2008 Standard Mileage Rates
Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 50.5 cents per mile for business miles driven; 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization.
The new rate for business miles compares to a rate of 48.5 cents per mile for 2007. The new rate for medical and moving purposes compares to 20 cents in 2007. Visit the IRS web site for more information.
Mission trip to provide assistance from Katrina damage
"Christmas to Mississippi ," a mission trip to provide assistance from Hurricane Katrina damage in the Gulfport area, will be conducted by Page Memorial in Aberdeen Dec. 16-22. In addition, plans are to visit other areas. Cost for the trip is $17 per day for room and board, plus travel expenses. Regardless of skills, work will be available for anyone on the mission trip. For more information, call the Page Memorial Office at (910)944-1093 or Jane Leechford, associate pastor at (910)639-2204.
Duke Endowment to hold grant workshops
The Duke Endowment is hosting several grant workshops throughout the Carolinas in Jan. 2008. These workshops will provide guidance in completing the new, more standardized grant applications and submission process.
This move to standardized grant applications is phase one of two in transition to placing greater emphasis on funding grants that produce clear results and targeted impact rather than on those that focus only on activities. In phase two, fully interactive online applications will be introduced.
To see the dates and locations of the workshops and to register, Click here . Monday, Dec. 17 is the deadline to complete registration.
MERCI Mission Center in great need
The MERCI Mission Center has a great need of operational funding. Edenton Street UMC has given a gift of $10,000 to the MERCI and is raising a challenge to all our United Methodist churches to give a gift of $2.50 per member toward the ministry of the center. Donations can be made on-line at: MERCI Mission Center or by placing a gift in your Sunday offering designated for Advance #S-00136 - MERCI Ministry Center.
Touch the life of a child in need - Give ZOE Christmas Cards
ZOE Ministry is pleased to announce that we have Christmas Cards 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 .
A movie on debating has United Methodist connection
"The Great Debaters," to be released Dec. 25, is a movie about an historically Black college in the 1930s with an undefeated debate team. The movie does not identify the school but the debate team was at Wiley College , a United Methodist affiliated four-year college in Marshall , TX . Wiley, founded in 1873, defeated larger African-American schools and white powerhouses such as Harvard and the University of Southern California . Denzel Washington has the lead role.
Resource tool for churches with youth ministry staff positions
The Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Conference Youth Coordinators has developed a document to serve as a resource tool for local churches with youth ministry staff positions - with regard to hiring, job description, supervision and retention. The document is available on the "resources" page at: Youth Ministry .
Souper Bowl of Caring
Plan now to involve youth groups in a mission project to feed the hunger as part of the NFL Super Bowl Sunday. The project is called Souper Bowl of Caring and many United Methodist Churches as well as others have been involved with this project for several years. More information about what is involved and how to get involved may be found on the "resources" page of the website: Youth Ministry .
La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop - UM Mission in Chile needs support
La Esperanza is a mission providing Christ-centered love, care, and support for approximately 25 mentally and physically handicapped adults in Santiago, Chile. The workshop is the difference between life and death for these who are the most vulnerable of our world. Due to changes in the local economy and the fall of the U.S. dollar, the ministry is in immediate financial need. Consider a gift to this ministry. Place your gift in the Sunday offering plate with the designation: La Esperanza Workshop Advance #14056A. Donations can be given on-line at: La Esperanza
Extension ministry, statistical tables can be downloaded
Three files related to extension ministry have been posted on the Bishop's conference website. "Appointment to an Extension Ministry" and others can be downloaded by clicking on: Bishop's Office
Table I, Table II, and Table III files can be downloaded, in addition to the On-line Data Collection System, from Treasurer . Scroll down and look for the heading "Statistical Tables I, II, and III. Other downloadable files that could be of interest are on the page.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Save the dates
The Conference Confirmation Celebration will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Methodist University in Fayetteville . Pre-registration of confirmation groups planning to attend will be required. More information about registration and the event will be available in early January.
Two resource events will be held for adults in leadership of local church children's ministry in 2008: Saturday, April 19 at Salem UMC in Greenville and Saturday, Aug. 23 at Page Memorial UMC in Aberdeen . More details about these events will be forthcoming in early 2008.
Spiritual Formation in Youth Ministry Workshop
The Spiritual Formation in Youth Ministry Workshop will be offered in the Sanford District on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 4-6 pm at Jonesboro UMC and in the Goldsboro District on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008 from 3-5 pm. Please note: the workshop in the Sanford District is part of the district youth event. This workshop is for adult leaders in local church youth ministries. For information on district youth events check the "district" page of the website: Youth Ministry .
Youth Lay Speaker training
A lay speaker training expressly for youth (high school students) will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 from 10 am to 4 pm at the United Methodist Building in Raleigh . Applications must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2008. Applications are available at Youth Ministry or by calling the Youth Ministry Office at the Methodist Building in Raleigh (800) 849-4433 ext. 252.
Special days for clergy
The next Gathering of the Order of Elders is Monday, April 14, 2008, 9am - 3 pm, Nashville UMC. The Bishop's Day Apart for all pastors will be held on Sept 15, 2008
