General Conference Lay Delegate Caleb Parker, a member of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church in Durham, was included on the Time100 Next list for 2024. He is listed in the “Advocates” section and recognized for his role at General Conference.
Stories
United in Mission: Bringing Relief to Those in Need
Hear how laypeople and pastors across the Conference are coming together to build cleaning kits to assist those in need in Western NC.
Want to Build an UMCOR Cleaning Kit?
We encourage you to help build cleaning kits or gather kit supplies at your church! Several churches across the Conference are serving as collection centers to gather completed kits and kit supplies. We will continue to update our website as more centers are established. If you are interested in serving as a collection center, please complete our form.
View Cleaning Kit Supplies and Assembly Instructions→
View an Amazon Wish List of the kit materials→
Rev. Edgar De Jesus elected World President of WesleyMen
The World Fellowship of Methodist and Uniting Church Men (WesleyMen) is excited to announce that our governing board of directors has selected Rev. Edgar De Jesus as its third World President. Rev. De Jesus will serve as the chair of the WesleyMen organization and fill the post as an ex-officio member of the steering committee of the World Methodist Council.
An Encouragement for September
The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Regina H. Moore, Executive Minister and CEO of the SC Christian Action Council, the SC affiliate of the National Council of Churches. Anyone can sign up to receive Encouragement emails here.
As summer gives way to fall, I’m reminded of the transitions that occur in both nature and life. On my recent journey to Yellowstone National Park, I witnessed the striking shifts in the landscape—from forested, rugged mountains to the deep, glacier-carved valleys, all within minutes. These dramatic transitions in the terrain reflected the changes we experience in life—often unpredictable yet breathtaking in their own way. Amid these transitions, we can be assured that God’s presence remains constant. James 1:16-17 reminds us, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the [God] of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Panoramic views of nature often mirror the ever-changing nature of our lives and ministry, where seasons of stability can quickly give way to times of challenge and injustice. Yet, in contrast to this dynamic terrain, God remains the constant light that never shifts or fades. While the world around us may quiver with fear and uncertainty, God’s love, faithfulness, and presence remain unwavering, offering us a steady source of hope and guidance through every change. God’s compassionate justice is unchanging.
Reflection: How can the unchanging nature of God inspire and sustain your commitment to justice and advocacy in ministry? Reflect on how God’s constancy can provide a firm foundation and enduring transformation for addressing injustices and working towards equitable solutions.
Take Action: Advocate for long-term social change. Engage in sustained efforts to address systemic injustices. This could involve partnering with local organizations, participating in advocacy campaigns, or initiating community outreach ministries that aim to create lasting improvements in social justice issues. By committing to ongoing, principled action, you reflect God’s unchanging commitment to justice and righteousness.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women
UWFaith Mother-Child Retreat at Camp Don Lee
The annual United Women in Faith (UWFaith) Mother-Child Retreat was held at Camp Don Lee the first week of September. Forty-one children and their mothers from across the NC Conference experienced camp together, as has been the tradition for United Women in Faith for over twenty years.
Saturday morning brought its share of rain and workshops facilitated by UWFaith members on wisdom in the water for the children and their mothers, a famous Don Lee fried chicken lunch, and prayer bead-making for everyone to share time together.
Wisdom in the Water seemed perfect since there was quite literally water EVERYWHERE! The river, the pool, the creek, the puddles, the cup of leaves, the sky…and, of course, the living water in the souls gathered.
Just as all of the inside activities finished, the rain stopped. Perfect timing! The pool began to fill with those wanting to brave the rope swing or high jump. Teams of families began to load canoes. Others waited on the dock for their first chance to experience sailing. Others practiced their skills with archery.
There is something special about mothers and their children getting time away together. Children making new friends while their mothers do the same in a beautiful location gifted by God.
Hayrides, campfires, ice cream socials, and so much more make this annual event a memory both mother and child will always treasure. Many local UWFaith units sponsor women and children for this time of renewal each year.
Camp Don Lee is available for retreats, Christmas parties, and so much more! Generational memories are made there daily. Visit Don Lee Camp and Retreat Center’s website to explore all the possibilities.
If you know a mother who could use special time away with her child(ren) next year, please talk to your local UWFaith unit and help make this amazing experience available to them.
Submitted by Kim R. Smith, United Women in Faith Communications Coordinator.
United Women in Faith Event Raises Awareness of the Charter for Racial Justice
The NC Conference United Women in Faith Charter for Racial Justice Team hosted an event for all women on Saturday, August 24, at Garner United Methodist Church. The event was designed to raise awareness of the challenges minority women still face today in the workplace, community, and our churches.
Bishop Connie Shelton offered a greeting and provided equipping tools to have difficult and powerful discussions with those around us as we head into a racially charged political election. She reminded us that asking reflective questions can help us avoid escalating learning opportunities into arguments that leave our hearts even further apart from each other.
The Keynote speaker for the event was Reggie Edwards, the founder and Executive Director of The Encouraging Place, described on its website as a “vibrant community dedicated to fostering racial harmony, empowering women, and creating spaces where every individual feels valued and heard.” The non-profit, located in Durham, has been on this journey of hope since 2008. The mission of the organization is to “Encourage racial healing and understanding to create equity within our communities.”
SisterShare and Summer Oasis programs are monthly fellowships for women that bring them together to share a meal and have meaningful discussions designed to help them learn and grow from their unique experiences. The groups meet in various places around the city and often have speakers who share relevant issues with the women gathered.
Prior to moving into breakout learning sessions, the group shared a mind renewal moment using the Pray As You Go app. Through this free app, daily prayers that guide listeners through scripture readings are available to all. For this session, the anxiety meditation was shared to help the women focus on the presence of Jesus and to help those gathered to prepare their hearts and minds for the ways they could be used in their own communities to bring justice and healing.
Women then moved into four breakout sessions. Claire Cox-Woodlief facilitated session one, in which they discussed how all persons are equally valuable in the sight of God. Home Missioner Steve Taylor, how we describe the “redemption and reconciliation of Jesus Christ” in session two. Rev. Yolanda Correa guided those gathered in session three through discussions on racial and cultural diversity, as well as respecting each person’s value. Dr. Margaret Brunson, with those in session four, guided her group through questions around new attitudes, understandings, and relationships.
Members of Garner United Methodist Church provided a lunch for all attendees. Lois Johnson and Brenda Brown provided music. Time around the table was spent getting to know each other from across the NC Conference and renewing mind and body for the afternoon panel discussion.
Moderators for the afternoon panel discussion were Dr. Margaret Brunson and Ms. Claire Cox-Woodlief. Panel members were Connie Wolf (Asian-South Pacific), Evelia Simmons (Hispanic), Dr. Robbin Cooper (African American), and Rev. Tobi Nguyen (Caucasian). For nearly two hours, the women discussed the importance of helping each other move forward together. Multiple members stressed the importance of reaching our children early on to break the cycle of racial inequities.
The hope of the Charter for Racial Justice Committee is that this model for learning, growth, and understanding could be duplicated within each of the districts within the NC Conference United Women in Faith. As United Women in Faith, “We believe love in action can change the world.”
For more information, visit these websites:
Article written by Kim Rice Smith, United Women in Faith Communications Coordinator.