Bishop Ward’s thoughts on “Harvest”
“We give thanks for God’s bountiful harvest. This is the season of ingathering, the season of reaping. How grateful we are to be invited by God to be a part of the glorious harvest.” To hear Bishop Ward’s message in its entirety, go to Harvest.
McNeal training videos now online
The Reggie McNeal presentation videos are now online. They will be available online until the end of January. To view them, click McNeal videos.
“When God Comes Down” – Online Book Group Open
The NCCUMC online learning ministry is offering an Advent book study based on James Harnish’s book, “When God Comes Down.” Enrollment is now open. Go to learning.nccumc.org to register with the site. The class sessions will begin Monday, Nov. 26. Each participant will need a copy of the book, which is available from Cokesbury. Go to cokesbury.com to purchase either the paperback edition or the ebook version. The class is open to lay and clergy.
Churches/agencies encouraged to apply for grants
January 10 is the deadline to apply for a Human Relations Day Grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS). The grants are to support ministries that respond to non-violent young offenders through education, advocacy or leadership training and development. Grant funds are raised through the UMC’s Human Relations Day Special Sunday offering each year. Intent of the grant is to provide start-up funds for ministries that encourage social justice and work with at-risk youth. Grant applications are available at Human Relations Day Grant, or by contacting Marvlyn Scott: mscott@umc-gbcs.org, in the office of Education & Leadership Formation, (202) 488-5643.
January 10 is also the deadline to apply for a Peace with Justice grant from GBCS. Funding for this program is generated through the Peace with Justice Special Sunday offering of the UMC. The application form and criteria is available at Peace with Justice Grant form, which is available on the GBCS website or by contacting Marvlyn Scott, (202) 488-5643.
Volunteers needed to help neighbors in eastern NC
NC Conference Hurricane Irene Disaster Response & Recovery needs volunteer work teams for the winter and spring months to make repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Irene (August 2011) and to build new homes for families who lost theirs to this storm. With over 200 home repairs complete, more than 350 remain. Both skilled and willing workers are needed to make repairs that range from replacing roofs to installing subfloors, floors, insulation, drywall, porches, decks, steps to painting and finish carpentry. Please contact Ann Huffman at the NC Disaster Call Center (888-440-9167 or disasterresponse@nccumc.org to schedule a work team for a day, a week or longer. In the remnants of disaster, God’s people witness His goodness and love to the world.
3DM Workshops to be held in NC Conference
Pastors and one lay leader from each church are urged to register for one of three Mission & Discipleship Workshops: Nov. 27 or 28 at Millbrook UMC, Raleigh and Nov. 29 at St James UMC, Greenville. The conversation will include discussion about the NC Conference pursuit of a new paradigm, including the shift from 12 to eight districts and how and why the role of the district superintendent in the NC Conference has been redefined. The workshop is free and lunch is included, but pre-registration is required. Participants should pre-register for one day only, choosing the date that best fits their schedule.
Conference Camps/Retreat facilities available for gatherings
Looking for a fun place to hold a Christmas party/gathering? Celebrate Christmas at camp! The NC Conference Camps are each hosting Christmas at Camp parties during the month of December. Churches and fellowship groups can bring out a group and, for a nominal fee per person, enjoy a holiday feast, crafts, hayrides, games, and – of course – campfires and s’mores! Please contact a camp to schedule your Christmas gathering today! Call Jennifer Weber at Camp Rockfish at 910-425-3529 extension 21 or email: Jennifer@camprockfish.org, Laura Goldenbaum-Yang at Camp Don Lee at 252-249-1106 extension 31 or email: Laura@donleecenter.org, and Stacey Young at Camp Chestnut Ridge at 919-304-2178 or email: Stacey@campchestnutridge.org for more information.
Faith Summit on Child Poverty in January
The NC Conference chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action’s Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry is co-sponsoring a Faith Summit on Child Poverty in Durham Thursday, Jan. 24 from 8:30 a.m. -3 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, 904 N. Roxboro St., Durham. Please mark this date on your calendar. More details about registration will follow later.