In order to receive credit for 2021, apportionment and advance special payments must be received in the Conference Treasurer’s Office by Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Click here for more details and mailing instructions. To check your church’s balance, visit our District Remittances page to view reports, which are updated daily as payments are posted. If you notice a discrepancy from your records, please contact the Treasurer’s Office as soon as possible so that it can be corrected in a timely manner.
Announcements
Updated & Aligned COVID-19 Recommendations
![COVID-19 Omicron Update](https://nccumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/covid_omicron_update.jpg)
As the COVID-19 Omicron variant increases, we have reviewed and aligned our recommendations with the updated CDC guidance. We strongly urge you to follow the CDC guidelines and take the necessary precautions to guard the health of your congregation and community.
Here are a few resources available:
- In-Person Community and Worship: Recommendations for navigating church life in a pandemic.
- COVID-19 Scenarios and Our Congregations: Recommended actions for COVID-19 scenarios congregations may encounter.
- Coronavirus Resources: a wealth of information about COVID-19 risk, vaccination, financial assistance, mental health resources, ways to stay connected, and more.
Status of 2022 BCBS cards
Blue Cross Blue Shield sent participants’ insurance cards to the vendor today. The cards will need to be produced and mailed before participants begin to receive them. All participants are in the BCBS system, however, so coverage is active regardless of having the insurance card in hand.
Peace and Good Will: A Christmas Message from Bishop Leonard Fairley
Together, we rejoice in the gift of the one who came to bring “peace, love, salvation, justice, and so much more.” May we celebrate with joy the gift of the Christ-child, and may we share this gift with all the world during this season of Christmas and all year long.
Video Transcription
“I just want peace in my house!” It sounded so simple, but it drove the kids and me crazy. We had grown to expect this classic Priscilla response every Christmas to our question, “What do you want for Christmas?” She never wanted anything for herself, besides peace in her house, of course.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14, NSRV) We could use a little peace in God’s house, and Lord knows we can use some good will toward all people. The good news is that on Christmas Day we celebrate the fact that, in the birth of Jesus, God gives the world the one gift that embodies peace, love, salvation, justice and so much more.
It is the one gift that comes with healing in its wings powerful enough to free us from the bondage of sin and death. It is the one gift with light enough to overcome all darkness, the true gift that redeems and makes whole that which is broken. Jesus is the one true, perfect gift of unity binding us together. “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14, NRSV)
On this Christmas Day may you hear these words with hope and joy. It does not matter if you hear them as words for a hopeful future, or as a word meant to counter a fallen world, or inspiration in the dry times of life. “Peace on earth and good will toward all people” points us toward the day that we would have reason for great hope. Therefore, even in our current distress we dare sing, “Joy to The World.”
In the gift of this Son, born in the humblest of circumstances, in a little insignificant town, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient of days.” (Micah 5:2, NRSV)
In the gift of Jesus, God teaches us how to turn the other cheek, how to love even our enemies, and love and serve others. Jesus is the peace, love, and justice we desire. What do I want for Christmas? I like how the song “Grown-Up Christmas List” says it: “So here’s my lifelong wish, my grown-up Christmas list, not for myself but for a world in need. No more lives torn apart, that wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts, and everyone would have a friend, and right would always win, and love would never end.” (“Grown-Up Christmas List,” David W. Foster, Linda Foster) Indeed, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” (Luke 2:14, NRSV)
United Methodist Reach Settlement in BSA Bankruptcy Case
Updated 2/14/22: Removed the outdated Voting Guide link.
United Methodist leaders have reached a settlement in the matter of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) pending bankruptcy proceedings. Upon final court approval, the settlement would absolve any claims of sexual abuse that may have occurred in congregation-sponsored Scouting programs.
Under the terms of the settlement, United Methodists would raise and give $30 million over a three-year period into a fund that will be utilized to compensate survivors, and United Methodist congregations that charter Scout troops and packs would be released from all abuse claims involving Scouting activities. A team has been formed to identify strategies and materials that may be used to raise the funds. Through the General Commission on United Methodist Men, United Methodists will work with the BSA to continue to ensure Scout safety and grow Scouting ministry as part of its mandate through The Book of Discipline.
“Bishops will be working with the church, the Survivor Working Group and BSA to address policies, programs, and procedures in order to keep Scouts safe from abuse,” said Bishop John Schol, chair of the UMC leadership team created to support the United Methodist chartering organizations in the bankruptcy matter. Under the terms of the agreement, denomination leaders will intensify efforts to prevent and raise awareness of child sexual abuse.
Steve Taylor, Executive Director of NC Conference Connectional Ministries said, “We feel deep sorrow for the survivors who experienced abuse from those they trusted, and we must intensify our efforts to ensure such abuse never occurs again. To that end, we deepen our commitment to a robust and effective Safe Sanctuaries ministry in every church in the North Carolina Conference.”
The settlement follows months of mediation by an Ad Hoc committee of bishops, chancellors and general agency employees that has been advocating for United Methodist interests.
“We are also grateful for the leadership in our United Methodist connection who worked hard to reach this settlement that placed at its center the care and concern of those survivors who experienced sexual abuse. God forever calls us to first care for the most vulnerable and violated among us. This is a measure of our love for and obedience to our crucified and resurrected Savior,” said Taylor.
More information will be forthcoming from conference leadership on how the North Carolina Conference will participate in this settlement process.
Now that United Methodists have reached a settlement in the BSA Bankruptcy, the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee is recommending for all congregations that filed a proof of claim to vote to “accept” the plan as the plan now provides releases and protection from sexual abuse lawsuits for all United Methodist churches who presently or in the past chartered a BSA Troop or Cub Pack.
How to Change Your Vote
A local church that has already submitted its ballot with a vote to “reject” the plan can simply submit another ballot in order to change its vote to “accept.” (The last ballot received by December 28, 2021 4:00 pm is the one that will determine what vote is recorded.)
A local church that submitted a paper ballot can contact bsaballots@omniagnt.com to receive another hard copy of its ballot to complete and return. Alternatively, the local church can submit a replacement ballot online using its Unique E-Ballot ID#. The church will need its Unique eBallot ID from the top right corner of its ballot to use the e-ballot system. To the extent any church needs its Unique eBallot ID, it can contact bsaballots@omniagnt.com.
To the extent that a church submitted a ballot via hard copy and would like to change its vote using the e-ballot system, that works too. Those churches should insert their Unique eBallot IDs from the top right corner of their ballots into the e-balloting system to submit a new ballot electronically and seek assistance from the Solicitation Agent if needed at bsaballots@omniagnt.com. Again, to the extent any church needs its Unique eBallot ID, it can contact bsaballots@omniagnt.com.
The deadline to receive your vote is December 28 at 4:00 pm ET.
A church does not need to call a new charge conference in order to change its vote in the bankruptcy , and if a church initially gave voting authority to the Board of Trustees, the Trustees may change their vote without seeking further authority from a new charge conference.
Voting yes will be helpful in approving the BSA Plan of Reorganization and continue scouting for 1.2 million youth across the United States. We expect to receive recommendations on chartering for scout groups going forward after the court acts on this proposed settlement.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us directly at boyscouts@nccumc.org.
COVID-19 Omicron Update for Congregational Leaders
![](https://nccumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/covid_omicron_update-600x337.jpg)
“Do no harm” is one of our Wesleyan three simple rules; therefore, it is important as faith leaders that we remain aware of current pandemic threats to our congregations and communities. The COVID-19 Omicron variant is predicted to cause a massive surge in coronavirus infection quickly. Our time to act is now.
The latest data on Omicron indicates that we will experience an extraordinary spike of infections in the next few weeks. Great Britain has usually presaged the United States by two to three weeks throughout the pandemic. In London, Omicron went from a few cases to a vertical acceleration in just over a week. The United Kingdom public health authorities project 600,000 to one million cases per week at wave peak. Currently, the United States is experiencing approximately 135,000 cases per day. It is projected that our number of cases will soar. Omicron is three to five times more infectious than is the Delta variant.
The latest models suggest that Omicron will start spiking nationally between Christmas and New Year’s Day, with peak cases occurring the second week of January. The hopeful news is that after the peak, new cases are predicted to drop quickly; thus, this wave is projected to be intense but short-lived.
We have defenses to help protect our congregations and communities. The first defense is vaccinations. mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are effective against infection from Omicron. With a 3rd dose (booster shot), mRNA vaccines produce 70-80% efficacy against Omicron infection via increased antibody breadth and numbers. The mRNA vaccines will likely reduce disease transmission, as well. So please, encourage your congregation to get vaccinated if they are not and boosted if they have been fully vaccinated. This will save lives.
Here are potential strategies for navigating the upcoming Omicron wave:
- Vaccinations
- Redouble efforts to get everyone vaccinated and boosted.
- Focus on seniors, the most vulnerable group.
- Distancing
- Transiently eliminate or reduce gatherings that carry higher risk. These risks will increase greatly shortly after Christmas.
- This wave will likely be intense, but shorter; its impact will be better understood with every passing week. These steps will likely be temporary steps back, not a major retrenching.
- Meet outside – if you meet inside, aggressively ventilate and filter.
- Masking
- Encourage the use of highly effective masks, like the N95 and KF94.
- Consider giving these masks to those at higher risk.
- Ask low-risk congregants to shop for and deliver food and necessities to high-risk community members.
- Hand-Washing
- Practice good hand-washing techniques and do so often.
- Strategic Thinking
- Develop objective criteria that will trigger a return to more normal pre-Omicron practices.
- Follow hospital capacity as a key metric if omicron generates mainly mild cases.
- Follow our NC Conference recommended guidance.
Friends, together, let us do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Let us continue to be a witness of the love of Christ that always loves neighbor as we love God.