Bishop Ward invites churches to support Project AGAPE
In this week’s Connections, Bishop Ward introduces a 2013 mission initiative supporting Project AGAPE, Mission to Armenia and encourages churches to join the partnership.
How to welcome a new pastor
Tuesday, June 25, is moving day for pastors who are changing appointments in local churches in the North Carolina Conference. Many pastors will continue serving at the same location of ministry. For suggestions on ways to welcome a new pastor or to show appreciation for a continuing pastor, read this document by Robert Crossman from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.
Chestnut Ridge hosting slumber party for girls
Camp Chestnut Ridge will be hosting a horse slumber party on April 26-27 for girls grades 4-8. Cost is $105.00 per person. Party attendees should already have a basic knowledge of horses and riding though it is not a requirement to have taken lessons at Chestnut Ridge. All participants need to bring long pants and boots for riding. For more information, go to slumber party.
Churches asked to prepare birthing kits
In partnership with our NC Annual Conference Mission Team under the leadership of Steve Taylor and our Conference Church and Society Commission, United Methodist Women will be making and collecting UMCOR Birthing Kits. Every 90 seconds a woman somewhere in the world dies from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. 356,000 women die every year, most of the deaths occurring in the developing world. Birthing kits provide the essential items to promote a safe, clean delivery and to encourage good after care. Using a birthing kit can double a woman’s chance of surviving the birth. Each local unit is being asked to assemble kits and have their kits blessed on the altar on Mother’s Day, May 12. The birthing kits will be collected at Annual Conference, which is June 12-15 at the convention center in Greenville. Local units can send their kits by the Lay Member to Annual Conference or deliver them to Greenville themselves.
Festival of God’s Creation April 21
Each year, the General Board of Church and Society, working with the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Working Group, produces Festival of God’s Creation resource materials to help congregations celebrate and promote stewardship of God’s creation. The theme for this year’s Festival of God’s Creation/Earth Day Sunday, “Sunday Morning Sustainability — Eco-Justice Impacts & Opportunities,” helps us examine our routines and suggests how to adjust them to create smaller ecological footprints, to better take care of God’s Creation. To access the resources, go to Earth Day.
Dates to Note:
April 14 – Native American Ministries Sunday, in which a special offering benefits Native American outreach within annual conferences and provides seminary scholarships to Native Americans. Details and to donate.
April 21 – Camp Rockfish’s Open House, 1-7 p.m. Details.
April 27 – Alpha Training, Garber UMC: New Bern. Registration information here.
April 28 – Camp Chestnut Ridge’s Open House, 1-5 p.m. Details.
May 1 – All reports to be included on-line and presented at Annual Conference are due to the Conference Secretary’s office. Reports must be submitted via email to: smedlin@nccumc.org and in MSWord format.
May 19 – Camp Don Lee’s Open House, 2-7:30 p.m. Details.