Critical Drivers reminder to Pastors
The data entry page for the first quarter 2012 Critical Drivers information will be made available on the Online Data Collection System beginning April 1. Please log in and enter the church’s first quarter information to ensure it is included in the reports submitted to the Cabinet on Monday, April 9.
Save the Date: Convocation on the Rural Church – Aug. 13-15
Pastors of rural churches that are eligible for Duke Endowment grants are invited to make plans to attend Duke Divinity School’s 2012 Convocation on the Rural Church: “Tradition LIVES.” This event, featuring Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath and Charles Pettee and FolkPsalm, will be held Aug. 13-15 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort and Conference Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Thanks to the generous funding of The Duke Endowment, costs will be kept to a minimum. Online registration opens May 15. Eligible pastors will receive more information and a link to the registration site prior to this date. Registrations will not be accepted before this time.
United Methodist Family Fun Days at Theme Parks
Dates in April and May are designated as NC Conference United Methodist Family Fun Days at Carowinds and Kings Dominion. Tickets are available for United Methodists at significantly discounted costs on those dates. Tickets may be purchased online or over the phone. If ordered by phone, be sure to mention North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church to receive your discount. For each ticket redeemed, a contribution is made to Youth Service Fund. For information on ordering the tickets and to see the designated dates, go to KD2012-NC Methodist Brochure.
Leadership over Lunch: Time Management
Leadership over Lunch, on April 19, is a time for fellowship and an intensive hour of information. During this workshop, Carlin Johnson will build on the Steven Covey concepts of time and life management, and will illustrate steps to help effectiveness in work. Johnson will remind participants of the difference between urgency and importance, and provide simple steps for long-range, weekly and daily planning. She will also help participants stay focused on the big picture and training energy on the most important goals. This session is from 12-2 p.m. and will be held at Haymount UMC in Fayetteville. The cost is $15 for lunch and the workshop, or $10 for the workshop only if participants bring lunch and a drink. This event is presented by the Academy for Leadership Excellence and registration is through the Academy website, www.theafle.org.
Free retreat for Pastors Serving Hispanic/Latino Community
The Hispanic House of Studies at Duke Divinity School is hosting a free retreat for pastors serving the Hispanic/Latino community April 13-15, at Trinity Center. The event, “Immersed in the Heart of the Good Shepherd,” will help prepare pastors to deliver effective and transformative pastoral care to this group. It will feature Dr. Pablo Polischuk, Professor of Psychology and Pastoral Counseling at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and worship with Fede and Roni Apacena, lay leaders at “Fiesta Cristiana” at Apex UMC. Additional information is available at H/L retreat. To register, contact Idia Piacentini at: ipiacentini@div.duke.edu or 919-660-3447.
How Online Giving Can Raise Your Church’s Income
Online giving through electronic funds transfer (EFT) is not the offering of future, it is already here! Churches that have offered this to their people are seeing more income through the consistency of EFT, while their donors are appreciating the convenience. Reserve your Webinar seat now at online giving. A complete list of GBOD Webinars for local church leaders (and archives of previous webinars) can be found at www.gbod.org/committee_resources.
UMF Endowment to benefit children in need
United Methodist Foundation is trustee of a special endowment called the “One Who Is Loved Fund.” This permanent endowment makes possible, love gifts (not to exceed $1,000 per year per child) to benefit children under the age of 19 who have special needs such as specialized medical equipment or supplies/medicine, transportation to hospitals or treatment centers, or other special needs. Pastors of the NCC are encouraged to recommend children for the “One Who Is Loved” Fund. Requests for consideration for gifts from the fund should be directed to United Methodist Foundation office, 700 Waterfield Ridge Pl., Garner NC 27529. Deadline to apply is March 31.