ABC to air United Methodist Christmas Eve service
ABC television affiliates nationwide will broadcast a United Methodist-produced Christmas Eve candlelight service on Dec. 24 and 25. The hour-long broadcast was taped at First United Methodist Church of Dallas, TX. The traditional service includes carols and scriptures, and features a 100-voice choir, a brass and drum ensemble, and the church’s pipe organ. Dr. John Fiedler, senior minister, delivers the message “I Am Bringing You Good News.” Regularly updated television listings for the Christmas Eve service are available at www.interfaithbroadcasting.com/liturgical.aspx
Duke Clergy Health Initiative launches blog
The Divinity School’s Clergy Health Initiative has launched a blog, The Connection, to provide a variety of health resources tailored to the needs of pastors. Topics range from mental and physical health to communication and commitment. Visit the blog.
Confirmation Celebration to be Fayetteville
The Conference Confirmation Celebration will be Saturday, March 6 at Methodist University in Fayetteville. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the program at 10:30 a.m. The emphasis will be the membership covenant vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Lunch will be included and the service project will be Operation Sharehouse with Stop Hunger Now. Bishop Gwinn will share with the confirmands and preside at Holy Communion. Confirmation groups planning to attend must pre-register by Monday, Feb. 22. The cost will be $15 per person (covers lunch and a portion of the shipping costs for the Stop Hunger Now service project). More information about the Confirmation Celebration and the registration form can be found at www.nccumc.org/youth.
There is a need for confirmation groups willing to provide leadership for the event. A representative of any group interested in exploring such and opportunity should contact senicholson@nccumc.org
Children’s Ministry Forum is February 23-25
The North Carolina Conference and Edenton St UMC are privileged to host the national denomination conference on children’s ministry – Children’s Ministry Forum, Feb. 23-25. Leaders in any area of children’s ministry in a local church will benefit from this rare opportunity. A limited number of scholarships are available on a first-come first-served basis. The application for scholarships is available from senicholson@nccumc.org until Dec.18 and then after Jan. 4. Scholarship applicants must register for the full event by the first deadline (Jan. 31), provide confirmation of their registration with the application, have the senior pastor’s signature, demonstrate a willingness/availability to share their learning, and indicate some sort of financial hardship and effort at funding support from other places. For more information about the event, including schedule and workshops and registration form is www.gbod.org/cmf.
Young Adult Ministries Information
The Conference Young Adult Ministries Team is collecting information about local church young adult ministry opportunities in our Conference. Opportunity to express assistance needed in this area is provided. Please take a few moments to visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GNSR5CD and provide us with this information. This link is also provided at the Young Adult Ministries website: https://nccumc.org/youngadults/