07/24/06
Bishop Gwinn calls for Budget Summit on August 16
Bishop Al Gwinn invites all conference boards and agencies hoping to receive funding through the 2009 Budget to send their executive committee to a "Budget Summit: Living into the Vision" to be held Wednesday, August 16, 10 a.m. until 12 noon at Garner UMC in Garner. Conference Connectional Ministries Executive Director Charles M. Smith and Conference Treasurer/Business Manager Sharon Strother will join Bishop Gwinn in leading a discussion of budget building to better match up vision and priorities with adequate funding. The summit will work from the Conference Vision and the Council of Bishops' Seven Pathways for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. The concept of zero-based budgeting and the timeline for the budgeting process will be discussed.
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. The Forum runs from July 2006 through May 2008, meeting once a quarter --- three days and nights at Avila Retreat Center in Durham -- for a total of eight sessions. Applications will now be taken through September 15. For applications, and/or information, contact Robin Harry ( rharry@nccumc.org ), 919-832-9560, or Jimmy Weaver ( j234weaver@yahoo.com ), 252-747-3723
Register for Financial and Retirement Planning Workshop
Now is the time to register for the 2006 Financial and Retirement Planning Workshop. This one workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, at Hayes Barton UMC in Raleigh. Included will be vital financial and retirement planning information for any pastor. If you will be considering retirement in the next 10-20 years, this event will include essential facts for you. Encourage your spouse to join us. If you are younger and/or new to the United Methodist ministry, this workshop will help you prepare with accurate, current, and practical information for that "distant" event. Space is limited. The registration deadline is August 9. Additional information and download of the brochure are available from the Conference Pension website , OR contact Sharon Saige in the Conference Treasurer's office (ext. 316) for more information.
Carolina Chrysalis registering students
Heart of Carolina Chrysalis is currently registering students for the Labor Day weekend flights. If you have youth who are interested in joining a flight, you may download an application at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/hocchrysalis/
Chrysalis Flights are three days of experiencing God's love in a fresh new way. They are open to high school students (ages 15-18) of any Christian denomination. For more information about Chrysalis go to http://www.upperroom.org/chrysalis/
CEF will meet at Junaluska in October
The Christian Educators Fellowship of the UMC, using the theme "Loving the Sojourner Through Teaching and Learning," will meet at Lake Junaluska October 5-9. The gathering meets every two years. Bible Study, worship time, workshops and networking will take place. Follow this link to the 2006 CEF Conference webpage http://cefumc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=6012 for all the details. Limited scholarships to help cover the cost of registration for the event will be available. Contact Laura Bailey for more information. llbailey@nccumc.org
Mental health conference in November, 2007
Save Tuesday, November 7, 2007, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for a Mental Health Conference at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Six Forks Road, Raleigh, featuring the Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder, a nationally recognized leader, speaker, and author in connecting congregations and mental health ministries. She is mental health coordinator for the California-Pacific Conference of the UMC.
Sponsored jointly by the Conference Committee on Disability Concerns, the National Alliance on Mental Illness-NC, and the NC Mental Health Association. Registration is $5 and includes a box lunch. More details and a registration blank will follow later this summer.
