We’d like to keep everyone up-to-date about the happenings all across the NC Conference offices and committees, so we’ll be posting a roundup of all the major news at the end of every month.

Here’s an overview of NC Conference events and updates from the month of August.

NC Conference

• The #BeUMC focus theme for August was Missional. Learn more about the campaign, watch new video testimonials, and share A Prayer for the Missional People of God.
• Rev. Dennis Lamm received an Honorary Membership in the Southeastern Jurisdiction Historical Society.
• Read Bishop Fairley’s message, “Building on the Solid Rock.”
• Bishop Fairley has organized a Futures Team to look at the ways we need to restructure so we can continue to sustain and grow as an annual conference and adapt for the future in this ever-evolving situation. 
• A Special Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference is called for November 19 at 10 am.
• Hosted three webinars to help clarify the disaffiliation agreement, clergy withdrawal, and the future of The United Methodist Church. 

Center for Leadership Excellence

• NC Conference Evangelism and Discipleship committee and the Center of Leadership Excellence hosted a workshop with Carolyn Helsel and Y. Joy Harris-Smith about their book “The ABCs of Diversity: Helping Kids (and Ourselves!) Engage Our Differences.”
• Hosted a workshop series on Effective Communication in Times of Crisis with Diane Degnan, Director of Public Relations at United Methodist Communications.

Christian Formation

• Peace with Justice Grant applications are open until September 15.

Conflict Transformation Ministries

• Shared ways to create safe, sacred spaces for virtual and in-person conversations. 
• Shared tips for reflective listening.

District Office

• The 2022 Ministry Assessment form opened. The deadline to complete the form is November 30, 2022.

Media Center

• View stewardship studies for churches and small groups. 
• View new anti-racism and multicultural resources.

Office of Clergy Life

• Launched the 2022-2023 Residency in Ordained Ministry (RIOM) Groups. Under the leadership of Susan Graebe, RIOM Coordinator, 29 provisional clergy members of the NC Conference were oriented to the curriculum designed to ground residents in baptismal identity and a rule of life to sustain them for a lifetime of joyful service in the UMC; connect residents to one another, the BOM, conference leaders and peers, laity, members of local communities, and their local contexts; equip residents through ministry reflection, self-awareness,  and practical appreciative leadership tools.

Outreach Ministry

• Three volunteer events were held at MERCI to pack UMCOR kits for the Kentucky Conference following a devastating flood. Learn more about how you can help. 
• The Creation Care Committee announced the Season of Creation, a month-long observance in September of God’s creation and our role therein.
• Applications for 2023 Mission Seed Funds are now open.
• MERCI is collecting items to send to Project AGAPE in Armenia this fall.