Bishop and Cory Oliver in this week’s Connections
Bishop Ward is joined in this week’s Connections, by Cory Oliver, chair of the Fellowship of Licensed Local Pastors and Associate Members, to discuss a recent webinar designed to engage and connect the local pastors in this conference.
Annual Conference Briefing videos now posted online
The 2013 Annual Conference session is less than a month away! Briefing Session videos are intended to help everyone prepare for the upcoming Conference session by bringing information to consider prior to it being presented at Conference. Please find all Annual Conference-related files and information on the official 2013 Annual Conference page. If there are any questions, please send them to: helpdesk@nccumc.org.
Harbor District meeting location clarification
The Harbor District’s informational meeting regarding the proposed changes to the retiree health care plan at Annual Conference this year will be held at Trinity UMC’s Christian Life Center, which is located at 4008 S. College Rd. in Wilmington. The meeting will be held on May 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. (Please note that this location is not at the church site.)
Candidacy Retreat registration deadline – June 1
Individuals who are discerning a call to Licensed or Ordained Ministry and want to begin the Candidacy Process must start by attending a Candidacy Retreat, which is offered twice yearly. The next retreat is scheduled for July 26-27 at the Methodist Building in Garner, and deadline to register is June 1. In order to begin the process and register for the retreat, candidates must read “The Christian as Minister” and discuss it with a UM pastor. Secondly, candidates will write a 2-3 page call narrative and submit this by email to Laura Fine Ledford: lledford@nccumc.org, copying the District Superintendent. More information about the Candidacy Process in the NC Conference can be found at thecallnc.org.
How to help tornado victims
On May 20, Moore, OK was devastated by a massive tornado. At this writing, 24 people have been confirmed killed and more than 200 have been injured. Earlier in the week, several tornadoes roared across central Texas killing at least six and injuring almost 100. Families have lost their homes and lives have been shattered. There are several ways your church can respond. more
UM Foundation to host a breakfast discussion at AC
The United Methodist Foundation will be hosting a complimentary breakfast and dialogue about the financial challenges every church faces. The breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday morning, June 12 beginning at 7:30 a.m. at City Hotel and Bishop Banquet Room. For more information on topics to be discussed and to register your plan to attend, go to http://umf-nc.org/ or email Kim Smith: kmsmith@nccumc.org by June 3.
Beware of computer threat circulating
There is a new phishing attack going around where you are invited in a brief email message to log into Google to view a confidential shared document. This is not a legitimate message! If you visit the page and log into the system, you are exposing your email account and password to compromise. more
Churches asked to prepare birthing kits
In partnership with the NC Conference Mission Team under the leadership of Steve Taylor and the Conference Church and Society Commission, United Methodist Women are being asked to make UMCOR Birthing Kits. Every 90 seconds, a woman somewhere in the world dies from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. 356,000 women die every year, most of the deaths occurring in the developing world. Birthing kits provide the essential items to promote a safe, clean delivery and to encourage good after care. Using a birthing kit can double a woman’s chance of surviving the birth. The birthing kits will be collected at Annual Conference, in Hilton Ballroom E.
Home With A Heart: Complimentary Luncheon
The staff at the Methodist Home for Children believe God calls each Christian to help vulnerable children: to free them from abuse and neglect, to lead them to lives of hope and purpose, and to help them fulfill their God-given potential. You are invited to a complimentary luncheon on Thursday, May 23, to hear and share how Methodist Home for Children heals broken lives. The Home With a Heart luncheon will be from 12 – 1 p.m. at the Christian Life Ministries Center, St. James UMC, 2000 E. Sixth St., in Greenville. Please RSVP to Cindy Tripp at: ctripp@mhfc.org or 252-717-6505.
SEJ Historical Society Annual Meeting July 9 – 11
This year’s SEJ Historical Society annual meeting, “Where Lives are Transformed” will be held at Lake Junaluska July 9-11. Sessions will focus on Lake Junaluska Assembly’s 100-year ministry in the areas of mission, music, and worship. For more information about the schedule and a registration form, go to heritage center or contact Nancy Watkins at: nwatkins@lakejunaluska.com or 828-454-6781.
Peace with Justice Sunday, May 26
Peace with Justice Sunday gifts change lives in places where the joy of knowing Christ is mixed with the tragedy of violence. Peace with Justice 2013 is May 26. To read more about how Peace with Justices funds are used in the world or to find resources, go to Peace with Justice.
Free webinar highlights ministry with Boomers
A free webinar, “The New Senior: Boomers,” will be available June 20 at 6:30 p.m. CT, to share tips on ministering to this large generation. Sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, persons interested can register at Boomers.