Giving avenues for Haiti relief
The GBGM Advance number for UMCOR: Haiti is #418325 and funds will be used for food, water, shelter and medicine. The NC Disaster Appeal (S-00096) funds are needed for shipping food/medicines/and supplies collected locally. MERCI mission center (S-00136) funds are necessary for the increased operation and scope of MERCI in seeking to respond to this disaster.
Upcoming Lay Speaker Training Events and Contacts
Rockingham 2/7/10, Basic/Advance, call the District Office – 910-276-6641 to register.
Raleigh 2/13/10, Basic, call the District office – 919-834-5100 to register.
Raleigh, 2/20/10, Advance, call the District Office – 919-834-5100 to register.
Rocky Mount, 4/17/10, Basic, call the District Office – 252-234-0472/236-5490 to register.
Burlington, 5/21/22, Advance, call Bonnie Francis – 336-449-9636 to register.
Rocky Mount 5/1/10, Advance 5/1, call the District Office – 252-234-0472/236-5490 to register.
Haiti Relief Donations Qualify for Immediate Tax Relief
People who give to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti can claim these donations on the tax return they are completing this season, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayers who itemize deductions on their 2009 return qualify for this special tax relief provision, enacted Jan. 22. Only cash contributions made to these charities after Jan. 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, are eligible. This includes contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card. The new law only applies to cash (as opposed to property) contributions. The contributions must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. Taxpayers have the option of deducting these contributions on either their 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both.
Treasurer Training Video Resource Available
A video of the Local Church Treasurer and Finance Committee training event that was held on Dec. 5 is available on the Conference website in the Video Room. The handouts to follow the presentation are available in the Training Materials section of the Treasurer’s Office website. The training event covered fraud survey findings and local church minimum internal control recommendations in the first section as shown in Part 1 of the training video. The second part of the video contains stewardship best practices and questions and answers.
Income Tax Reporting Reminder
Local churches and pastors are reminded that clergy compensation should be reported by the local church to the pastor on a W-2 form on or before Jan. 31. In general, non-employees providing miscellaneous services to the church should receive a 1099-MISC reporting payments if payments are equal to or exceed $600 for 2009 by Jan. 31. Instructions for completing a W-2 for clergy and information on the differences in employees and contractors can be found on our Training Materials page. Instructions for completing a 1099 form can be found on the IRS website.
Doctors and Nurses Desperately Needed
Doctors and nurse volunteers are needed to serve in Haiti. CARE is making flights from Raleigh to Cap Hatien, Haiti, for weekend volunteer work at the Cap Hatien hospital. The hospital was not damaged in the earthquake. There is no fee for the flight. In order to volunteer, the doctor or nurse needs a valid passport. To/from transportation from the airfield to the hospital is provided. Flights will occur on an as needed basis according to the number of people flying. This is a wonderful way for local doctors and nurses to contribute time and possibly a way to send more goods to those in medical need, quickly. If you would like to volunteer or want more details, please contact Patrick Tormey, cell: 919-394-6055 or email: pattormey@yahoo.com.
Team members needed for a Medical Mission Trip to Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi is home to one of the largest population of children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Most of them live in extreme poverty in child-reared households or by grannies that have no means of supporting them. Education is the only way out of poverty for these children but many of them miss out on this opportunity because they are too sick to attend. On this mission, we will visit several schools where students will be screened and treated by our medical team. We will also offer health education, including proper hand washing, dental hygiene, and HIV/AIDS prevention information. Both medical and non-medical person’s can join the team. Please prayerfully consider joining our team or making a contribution to assist our work with these kids. Trip dates: May 19 – June 3. Approximate cost: $2900. Call or email Anne Frana for more information at 919-603-5844 or anne.frana@gmail.com.
Reminder: MTF Payments Due
The annual contributions payments to the Ministers’ Transition Fund (MTF) are due to the Treasurer’s Office no later than Jan. 31. According to the plan document (2008 Journal, page 435), payments received after Jan. 31 will be returned to the minister. This lack of payment may result in either a delay of when the MTF member may begin to receive dividends or the member may not receive the 2009 dividend, depending on how long the member has been enrolled in the Fund. For more details about the benefits of this Fund and to obtain an enrollment application, visit the Pensions Page on the Treasurer’s Office Web site https://nccumc.org/treasurer/pensions/ or contact JoAnna Cafferty (1-800-849-4433 ext. 225).
Youth Lay Speaker Training
There will be a lay speaker training for high school students on Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Methodist Building in Raleigh from 10am to 4pm. Linda Harris, Conference Director of Lay Speaking will lead the training. This is excellent training for youth in church leadership. Applications are due by Feb. 5 and may be obtained from the website: www.nccumc.org/youth. There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided.
Confirmation Celebration
The Confirmation Celebration will be Saturday, March 6 at Methodist University in Fayetteville from 10am to 2:30pm. Confirmation groups and their adult leaders/mentors are invited to attend and explore the membership covenant vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Confirmation groups will give leadership to the event, Bishop Gwinn will share with the confirmands and preside at the celebration of Holy Communion. The service project will be Operation Sharehouse with Stop Hunger Now. The cost per person which includes lunch and the contribution to the shipping of the meals with Stop Hunger Now is $15. Groups must pre-register to attend by Feb. 22. Registration form and information about the Confirmation Celebration is available at the website: www.nccumc.org/youth.
Resource Giveaway Extravaganza
In preparation for the move to the new Methodist Building – lots of books, curriculum, Christian education supplies, videos and other resources are available free for the taking from the Methodist Building Assembly Room on Friday, Feb. 5 from 10am to 8pm and on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10am to 5pm. These resources are coming from previous Conference staff and the Conference Media Center.