H.E.R.O.E.S. training to be held in Fayetteville H.E.R.O.E.S.
(Homefront Enabling Relationships, Opportunities, and Empowerment through Support) Care is a collaborative effort among well-established, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) designed to provide complete and proactive support for members of all branches of the military and their families through pre-deployment, deployment, family reintegration and post-deployment. The H.E.R.O.E.S. Care training will be offered at Haymount UMC in Fayetteville on Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Certified Stephen Ministers are encouraged to attend. Additional information and registration can be found at Care training.
2012 General Conference is quickly approaching
The United Methodist Church’s top legislative body, the General Conference, will gather April 24-May 4 in Tampa, FL. Nine hundred and eighty-eight delegates from around the world will set policy and direction for the church, as well as handle other business. General Conference, which meets every four years, is the only entity that speaks for The United Methodist Church. For persons new to Methodism or long-time members desiring more knowledge, there is an online training called General Conference 101 which can help you learn more about what General Conference is and how the legislative process works. There will be more information and a live stream of the plenary sessions available through the North Carolina Conference webpage, www.nccumc.org.
Special service of repentance to be held at General Conference At the 2012
General Conference in Tampa, FL, delegates will participate in “An act of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples.” The service is intended to begin the process of reconciliation between The United Methodist Church and indigenous peoples. It will take place Friday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. This historic event will be broadcast live, via the Internet, at Sandy Plains UMC in Pembroke. The Rev. Carol Goehring, director of Connectional Ministries, the Rev. Gregg Presnal, pastor of Sandy Plains UMC, the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Cummings, pastor of Beauty Spot UMC, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wynn, Fayetteville District superintendent, along with many others, will be present to celebrate with the Native American community this special time of praise and worship, and service of Holy Communion. There will be testimonies and an historical narrative of where Native Americans have come from as a people and where God is taking them as a community united. This gathering will begin at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this event.
Reminder to pastors to complete Critical Drivers information
The data entry page for the 1st quarter Critical Drivers information is now available on the Online Data Collection System. Please log-in and enter your church’s first quarter information to ensure it is included in the reports submitted to the Cabinet on Monday, April 9.
Reports for Annual Conference
In an effort to conserve funds and be good stewards of resources, and to utilize the most up-to-date technology available, the Annual Conference Planning Committee is asking members to go online to find the materials that will be helpful regarding the 2012 Annual Conference. Persons can print the material as needed. Information will be added in a timely manner when available. Committees and agencies should submit pre-conference reports by April 13. All reports will be posted online and be available for printing. Please submit reports in Microsoft Word format and send to: smedlin@nccumc.org.
CPI application deadline approaching
Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness (CPI) grant applications are due no later than April 10 at 4 p.m. (if hand-delivered) or postmarked no later than April 10. No faxed applications will be considered and all must have the appropriate signatures. Do not wait until the due date to gather signatures. Plan ahead! The CPI grant focus has changed and more emphasis will be placed on churches in close proximity, working in joint-ministry projects to affect lasting change in the area of true multi-ethic ministry projects & worship. Fewer small dollar grants will be awarded as a result of this change. For further information call Terry Hunt at 919-779-6115, ext. 266 or Linda Harris, ext. 247.
Vance Ross will lead 2012 Black Clergy retreat
“Creative and Effective Leadership for a New Age of Ministry” will be the theme for the 2012 Black Clergy retreat, May 20-24 in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Rev. Dr. Vance Ross, senior pastor at Gordon Memorial UMC in Nashville, TN, will be the retreat leader. Prior to serving Gordon Memorial UMC, Dr. Ross was the Associate General Secretary of the Discipleship Ministries Division of the General Board of Discipleship. Registration fee for the event is $200 per person and includes lodging at the Anderson Ocean Club. For more information and a registration form, go to retreat.
A mission team organizing to work in Armenia
Conference contractor JP McGuire is leading a construction mission work team to Armenia July 28 – Aug. 12. Construction experience is not necessary for this trip, just a willingness to be God’s servant in hands-on building ministry. There is a particular need for persons with good computer skills. The cost of the trip is projected at $3500 – all inclusive. For more information on this team, go to Armenia team.
Resolutions to be submitted to Annual Conference
Resolutions to Annual Conference are due in the Conference Secretary’s office no later than May 13. This will allow the resolutions to be reviewed by the Resolutions Committee prior to Annual Conference. Please send all Resolutions to: smedlin@nccumc.org in Microsoft Word format. According to the Conference Rules, only one resolution per person or agency is allowed.
Conference Building will be closed on Good Friday
The Methodist Building will be closed Friday, April 6, in observance of Good Friday. The building will reopen Monday, April 9 at 8 a.m.
News Briefs is a conference communications tool to connect local churches with the conference, jurisdiction, and the General church. The e-mail newsletter is sent weekly with announcements, event notices and dates to remember. Pastors are encouraged to make News Briefs available to church staff and committee members by submitting email addresses to the Conference Communications office (Communications@nccumc.org) and to local church members by printing News Briefs announcements in church bulletins and newsletters.