11/06/06

Christian Educators Fellowship meeting
The NC Conference Chapter of Christian Educators Fellowship will meet on Thursday, November 9, at 12:30pm at the Methodist Building in Raleigh.  Members who attended the National CEF Conference in early October will share from their experience and what was learned.  Anyone involved in Christian formation, age level and program ministries of a local church will benefit from the fellowship and networking of CEF.  Check out the website at www.nccumc.org/nccefnew/default.htm . 

The Lighting of Wesleyan
North Carolina Wesleyan College will hold "The Lighting of Wesleyan" on November 14 at 5:15 p.m.
Join the North Carolina Wesleyan family for a lighted stroll around campus featuring a live nativity scene, a free wagon ride, Christmas carols, cookies, hot cider, and the lighting of the Wesleyan Christmas Tree. Sponsored by NCWC President Ian Newbould and Mrs. Carla Newbould, Refuge Ministries, Wesleyan Singers, Wesleyan Players, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts.

Interim Eucharistic sharing
Following the Guidelines for the Implementation of Interim Eucharistic Sharing between The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church, there will be a con-celebration of the Eucharist at 2 pm, November 27, at Bethany United Methodist Church in Durham.
The gathering will include a discussion of the guidelines and how they might be employed locally. Participants will also look at a study guide for Episcopal-United Methodist relations and identify local churches that will undertake such inter-denominational study.
Materials and updates from the national dialogue will be shared. The estimated time of adjournment is 4pm. Bethany United Methodist Church is located at 2809 Guess Road in DurhamThe phone number is 919-477-6659. All interested persons are invited.

Treasurer/Finance Training on December 2
Seats are still available for the Local Church Treasurer/Finance Training to 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 grant applications
Grant applications for Youth Service Fund grants are due December 15.  Youth Service Fund grants (of up to $1500) are awarded to ministries and programs that benefit young people.  The Youth Service Fund Task Force and the Conference Council on Youth Ministries award these grants in early 2007.   Grant applications for typical local church youth ministry programs and activities (such as mission trips or service projects) will not be considered and need not apply.  The grant application is available from the Office of Youth Ministries as well as for download at the YSF page on the conference youth ministry website:  www.nccumc.org/youthministry .

Save the dates April 27-28
Friday evening, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 there will be a Conference-wide resource event for adults involved in all aspects of children's ministries:  For Such a Time as This .  The event will be held at Centenary UMC in New Bern.  Brochures with registration and other information will be available in early 2007.  The conference children's ministry website will also be updated as information is available:  www.nccumc.org/childrnmin/children05.htm .

IRS increases 2007 mileage rate
Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, the standard mileage rates approved by the IRS for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes will be:
* 48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;
* 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and
* 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization.
The new rate for business miles compares to a rate of 44.5 cents per mile for 2006.  The new rate for medical and moving purposes compares to 18 cents in 2006. The primary reasons for the higher rates were higher prices for vehicles and fuel during the year ending in October.

Mission and Service Commitments/Rainbow Covenants available
Need a copy of the 2007 Mission and Service Commitment brochure which contains the Rainbow Covenant information? Most district offices have copies.  Additional copies are available from the Communications Office, 1-800-849-4433 or e-mail lbthornton@nccumc.org or bnorton@nccumc.org .  Clergy received a copy in the September issue of the NC Conference Christian Advocate.  A copy can also be downloaded from http://www.nccumc.org/publications.htm .