09/10/07

Safe Sanctuaries
Small churches just beginning or not yet starting adoption of a safe sanctuaries policy may want to attend one of the remaining Safe Sanctuaries Workshops being held this fall:  Sunday, Sept. 16 at Scotland Neck UMC; Sunday, Sept. 23 at Vass UMC; and Sunday, Oct. 28 at Helena UMC in Timberlake (Durham District).  All workshops are 3-5pm and do not require advance registration.  Pastors and other lay leadership to be involved with safe sanctuaries are encouraged to attend.  This workshop is specifically geared toward smaller churches that have just begun or not yet begun with the safe sanctuaries process. Rural churches may qualify for grant funding assistance for safe sanctuaries from The Duke Endowment.  This grant application deadline has been extended to Oct. 31.  The grant application may be found at their website:  www.dukeendowment.org/ruralchurch/forms .

Join UMM for Duke football and fellowship
North Carolina Conference United Methodist Men will be gathering, along with sons and daughters, to watch ACC Tobacco Road football rivals Duke and Wake Forest, enjoy food and fun, listen to inspiring messages, and worship at the 3rd Annual NC UMM Duke Day on Saturday, Oct. 6. Bob Harris, the long time radio broadcaster for Duke, will share sports memories and experiences. Dr. F. Belton Joyner, Jr. will present a message and serve Holy Communion.  Music will be by Buddy Greene, musician and singer at First UMC in Cary. The cost is only $20 and includes game ticket, hamburger or hot dogs and drink, and a program. Registration is required on-line at NCUMM so sufficient tickets and food will be available. for participants. A commemorative t-shirt can be ordered on-line only.

Workshop for opportunities for ministry with Hispanics/Latinos
Come explore opportunities in local areas for ministry with Hispanic/Latino brothers and sisters.  An Empowering Ministry to Bridge, Reach out and Affirm Cultural Esteem (E.M.B.R.A.C.E.) Workshop will be held Saturday, Oct.6, 10 am - 3 pm, Trinity UMC Southport in the new Trinity Life Center.  Lunch will be provided.  For more information or reservations, call Carolyn Pryor (910-454-4479) or John Murray (910-457-4594).

Spiritual Formation in Youth Ministry Workshop
There will be a Spiritual Formation in Youth Ministry Workshop for adults involved in leadership of local church youth ministries for the Rocky Mount District on Sunday, Oct. 7 from 3-5pm at Englewood UMC.  Please notify Rev. Laura Dunlap at Englewood UMC if you plan to attend. 
The Spiritual Formation in Youth Ministry Workshop is being scheduled for the Sanford District on Sunday, Dec. 9 - time and place to be announced (contact Janette Scott for more information).  Plans are also being made for the workshop to be held in the Goldsboro District in early 2008 (contact Rev. Thurman Horney for more information).  The workshop has already been held in the following districts:  Burlington, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, New Bern, Raleigh and Wilmington.  The contact person for these workshops is the district youth coordinator - their contact information can be found on the "District" page at the Conference youth ministry website:  www.nccumc.org/youthministry .

Register for Convocation & Pastors' School
The annual event, this year titled "Our Daily Bread: A Theology and Practice of Sustainable Living, will be Oct. 8-10. Featured speakers include author Wendell Berry, environmentalist Wes Jackson and theologian Norman Wirzba. See details and register .