General Conference 2012 approved several changes related to clergy benefit plans. This high-level summary lists changes with potential impact as well as the effective dates for each approved change.  Detailed information about the revised clergy benefit plans will be forthcoming over the following weeks. Questions related to benefits proposals approved by General Conference actions can be directed to the NC Conference Benefits Team in the Treasurer’s Office (1-800-849-4433) or to the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (1-800-851-2201).

With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to review your playground safety. Click the link below to read basic guidelines from United Methodist Insurance on installing and maintaining playground equipment, which can save you liability in the future.

Ministry Protection Memo: Safe Playgrounds

It’s never too early to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.  According to the Ministry Protection Memo put out by United Methodist Insurance, all hurricane preparations should be completed by May of every year. Click here for guidance and reminders of what actions should be taken by your church.

United Methodist Insurance will host a new webinar, “Vacation Bible School and Day Camp Safety Tips” on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. eastern time.  The speaker will be Anne Horton, Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries. The seminar will be filled with valuable practical information for Vacation Bible School and Day Camp leaders.

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The deadline for filing Forms 8941 and 990-T to claim a refund of the small business health care tax credit for 2011 is May 15, 2012! If your church qualifies for this credit, you are encouraged to take advantage of these unexpected resources. If your church paid health insurance premiums, has less than 25 full-time equivalent employees, pays average non-clergy wages of less than $50,000, and paid any employment taxes (like for other lay staff or taxes withheld voluntarily for your pastor), your church may qualify. A real, live NC Conference pastor recently completed the forms and had this to say about the process:

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The data entry page for the 1st quarter Critical Drivers information will be made available on the Online Data Collection System beginning April 1st. Please log-in and enter your church’s first quarter information to ensure it is included in the reports submitted to the Cabinet on Monday, April 9th. Click here for more information on the timeline for entering Critical Drivers data.

The General Board of Discipleship has published their 2012 webinar schedule. Visit our Stewardship page today for more information on these free learning opportunities.

Did you miss one of the free webinars presented by the General Board of Discipleship? Visit their website to view the recorded session in their Webinar Archives.

A one day seminar entitled “Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate” led by Dr. J. Clif Christopher, President and Founder of Horizons Stewardship Co., will be held at the United Methodist Building on Monday, March 19, 2012. Topics covered will include why a cultural change in Christian financial stewardship must occur, why people give, generational differences in giving attitudes, how to effectively use the three pockets of giving, how to succeed in a capital campaign, the need to do planned giving now, and why all pastors need to know who gives what. Space is limited, so visit our Stewardship page for more information about the seminar and how to register.

United Methodist Insurance will host a new webinar, “Crisis Communication Planning” on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. eastern time.  Presenters will be Rev. Joy Melton, Chief Resource Officer of United Methodist Insurance and Lee Brogden Culberson of Professional Mojo.

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