Creating Beauty from Brokenness
As the church year moves into the season of Lent, Bishop Ward shares how, through redeeming and resurrecting power, God creates beauty from brokenness and despair. Connections
UM Family Fun Days at Kings Dominion and Carowinds
April 12-20, April 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 25, 26, and 31 are designated as NC Conference UM Family Fun Days at Kings Dominion and Carowinds theme parks. Tickets are available for United Methodists at the discounted price of $31.99 per person ages 3 and up for those dates. To order tickets for Kings Dominion, go to www.kingsdominion.com and enter promo code NCMETHODIST in the upper right-hand corner. To order Carowinds tickets, go to www.carowinds.com and enter promo code NCMETHODIST in the upper right-hand corner. For each ticket redeemed, a $1 contribution is made to the conference Youth Service Fund.
Conference Secretary Requesting Information
There are numerous charges which do not have a lay member entered to represent them at Annual Conference. The Conference Secretary’s Office will begin mailing Annual Conference information soon so pastors, please go online and make sure that your church has entered one lay member per clergy person to attend Annual Conference. Every charge needs to have a lay member entered. Please contact smedlin@nccumc.org with any questions that you may have.
United Methodists Decry Laws Targeting Gays
United Methodist people are increasingly aware of the violation of human rights through the criminalization of homosexuality in countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, Russia, and India. These unjust measures reflect a concerning trend as reports indicate that five countries make homosexuality a capital offense and imprisonment is possible in 66 countries. [more]
Connecting Faith Resources and Mental Health
Faith Connections on Mental Illness is presenting a day-long workshop to help faith communities engage, encourage, and serve persons who suffer from mental illness and those who care for them. Clergy, lay leaders, individuals, and professionals are encouraged to attend. “Connecting Faith Resources with Mental Health” will be held on Friday, March 28 at St. Thomas More, 940 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Harold G. Koenig, director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health at Duke University Medical Center, where he also serves on the faculty as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Associate Professor of Medicine. Visit Faith Connect to learn more.
Lent and Easter Resources Online for Worship Planning
A comprehensive collection of resources to help individuals and congregations prepare for Lent and Easter are now available at the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) website. The collection, titled “His Resurrection, Our Life,” provides specific information and materials to aid clergy and laity in preparing services for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Other resources on the website are designed to help small groups, individuals and children and youth groups prepare for the Easter season.
K-Scope Registration Deadline is Approaching
K-Scope, March 28-30 at Camp Don Lee, provides middle school youth encouragement in faith and growth in spiritual life. The weekend will feature inspiring worship services and fun recreation and games, as well as Covenant and Holy Habit groups to encourage growth in a small group setting. This year’s theme is “BANG! Let’s Go with God…Forever.” The cost for the weekend at Camp Don Lee is $95. Registration deadline to avoid a late fee is March 7. Go to www.nccumc.org/youth to find the 2014 Youth Events Brochure and registration form.
Denomination Agencies Seeking Socially-Responsible Investing
The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB) and the General Board of Global Ministries provided an update on the fifth meeting of the Human Rights and Investment Ethics Task Force (HRIE TF), held at the end of January. The task force was convened last year “to identify resources, principles, and procedures that express our commitment to human rights, taking into account fiduciary responsibility and ministry priorities, consistent with the global mission of The United Methodist Church.” [more]