As You Give, So You Receive
Bishop Ward discusses the power of participating in missions and how direct face–to-face mission engagement is a means of grace in this week’s Connections.
District Gatherings with Bishop Ward Planned
District gatherings are scheduled for laity and clergy to meet with Bishop Hope Morgan Ward. The gatherings will focus on the 2013-2014 North Carolina Conference theme: “From Strength to Strength: Thrive!” Laity who serve as leaders in local churches are urged to attend along with clergy as we think together about questions such as: How do lay and clergy thrive in discipleship and leadership of congregations? How do congregations thrive in mission and ministry? How can we pray, think and work toward the thriving of all people and of the whole creation? The first gathering will be held in the Capital District on Aug. 11. Click on District Dates for gathering locations. To register, go to the District webpage. If clergy and laity in one district cannot be present for their district meeting, feel free to attend another district meeting. All gatherings will be on Sundays from 3–5 p.m.
UMW Sponsoring Mother Child Retreat
Camp Don Lee Sept. 13-15
The 2013 Mother-Child retreat will be Sept. 13-15 at Camp Don Lee. This year’s theme is “God is Calling Us to Pray” Plan Ahead!! Come to Camp Don Lee for a great, fun-time weekend. This event provides a wonderful opportunity to bond & to spend quality time with your child (children). Registrations must be received by Aug. 24. Forms received after this date will be honored only if space is available. For more information, go to 2013 Mother Child Registration.
Academy Seeking Candidates for Fellows Class
The Academy for Leadership Excellence is in the process of identifying candidates for its 2014/2015 Leadership Fellows Class. This two-year program of intensive leadership learning partners a clergy with a lay person of the congregation the clergy serves. The focus of the program is on equipping and training students with practical leadership skill-sets such as how to manage conflict; how to build ministry teams; empowering/equipping volunteers; styles of leadership; spiritual leadership; missional church; finances and other practical skills not taught in seminary. Applications and further details about the program may be found on The Academy’s website, www.theafle.org or email info@theafle.org. Application deadline is Sept. 9. Self- nominations are welcomed.
Children’s Ministry 101 gathering in September
Children’s Ministry 101 will be a learning experience for persons who teach a children’s class, preach the children’s sermon, lead children’s church, or would like to get involved in children’s ministry. Children’s 101 will be located at Horne Memorial UMC in Clayton on Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A colorful, informative brochure with all the information is at Children’s Ministry 101.
revitup! For a Lifetime in Ministry
An invitation for persons new to ministry or looking for new ideas, to attend a new and energizing General Board of Pension and Health Benefits’ young clergy event, Oct. 28-30 in Atlanta. Early bird registration deadline is Sept. 27. This is a unique opportunity for young clergy, aged 25-39, to strengthen personal, financial and leadership skills. For registration and more details visit the GBOPHB’s website.
Lake Junaluska Celebrates Centennial Anniversary
The Light of the Lake, Lake Junaluska’s Centennial Celebration theatrical production, will highlight time periods of the lake’s history through photography and performance. Light of the Lake will be a 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3 at Stuart Auditorium. Reserved seating tickets are sold out but purchase general admission tickets or read more about the production, go to Light of the Lake.
UM Women 2013 Annual Meeting
Oct. 12 – Methodist University, Fayetteville
The Annual Meeting of the NC Conference United Methodist Women will begin at 9:30 a.m. ion Saturday, Oct. 12 at Methodist University. The early bird registration is $9.00 before Aug. 1. After Aug. 1, the registration fee is $10.00. Click 2013 Annual Meeting to register. Come and celebrate the wonderful mission work of United Methodist Women.
Two Free Webinars in on Children’s Ministry
The UM Board of Discipleship is offering two free webinars for persons working in the areas of Children’s Ministry. “How to Develop Policies for Children’s Ministries,” will broadcast on Aug. 8 beginning at 10 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) and will look at the development process, recommend who needs to be in on the conversation and offers samples of policies that have served congregations well. Click to register. The second webinar, “Safe Sactuaries: Children, Teachers, and Media” will look at ways to address the rapidly evolving social media world that will properly inform church leaders and protect the children in the church. This broadcast will be on Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. (Central Daylight Time). To register, go to Safe Sanctuaries.
UM101 online course registration approaching
UM101 is a basic online course designed for new United Methodists and anyone wanting to know more about the denomination. Each of the four modules contains interactive features and takes about one hour to complete. The course will run from Aug. 21 to Oct. 2. Click here for more information on this course. A limited number of virtual seats are available and are first come, first serve. Seats will no longer be available after the course is full or after Aug.14.
Update from the July 23 News Briefs
An article in the July 23 News Briefs gave a link to locate television stations that would be airing the UMComm documentary, “A Killer in the Dark: Combating Malaria.” The link was directed to Interfaith Broadcasting. To access the information about “A Killer in the Dark,” go to the website and type the word “malaria” in the Search by keyword box on the left of the screen. This should bring up the television stations that plan to broadcast the show. If your local NBC affiliate is not listed, please send a request to the local affiliate requesting that it be aired.