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.
Human Relations Sunday is January 20
Human Relations Sunday, one of the six Special Giving Sundays in The United Methodist Church is Jan. 20. The Discipline states: "Human Relations Day calls the Church to recognize the right of all God's children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other. The purpose of the day is to further the development of better human relations." (¶ 264.1, The Book of Discipline 2004) Promotional materials can be ordered by visiting www.umcgiving.org or by calling 1-888-862-3242. A worship resource can be found at UMCGiving .
The other five Special Giving Sundays are: One Great Hour of Sharing, March 2; Native American Ministries Sunday, April 6; Peace with Justice Sunday, May 18; World Communion Sunday, Oct. 5; and United Methodist Student Day, Nov. 30.
Spiritual Renewal Event hosted by two districts
The Fayetteville and Wilmington Districts are hosting a Spiritual Renewal Event with Lauren Winner, author of Mudhouse Sabbath and Girl Meets God . Mrs. Winner will be focusing on Sabbath and other spiritual disciplines to strengthen spiritual and physical lives. The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 17 at Culbreth Memorial UMC in Fayetteville from 10 am - 4 pm with lunch included. There is no cost for the event. To register email Tina Reaves at tina@bladencharge.com or call 910-866-5632 by Jan. 3.
February is Advocate subscription month
February is North Carolina Conference Christian Advocate subscription month. Promotional materials, including a poster and subscription forms, were mailed to each local church lay leader in mid-December. If the church has an advocate representative, the materials should be given to that individual. If the church does not have a representative, the lay leader should discuss with the pastor how to best use the materials.
Any assistance pastors and lay leaders can provide in promoting the conference newspaper will be greatly appreciated. The Advocate staff welcomes your comments and suggestions in order to keep the newspaper a useful and informative publication.
Stewardship seminar for African-American churches
The Office of Multicultural Ministries will be offering the seminar "Stewardship in African-American Churches - A New Paradigm" for pastors, finance chairs, treasurers, lay leaders, and other interested church officers and laity. The Reverend Melvin Amerson of the Texas Methodist Foundation will be the presenter. Participants may attend this workshop from 7-9pm, Thursday, Jan.10 at Asbury Temple UMC ( Durham ) or from 10am - 2pm on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Galilee UMC (Laurinburg.) A flyer (in PDF format) is available at Stewardship in African-American Churches or by contacting Dr. Lawrence Johnson at ljohnson@nccumc.org or LeeAnne Thornton at lbthornton@nccumc.org .
E-mail addresses of local church UMM presidents requested
NC Conference United Methodist Men is requesting the e-mail addresses of all local church UMM presidents. These addresses will be used to keep the local presidents informed about events and other items of interest to UMM. A list will be established for each district. Access will be restricted so only district presidents and conference officers can use it. Please send the e-mail addresses to bnorton@nccumc.org , along with the name of the local church and district.
YOUTH EVENTS AND DEADLINES
Youth Lay Speaker training
A lay speaker training expressly for youth (high school students) will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 10 am to 4 pm at the United Methodist Building in Raleigh . Applications must be submitted by Feb. 1. Applications are available at Youth Ministry or by calling the Youth Ministry Office at the Methodist Building in Raleigh (800) 849-4433 ext. 252.
Confirmation Celebration in March
The Conference Confirmation Celebration will be Saturday, March 8 at Methodist University in Fayetteville . Check-in will begin at 10am and the program will run from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Lunch will be included so group pre-registration is required by Monday, Feb. 25. The cost of the event will be $7 per person. Details for the Confirmation Celebration can be found at Youth Ministry .
2008 Youth Event Deadlines Coming Up
Youth wishing to attend Conference Youth events such as Global Vision and Summer Breakaway need to register in January, 2008. The registration deadline for Global Vision is January 25. Details about these and other 2008 Conference youth opportunities may be found at Youth Ministry . Go to the "Events" section to download the required registration form in the 2008 Youth Events brochure.
MISSION NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
January is Project AGAPE Month
January is Project AGAPE month, a time to reflect and respond to the deep needs of our brothers and sisters in Armenia . As we did not take an offering at Annual Conference for AGAPE, this time of giving is much more important. Armenia remains one of the world's poorest countries, particularly in the disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan . Please continue to pray for the deep needs of this ministry and consider an offering on January 6, AGAPE Sunday, or some other Sunday in January. Bulletin inserts were mailed and are available on-line as a download at: http://nccmission.org/project_agape.htm .
Project AGAPE is part of the NC Rainbow Covenant - Advance #S - 00004. Make checks payable to NC Conference marked for "Project AGAPE - S#00004" and place them in your Sunday offering or mail checks to North Carolina Conference/Raleigh Area, The United Methodist Church, PO Box 60053 , Charlotte NC 28260-0053.
GBGM to place young adults in 10-week mission settings
The mission agency of The United Methodist Church (GBGM) is resuming a program that places young adults in mission settings in the US for 10 weeks of summer service and education. A dozen persons ages 18 to 25 will be selected for 2008. Each participant, who must dedicate a full 10 weeks to the program June 8 - Aug. 2, will receive a $1,000 stipend, travel to and from their place of assignment, and room and board. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1, 2008. Orientation begins in New York City on June 1. For more information and/or an application: GBGM News or GBGM
ZOE seeks development officer
ZOE Ministry is seeking a development officer to lead us in our fund raising activities. For more information go to - http://afptriangle.org/jobpostings.htm
Rain bow Covenant Forms Mailed
Rainbow Covenant Forms were mailed to mission chairpersons last week. If you have not received yours, please contact Becky Biegger at beckybiegger@nccumc.org or call 800-849-4433 ext 256.
MERCI can receive donations from online shopping
MERCI is now listed with "igive." If online shopping is done through the website, igive , MERCI will receive a donation from the stores where shopping takes place. iGive.com is the first and largest network of members, worthy causes, online merchants, and Web sites, brought together to enable shoppers to list and support their favorite worthy causes through online shopping. Questions? Call Jim Huskins at MERCI, 1-888-440-9167.
Robeson County Church and Community Center needs assistance
The Church and Community Center serves the nation's 2nd most diverse rural county and the 3rd most impoverished of its size. Grant funding is down, leaving the Center in very difficult financial times. Please consider making a donation through your local church offering. Please note on the check: Robeson County Church and Community Center - Advance #7917428. For more information please see the Executive Director's letter: Please Help
La Esperanza Sheltered Workshop - a UM Mission in Chile needs support
La Esperanza provides Christ-centered love, care, and support for approximately 25 mentally and physically handicapped adults in Santiago , Chile . The Workshop literally 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. Please consider a gift to this wondrous ministry. Simply place your gift in your Sunday offering plate with the designation: La Esperanza Workshop Advance #14056A. You can choose to give to the ministry on-line at: La Esperanza
Brighter Future Children Rescue Center & Feed My Lambs
Frido Kinkolenge serves two mission programs in Liberia: Feed My Lambs (Advance #S00178) a feeding and teaching ministry for street children and Brighter Future Children Rescue Center (Advance #S00179) a ministry of spiritual and physical health, wholeness, and empowerment for ex-combatant children. To partner with these ministries, mail your gift to NC Conference/Raleigh Area, The United Methodist Church, PO Box 60053 , Charlotte , NC 28260-0053 or place in your church offering. Please note the Advance number on your check and envelope. One hundred percent of the gift will go to the Advance. If mailing, please place your church and district name on the check and your church will receive Advance credit.
Programs from 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 - 2 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 - 8 weekly sessions, journeying in the life of Jesus, considering how we make that same journey today. Uses dynamic Biblical Animation, created by theologian, Ched Myers and reading scripture in today's context.
For further information e-mail Becky Biegger - beckybiegger@nccumc.org or Steve Taylor - staylor@nccumc.org or call them at 1-800-849-4433.
