UMCOR Responds to Philippines Flood
After torrential rains on Saturday, Sept. 26 the Philippines is struggling with a devastating flood. Over 400,000 people have been displaced. Two-hundred-fifty people have lost their lives and the number is expected to increase. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is responding to this horrific disaster. Please support this effort by giving to Philippines Emergency #240235. Donations can be made on-line at: Philippines Emergency or by placing a check in a local United Methodist Church Sunday offering. Please note on the check: Philippines Emergency #240235.
Recovery efforts begin for flooding in Georgia
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with the North Georgia Annual (regional) Conference to assist with recovery efforts from massive flooding in 17 counties, caused by severe storms. The deluge resulted in at least nine deaths. Cleaning buckets from UMCOR’s Relief Supply Depots were ready to be sent to areas in need. Donations for United Methodist participation during the initial phase of recovery can be made to U.S. Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670, and placed in church offering plates.
Time to Register Youth Groups for Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage will be held Nov. 13-15 at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville. Brochures with the registration form have been mailed. The brochure with registration form is also available online at www.nccumc.org/youth/events/. The registration deadline not to incur the late fee is Oct. 26. After Oct. 9 confirmation materials with further details about the event will be sent out as group registrations are processed.
Young Adult Ministries
Young adults, ages 18-30, are invited to a Young Adult Ministries Team meeting on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Methodist Building in Raleigh. Emphasis will be a sharing what ministries local churches have in the area of young adult ministries and how this information and other ideas can be shared across the Conference. Persons planning to attend are asked to email senicholson@nccumc.org with name and church.
Sexual Ethics poster available on online
All churches are asked to download the Sexual Ethics Helpline poster at Sexual Ethics poster and post it in a prominent location in the church facility. All persons, clergy and laity should have access to this information. If you have questions, call the Office of Ministerial Relations at 1-800-849-4433, ext.244.
Sudan Emergency – UMCOR Continues to Respond
UMCOR continues to work in Sudan, named as the worse humanitarian disaster of the 21st century. Over 400,000 people are estimated to have been killed in fighting and over two million people are displaced. UMCOR works in Darfur and other areas bringing agriculture extension, emergency supply distribution, and small-scale livelihoods. UMCOR also works with a coalition of other humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to Sudanese refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. Please consider a gift to this important ministry which can be given through the local church Sunday offering by denoting on the gift: Sudan Emergency Advance # 184385. For more information and online giving, go to Sudan Emergency.
Convocation and Pastors’ School at Duke Divinity School
This year’s Convocation and Pastors’ School event, Oct. 5-7, is titled “The Next Generation: Engaging the Christian Faith in a Global Context.” Christian ministry in the United States faces challenges that extend far beyond the current economic crisis. To serve the church in this time of change, ministry must claim and re-claim the transformative power of the Gospel, especially through the direction of the Holy Spirit. In this endeavor, everyone has much to learn from young people as well as from developments in the global church. Learn more about this event, which is generously supported by The Duke Endowment, and register at Duke Convocation.
Programs available through the Office of Missions & Justice Ministries
All programs utilize adult popular education teaching methodology, i.e., high engagement and very interactive.
* Globalization – It’s Impact on God’s World & How You can Make a Difference – 2 to 6 hour in-depth study, scripturally-based with high interaction & multi-media.
* Street Smarts – the Road to Risk Taking Ministry – discerning and empowering congregations for local mission.
* Thy Kingdom Come – Moving from Charity to Justice, living as disciples to transform the world.
* Your Connected Ministry – Ministries you are doing as connected churches in the NC Conference (overview of mission opportunities.)
* Proclaiming Peace in a Time of Perpetual War – 2 to 4 hour workshop, scripturally-based with high interaction and multi-media
* La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop in Chile and Rev. Shana Harrison, Missionary – A Portrait of Hope
* Liberia – Land of Spirit, Land of Hope, Connecting with the Least.
* Risk Taking Ministry and Radical Hospitality – A Journey of Spirit and Justice – 8 to 10 weekly sessions, journeying in the life of Jesus, considering how we make that same journey today. Using the dynamic biblical animation (created by theologian, Ched Myers) – reading scripture in today’s context.
Other mission presentations, support, training, and sermons are available for local churches from the Office of Missions. For further information e-mail Kathy Reavis: kreavis@nccumc.org or Steve Taylor: staylor@nccumc.org or call them at 1-800-849-4433.
Gary Locklear – Church and Community Worker in the NC Conference
Gary Locklear is a General Board of Global Ministry Missioner from the NC Conference who is serving in this conference. Gary is serving in the second most diverse rural county in the U.S. and the third most impoverished of its size – Robeson County, home of the Lumbee, the largest Native-American community east of the Mississippi River. Please consider a establishing a covenant relationship with Gary by going to Covenant Relationships. Support can also be designated through Advance Giving by making a check payable to the local church with the designation to support Advance # 982955 Gary Locklear. One hundred percent of gifts will go toward Gary’s support. Gary’s bio and information on making credit card donations at can be located at: Missionary Bio.
E-mail Listservs
E-mail listservs have been set up for persons involved in children, youth and safe sanctuaries ministries. To receive information and resources for these areas of ministry by email, individuals can register their email address as follows:
Children’s ministry: http://listserv.nccumc.org/mailman/listinfo/childmincoordinators
Youth Ministry: http://listserv.nccumc.org/mailman/listinfo/youthcoordinators
Safe Sanctuaries: http://listserv.nccumc.org/mailman/listinfo/safesanctuaries
Please note, Conference Director of Children, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Sue Ellen Nicholson recently lost her e-mail address book in a transfer to a new computer so these listservs are the only way leaders [lay and clergy] in local churches can or will receive information related to these areas of ministry.
REMINDERS:
—Deadline for registering for the Financial/Retirement Seminar is Oct. 8. The event will take place Oct. 22 at Garner UMC. A brochure is available at Pensions Page.
—Information and dates for the Jesus on Facebook workshops can be found at https://nccumc.org/children/.