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.