In this Every Day Grace story, Pastor Linda Harris shares about her creative prayer time called “Praying in Color.”
“If we see the vision, we can believe in what we see.”
In what ways do you pray? Share your stories in the comments below!
Announcements
The Stormcast: Gary Locklear on Hurricane Matthew
In this first episode of The Stormcast, we talk with Gary Locklear, Conference Lay Leader, about his life and his work in Lumberton, NC and Robeson County. Listen below or download the audio file to learn more about Gary and how he’s helping the people in his community gain a sense of normalcy and rebuild after Hurricane Matthew.
To learn how you can help by volunteering your time or giving a monetary donation, visit nccumc.org/disaster.
Historic NC Conference Churches
The Archives & History Committee has posted a 2016 PDF presentation on Historic Churches in the NC Conference.
Faith and Money: Clergy Tax Resource Video
Anyone who has done tax returns for clergy knows that they are quite different from a lay person’s return. There are some differences in the way taxable income is determined as well as where things are reported on the return. Dr. Lovett Weems has prepared a 12-minute video to give an introduction to clergy taxes and has given permission for us to share it. If you are not already a clergy tax expert, this video will be helpful to you. Also, any of our newer clergy may find some new information to help you plan your taxes. Now is the time to plan so we hope you will devote 12 minutes to this resource!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTWQF-R6EEc
Faith and Money: Affordable Care Act Tax Reporting
You may be aware that the Affordable Care Act includes provisions for reporting through the IRS both the offer and the use of employer-provided health care plans. Tax forms will be due to be filed for the 2015 tax year from our health care plan and from all employers with more than 50 full-time equivalent employees. The information can be confusing and this can seem like a daunting task. We are working to help simplify reporting for the NCCUMC. Here are the steps we are taking for health care reporting for our conference:
- The Conference will file 1095-B forms for all of our participants on our health care plan. This means that local churches with less than 50 employees will not need to file any forms.
- We will email churches that may have 50 employees to make sure the church is evaluating the number of employees to determine if the church has to file 1095-C forms as an applicable large employer. If your church may be close to or over 50, please review guidance from the GBOPHB to help determine if you have to file.
- We will be filing 1095-C forms for the Conference as an applicable large employer for anyone on the annual conference payroll.
We will be talking more over the next few weeks about health care tax reporting. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Faith and Money: Free Stewardship and Finance Webinar, January 7, 2016
Discipleship Ministries is hosting a free webinar January 7, 2016, for new members of Stewardship Teams, Finance Committees and Church Councils. If you are new to one of these committees in your local church, please consider tuning in for this webinar to learn some basics for your work as you begin this new role.
Stewardship & Finance: Getting it Right at the Starting Line
DATE: Thursday, January 7, 2016
TIME: 7:30 pm Eastern Standard Time/6:30 pm Central Standard Time
PRESENTERS: Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Connectional Ministries
Start with this webinar focused on the new member of the Stewardship Team, Finance Committee, or Church Council – those who are looking to get started on the right foot. If your work in the church deals with people’s giving, you know the importance of that responsibility. Bathe your work in prayer. Remember, you are not alone; there are places to find help! As you enter the New Year, reflect on these ideas that could make your job the best one in the church!