the upcoming General and Jurisdictional Conferences, the Bishop, delegation, episcopal candidate, and for churches, pastors, leaders, and members moving into a season of change. Each event is two hours in length and while people participate in the order of prayers, they will also find a model they can take back to their local churches. The team has also designed a 50-day prayer schedule for the conference that will be revealed as the conferences approach. Laity and clergy are invited to attend a location of their choice.
Saturday, February 25: 9-11am
Sunday, February 26: 2-4pm
The Media Center will be closed Friday, January 27th through Friday, February 3rd. We will re-open on Monday, February 6th at 8:00am. If you need a resource in the beginning of February, please get your request in as soon as possible but no later than Thursday, January 26th by 3:00pm. Resources are subject to availability.
The Spiritual Life Team of the North Carolina Conference generously donated an excellent collection of spiritual formation resources to the Conference Media Center, and these books can now be borrowed by anyone in our conference seeking to develop a deeper relationship with God and lead others in the practice of spiritual formation. Contact the Media Center to request any of these resources. Click on the titles to read more about each book.
Dear Pastor:
Greetings! I first want to wish you a very happy New Year, and I pray God’s blessings upon you and your family. 2012 will be an exciting year for Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries. In 2011, expansion work began in five states where the DBOM ministry model is being used to offer God’s word to the incarcerated. Five more expansions are planned for this year. While expanding in other states, it is vital to keep the DBOM of NC movement strong!
To help support the ministry in NC, a very important fundraising event is planned for March 17 – “St. Patrick’s Day!” at First UMC in Cary. This fun-filled event will be a celebration of the DBOM ministry and will include a hot dog supper with live music, a presentation from some very special guests including UMM General Secretary Gil Hanke, an exciting live auction and a silent auction to raise funds for DBOM. Linda Hodges, DBOM volunteer at NCCIW, is coordinating the auction.
A schedule for the evening is as follows:
5:30 to 6:15 PM: Fellowship, food and live music. Guests may view items for the live auction and bid on silent auction items.
6:15-6:45 PM: A Celebration of DBOM
6:45- 8:00 PM: Live Auction
Our fundraising goal for this event is $30,000 so to make this event a success, we need the help and support of every pastor and congregation in the NCC!
I write to ask you to prayerfully consider the following 3 requests:
1. Please put March 17th on your calendar, promote the event in your congregation and plan to attend the Cary event if possible. This will be a wonderful time for the entire family!
2. We are specifically asking each churches to consider donating a gift for the auction. Guidelines and instructions for donated gifts are attached to this e-mail. Please read this attachment and prayerfully consider helping.
3. If you are unable to provide a gift for auction, please consider a monetary gift of $100 or more in support of this important event. Gifts may be provided by churches, individuals or groups and will be highlighted at the March 17 event. Gifts may be given in honor or memory of someone.
The DBOM ministry continues to touch lives for Jesus Christ behind the stone walls and razor wire of prison. The Christian community in prison, however, faces challenges due to the elimination of our chaplains. DBOM stands ready to fill the void left by the chaplains. Now, more than ever, we need to join together to keep our prison ministries strong! I think DBOM has some of the most committed and faithful Christians out there. With God’s guidance and strength, there is nothing we can’t accomplish including providing the needed resources to keep our work strong. Working together we will achieve our goals!
In my first appointment as pastor a wise mentor once told me: “Preacher, don’t ever worry about being bold in asking for something. Remember this: First, you are asking for something important and, most importantly, you are asking for God!” So friends, I am boldly asking: DBOM needs your support. Will you help?
Please call Linda Hodges if you have any questions concerning the auction at 919.466.8523 (lahodges@bellsouth.net) or the DBOM office at 336-454-5348.
Nominations for service in the NC Conference are being received until Feb. 10. Anyone with an interest in the ministries and leadership of the Conference may submit a nomination form to be considered for positions on boards, commissions and committees for the 2012 – 2016 quadrennium. Also, anyone currently serving a position must fill out a Continuation Form in order to be considered.
In our effort to reflect the membership of the NC Conference, the Nominating Committee seeks young people, people of color, people with handicapping conditions, and geographical distribution of leadership, lay and clergy. In accordance with Conference policy, persons must submit a nomination form, indicating their interest and/or expertise in an area of ministry. Go to the Nominations post through Connectional Ministries to complete the form.
GBOD is providing several opportunities of training. To register for any of these events, go to www.gbod.org/committee_resources.
“Goal-Setting for Vital Congregations” Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m. CST: A guide for setting realistic numerical goals for your congregation on the website umvitalcongregations.org
“10 Commandments for Church Websites” Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. CST: A website is the new front door to your church. Patrick Steil, Webmaster for the North Texas Conference and owner of ChurchBuzz.org, will share ten commandments that can transform a website into the best outreach and communications tool that has ever been possible.
“Healthy Church Leaders – Key Factors” Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. CST: SPRC has a key role for health of body, mind and soul for pastors and church leaders. GBPHB’s Center for Health shares key factors for a healthy ministry environment.
Training for new church leaders is also available. One-hour recorded modules are available for the Church Council, Trustees, Nominating Committees, Finance leaders, and S/PPRC. Individuals can watch at home or church groups can view the modules when they meet. Pastors and laity in congregations are encouraged to learn their jobs with these modules posted at www.gbod.org/committee_resources.
Cokesbury will be holding a VBS Preview event Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m.- noon at the United Methodist Building in Garner. A Christian educator will give a ten-minute overview of each of the VBS programs and then there will be time for questions to the presenters. All our VBS materials will be on sale Jan. 23 – Feb. 12, so we can offer those attending up to 20% off their VBS materials and $3.95 shipping rate. You do not need to register to attend. For questions or more information, you may contact Lou Jennings at: ljennings@cokesbury.com.
of The United Methodist Church
700 Waterfield Ridge Place
Garner, NC 27529
Phone: 919.779.6115
Toll-free: 800.849.4433
Fax: 919.773.2308
© 2012 All rights reserved.
