GBCS seeking a consultant to address addiction issues
The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) seeks a consultant for grassroots organizing to develop public policies addressing addiction issues. This includes confronting alcohol, tobacco and gambling industry efforts to loosen regulation and market to young people. The consultant will be a field organizer/educator in annual conferences and states. The consultant will assist GBCS in building awareness and action on addiction-policy issues among United Methodists. For detailed information, go to GBCS Consultant.
Two Early Responder Team training sessions this week
The mission of an Early Response Team is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of a disaster, under very specific guidelines that enable the team to be productive and caring while causing no further harm or being a burden to the affected community. Classes are taught by authorized trainers credentialed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The following upcoming classes are offered free of charge (including cost of background checks): Saturday Dec. 10, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at First UMC, 402 N. Main St.,
Fuquay-Varina and Saturday Dec. 10, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Love Joy UMC, Substation Rd.,
Troy. Visit Early Responder Training to register for either session.
Prepare your congregation for recognizing Human Relations Sunday
Human Relations Sunday 2012 will be Jan. 15 or any Sunday in January that works best for your congregation. This offering Sunday is one of six special Sundays created by General Conference to engage local churches in justice and mercy ministries, hunger and homelessness ministries, scholarship and higher education witness, relief and recovery assistance, and peace and unity projects. There are many resources available for highlighting the work possible through the Human Relations Sunday offering. Go to Human Relations Sunday to find video clips, worship liturgies, children’s sermons, bulletin inserts, and posters.
Registration Open for Clergy Academy of Christian Witness
Clergy across the Annual Conference are invited to apply for the Academy of Christian Witness 2012. The Academy is a powerful and transformation event with a proven track record of professions of faith for congregations that have participated. The Academy runs from the afternoon of April 17 to the morning of April 19, 2012. Visit the website at nccumcevangelism.org for registration materials. Contact Rev. Mary Frances McClure, dean of the Academy, at: mfmcclure@nccumc.org if you have questions about the event.
2012 Online Pension Related Forms Due Dec. 12
The 2012 Pension Worksheet and the Contribution to PIP forms on the Online Data Collection System are due to be completed by Monday, Dec. 12. All pastors serving an appointment to a local church, regardless of retired or pension plan enrollment status, must complete the Pension Worksheet online. Any active pastor who wants to contribute their personal monies towards their retirement savings may do so by completing the Contribution to PIP form also online. Reminder: enter the date(s) as 01/01/2012 to ensure that the 2012 contribution election is captured correctly. For assistance in completing these forms, contact JoAnna Ezuka at 1-800-849-4433 ext 225.
Disciple Making is NOT a Program
Jan. 13 and 14, 2012 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Cost: $15 per person (includes lunch)
A training event for lay and clergy will be presented at the Methodist Building in Garner by Dr. Steve Manskar, director of Wesleyan Leadership for The General Board of Discipleship. Friday’s one-day event will be repeated on Saturday. (Participants attend only one day.) This training opportunity will offer a look at small groups, a core element in the Wesleyan DNA and how John Wesley used the small group system for discipleship. It will also describe ways they can be utilized in today’s church as a means of making and growing disciples. Online registration is at Disciple-Making. Registration deadline is Dec. 30.