Ministry with Children Living in Poverty
In this week’s edition of Connections, Bishop Ward encourages persons to be in ministry and mission with children in their community, especially in light of the recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She also invites viewers/readers to attend the Faith Summit on Child Poverty at First UMC: Wilson on Nov. 23.
Financial Donations Needed Immediately for the Philippines
The devastation in The Philippines is overwhelming. The support and generosity of United Methodist people is great. Thank you in advance for your prayers and your gifts through International Disaster Response, Advance #982450 for this great emergency. As the devastating images continue to run on the television, pastors, please offer your congregation members the opportunity to help by receiving offerings (which you can then remit to the conference,) by pointing people to the UMCOR website, and by praying for the people of The Philippines. One hundred percent of all gifts will go to Typhoon Haiyan response and relief.
Communications Director to Retire
Wilburn L. (Bill) Norton, Jr., conference director of communications and NCC Christian Advocate editor, has notified Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Connectional Ministries Executive Director Carol Goehring, that he plans to retire on Jan. 1, 2014. Bishop Ward, with the assistance of Carol Goehring, is forming a search committee to begin the process for selecting the next conference director of communications. A job description is being developed and will be posted on the conference website when available.
Clarification About #Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3
#Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3. This day is sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), and gifts made online through the Advance will be matched. #Giving Tuesday can become a day of high volume, fruitful giving in our denomination, a day to rival Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“General Advance” ministries, such as missionaries and church and community workers commissioned by GBGM, and projects within and beyond the US, such as ZOE, CROP, Stop Hunger Now, Disaster Response (to UMCOR), and the like, qualify for the matching funds. A complete list can be found online at www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/Search-for-Projects. Giving to Conference Advance Specials (camps, Project AGAPE, Ryan Epps Home for Children, etc.) is certainly appreciated but Conference Advance Specials are not eligible for #Giving Tuesday matching grants.
Lay Missioner Training in Hispanic/Latino ministry
Discípulos Haciendo Discípulos (Disciples Making Disciples) is working to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by reaching out to the Hispanic/Latino population in North Carolina. The focus of Discípulos Haciendo Discípulos is lay missioner training. Participants will learn to use new tools, participate in mentoring groups, and work on a service project together. The training will fulfill requirements of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry of The United Methodist Church allowing newly-trained leaders to be certified as Lay Missioners. It will incorporate content and tools from other disciple-making ministries and be led by a team of Pastor-Mentors. Training will be in Spanish with English translation. For training dates, applications, or to see the information video, go to DHD.
Registration Opens Dec. 1 for Summer Camps
2014 Summer Camp registration for conference camps opens Dec. 1. What a wonderful surprise to give a child as a Christmas gift! Go to the website of the camp of choice or call the camps to get registered.
Camp Chestnut Ridge www.campchestnutridge.org 919-304-2178
Camp Don Lee www.donleecenter.org 252-249-1106 ext 27
Camp Rockfish www.camprockfish.org 910-425-3529 ext 23
Young Clergy Initiative Grant Deadline Announced
The application period for Young Clergy Initiative grants is open through Feb. 1, 2014. The goal of the grants is to assist churches in developing innovative projects of all sizes that could attract young people to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church and to increase the number of United Methodist young elders and deacons. Click Young Clergy to apply for a grant.
Chestnut Ridge Trail Run on Nov. 23
Saturday, Nov. 23 beginning at 9 a.m.
The Annual Trail Run winds through the trails at Chestnut Ridge Camp & Retreat Center and features rolling hills through old hardwood forests. This year’s event will feature two race options: a 4-mile race and an 8-mile race. Walkers are welcome on the 4-mile trail. Proceeds from the race will benefit the “Pass It On” Annual Fund which supports the camping ministry, enhances facilities and equipment, and helps send children and youth to camp through the campership scholarship program. For more information, go to Trail Run.