Bishop Ward Emphasizes the Power of the Connection
Bishop Ward highlights the work of the connection with the Western North Carolina Conference in the areas of mission and ministry in this week’s Connections.
Resources for Clergy Considering Retirement in 2014
Clergy who think they may retire at Annual Conference 2014 or earlier are encouraged to take advantage of resources available to help them prepare and plan for this transition in their ministry. JoAnna Ezuka, NC Conference Pension Administrator/Educator, is available to meet with with persons individually to provide a personalized overview of benefits in retirement and the decisions ahead of each clergyperson. Additionally, there will be a one-day group seminar held in January and again in April, 2014. These seminars will help clergy who intend to retire at Annual Conference 2014 prepare for their benefits and complete the paperwork required to begin receiving them. Contact JoAnna Ezuka at: jezuka@nccumc.org or 1-800-849-4433 ext 225 for more details.
CPI Application Deadline Approaching
Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness grant applications are due no later than Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. (if hand-delivered) or postmarked no later than Sept. 30. No faxed applications will be considered and all must have the appropriate signatures. Do not wait until the due date to gather signatures. Plan ahead! Applications may be downloaded from the Leadership Ministries on Conference webpage.
Early Bird Registration for Duke Convocation ends Sept. 8
Don’t miss out on discounted rates to attend the 2013 Convocation & Pastors’ School, Oct. 14-15 at Duke Divinity School. Early bird registration ends Sunday, Sept. 8, and seminars are filling. The annual two-day conference offers lectures, worship and seminars for Christian leaders of all traditions. This year’s event, “Renewing the Church,” will explore how thriving Christian communities are meeting the deep needs of the world and in the process, breathing new life into the church. Pastors serving churches eligible for grants from The Duke Endowment, current Divinity School students, and 2013 graduates of the Divinity School can attend the event at a discounted rate. Register today for the Convocation & Pastors’ School.
Required Federal Notification to All Church Staff
Local churches and other salary-paying units in The United Methodist Church, as employers, need to understand an important employee notice requirement this year under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the national health care reform law. Churches must provide this Notice to all current employees (clergy and lay) before Oct. 1, regardless of whether you offer a health plan to your employees or not. Notification of this requirement will also be mailed to each church. Exchange Notice Forms can be found at Insurance. Please contact Caroline Thornton at 800-849-4433 ext. 228 or caroline@nccumc.org with any questions.
Saving in UMPIP can Offset CRSP Changes
Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the General Conference 2012-authorized changes to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) will be implemented. Full-time and part-time clergy may begin or increase their personal contributions to the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) to offset these changes. Visit the Pensions website for details.
Camp Chestnut Ridge Offers Horse-riding Lessons
The Equestrian programs at Camp Chestnut Ridge are offering riding lessons for all ages and skill levels fall. For the descriptions and the dates, go to riding lessons.
UM Foundation Sponsoring Ways to Means Workshop
UM Foundation knows well the limit of time, talent and financial resources available in the local church and wishes to help maximize them within each local church. One way the Foundation can help is to provide the Ways to Means webcast on Sept. 12, targeted for both clergy and church leadership. There will be three discussion groups – Year-Round Stewardship, Planned Giving/Endowment Development, and Capital Campaigns. Instructions for accessing the webcast will be available on the Foundation’s webpage, http://umf-nc.org/, beginning the week of Sept. 9.
People of Faith to Focus on Child Poverty
A Faith Summit on Child Poverty will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 at First UMC: Wilson from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will focus on issues concerning healthcare, education and housing and help provide the tools for local churches to work together to break the cycle of child poverty which impacts so much of the conference. The schedule includes a keynote by Gene Nichols of the Poverty, Work and Opportunity Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, a panel discussion, two breakout sessions and a worship service led by Bishop Ward. The cost is $15 which includes a light breakfast and lunch. Online registration will be available here Faith Summit soon.