Clergy Open Enrollment Ends November 30
Open Enrollment for the Conference Insurance plan will end next Monday, Nov. 30. If participants intend to set up a Flexible Spending Account for 2010, enroll in the health insurance plan, or make any changes in coverage type, then please log onto www.ebenefitsnow.com no later than Nov. 30. The login ID is the participant’s first name, the first initial of the last name and the last 4 digits of their Social Security number. Previous passwords have been reset to participants’ social security numbers. For further assistance, contact ebenefits now at 1-866-239-1055.
Grants offered to attend Congress on Evangelism
The Congress on Evangelism will be accepting grant requests for those attending the Congress on Evangelism in January 2010. For consideration, please e-mail Rev. Linda Harris, leeharris@nccumc.org with your projected travel plans and costs by Dec. 2.
2009 Conference Journal accessible online
The 2009 Conference Journal is now available on-line and that it can be accessed at the following link https://nccumc.org/secretary/journal/.
A CD version will be mailed to all clergy by the end of the year.
Youth Service Fund Grant Applications
Ministries and programs that benefit young people and would not be considered typical local church youth ministry activities may apply for a Youth Service Fund grant. The YSF grant application deadline is Dec. 15 and the application is available at https://nccumc.org/youth/youth-service-fund/. A limited number of in-conference grants are awarded. A reasonable grant request range is $100 to $2000. Applications for typical youth ministry activities such as mission trips will not be considered. Grants will be awarded in early 2010.
Book and Resource Giveaway Extravaganza
With the impending move of Conference staff offices to the new building, there are lots of books, curriculum and other resources that won’t make the move to the new conference headquarters in Garner. In order to share these with others who might find use for them, there will be a Book and Resource Giveaway Extravaganza on Friday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Methodist Building in Raleigh. Books, curriculum and other resources donated from the Conference staff and Conference Media Center will be available for the taking to whomever claims the items first. Please make note of this opportunity for free resources and plan to participate during one of the two days.
Listservs to resource local church leaders
E-mail listservs have been created to communicate information to local church leaders in the areas of children’s ministry, youth ministry and safe sanctuaries. Local church leaders in these areas of ministry can sign up for these listservs as follows:
Children’s ministry: http://listserv.nccumc.org/mailman/listinfo/childmincoordinators
Safe Sanctuaries: http://listserv.nccumc.org/mailman/listinfo/safesanctuaries
Youth ministry:
http://listserv.nccumc.org/mailman/listinfo/youthcoordinators
Occasional emails are sent out to these listservs with resources, opportunities, articles and other information for that area of ministry.
Children’s Ministry Forum
The North Carolina Conference and Edenton St UMC-Raleigh will be host to the denominational conference on children’s ministry – Children’s Ministry Forum, Feb. 23-25, 2010. Any and all local church leaders in children’s ministry will benefit from participation in this event. It will be a very long time, if ever, that such a resource opportunity will be so accessible to churches in our Conference. More information about the Children’s Ministry Forum – including registration, schedule and workshop options – is available at the website: www.gbod.org/cmf.