Deadline for submitting reports for 2008 AC program book has been changed
The deadline for the 2008 Program Recommendations and Reports is noon on April 9. The Conference Secretary's office, however, strongly urges persons submitting reports to please make an effort to turn reports in before April 9 to allow time for compiling and editing the book. Submit your report electronically, if possible, to Shannon Medlin at smedlin@nccumc.org in either MS Word or WordPerfect format. Because of the tight deadline, there will not be time to make changes or corrections. Call Shannon Medlin at 1-800-849-4433, ext. 222 if you have questions.
Observe Methodist Home for Children Sunday on February 17
MHC Sunday should be observed on Feb. 17 or another appropriate Sunday. Offerings taken during the observance will support the work of the Methodist Home for Children with youth, children, and families in group homes, through foster care and adoption services, family-based counseling services, and childcare services. Call Jennifer Cooper at 800-305-4321 ext. 305 or jcooper@mhfc.com to get materials or to reserve a speaker for the observance. Visit www.mhfc.org for additional information on the ministry of the Methodist Home for Children.
Property and Casualty Insurance Workshop
The Conference Board of Trustees will sponsor a workshop on Sunday, Feb. 24, 3 p.m. at Centenary UMC in New Bern on local church property and casualty insurance. The workshop will cover topics such as property and casualty insurance in general as well as the special risk factors facing local churches. Intentional focus will be given to risk factors facing coastal congregations. All pastors, trustees chairpersons, and anyone interested in insurance issues and risks facing local congregations are encouraged to attend.
The meeting will be led by representatives from the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust (PACT). PACT is an all-lines (including Worker's Compensation) nonprofit insurance trust that is owned by its member United Methodist annual conferences, agencies and local churches. For more information on PACT or this workshop, please contact the Conference Treasurer's Office at (800) 849-4433.
February is Advocate Month
A poster with subscription forms for use in celebrating Advocate Month was mailed in December to local church lay leader addresses from the On Line Data Collection System. The lay leader was asked to use the poster or to give the material to the Advocate representative if one was elected. If the poster did not reach the lay leader or if an additional posted is needed, e-mail LeeAnne Thornton at lbthornton@nccumc.org or Linda Smith at lsmith@nccumc.org or telephone either at 1-800-849-4433.
Clergy should update local church information at "Find-A-Church"
Clergy should check information found on "Find-A-Church" at Church Facts to make sure the data displayed is up-to-date. There is an option for updating the data on the site provided by United Methodist Communications from information provided to the General Council on Finance and Administration. If the above link does not work, go to the www.nccumc.org and click on "Find-A-Church" on the right side of the opening page.
Office of Congregational Development
After many years as a PerceptGroup, Inc. client, demographic studies provided by the Office of Congregational Development will soon be made available through a new organization called MissionInsite. During a brief time of transition, no direct access to Percept's Link2Lead online site will be available to local churches. Once MissionInsite is online, local church leaders will have direct access to community demographic information, including many powerful new features not previously available.
One exciting feature of MissionInsite's program is the ability for a local church to upload all of its members' addresses to create a map showing their location in the community. Watch for future announcements regarding the launching of MissionInsite.
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is scheduled for March 2. This is the one time each year set aside to raise operational funding for United Methodist relief activities. UMCOR receives no World Service funds or any other apportionments. The special offering enables UMCOR to keep its promise that 100 percent of your designated gifts goes entirely to specific causes. One Great Hour of Sharing means UMCOR will provide hands-on care for persons caught in the effects of storms, war, disaster and disease. Often UMCOR is the first to arrive on the scene and the last to leave. UMCOR's ministry is all over God's wonderful world. We are UMCOR. Please provide an opportunity for congregations to take part in this critical offering. For sermon illustrations, children's sermons, stories, and other OGHS information, please see: One Great Hour of Sharing .
Christian Concert to benefit Methodist University
On Sunday, April 13 Methodist University is sponsoring the David Crowder Band in concert at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville. Individual and group tickets go on sale this month (February). Proceeds from the concert support campus ministry and mission projects of Methodist University. Contact the University Relations and Campus Ministry Office at Methodist University to find out how to purchase tickets (910).630-7515; www.methodist.edu .
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES
Let the Children Come
Two resource events for leaders in local church children's ministry will be offered in 2008: Saturday, April 19 at Salem UMC-Greenville and Saturday, Aug. 23 at Page Memorial UMC-Aberdeen. Each event will run from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. There is no cost to attend the event and pre-registration is not required. In addition to worship, four workshop options will be offered.
These resource events in particular are directed toward leaders in children's ministry from medium to smaller size churches. More information about these events may be found at Children Ministry .
Conference Youth Rally Day
Youth Rally Day will be Sunday, April 27 at NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount from 3-6 p.m. Youth groups are invited to enjoy the time of recreation, fellowship and worship. The ECU Wesley Foundation Praise Team and Wesley Singers will provide music. Youth groups are invited to sponsor recreational activities or offer an act of worship. The youth group of Northwoods UMC will provide a prayer labyrinth.
There is no cost to attend Rally Day (although refreshments will be available for purchase and an offering will be taken for Youth Service Fund) and groups do not need to pre-register to attend. More information about Rally Day can be found at Youth Ministry .
MISSION AND SOCIAL CONCERNS
Restroom Accessibility Grants are available
Due to a generous grant by the Duke Endowment, restroom accessibility grant requests for rural churches are now being accepted. Grant applications must be received by March 31. Applications and guidelines are available online at: Restroom Grants
Church & Society - Social Concerns Listserv
A Church & Society/Social Concerns listserv is being created. E-mail addresses from each congregation with a Church & Society coordinator is needed. In addition, any other interested individuals can have their e-mail address added to the listserv. A congregation can send multiple e-mail addresses. E-mail addresses should be sent to Becky Biegger at beckybiegger@nccumc.org with the e-mail subject line "Church & Society Listserv."
Nominations being received for the Crum Award for Prophetic Ministry
The Conference Commission on Church and Society is receiving nominations for the 2008 Jack and Kay Crum Award for Prophetic Ministry. Deadline for receiving this information is Feb. 18. To nominate a church, send a narrative description of the ministry to staylor@nccumc.org and to beckybiegger@nccumc.org . For information about this award, call Becky Biegger at 1-800-849-4433, ext. 256.
Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HK on J) rally-march
Sponsored in part by the NC Council of Churches, the second annual HK on J is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9 at Chavis Park , 505 Martin Luther King Blvd., Raleigh. Arrive at 11:00 a.m. The program will begin at 11:30 a.m., with a march to the State Legislative Building planned for 12:30 p.m. For more information visit www.hkonj.com . To see the Fourteen Point Agenda visit: Agenda. To see how this rally connects with our UM Social Principles, see: Social Principles .
Ecumenical Advocacy Days - Gathering for Empowerment and Prophetic Justice
The 2008 Ecumenical Advocacy Days assembly will explore new visions of security in our homes, neighborhoods, nation and world. All sessions Friday through Sunday will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center located across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, in Alexandria, Virginia. Monday, Lobby Day, events will be located at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation . Register on-line at: www.advocacydays.org. The student/Seminarian rate is $130 until Feb. 15 when it raises to $150. General registration is $160 until Feb. 15 when it will increase to $175. Groups and individuals should register early. Reservations: Call (877) 783-8258 or (800) 445-8667 Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel 5000 Seminary Road Alexandria, VA 22311.
Learning event from the Office of Missions
"The Gospel Within the Gospel - A Scriptural Portrait of Radical Hospitality" - 1 to 2 hours. Highly interactive Bible reflection (called Biblical Animation) using the Markan story of the Tale of the Two Daughters. Addresses the "heart" of being a missional congregation. Engaging, thought provoking, challenging and just plain fun. For groups of 12 to 50 members. Can be done for a Wednesday night Lenten event or for Sunday school event. For information or scheduling contact staylor@nccumc.org or beckybiegger@nccumc.org or call 800-849-4433 ext 256.
Lenten Devotion available
A hunger & justice Lenten resource is available. A Lenten Prayer Calendar, a daily devotion guide that includes: Scripture Reading, Reflection, Prayer, and an Action step. The action item includes a small daily gift of a few cents. At the end of Lent, you are requested to make your combined Lenten gift to the Society of St. Andrew, a Conference Advance Special and part of the Rainbow Covenant or in any other way you feel led by God's Spirit. To download the Lenten Guide click Guide .
