Persons wishing to share talents at Pilgrimage – deadline is Sept. 1
There are many ways for youth and youth groups to participate and share at Pilgrimage 2011. Entries for every category must be received and/or postmarked by Sept. 1 to be considered. Please share this information with youth and youth leaders and encourage them to get involved. Complete details about each category, as well as how to apply may be found at http://www.nccpilgrimage.org/.
· Youth share personal stories and testimonies throughout the weekend that challenge, encourage, and inspire everyone to grow deeper in their relationship to Jesus. Testimonies may be submited online. Letters of recommendation are sent to NC Conference Office, ATTN: Robin Harry, 700 Waterfield Ridge Pl., Garner, NC 27529.
· House Band youth must be in the 10th grade by Pilgrimage. There is an application and audition process. Learn more about it and get the application online.
· A Youth Group video, dance, skit, or puppet presentation is a wonderful way to praise God and inspire praise in others. It is also a chance to offer reflections on the 2011 theme. Please see all categories and requirements online at http://www.nccpilgrimage.org/.
Transition Team appointed for realignment of new districts
Bishop Al Gwinn has announced the appointment of the following persons to serve on the Transition Team for forming eight new districts in the NC Conference: Linda Taylor, chair; Christine Dodson; Cashar Evans; Leonard Fairley; Milton Gilbert; Emily Innes; Cleve May; and David Peele. In addition, he appointed Tim Russell and Becky Biegger as ex-officio members of the team. Bishop Gwinn will also serve as a member of this team. The team met for its first official meeting on Friday, July 29. Updates will follow as the transition process unfolds. The 2011 Annual Conference voted for the conference to move from 12 to eight districts, effective following the 2012 Annual Conference.
“Getting Started” Alpha training to be in Burlington
A one-day Alpha “Getting Started” Training event will be held at Trinity Worship Center in Burlington on Sat., Aug. 20. The Rev. Jonathan Jeffries and Jenny Noyes will lead the event. Churches can send a whole team to learn how to run the Alpha course in various settings. Marriage, Pre-Marriage and Parenting courses, now offered as additional resources for churches, will be introduced. The registration cost is $30 per person and groups of 5 or more get a group discount of $25/each. Resources will be available at a 5% conference discount. To learn more, or to register, go to Alpha Training.
Golden Cross Sunday is Aug. 21
Golden Cross is a ministry that reaches out in love to the laity in the NC Conference who are experiencing financial difficulty due to excessive medical expenses. Through Golden Cross, United Methodists care for members of local churches in times of emotional stress and financial need. Golden Cross has served scores of families across all 12 districts. Pastors, please offer church members the opportunity to reach out during a special Golden Cross offering on Aug. 21 or another Sunday that works for your church. For more information and a bulletin insert, go to Golden Cross.
Leadership Academy seeking applicants for 2012 Fellows program
The Academy for Leadership Excellence announces the opportunity for clergy to apply for the 2012 class of the Leadership Fellows Program. This two-year intensive learning experience gives clergy access to specialized faculty members who focus on leadership fundamentals in the first year and church fundamentals and mechanics during the second year. The material prepares church leaders to improve church structure and implement successful change. Each clergy member partners with a lay leader from his or her congregation, which helps the leadership strategies learned in the sessions to be enacted in congregations. Fellows and laity are also given time monthly to speak with a pastoral and congregational coach to help to make their learning relevant to their specific challenges. The deadline for applying is Sept. 12. For more information, go to http://www.theafle.org/.
DISCIPLE Bible Outreach Special Offering August 28
A special offering for Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries will be received in churches of the North Carolina Conference on Aug. 28. Offering envelopes are available for each local church in the district offices. For additional information or offering envelopes, call 336-454-5348 or e-mail: MCHicks@northstate.net. To read more about the ministry of DISCIPLE Bible Outreach Ministry, go to DBOM.
Registration information for Lay Academy of Christian Witness
The Commission on Evangelism invites lay members of local churches to participate in the Lay Academy of Christian Witness. The Academy will run Thursday, Oct. 20 – Saturday, Oct. 22 at Camp Rockfish in Parkton. This three-day Academy will offer tools that can be used in the local church by lay members. The Academy cost is $25 per person which includes lodging, meals, sessions and take home materials. For an application to attend, please click http://nccumcevangelism.org/.Prayer
Prayer Ministry training for 2012 General Conference
A national Prayer Ministry Training session for all who are helping to make prayer the foundation of the 2012 General Conference will be offered by The Upper Room Ministries on Aug. 27 in Orlando, FL. Rev. Tom Albin, dean of The Upper Room Ministries, said the training session comes in response to the call from Bishop Larry Goodpaster, president of the UM Council of Bishops, to pray for General Conference, which will convene next year in Tampa, FL.
The six-hour training session for prayer leaders from annual conferences, districts and local churches from around the nation, will be hosted by St. Luke’s UMC in Orlando, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Aug. 27.
The training will equip participants to organize and lead prayer events in annual conferences, districts and local churches. Cost of the training session is $25 per person and advanced registration is required at the Florida Annual Conference website: http://www.flumc2.org/events/detail/3534. To reserve a hotel room near the host church at a special rate, contact the Hampton Inn at (407) 345-1112. For more information, go to Praying for GC.