04/24/07

Annual Conference reminders
· Groups or individuals having specific stage requirements at Annual Conference should let Skip Williams know as soon as possible: trinityumcsp@bellsouth.net /  910-457-6633 or 910-253-7965. 
· Anyone planning to use PowerPoint slides or a video at Annual Conference should let Bill Norton know as soon as possible ( bnorton@nccumc.org or 1-800-849-4433.  Program books for the A/V crew indicating when visuals are needed must be completed before conference.  The deadline for converting videos to the appropriate format is May 21.  Completed scripts and PowerPoint programs are due no later June 4.  Any questions, call.
· Anyone who will be checking in at ECU on June 12 please make a note on the housing form before mailing it in.  Anyone planning to check in on June 12 who has already mailed the housing form should e-mail or call  Shannon at smedlin@nccumc.org or 800-849-4433 with that information. 

SPSARV offers Alcohol and Drug Team Ministry model
The United Methodist Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence (SPSARV) has partnered with the Rush Center of the Johnson Institute to offer the Rush Center's Faith Partners Alcohol and Drug Team Ministry model throughout the U.S.  In the Southeastern Jurisdiction, SPSARV will offer the congregational training series May 17 and September 21-22 at Dilworth United Methodist Church in Charlotte. For more information about the Faith Partners Congregation Team Training Series, go to Training Events at UMSPSARV . The registration deadline is May 1.

DISCIPLE Bible training offered without charge in May
Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries is offering local church DISCIPLE Bible Study and RINGS OF FELLOWSHIP training in four locations during May. The training is free of charge to lay and clergy persons, thanks to a grant from the Duke Endowment.  Lunch will be provided for $5.
The May locations are in the Western NC Conference.  Training was offered in the NC Conference in February and will be available in the NC Conference next year.
Training will be held from 8:30 am - 3 pm.  The training dates and locations and telephone numbers (for directions) are: May 5, Providence UMC in Charlotte, (704) 336-2823; May 12, Christ UMC in Greensboro, (336) 299-1571; May 19, First UMC in Waynesville, (828) 456-9475; and May 26, Palmyra UMC in Walnut Cove, (336) 994-9744.
Register for the training online at: www.disciplebibleoutreach.org.   For further information: DBOM Information (Acrobat Reader required)

UMM Spiritual Gathering & Training
The SEJUMM Quadrennial Spiritual Gathering & Training event will be held at Lake Junaluska on August 10-12.  The link below provides details. Clergy are asked to share the information with congregational members. This is a spouse and family event, with programmed activities for everyone.
Registrations received prior to June 10 will receive a discount.  For registration or other information: SEJUMMM Event

Opportunities remain for Footprints Youth Work Camp
MERCI still has camping opportunities for Footprints Youth Work Camp teams for the weeks of July 1-7, and July 15-21.  For information about Footprints, please check our website www.merciumc.org or call MERCI at 888-440-9167.

N.C. Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
The fifth Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will take place at the Trinity Center in Salter Path Sunday-Friday, October 14-19. 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 online to Office Ministries , or contact Robin Harry, Registrar at rharry@nccumc.org or 919-832-9560, ext. 252.