Change in when Book of Reports information will be available
The 2007 Conference Program, Recommendations and Reports Book will not be mailed this year but is being made available on-line prior to Annual Conference at http://www.nccumc.org/ac2007/information.htm . Updates will be posted weekly if necessary. Printed copies will be distributed at Annual Conference Registration. All reports are due by March 1, 2007 to the Conference Secretary's Office ( jlbryan@nccumc.org or smedlin@nccumc.org .
Mission Team to La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop in Santiago, Chile
A few slots remain available for a "journey inward - journey outward" with missionary, Rev. Shana Harrison, April 20 - May 2, 2007. Estimated cost will be $900 for airfare and $500 for in-country expenses (may be some slight changes.) Deadline is March 1. For more information, contact Becky Biegger in the Office of Missions, 800-849-4433 ext 256 or beckybiegger@nccumc.org . Please see: http://nccmission.org/shana's_news.htm
Stewardship Seminar
Open enrollment has begun to attend the Stewardship Seminar for Pastors New to the Conference which will be held March 12-14 at the Trinity Center in Salter Path. Rooms currently are available for other clergy or laypersons to attend the three day event. The first week in March is the registration deadline. The charge is $50 for housing, food and materials. For more information visit 2007 Stewardship Seminar and then choose "Stewardship Seminar for Pastors New to the Conference" link.
Kaleidoscope Registration Deadline March 2
Kaleidoscope is a weekend spiritual life retreat for middle school youth (currently in grades 6-8) at Don Lee on March 23-25. Kaleidoscope is one of the Conference youth events where adult staff are provided and youth register individually to attend. The registration deadline is March 2 . Registration forms may be found in the 2007 Youth Events brochure and at the website: www.nccumc.org/youthministry .
Lenten Calendar and Devotions Available
Two on-line Lenten resources are available. The first is a Lenten Prayer Calendar, a daily devotion guide that includes: Scripture Reading, Reflection, Prayer, and an Action step. The action item includes a small daily gift of a few cents. At the end of Lent, you are requested to make your combined Lenten gift to the Society of St. Andrew, a Conference Advance Special and part of the Rainbow Covenant or in any other way you feel led by God's Spirit. To download the Lenten Guide: http://nccmission.org/lenten_guide.htm , or at: Lenten Calendar .
The other resource comes from our La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop in Chile. Rev. Shana Harrison , a missioner supported by the NC Conference. It is a weekly Lenten Devotion. It can be found at: La Esperanza Lent and then simply click on the link - second item down in the middle of the page.
Laity study opportunities from Duke Divinity School
The Duke Lenten Lay Academy class, Conversations on the Way , will begin March 8 for four weeks, 9:30 - 11:30 am at Epworth UMC and 7-9 pm, at Resurrection UMC, both in Durham. Registration may be completed online at http://www.divinity.duke.edu/learningforlife/programs/layacademy or register on-site on the first day of the class.
Laity Weekend will be held April 27-28. Brochures have been mailed with details. To register and see more information about Laity Weekend, go to www.divinity.duke.edu/laityweekend .
Confirmation Celebration
The Conference Confirmation Celebration will be Saturday, March 10 at Garner UMC. The Celebration will begin at 10am and conclude at 1:00pm. Pre-registration is not required and there is no cost to the event (other than opportunity to give to an offering to fund health kits). Participants are asked to bring items needed for UMCOR health kits. The health kits will be assembled as a service project in the program of the Celebration. A list of health kit items and more information about the Confirmation Celebration is available at www.nccumc.org/youthministry .
On-line registration open for End of Life Conference
Theologians, church leaders, and health care professionals will lead over 25 workshops on topics on end-of-life care issues. This conference is presented by Duke Institute on Care at the End of life in partnership with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and will be held March 12-14 at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham. For more information visit : www.iceol.duke.edu/pcusa
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is scheduled for March 18. This is the one time each year set aside to raise operational funding for United Methodist relief activities. UMCOR receives no World Service funds or any other apportionments. United Methodists' gifts to this special offering not only keep UMCOR's lights on and UMCOR's delivery system in place at home and around the world, feeding the hungry, caring for the refugee, acting out the love of Jesus in the midst of death -- they also enable us to respond immediately to disasters, like Katrina. You are UMCOR. Please provide an opportunity for your congregation to take part in this critical offering. Without you, there is no UMCOR. For sermon illustrations, children's sermons, stories, and other OGHS information, please see: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/give/oghs/ and http://nccmission.org/one_great_hour.htm .
Restroom Accessibility Grants are available
Due to a generous grant by the Duke Endowment, restroom accessibility grant requests for rural churches are now being accepted. Grant applications must be received by April 2, 2007. Applications and guidelines are available online at: http://nccmission.org/restroom_grant.htm
Conference Youth Rally Day
Conference Youth Rally Day will be Sunday, April 22 at NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount from 3-6pm. The Rally Day will feature recreational and fellowship activities and a worship service led primarily by youth. Youth groups are invited to sponsor and lead recreational activities as well as offer acts of worship for the worship service. Information about these opportunities and Rally Day is being mailed out to pastors and youth leaders in late February. For further information contact the Office of Youth Ministries at 800-849-4433.
For Such a Time as This
The Children's Ministry Resource Event for all types of persons involved in various aspects of local church children's ministry will be Friday, April 27 through Saturday, April 28 at Centenary UMC in New Bern. The theme for the event is "For Such a Time as This." Nationally noted Christian education and children's ministry leaders Jim Ritchie and Delia Halverson will be resource people for the event. A variety of workshops will be offered. The brochure with complete information about the event, listing of workshops and registration form has been mailed out and is also available at www.nccumc.org/childrnmin/children05.htm .
UMC.ORG offers prayer request feature
Spiritual support from the people of The United Methodist Church is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Through UMC.org, prayer requests can be submitted privately and conveniently to the Upper Room Living Prayer Center and their Covenant Prayer Groups.
Unite Methodist Communications encourages you to visit the Prayer Request features and share this information with members of your church. To download a bulletin insert and sample service announcement, go to www.UMC.org/launch .
Volunteers requested for repairs in Riegelwood
In response to the November tornados that struck Riegelwood, volunteers are needed to help with both repairs and new home building. Teams or individuals willing to help for one or two days should contact Rev. Bill Haddock at 910-762-2583 or revbillh@nccumc.org . Teams going for longer stays should contact Melody Prevatte at 910-642-7141 x 294 or mprevatte@sccnc.edu to schedule work days and housing.
addendum to February 21, 2007 Newbriefs edition
Final Excellence in Ministry meeting on Monday, March 5
The last scheduled Excellence in Ministry gatherings with Bishop Al Gwinn will be held Monday, March 5, at First Graham (Burlington District). A session with clergy will be held from 2-4 pm and with laity from 7-8:30 pm. Anyone who could not attend the earlier meetings should attend this gathering. Clergy please note that the Burlington District will hold a brief Pastors Meeting from 1:30-2 pm. Please quietly be seated if the Pastors Meeting is in session.
addendum to February 26, 2007 edition
Early Bird registration for "Resurrecting Excellence" is March 2
Friday, March 2, is the last day to register at the reduced "early bird" rate for "Resurrecting Excellence" with Dr. Greg Jones, dean of Duke Divinity School, at the Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel in Atlantic Beach, April 25-27 . For further information, go to http://www.divinity.duke.edu/learningforlife/programs/districtevents/resexcellence or call 1-888-845-4216. The early bird rate is $70. Registration continues through March 19 at $85. The event was scheduled for pastors in the Durham, Greenville, Elizabeth City and New Bern Districts but enrollment is open to any conference clergy .
