One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is scheduled for March 18, 2007. This is the one time each year set aside to raise operational funding for our 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. 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 .
About Annual Conference, June 13-16 in Greenville
The Book of Recommendations and Reports can be accessed on-line at http://www.nccumc.org/ac2007/reccs_repts1.htm . A printed copy will be distributed to conference members on registration.
Elders and deacons and laity who would like to be considered for election as a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conference can obtain the appropriate form at The Book of Recommendations and Reports can be accessed on-line at http://www.nccumc.org/ac2007/information.htm . All information should only be on one side of a sheet of paper.
The Gathering of Deacons and Diaconal Ministers special meal will be held Thursday, June 14, 5:30 pm, St. James UMC, Greenville. Anyone interested in attending should contact parcher@nccumc.org
CONFERENCE YOUTH EVENTS
Confirmation Celebration
The Conference Confirmation Celebration will be held Saturday, March 10, at Garner UMC. The Celebration will begin at 10 am and conclude by 1pm. Bishop Gwinn will speak to the confirmands and confirmation groups from various churches in the Conference will give leadership to consideration of the vows of prayers, presence, gifts and service. Bishop Gwinn will lead Holy Communion to conclude the Celebration. Confirmation groups do not need to pre-register to attend; however participants are asked to bring items for UMCOR health kits to the Celebration. Detailed information about the Celebration and the health kit items needed are listed on the Conference Youth Ministry website at http://www.nccumc.org/youthministry .
Appalachian Trail Hike
The Appalachian Trail Hike for high school youth will be June 23-30. Registrations are due May 15. There are limited spaces for the Hike so early registration is encouraged. For registration information about the Trail Hike and other Conference youth events - see the 2007 Youth Events Brochure available online at http://www.nccumc.org/youthministry . Testimonials to the Trail Hike (and other Conference youth events) are featured in the March issue of the NC Conference Christian Advocate - youth ministry focus section.
OPPORTUNITIES
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 .
Wil Bailey - NC Missionary to Costa Rica Available to speak
Wil Bailey, a NC Conference supported Individual Mission Volunteer is home to intenerate in NC from March 28 - July 7 and then from July 22 - December. You can contact Wil to schedule him to speak at your church by calling Rocky Mount First UMC at 252-977-0400 or cell at 252-458-1229.
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.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
A weekend away for women
For women needing one weekend away, to refresh, invigorate, motivate and uplift their spiritual lives...." Wisdom for God's Women in Today's World," a weekend retreat at Lake Junaluska, March 9-11. More information: http://rreevesandassociates.com/NewFiles/pdfs/Encouragement_Web.pdf
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
Parenting workshop
Active Parenting Leader Training Workshop will be held Tuesday, March 13, in Greensboro; contact training coordinator Micole Mason at Micole@ActiveParenting.com or 800-825-0060 x120 or register online at http://www.activeparenting.com/acb5lic/showdetl.cfm?&DID=8&Product_ID=12178&CATID=34?ap_aff_id=LTW
VBS Training
The Raleigh Cokesbury Store is hosting a VBS training for those churches using the Cokesbury LIFT OFF! VBS curriculum. The training event will be Tuesday, March 20 th from 7-9pm at St Marks UMC in Raleigh (4801 Six Forks Rd). Registration is not necessary. For more information contact a Cokesbury Sales Associate at 1-866-265-2665.
UMVIM Work team to Liberia . April 14 - 30
A United Methodist Volunteers In Mission Work team to Liberia is planned for April 14 - 30. Passport, Visas, and appropriate vaccinations are required. The work team is open to any church member interested in Missions in the country of Liberia. Approximate total costs, including material support, in-country costs and airfare is approximately $3000. For more information please see: http://nccmission.org/liberia_umvim_workteam.htm and contact the work team leader: Jim Perry, Africa Sub Committee/Edenton St UMC/Raleigh: (919) 349 3611 cell or email - jimperryassoc@nc.rr.com .
An opportunity for laity to cultivate their faith
Laity Weekend, April 27-28, is an opportunity for laity of all communions to cultivate their faith through focused study of spiritual formation, theology, Christian tradition, history, and scripture. Guided by experienced faculty, participants are invited to examine their faith and broaden their understanding of Christian living as they continue Learning for Life with Duke Divinity School. For further information: http://www.divinity.duke.edu/laityweekend .
Grants available for Academy for Spiritual Formation
The North Carolina Conference is making five $1000 dollar grants available that will be matched by the Upper Room for participants interested in attending the Academy for Spiritual Formation (#27). Information about the Academy is available at http://www.upperroom.org/academy . Once a person has been accepted for the Academy, application for one of the five matching grants should be requested through Irene Brownlee, 919-832-9560, Ext. 299, ibrownlee@nccumc.org .
UMM Spiritual Gathering and Training August 10-12 at SEJ
The Southeastern Jurisdictional United Methodist Men Quadrennial Spiritual Gathering & Training will be held at Lake Junaluska August 10-12. The event will include spouse and family activities (families with children under age 18). Send in your registration fee before June 10 to get the early bird rate of $40 per family. Higher rates apply for later registrations. For more information or to register online with a major credit card, go to http://sejumm.registerme.cc/registerNOW.htm
To make room reservations, call toll-free 1-800-222-4930 and ask for the special rates for the SEJUMM Spiritual Retreat.
N.C. Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
A fifth Five-Day Academy will be offered at the Trinity Center in Salter Path Sunday-Friday, October 14-19. The cost is $650.00. Faculty will be E. Glenn Hinson and Sister Mary Margaret Pazdan. For more information or a registration form: www.nccumc.org/officesministries.htm , or contact Robin Harry, Registrar at rharry@nccumc.org or 919-832-9560, ext. 252.
