Bishop Ward discusses the spring 2013 clergy gatherings
This week, Bishop Ward begins visiting with clergy at gatherings in each district. She describes the purpose of the gatherings in this week’s edition of connections.
Report of 2012 apportionment receipts received
Out of 797 churches receiving apportionments, 85% of them (674) paid 100% of all apportioned amounts. The total remitted was 92.75% of the apportioned amounts. CFA voted on Jan 18 to fund the general church, jurisdictional and Past Service Liability apportionments in full out of the conference reserves. This is the eighth year in a row that general and jurisdictional church apportionments have been paid at 100%.
Media Center posts virtual Lent and Easter display
View all of the Lent and Easter resources in the Conference Media Center through the new Virtual Lent and Easter Display. Browse the collection of 85 videos, books, and CD’s for Bible studies, devotionals, movies, activity ideas, and more. The Media Center is open to all churches in the NC Conference. No membership fee is required.
Clergy Prepare for Pension Plan Changes
General Conference 2012 approved several changes related to clergy benefit plans, such as the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP), Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) and the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP). For resources detailing the changes, visit the Treasurer’s Office Pension website. Questions can be directed to the NC Conference Benefits Team in the Treasurer’s Office (1-800-849-4433) or to the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (1-800-851-2201).
Online Lenten study begins Feb. 13
The Online Learning Ministry will launch a Lenten study on Wednesday, Feb. 13 (Ash Wednesday) using the book, “Mosaic: When God Uses All the Pieces,” by Shane Stanford. Each participant will need a copy of the book, which can be ordered from Cokesbury. The class will consist of short daily readings and responses to questions posed in a discussion forum. It is as easy as doing email. For registration in the class, please email Dr. Christine Harman: charman@nccumc.org with name and city location.
Internship opportunity for persons discerning call to ministry
This summer, the NC Conference (through the Office of Ministerial Relations) will launch a Pastoral Internship Program called “Taste & See.” The program is designed for individuals 18-25 years old, who are discerning a call to ordained ministry, but have not yet started seminary. These five individuals will be paired with a mentoring pastor and congregation within the NC Conference. To learn more about the program, visit Taste and See. Applications are due Friday, March 1. Contact Laura Ledford: lledford@nccumc.org with questions.
Copyright 101 available at GBOD website
Church leaders and employees are faced with questions of copyright adherence in ways they may not even realize and probably do not fully understand. Can an organist/accompanist make copies of music pages for one-time use because of awkward page turns? Can the church provide large-type printed hymn pages for some in the congregation who are visually-impaired? If it’s in the United Methodist Hymnal and the church has purchased the hymnal, can’t you make copies of individual songs for an outdoor service in the town park? Because you are the church and are non-profit, do you really have to follow federal copyright laws? A good source of answers to these questions and many more is the General Board of Discipleship worship website.
Other Dates to Remember: —MTF payments due this Thursday Jan. 31 The annual contribution payments to the Ministers’ Transition Fund (MTF) are due to the Treasurer’s Office no later than Thursday, Jan. 31. Payments received after Jan. 31 will be returned to the minister. Call JoAnna Ezuka (1-800-849-4433 ext. 225) with questions.
—Extension Ministry Forms for the reporting period of Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2012 are due Jan. 31. Forms and instructions are located on the Bishop’s webpage under “Extension Ministries.” You must complete this form using your nccumc.org email address.