3DM* Workshops to be held in NC Conference
The Conference Transition Team invites pastors and one lay leader from each church to attend a Mission & Discipleship Workshop from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. either Nov. 27 or 28 at Millbrook UMC, 127 E. Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, or on Nov. 29 at St James UMC, 2000 East Sixth St., Greenville. The purpose is to learn more about the NC Conference pursuit of a new paradigm for ministry including the shift from twelve to eight districts.
The workshop will also help laity understand how and why the role of the District Superintendent in the NC Conference has been redefined. The workshop is free and lunch is included. Pre-registration is required. Participants must pre-register for one day only, choosing the date that best accommodates their needs.
Ministers’ Transition Fund annual contribution letters
The annual contribution letters will be mailed this week to Ministers’ Transition Fund (MTF) members. These letters detail each member’s 2012 contribution payment due by Jan. 31, 2013. Failure to pay the contribution may result in either forfeiture of this year’s dividend and/or lack of credit towards future dividends. Members who have elected the monthly billing option will not receive a letter. Instead, they are encouraged to verify with their church treasurer that the appropriate amount has been withheld from their paychecks and remitted along with the pension billing each month this year. It’s not too late to join the MTF this year. To find out more about the benefits of this retirement savings plan, visit the Conference Treasurer’s Office Pension website or call JoAnna Ezuka, Program Administrator, at 1-800-849-4433 x 225.
Outreach Ministry receiving Mission Seed fund applications
Mission Seed Funds are designed to facilitate and encourage United Methodist congregations of the NC Conference in risk-taking ministry and radical hospitality. These Mission Seed Funds are provided to resource the local church, to help the church engage in ministry that is transformative for the world and the church, to provide support in growing committed disciples, and reaching into the world in community with the poor, with children, and all who are the least, the last, and the lost. Guidelines, applications, and budget forms are now available for download at applications. Applications & budgets are due electronically to kduncan@nccumc.org by Nov. 1. If you received funding in 2012, in order to be eligible for 2013 funding, you must complete a 2012 ministry report and budget report.
Leadership over Lunch discussion to be in Kinston
The next Leadership over Lunch session will help leaders find a way to have healthy conversations, clearly stated expectations and plans to resolve conflict with laity and staff. Led by Rev. Beth Hood, Leadership over Lunch will be held at Queen Street UMC in Kinston on Nov. 15 from 12-2 p.m. Attendees from the August session taught by Rev. Hood state that Building a Covenant was “inviting and engaging,” as well as “valuable and applicable.” Please join this Academy for Leadership Excellence event by registering at http://www.theafle.org/. Cost is $15 for the lunch and the presentation, $10 for the presentation only.
October is Church Library Month
The NC Conference Media Center is mailing out letters to all of the church librarians that are in the conference database. These letters include a survey for church librarians, tips on promoting your church library, a list of what the Conference Media Center has to offer, and an invitation to the 2013 Church& Synagogue Library Association Conference at Lake Junaluska. If you do not receive a letter and would like to be on Center’s mailing list, please contact Laura Dallas at: ldallas@nccumc.org. The content of the letter and the survey are also available online at Library month.
October United Methodist Days at Kings Dominion
October 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28 are designated as NC Conference United Methodist Family Fun Days at Kings Dominion. Tickets are available for United Methodists at the significantly discounted cost of $29.99 per person ages 3 and up for those dates. To order tickets for Kings Dominion, go to http://www.kingsdominion.com/ and in the top right corner put in the promo code KDNCMETHODIST. For each ticket redeemed, a contribution is made to Youth Service Fund. For more information check out the flyer at KD Fall NC Methodist Flyer.
Chestnut Ridge offering several great riding/running opportunities
Camp Chestnut Ridge is offering some great fall weekend opportunities for horse riders and runners. A Cowboys’ weekend for boys in grades 4-8 is scheduled for Oct. 19-20. There will campfires, smores, and plenty of time for riding. Cowboys register here. Cowgirls in grades 4-8 can come for a slumber party with campfire, smores and horseback riding Oct. 26-27. See cowgirls for more information. The Third Annual Trail Run is scheduled for Nov. 17 beginning at 10 a.m. This is a four-mile run along the camp’s scenic trails. To read all the details, go to Trail Run.
Large Membership Church Leader Retreat in November
Held at Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville Beach, this leadership retreat will focus on sharing collegial best practices on topics such as “Building and Leading your Staff,” “Growing a Generous Church” and “Communications and Marketing.” Resource leaders include the Revs. Ned Hill, Rick Clayton and Branson Sheets. The retreat is designed for pastors whose churches have an average attendance of at least 300. The registration cost is $175 and includes all meals except one dinner. Hotel costs are separate. For more information and to register for the Nov. 12-14 event, please visit the Academy for Leadership Excellence website at http://www.theafle.org/.
Next Council immigration breakfast in Fuquay-Varina
The NC Council of Churches is continuing its statewide series of “Clergy Breakfasts” on immigration. These events are geared towards busy religious professionals and faith leaders to provide an overview of immigration issues in the context of a great networking event. The next breakfast will be held at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Fuquay-Varina on Thursday, Oct. 25 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Guest speaker will be Bishop Michael Burbidge of the the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh. Download an informational brochure. Please RSVP at breakfast.