The North Carolina Conference Deacon Endowment team of the North Carolina Annual Conference has enthusiastically issued its annual awards for 2024. It is our pleasure to grant this year’s NCC Deacon Endowment award to Toby James and Brigitte Morris. Toby serves at Alliance Medical Ministry & Wilson Temple UMC. Brigitte is retired and works with Pitt County Social Services.
In his application, Toby explained, “For two years, I have been on a path towards gaining a professional certification to use the Enneagram more directly when working with others as a pastoral psychotherapist. The expense associated with attending three intensive workshops, the last of the three this June, has been disproportionally high as a nonprofit employee. However, I am confident that the future care I will be able to offer will be deeper and more meaningful.” Assisting Toby through the Judy Stephens Continuing Education Fund was our joy!
Our second award recipient shared in her application that, “unable to work since a December 2023 fall that broke my right arm, as of 2/1/24 I am out of accrued personal and sick leave. I will receive no more income until I return to work.” Assisting with Good Samaritan needs in Brigitte’s case was our joy!
As you may recall, this endowment began in September of 2017 with the intention of creating a fund that could assist deacons in the NC Conference with continuing education or Good Samaritan needs. The fund has grown since inception and continues to have regular donations, allowing it to be a viable resource of funds not only in the present, but for years to come. If you have given to this fund, thank you. You are making a difference, not only this year, but in perpetuity.
Thanks again for helping make these grants possible for Toby and Brigitte this year and for many others in the years to come. Your donation, regardless of size, is significant. Checks can be made out to the United Methodist Foundation with The NCC Deacon Endowment in the memo line. Forward gifts to UMF, 700 Waterfield Ridge Place, Garner, NC 27529. To give online, go to umfnc.org/give/.
The NCCUMC Deacon Endowment Team
Lynn Benson, Chairperson
Betty Ann Buckley
Joyce Day
Joyce Horn
Andy Keck
Erin Pearce
Jenifer Swindell