Last Month in the NC Conference: September 2022

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 September.

NC Conference

• The #BeUMC focus theme for September was Disciple-Making. View #BeUMC resources, watch video testimonials, and share A Prayer for the Disciple-Making People of God.
• Read Bishop Fairley’s message, “What Does the Lord Require?”.
• The Conference’s COVID Relief Grant Program made relief money available to the Cabinet to help local churches. The program, which distributed over $2.8 million, will end on October 15, 2022. The application will remain open until then. 
• The Health Team Committee shared an update from Disaster Medicine expert, Dr. Wes Wallace.

Center for Leadership Excellence

• The NC Conference Christian Unity & Interreligious Relationships (CUIR) committee held an in-person workshop focused on how we engage ecumenical partners in communities that are authentic and fruitful.
• Hosted the first of four sessions on Leading a Bible Study with Alton Felton.

Conflict Transformation

• Learn how to incorporate looping into your conflict transformation practice. 

Media Center

• View resources for the Disciple-Making People of God.
• View Advent Study and Planning Resources. 
• Hispanic Heritage Month began September 15. View Hispanic/Latinx authors and immigration resources.
• The Media Center reopened for drop-in visitors.

New Faith Communities

• Hear how the Church at Spring Forest in Hillsborough is modeling and making disciples through prayer, work, table, and neighboring.

Office of Clergy Life

• Over the past three months, fifty-two clergy utilized resources through the Office of Clergy Life to support them as they transitioned to new appointments on July 1st. Those resources, which will extend through the next nine months, have included a facilitated discussion with laity (A.I.M. Session), community of practice cohorts with clergy peers, and individual coaching.  
• The Office of Clergy provided mock interviews for Candidates for Ministry who are preparing to interview with the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry in October. This provided Candidates an opportunity to:
  • Practice speaking about their call
  • Practice listening carefully to the questions they are asked as they prepare to answer
  • Practice answering questions in a concise, thoughtful, and organized way
  • Hear feedback on how it went from the interview team
  • Receive prayer and encouragement from colleagues

Outreach Ministry

• Creation Care hosted a worship service and series of webinars in celebration of the Season of Creation. 
• Congregations for Children celebrates two grant recipients, Trinity UMC and West End UMC, summer literacy programs.
• Disaster Ministries received a grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Environmental Sustainability Unit to build a mobile solar power disaster response trailer.
• September was National Preparedness Month. Read how churches can prepare for disasters.
• Disaster Ministries hosted two basic Early Response Team trainings and a recertification course. View the training schedule to register for an upcoming course.
• The Conference Missions Team awarded Cedar Grove UMC (Pittsboro) the 2022 Key Taylor award.

Treasurer’s Office

• Hosted two webinars with the Wespath Health Team about the new HealthFlex insurance plans. Learn more about the webinars and in-person district events that will be held next month.
• The ALEX Benefits Counselor is now available to help current insurance plan enrollees and those considering enrollment find the HealthFlex medical/dental/vision insurance plans that best fit their needs.

Youth Ministries

• The Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) met on September 17. Read a recap of the September meeting.