Just over 1,600 lay and clergy members of the North Carolina Annual Conference gathered in Greenville, North Carolina from June 12-15, 2019 for the Annual Conference session. Bishop Hope Morgan Ward presided, and special guests included Bishop Leonard E. Fairley of the Kentucky/Red Bird Conference, The Rev. Dr. Anthony Davis, an ordained elder in the… Continue Reading→
The 2019 Annual Conference ended with the Ordering of Ministry service on Saturday morning. This service licensed, commissioned, certified, recognized, and ordained 65 persons for ministry into the world. Bishop Ward used John 16: 12-15 as her scriptural text for the message. This passage has a forward-looking message and helps us lean into what we… Continue Reading→
Claire Clyburn reported for the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships. The mission of this body is to give expression to the unity of the church that is already given to us through Jesus Christ and to give expression and reality to the call for hospitality and true welcome to and by those of… Continue Reading→
The report from Connectional Ministries showed a small portion of the depth and breadth of the many ministries in which the conference is engaged and many people took part in the report. The report began on Friday afternoon but because of delegation voting, had to be interrupted and completed on Saturday morning. Below are highlights… Continue Reading→
Friday’s last plenary was extended by 45 minutes to accommodate the Resolutions Committee report. A total of 14 resolutions were submitted prior to annual conference. Five were submitted in response to the 2019 General Conference decisions. The report was presented by the Rev. Ben Wolf, chair of the Resolutions Committee, and the Rev. Laura Wittman,… Continue Reading→
All of us are called to ministry and mission by our baptism. In her presentation during the Laity Celebration, Harriett Jane Olson, CEO of the United Methodist Women, encouraged conference laity to find out the date of their baptism and write about their faith journey since that day. She pointed out that laity often say,… Continue Reading→
The Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) met on Thursday, June 13, 2019, and received a referral for funding from a motion approved by Annual Conference requesting the Bishop appoint a task force to study the best way to offer pastoral care to our LGBTQIA+ community in North Carolina. As the task force will… Continue Reading→
The Rev. Dr. Anthony Davis, an ordained elder in the AME Zion Church, brought the conference the life-changing and transformative work that can be done with foster children. He stressed the importance of the work of foster home providers such as Methodist Home for Children. The most riveting part of his presentation was his personal… Continue Reading→
“Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.” James 1:17 God is a generous God: just watch in creation, said Bishop Leonard E. Fairley in his Bible study on Friday morning. He… Continue Reading→
According to the January 2019 report in Psychology Today, nearly half of all Americans report feeling alone, isolated, and left out. Loneliness is the fastest growing public health concern, according to the US Government’s Health and Human Services website. Essentially due to our vocational mobility, lack of stability, and cultural stresses, making friends is a… Continue Reading→
“For All the Saints” rang out as the procession of those participating and leading the annual Memorial Service entered and took their places on the platform. Held annually to recall the ministry of those who have entered the Church Triumphant, the names of 18 clergy members and 23 spouses were spoken to the sound of… Continue Reading→
Conference Budget, Insurance, Pension, Equitable Compensation, Trustees and Clergy Medical Leave Reports Approved Anne Lloyd, chair of the Conference Council on Finance Administration, expressed appreciation for the 91.58% of the apportionments that were paid in 2018. She noted that the NC Conference was one of 26 annual or missionary conferences that fully paid apportionments to… Continue Reading→
