Archives for 2012

Dear friends in the North Carolina Conference,  Grace and peace to you as we approach the fourth Sunday in Advent. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with those who suffered unspeakable loss one week ago in Connecticut.  The United Methodist Church provides resources for us to consider in the wake of tragedy.  I hope… Continue Reading→

Bishop Ward continues seasonal meditations Bishop Ward’s weekly meditation centers on joy, the theme for the third week of Advent. Watch at Advent 3. Visit Bishop next week as she continues with more Advent and Christmas messages. Resources available to help counsel in the midst of grief The nation is mourning the tragic shooting deaths… Continue Reading→

Connections: Meditation for the Second Week of Advent Bishop Ward reflects on peace, the theme for the second week of Advent, in this week’s Connections. Important Dates from the Treasurer’s Office Please note the following deadlines for submission of year-end givings to the Treasurer’s Office: ** Dec. 31- All “Special Sunday” givings (Humans Relations Sunday… Continue Reading→

Orientation Webinars for Church Leaders The General Board of Discipleship is continuing to make available training webinars for specific leaders in the local church.   Some of the upcoming webinars include: •“Stewardship and Finance: Getting It Right at the Starting Line” Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. CST. For Stewardship Team, Finance Committee, or Church Council… Continue Reading→

2013 Online Pension Forms Due December 10 The 2013 Pension Worksheet and the Contribution to PIP forms on the Online Data Collection System are due to be completed by Monday, December 10. All pastors serving an appointment to a local church, regardless of retired or pension plan enrollment status, must complete the Pension Worksheet online…. Continue Reading→

Connections: NC Conference and Western NC Conference Bishop Ward discusses the newly-formed partnership between the NC Conference Cabinet and the Western NC Conference Cabinet in the newest edition of Connections. 2013 IRS Mileage rate to change The standard mileage rate for transportation or travel expenses in 2013 will be 56.5 cents per mile for all… Continue Reading→

Bishop Ward discusses GBGM and Missionaries “316 of them [missionaries who now serve], an easy number to remember, like John 3:16, ‘God so loved the world that God gave God’s only beloved Son, that whosoever believes in Jesus Christ will have everlasting life.’ 316 missionaries now increased by eight, these are your missionaries, sent forth… Continue Reading→

Bishop Ward’s thoughts on “Harvest” “We give thanks for God’s bountiful harvest. This is the season of ingathering, the season of reaping. How grateful we are to be invited by God to be a part of the glorious harvest.” To hear Bishop Ward’s message in its entirety, go to Harvest. McNeal training videos now online… Continue Reading→

United Methodist Publishing House to close retail stores The United Methodist Publishing House announced Nov. 5 that it is closing all the Cokesbury retail stores to focus on it’s online presence, to be named CokesburyNext. CokesburyNext will be rolled out throughout 2013, and the last Cokesbury retail store is expected to close by Apr. 30,… Continue Reading→