Retirement Planning Seminar Registration Open!
Register now for the upcoming Conference Board of Pension’s Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar on Thursday, April 23rd – Friday, April 24th. This event will be held at a new location – the Little River Golf Resort in Carthage. Check out their website for local attractions and amenities: Little River. 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 anticipating retirement within 10 years. Registration deadline is March 10. For a brochure and registration form, visit the Treasurer’s Office Pensions or contact JoAnna Cafferty in the Treasurer’s Office at 1-800-849-4433 x 225.
Marva Dawn to address conference clergy
Dr. Marva J. Dawn, one of the most theologically-engaging leaders in American Christianity today, will address the clergy of the North Carolina Conference on April 27, at Jarvis Memorial UMC in Greenville. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Order of Elders, the Order of Deacons, and the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members, all elders, deacons, and local pastors of the conference are encouraged to attend this event. The theme for the day will be “Pastoral Ministry: Our Life Together.” It will address many of the challenges, joys, and temptations found in pastoral ministry today; and will call for a covenantal response from all the clergy present.
4 Areas of Ministry – Self-Directed On-line Course Available
A free online course is available on The United Methodist Church’s four key areas of ministry. The self-directed course, “Four Areas of Focus,” is offered by United Methodist Communications through Dec. 31. The four areas address developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world; creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations; engaging in ministry with the poor; and combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally. To register, go to Online Learning Center. Select “Four Areas of Focus” from the United Methodist Basics category.
Academy for Leadership Development moves office
The Academy for Leadership Development has moved its office to 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh, NC 27603. The new phone number is 919-334-6092. Please make this note in your files.
One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday is March 22
Unlike other mission programs, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) receives no World Service or other apportionment money. This is why faithful support of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering is crucial. This offering supports the administrative work of the UMCOR, which ensures that 100% of designated giving goes directly to specific projects. One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday is one of the six Special Sundays designated in The Discipline. To look at resource materials or to download a bulletin insert, go to One Great Hour.
Confirmation Celebration and Retreat at Rockfish
The Conference Confirmation Celebration will be Saturday, March 7 at Methodist University in Fayetteville. Confirmation groups must pre-register plans to attend by Monday, Feb. 23. The registration form and details are available at Youth Events. Check-in begins at 10am and the program (lunch included) will finish around 2:30pm. Bishop Gwinn will speak to the participants and preside at the celebration of Holy Communion. The cost is $12 per person and includes lunch as well as the service project with Stop Hunger Now. Surrounding this Conference Confirmation Celebration (on Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8) is a retreat for Confirmation groups at Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center. This retreat is ideal for smaller confirmation classes and will be led by Revs. Bruce Allen, Ellen McCubbin, Vermel Taylor, and Hope Vickers. Cost for the two night retreat is $70. Registration for this retreat is available at Rockfish Outdoor Center.
Conference Youth Rally Day
Conference Youth Rally Day will be Sunday, April 26 at NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount. The Rally Day begins at 3pm with fellowship, recreation activities and concludes with a worship service ending around 6pm. There is no cost to Rally Day although an offering will be taken for Youth Service Fund, items for YSF will be available for purchase (such as the new 2009 t-shirts and hoodies) and snacks will be available for purchase. We do invite youth groups to offer acts of worship during the worship service and to sponsor recreation activities – pre-registration of these is required by April 4. The details for Rally Day will be mailed to local church youth coordinators later this month and will be available at the Conference website: Youth soon
Scholarships for Children’s Ministry quadrennial event
FOCUS is the General Church quadrennial event for persons involved in local church children’s ministry and will be held July 21-24 in Indianapolis. The Conference Children’s Ministry Team is making available ten scholarships of $150 each to persons from this conference who plan to attend. The scholarships will be awarded on a first come first served basis. Scholarship applicants must document registration for FOCUS (website: FOCUS 2009) and must be willing to share from their experience upon return. Scholarship applications are available from Sue Ellen Nicholson.
ABC’s…123’s…A Place to Start: Lent
The February article for leaders in local church children’s ministries has been posted on the website. The article provides ideas for helping children understand and experience the church season of Lent. The article can be found at Children Resources. To receive these articles directly, subscribe to the email listserv at Child Ministry Coordinators. To receive similar resources for safe sanctuaries, subscribe to the email listserv at Safe Sanctuaries.
Register now for the Second Biannual Come to the Table Conferences
Learn how people of faith can relieve hunger and support local agriculture in North Carolina at one of three Come to the Table events: Wednesday., Feb. 25 in Garysburg, N.C.; Thursday, Feb. 26 in Boone; and Friday, Feb. 27 in Charlotte, N.C. Featuring speaker Michael Schut, author of Food and Faith: Justice, Joy and Daily Bread , workshops will include poverty simulations, community gardening, youth education, land preservation and more. Registration is $10 and includes a local lunch and a copy of Come to the Table’s new guidebook. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact Claire Hermann, Claire Hermann, (919) 542-1396 x207 or to register, go to Come to the Table .
Survey to be sent to Clergy on Thriving Rural Communities Initiatives
Clergy, watch for an upcoming e-mail from Sally Leiderman, an evaluator with the Center for Assessment and Policy Development, asking you to complete on online survey that is part of an evaluation of the Thriving Rural Communities and Hispanic Clergy initiatives. These initiatives are partnerships of the Duke Divinity School, The Duke Endowment and the United Methodist Annual Conferences in North Carolina. The email will be sent from Sally Leiderman, with the subject line “Survey for the Duke Endowment.”
A Place at the Table – A Story for Black History Month
Acacia Salatti offers a very moving reflection remembering her grandparents in a story of love, compassion and justice. Acacia is a graduate of Candler School of Theology. She serves as Legislative Assistant in the office of Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who is Majority Whip. You can read her reflection at: Love and Justice – Black History Month.
Conference UMM golf tournament to benefit MERCI
The NC Conference United Methodist Men announce a Golf Tournament to benefit MERCI, May 14 at Lane Tree Country Club, Goldsboro. Register by noon for the 1 p.m. shotgun start. The Tournament is open for four-person Superball (Captain’s Choice) teams. The cost is $65 per person or $260 per team, which includes a barbeque meal and prizes. Registration is made through MERCI, 888-440-9167.
“Hunger No More” Hunger Crisis Conference on February 27-28
This conference is designed to provide comprehensive and innovative approaches to combating hunger and its effects. Distinguished hunger activists and religious leaders will offer the community a deeper understanding of the root causes of hunger… and what we (individually and collectively) can do to solve hunger at home and abroad. Click here for Hunger No More
REMINDERS:
Methodist Home for Children Sunday is February 22. Download a bulletin insert at Methodist Home for Children.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington D.C. March 13-16; See: Advocacy Days
Mission Seed Funds application deadline: Feb. 28 Mission Seed Funds or call the Missions and Justice Office at 800-849-4433 or 919-832-956
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