Offering requested for support of tornado victims
Many persons dealing with the aftermath of the April 16 tornadoes are still in need of assistance and the conference disaster coordinators are working within each district to provide that assistance. The conference Disaster Response team needs volunteers, either individuals or groups and also funds. A special offering has been requested in local churches as soon a possible for NC Storm Response. One hundred percent of the offering will be used for relief and support of victims of the April 16 tornadoes in North Carolina. The check should be designated for NC Storm Response – Advance #S-00176. Online contributions can be made at donate now.
Love for Liberia collection drop off is May 14
The drop-off point for items and kits collected for the Love for Liberia project will be MERCI in Goldsboro on Saturday, May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information about the needed supplies, which includes school kits, health kits, medical supply kits, and educational materials, go to https://nccumc.org/outreach/ and scroll to the bottom of the page. Volunteers to help with the collection at MERCI are also needed.
Register May 25 for the Convocation on the Rural Church
Beginning May 25, pastors of rural churches that are eligible for grants from The Duke Endowment are invited to register online for the 2011 Convocation on the Rural Church: Down to Earth Faith. The event will be held Aug. 22-24, in Myrtle Beach. Join leaders from rural United Methodist churches in North Carolina, Duke Divinity School, and The Duke Endowment for worship, plenary sessions, workshops, and conversation about the state of the rural church and how it can engage in even more vibrant ministry and mission. Costs for this event are kept to a minimum, ranging from $25-$125 total for two nights lodging, meals, and program materials. Family meal tickets and extended stay options for those choosing private rooms are available for an additional fee. Please make plans to register promptly, as registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and spaces fill up quickly every year.
Space still available on work team to Liberia
Final preparations have been made for a volunteers-in-mission team to go from the NC Conference to Liberia this summer. The team will focus on working with children at a school at the Ganta Mission. There will also be opportunities to be involved with the ministries of the Ganta hospital, the outreach of Curamericas in that region, and certain self-help agricultural projects. The team will leave RDU on July 23 and return early on August 6. There are still spaces available on the team, but the deadline for signing up for the team is June 1. For more information, please contact Bill Haddock at: revbillh@nccumc.org or 910-262-3831.
Making a smooth transition during times of appointment changes
The next two months will bring great change to many of the conference churches and pastors. The way a congregation handles this transition may greatly determine future ministry. The General Board of Discipleship will broadcast a free webinar on May 26 (6:30 PM central daylight time) on best practices for handling the change in pastor appointment. “Good-by and Hello: When the Pastor Changes” will benefit most congregational leaders. Registrations are limited so go to Good-by/Hello to reserve a seat.
Annual Conference briefing session scheduled for May 22
The Annual Conference Briefing Session for lay and clergy members will be held Sunday, May 22, from 3-5 p.m. The session will be a video presentation that will be streamed online so it can be watched on computers connected to the Internet. Many districts will have a central location where persons can go and view the presentations. For an updated list of locations, go to Briefing Session. The program will be archived on the conference website for persons not able to view it live on May 22.
Deadline for special hotel rate is May 15
The deadline for reserving hotel rooms at a special rate for Annual Conference is May 15. There are still rooms available in the United Methodist block of rooms set up with the Sheraton Hotel (919-834-9900) and the Clarion Hotel (919-832-0501.)