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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 1

Stories Published on
January 18, 2025

An Offering from the Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships Team

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place this year from January 18-25. The theme is “Do You Believe?” and is based on Jesus’ conversation with Martha in John 11: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

The theme was chosen in recognition of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325), at which the words “I believe” were chosen to anchor the Creed as an instrument of universal Christian unity. For each day during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the members of the Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships (CUIR) committee will share a series of devotions based on the statements in the Nicene Creed.

You can sign up to receive these devotions each morning in your email or view them on our website.

Day 1: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty….

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
Deuteronomy 6:4

The Shema, a daily prayer and affirmation of faith for our Jewish siblings that has been shared with us, gives an important reminder in a polytheistic world. Depending on the translation you read, it may say, “The LORD is our God, the LORD alone,” or “Our God is the LORD! Only the LORD!” or as it reads above, “The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Read one way, it seems to call for loyalty and obedience only to God. Read another way, it is a statement about God’s unique nature, God’s one-ness.

I tend to take more of a “both-and” approach, integrating all of the translations in order to understand the fuller meaning. However, as we reflect this week on the beliefs that bind us together as Christians, the first statement in the Nicene Creed (UMH 880) affirms that we believe in one God. The LORD is one. As the creed expands upon the nature of God as Trinity, we find that this one God exists eternally in divine community, bound together by the power of love.

Reuven Kimelman, a professor of rabbinic literature, says that the Shema summons God’s people to feel “an all-consuming love of God.” It’s a love that is unreserved, all-demanding, at all times, in all places and in all circumstances. Nothing is excluded. Thoughts are to be focused, words are to be spoken, and deeds are to be done.

As those created in the image of the One God revealed to us in the Trinity, we are also called to this unique one-ness, which is made possible by this “all-consuming love of God.”

Prayer: O God, our God, forgive us when we focus on those things that make us different rather than focusing on you and your one-ness. May your all-consuming love bind us together in unity with all our siblings in Christ. Amen.

Shawn Blackwelder is the Lead Pastor of Genesis UMC in Cary and the Chair of CUIR.

Photo by Albin Hillert, 4 October 2019, Geneva, Switzerland: Ecumenical Centre, Geneva.

An Encouragement for January

Stories Published on
January 14, 2025

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 Amie Stewart, deacon in full connection in our conference and Director of Conference Relations for the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry. Amie also cohosts a podcast focused on vocational discernment, which may be found here.

Anyone can sign up to receive Encouragement emails here.

Read ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬, 23-24‬ ‭(NRSV):‬‬

At that same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” … Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Reflect: In L.M. Montgomery’s novel, Anne of Green Gables, Anne exclaims, “I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” While I love the initial glimpses of fall, I am more grateful for a world where there are Januarys. A new year begins with blank paper, new pens, and a crisp sense of possibility. Well-trodden paths of challenging habits are smoothed, and repeated reflections on negative experiences are lifted and left behind.

Take Action: Consider setting aside time this January to complete an Annual Examen. While you may be familiar with the daily prayer exercise of the Daily Examen, an Annual Examen invites concrete reflections on the highs and lows of our spiritual journeys in 2024.

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

Strengthening Disaster Response in Western North Carolina

Stories Published on
January 14, 2025

Brian Mateer, the Director of Missional Engagement and Disaster Response Coordinator, and Al Miller, Director of Disaster Ministries for Hurricane Helene for the Western NC Conference expressed gratitude for the partnership between the NC Conference and the Western NC Conference in assisting the people of Western NC in their recovery from Hurricane Helene.

Over the past several months, the NC Conference has delivered equipment and UMCOR kits, deployed Early Response Teams, and sent financial gifts to help our neighbors. Thank you for supporting relief efforts across our connection!

Learn more about how you can help at nccumc.org/helene.

Reverend John Bergland: A Legacy of Faith, Leadership, and Dedication at Camp Rockfish

Stories Published on
January 7, 2025

Reverend John Bergland’s life and ministry stand as a powerful testament to servant leadership, faith, and an unwavering commitment to community. A beloved figure within the North Carolina Conference, Rev. Bergland dedicated his life to nurturing spiritual growth, fostering connection, and creating spaces where individuals could experience God’s love in profound and transformative ways. His legacy continues to shine brightly through his passionate support of Camp Rockfish, a place he deeply cherished as a beacon for outdoor ministry, fellowship, and personal renewal.

One of Rev. Bergland’s most enduring contributions to Camp Rockfish is the establishment of the Bergland Center, a facility that symbolizes his vision for equipping the next generation of campers, leaders, and faith seekers. With tireless dedication and a heart for service, he championed the creation of a space where people of all ages could gather, learn, and grow closer to their faith and to one another. The Bergland Center now serves as a cornerstone of the camp’s mission, hosting worship services, leadership retreats, and community programs that embody Rev. Bergland’s belief in the power of camp ministry to transform lives.

Rev. Bergland’s legacy at Camp Rockfish reflects his deep understanding of the role that faith-based camps play in shaping character, building relationships, and inspiring future leaders. His efforts not only strengthened the camp’s capacity to serve its community but also ensured that generations to come would have a sacred space to encounter God’s creation and experience life-changing moments of faith and fellowship.

Through his steadfast commitment to both the NC Conference and Camp Rockfish, Rev. John Bergland leaves behind a profound legacy of hope, love, and purpose—a legacy that lives on in the hearts of those who walk through the doors of the Bergland Center and find a home at Camp Rockfish.

An Encouragement for December

Stories Published on
December 12, 2024

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 Kim R. Smith, lay leader for the Sound District. Kim also has a website where you can find more of her writing and a podcast! Anyone can sign up to receive Encouragement emails here.

Read Numbers 27:1-4, The Message

The daughters of Zelophehad showed up. Their father was the son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Makir son of Manasseh, belonging to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They came to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. They stood before Moses and Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and the congregation and said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He wasn’t part of Korah’s rebel anti-God gang. He died for his own sins. And he left no sons. But why should our father’s name die out from his clan just because he had no sons? So, give us an inheritance among our father’s relatives.

Sisters

There have been times in my life when I have stood before a board table full of men to plead my case or that of another. Nine times out of ten, I knew more about the topic and had more firsthand experience than they did, yet just standing in front of men who all looked alike…I could feel myself shrinking. Even now after twenty years of public service, I am still watching women shrink. In 2024, I ask each time a pastor calls me to speak, “Is the congregation alright with a woman delivering the message?”

Now more than ever, we sisters in faith need to stick together. We need to encourage and strengthen each other as we seek to grow into our God-given voices. Imagine these five sisters entering the tent full of male leaders. They were there to seek justice for themselves and other women who would follow.

They must have been intimidated, scared, and unsure about asking for a change in the law. Yet, one of the five was the first to say to the others, “we are worthy too.” I picture her with red hair! Another had to suggest the risky approach. Still others must have encouraged and assured the sisters. Then, TOGETHER they entered and were able to find the courage to use their voices. Their bravery changed their paths as well as many who followed.

We know that the work for the rights of our sisters in faith is not over. We know that we will need to be confident, equipped, and courageous enough to use our voices for each other now and in the days ahead.

Can we be as brave as the daughters of Zelophehad?

As we continue to move through Advent, who are other brave women from the Bible whose stories inspire you?

Is there a woman in your circle of influence who is trying to find her voice in this noisy world?

What can you do to help her stand tall and speak her truth?

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

Pilgrimage 2024: Seeing God in Unexpected Places

Stories Published on
November 26, 2024

From November 8-10, 2024, over 1,570 youth, leaders, and volunteers gathered at the Rocky Mount Event Center for Pilgrimage 2024, an annual celebration of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth for youth in the North Carolina Conference.

The theme of this year’s Pilgrimage was “Seeing God in Unexpected Places,” with a focus on seeing God in times of exile. On Friday night, volunteers and the Cabinet greeted attendees with cheers and applause as they entered the event center, filling the room with love and joy. We welcomed multiple vendors to the upstairs portion of the event center for youth and their leaders to explore. Other pre-session activities included the Photoboxx where youth excitedly took photos with their friends for printed copies and a chance to be featured on the video screen. Youth were invited to “leave your mark” at Pilgrimage by placing their fingerprint on a canvas, which turned into a beautifully created tree design. These canvases were auctioned off for the Youth Service Fund and used as a part of the altar on Sunday morning. Along with the canvases, there was a Youth Service Fund stand where you could support the conference youth events by buying Pilgrimage and YSF t-shirts.

Pilgrimage 2024 opened with upbeat music during pre-session, and Conference Youth President Matthew Wong giving a welcome speech and announcements. The incredible house band kicked off the event with powerhouse music as youth gathered in front of the altar to sway together. Kuda Kugura, a conference youth alum, and a current Pastor gave the message on Friday Evening. As Kuda spilled out youth terminology and spoke about grace, youth listened intently and engaged with his message based on scripture from Matthew 25:34-46. Friday evening wasn’t complete without a video message from the Bishop, the popular flashlight questions, a youth testimony about God’s presence in grief, and two more house band sets. We sent the youth off to bed for a busy Saturday.

While the house band was practicing on Saturday morning, we heard loud alarms with the message “alert, alert, there is a fire emergency, please evacuate the building.” We quickly and safely removed the house band and production staff members and awaited further instructions. Youth groups were welcomed to the Rocky Mount Event Center with fire trucks and crowds outside the doors. While we sorted out what turned out to be a fire alarm malfunction, youth were seen dancing and singing on the steps of the event center, some even playing in the open green space across the street from the venue.

Once doors opened, youth rushed into the event center for an “unplugged” session of Pilgrimage, filled with no videos, lights, or lyrics on screen after losing power to the event center.

The session was filled with great music from our house band while youth followed along with lyrics from the Pilgrimage website, testimonies from Camp and Retreat Ministries, scripture, and prayer. Youth were introduced to Rev. Adam Baker who emphasized the importance of youth knowing they are loved by God.

Saturday afternoon was filled with many activities, including a Camp Fun Day hosted by Camp and Retreat Ministries, arcade games and adventures at the Rocky Mount Event Center, lunch at NC Wesleyan, the packing of over 2,000 hygiene kits for the MERCI Center, a hot dog lunch hosted by First UMC Rocky Mount, and a multicultural dinner at First UMC Rocky Mount which provided a space for youth to celebrate diversity and build connections.

We joined back together for Saturday evening with lights, music, videos, lyrics, and speakers as youth leaders led Christian Calisthenics, youth officers shared ways youth can get involved with other youth events, and the Conference Youth Committee led the rainstorm. We enjoyed witnessing creative arts through dance from a group of youth and hearing a heartfelt testimony about a youth’s journey to find God in exile. Rev. Baker gave another message centered on knowing we are loved by God and how we are called to love our neighbors as God loves us. Our house band closed us out with songs as youth were seen singing loudly and swaying to the music!

Sunday morning began with a banner processional, providing youth groups an opportunity to represent their churches. For virtual participants, photos of banners were taken and displayed on the video board. We welcomed our house band back to lead us in Sunday morning music before youth shared their spiritual gifts through stories and spoken word.

Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton and Rev. Adam Baker led us in communion and a special offering for the Youth Service Fund was collected to support conference youth events. Rev. Baker shared a closing message, encouraging youth to go forth and show God’s love to others, especially those in exile. After enjoying more music from the House Band, an ending with the UMYF Benediction, and the Church Clap, the amazing weekend drew to a close.

Pilgrimage 2024 was a wonderful experience, and we are already looking forward to next year!

View photos from the event→

Recap contributed by Abigail Eliot, Conference Youth Secretary, Anna Blount, and Catherine Stallsmith

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