The Safe Sanctuaries webpage has new resources on the topics of Church Safety and Security. Please click here to access links to a Bible study, risk management checklists, guides to creating emergency plans, and more.
Announcements
United Methodist Forward NC Promotes The United Methodist Church
A Pro-United Methodist group of clergy and laity from the North Carolina Conference has launched United Methodist Forward NC to provide information and support for churches and persons who desire to remain United Methodist and to provide resources to counter misinformation that has emerged as churches have conversations about whether to remain United Methodist or disaffiliate (move out of the denomination.)
While dissension around how LGBTQA individuals are received and how they can participate in the whole ministry of The United Methodist Church has brewed for decades, the idea of disaffiliation has jumped to the forefront since the launch of The Global Methodist Church in May 2022. The GMC identifies itself as a new theologically-conservative denomination and an alternative to what they see as a centrist or progressive movement within The United Methodist Church.
With many churches in the midst of discussions about whether to remain United Methodist or to disaffiliate in accordance with ¶2553 (Disaffiliation of a Local Church Over Issues Related to Human Sexuality) in the denomination’s Book of Discipline, a goal of United Methodist Forward is to make sure churches receive and hear accurate information from a pro-United Methodist perspective before making hard and life-changing decisions.
Christine Dodson, chair of the NC Conference Delegation to General Conference, explains United Methodist Forward NC as a diverse group of progressive, centrist, and traditional United Methodists in the North Carolina Conference who “believe we are better together as we move into God’s great future for The United Methodist Church. We believe that we can and should be united in our service to make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world.”
The Rev. Edgar De Jesus describes the goal of the group as offering a narrative of unity and hope as well as countering the messaging of pro-disaffiliation groups such as Good News and the Wesleyan Covenant Association. The movement seeks to share NC Conference resources, sponsor gatherings and create spaces for conversations (both online and in-person) to help fellow United Methodists in the NC Conference to strongly affirm Wesleyan core beliefs and values and to advocate for staying in the “big tent” called The United Methodist Church.
The United Methodist Forward NC website, https://umforwardnc.org/, includes an open letter about the future of the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and an opportunity for clergy and laity within the conference and other “friends” of the North Carolina Conference to sign on in agreement. A Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/umforwardnc will be sourced with current information. Another resource is “You May Have Heard,” an official document from the NC Conference that provides accurate information on the ideas, misconceptions, and misinformation about disaffiliation and The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Leonard Fairley, episcopal leader of the North Carolina Annual Conference, has called a Special Session of Annual Conference for Nov. 19 at Methodist University in Fayetteville. The purpose of this special session is to receive and ratify requests from churches wishing to disaffiliate who have met the procedural and financial requirements. Under ¶2553, churches wishing to disaffiliate have until December 2023 to complete the process.
“We recognize that our denomination is not perfect, and that we have a deep need for reparation, reform, and renewal. We mourn that some among us feel compelled to leave our denomination,” the open letter states. “We affirm that our work as United Methodist People is to offer and embody the saving, justifying, and sanctifying love of God. We affirm our commitment to lives of holiness, centered in the life of Christ. Although we may not always think alike, we affirm that together with God’s help, we will love alike – on earth as it is in heaven.”
Last Month in the NC Conference: September 2022
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 September.
NC Conference
- The #BeUMC focus theme for September was Disciple-Making. View #BeUMC resources, watch video testimonials, and share A Prayer for the Disciple-Making People of God.
- Read Bishop Fairley’s message, “What Does the Lord Require?”.
- The Conference’s COVID Relief Grant Program made relief money available to the Cabinet to help local churches. The program, which distributed over $2.8 million, will end on October 15, 2022. The application will remain open until then.
- The Health Team Committee shared an update from Disaster Medicine expert, Dr. Wes Wallace.
Center for Leadership Excellence
- The NC Conference Christian Unity & Interreligious Relationships (CUIR) committee held an in-person workshop focused on how we engage ecumenical partners in communities that are authentic and fruitful.
- Hosted the first of four sessions on Leading a Bible Study with Alton Felton.
Conflict Transformation
- Learn how to incorporate looping into your conflict transformation practice.
Media Center
- View resources for the Disciple-Making People of God.
- View Advent Study and Planning Resources.
- Hispanic Heritage Month began September 15. View Hispanic/Latinx authors and immigration resources.
- The Media Center reopened for drop-in visitors.
New Faith Communities
Office of Clergy Life
- Over the past three months, fifty-two clergy utilized resources through the Office of Clergy Life to support them as they transitioned to new appointments on July 1st. Those resources, which will extend through the next nine months, have included a facilitated discussion with laity (A.I.M. Session), community of practice cohorts with clergy peers, and individual coaching.
- The Office of Clergy provided mock interviews for Candidates for Ministry who are preparing to interview with the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry in October. This provided Candidates an opportunity to:
- Practice speaking about their call
- Practice listening carefully to the questions they are asked as they prepare to answer
- Practice answering questions in a concise, thoughtful, and organized way
- Hear feedback on how it went from the interview team
- Receive prayer and encouragement from colleagues
Outreach Ministry
- Creation Care hosted a worship service and series of webinars in celebration of the Season of Creation.
- Congregations for Children celebrates two grant recipients, Trinity UMC and West End UMC, summer literacy programs.
- Disaster Ministries received a grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Environmental Sustainability Unit to build a mobile solar power disaster response trailer.
- September was National Preparedness Month. Read how churches can prepare for disasters.
- Disaster Ministries hosted two basic Early Response Team trainings and a recertification course. View the training schedule to register for an upcoming course.
- The Conference Missions Team awarded Cedar Grove UMC (Pittsboro) the 2022 Key Taylor award.
Treasurer’s Office
- Hosted two webinars with the Wespath Health Team about the new HealthFlex insurance plans. Learn more about the webinars and in-person district events that will be held next month.
- The ALEX Benefits Counselor is now available to help current insurance plan enrollees and those considering enrollment find the HealthFlex medical/dental/vision insurance plans that best fit their needs.
Youth Ministries
- The Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) met on September 17. Read a recap of the September meeting.
A Prayer for the World-Changing People of God
Dear God, we live in a world that suffers from selfishness, violence, and systems that oppress the most vulnerable. In the midst of this reality you call us to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. You call us to be a sign of the Kingdom of God by serving others, embracing our neighbors, and praying for our enemies. Today, we give thanks and pray for all of those who as servants of Christ, while not of this world, are sent into the world to engage in the struggle for justice, unity, and reconciliation. We in particular highlight Africa University and the work of UMCOR as examples of our global witness; we are called with them to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Help us, oh God, to persevere in the work of transformation, as we continue confidently awaiting the arrival of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Written by José Luis Villaseñor. Used with permission.
Deadline September 30, 2022 – Mission Seed Fund Applications for 2023
Mission Seed Fund Applications for 2023 are now open!
Mission Seed Fund Applications are now being accepted! Remember that all three required documents (application, cover letter, and budget) will be submitted at one time after the application form is filled out.
Pay close attention to the form where your application information is submitted. The cover letter and budget will be downloaded at the bottom of the actual application. The deadline for applications and documents is September 30, 2022.
Feel free to contact Kathy Duncan in the Mission Office if you have questions or concerns. (kduncan@nccumc.org or 919-257-7138)
Scouting agreements extended to Dec. 31
Boy Scouts of America and The United Methodist Church have agreed that all present agreements between congregations and Scouting troops have been extended to Dec. 31. This includes charters, affiliation agreements, and facilities-use agreements. Boy Scouts of America Councils need to restructure as part of a bankruptcy plan. The Center for Scouting Ministries, part of United Methodist Men, provides a conference resource page that helps answer questions about the current BSA and United Methodist Church relationship.
Key Points
- The bankruptcy court has approved the restructuring plan.
- The plan will be appealed. It will take to work its way through the district court.
- The Judge laid a path for the plan in the district court.
- The United Methodist Settlement is a key to supporting Scouting.
- Through the General Commission on United Methodist Men, the commitment was made to support Scouting and growth in Scouting through 2036.
- United Methodists have a solid way to move forward in ministry safely.
Court Update
On September 8th, Judge Silverstein gave her approval to the Boy Scouts of America restructuring plan. There are appeals expected to be dealt with by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Judge Silverstein wrote a 281-page opinion with 250 footnotes preparing the way for the district court. This does mean the restructuring plan has a solid opportunity to move forward. If it does, it will include the United Methodist Entities Settlement.
The United Methodist Settlement
The judge’s opinion offered, “No one objects to the contribution of the United Methodist entities.” The commitment is to help heal and support the ministry. “Not only do the contributions further fund the Settlement Trust…their commitment to continue to work with Scouting helps to ensure both the future of Scouting and the contribution of the Settlement Growth Payment to the Settlement Trust.”
Relationship
Through the General Commission on United Methodist Men, the commitment was made to support Scouting and growth in Scouting through 2036. GCUMM supports safe Scouting for youth, adults, and our churches.
A Solid Way Forward in Ministry
To support youth having additional positive contact with the church and growth opportunities, GCUMM is actively seeking to support the negotiated agreements with BSA. Each provides a clarified indemnity and defined insurance. The roles and responsibilities do shift. The role of the church to share faith and support youth growth does not change.
Boy Scouts of America Councils need to restructure and work through the relationship. Time is needed to make the changes. Dec. 31, 2022, is the deadline for completing changes to the relationship documents. Until the changes are completed, an interim agreement through the GCUMM extends all insurance and indemnification identified in the new agreements.
Steven Scheid, Director of the Center for Scouting Ministries, shared, “Scouting builds the wells of skills and leadership. The church helps fill the well with living water. That is why we Scout.”
More information at methodistscouter.org.
Contact:
gcumm@gcumm.org
Ph: (615) 620-7266