06/29/07

June Advocate
The June issue of the NC Conference Christian Advocate has been mailed.  The front page can be viewed from the following link: http://www.nccumc.org/advocate/issues.htm

PERTAINING TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Offerings during Annual Conference 
Five offerings will be taken during Annual Conference, June 13-16.
· June 13 for the Southeastern Jurisdictional Dam Restoration, during the opening Service of Holy Communion.
· June 14 and June 15 for Liberia Pastor/DS Support, during the 8:30 am Bible Studies.
· June 14 for Mississippi Katrina Relief, during evening Hispanic/Latino Celebration.
· June 15 for Board of Laity Programs, during the evening Laity Celebration.
Envelopes will be available for use for each offering.

Tour host for Paul's 4 th missionary journey
Anyone interested in traveling with Bishop Gwinn and serving as a tour host on Paul's fourth missionary journey in November 2008 is invited to a free lunch at the Beef Barn in Greenville on the Friday of Annual Conference, June 15, at 12:15 pm.  It is located on Andrews St. across from the Convention Center.  If interested, please call the New Bern District office at 252-635-9704.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Project AGAPE Vehicle Need
Several congregations through our Conference have joined in an effort to provide Project AGAPE with a new vehicle for the very important work of refugee relief.  We have a very generous donor willing to match a large portion of the vehicle cost.  If you wish to join this important facet of the AGAPE Advance, please send your donations to:  Missions Office, 1307 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC, 27605.  Please note on your check - AGAPE Vehicle.  One hundred percent of your offering will go to this effort.

CONNECT 2007 - SEJ UMVIM Celebration - Register On-Line
CONNECT, a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Southeast Jurisdiction annual event, will be held Lake Junaluska, NC, June 27-29.  CONNECT allows participants to share experiences from their short-term mission trips, gain insight and resources from a variety of workshops, network with domestic and international projects and missionaries, and worship together during inspiring sessions that incorporate a diverse speakers and venues.  For more information and to register, please see: http://www.umvim.org/connect07.htm

ZOE opportunities for VBS directors and mission coordinators
This summer, ZOE Ministry (Zimbabwe Orphans Endeavor) has a mission that can be incorporated into the local church VBS curriculum.  ZOE is collecting student/teacher school kits for orphaned and vulnerable children of Africa that will help supply them with basic supplies needed for their education.
ZOE VBS Mission Kit will contain:

• Short, inspirational, and informational videos designed for children with music and images of African children
• Scripted dialog for daily mission moments with prayers
• Interactive object lessons about ZOE orphans in school
• Orphan stories
• Set-up instructions for packing school kits
  For a free mission kit to help you get started, contact- Beth Jenks: beth@zoeministry.org  or  (919) 550-0275.

Shana Harrison - NC Conference Elder - Missionary to Chile
Shana Harrison serves in the La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop and Group Home in Santiago, Chile.  Each day she proclaims the love and grace of Jesus by sharing in the abundant life of Christ with mentally and physically handicapped adults.  You can read about Shana at:   Shana Harrison - Bio .   Shana is an extension of our hands, feet, voices, and heart.  To assist her in this wonderful ministry, simply place an Advance gift in your church's offering plate and mark it Missionary Support - Advance # 13089Z.   You can also enter a Covenant Relationship with Shana.  See:   Covenant Relationships.    Please consider supporting La Esperanza directly by making a gift to Advance - La Esperanza # 14056A.