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 March.

NC Conference

• The NC Conference Delegation shared a short survey to understand your thoughts and questions about General Conference. 
• The monthly resource flyer for March was centered around Women’s History Month. View the flyer.
• An update was shared on a hearing on an appeal brought by former members of Fifth Avenue UMC.
• Bishop Shelton announced new Cabinet appointments beginning July 2024.
• The Bishop and Cabinet continue to discern local church appointments that will take place this summer. Learn more and read the latest prayers for the appointment-making season.
• Laity and clergy across the Conference were invited to participate in a Prayer Vigil for General Conference. Learn more and view the prayer resources.
• Bishop Shelton encouraged pastors and congregations to share the incredible conference youth events with their youth. Watch the video.

Center for Leadership Excellence

• Registration opened for “A Church Reforming, a World Transforming: Faithful Ministry in a Chaotic World.”
• Registration opened for “Christian Unity in a World of Disunity.”
• Hosted “Safer Sanctuaries: Train the Trainer” workshop.
• Presented a webinar, “Looking Up: Acknowledging Grief, Embracing Hope,” with Courtney Ellis on March 19.

Laity Ministries

• Lay Equalization Plan nominations for At-Large Lay Members for the NC Annual Conference opened.
• Read a recap of the NC Conference United Women in Faith’s biennial Spiritual Growth Retreat.
• Announced a new Lay Servant Ministries class for the spring quarter, “Discipleship Begins with Relationship: Creating a Spiritual Growth Plan to See All the People.”

Media Center

• View resources on women’s history in the Methodist movement.
• View United Women in Faith Study Resources for all church groups.
• View General Conference resources for the past, present, and future.

Outreach Ministry

• Registration opened for Disaster Ministries’ training retreat.
• View an update from the Health Team on COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
• Applications for The Gary Wayne Locklear Mission Endowment opened. The application deadline is April 16.
• Announced and encouraged churches to participate in “One Body: Nourishing North Carolina,” a mission initiative during General Conference.

Treasurer’s Office

• View a way you can boost your savings for retirement through the Transition Fund.
• The Benefits Team shared information about Flex Spending Account 2023 reimbursements and how to contact your Care Coordinator to learn more about your HealthFlex insurance benefits.
• View ways you can earn rewards through well-being programs and maximize your benefits with the Blueprint for Wellness health screening.

Youth Ministries

• Pilgrimage 2024 event details were released. Meet the speakers, learn about the theme, and view the schedule.
• High school students gathered together from March 15 to 17 to attend Global Vision.