Conference has great need for flood buckets
There is an immediate need for fully-assembled flood buckets. Due to the large numbers of flood buckets that have been sent to hurricane victims, there is an immediate need of replenishing stock to continue the Conference’s response to Hurricane Irene flood victims. Please do not send partially completed buckets or supply items. Fully-assembled buckets are needed for immediate distribution. For complete instructions on what is to be included and how to assemble a flood bucket, go to Flood Buckets.
Encourage congregations to participate in hurricane recovery
Volunteers and financial donations are needed for disaster response in the NC Conference. “At the present, we desperately need volunteers for tree and debris removal, mudding out homes, staffing the call center, and putting tarps on roofs,” said Ann Huffman, director of the conference call center in the United Methodist Building. Housing is usually available in areas where volunteers are sent. Financial donations are needed for storm recovery. One hundred percent of the donations will be used for storm response. To volunteer in groups or as individuals, contact the call center at 1-888-440-9167. Financial donations can be put in local church offering plates, made online at https://www.nccumc.org/, or mailed to the NC Conference, P.O. Box 60053, Charlotte, NC 28260, clearly designated for Advance #S-00176.
UMCom placing national ads to reclaim hope
Tuesday, Sept. 6, United Methodist Communications launched a national digital and audio advertising campaign to ask everyone to Rethink Church and reclaim Sept. 11 as a day of hope. Ten years ago, 9/11 made many of people rethink their priorities and faith. The ads urge, “Don’t wait another ten years to rethink your life, your community, and your world.” The campaign will run in various mediums, including on a digital billboard in Times Square and on NPR/APR. To hear the radio spot got to radio spot or to see the video clip, go to video clip.
NCC delegation selects Gray Southern as episcopal candidate
The Rev. H. Gray Southern, superintendent of the NC Conference Durham District, has been selected by the conference delegation to the General and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conferences as their nominee to be elected a bishop in The United Methodist Church. He will be one of the nominees to be considered for election to fill vacancies created by five retiring bishops in the Southeastern Jurisdiction. (more)
Celebrate Legacy Building Sunday
Churches in the NC Conference are invited to celebrate Legacy Building Sunday on Sept. 11 or any Sunday that fits the church’s schedule. The UM Legacy Partners, which include institutions and agencies within the conference, offer their experience to support local churches seeking to further the work of Christ through giving for missions, ministries and capital projects. Legacy Partners can offer guidance and support to a church’s Legacy Leader as they build a strong endowment and legacy giving program. Materials and speakers are available for workshops to help make legacy giving a priority stewardship activity. For more information, please visit the United Methodist Foundation website and complete the online form at http://umf-nc.org/contact.
Bishop’s Day Apart – Sept. 20
In cooperation with the Academy for Leadership Excellence, the next Bishop’s Day Apart will be held for all clergy on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Nashville UMC in Nashville. A gathering will begin at 9 a.m. The program will start promptly at 9:30 a.m. There will be a $5 donation requested to cover lunch. The theme for the day will be “Leading an Externally-Focused Church.” The discussion will be led by Rick Rusaw, author of “The Externally Focused Church and Quest: Becoming the Best Church for the Community.” Rusaw is also the lead pastor at Lifebridge Christian Church in Colorado. For information on registering, go to Bishop’s Day Apart.
An opportunity for Early Response Training
There will be an Early Response Training on Saturday, Sept. 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Hollands UMC. The church is located in Wake County between Garner and Fuquay-Varina. The training is open to everyone and the cost for the training will be $30 per person. A background check will be required for all early responders, which will be an additional $10. For more information, or to register, contact Jason Woodall at: jason.woodall7113@gmail.com.
Pension participants can track benefits and investment funds online
The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits’ Online Account Services Information System, known as OASIS, has been replaced by a new account management tool enabling participants to track their pension accounts and investments. Benefits Access offers improved retirement projection tools, electronic delivery options for statements and newsletters, educational resources and much more. All users, including those who used OASIS, must register for this new site. Visit the site and click on “New User Registration” to follow the easy steps. To learn more about upgrades to this online system and the registration process, visit GBOPHB’s website.
Choir Music Weekend
25th Anniversary Celebration, October 21-23, Lake Junaluska
Since 1986, local choir singers, directors and accompanists have gathered at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center to celebrate God’s gift of music and worship. From the time of its inception through the present, the focus of Choir Music Weekend (CMW) at Lake Junaluska has been on encouraging the small to medium-sized church choir. CMW is co-sponsored by Lake Junaluska Ministry, with Abingdon Press, a division of The United Methodist Publishing House. The CMW leadership team is headed by Roger Dowdy, Director of Ministry and Event Development at Lake Junaluska, and Gary Alan Smith, Senior Music Editor at Abingdon Press. 2011 will mark 25 years of the Lake Junaluska Choir Music Weekend. Register early. Click here or call 828.454.6656.