Bishop Ward continues seasonal meditations
Bishop Ward’s weekly meditation centers on joy, the theme for the third week of Advent. Watch at Advent 3. Visit Bishop next week as she continues with more Advent and Christmas messages.
Resources available to help counsel in the midst of grief
The nation is mourning the tragic shooting deaths at the elementary school in Connecticut and parents, teachers, and church leaders are stuggling to help people deal with the shock and grief. United Methodist Publishing House staff and the General Board of Discipleship have worked to provide resources (especially for children) in the wake of this tragedy. To find links to various resources go to: http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.8480407/k.9547/School_Violence.htm
Duke Endowment Gifts have been processed
The grants gifted by The Duke Endowment to retirees, widows and members on incapacity leave were processed by Tuesday, Dec. 18. Please allow for the increased holiday mail volume which may slow the delivery of this mailing. For questions, contact the Conference Benefits Team at 1-800-849-4433.
January is Project AGAPE Month
Please prayerfully consider celebrating and supporting Project AGAPE during the month of January. Project AGAPE is a joint ministry with the Western NC Conference, proclaiming the name of Jesus in Armenia, an area that suffered the devastation of a generation of communist rule and state-sponsored atheism, a war with Azerbaijan, and a place where thousands of refugees continue in a struggle to survive. Gifts to this ministry could be the difference between life and death, spiritually and physically, for many brothers, sisters, and children in this nation. Click AGAPE bulletin insert to download the information resource. For more information about Project AGAPE, read AGAPE.
GBOD offering webinars for church leaders
The General Board of Discipleship is offering several free webinars to start the year off right for your church leaders. Webinars for your church council, lay leaders, committee members, stewardship team, and trustees will be available in January. Register now to reserve your spot.
Conference office to close for Christmas holidays
The Conference office will be closed Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. Offices will re-open with limited staffing on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Conference offices will also be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, in observance of the New Year’s holiday.
This is the last News Briefs of the year 2012.
The next News Briefs will be sent January 8, 2013.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! (Phillips Brooks, from the carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem”)