Embracing and Engaging Children in Worship
In this week’s Connections, Bishop Ward discusses the vision of how congregations can and do help children engage in worship and establish lifelong faith practices.
Bishops Ward and Goodpaster Issue Joint Statement
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Bishop Larry Goodpaster issued a joint statement on March 18 sharing some information about The Children’s Home, Inc. in Winston-Salem and Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh regarding the reduction in public funding and how that is impacting the mission and ministry of these two organizations. Please read the full statement.
Religion and Race Grants Available
The United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is seeking to fund innovative, bold, high-impact initiatives that will increase intercultural competency or support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, and systemic equity. Share your idea for transforming the Church and the world. Apply today for a $20,000 to $80,000 CORR Action Fund grant. Annual conferences, churches, seminaries, jurisdictions, and caucuses are invited and eligible to apply. Learn more about the application process at www.gcorr.org/CORRActionFund. Applications must be received via email to grants@gcorr.org no later than June 30.
A Day to Learn About Hispanic/Latino ministries
“Many Facets: One Community,” a laity gathering focused on Hispanic/Latino Ministries will be held March 30 at Camp Chestnut Ridge from 3-6 p.m. Hosted by the Corridor District, the event will begin with a bi-lingual worship service with participants then attending workshops relating to life experiences within the Latino community in North Carolina, education, and strategic planning of the Hispanic/Latino plan in the NC Conference. For more information and to register, go to Hispanic/Latino.
Online Course Offering for Lay Servants
“Spiritual Gifts” is an online course recommended for all Lay Servants and as a requirement for all persons desiring to become Lay Speakers. The course will run two weeks, from March 31-April 11 and fulfills the ten-hour requirement for Lay Servant Ministry courses. Participants can expect to spend at least one hour per day online (anytime). Class size limited to 20 persons and the course fee of $10 is payable through PayPal. There is a required text which is available here. Register at learning.nccumc.org
Seeking Nominations for the Jack Crum Award
The NC Conference Board of Church and Society is accepting applications from churches and ministries for the 2014 Jack Crum Award for Prophetic Ministry. The award was established by Jack and Kay Crum “for the purpose of encouraging churches to be prophetic and of supporting prophetic ministries, first in the North Carolina Conference, and second, insofar as possible, throughout the nation and the world.” The award recipient is recognized at annual conference and the award check is presented at that time. To apply, please send a description of the specific ministry to Eric Lindblade: elindblade@nccumc.org , chairperson, Board of Church and Society. Deadline for applications is May 1.
“Understanding Islam” Conversation at Duke Divinity School
The Anglican Episcopal House of Studies (AEHS) at Duke Divinity School invites all who want to learn more about Islam and reflect on Islam as Christians to participate in the 2014 Study Day, “Towards Understanding Islam” on March 31. The Rev. Dr. David Marshall, discussion leader for Study Day, is the director of AEHS and serves on the Divinity School faculty as associate professor of the practice of Christian-Muslim relations. For more details and to register, go to AEHS Study Day.
One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday
One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday is March 30 or any Sunday that appropriately fits a church’s worship schedule. Offerings to OGHS insure that the UM Committee on Relief will be able to cover administrative costs and continue to use 100 percent of disaster offerings for their designated purpose. To order or download resource materials, go to OGHS
Connecting Faith Resources and Mental Health
Faith Connections on Mental Illness is offering a day-long workshop on March 28 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 at St. Thomas More (Chapel Hill.) Visit Faith Connect to learn more.
Change in Duke Endowment Rural Church Grant Process
The Duke Endowment announces an important Rural Church grant deadline. Pre-applications are due May 9. The process includes three steps: 1) take the eligibility questionnaire to determine if a church/organization is eligible. Click here to see the list of eligible churches. 2) If eligibility is established, the church/organization will answer five brief questions to help TDE determine if the work focuses on a) food and hunger; b) tutoring and literacy; c) affordable housing; or d) clergy and lay leadership development. 3) If TDE determines that the project is a good fit, the group will be invited to submit a full grant application (due May 16) and will be given clear direction on how to proceed. If there are any questions, please call the Rural Church program area staff at 704-927-2253.