Conference e-mail applications
Local church pastors, deacons, and diaconals will receive notification about new e-mail accounts and ID and Password. This should take place in a week or two. If an account has been in use then the ID and Password will remain the same. E-mail account requests received by Annual Conference will be assigned as requested. Anyone not requesting an account will have one assigned to them. Passwords can be changed as often as needed. Notification of accounts being active will be by USPS. Information on how to forward or use the account will be in the notification.
Pastor, go on-line.
In not done already, pastors, deacons and diaconals should go on-line and update your data for the 2006-2007 Appointment year. The Conference Secretary's Office is beginning to work on the 2006-2007 Conference Directory and needs your assistance in making sure your information is correct for the Directory.
On-line forms unavailable July 1-15
The charge conference forms will be unavailable on the On-line Data Collection System from July 1-15. This is to allow for changes for the 2006 charge conference season. Directory updates, related forms, statements and downloads will all continue to be available. Appointment lists will be updated during this time. E-mail helpdesk@nccumc.org if changes are needed after July 15.
Missionary Covenant Relationship
You can experience the ministry of presence through face-to-face encounters with mission personnel during their scheduled periods of itineration. You will learn how you are part of their ministry, making it possible to share the love of Christ in some of the world's most demanding and difficult circumstances. To covenant with a missionary or learn more, please see: http://gbgm-umc.org/who_we_are/mp/covenant.cfm#acceptform
Message from Mississippi
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward speaks of the Katrina recovery and the long-term needs. Sitting outside the shell of a church building, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward acknowledges the grief that Mississippians feel in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but today she is all about resolve. "The United Methodist Church is committed to this recovery," Ward says. "That commitment is long term."
For the entire article, please see: http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1651779/k.E0DA/We_will_not_shrink_from_this_challenge_bishop_vows.htm
The Katrina Church Recovery Appeal #818-001
Katrina is not over. Please join the efforts to restore our congregations, parsonages and mission facilities. Money is needed to pay salaries of clergy, church staff and mission personnel on the Gulf Coast and to care for the many churches, retreat centers, urban ministries, retirement homes and mission centers severely damaged or destroyed. You can support this critical need by giving to Advance - Bishop's Appeal #818-001. Simply note the Advance number on your check or giving envelope and place your gift in your local church offering plate. You can also give on-line at: Bishop's Appeal.
Reverse-Mission Team to La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop in Santiago, Chile
Set your dates for this amazing journey. We will have 10 slots available for a "journey inward - journey outward" with our missionary, Rev. Shana Harrison. Each day will begin with communion and centering prayer. We will then spend the morning hours being with the participants of the workshop. The afternoons will be filled with bible study, biblical animation, and visits to historical and contemporary sites where we might engage in considerations of justice. During the evening we will reflect on our lives in Christ as incarnational dwelling. Dates are April 20 - May 2, 2007. Estimated cost will be $1250 for airfare and $500 for in-country expenses (may be some slight changes.) This will be a life-altering experience. For more information, contact Becky Biegger in the Office of Missions, 800-849-4433 ext 256 or beckybiegger@nccumc.org
Gary Locklear - Church and Community Worker in the NC Conference
Did you know that Gary Locklear is a General Board of Global Ministry Missioner from our Conference who is serving right here in our Conference! Gary is serving some of our poorest neighbors in the area in and around Robeson County, NC. Like all our missionaries, Gary is an extension of our hands and our hearts, sharing God's love and proclaiming Christ. You can support Gary through your Advance Giving by simply making an offering through your church (check made out to your church) with the designation to support Advance # 982955 Gary Locklear . One hundred percent of your gift will go toward Gary's support. For more information also see our missionaries: http://nccmission.org/our_missionaries.htm
You can find Gary's bio at: http://gbgm-umc.org/who_we_are/mp/bionewmw.cfm?id=963&CFID=2033703&CFTOKEN=29098919
LATINO 101: A " Bridge Building " Workshop, For North Carolina Congregations Interested In Ministry With Latino Neighbors.
Who are Latinos? Why do they come here? How can churches help minister to the needs of these new neighbors? What ecumenical and denominational resources are available? What is being done in my community? What are some models for effective ministry, partnership and outreach? June 24, 10:00-3:00 p.m. at Avent Ferry United Methodist Church, 2700 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh 27606. Registration fee of $20 covers a catered lunch and all materials. Register online at www.nccouncilofchurches.org or e-mail Denise Long at dlong@nccouncilofchurches.org
Please don't forget - we have hungry neighbors here in North Carolina.
Worship Jesus by feeding your hungry neighbor with Society of St. Andrew. You, your family, or church, with members aged 3 to 93, can get involved with a great hands-on ministry opportunity accomplished in a field in NC. The Society of St. Andrew can make this mission a reality and help feed our neighbors who are the most vulnerable. Please contact Society of St. Andrew at: sosanc@endhunger.org or call (866) 453-2662. See: http://www.endhunger.org/north_carolina.htm . Please give to NC Advance, (#S-00081) and see the Rainbow Covenant for more information: http://nccmission.org/nc_conference.htm#HUNGER_HUMANITARIAN_RELIEF/MEDICAL
Care for ex-combatant children in Liberia
Frido Kinkolenge is a NC supported missioner who is working with ex-combatant children. These violated children, some as young as ten, were forced to fight and kill during the civil war in Liberia. Frido's work on their (and our) behalf, his sharing of Christ, is transforming their reality and giving them hope. You can be a partner in this ministry simply by making an Advance Gift to: NC Conference UMC - Liberia - Bright Future Children's Ministry. You can place your gift in your offering plate or send it through the Conference treasurer. To mail: NC Conference/Raleigh Area, The United Methodist Church, PO Box 60053, Charlotte, NC 28260-0053. Mark on envelope and check: Attn: Liberia: Bright Future Children's Ministry. One hundred percent of the gift will go to the Advance. Be sure to place your church and district name on the check and your church will receive Advance credit.
