Derek Leek

AC 2023: Board of Laity Feedback

Announcements Published on
November 2, 2023

In this video, John Hall, Conference Lay Leader, reflects on the recent Annual Conference gathering, highlighting the importance of the laity’s role in the church’s disciple-making process. In the Laity Executive Session, lay members were encouraged to share how we can participate in the disciple-making process of engaging, connecting, equipping, and sending. The Board of Laity collected over 500 responses. They are analyzing and categorizing this feedback and plan to share a summary report with the conference by year-end. Laity, thank you for your active participation in and contributions to the life of our Annual Conference.

Transcript

Hello friends – I’m John Hall, and I’m honored to serve as your Conference Lay Leader.

We came together at Annual Conference earlier this year to share in the life and work of our church. A part of that gathering was our Laity Executive Session, where we heard stories from across our conference of how our laity is living their faith story. We heard stories of the disciple-making process from Bishop Shelton, as she reminded us that discipleship begins with relationship. We heard stories of engaging, connecting, equipping, and sending.

We also asked each of you to share with each other how each of us could participate in this disciple-making process – we asked the question, “What do you and your church family need to fulfill God’s vision of engaging, connecting, equipping, and sending?” You were asked to share your thoughts with each other, as well as write them on Post-it notes.

Your conference Board of Laity has collected those notes, and let me share some thoughts with you.

We see you
There were 627 laity from across our conference who were registered for our Annual Conference gathering in June. We celebrate each and every one who took time from their busy lives to come to Greenville and participate in the fellowship and life and work of our church.

We hear you
We collected over 500 replies during our ‘sharing session,’ stories of encouragement, and ways to move forward in our churches.

We’re here with you
Your Board of Laity is actively working through your notes, categorizing and organizing the data, and developing action plans. Our plan is to have a summary report ready to share with you by the end of this year. We will also share these findings with our conference leadership team and cabinet.

Once again, thanks for your active participation in our Annual Conference this year and for sharing your thoughts with each other and with us. Continued blessings on your ministry!

Ruling on Lawsuit Brought by Former Members of Fifth Avenue UMC

Announcements Published on
September 18, 2023

WILMINGTON, NC—In a hearing in New Hanover County Superior Court on September 7, motions were considered in the case filed against the NC Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) by former members of Fifth Avenue UMC over the closure of the church. At the end of the hearing, the judge took the matter under advisement.

On September 14, the judge granted the motion to dismiss, and the order was filed in New Hanover County on September 15.

“We are incredibly pleased with the judge’s ruling. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated legal team and all those who have shown grace, discernment, and support throughout this process,” said Bishop Connie Shelton.

The NC Conference is actively pursuing opportunities to continue serving the community meaningfully through this location.

The Harbor District Superintendent, Rev. Tara Lain, stated, “We are eager to refocus our efforts on our core mission and join the amazing things God is doing in Wilmington as we reach out and meet the community’s needs through this United Methodist location.”

The former members of Fifth Avenue UMC have appealed the ruling, and the Conference will respond appropriately to the appeal.

Read below the briefs and signed court order.

Read the Complaint filed against the Conference (PDF)→
Read the Motion to Dismiss filed by the Conference (PDF)→
Read the Affidavit in Support submitted by Bishop Connie Shelton (PDF)→
Read the Affidavit in Support submitted by DS Tara Lain (PDF)→
Read the Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss and Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction (PDF)→
Read the Memorandum in Support of Motion for Discovery Stay (PDF)→

Read the Plaintiff’s Brief in Support of Request for Preliminary Injunction (PDF)→
Read the Plaintiff’s Brief in Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss (PDF)→
Read the Plaintiff’s Exhibit 1 (PDF)→
Read the Plaintiff’s Exhibit 2 (PDF)→
Read the Plaintiff’s Exhibit 3 (PDF)→
Read the Plaintiff’s Exhibit 4 (PDF)→
Read the Plaintiff’s Exhibit 5 (PDF)→

Read the Order on Motion to Dismiss (PDF)→

Hearing on Lawsuit Brought by Former Members of Fifth Avenue UMC

Announcements Published on
September 7, 2023

“We respect the judge’s decision to take this case under advisement and appreciate the thorough consideration being given to the matter,” said Bishop Connie Shelton.

Rev. Tara Lain, the Harbor District Superintendent, said, “We remain patient and confident that the judge will carefully weigh all the facts and legal arguments before rendering a verdict.”

We will update further when the judge issues her ruling.

Embracing Change and Charting New Horizons: Staff Updates at the NC Conference

Announcements Published on
August 22, 2023

The NC Conference announces several staff changes to enhance collaboration and propel the conference toward a dynamic future.

Introducing Jerrico Thompson and Yolanda Correa

The Center for Leadership Excellence welcomes Mr. Jerrico Thompson as he fills the vacant Administrative Specialist position. Jerrico, a Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary graduate, will offer hospitality and support to the Leadership Development and Christian Formation initiatives in the Center for Leadership Excellence. His diverse work background is an asset to the ministries of the Center. Reach out to Jerrico by emailing jerricothompson@nccumc.org.

Rev. Yolanda Correa joins Race Equity and Justice Ministries as Administrative Assistant. As an Ordained Elder at the Puerto Rico Conference, her presence among us opens up new possibilities to foster greater inclusivity, deepen our understanding of racial equity, and advance the cause of justice in our conference. Welcome Yolanda by emailing her at ycorrea@nccumc.org.

We are excited for you to meet Jerrico and Yolanda as they offer their fresh insights and expertise to the NC Conference.

Transitions in the Office of Clergy Life, District Office, and Conference Secretary’s Office

Beginning September 5, Rev. Heidi Seifert will transition to the role of Administrative Assistant to the District Superintendent for the Corridor and Heritage Districts. We are grateful for all of the ways Mrs. Sarah Carter has shared her gifts and talents with the NC Conference and wish her the best as she returns to work in education as Dean of Students at a Wake County high school.

Mrs. Becki Leeland fills Heidi’s role as Executive Assistant in the Office of Clergy Life to administratively aid and support the Assistant to the Bishop for Clergy Life. We give thanks for all the ways Heidi has faithfully served in the Office of Clergy Life for the past six years.

As a part of this change, for help or questions related to the Office of Clergy Life, please contact clergylife@nccumc.org.

A collaborative shift is underway in the Conference Secretary’s Office, where the District Office staff will share the responsibilities for the vacant Administrative Assistant position and help prepare for Annual Conference. We are excited that Mrs. Caroline Jackson will organize this effort and be the point of contact for questions in addition to her current responsibilities.

Embracing a Promising Future

Every shift brings with it new opportunities and fresh perspectives. As the NC Conference stands on the threshold of this new chapter, we’re excited to embrace the future and continue our unwavering commitment to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Bishop Shelton Calls Virtual Special Session of the Annual Conference

Announcements Published on
August 21, 2023

Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton calls for a virtual Special Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference on Saturday, October 7, beginning at 10 am.

Read the transcript→

The sole purpose of the called session is to ratify or not ratify the Disaffiliation Agreements of the approximately 20 local churches asking to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church under the provisions of The Book of Discipline 2016, Paragraph 2553. On June 17, 2023, Bishop Shelton announced the call for this special session, which conforms to the disciplinary requirements in Paragraphs 369.6 and 603.5. The eligible churches inquired by the April deadline and have met the requirements to date to move forward for Annual Conference ratification. This session is the third opportunity the Board of Trustees has made available for churches to disaffiliate.

The virtual session will require members to register in advance to confirm their intent to participate. The membership of this called session is, per The Discipline, the membership of the Annual Conference elected for the June 2023 regular session.

Clergy, please log in to the Online Data Collection System and verify your “Lay Member of Annual Conference (Special Session – October 7, 2023)” contact is correct on the church’s Leadership tab. Any changes in that membership need to be updated by September 22, 2023.

All lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference will receive an invitation to register. The deadline for all Annual Conference members to register their intent to attend the virtual session will be 5 pm on Friday, September 29, 2023.

The agenda will include a call to order, an opening prayer, a reflection, an explanation of the Annual Conference’s online procedures, a motion from the Board of Trustees, a subsequent decision, a closing prayer, and an adjournment.

The Board of Trustees Report will include a list of the approximately 20 churches asking to disaffiliate and will be posted online at nccumc.org/scac2023 by the end of September.

Visit the Online Data Collection System

Update on Fifth Avenue Lawsuit

Announcements Published on
August 2, 2023

As you know, the former Fifth Avenue UMC congregation in Wilmington, North Carolina sued the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and several Conference officials on June 27, 2023. This lawsuit challenged the decision by the Conference to close Fifth Avenue UMC. While we remain deeply saddened by this dispute, the Conference believes the decision to close the church was correct and properly made, and will create new opportunities to use the church property for ministry and outreach “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

The Conference recently requested the Court to dismiss the lawsuit for several reasons, including our belief that The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church gives Conference officials and the assembled members at the annual conference session wide discretion to close a UMC church that is declining and no longer effectively participating in the United Methodist mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ, and the First Amendment precludes courts from second-guessing church closure decisions made by Conference officials in accordance with the Discipline.

Derek Leek

Transcript

Introducing Jerrico Thompson and Yolanda Correa

Transitions in the Office of Clergy Life, District Office, and Conference Secretary’s Office

Embracing a Promising Future

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