General Conference begins next week
General Conference will meet in Fort Worth , TX from April 23-May 2.
Churches are asked to be in prayer for the delegates as they come together for worship, discussion, and decision-making which will affect the future of The United Methodist Church. A page of links to prayer booklets and other prayer resources is available at Prayer for General Conference .
Follow the events at General Conference, track the petitions, view live video streaming of many plenary sessions: 2008 General Conference . Daily updates and responses from conference delegates will be available: NCCUMC.ORG .
ITEMS FROM THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE
Rally Day
Conference Youth Rally Day will be Sunday, April 27 , 3-6 p.m. at NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount. After a time of recreational activities and a prayer labyrinth, worship will be led by the ECU Wesley Singers and Praise team and campus minister Scott Wilkinson from the Wesley Foundation of Greenville. There is no cost to Rally Day and no pre-registration is required. Snacks will be available for purchase and an offering for Youth Service Fund will be taken. Rally Day takes place on the south lawn of the campus. In the event of inclement weather we will be in the campus gym. More information is available at www.nccumc.org/youthministry .
Summer Event registration deadlines
A waiting list has begun for Breakaway after nearly 400 registrations were received. Any further registrations received will be added to the waitlist. Every available space will be filled right up to the Friday before that week. Confirmations and waitlist letters will begin going out in mid-May.
Space is still available in the Trail Hike and ACS. The Trail Hike deadline is June 6 and the ACS deadline is July 1. Early registration is advised due to limited spaces at both events. Confirmation letters for ACS will start going out in late May. The Trail Hike will be July 12-19 and ACS is July 21-26. The 2008 Youth Events brochure contains the registration form for these events. That brochure is available for download at: www.nccumc.org/youthministry - on the “Events” page.
Award of Excellence in Youth Ministry
Each year at Pilgrimage, the Award of Excellence in Youth Ministry is presented. Applications for this award are due Aug. 31 . The application form is available at the website: www.nccumc.org/youthministry .
Pilgrimage
There are several ways local church youth groups can be involved in leadership of Pilgrimage beyond attendance at the event. Here are some of those ways:
? Youth interested in being considered for the house band must submit the application by Aug. 31 and must attend an audition date yet to be determined in Sept./Oct. The application is available by contacting senicholson@nccumc.org .
? Youth groups offering an act of worship such as drama, music (other than praise team), dance, etc. must contact senicholson@nccumc.org with details of what would be offered by Aug. 31. The planning team will select those youth groups to share on stage at their mid-September meeting. The policy is to give first opportunity to groups not having been on stage before taking into account the act of worship offered as well as the date in which the group signed up.
? Youth groups may submit a video from their group that interprets the Pilgrimage theme (Pass It On) in 3-5 minutes by Aug. 31.
? Youth groups may provide stage visuals in consultation with Sue Ellen Nicholson and in keeping with the theme for Pilgrimage. This will also need to be arranged by Aug. 31. Groups not prepared for the entire stage visuals project but willing to paint one of the large backdrops for the Pilgrimage stage visuals should let Sue Ellen know. Pilgrimage brochures have been mailed for the first mailing and will be mailed again in Aug.
ITEMS FROM MISSIONS AND SOCIAL CONCERNS
Key Taylor Award nominations
Rural church nominations for consideration of the Key Taylor Award are needed by May 9. For 2008, $1,541.84 will be awarded. The award purpose is to call attention to the mission work of all rural churches by honoring the specific achievements of one rural church. To nominate a church, respond in narrative form on one page to the criteria below by May 9 to Becky Biegger ( beckybiegger@nccumc.org ) at the Office of Missions. Include the names of the church and district.
The church is in a community of less than 1,500 people.
The church has 250 members or less.
The church is significantly involved in community mission.
The church shows faithfulness in its stewardship of the mission and service commitments (apportionments) and supports Advance Specials.
The church displays commitment towards growth in ministry and perseverance toward accomplishing their vision of ministry.
Statewide conference on immigration and people of faith
The 2008 Critical Issues Seminar, “From Hostility to Hospitality: Immigration and People of Faith,” will be held May 13 at Greensboro College. For details, registration, and costs for the event sponsored by the NC Council of Churches, click on http://www.nccouncilofchurches.org/ .
Mission Trip to Russia
A mission trip to Oryol, Russia (approximately 250 miles south of Moscow) is tentatively planned for July 17 – Aug. 1. For more information, please contact Donna Fowler-Marchant at (910) 488-8789 or Scott Marchant at (910) 489-9749 or e-mail them at revdlf@aol.com for details. Scott's blog has pictures and an idea of day to day activities. Click here: Russian Missions in Orphanages . An informational/orientation meeting will be held Sunday, April 20 at Cotton UMC, Hope Mills, NC at 3 p.m.
