Conference disaster response team coordinates plan
At least twenty-two people were killed and more than 130 injured by 25 tornadoes and several severe storms that struck 32 counties within the bounds of the North Carolina Conference on Saturday, April 16. Damage and needs assessments are still in process across the NC Conference through the district disaster coordinators. Each of the 12 districts suffered some level of damage, with most having large pockets of extreme damage. There have been no reports of any major damage to church buildings. There are reports of damage to the homes of two pastors.
The conference has set up an operations/call center at the MERCI Center in Goldsboro where persons wishing to volunteer time and labor can register. To volunteer as an individual or as a group, call 1-888-440-9167 or send an email to: tornadoresponse@nccumc.org. Volunteer skills needed include everything from answering phones to construction/rebuilding skills.
Bishop Al Gwinn reported in a statement released to conference clergy Monday afternoon that UMCOR has issued an emergency grant to assist with the conference’s initial response. A conference Advance special – NC Storms – is also in place to receive financial gifts. Checks may be sent to the NC Conference – UMC, P.O. Box 60053, Charlotte, NC 28260, designated for Advance S-00176 or donations may be made online at donate now.
Offering requested for support of tornado victims*
A special offering is being requested in local churches as soon as possible on any appropriate Sunday for NC Storm Response. One hundred percent of the offering will be used for relief and support of victims of the tornadoes in North Carolina. The check should be designated for NC Storm Response – Advance #S-00176. Online contributions can be made at donate now.
ACTS 2 nominations form online
Churches are invited to consider the criteria for being named an Acts 2 church in response to Bishop Al Gwinn’s challenge to have 200 such churches recognized at Annual Conference. Criteria for determining Acts 2 churches and an application form have been completed to identify congregational initiatives and witness in four areas: Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intention Spiritual Formation, and Risk-Taking Mission and Ministry to the World. The deadline for having a completed form in the district office is May 1. Complete information and an application form are available at Acts 2 .
Mission team developing for Rwanda
ZOE Ministry www.zoeministry.org has a handful of slots open on two upcoming mission trips to Rwanda June 20-29 and August 21-30. The trips will cost approximately $3,200 and will introduce missioners to ZOE’s remarkable orphan empowerment project. This project equips orphans to live self-reliant, faith-filled lives within three years, thus breaking the cycles of poverty and dependency. To learn more about this ministry please visit http://www.zoeministry.org/.
For more information on the upcoming trips please e-mail: info@zoeministry.org.
“Round Up” week for Amazing Pace walkers
Between each 11-week journey, there is a “Round Up” week in which participants may take a break from walking, change personal goals or keep right on walking as they have been – it’s up to each participant! Steps during the Round Up Week are recorded in participants’ accounts. However, the mileage charts will reset to zero by next Monday for the start of our second journey. Get ready to earn the cash incentives for this second journey starting on Monday, April 25th. To be eligible for the incentives, participants must meet three criteria: (1) enroll before Monday, April 25th (2) upload the pedometer to the website at least once a week (Monday – Sunday before midnight) and (3) wear the pedometer at least 65% of the days of the journey. For further program details, visit the Treasurer’s Office Insurance website.
New Guide to NC LIVE from the Media Center
The Media Center has posted a Guide to NC LIVE for Local Churches in the North Carolina Conference (NC-Live). NC LIVE is an extensive collection of free electronic resources available to all public library card holders in North Carolina. Through NC LIVE, you can access thousands of eBooks, journal articles, images, poetry collections, videos, maps, statistical data, health information, reference resources, and historical and genealogical records. The guide provided by the Media Center focuses on resources of use to local church leaders and laity available through NC LIVE www.nclive.org on your home computer. Many of the examples given are specific to Methodism.
“Living as a Servant Leader” seminar sponsored by the Academy
The Academy National Series for Tuesday on May 3, will have James C. Hunter speaking on “Living as a Servant Leader: The True Essence of Leadership,” at North Ridge Country Club, North Raleigh. Go to Servant Leader for full details. Hunter is a nationally-recognized leadership consultant, author and speaker. The event is for clergy and laity and also business, educational, governmental, health and other community leaders. Registrations can be done online at http://www.theafle.org/. The registration fee for clergy is $75. If clergy bring a church team of three or more, the cost is $65 per person.
Purchase “Worship and Song” resources at a discount until April 30
The new pew edition of the hymnal supplement, “Worship and Song” and the companion publications can be ordered at an introductory discounted price through April 30. Orders can be made through the Raleigh Cokesbury store (919-872-8810 or 866-265-2665) or online at Cokesbury. Companion pieces include the accompaniment edition, the singer’s edition, the worship resources edition, the leader edition, and the presentation CD.
Clarification*
The date May 8 was listed in error in the offering request. The following contains a modification. “Offering requested for support of tornado victims. A special offering is being requested in local churches as soon a possible, on an appropriate Sunday, for NC Storm Response. One hundred percent of the offering will be used for relief and support of victims of the tornadoes in North Carolina. The check should be designated for NC Storm Response – Advance #S-00176. Online contributions can be made at donate now“.
The United Methodist Building will be closed Friday, April 22 in observance of Good Friday. Offices will reopen Monday, April 25 at 8:30 a.m.