Registration Open for Financial/Retirement seminar
Register now for the upcoming Financial and Retirement Planning Seminar in the fall. The Middle Years Seminar (recommended for clergy with more than five years of ministry and more than 10 years away from retirement) is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, at Garner UMC in Garner. Experience has shown that when clergy families have a good handle on their financial condition and future plans, then ministry is enhanced as the burdens of financial worries are lessened. The topics addressed at this seminar will help prepare clergy for a lifetime of effective ministry. Registration deadline is Oct. 8. Visit Pensions Site or contact JoAnna Cafferty in the Treasurer’s Office at 1-800-849-4433 x 225 to obtain a brochure/ registration form. For general pension benefit information, you may also refer to the online flyer which was included in this month’s pension billing.
Ban on plastic bottle disposal encourages stewardship of recycling
For many local churches, environmental stewardship is becoming an increasing concern. A common, everyday activity that helps people practice stewardship is recycling. An upcoming development in North Carolina’s recycling laws provides an opportunity for churches and individuals to reflect on their efforts to recycle. Effective on Oct. 1, plastic bottles are banned from disposal. This ban supplements an earlier prohibition on the disposal of aluminum cans in North Carolina. The objectives of the disposal bans are not to catch people violating the law, but instead to stimulate the development of recycling programs and to encourage recycling behavior. For information regarding the disposal bans, with tips on how to start recycling efforts – visit: Plastic Bottles.
Upcoming Academy for Leadership Excellence Programs
The Academy is offering several interactive and dynamic continued learning opportunities for pastors, staff and lay leaders in the next several months. These upcoming seminars are particularly beneficial for teams to attend, be it staff teams or pastor and lay leader partnerships. Managing Conflict will be facilitated by consultant Russ Moxley on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Haymount UMC in Fayetteville. The Granger UMC (Indiana) team, featuring Mark Beeson, will be helping leaders in Building the Team around You at Edenton Street UMC in Raleigh on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Both seminars will be from 9am until approximately 4pm. Early registration deadline for the Building the Team around You seminar is Sept. 1. For more information, please visit Days of Learning or call 919-208-2169.
October is time to celebrate World Communion Sunday
The World Communion Scholarship office is getting more calls than ever from U.S. students saying the tough economy is making it harder for them to manage educational costs. Scholarships for international students are being hit hard. Many of these students come from economically stressed countries with few financial options. Last year, the World Communion Sunday offering was down, and a drop in giving is projected for this year as well. While the suggested date for celebrating World Communion Sunday is Oct. 4, local churches can receive an offering for this ministry at any time. To promote World Communion Sunday, please go to Special Sundays to download resources.
World Council of Churches is seeking interns
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is looking for five young people (age 18-30) to serve as interns in their Geneva offices. Young people are needed who are committed to the ideals of the ecumenical movement and who bring energy, commitment and fresh vision to specific work assignments. The Internship Program lasts for 12 months, beginning February 2010 through January 2011. The five internships available are: 1) International Ecumenical Peace Convocation; 2) Youth and Ecumenical Formation; 3) Visitors Program/Media Relations; 4) Mission and Evangelism; and 5) Ecology and Social Justice. Applicants should have a strong link to their local Church community and strong ecumenical involvement at the national and/or regional level, and be prepared to return to that environment following their internship. They should also be able to work in English. Knowledge of French, Spanish or German is desirable. Computer skills are required. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30, 2009 and an application is available at WCC Youth Intern Project. Share this information with all Youth/Young Adults who may have an interest in this Program.
Lake Junaluska to host gathering for Native American women
SEJANAM, the Southeastern Jurisdictional Agency for Native American Ministries, and Lake Junaluska will be hosting the first Native Women’s Gathering and Conference Oct. 16-18. The theme of the event is “Re-Defining Our Place: Native Women Speak!” Helping to lead worship will be Louisa Locklear and April Oxendine of the North Carolina Annual Conference. Some of the subject areas will include the psychology of cancer, domestic violence, substance abuse, tobacco and HIV/STDs. SEJANAM is the advocate for 23 Native American congregations and three other ministries in the Southeast Jurisdiction. For more information, visit Native American Women, contact Darlene Jacobs, SEJANAM Executive Director, at (828) 454-6724, or email djacobs@lakejunaluska.com.
CPI application deadline approaching
Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness grant applications are due no later than Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. (if hand-delivered) or postmarked no later than Sept. 30. No faxed applications will be considered and all must have the appropriate signatures. 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 September
The CEF retreat based on the theme, “Let’s Explore: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” will be led by the Belton Joyner on 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/.
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 will begin at noon on Friday, Sept. 11 and will conclude with a worship service at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 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 those interested in 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 September 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.
Learn More about Legacy Building Sunday – 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 NC Conference. To assist local churches in planning for this special day, Dr. Reggie Ponder, Legacy Partners chair, has written a letter providing information concerning how this day might be celebrated (UM Legacy Partners Letter). Contact the Rev. Jim Mentzer at jmentzer@nccumc.org or 919-836-0029 for more information.
International Day of Prayer for Peace is September 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. The North Carolina Council of Churches endorses and promotes this observance. The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for churches, other faith communities, and interfaith organizations in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, in families, in neighborhoods and societies. For more information and for resource materials, go to http://www.idpvigil.com.
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.
Register by September 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.
Tickets to Kings Dominion and Carowinds at a significantly discounted price will be available to NC Conference UMC groups and families for the dates Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31. This discount price applies to advance purchase only! To purchase tickets, go to www.kingsdominion.com or www.carowinds.com and click on “tickets” then on “corporate partner.” The company ID is FALLMFD. A contribution is made to Youth Service Fund for all tickets redeemed on these special NC Conference UM Family Days.
Youth Opportunities – August 31 deadline
1) The application postmark deadline for the Award of Excellence in Youth Ministry is Aug. 31. The application is available at www.nccumc.org/youth/. The award is presented at Pilgrimage each November.
2) Aug. 31 is the deadline for Pilgrimage involvement – youth testimonies, youth group acts of worship, youth group DVDs. The Pilgrimage planning team welcomes youth testimonies, youth group acts of worship, youth group DVDs and house band applications for youth instrumentalists only (no more vocalist applications are needed). Testimonies must be submitted in writing with an adult’s recommendation (Pastor or youth leader) as well as contact information for the youth and adult. Testimonies may be submitted by email to senicholson@nccumc.org or mailed to Youth Ministry, PO Box 10955, Raleigh, NC 27605. Youth group acts of worship (dance, drama, etc.) must be submitted in writing with a description of the act of worship, group name and the leader contact information. The avenues for submission are the same as with testimonies.
3) Youth group DVDs must be mailed to Youth Ministry, PO Box 10955, Raleigh, NC 27605. Applications for the house band are available upon request to rharry@nccumc.org but only instrumentalists need apply. Information about the required audition will be sent out after Sept. 1.
Join the Voices for Recovery 2009
September 2009 is the 20th year that National Recovery Month will be observed. The United Methodist Church is a planning partner in this national observance of recovery from substance abuse and all churches are invited to participate. The theme for the Recovery Month 2009 is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal.” Resources are available for celebrating this observance by contacting www.umc-gbcs.org to obtain worship helps and by visiting www.recoverymonth.org or calling 800-662-HELP to receive more information and order or download a planning toolkit and other useful materials.