We’d like to keep everyone up-to-date about the happenings all across the NC Conference offices and committees, so we’ll be posting a roundup of all the major news at the end of every month.

Here’s an overview of NC Conference events and updates from the month of February.

NC Conference

• Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton met with clergy and laity in the Beacon, Corridor, Sound, Fairway, Gateway, and Capital Districts. 
• We celebrated the assignment of Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton as resident bishop of the North Carolina Conference. Watch the service or read the transcript of the Bishop’s response.
• Bishop Shelton shared four opportunities for you and your congregation as we move through Lent.
• The Conference Health Team shared an update from Disaster Medicine expert, Dr. Wes Wallace.
• View upcoming grant, scholarship, and loan opportunities.
• Read Bishop Shelton’s message, “Forty Days of Graceful Hospitality.” Learn more and read the daily lenten reflections.
• You’re invited to pray with the NC Conference during the Appointment Season. Read Bishop Shelton’s message, “Praying for the Appointment Season.”

Center for Leadership Excellence

• Hosted a webinar with Dr. Edgardo Colón-Emeric that looked to the experiences of Methodists in Latin American pueblos and Hispanic barrios to open new conversations about doctrine, worship, and mission for the sake of social renewal. 

Connectional Ministries

• Sabbath Life is an ecumenical invitation to clergy and ministry professionals to proactive the rhythms of Sabbath. The cohort meets on the third Monday, February-November.

Media Center

• View resources from Black authors and church leaders for small groups.
• View resources on the basics of Christianity and Methodism.
• View resources on Women’s History in the Methodist Movement.

New Faith Communities

• Ware’s Chapel UMC (Beacon District) celebrates being a Lighthouse Congregation.
• Read the latest New Room Society newsletter.
• Church planters gathered for a Common Learning Day to discuss theological and practical training in Holistic Mission. 
• Lighthouse Congregations are local churches in The North Carolina Conference that are equipped and willing to be a caring and hospitable place that welcomes anyone whose church has closed or disaffiliated. Learn more, sign up, or find a Lighthouse Congregation in your area.

Office of Clergy Life

• Applications for the Taste and See Internship opened. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2023.
• The Conference Board of Ordained Ministry approved twelve candidates for commissioning and provisional membership, one as Deacon and eleven as Elders. These candidates will be presented at Annual Conference in June 2023.

Treasurer’s Office

• Shared information about 2022 Affordable Care Act Reporting.

Youth Ministry

• Read a recap of Pilgrimage 2022. In March, we will announce the speakers for 2023, and applications for the Pilgrimage House Band and other participation opportunities will be available. Visit the Pilgrimage website for all the information on participation and registration.