10/23/06

Pilgrimage registration deadline
Registrations for Pilgrimage must be postmarked by Monday, October 23, in order not to incur a $25 late fee.  Groups need only register with an approximate number - the actual number attending may be adjusted up or down upon check-in at Pilgrimage on November 10.  The Pilgrimage registration brochure is available for download on the "Events" page at www.nccumc.org/youthministry.  Registrations will still be accepted after October 23 - there will be a $25 late fee added to the amount due. A video about Pilgrimage may be found at http://goldentwig.blip.tv .  This video will eventually be available on DVD for loan to local churches needed a promotional or interpretive piece for Pilgrimage.  Please share this link with youth and youth leaders in your church to encourage their participation in Pilgrimage.

Church and Community Grant Request are due October 31
Church and Community Grant requests are due to the Office of Missions no later than October 31 to be considered Year 2007.  Fax copies are acceptable if followed with a hard copy.  If grants are approved, funds will normally be distributed by the end March 2007.  You can download the process and the appropriate request and reporting forms at:  http://nccmission.org/church_and_community_grant.htm

Safe Sanctuaries Grant
The Duke Endowment has grant money available to assist rural churches with up-fit costs associated with their implementation of the Safe Sanctuaries program.
Qualifying rural churches should complete the related application.  Application for Safe Sanctuary grants are due to The Duke Endowment November 1.  While money is available, grants will be made on a competitive basis. http://www.dukeendowment.org/downloads/SafeSanctuariesNCC2006(new).doc

Mental health conference on November 7
The Conference Committee on Disability Concerns is sponsoring a Mental Health Conference for Clergy and Laity on Nov. 7 from 10 am-3 pm at St. Mark's UMC in Raleigh. Registration is $5.00 which includes lunch. To find out more about more about the conference and registration: www.nccmentalhealth.org .

Treasurer/Finance Training on December 2
Local Church Treasurer/Finance Training will be held on Saturday, December 2, at the United Methodist Building in Raleigh from 10 am - 2 pm.  Some of the topics to be covered include apportionments, W-2 preparation, sales tax filing and reimbursements, employee vs. contractor status, etc.  A $5 registration fee will be collected to help offset the cost of lunch.  Space is limited so email phyllis.patterson@nccumc.org or call 800-849-4433 to reserve a seat.  Everyone is invited and local church treasurers, finance committee members and pastors are encouraged to attend.

Youth Service Fund
Applications for Youth Service Fund grants are due December 15.  Grants will be awarded to programs, agencies and ministries that benefit young people and that are NOT part of a typical youth ministry program or activity (such as a mission trip or service project).  The grant applications are available by contacting the Office of Youth Ministries at the Methodist Building or online at the "YSF" page at  www.nccumc.org/youthministry .

For Such a Time as This
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 27 to Saturday, April 28, 2007 - the Conference Children's Ministry Team will be offering a resource event/workshop for adults in leadership of all forms/aspects of children's ministry in local churches.  The event will be held at Centenary UMC in New Bern.  Key children's ministry leaders in the UMC such as Jim Ritchie (author of Always in Rehearsal and trainer for UM curriculum for children on human sexuality) and Delia Halverson (noted author of many books on Christian education and formation) will be part of the leadership for the event.  Brochures and registration information will be available in late January, 2007.