Archives for 2014

Generous Giving as a Lenten Discipline Bishop Ward encourages churches to recognize One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday on March 30 (the fourth Sunday of Lent) as a way to join hands with United Methodists across the world and be one in ministry with persons who have experienced disaster. Receipts from the OGHS offering cover… Continue Reading→

Embracing and Engaging Children in Worship In this week’s Connections, Bishop Ward discusses the vision of how congregations can and do help children engage in worship and establish lifelong faith practices. Bishops Ward and Goodpaster Issue Joint Statement Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Bishop Larry Goodpaster issued a joint statement on March 18 sharing some… Continue Reading→

The Gift of God’s Grace Bishop Ward uses the scripture John 3:16 to affirm God’s gift of grace in this week’s Connections. Duke Divinity School Offers S/PPRC Training Curriculum The Duke Clergy Health Initiative is offering a theologically-framed program to strengthen relations between clergy and congregations and promote the health of pastors. Designed for S/PPRC’s,… Continue Reading→

Creating Beauty from Brokenness As the church year moves into the season of Lent, Bishop Ward shares how, through redeeming and resurrecting power, God creates beauty from brokenness and despair. Connections UM Family Fun Days at Kings Dominion and Carowinds April 12-20, April 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 25, 26, and 31 are designated… Continue Reading→

Bishop Ward Introduces Project Bountiful This week, Bishop Ward introduces Project Bountiful, a joint project of the Academy for Leadership Excellence, the Duke Endowment, and the NC Conference, in which 96 churches (divided into two cycles) will meet, seek, and grow in mission outreach to their communities and into the greater world. Connections One Great… Continue Reading→

Bishop Ward Highlights Give 5 Read 5 In this week’s Connections, Bishop Ward encourages churches to participate in the Read 5 Give 5 Initiative, providing books for children to read during the summer vacation. She also offers the opportunity to make school kits for children in North Carolina and around the world. Engaging Local Schools… Continue Reading→

Embracing Diversity Bishop Ward calls all churches and ministries in the North Carolina Conference to be a witness of welcome to all God’s people in every place. Connections. Bishop’s Forum Feb. 12 Cancelled The Bishop’s Forum scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12, has been cancelled due to the approaching winter storm. The topic will be rescheduled… Continue Reading→

You are the Light of the World In this week’s Connections, Bishop Ward thanks the conference for generous giving towards the 2013 apportionments and reminds viewers/readers that ministries made possible through faithful apportionments help shine the light of Christ and proclaim the Good News. Duke’s Pastores Caminantes Program The Hispanic House of Studies at Duke… Continue Reading→

The Spiritual Opportunities at Conference Camps In this week’s Connections, Bishop Ward lifts up and gives thanks for the opportunities and experiences available at the conference camps and asks readers/viewers to consider inviting a child to camp. Web Conversation for Local Pastors in February Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Cory Oliver, chairperson of the Fellowship of Local… Continue Reading→