Schedule changes in the Conference Office
In an effort to be better stewards of creation and especially to conserve on fuel consumption, the Conference staff is moving to a four-day work schedule. Beginning May 2, persons working in the United Methodist Building in Garner will extend each work day, Monday through Thursday, so that the same number of hours will be worked by each employee as before. Conference staff will begin to take Fridays off, as of May 6.
The United Methodist Building will be open each day, Monday through Friday, with a receptionist at the desk and some activities already scheduled for Fridays throughout the summer. E-mails and calls can be received on Fridays, although replies may be delayed until the following Monday.
Current tornado response information
The NC Conference storm center has opened at MERCI Center in Goldsboro. Please distribute the phone number and email address to your congregation so persons wishing to volunteer time and labor or materials can call. The phone number is 888-440-9167 and the email address is tornadoresponse@nccumc.org. There is an immediate need for goods. For a list of needed items, go to Storm Response.
Send us your photos and stories
The conference Communications Office invites churches to send photos and stories of how they are in ministry with persons affected by the April 16 tornadoes. Photos and stories can be emailed to communications@nccumc.org. Photos should be high resolution, at least 300 dpi and not have a date stamp. Call the communications office at 1-800-849-4433, ext. 258 or 263 if you have questions.
Annual Conference briefing session scheduled for May 22
An Annual Conference Briefing Session for lay and clergy members will be held Sunday, May 22, from 3-5 p.m. The session will be a video presentation that will be streamed online so it can be watched on computers connected to the Internet. Some districts will have a central location where persons can go and view the presentations. For locations, go to Briefing Session.
Greenville District to host evening event on the rural church
The Academy for Leadership Excellence will partner with Duke Divinity School Thriving Rural Communities and the Greenville District to present an evening of learning on “The Rural Church as a Catalyst for Community Transformation,” Tuesday, May 17, from 4.30-8.30 pm at Holly Spring UMC, Martin County. The event is open to all persons in the conference interested and passionate about rural church ministry. Speakers will include Rev. Jeremy Troxler, Director of the Thriving Rural Communities Initiative at Duke Divinity School, Rev. Dr. Alan Rice, Executive Director of Rural Faith Development CDC and pastor of the biker-church Crossfire UMC, and Rev. Laura Early of All God’s Children UMC and the Place of Possibilities in Aulander, NC. Designed to inspire, challenge, and equip clergy and laity, the event will include a meal. There is no charge for the event but donations will be accepted. Registrations should be made through the Greenville District office by calling 252-756-3918 or e-mail greenvilledistrict@nccumc.org.
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.
Training event offered on hospitality to special needs children
Pfeiffer University and the Western NC Conference CEF are co-hosting a training called “Radical Hospitality and Children with Special Needs” on May 12 at the Pfeiffer University Charlotte campus. This workshop will benefit Sunday School teachers, church preschool teachers, and others in the local church who work with children. The cost is $30 which includes lunch. Registration deadline is May 9. For an information/registration flyer, go to
Pfeiffer Responds.
Last reminder about GC/SEJ nomination forms
May 2 is the deadline for the GC/SEJ nomination forms from those who have interest in attending these conferences. The nomination form is available at nomination form. Nominations will not be accepted after May 2.
Deadline for special hotel rate is May 15
The deadline for reserving hotel rooms at a special rate for Annual Conference is May 15. There are still rooms available in the United Methodist block of rooms set up with the Sheraton Hotel (919-834-9900) and the Clarion Hotel (919-832-0501.)
Imagine No Malaria
Malaria kills more than one million people each year. Every 45 seconds a child in Africa dies of this preventable and treatable disease. Yet, malaria can be eliminated with the right tools: prevention, treatment, education and communication. On Sunday, May 1, Imagine No Malaria presents “A Killer in the Dark,” a documentary produced by UM Communications, about the fight against malaria. This special television event, hosted by Pauley Perrette of the CBS show “NCIS,” will be available to air on NBC affiliates (check your local listings). Please call, write or email your local NBC affiliate and ask them to share this important message with your community. Here is an NBC affiliates directory to help. For more information about this documentary, go to Imagine No Malaria.