Deadline for submitting reports for 2008 AC program book has been changed
The deadline for the 2008 Program Recommendations and Reports is noon on April 9. The Conference Secretary's office, however, strongly urges persons submitting reports to please make an effort to turn reports in before April 9 to allow time for compiling and editing the book. Submit your report electronically, if possible, to Shannon Medlin at smedlin@nccumc.org in either MS Word or WordPerfect format. Because of the tight deadline, there will not be time to make changes or corrections. Call Shannon Medlin at 1-800-849-4433, ext. 222 if you have questions. Observe Methodist Home for Children Sunday on February 17
MHC Sunday should be observed on Feb. 17 or another appropriate Sunday. Offerings taken during the observance will support the work of the Methodist Home for Children with youth, children, and families in their group homes, through their foster care and adoption services, family-based counseling services, and childcare services. Call Jennifer Cooper at 800-305-4321 ext. 305 or jcooper@mhfc.com to get materials or to reserve a speaker for the observance. Visit www.mhfc.org for additional information on the ministry of the Methodist Home for Children.
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is scheduled for March 2. This is the one time each year set aside to raise operational funding for United Methodist relief activities. UMCOR receives no World Service funds or any other apportionments. The special offering enables UMCOR to keep its promise that 100 percent of your designated gifts goes entirely to specific causes. One Great Hour of Sharing means UMCOR will provide hands-on care for persons caught in the effects of storms, war, disaster and disease. Often UMCOR is the first to arrive on the scene and the last to leave. UMCOR's ministry is all over God's wonderful world. We are UMCOR. Please provide an opportunity for congregations to take part in this critical offering. For sermon illustrations, children's sermons, stories, and other OGHS information, please see One Great Hour of Sharing
Have you been a “Primetimer?”
The Conference Older Adult Committee is looking for someone who has “first hand” knowledge of the program from GBOM known as Primetimers. This is an Educational and Mission Service Experience for Older Adults. The committee would like to include information and discussion about this program during a workshop at the Older Adult Ministries Event on May 14. If your church or an individual in your church could help, please contact Laura Bailey llbailey@nccumc.org or 800-849-4433 ext 264.
LEAP Conference coming to North Carolina
There will be a LEAP Conference at Christ United Methodist Church's Mt. View Campus in Hickory on Feb. 24-26. The theme for the conference is “The Power of Focus: Inward and Outward .” LEAP Conference 2008 offers practical advice for how to increase weekend attendance and reach more people for Christ. Many workshops will be offered on subjects as reaching 20-somethings, strengthening volunteer ministry, biblical stewardship, small group ministry, and youth ministry. Go to www.leapconference.com for a full list of workshop topics and to register.
ITEMS FROM THE CONFERENCE TREASURER'S OFFICE
Tables I, II and III due January 31
Statistical tables I, II, and III are due to be completed by Jan. 31. These forms are available on the On-line Data Collection System for data entry. Instructions and blank forms are available on the Downloads menu of the on-line system. If you have questions on completing the forms, please email the Conference Statistician at gspeake@nccumc.org .
Property and Casualty Insurance Workshop
The Conference Board of Trustees will sponsor a workshop on Sunday, Feb. 24, 3 p.m. at Centenary UMC in New Bern on local church property and casualty insurance. The workshop will cover topics such as property and casualty insurance in general as well as the special risk factors facing local churches. Intentional focus will be given to risk factors facing coastal congregations. All pastors, trustees chairpersons, and anyone interested in insurance issues and risks facing local congregations are encouraged to attend.
The meeting will be led by representatives from the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust (PACT). PACT is an all-lines (including Worker's Compensation) nonprofit insurance trust that is owned by its member United Methodist annual conferences, agencies and local churches. For more information on PACT or this workshop, please contact the Conference Treasurer's Office at (800) 849-4433.
Ministers' Transition Fund Reminder
Clergy participating in the Ministers' Transition Fund are reminded that contributions are due by Thursday, Jan. 31. Payments must be received in the Treasurer's Office or be postmarked by Jan. 31 in order to qualify. If you participate but are unsure of your payment amount, please email JoAnna Cafferty in the Treasurer's Office for more information. If you do not participate but would like to learn how to join, visit the Treasurer's Office website for more information.
Save the date for Spring Retirement Planning Seminar
The NC Conference Board of Pension will be hosting the annual Spring Retirement Planning Seminar on April 3-4 at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside Hotel. If you are considering retirement in the next six months to three years, this event will include vital information for you. Topics will include legal and financial planning, information regarding your pension and insurance benefits after retirement, and preparation for lifestyle and relationship changes. Watch for more event and registration information to follow in upcoming News Briefs articles.
Free financial planning services in 2008
This year, Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services are being offered to eligible participants at no cost. In the past, this service was $99.00 from Jan. 1 through March 31 and $149.00 after March 31. Another change to this service is that participants now have unlimited phone time. In the past, this program was sold in three-hour blocks. But all this year, participants can call Ernst & Young as often as they like and spend as much time on the phone as necessary.
Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services are available to: active participants, surviving spouses, and terminated and retired participants with an account balance of at least $10,000.00. Eligible participants can take advantage of this free service by calling Ernst & Young directly at 1-800-360-2539 between 9am and 8pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday, beginning Jan. 2.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES
Youth Lay Speaker Training
A lay speaker and church leadership training will be held for youth in grades 8-12 on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Building in Raleigh. Youth must submit an application by Feb. 1. The application is available at the Conference website: www.nccumc.org main page and on the youth ministry page at www.nccumc.org/youthministry . There is no cost to the training and lunch will be provided but applications must be received by Feb. 1. Linda Harris, Conference Director of Lay Speaking will be leading the training.
Confirmation Celebration
The Conference Confirmation Celebration will be Saturday, March 8 at Methodist University in Fayetteville from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Since the program will include lunch – groups planning to attend must pre-register by Feb. 25. The event will cost $7 per person (paid upon arrival at the Celebration). Participants are asked to bring items for UMCOR health kits as well. Full details and other information, including the registration form are available at Youth Ministry .
Vacation Bible School Preview
The Christian Education Showcase for Cokesbury, taking place Jan. 25 through Feb. 9, will include a VBS curriculum preview at the Raleigh Cokesbury store. There will be expanded displays of VBS curriculum as well as sample crafts. The store staff is familiar with the features of the VBS curriculum options and can help evaluate what resource will best meet the VBS needs of your church. For the Christian Education Showcase, free shipping is available for phone or online purchases. Further special values are included with Cokesbury store purchases as well. The Raleigh Cokesbury store is located on North Market Drive off Old Wake Forest Rd. More information about the Christian Education Showcase is available at www.cokesbury.com and Curric-U-Phone at 1-800-251-8591 .
MISSIONS AND SOCIAL CONCERNS
Nominations being received for the Crum Award for Prophetic Ministry
The Conference Commission on Church and Society is receiving nominations for the 2008 Jack and Kay Crum Award for Prophetic Ministry. Deadline for receiving this information is Feb. 18. To nominate a church, send a narrative description of the ministry to staylor@nccumc.org and to beckybiegger@nccumc.org . For information about this award, call Becky Biegger at 1-800-849-4433, ext. 256.
Church & Society – Social Concerns Listserv
A Church & Society/Social Concerns listserv is being created. Please send the name and e-mail address of your congregation's Church & Society coordinator. Anyone interested can participate on the list. Thus, multiple names are welcome from a single congregation. Please send the name and e-mail information to Becky Biegger at beckybiegger@nccumc.org with the e-mail subject line “Church & Society Listserv.”
President/CEO search for Hinton Rural Life Center
Hinton Rural Life Center, in Hayesville is an agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. It has a 50-year history of assisting small membership churches to become healthy and effective, to provide opportunities for missional involvement, and to be a place of hospitality, spiritual growth and renewal.
Candidates for the position of President/CEO should be United Methodist with a servant leadership style. They should bring skills in management, agency development and a vision for quality of life in rural and small membership church settings. Interested persons should send a resume to Dr. George Johnson, 165 Latoma Dr., Roxboro, NC 27574.
Just Peace - Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most
The 2008 Gathering in Nashville, TN, will be held on Feb.6. Registration is still open for this year's event Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most co-sponsored by JUSTPEACE, The General Board of Discipleship and The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. We will gather for one day – a day with colleagues of the Harvard Negotiation Project and one of the authors of the book by that title. REGISTER on line ($100 fee) or contact the JUSTPEACE office at 202-488-5647. For more information please see: Just Peace
Russian Initiative – Words from the 2007 Consultation
For news of the Russian Initiative and 2007 Consultation, please see – The Russian Initiative . On the site you will find the State of the Initiative address by Bishop Hans Vaxby. Also listed is the latest information on the Partner Church Program and the Funds Transmittal Guidelines.
Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HK on J) rally-march
Sponsored in part by the NC Council of Churches, the second annual HK on J is scheduled for Saturday, Feb.9, at Chavis Park, 505 Martin Luther King Blvd., Raleigh. Plan to arrive at 11 a.m. and the program will begin at 11:30 a.m., with a march to the State Legislative Building planned for 12:30 p.m. For more information visit www.hkonj.com . To see the Fourteen Point Agenda see: Agenda. To see how this rally connects with our UM Social Principles, see: Social Principles
UMCOR Response in Kenya … you can help!
UMCOR is helping the East Africa Conference in their efforts to provide food and shelter to Kenyans who have fled to Uganda. Food, water and other necessities are also being directed to the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Karen where many people are seeking refuge. Please pray and help by giving to Advance #982450, International Disaster Response. Gifts can placed in the Sunday offering with the following note: Advance #982450, International Disaster Response – Kenya.
Programs from the Office of Missions
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 – discerning and empowering congregations for local mission.
* Thy Kingdom Come – Moving from Charity to Justice, living in the Realm of God.
* Your Connected Ministry – 45 minutes – 1 ½ hours - Ministries you are doing as connected churches in the NC Conference (overview of mission opportunities.)
* Proclaiming Peace in a Time of Perpetual War – 2 – 4 hour workshop – scripturally based with high interaction and multi-media
* Liberia – 45 minutes - Land of Spirit, Land of Hope, Connecting with the Least.
* Missions – A Journey of Spirit and Justice – 6 to 8 weekly sessions, 1 ½ hours each, 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.
All of the above times are suggested and can be adjusted to some degree.
Other mission presentations, support, training, and sermons are available for local churches from the Office of Missions. For further information e-mail Becky Biegger - beckybiegger@nccumc.org or Steve Taylor - staylor@nccumc.org or call them at 1-800-849-4433.
