Petitions for 2008 General Conference did not arrive
A computer glitch prevented delivery of petitions sent via e-mail to petitions@umpublishing.org for the 2008 General Conference. Any petition sent before July 27 did not arrive. The problem has been corrected so if petitions were sent, send them again. For instructions: www.gc2008.umc.org . Look for submission form and instructions under Resources heading, right side bottom of page. The new policy calls for an acknowledgement to sender within three weeks of receipt. If no receipt is received, call the office of the Rev. Gary Graves, petitions secretary, (270) 274-4590.
Clergy application for Emmaus and Chrysalis Service
The Upper Room is requiring all clergy wanting to serve as Spiritual Directors or Assistant Spiritual Directors for weekend walks to complete a Clergy Application before serving in those capacities. This to ensure that properly trained clergy will serve in those roles on Walk, Flight, and Journey weekends. If you have been on the Emmaus Walk or a Chrysalis Flight or Journey and feel led to serve, please go to the following link on the Heart of Carolina Chrysalis website, fill out the form, and return it by e-mail or postal mail to either the Emmaus and/or Chrysalis Spiritual Directors (currently Rev. William Green for Emmaus and Rev. Lee Roy Pittard III for Chrysalis) so that it can be kept on file. Clergy serving in other Spiritual Communities can complete the same form, send as designated, and if desired, request that the form be sent to a designated community. The website is: Heart of Carolina .
TRAINING / WORKSHOPS
SEJUMM spiritual gathering and training
It's not too late. There's still time to be a part of the very special gathering of United Methodist Men from the nine southeastern states, including North Carolina, at Lake Junaluska. Aug.10, 11, and 12 are the dates. There will be inspiring speakers and music, workshops to help men grow as UMM. Plus there will be recreation and family fun in the NC mountains, so bring the wife and children. Come Friday as soon as you can, and enjoy a full day Saturday, and ending with powerful worship Sunday in time for a travel back home. For more details, go to Registerme .
UMVIM Team Leader, Early Response training
Two United Methodist Volunteers In Mission, NC Conference training opportunities, one for Early Response and the other for Advanced Team Leader Training, will be offered at the MERCI Center in Goldsboro Aug. 10-11. For details visit NCCUMVIM .
Two-day training on creating disciple-making faith communities
The Conference Multicultural Ministries Team and the Committee on Strengthening the Black Church are sponsoring "Creating Disciple-Making Faith Communities," a two-day training session at Hay Street UMC in Fayetteville, Sept. 28-29. Participants will attend two of 11 workshops on topics such as small group ministry, youth ministry, healthy family relationships; mission and ministry with the poor; payer as a way of life; stewardship; Hispanic/Latino Ministries; music and worship arts and effective communications in the digital age. Registration discount is available for early bird registrations. For information about the workshops, hotel, and registration, see the event brochure at: Multicultural .
Mission Team to La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop in Santiago, Chile
Slots available for a "journey inward - journey outward" with missionary, Rev. Shana Harrison, Nov. 12-21. Estimated cost is $1075 for airfare, $100 for a one-time entry fee for Chile, and in-country cost will be approximately $500 (may be some slight changes.) Each day will begin with communion and centering prayer. Mornings will be with the participants of the workshop. The afternoons will be filled with bible study, biblical animation, and visits to historical and contemporary sites where we might engage in considerations of justice. Evenings will be reflections of the lives of individuals in Christ as incarnational dwelling. To read personal stories of the event and learn more about La Esperanza, please see: www.laesperanza.org $500 deposit is due by August 30, made out to NC Conference UMC - Chile Trip. For more information, contact Becky Biegger in the Office of Missions, 800-849-4433 ext 256 or beckybiegger@nccumc.org
SPECIAL SUNDAYS
Golden Cross reaches out to our neighbors
Medical bills can devastate the financial and emotional health of a family. At a time when so many of our neighbors lack adequate medical coverage, Golden Cross reaches out to laity in the Conference who have no where else to turn. Golden Cross Sunday will be Aug. 5. Please provide the opportunity for church members to give to this ministry. Simply make a gift to Golden Cross, Advance #S-00153. To download bulletin insert, click here: Golden Cross Inserts .
OPPORTUNITIES
Liberian Missionaries Herbert & Mary Zigbuo Itineration
The Zigbuos will be itinerating in the NC Conference during October and November. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your ministry in Liberia, to hear stories of the movement of Jesus across that broken land, and to meet Jesus in the stories of miracle and grace. To schedule Herbert and Mary, please contact the Rev. Bill Haddock at revbillh@nccumc.org .
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, you can give by placing your gift in your Sunday offering and noting on the check: AGAPE Vehicle - #S-00181 or mail to: NC Conference/Raleigh Area, The United Methodist Church, PO Box 60053, Charlotte, NC 28260-0053 . Please include the Advance number, church and district name on the check so your church will receive Advance credit. One hundred percent of the gift will go to this effort.
Nothing But Nets
Malaria kills. Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria, more than a million children a year. Yet, we can act to change this nightmare. For only $10, you can engage in one of the most effective preventive measures for malaria, you can purchase a mosquito net. Nothing But Nets is our UM outreach effort to change this reality. Donations can be made by placing a gift in local church offering plates and noting on the check: Nothing But Nets - Advance #982015. 100% of your donation will go toward this gift of nets. Donations can be made on-line and more information is available, including downloadable resources at: Nothing But Nets
Project AGAPE
Project AGAPE continues to be the difference between life and death for so many in Lachin, Karabagh, and across Armenia. Many of you heard Nara Melkonyan, Project AGAPE director, speak at Annual Conference. Please consider supporting this ministry. You can give by placing your gift in your Sunday offering and noting on the check: Project AGAPE - Advance # #S-00004. For more information, please see: AGAPE
Feed hungry neighbors North Carolina.
Worship Jesus by feeding your hungry neighbor with Society of St. Andrew. You, your family, or church, with members aged 3 to 93, can get involved with a great hands-on ministry opportunity accomplished in a field in NC. The Society of St. Andrew can make this mission a reality and help feed our neighbors who are the most vulnerable. Please contact Society of St. Andrew at: sosanc@endhunger.org or call (866) 453-2662. See: Endhunger . Please give to NC Advance, (#S-00081) and see the Rainbow Covenant for more information: Humanitarian Relief/Medical .
A few of the Ministry resources offered by the Office of Missions
All programs utilize adult popular education teaching methodology, i.e., high engagement and very interactive.
* Globalization - It's Impact on God's World & How You can Make a Difference - 4 to 6 hour in-depth study, scripturally based with high interaction & multi-media.
* Street Smarts - discerning and empowering congregations for local mission.
* Thy Kingdom Come - Moving from Charity to Justice, living in the Realm of God.
* Your Connected Ministry - Ministries you are doing as connected churches in the NC Conference (overview of mission opportunities.)
* Proclaiming Peace in a Time of Perpetual War - 2 - 4 hour workshop - scripturally based with high interaction and multi-media
* Liberia - Land of Spirit, Land of Hope, Connecting with the Least.
* Missions - A Journey of Spirit and Justice - 6 to 8 weekly sessions, journeying in the life of Jesus, considering how we make that same journey today.
Other missions presentations, support, training, and sermons are available for local churches from the Office of Missions. For further information e-mail Becky Biegger - beckybiegger@nccumc.org or Steve Taylor staylor@nccumc.org or call them at 1-800-849-4433.
Is a link to your local church website on NCCUMC.ORG?
Local churches can have a link to their website on the conference website upon request. The pastor should send the request, along with the Internet address, to Linda Smith ( lsmith@nccumc.org ) or Bill Norton ( bnorton@nccumc.org ). Links are not placed without the request of the pastor.
