Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
Implementation guidance is now available from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits for churches eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. Please take time to review the implementation guide to see if your church qualifies – many of our churches will be eligible for this credit and the refund could be substantial to a church budget especially during these tough economic times. All churches are encouraged to review this if they have at least one lay person on payroll – even large churches may meet the guidelines. read more
Tax Reporting Reminder
Local churches are reminded that 2010 income tax reports are due to be sent out on or before Jan. 31, 2011. These reports include W-2s for employees (including pastors) and 1099s for non-employee compensation. Churches and religious organizations are not exempt from these filings and can be subject to backpayment of tax and penalties for failure to properly withhold tax and report taxable income. Information can be found on income tax reporting for local churches including detailed instructions on completing a clergy W-2 on the Training Materials page of the Treasurer’s Office website.
Vision Empowerment training event
In conjunction with the Duke Divinity School Thriving Rural Churches Come and See Events, join in a leadership training event involving a new model in ministry that captures a team of pastors and churches to reach an area for Christ. The day will begin with a tour of the ten campuses of worship and ministry that Solid Rock UMC leads. It will end with a Solid Rock-style worship service with an impartation of ministry to those gathered. Workshops will be led by the Pastoral Staff of five pastors at Solid Rock. Dinner will celebrate the witness of God’s ministry with us. This event will take place Saturday, Feb. 5, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Solid Rock UMC Spout Springs Campus, 2297 Highway 24, Cameron, NC. Call 919-499-1667 for more information or go to http://www.solidrockumc.org/. Space is limited so register today.
Cokesbury to preview VBS materials
Cokesbury will be sponsoring VBS preview events for each district during January and early February. The first date is Jan. 22 at Highland UMC in Raleigh. For the complete list of dates and places, go to VBS Showcase.
MHC Sunday on February 13
Every day, Methodist Home for Children transforms the lives of children in need—moving them from darkness to light, from fear to love, from abuse to safety, from despair to hope. Through the grace of God and the unwavering generosity of churches and friends, the Home is able each year to meet the growing needs of children in its care. A critical source of support for this work is the annual MHC Sunday offering, taken in United Methodist churches on Feb. 13. If you would like to request a speaker to share with your congregation, contact Jennifer Cooper at jcooper@mhfc.org or 888-305-4321, ext. 305.
UM Higher Education opens online scholarship process
The online scholarship application process for the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars, General Named Endowed Scholarships and United Methodist Leadership Scholars programs is now open for 2011. Application deadlines vary by program. Visit http://www.umhef.org/ and learn more about receiving scholarships. Please share with family, friends and all those who may be interested in receiving a scholarship from UMHEF or in giving to help grow UM scholarship programs. Make a gift to the Foundation’s scholarship funds so the church together can help to prepare the next generation of United Methodist leaders.
Enrollment open for NC Conference Walking Program
Enrollment for The Amazing Pace, an internet-based, pedometer walking program, is now open. Enrollment is free to NC Conference clergy members, regardless of enrollment in the Conference Health Plan. It is also free to NC Conference and local church lay employees enrolled in the Conference Health Plan. read more
Remembering Haiti – One Year Later
To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti that occurred Jan. 12, 2010, The United Methodist Church is reminding people that much work remains to be done in Haiti and there are ways they can help. An advertising campaign running now through Jan. 23 includes television ads on CNN and Fox News Channel, online advertising, text messaging, and outdoor billboards in selected cities. The ads invite viewers to go to ReThinkChurch to find out how to get involved. read more
REMINDERS:
January is Project AGAPE month. To download the AGAPE bulletin insert, please click: AGAPE LOVE.
Ministers’ Transition Fund (MTF) payments are due to the Treasurer’s Office no later than Jan. 31.