2010 apportionment packets mailed
The 2010 apportionment information packets have been mailed to all churches. These packets also included information regarding the 2009 World Service and Connectional Ministries credit that was approved at Annual Conference. Pastors should contact Jennifer Walls in the Treasurer’s Office immediately if they have not received their packet, so that the information can be resent, jwalls@nccumc.org or 1-800-849-4433 ext 229.
Managing Conflict training
A day of learning, Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Haymount UMC in Fayetteville will address the often avoided topic of conflict. Effective servant leaders see conflict not as an enemy but as a friend. The critical issue is how to handle conflict. In this experience clergy and lay leaders will develop insights and learn the skills needed to manage conflict more effectively. Russ Moxley, who designs and delivers leadership development workshops, does executive coaching and consults with organizations, will lead the training. The registration fee is $50. To register, call 919-208-2169 or e-mail: lwiebesmith@nccumc.org. Registrations will be accepted until Sept. 17.
Clergy responses needed for insurance survey
The NC Conference Insurance Committee requests clergy input on the options available through the conference health insurance plan. All actively serving clergy are asked to take a seven question on-line survey to assist the committee with making future plan design decisions. Please complete the survey by Aug.24 for presentation to the committee at its next meeting. Responses will be anonymous and confidential. Additional questions or comments on the survey can be directed to CarolineThornton:caroline@nccumc.org
A time of sharing with a Thriving Rural Church
On Sunday, Aug. 30, Cedar Grove United Methodist Church will be hosting a “Come and See” day in their community. As one of the Conference Thriving Rural Churches, this is an opportunity to see what a thriving rural church and community looks like. The day will begin at 9 a.m. with fellowship and ministry booths, followed by worship at 10:30, with Pastor Grace Hackney preaching. A simple local lunch will be provided after worship, as well as time to sit with Pastor Grace and Lay Leaders of the church to share ideas and visions for the rural church. From 1-4 p.m., the church will be hosting a Cedar Grove Community Open House, followed by ice cream and games from 4-6 p.m. The day will conclude with prayers of thanksgiving at 5:45
Exploring faces and solutions to eliminate poverty
The people of the NC Conference are invited to the “Poverty in Appalachia Mission Event.” This is a holistic event exploring the faces of poverty and equipping participants to engage in lifestyles and solutions to eliminate poverty. The event is hosted by First Broad Street UMC, Kingsport, TN. The invitation is from Bishop James Swanson of the Holston Conference. The event is Sept. 11-12. Cost is $18 per person if registered by Aug. 31, $20 if registering after that date. This will include Friday supper, Saturday breakfast and lunch. For more information or to register, contact Danny Howe in the mission office at First Broad Street UMC, 423-224-1531 or by e-mail: dhowe@fbsumc.org. The website is www.abolishingpoverty.org.
Bishop’s Day Apart scheduled for Sept.15
The Bishop’s Day Apart for Reflection and Renewal will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Nashville UMC, Nashville, NC. A boxed lunch will be served with a suggested donation of $5 to help cover the cost of the meal. The day will begin with a gathering at 9:30 a.m. The program will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and end by 3 p.m. An update on the Clergy Health Initiative will be included in the day’s presentations.
Survey to determine impact of economic crisis on churches
The General Board of Discipleship is conducting a research survey to discover how the current global economic crisis is affecting practices of worship across the United Methodist Church. In particular, how is the economic crisis affecting staffing, programming, and the purchase and use of resources? The findings of this survey will be published and used by the Center for Worship Resourcing in the coming year as we plan how best to serve churches in and through this difficult time. The survey may be found online at: www.surveygizmo.com/s/164615/4gv6b
Change in hotel for the Convocation on the Black Church
Please note that the hotel recommendation for persons attending the “Can These Dry Bones Live?” Convocation on the Black Church Sept. 18-19 in Fayetteville, has changed to the Red Roof Inn on Jim Johnson Rd, telephone 910-321-1460. Sponsored by the conference Committee on Strengthening the Black Church, the event will be hosted by Hay Street UMC and will include sessions about Risk-Taking Mission through Evangelism and Outreach and Revitalizing the Church. For more information and to access a registration form, go to Black Church Convocation.
International Day of Prayer for Peace is Sept. 21
Each year, as part of the International Day of Prayer for Peace, more individuals, groups, congregations and communities throughout the world are recognizing the significance of committing to One Day of Peace through prayer, meditation and other forms of spiritual observance. For more information and for resource materials, go to http://www.idpvigil.com.
CPI application deadline approaching
Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness grant applications are due on Sept. 30 by 4 p.m. (if hand-delivered) or must be postmarked by Sept. 30. No faxed applications will be considered. Applications are available at CPI Grant Information. New and innovative ministries will get strong consideration. For further information call Lawrence E. Johnson in the Multicultural office (919-832-9560).
Christian Educators’ Retreat in October
The CEF retreat based on the theme “Let’s Explore: Father, Son and Holy Spirit” will be led by the Rev. F. Belton Joyner, Jr., Oct. 12-13 at Camp Agape near Fuquay-Varina. Registration deadline is Sept. 15. For a more information and a registration form, go to https://nccumc.org/christian-education/.
Register by Sept. 30 for EXPLORATION 2009
Exploration 2009, scheduled for Nov. 13-15 in Dallas, TX, offers youth and young adults who feel God’s call to ordained ministry as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church a chance to explore that call. The event, sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is open to high school seniors and young adults up to age 24. The registration fee of $150 includes a two-night stay at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, meals, and program fees. To learn more, or register online now through Sept. 30, visit www.gbhem.org/exploration.
Finding Jesus on Facebook
The Conference Safe Sanctuaries Committee is offering a follow-up workshop to the cybersafety workshops offered last fall. This workshop, titled Finding Jesus on Facebook, will address ministry issues with young people with an emphasis on safe cyberpractices. The workshop is directed to leaders with children and youth ministries in local churches, to equip them in resourcing other ministry leaders and parents of young people. The workshops will be offered on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in three locations: Oct. 17 at Jarvis Memorial UMC-Greenville; Nov. 7 at Haymount UMC-Fayetteville; and Nov. 21 at Soapstone UMC-Raleigh. There is no cost to attend the workshop, but pre-registration is requested. To register email Robin Harry: rharry@nccumc.org or call 1-800-849-4433 x252. A flyer about this opportunity and other safe sanctuaries resources including cybersafety can be found at the website: safe-sanctuaries.
NC Conference Mission Seed Fund information and application
For those interested in applying for 2010 Mission Seed Funds, an information and training session is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22 at Farmville UMC, 10:30 a. m. – noon. A second training session is being held on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Millbrook UMC, 7- 8:30 p.m., in Raleigh. Though attendance at one of these sessions is not mandatory for those applying for Mission Seed Funds, attendees will learn about the 2010 application, will receive an overview for 2010 Seed Fund parameters, and will receive bonus points toward funding consideration. Anyone planning to attend should contact the Office of Mission and Justice ministries, 800-849-4433 ext 256 or kreavis@nccumc.org or staylor@nccumc.org
Celebrate DBOM Sunday in August
On Aug. 23, the churches of the NC Conference and the WNC Conference will celebrate DBOM Sunday and will receive a Special offering in support of DBOM’s prison and local church ministries. Offering envelopes have been packaged for each church and are available from district offices. Please help DBOM’s ministries in the prisons and pews of North Carolina by supporting DBOM Sunday.
Legacy Building Sunday set for Sept. 13
Sunday, Sept. 13 has been designated as Legacy Building Sunday, a day to celebrate the lives of local church members who have made endowment gifts or other legacy gifts for missions, ministry, and capital projects in the North Carolina Annual Conference. It provides an excellent opportunity to talk about how persons can support ministry through wills and planned gifts. The NC Conference Legacy Partners are can assist churches in planning for this special day. The Legacy Partners website provides further information and a bulletin insert for Legacy Building Sunday Legacy Partners Sunday. For more information, or desire a guest speaker for that Sunday, contact Rev. Jim Mentzer at: jmentzer@nccumc.org or 919-836-0029.
Award of Excellence in Youth Ministry
The Award of Excellence in Youth Ministry is presented to a local church youth group each year at Pilgrimage. The application deadline is Aug. 31. Applications are available at www.nccumc.org/youth. The Conference Council on Youth Ministries will make the selection of the recipient at their September meeting. The award will be presented during the Saturday, Nov. 14, morning session at Pilgrimage at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville.