ZOE Ministry to Host an Evening with Kay Warren
ZOE Ministry will host a fundraising event with author Kay Warren, wife of Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren, on Friday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. at Duke Chapel in Durham. An accomplished author, Warren challenges everyone, especially the church, to actively make a difference on behalf of those who suffer due to HIV/AIDS. Also offered that day is a free Mission Symposium with the Rev. Shane Stanford at 3:30pm. Rev. Stanford will be in Durham to speak about his journey as an HIV+ hemophiliac and Christian minister who contracted the disease during a blood transfusion. All of the proceeds from the fundraising event will benefit ZOE’s orphan empowerment work in Africa. All are invited to attend. Ticket information is available at www.zoeministry.org.
Explore Stephen Ministry on March 13
Come explore Stephen Ministries by attending a workshop on Saturday, March 13 at Jarvis Memorial UMC in Greenville. This workshop is designed for pastors, lay leaders and Stephen Ministers with topics anyone can use whether a trained professional or someone just learning about how to be a care giver. The workshop is open to all. The cost for the workshop is $12.00, which includes lunch. Pre-registration is not necessary for attendance but would be helpful. For more information, go to Stephen Ministry. Pre-registration may be made by calling Jarvis Memorial UMC at (252) 752-3101 or e-mail at: jarvisumc@earthlink.net
Immigration Rally Trip Planned
Rev. Rosanna Panizo, chair of the Conference Committee on Immigration and Refugees, is organizing the participation from the NC Conference to the Immigration Rally in Washington, DC on March 21. United Methodists will gather at the Washington Memorial at noon and then will participate in a worship service at 1 p.m. The rally begins at 2 p.m. There will be transportation available from Durham. A contribution of $15 is requested to cover gas expenses. Anyone interested in participating should contact Rev. Panizo at (919) 824-9202 by Friday, March 12. Any clergy, layperson or local church that would like to support this endeavor with prayer is asked to email Rev. Panizo at: rpanizo@nccumc.org
Restroom Accessibility Grants are available
Due to a generous grant by the Duke Endowment, restroom accessibility grant requests for rural churches are now being accepted. Grant applications must be received by April 19. Applications and guidelines are available online at Restroom Grants.
NC Conference Peace with Justice Grant Applications Due
PwJ Applications should be received by the Outreach office by March 31. Application guidelines can be found on-line at Peace with Justice grants. For more information, please call Kathy Reavis at 1-800-849-4433 ext 256.
Change the World, April 24-25 – United Methodist Service Weekend
United Methodists are encouraged to begin planning now to join in “Change the World,” a denomination-wide event on April 24-25 that prompts members to join with others in their communities to make a difference locally and globally. During that weekend, United Methodist churches are encouraged to participate in a service or fund-raising event that effects positive, long-lasting change. The service could be revitalizing a food-pantry program, creating a new ministry to help the homeless, or increasing awareness of global health issues like malaria. Congregations can utilize existing ministries or initiate a new outreach event. For more information, please see Change the World.
Individuals can now partner with missionaries through Covenant Relationships
Groups or individuals with a passion for a particular country or ministry can partner with UM missionaries through a covenant relationship. More than 300 Global Ministries missionaries, supported through Covenant Relationships, serve in over 60 countries. Through prayers, support and communication with the missionary, a Covenant can become a true partnership. For more information, go to covenant relationships.
One Great Hour of Sharing is March 14
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), a United Methodist Special Sunday, is March 14. This Special Sunday offering enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to respond to disasters around the world by covering its operational and administrative costs. Unlike other mission programs, UMCOR receives no World Service or other apportionment money. By giving to One Great Hour of Sharing, you enable UMCOR to keep the promise that 100% of designated gifts go to specified causes. For downloadable materials and more information on One Great Hour of Sharing, go to One Great Hour of Sharing.
Academy of Christian Witness to be in April
The Academy of Christian Witness for Clergy will be April 20 – 22 at Camp Rockfish in Parkton. There are a limited number of spaces. The Academy is open to all clergy of the NC Conference under appointment. There is no cost to attend. For more further information, contact Linda Harris at: leeharris@nccumc.org or Thurman Horney at: thurman@nccumc.org The deadline for registering is Friday, March 26.
Day Apart for Clergy Spouses
Please join the first Clergy Spouses’ Day Apart on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Nashville UMC, 209 East Washington St., Nashville. This will be a special opportunity to grow closer to one another and to God while digging into a deeper prayer life with the help of our keynote speaker, Margaret Therkelsen. The cost is $20 per person which includes lunch. Childcare will be provided. The registration deadline is March 15. Please see Clergy Spouses for more information and registration form.
NC Historical Society and Commission on Archives & History to meet
The spring meeting of the NC Historical Society and the Commission on Archives and History has been changed to Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Pleasant Green UMChurch in Durham. Church historians and interested persons are invited to attend. Lunch will be served. Please call Robin Harry, 800-849-4433/919-832-9560, ext. 252; or email at: rharry@nccumc.org to reserve a lunch.
Kaleidoscope deadline approaching
The deadline for registering for Kaleidoscope is March 22. The registration form may be found in the 2010 Youth Events brochure on the events page.
2nd Annual Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry to be in April
The 2nd Annual Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry will be on Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Avent Ferry UMC in Raleigh. This event is sponsored by the NC Conference chapter of Methodist Federation For Social Action (MFSA). Bishop Charlene Kammerer of Virginia will be the keynote speaker. The title of the conference is “Here I Stand, I Can Do No Other ” taken from Martin Luther. The focus of the conference is on those who have spoken prophetically and paid a price. The cost is $25 and includes breakfast and lunch and $15 for students. For more information, contact Henry Jarrett at: jarretth@bellsouth.net or call (919) 606-5674.
NC Council of Churches to Hold First Faith and Health Summit
The NC Council of Churches holds the first Faith and Health Summit on March 23 at First Baptist Church on Wilmington Street, in Raleigh. The summit will help bridge the gaps between science and religion, while strengthening the cooperative work between the faith and medical communities to make North Carolina congregations healthier. Gov. Beverly Perdue is the confirmed speaker at the luncheon and the Rev. Dr. Gary Gunderson of Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, TN will give the keynote address. A series of workshops will be offered on topics including mental health, church-sponsored community gardens, health disparities, faith-based emergency preparedness, and congregational health to help illustrate the spiritual relevance of healthy living. All interested persons – clergy, congregants, public health professionals, students, lawmakers, and members of the general public – are encouraged to attend. To register or for more information, visit the Council’s Web site, http://www.nccouncilofchurches.org/; or call 919-828-6501.