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 May.
NC Conference
- The United Methodist Judicial Council affirms Bishop Fairley’s ruling at the Annual Conference Special Session on November 19, 2022.
- View a special message from Bishop Shelton sharing thanks for your prayers during the appointment-making season.
- The North Carolina and Western North Carolina Conferences of The United Methodist Church announced they have each received a generous grant from The Duke Endowment to support the creation of new United Methodist faith communities and the strengthening of existing congregations within the UMC Conferences. Read the full release.
- Bishop Shelton shares the “recipe” for discipleship. Watch the video.
- Bishop Shelton met with clergy across the connection during the month of May.
Annual Conference
- Meet the speakers for Annual Conference 2023 and watch the Briefing Session.
- Read 7-Must Know Items for AC 2023.
Center for Leadership Excellence
- Read about the new Leadership Fellows Experience.
- The Center co-presented a Day of Learning with Evangelism and Discipleship on the Messy Church. Twenty churches attended this training on an intergenerational model for worship. Four $500 mini-grants were awarded to churches committed to starting a Messy Church in their local context.
- About 15 pastors participated in a retreat at Camp Rockfish. This time was spent examining ways to work through stress, anxiety, and alienation. The Finding Our Way retreat is a part of the clergy care initiatives created by the conference to support pastors through the challenges of the past few years.
Christian Formation
- Duke Memorial UMC shares their journey on a Pilgrimage through Durham, NC, focused on the history of racism in the area. The church received a Peace with Justice grant to support their justice ministry. Watch the video.
Media Center
- May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. View resources written by Asian American authors.
Office of Clergy Life
- During the month of May, The Office of Clergy Life held its annual Licensing School for 15 certified candidates. Licensing School was conducted in a hybrid format, utilizing online learning curriculum from The Candler School of Theology and in-person learning led by NCCUMC clergy under the direction of Rev. Dr. Tom Greener along with staff from The Office of Clergy Life.
- The Office of Clergy Life, in partnership with the NCCUMC Communications Team, The Center for Leadership Development, the Office of Race Equity & Justice, and The District Office, resourced The Transition Seminar held for clergy and laity moving into new appointments this summer.
Outreach Ministry
- View steps to help you prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.
- Congregations for Children opened grant applications for churches planning to host summer literacy programs.
- The Conference Health Team shares an update about COVID-19, Medicaid expansion, and health checks at Annual Conference.
- The Creation Care committee hosted the Redeeming Creation Conference.
- Disaster Ministries hosted an Early Response Team training in the Capital District. Visit the Training page to learn more.
Treasurer’s Office
- Blueprint For Wellness health screenings will be available for participants and spouses on the Conference’s active health insurance plans at Annual Conference 2023.
- The Board of Pension, Insurance Committee, and Commission on Equitable Compensation met this month.