March 18 is One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday
Please provide an opportunity for your congregation to take a part in One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday on March 18 (or another date) with an offering to provide operational funding for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). For information on OGHS: OGHS
Updates about Annual Conference, June 13-16 in Greenville
In addition to having the 2007 Conference Program, Recommendations and Reports Book available on-line prior to Annual Conference at AC 2007 , and updates being posted as necessary, printed copies of the book will be mailed to conference members during the first week in May. This will enable members to have their book prior to district orientation sessions (dates to be announced).
Some Greenville motels/hotels, including the Hilton and Bistro, guaranteed a certain number of rooms at a discount price. Once that "block" number is reached, the rate increased. A check with the Hilton and Bistro show the "block" has been reached and that some conference members have reserved four and eight rooms under one name. If the total number of reserved rooms is not needed, please let the hotel know so those released rooms can be offered to other members at the reduced rate. If reservations have not been made, do so as soon as possible. For a list of lodges and other information related to AC: AC 2007
EVENTS AND TRAINING
Diakonia ministry meeting in Chapel Hill March 21
Deacons, diaconal ministers, and candidates in process towards becoming deacons are invited to meet Wednesday, March 21, Orange UMC in Chapel Hill with Reverend Anita Wood, deacon and director of Professional Ministry Development, Division of Ordained Ministry of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The purpose of the meeting is learn about the work of the GBHEM, particularly as it relates to diakonia ministry. Address: 1220 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill. Time: 9:30-11 am. RSVP Trish Archer, parcher@nccumc.org .
"From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design" to be addressed in lecture series
"Anti-evolution in America: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design" is the announced topic for the Templeton-Bullard Lecture on Science and Religion at Methodist University on Monday, April 2, 1 p.m. in Clark Hall. For more information, contact Dr. Lloyd Bailey at (919) 489-8731 or e-mail lloyd@duke.edu .
Mulholldand is speaker for Order of Elders Gathering
Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at the Gathering of the Order of Elders on Monday, April 23, Nashville UMC in Nashville. Gathering begins at 9 am. The first plenary begins at 10 am. The program should conclude at 3 pm.
No reservations are required to attend the gathering, but all participants are asked to bring a $5.00 donation to help with lunch expenses. For more information: contact the Rev. Mack McMillan at (910)276-6821 or saintlukepastor@bellsouth.net. For directions to nashville UMC, go to Nashville UMC .
N.C. Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
The fifth Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will take place at Trinity Center in Salter Path, Sunday, October 14 - Friday, October 19. The cost is $650.00. The faculty will be E. Glenn Hinson and Sister Mary Margaret Pazdan. For more information or a registration form, go Spiritual Formation and under Ministries select Academy for Spiritual Formation, or contact Robin Harry, Registrar at rharry@nccumc.org or 919-832-9560, ext. 252.
National Health Ministries Conference in September
The Third Annual National Congregational Health Ministries Conference will be held in Wichita, KS September 23 -26. Visit Health Ministries for more information . Additional information will be available later.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATION, GRANTS, INFORMATION
Ideas from young UM clergy sought in survey
Young United Methodist clergy, approximately 35 or younger, are invited to complete a survey on a host of subjects by going to Church Leadership Clergy participating will be asked to share a range of information related to entering and being in ministry. This inquiry grows out of the Lewis Center's 2006 report Clergy Age Trends in the United Methodist Church that showed a sharp decline in younger clergy in the past 20 years. The survey will also help provide information for a book on the young clergy situation that the Lewis Center staff is writing for publication before the 2008 General Conference.
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 Upper Room 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 .
Web page provides information on Academy for Leadership Excellence
The Academy for Leadership Excellence has a web page with links to the what, where, how, and who, updates on academy matters, and other information. Visit: Academy
