Power of prayer is emphasis of new national television advertisement
A brand new television campaign, part of the denomination’s Igniting Ministry emphasis, encourages people to “believe again” in the power of prayer. The advertisement begins on March 29 and continues through April 15. “The commercial seeks to inspire us to claim the hope that prayer offers and to embrace prayer as a source of strength, guidance and comfort. Its message reminds us to ‘believe again,’ and to know that God cares about the desires of our hearts,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “Likewise, we want people to know that United Methodist churches are places where people deeply care about and support one another. We invite anyone who wants to regain a sense of hope to visit one of our churches.” The commercial will air on 18 cable networks, including A & E, ABC Family, Animal Planet, BET, CNN, Discovery, Fox News, Hallmark, CNN Headline News, HGTV, the History Channel, Lifetime Movie, TBS, TNT, TV One, USA, WGN, and the Weather Channel. It is expected to reach more than 65 million viewers.
“Diversity Rocks!” will be held April 1
The Conference Multicultural Ministry Team is sponsoring a day-long event, “Diversity Rocks!” on April 1 at Methodist College in Fayetteville. The event will highlight, celebrate, and share the diversity of talents and cultures within our annual conference. There will be worship with communion and then music, dance, arts & crafts, clown ministry, games, mini-workshops, and food in a street fair atmosphere. There is no cost to register but the vendors need to have an estimate of the number of participants. A color promotional flyer with registration form can be found at http://www.nccumc.org/docs/events/diversity.pdf . You may register as an individual or as a group.
Workshop will help create meaningful worship
On Saturday, April 1, Marcia McFee, an outstanding worship leader and author of The Worship Workshop, will lead Worship Workshop Live! Co-sponsored by the Commission on Congregational Development and the Commission on Worship, the workshop is for pastors, worship leaders, musicians, and anyone interested in creating meaningful worship. For more information, go to http://www.nccumc.org/congregational-development/wkshpnew.htm. The workshop will be held at St. James UMC, Greenville.
NCC Historical Society meets on April 1
The spring meeting of the NC Conference Historical Society will be Saturday, April 1, Benson United Methodist Church. It will be from 10:30AM-Noon. With a reservation, lunch will be served at the church. Everyone interested in conference history is welcome. The Conference Commission on Archives and History will meet after lunch 1 pm until 3 pm. If you need more information or directions to the church or want to reserve a place for lunch contact: Rev. Arthur Warren, 910-894-3028 awarren@nccumc.org or Laura Bailey 800-849-4433 ext 264 llbailey@nccumc.org by this Wednesday.
Tri-District events address changes in clergy pension plans
The Conference Board of Pension will be holding Tri-District education events regarding the changes, effective January 1, 2007, in the clergy pension plans. Issues to be addressed/discussed at these events include: 1) Specific details regarding the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP), 2) The transition from the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) to CRSP, 3) Changes in the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP), 4) Financing these plans, 5) Changes to the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP), 6) and Policies going to Annual Conference June 2006 to enact these changes. Local church leaders, including Staff Parish Relations members, financial officers, Annual Conference members and attendees are encouraged to attend one of the four planned events: April 2, 3:00 PM, SA/RO/FA Dists, St. Luke UMC (Sanford); April 2, 4:00 PM, EC/GR/RM Dists, Edenton UMC; April 23, 3:00 PM, BU/DU/RA Dists, Trinity UMC (Downtown Durham); and April 30, 4:00 PM, WI/GO/NB Dists, New Bern-Centenary UMC. For more information, contact your district office or the Conference Treasurer’s office (1-800-849-4433).
Alpha Conference
An Alpha Conference is coming to Edenton Street UMC April 20-21. Alpha is a tool for evangelism that helps people enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and or increases their zeal to serve God in the local congregation. The Alpha Course is endorsed by many noteworthy church leaders in the world including Bishop Gwinn. Representatives will be at the conference to discuss Alpha in prisons, Alpha on the College Campus, and Alpha for the military. For more information visit www.trianglealpha.org or to register call AlphaUSA at 1-866-872-5742.
Gathering of Elders on April 24
The second annual Gathering of the Order of Elders will be held on Monday, April 24, at Nashville UMC. The day will begin with refreshments and fellowship time, 9-10 am. Margaret Therkelson, a gifted speaker and author on the topic of prayer, will make two presentations on “Spiritual Formation and Leadership.” The first of those presentations will come before lunch, and the second will follow the time of sharing food and fellowship, with a boxed lunch provided. Bishop Gwinn will also be with us, and he and Margaret will answer questions following her second presentation. Our time together will conclude with a worship service including Holy Communion. Questions or comments can be directed to Mack McMillan, Chair of the Order of Elders at saintlukepastor@bellsouth.net
MERCI to hold day of activities, training, demonstrations on May 6
On May 6, MERCI will have a special May Day of activities and trainings and demonstrations. The new kitchen trailer is expected to be present. Lunch will be served. Activities start at 10 am and conclude at 2 pm at MERCI. Go to the MERCI website for more details: www.merciumc.orgwww.merciumc.org
National VOAD meeting in Raleigh May 9-12
All disaster related volunteers should note that the National VOAD conference is in Raleigh May 9-12. For more details: www.nvoad.org .
A Day Apart for the Young at Heart open to participants on May 23 or 24
The “Connections Through the Ages—A Day Apart for the Young at Heart” will be held for and with Older Adults on two days, either May 23 or May 25, at West Market Street UMC in Greensboro. A limited number of participants can participate each day. Please register early. The deadline is April 20. Brochures with registration forms have been mailed. The forms are also available online at http://www.nccumc.org/OlderAdultMinistries/wkshplists.htm . The speakers will be Dr. Richard Genztler and F. Belton Joyner, Jr. Morning worship and communion, with either NC Conference Bishop Alfred W. Gwinn, Jr. or Western NC Conference Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey, will begin each day. An offering will be taken for Katrina Relief in Mississippi. Questions, contact Laura Bailey at llbailey@nccumc.org or call her at 1-800-849-4433, ext264.
Grocery shopping can help MERCI
Shoppers at Food Lion Grocery Stores can help MERCI receive funds when they use their MVP card. To make this happen, go to the Food Lion website, www.foodlion.com, and register your card. Once on the site, look under “In the Community” and click on “Lion Shop & Share.” Then select “Register MVP Cards” and follow the directions.
Churches challenged to fill warehouse before storm season
MERCI is extending a challenge all churches and members to help fill the warehouse in anticipation of the coming storm season. MERCI has shipped thousands and thousands of clean up buckets and health kits, and other emergency supplies over the last three years. Rather than waiting for a call for materials, help MERCI respond immediately to a need. For a list of materials: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/kits/
Colleague Forum for Pastors
Colleague Forum for Pastors is now accepting applications for Colleague Forum #3. The Forum is a two-year experience of spiritual formation, focusing on worship, study, and spiritual community. Forum #3 runs July 2006 through May of 2008, meeting once a quarter — three days and nights at beautiful Avila Retreat Center in Durham, for a total of eight sessions. For applications, and/or information, contact Robin Harry (rharry@nccumc.org), 919-832-9560, or Jimmy Weaver (j234weaver@yahoo.com), 252-747-3723.
