Latest Updates
News and updates about Annual Conference.
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Laity Executive Session Celebrates Serving Joyfully
John Hall, Conference Lay Leader, and Matthew Wong, Conference Youth President, welcomed the laity to the Laity Executive Session and introduced the youth-led worship musicians, accompanied by Danny Peck. Jenna, Conference Youth Treasurer, led the scripture lesson on serving joyfully based on Isaiah 6:8. Hall introduced the Conference Board of Laity and the Lay Servant…
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Communications Audit: Increase Online Presence, Deepen Community Engagement
Using her own design, The Church Communications Audit Workbook: A Practical Guide to Help Any Church Close the Gap Between Ministry and Visibility, Rev. Jenifer Anne Swindell led participants through a step-by-step audit of their current communication tools. Rev. Swindell is an ordained Deacon in Full Connection in the NC Conference, and she currently serves…
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Healthy Congregations: Looking Beyond the Numbers to Better Understand Church Health
Shiny red pom-poms brought both laughter and curiosity as attendees entered the Healthy Congregations Learning Lab. The gesture, with a personal smile and a joke or two from Caleb Parker and Rev. Kim Lamb, signaled āFUNā to those in the room. The question was posed: is it possible that the Charge Conference Church Health Report…
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From Blank Page to Pulpit: Creating Sermon Series That Connect Scripture, Season, and Mission
NC Conference laity and clergy gathered for a hands-on Learning Lab, āFrom Blank Page to Pulpit,ā to explore how sermon planning can help congregations engage the Conference’s five focus areas while remaining rooted in the Revised Common Lectionary. Presenters Rev. Tobi Nguyen, pastor at Trinity UMC, and Rev. Dr. Glen Stallsmith, pastor at Oxford UMC…
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Hope and Action: Understanding Immigration Today and Equipping a Faithful Response
Angelica Acosta Garnett, an educator, and Doug Thie, an immigration lawyer with 14 years of experience, drew on their experience in community education, advocacy, and immigrant support to provide biblical frameworks and context on current immigration realities affecting our neighbors and communities. Angelica started by inviting attendees to reflect on a question: āwhere do your…
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Engaging and Welcoming New People: Why are People Not Coming or Staying at Our Church?
Rev. Dr. Tim Catlett, Executive Director of New Faith Communities, and Rev. Hope Ledbetter-Bock, Associate Director of New Faith Communities and Clergy Life, led the learning lab on āEngaging and Welcoming New People.ā It was grounded in Matthew 25, āI was a stranger and you welcomed me,ā and Hebrews 13, āDo not neglect to show…