02/14/06

Annual Conference reports due March 3
Circles, commissions or agencies with reports for the 2006 Program, Recommendations and Reports should have the information to the Conference Secretary’s Office no later than March 3. Reports can be emailed to: smedlin@nccumc.org

Free worship resources for first Sunday of Lent
Click on the link below for free worship resources for March 5th, the First Sunday of Lent, on the topic of the care of God’s creation. The focus text is Genesis 9:8-17. These resources are from Acts of Faith: Resources for Prophetic Worship, a lectionary-based worship aid produced by the North Carolina Council of Churches and speaking to justice issues in our state. Resources for select Sundays during the first five months of 2006 are now available online as a free pdf download or can be purchased in print for a cost of $10. For ordering information, see the Council website: www.nccouncilofchurches.org. Click the following for worship resources:
fhttp://www.nccouncilofchurches.org/resources/downloads/Environ.pdf

Peru work team needs members, pediatrician or internist
We have a great need of a pediatrician, internist, and other work team members for a medical/construction work team to Peru on March 9 - 20. The team will be working on a sanctuary at Jose Olaya, a shanty town about 45 minutes outside of Lima. We will also run a three-day medical clinic for women and children. Cost including building supplies and air fare is $1200. If you are interested, please contact Sherry Driscoll at 910-528-6758 or sherrydriscoll@earthlink.net .

One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is scheduled for March 26, the 4th Sunday in Lent. This is the one time each year set aside to raise operational funding for our United Methodist relief activities. UMCOR receives no World Service funds or any other apportionments. United Methodists’ gifts to this special offering not only keep UMCOR’s lights on and UMCOR’s delivery system in place at home and around the world, feeding the hungry, caring for the refugee, acting out the love of Jesus in the midst of death — they also enable us to respond immediately to disasters, like the recent tsunami. You are UMCOR. Please provide an opportunity for your congregation to take part in this critical offering. Without you, there is no UMCOR. For sermon illustrations, children’s sermons, stories, and other OGHS information, please see: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/oghs.stm and http://nccmission.org/one_great_hour.htm . Please order your offering envelopes now!

The NC Hunger Summit - Cultivating Change & Growing a Solution
This important summit is being held April 6-7, 2006 at First Baptist Church of Raleigh. We will address practical ways to fight against hunger in workshops, discussions, networking opportunities and a message from keynote speaker Max Finberg, founder of The Alliance to End Hunger. The Summit provides an opportunity to learn, share and exchange information among people involved in, and committed to, fighting hunger in our state: non-profit directors and staff, farmers, grocers, church leaders, hunger program coordinators, business leaders, foundation representatives, school food workers, dieticians and volunteers. No matter if you are new to the fight or a seasoned professional; you will find something useful at this summit. For information please see: http://www.ncagr.com/paffairs/summit/2006NCHSSavetheDatePostcard.PDF

Duke Laity Weekend to Feature Richard Hays
Duke Laity Weekend will be held April 28-29. Dr. Richard Hays will deliver the keynote lecture “Reading the Old Testament through the Eyes of the Gospel Writers” during the weekend. Please join us and encourage your congregations to attend! For full information and online registration, visit www.divinity.duke.edu/laityweekend

Restroom Accessibility Grants are available
Due to a generous grant by the Duke Endowment, restroom accessibility grant requests for rural churches are now being accepted. Grant applications must be received by April 30. Applications and guidelines are available online at: http://nccmission.org/restroom_grant.htm

Survey seeks input on music and worship needs in the church
At the 2004 General Conference a joint research study on music and worship needs in the church was requested, to be conducted by the General Board of Discipleship and the United Methodist Publishing House. Input from across the country from people with knowledge and interest in the music and worship life of United Methodists is needed. At the link below is a questionnaire that covers a wide variety of music- and worship-related issues. Take a few minutes to complete the survey: http://spss.cokesburyresearch.com/ResearchConsultants/index.htm

Office of Missions offers free Lenten Prayer Calendar
This devotion guide invites you into a guided journey with those whom Jesus calls the “least of these.” This free resource will deepen your walk with Jesus during this season of Lent as you make offering to God by feeding those who are hungry. Download the devotions at: http://nccmission.org/lentenprayer.htm . Additionally, please see the Journey of Passion, our walk with Jesus through the week of passion and through his incarnation into the world. http://nccmission.org/wayofpassion.htm

Chile Ministry Support Team being formed
Shana Harrison, an elder from the NC Conference, is our missionary serving at the La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop in Chile. We would like to form a mission team around her and her ministry, seeking to engage, promote, and uplift her good work. If you would like to serve with this group, please call the Office of Mission at 800-849-4433 ext 256 or 257, or email beckybiegger@nccumc.org or staylor@nccumc.org