Bishop Ward Church/Public School Partnerships
Bishop Ward continues the conversation from Annual Conference about churches supporting and partnering with neighborhood schools, teachers, and students in this week’s Connections. To read more about what some churches in the NC Conference are doing to support schools and school children, read Barbara Dunlap-Berg’s article from UM News Service.
Plan for 2014 Retiree Health Implementation Online
The NC Conference Board of Pension met on Tuesday, July 23 to consider the implications of an amendment to the Insurance Committee report at the 2013 Annual Conference regarding the amount of funding available for retiree insurance. Read more details of the funding plan and individual Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) on the Insurance website.
Conflict Transformation Skills Workshops to be Held
Conflict is a normal part of life, even in the church. Understanding this can help church members realize that it should not be surprising to experience conflict in faith communities. What is important is how conflicts are dealt with. The “Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches” workshop will teach some basic skills to help participants manage conflicts within congregations in a healthier manner. Workshops will be offered Aug. 29 – Sept. 30 at various locations. All workshops begin with check in at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. The events are open to pastors and laity. Pre-registration is required. For more information and registration, go to Conflict Transformation.
Disciple Bible Outreach Webcast on Aug. 24
On Aug. 24, a DBOM video presentation celebrating this important ministry will première. The video will be available via a link on the DBOM website. This new video will feature testimonials from inmates and DBOM volunteers, special music and ways to support the ministry. All churches to encouraged to watch this video. Because it is being provided via the Web, it can be shown in various settings before, during, or after the Aug. 25 DBOM offering Sunday. This special offering supports the ministry of Disciple Bible Outreach. Offering envelopes will be mailed to all pastors in early August and a bulletin insert is accessible at insert. If envelopes are not received by Aug.15, please call 336-454-5348 or email Laura Hicks: lhicks@northstate.net.
Legacy Building Sunday – Sept. 8
The NC Annual Conference has designated Sunday, Sept. 8 as Legacy Building Sunday. This is the day to celebrate individuals both living and those who have gone that have created a lasting legacy by making a planned gift to support the mission and ministry of the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Foundation has developed materials for the local church to use in communications with each congregation. There is a newsletter article for a newsletter or a special mailing in the weeks leading up to Legacy Building Sunday. We also have a two-sided bulletin insert as well as a bulletin article to be used during worship on Legacy Building Sunday ready for print. You are welcome to download and copy each of these using the links on the UM Foundation website, http://umf-nc.org/.
Pilgrimage 2013
“Born to Lead the Way, Born to Break the Chains” Nov. 8-10, Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Want to get involved in PiIgrimage 2013? Click on one of the ways you or your group can participate. All submissions are due by Sept. 1: Testimony, Houseband, GroupDance, GroupSong, GroupVideo, GroupSkit. For more information on Pilgrimage 2013, go to the Pilgrimage website www.nccpilgrimage.org.
UM Foundation Sponsoring Ways to Means Workshops
United Methodist Foundation knows well the limit of time, talent and financial resources available in the local church and wishes to help maximize them within each local church. One way the Foundation can help is in the upcoming Ways to Means workshops targeted for both clergy and church leadership. Two workshops are scheduled: Aug. 27 and Sept. 12. Participants can choose to attend two breakout sessions on the topics of Year-Round Stewardship, Capital Campaigns, and Endowment Development/Planned Giving. The workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 27 with be in Greenville at Cypress Glen Retirement Community from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The registration deadline for this event is Aug. 16.
The workshop on Thursday, Sept. 12 will be at the United Methodist Building in Garner from 9:30 a.m – 3 p.m. The registration deadline for this event is Aug. 30. The cost is $10 per person or $30 per church. Pre-registration is required so call 800-555-4718 to reserve your space.