042406

EIN needed for churches to be listed as tax-exempt
The General Council on Finance and Administration is working with the Internal Revenue Service to list all churches individually on the list of approved charitable organizations on the IRS website. This will allow donors and government agencies to find your church when searching for tax-exempt, charitable organizations. In order to list your church, you must provide your Federal employer identification number (EIN) on the On-line Data Collection System so it can be provided to GCFA. Your EIN is the number used to submit your payroll reports. It begins with 56 and is followed by seven numbers. All pastors are requested to log onto the On-line Data Collection System, choose Employer Identification Number on the Main Menu and enter the number used by your church. If you have any questions, please e-mail helpdesk@nccumc.org. If you need to apply for a Federal EIN, information is available on the IRS website. Pastors should complete the information on-line by Tuesday, May 9. The information is needed for statistical data going to GCFA.

“Scam Jam” to be held in 20 areas
Attorney General Roy Cooper is planning a “Scam Jam” in 20 areas around the state. Senior citizens and consumers of all ages are invited to attend and learn to protect themselves from investment scams, charity fraud, estate planning schemes, and identity theft. These events are free. Consumers are encouraged to call 1-877-926-8300 to reserve their seat and free boxed lunch. The Scam Jam is sponsored by the office of Attorney General Roy Cooper, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Area Agency on Aging, AARP, and the Better Business Bureau. For list of locations and dates: http://www.nccumc.org/docs/news/aarpscamjams.htm

Observe Native American Sunday, April 30, with special offering
Native American Ministries Sunday is April 30. It is designed to recognize the contributions of Native Americans. Native American Ministries Sunday is one of six special Sundays designated by the General Conference. The six offerings are used for specific, approved programs or benevolent causes. A special offering on this day helps fund Native American ministries, the Urban Initiative, and seminary scholarships. Background information and worship resources: http://umcgiving.org/content/sundays/NAMS_nav/native.asp. Music resources: http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=2584

“Connections through the Ages” Older Adult Event Opportunity
April 20th was the early registration deadline for the Older Adult Day-A-Part Days May 23rd or May 25th. Some space is still available. West Market Street UMC in Greensboro and the committees for Older Adult Ministries in Western Conference and the NC Conference are working to provide a great day for fellowship, inspiration, music and lunch. There will be a drop off area for buses and passengers and plenty of free and close parking. Send someone or a whole group to represent your church. A brochure is available online. http://www.nccumc.org/OlderAdultMinistries/dayaprtmay06.pdf Richard Genztler and F. Belton Joyner, Jr. will be our speakers. Please direct any questions to: Laura Bailey llbailey@nccumc.org or 800-849-4433 ext264

Bishop Gwinn will give Methodist baccalaureate sermon
Bishop Alfred W. Gwinn, Jr. will give the baccalaureate sermon when Methodist College celebrates its 43rd Annual Spring Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. in the March F. Riddle Center. The day’s events will begin with a baccalaureate service at 10 a.m. in Reeves Auditorium.

AC items and other information from the Conference Secretary
Please check the website periodically to see the Revised Agenda for Annual Conference in June. Please go on-line and register. If you are planning to stay at ECU please send your purple housing form in to the Conference Secretary’s Office by May 15, 2006. The Book of Reports will be going out in the very near future. If a Lay Member gets a Book of Reports and he/she will no longer be going to Annual Conference please let them to know to give the book to the new Lay Member that will be planning to attend Annual Conference.

“Faithful Leadership: Transforming Ministry, Health and Community” at Duke
Duke Theology and Medicine and Carolinas’ HMA are hosting the National Health Ministries Association Annual Conference, Faithful Leadership: Transforming Ministry, Health, and Community, in Durham June 22-25 at the Washington Duke Inn on the campus of Duke University. Keynote speakers are Rabbi Richard Address and Dr. George Gopen. Duke Theology and Medicine is hosting the preconfernce entitled Formation, Flourishing and Friendship with God. An array of Duke University faculty will be speaking, including Keith Meador, Stanley Hauerwas, Allen Verhey, Ellen Davis, Harold Koenig, and Dean Greg Jones. Bishop Will Willimon will give our evening key note address. Visit the Duke Theology and Medicine website: www.theomed.divinity.duke.edu for conference and preconference content and registration information.

Do you have changes for the On-Line Data Collection System?
Revisions to the On-line Data Collection System are being planned for the 2006 charge conference season. If you have suggestions for improvement, please log onto the On-Line Data Collection System, choose Related Forms on the Main Menu and then choose User Comments. Your comments and suggestions will be compiled for review as revisions are considered.