12/27/06

When Pastors need to discuss end of life issues
Many pastors say their hardest pastoral conversations are discussing ethical issues around end of life care with parishioners, especially difficult because of the nature of the subject matter and because they do not feel equipped to advise what the best course of action might be in a given situation. On February 26-28, pastors will have the opportunity to learn more about end of life care and related ethical issues by attending "Through the Valley of the Shadow: Pastoral Ministry and End of Life Care," a learning experience led by Dr. Richard Payne, director of the Institute for Care at the End of the Life at Duke Divinity School, and Jeanne Twohig, the deputy director of the Institute. This event will be held at Springmaid Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach. Registration deadline is January 22, 2007. For more information, go to http://www.divinity.duke.edu/districtevents or call the Center for Continuing Education at 888.845.4216.

Charles Wesley Tercentennial Pilgrimage - July 31-August 10, 2007
Duke Divinity School and the General Board of Discipleship have partnered to offer a ten-day pilgrimage in England to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Charles Wesley's birth and immerse participants in the legacy of this important Methodist founder. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote (Visiting Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Wesleyan Studies at Duke Divinity School and President of The Charles Wesley Society), Dr. Steve Manskar (Director of Accountable Discipleship at GBOD), and Dr. Tim Macquiban (Principal of Sarum College in Salisbury, England) will provide leadership for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Registration information can be found at http://www.gbod.org/charleswesley300/reservation.asp .

Spend Easter at Lake Junaluska April 7-8
Gather with family and friends at Lake Junaluska to celebrate Easter with a powerful Sunday sunrise service and other special weekend activities, including a Saturday 5K Run/Walk. Special Package: 2 nights lodging, 1 dinner, 2 breakfasts and Easter Buffet. Cost is just $84 per person double occupancy. For more information, go to http://www.sejumc.org/lakej/packages.cfm?id=337 .
Make reservations by calling 1-800-222-4930.

Bishop Gwinn, other United Methodists to participate in Interfaith Breakfast
The 26th Annual Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast is scheduled for Monday, January 15, 2007 beginning at 8am, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel RTP, Raleigh, NC. Bishop Gwinn is on the agenda to introduce keynote speaker, the Reverend Dr. Stephen P. Bauman of Christ Church United Methodist in New York City. The Reconciliation Voices Mass Choir from Reconciliation UMC in Durham will offer musical selections. This breakfast is free and open to the public. For more information about the interfaith prayer breakfast, go to http://www.king-raleigh.org/events/agenda.cfm?program_id=1&event_id=217.

Space and scholarships available for Upper Room Spiritual Formation Academy
Upper Room Ministries is still accepting applications for the Academy for Spiritual Formation which begins January 23, 2007 in San Antonio, TX. Scholarships from the Upper Room are available to help with costs, but applicants will need to act quickly, since the first session is January 23, 2007. The Academy is a two-year journey into the heart, mind, soul and will of Christ. Participants gather for five days every three months over the next two years - a total of 40 days in retreat - at Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio. The retreat facility is handicap-accessible. For all of the dates and an application, visit http://www.upperroom.org/academy office (toll-free) 1-877-899-2781, ext. 7233.

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. For further information: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=163828,00.html .