Greensboro College to cut staff and salaries to curtail expenses
Greensboro College president, Craven Williams, announced April 17 that faculty and staff salaries will be reduced by 20 percent. The college also will eliminate one full-time and some part-time faculty and seven full-time staff members. The private liberal arts college also is suspending sabbaticals, eliminating temporary labor, reducing administrative stipends and eliminating retirement matching funds and dental insurance. In remarks before students, staff, and faculty, Williams called the cost-control measures a “conservative plan of action” that are the “best means of dealing with the financial future.” “We remain very encouraged by growing interest among prospective students wanting to attend Greensboro College and we see much brighter days ahead. We have had record enrollment interest,” said Williams. “For the present, we want to be responsible and prudent as the economy begins to improve and to emerge on an even stronger financial footing.” Greensboro College also plans to increase tuition and fees by five percent next school year. Williams said the college will adjust and ultimately eliminate the cost-control measures as the college’s finances improve. Founded in 1838 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Greensboro College has about 1,300 students and 75 full-time faculty.
Dia de los Niños is April 25
The annual Dia de los Niños, (Hispanic/Latino Ministries Children’s Day) will be April 25 at St. Francis UMC in Cary, starting at 10:00 a.m. Last year’s event drew almost 200 children. There will be games and inflatables. Although sponsored by Hispanic/Latino Ministries, the event is open to all children. Churches are welcomed to bring vans/buses.
Clergy will hear Marva Dawn at Greenville gathering
The gathering of Orders for the North Carolina Conference (elders, deacons, associate members, and local pastors) will be Monday, April 27 at Jarvis Memorial UMC in Greenville, 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Marva J. Dawn, an outstanding teacher in American Christianity today, will address the gathering on “Pastoral Ministry: Our Life Together.” A meal will be prepared by a catering service in Greenville. Please RSVP attendance at this event by e-mailing the church at jarvisumc@earthlink.net or by calling the church at 252-752-3101 so an appropriate number of meals can be prepared. A love offering will be taken during the gathering to help with the cost of the event.
Programs for you from the Office of Missions and Justice Ministries
Missions – A Journey of Spirit and Justice – 8 to 10 weekly sessions, 1 ½ hours each, journeying in the life of Jesus, considering how we make that same journey today moving beyond our pews into Risk-Taking Ministry and Radical Hospitality. Using the dynamic Biblical Animation – reading scripture in today’s context. A one session, 1 ½ hour introduction is also available. All teaching and learning events use adult education methodology and are highly interactive. For further information e-mail Kathy Reavis or Steve Taylor or call them at 1-800-849-4433.
Let’s “Rethink Church”
The United Methodist Church has launched a new awareness campaign that is allowing people to think about church, not as a building but as a doorway to service to the world. On April 20, a new Web site called 10thousanddoors.org, dedicated to those 18-34, was launched, using doors, each opening to a new way to connect to the church to help reach new people, help people rethink church and provide new thought to who United Methodists are and what they do as a church. “Ten Thousand Doors captures the variety of ways we carry out ministry and it illustrate that doorways open inward and outward,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive of United Methodist Communications, which directs Rethink Church, the new advertising and welcoming program.
Operation Classroom in Liberia
Operation Classroom is planning a teachers’ workshop July 25-Aug. 10 at the Ganta UM School, in Ganta, Liberia. They have requested workshops in a) lesson planning, b) lesson presentation, c) classroom management, and d) teaching methods for reading, math and science. Certificates will be given each participating teacher.
The cost per team member will be around $3,000 (depending on the price of the tickets when they are ordered.) The team will fly to Monrovia, spend one evening in Monrovia and then travel to Ganta. At Ganta, they will be staying in a guest house. Time will be given to visit the hospital and the rehab center. Rev. Priscilla Jaiah is the principal at the Ganta school. For more information and an application, contact Carolyn Wagner, PO Box 246, Colfax, IN 46035, or ccwagner@hotmail.com. For more information about Operation Classroom, visit Operation Classroom.
Academy for Leadership Excellence to sponsor learning event
The Academy for Leadership Excellence will sponsor a day-long learning event, “Ministry by Strengths,” on Tuesday, May 5. The event will be held at St. James UMC in Greenville and will run from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sue Nilson Kibbey, Executive Pastor from Ginghamsburg UMC (Ohio), will be presenting an in-depth training on identifying your strengths and using them for greater ministry effectiveness, motivating and exciting your church family and deploying the right people to the right roles. The cost of the event is $75, plus the cost of StrengthsFinder 2.0 book and survey (21.95 list price, less expensive on-line.) For more information, check www.nccumc.org/academy or contact lwiebesmith@nccumc.org
Scholarship Deadline for Focus
The deadline to apply for a scholarship to attend FOCUS – the quadrennial conference for those involved in children’s ministry – is May 1. A limited number of scholarships in the amount of $150 are still available. To obtain the application for the scholarship, e-mail Sue Ellen Nicholson. FOCUS will be July 21-24 in Indianapolis, IN. The website for more information and registration is FOCUS2009 . Five people from the NC Conference will be workshop presenters.
Aging to Perfection?
Do you know everything you need to know about end of life legal issues? How to monitor your own health? How to rely on prayer in difficult times? What are the best nutritional practices? Help with coping skills when a loved one is dying or you find yourself single? How to find real joy in grandparenting? Workshops on these areas and more will be offered at a day apart for Older Adults and those who work with Older Adult Ministries to be held at St. James UMC in Greenville, May 13 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The day will include workshops, displays, time for networking at lunch, and a closing worship service led by Bishop Gwinn. Deadline for registration is April 23. A registration brochure with full details is available at https://nccumc.org/olderadults.
Join in feeding your hungry neighbor with Society of St. Andrew
Please join with Society of St. Andrew for a great hands-on ministry that can be done with family and church, with members aged from 3 to 93, accomplished in a field right here in N.C., not as another program, but as a point of worship. Please contact Society of St. Andrew at sosanc@endhunger.org or call (866) 453-2662. See their web site at Society of St. Andrew. Please give to NC Advance, (#S-00081) and see the Rainbow Covenant for more information. Rainbow Covenant.
Matching grants available for advertising
Monies are still available to local United Methodist churches and/or districts for advertising in 2009. If you are planning to advertise during Back-to-school or Advent this year, you can submit your application for a Matching Grant online from May 1 – June 1 at Media Grants. Hard copy applications will no longer be accepted.
Need quotes? Let UM Communications help coordinate your advertising campaign. Igniting Ministry offers assistance with media estimates, planning and placement for television, radio, cinema and billboards IMMediaServices@umcom.org. If you are purchasing your own media, remember that UMComm must pre-approve your quotes before you apply. They can be emailed to IMGrants@umcom.org or faxed to 615-742-5777.
Key Taylor Award nominations
Rural church nominations for consideration of the Key Taylor Award are needed by May 15. Congregations can nominate themselves. For 2009, $1145 will be awarded. The award, sponsored through the United Methodist Foundation, is to call attention to the mission work of all rural churches by honoring the specific achievements of one rural church. To nominate a church, respond via email in narrative form on one page to the criteria below by May 15 to Kathy Reavis at the Office of Mission and Justice Ministries. Include the names of the church and district.
· The church is in a community of less than 1,500 people.
· The church has 250 members or less.
· The church is significantly involved in community mission.
· The church shows faithfulness in its stewardship of the mission and service commitments (apportionments) and supports Advance Specials.
· The church displays commitment towards growth in ministry and perseverance toward accomplishing their vision of ministry.
Native American Ministries Sunday is April 26
Approximately 19,000 United Methodists identify themselves as Native Americans. About 225 United Methodist churches, fellowships, and ministries relate to this population. The North Carolina Conference has the highest number of Native Americans in the Southeastern Jurisdiction. About 2,500 Native Americans worship in our conference weekly. Native American Ministries Sunday recognizes and supports the contributions of Native Americans to the church and society. The observance, approve by the 1988 General Conference, is one of six special church-wide Sunday offerings. Higher Education and Ministry and the United Methodist Publishing House have worked with the Committee on Native American Ministry in the North Carolina Conference to provide the offering envelopes for the churches to celebrate this special Sunday with an offering. To learn more about Native American Ministries in North Carolina visit http://www.nativeamericanministries.org. You may also contact Gary Locklear directly at 910- 522-0670.
AC Briefing Sessions have been scheduled
Briefing Sessions for the 2009 Annual Conference will be held Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.- noon at Queen Street UMC in Kinston and 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Hay Street UMC in Fayetteville. Another session is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 3-5 p.m. at Highland UMC in Raleigh. Clergy, please provide this information to local church lay members of Annual Conference. Both clergy and lay members of Annual Conference should attend one of the three sessions. Thirty-two proposed constitutional amendments will be voted on during the conference. Arthur Jones and Eddie Fox will be at each session to present their views on the amendments and the impact they might have on The United Methodist Church. In addition, the sessions will include information about the 2011 budget, other matters requiring conference action, and an agenda that is different from past years. The new agenda incorporates workshops and presentations for learning.
UMCOR responds to Spring tornados
In the past few weeks, many areas of the U.S. have been devastated by tornados and Spring floods. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is responding and support is desperately needed. Online donations can be made at Spring Storms. You can also make a donation through your local Sunday offering by denoting on your check or envelope: Spring Storms, Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670. 100% of your gift goes to this response.
AGAPE Team Needs You
The Project AGAPE Board is looking for dedicated people from the North Carolina Conference to serve in a ministry transforming the lives of countless persons in an area that has suffered historic devastation. The AGAPE Team is entering deeper connections with refugee families, construction of homes, and mission education opportunities – ministries of discipleship and proclamation, communication, humanitarian response, and medical care. Please e-mail – Steve Taylor or Kathy Reavis or call 800-849-4433 ext 256 for more information.
REMINDERS:
Youth Rally Day, Sunday, April 26 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount.
Appalachian Trail Hike registration deadline is May 22. The Trail Hike, for high school age youth will be June 20-27.
NC Conference UMM Golf Tournament to benefit MERCI, May 14, Lane Tree Country Club, Goldsboro. Cost is $65 per person or $260 per team, which includes a barbeque meal and prizes. Registration is made through MERCI, 888-440-9167.