“This Is the Day the Lord Has Made”
Psalm 118 is the Psalm lectionary reading for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Bishop Ward uses this chapter to walk viewers/readers through the events of Holy Week in this week’s Connections.
Opportunities to Assist with Tornado Relief
On Monday, April 7, two tornadoes touched down in eastern North Carolina. Many of the homes that were damaged or destroyed were not insured or under-insured. The NC Conference Disaster Response team has been working with homeowners in securing supplies and volunteers to make necessary repairs. Persons wishing to volunteer are asked to contact Ann Huffman at disasterresponse@nccumc.org or call 888-440-9167 or 919-610-8018. Persons wishing to help financially can place a check in a local UM church offering plate marked for NC Storms/Advance #S-00176 which can then be forwarded by the church to the conference on the monthly remittance form. Persons can also make online donations by clicking NC Storms Response.
New ZOE Resource for Children
Inspired by four boys from ZOE’s empowerment program in Kenya who started a bakery to support their families, the Blessing Bakery Mission Project weaves together powerful Bible verses, stories of children in ZOE’s program in Africa, and tangible giving opportunities that lay the foundation for understanding generosity and what it means to be a blessing to others. Fun and hands-on, Blessing Bakery is designed to be used as part of Vacation Bible School, a Sunday school project, or other special program that could use a great mission focus. Take-home sheets and a leader’s guide will serve as an inspirational toolkit for creating your very own Blessing Bakery, so that your church may help empower children in ZOE’s program live into the future God desires for them. To learn more, visit www.zoehelps.org.
Native American Ministry Sunday – May 4
Native American Ministry Sunday is one of the six specially-designated giving Sundays of the United Methodist Church. Gifts to this offering are used to develop and strengthen Native American ministries in the North Carolina Conference and to provide scholarships for American Indians attending United Methodist schools of theology. For promotional and interpretation resources, go to NA Ministry Sunday.
“Listening to Your Community,” Day of Learning
Is your church leadership looking for strategies to authentically engage the community… outside the walls of the church? On Tuesday, May, 20, the Academy for Leadership Excellence is presenting a session on “Listening to Your Community,” featuring two leaders in the Christian Community Development Association, Mary Nelson and Derek Lane. The event will be held at Edenton Street UMC from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. With breakfast and lunch included, the registration fee is $50. For more information, visit http://theafle.org/ or call 919-208-2169.