APPROACHING DATES
Hispanic Heritage Month and related worship and music resources
For worship resources to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, click on: Hispanic Heritage Resources for Spanish, Hispanic, and Latino worship and music training, click on: Worship and Music Training
Convocation on the Black Church registration
The deadline for mailing in registrations for the Convocation on the Black Church (Sept. 28-29 in Fayetteville) is Sept. 21. Mailed registrations are $25.00 per adult and $5.00 for each youth. Persons can register at the door for $35.00 (adult) and $5.00 (youth.) Registration information and a form are on the conference website at Conference Registration (Acrobat Reader required). Make sure you indicate preferences for workshops on the registration form. Persons without workshop preferences will be placed in the courses where space is available. Call the Office of Multicultural & Social Ministries, 1-800-849-4433, if you have questions.
Safe Sanctuaries Workshop for smaller churches
The next opportunity for smaller churches beginning work on their safe sanctuaries policy will be Sunday, Sept. 23 from 3-5pm at Vass UMC in the Sanford District. This is the third in a series of four regional workshops being offered across the Conference. The fourth and final workshop will be Sunday, Oct. 28 at Helena UMC in the Durham District. Pre-registration to attend is not required.
CPI grant application deadline approaching
Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness grant applications are due Sept. 28 by 4 pm (if hand-delivered) or must be postmarked by Sept. 29. No faxed applications will be considered. Applications are available in the “downloads” section on the conference Multicultural and Social Ministries website. New and innovative ministries will get strong consideration. For further information call Lawrence E. Johnson in the Multicultural office (919-832-9560).
Workshop on the smaller membership church
“Celebrating the Smaller Membership Church is the title of a workshop hosted by the Hinton Rural Live Center on Friday and Sunday, Oct. 5-7. The worship is especially designed for part-time local pastors who work during the week as well as for laity and full-time pastors. For a brochure and leadership information, click on Celebrating and select the appropriate listing under Celebrating the Smaller Membership Church.
Spiritual Formation in Youth Ministry Workshop
A workshop on adult workers and leaders of local churches dealing with Spiritual Formation in Youth Ministry will be held Sunday, Oct. 7 from 3-5pm at Englewood UMC in the Rocky Mount District. Please reply to Rev. Laura Dunlap at Englewood UMC if you plan to attend – email: ldunlap@nccumc.org . This workshop has been offered in several districts throughout 2007 and is scheduled for additional districts in the remainder of 2007 and early 2008 – these are listed on the “District” page of the Conference Youth Ministry website: Youth Ministry .
GENERAL INFORMATION
Conference Directories mail in early September
The 2007-2008 Conference Directories were mailed to clergy around Sept. 7. The Directory does not include the Appointment listing. However, the Appointments are available on-line at NCCUMC.ORG by “clicking” on Other Publications and then selecting 2006-2007 Appointments.
Clergy with new personal e-mail accounts
Clergy with new personal e-mail accounts should make needed changes in their conference clergy e-mail account so messages will go to the new account. In most cases, new e-mail account information should be placed in the forwarding option. Conference and district information can only be sent to the clergy e-mail addresses. Needed changes to clergy e-mail accounts are the responsibility of clergy. If assistance is required, e-mail Linda Smith ( lsmith@nccumc.org ) or Bill Norton ( bnorton@nccumc.org ) with clergy name, clergy e-mail account and new e-mail account.
United Methodist improve more homes in Mississippi and Louisiana
According to USA Today research, over 655,000 have volunteered in Katrina recovery since the storm two years ago. 76% (or 506,233) have been from faith-based groups. United Methodists might not have sent the most volunteers but they have improved the most homes. The top churches volunteering and homes improved have been: 1) Southern Baptist Convention-175,378 / 5,136; 2) Habitat for Humanity (Christian)-71,412 / 2,896; 3) United Methodists-56,656 / 15,643; 4) Presbyterian Church U.S.A.-29,345 / 3,380; 5) Lutherans-26,585 / 8,242; 3) Southern Baptists-25,136; 4)Presbyterians USA-23,380; 5) Episcopal Relief-18,303 / 2,471. To read the entire article: go to Faith-Building .
