Grabbing your corner for Christ
In this week’s Connections, Bishop Ward addresses the people of Ferguson, Missouri and North Carolina after an insightful conversation with the Rev. Willis Johnson, pastor of Wellspring UMC. Wellspring was planted in Ferguson two years ago after the Missouri Conference identified the community as “underserved by the United Methodist Church.”
Skeeter Runs benefit Imagine No Malaria
This fall, United Methodists, friends and communities will raise money and awareness for Imagine No Malaria. Imagine No Malaria is a campaign to help eliminate the killer disease malaria from the planet within our lifetime. Skeeter Run 5Ks are being held throughout the fall in all districts in the NC Conference. The first three events (Capital, Corridor, and Heritage districts) will be on Oct. 12. To find registration information for these events, go to Skeeter Run. Events in other districts will be announced when confirmed. Please register for the race or volunteer to help. All profit from the races will go to the NC Conference Imagine No Malaria $1 million campaign goal.
Duke’s 2014 Convocation & Pastors’ School
Registration is now open for the 2014 Convocation & Pastors’ School, Oct. 13-14 at Duke Divinity School. The annual two-day conference offers lectures, worship and seminars for Christian leaders of all traditions. Twenty-five years ago, Stanley Hauerwas and Will Willimon challenged the Christian church to live as a vital embodiment of the Gospel, operating within today’s society but apart from its eroding values. This year’s Convocation will explore the impact that their book, “Resident Aliens,” has had on clergy, congregations, and seminaries. Other featured speakers include sociologist James Davison Hunter and Bishops Hope Morgan Ward and Larry Goodpaster. Pastors serving churches eligible for grants from The Duke Endowment, current Divinity School students, and 2014 graduates of the Divinity School can attend the event at a discounted rate. Register for Convocation & Pastors’ School.
Preparing to Preach Advent
Louisburg College will host Dr. Luke Powery, Dean of Duke Chapel, on Sept. 30 as he discusses “Preparing to Preach Advent: Fresh Insights for Sermon Preparation.” While open to all, this free program is directed to clergy, lay speakers, and worship planners and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Benson Chapel. A complimentary lunch will be included so please RSVP to Jennifer Wheeler at 919-497-3226 or jwheeler@louisburg.edu.
United Theological Seminary offering UM courses online in Spanish
Beginning this fall, United Theological Seminary will offer United Methodist denominational course requirements online in Spanish. These two-credit masters-level courses will be taught by Dr. Mark Abbott, Director of Non-Degree programs and former missionary to Spain and Dean of Seminario Evangelico Unido de Teologia. United Methodist History is being offered in the fall of 2014. United Methodist Doctrine and Polity will both be offered in the spring semester. All three courses are fully online. Registrations are now open for the UM History course. Contact admissions@united.edu.
Living the Word
Living Word is a multi-congregational (3–7 congregations) program that engages laypersons and clergy from each congregation in monthly gatherings of prayer, highly-interactive and exciting Bible study, spiritual formation, relationship building, community transformation, and engagement in a local cooperative ministry visioned and developed by the participating congregations. This dedicated group of people will spend ten months on an inward/outward journey to discern how, in community, they can better Live the Word in their particular locality. There is no costs associated with the ministry other than time, effort, and providing a meal for the gathered teams that is shared by participating congregations on a rotational basis. To learn more, download the overview or contact Kathy Duncan, duncan@nccumc.org, (919) 779-6115, or Steve Taylor, staylor@nccumc.org, (919) 780-4141.
Lake Junaluska’s Choir Music Weekend
October 17-18
Enjoy the incredible beauty of fall foliage at Lake Junaluska this October during Choir Music Weekend, Oct. 17-18. Along with others from small and medium-sized church choirs, experience a worship-filled weekend as participants learn and perform eight anthems that may then be performed at participants’ home churches. Leadership includes Gary Alan Smith, retired Senior Editor of Music Resources at Abindgon Press. Registration includes a copy of each anthem.