Conference Clergywomen to gather for Fall/Winter retreat
The conference clergywomen will gather at St. James UMC in Greenville on Thursday, Dec. 3 for an ADVENT retreat-learning opportunity with noted trainer Carlin Johnson. This event will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunch reservations should be made by Nov. 22 by sending a $10 check to Fuquay Varina UMC, attention Rev. Elaine Lilliston. This ADVENTure will help participants remember and discover what matters and to shake off the routines and habits that hold persons back from their full potential. For more information, email group convener, Rev. Para Drake at pdrake@nccumc.org.
MERCI to offer CDL driver training
NC law requires that any driver of a single vehicle, or combination of vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, must have a commercial driver’s license. Beginning in first quarter 2010, MERCI will offer a program to train and certify drivers to fully comply with state laws. If you are interested in this training, contact Charlie Gray at MERCI.
UM Student Day is November 29
UM Student Day is one of the Special Sundays with an offering that supports UM loans and scholarships. Some suggestion for observing this special day include using bulletin inserts and other resources from GBHEM and UMCom, involving college students in the leadership of worship services, recognizing anyone in the congregation who has received (directly or a family member) higher education assistance from the United Methodist Church, or inviting someone from a UM-related college/university or UM campus ministry (Wesley Foundation) to speak and offer testimony to the significant ministry of the UMC in higher education. To read more about how the UM scholarship and loan program helps North Carolina Conference students, click www.nccumc.org/youngadults.
Local Church Treasurer/Finance Training
Local church treasurer and finance committee training will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. in Raleigh (location TBD). The format will change from previous years and will include a morning session focusing on an update on non-profit fraud trends, local church internal control minimum standards, and local church audits. The afternoon session will focus on best practices in local church financial leadership including stewardship practices, expense reduction, financial campaigns, and budgeting. Participants may sign up for the morning session, afternoon session, or both. Seats are limited so registration is required. Local church treasurers, finance committee members and pastors are encouraged to attend. There will be a $10 registration fee charged to help offset the cost of training materials and lunch. To register, please contact the Conference Treasurer’s Office at 800-849-4433 or kbell@nccumc.org.
Missionaries Herbert & Mary Zigbuo to visit North Carolina
Herbert and Mary Zigbuo will be visiting local churches in the North Carolina Conference during the month of February, 2010. Contact the Rev. Bill Haddock, Conference Mission Secretary, at revbillh@nccumc.org or 910-762-2583 to schedule a time for them to visit your church. Any size church or any size group can host the Zigbuos. To see the Zigbuo’s bios, go to Herbert Bio and Mary Bio. For information on how to become a Covenant partner, please see: Covenant Relationships.
General Board of Church and Society Ethnic Local Church Grants due Jan 10
Jan.10 is the deadline to apply for an Ethnic Local Church Grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS). The grants program seeks to strengthen ethnic minority local churches through education, advocacy or leadership training and development as they engage in social justice. For more information, go to GBCS Ethnic Local Church Grants.
General Board of Church & Society Human Relations Day Grants due Jan. 10
Jan.10 is the deadline to apply for a Human Relations Day Grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS). The grants are to support ministries that respond to non-violent young offenders through education, advocacy or leadership training and development. Grant funds are raised through The United Methodist Church’s Human Relations Day Special Sunday each year. Human Relations Day Sunday is Jan.17. For more information, go to GBCS Human Relations Day Grants.
Justice for Our Neighbors – UMCOR Resources for Immigration Education
“First Monday” is a monthly internet newsletter that offers valuable resources on the church and immigration issues in the United States. It is issued by Justice for our Neighbors (JFON), a network of free legal clinics for immigrants related to UMCOR. A typical issue of the newsletter not only covers the activities of JFON but also updates developments around immigration legislation, provides information on educational resources, and suggests ways in which congregations and church groups can gain perspective on immigration issues. For more information on First Monday, go to UMCOR – First Monday. If you would like to give to this critical ministry, please place your gift in your Sunday offering and mark it: JFON Advance # 901285 or to give on-line, please go to JFON Advance #901285.