The MHC Sunday Checklist
Methodist Home for Children is thankful for the many congregations that recognize MHC Sunday each year with offerings benefiting vulnerable children and families. This special day is observed annually in February, and most churches will lift up this ministry on Feb. 19. Here is a checklist to help churches plan: 1) envelopes: MHC can deliver to the church; 2) speakers: MHC staff and board members can talk about the ministry of Methodist Home for Children for 5-15 minutes, depending on the needs of your service; 3) Mission Moment; 4) bulletin insert; 5) newsletter text. If there are other questions, contact Jennifer Cooper at 919-754-3625 or jcooper@mhfc.org.
Clergy Benefits Seminar registration now open
Clergy and spouses in their early, middle or pre-retirement years of ministry are encouraged to attend the Clergy Benefits Seminar on March 22-23 at the Hilton Raleigh-Durham in Research Triangle Park. Attendees will build confidence in understanding their benefit plans and will learn how to maximize those benefits for their own and their families’ well being. Download the brochure/registration form for more details. Online registration is also available. Registration deadline is March 8. Contact JoAnna Ezuka at jezuka@nccumc.org or 1-800-849-4433 ext 225 with questions.
Caring for Creation early registration deadline Feb. 15
Lake Junaluska presents Caring for Creation 2012 on March 15-18, featuring Dr. Bill McKibben of Middlebury College, author of a dozen books on the environment, founder of 350.org., lecturer, and United Methodist Sunday School. Along with over 30 other environmental leaders, McKibben will explore ways individuals and churches can become more environmentally conscious and active. Visit Caring for Creation or call 800-222-4930 to register.
Conference Prayer Events
The Spiritual Life Team (Christian Formation) is presenting a series of prayer events around the conference Feb. 25 and 26 to engage laity and clergy in praying for General and Jurisdictional Conferences this year. Prayers will also be lifted for Bishop Gwinn, the NCC delegation, and Dr. H. Gray Southern, NCC candidate for the episcopacy. Pastors are invited to attend and bring at least one layperson. The model presented that day can also be taken back to the local church to engage more persons in holding these crucial events in prayer. While listings below are proposed for current district alignments, participants are welcome to attend any location for convenience. Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 – 11 a.m.: Fayetteville/Goldsboro District area – Haymount UMC, Fayetteville; Greenville/New Bern District area – St. James UMC, Greenville; and Raleigh/Rocky Mount District area – St. Mark’s, Raleigh. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 – 4 p.m.: Burlington/Durham District area – Amity UMC, Chapel Hill; *Elizabeth City District – First UMC, EC (shorter model to be included with Lay Rally and Expo that begins at 3 p.m.); Rockingham/Sanford District area – Trinity UMC (Troy); and Wilmington District – Pine Valley UMC, Wilmington.
Deadline changed for US-2 or Mission Intern apps
Address the causes of injustice and live the gospel alongside communities and organizations seeking peace by applying to become a US-2 or Mission Intern. Deadline to apply has been extended to Feb. 19. Information can be found at GBGM.
NCC Missionary Gary Locklear featured in GBGM magazine
To read an insightful article published in the Jan-Feb, 2012 New World Outlook magazine, about NC Conference missionary, Gary Locklear, go to NWO.
Workteam to Congo seeking participants
On June 15-30, there will be a UMC work team traveling to Kasungami, DRC to build a parsonage for Nazareth UMC. The team will be working closely with the Child Action Initiative (CAI), an UMCOR Advance project that helps over 100 children orphaned by wars, famine and AIDS. The deadline to sign up is the first team meeting at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 11 at Oak Ridge UMC, near Greensboro. The total cost per member will be $3,000. The work will include building a parsonage for the church pastor, helping CAI with the new pharmacy, working with the village women and orphaned children, and helping with the on-going UMCOR Sustainable Agriculture and Development farming program. Please prayerfully consider joining this work team, and contacting Dave Heiser at 919-639-8972 or 919-623-1213 (heiserdm@cdmsmith.com) to ask any questions and to obtain a volunteer application form.
Nominations open application period ends Feb. 10
The deadline is drawing near for completing a Nominations form to be considered for membership on conference boards and agencies. Please look at the many opportunities for leadership and involvement in the ministries of the North Carolina Conference, and submit an application online. Persons who have not served the eight-year limit on one committee and wish to continue in service must complete the continuation form. To complete the self-nomination form or the continuation form, go to Nominations. For descriptions of the many areas of service, scroll down to find Ministry Descriptions.
Faith Connections on Mental Illness
Faith Connections on Mental Illness is the second annual conference on mental illness for families and friends with mental illness and the faith communities that provide support, advocacy, and encouragement in the struggle. The conference will take place at St. Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill, on Friday, March 2. Chaplain Craig Rennebohm, author of Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, is the featured speaker, and he and others on the program will provide insight and inspiration for congregations serving the mentally ill and their families. To learn more and to register, please go to: http://faithconnectionsonmentalillness.org/SpecialEvents.aspx.