11/12/07

MERCI Mission Center in great need
The MERCI Mission Center, the hub of mission support located in Goldsboro, has a great need for operational funding.  It is through this mission center that the NC Conference has reached across the world and touched the lives of tens of thousands, transformed the reality of so many individuals in the U.S. and N.C.  Edenton Street UMC has given a gift of $10,000 to the MERCI Mission Center and has raised a challenge to all churches in the NC Conference to give a gift of $2.50 per member toward the remarkable ministry at MERCI.  The life of the MERCI Mission Center depends response across the conference.  Donations can be made on-line at:  MERCI Mission Center or by placing a check in the Sunday offering, designating the gift:  Advance #S-00136 – MERCI Ministry Center. 

MISSION SUPPORT
Nothing But Nets
Malaria kills.  Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria, more than a million children a year.  For only $10, one of the most effective preventive measures for malaria, a mosquito net, you can purchased.  Nothing But Nets is a UM outreach effort to change this reality.   Donations can be  placed in the Sunday offering.  Include the notation:  Nothing But Nets – Advance #982015.  100% of the donation will go toward this gift of nets.  On-line donations can be made at:  Nothing But Nets

Missionary Covenant Relationship
Prayerfully consider sharing the love of Christ through the work of servant missioners around the world.  To covenant with a missionary or learn more, please see:  Covenant Relationship Program

Give ZOE Christmas Cards and touch the life of a child in need
ZOE Ministry has announced that Christmas Cards are available with art work provided by orphans in Munyarari, Zimbabwe. These orphans are under the care of ZOE Ministry.  To see the artwork of the cards and to order Christmas Cards go to:  ZOE Christmas Cards .

Order UMCOR's 2008 Calendar & support UMCOR
UMCOR's 2008 Calendar, Hands of Hope, is now available. UMCOR produces the annual calendar to share the message of hope with those who brought about extraordinary changes to lives everywhere—committed United Methodists and others who give to our work and ministry in 81 countries.   To order calendars: www.umcorcalendar.org .    To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, visit umcor.org .

Support the United Methodist Home for Children
The United Methodist Home for children cares for some of the most marginalized and vulnerable children in North Carolina.  For more than a century, this ministry outreach has served in multiple ways to care for the spiritual, physical, emotional needs of children and their families.  Consider supporting this critical ministry to children.  For more information see, MHFC .  To make a donation on-line simply go to Donate .

Project AGAPE vehicle need
Several congregations across the NC Conference have joined in an effort to provide Project AGAPE with a new vehicle for the very important work of refugee relief.  A generous donor is willing to match a large portion of the vehicle cost.  Join this important facet of the AGAPE Advance by sending a donation to:  Missions Office, 1307 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC, 27605.  Note on the check – AGAPE Vehicle.  One hundred percent of your offering will go to this effort.

Gary Locklear – Church and Community Worker in the NC Conference
Gary Locklear is a General Board of Global Ministry Missioner serving in the Conference.  Gary is serving in the second most diverse rural county in the U.S. and the third most impoverished of its size – Robeson County.  Support Gary through Advance Giving by simply making an offering through local churches (check made out to the church) with the designation to support Advance # 982955 Gary Locklear.  One hundred percent of your gift will go toward Gary's support.  For more information also see missionaries:  Our Missionaries.  A bio on Gary and credit card donation are available at:  Missionary Bio . 

TRAINING
Volunteers in Mission & Early Responder Training at MERCI Mission Center
Join United Methodist Volunteers In Mission, NC Conference on Nov. 16 - 17 at The MERCI Center in Goldsboro for sessions of learning, sharing, fellowship to enhance skills as team leaders and early responders. Basic and Advanced UMVIM, NC Team Leader Training classes begin at 7 pm on Friday night and conclude by noon on Saturday.  There are no fees for this class or materials. Training is sponsored by UMVIM, NC Conference.  Early Response Training classes begin at 7 pm on Friday evening and conclude approximately 3 pm on Saturday afternoon.  The cost of the session is $30 and includes training, badge and T-shirt.  For those staying overnight at the MERCI Mission Center, there is a $20 lodging fee.  For more information and registration please see:  www.nccumvim.org