AC News

Opening Worship Sermon - Friday - Bishop Steiner Ball Preaching Ordination Service - Bishop Alfred Gwinn Jr Preaching Commissioning Service - Bishop Alfred Gwinn Jr Preaching   Retiring Clergy Service  Celebration of Life Service   Closing Worship - Sunday - Bishop Leeland Preaching Remarks on "A Commission on a Way Forward" - Bishop Ken Carter    

Annual Conference Daily News Monday, June 25, 2018 Whats New: Bishop Leeland's Sunday Sermon Transcript Saturday Ordination Service Pictures Sunday Worship Service Pictures 2018 Appointment List Miss Something? Bishop Carter's Remarks on "A Way Forward" All photos taken by our volunteers can be found here. Did you get some good photos at Annual Conference? Submit them here and click the ! All sermon transcripts and other news can be found here. Check out the videos from Annual ...

Annual Conference Daily News Saturday, June 23, 2018 NEWS STORIES FROM THURSDAY AND FRIDAY Laity Address by Tom Bridges Opening Worship Notes Bishop Steiner Ball- Sermon at Opening Worship Photos from Emory 5K Worship Book Available Online Annual Conference preparation at full steam MEDIA FROM THURSDAY AND FRIDAY Videos Opening Video from Opening Worship Opening Worship- 1968 Merger Video 2018 Retirement Video Fresh Expressions Video (Church Vitality Report) UMM- Amending Through Faith ...

Annual Conference Daily News Sunday, June 24, 2018 NEWS STORIES FROM SATURDAY Bishop Gwinn's Ordination Sermon Bishop Carter's Address on "A Way Forward" Jan Brittain's Sermon for Celebration of Life Service Saturday Morning Business Bishop Gwinn's Sermon from Friday Night MEDIA FROM SATURDAY Bishop Carter's Remarks on "A Way Forward" Videos Lay Servant Ministries Training Neighboring Well with Laura Birch Media and Food for Kids See All the People- Harambee 2017 Fresh Expressions ...

Clergywomen’s Breakfast  June 22, 2018  Lake Junaluska, NC  Dr. Nancy B. Rankin  (Hi Nancy,  I hope you are having a great week!  I’m sure your schedule is full of many things yet to be done, though I imagine you (and Terry!) must be very excited for your upcoming retirement!   During our Women In Ministry Breakfast (Friday, June 22), I would love for you to offer us some of your thoughts, insights, wisdom, etc... with the women gathered.  In light of your ministry and experiences, the influence...

  Transcript The scripture lesson is from Paul's letter to the ‑‑ we always thank God our father the Lord Jesus Christ, he is the visible image of the invisible God.  The firstborn of all creation for in him all things were created in heaven and Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, principalities, all things were created through him and for him.  He is before all things and in him all things hold together.  He is the head of the body of the church, he is the beginning, ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  The DNA of Your Calling You know, I said and I meant it, last evening, to many of you who may be here tonight again, some of you were not here last evening.  I am humbled by this.  I found myself Bishop Leeland, the more you spoke, the more I scooted down in my chair, thinking oh my, I have to come up after this and stand in the pulpit.  But I am deeply grateful.  I said also to the crowd last evening, you ...

Remarks on "A Commission on a Way Forward" Bishop Ken Carter | Annual Conference 2018   Questions/Thoughts/Concerns? You can provide those anonymously here   Transcript This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  BISHOP LEELAND:  For those who are visiting or coming to the Annual Conference for the first time, you have not had the privilege of meeting Bishop Ken Carter, Bishop Carter was a member of this conference at the time of his election, a ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Altars of Faithfulness Sometimes when I step into a pulpit I cannot honestly make this statement to the people seated before me, I know exactly what it's like to be where you are.  But today, I can.  Just 20 days ago I met my father and my brother in Greenville for the SC Annual Conference.  To attend the memorial service where my mother, along with countless other faithful servants would be remembered and ...

The morning session began with an Order of Morning Prayer led by the youth of the conference. Following the brief service, the Annual Meeting  of the Membership of the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina was convened by Tom Jordan and David Snipes.  They presented their glowing report of a year of growth for the foundation, and presented the conference with a check of $30,000 dollars to assist with the Bishop's Leadership Initiative. 2018 UM Foundation Presentation from The...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Anywhere But Nineveh You know I was a little nervous, but now I am trembling.  Bishop Leeland, thank you so much.  I am humbled, I always strive to live up to some of those attributes that Bishop Leeland was talking about.  We know that who we are is the result of God at work in our lives.  That's who we really are as his sons and daughters.  The wonderful thought tonight for all of us is he loves each of us ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Good afternoon.  I am Tom Bridges, the Yadkin valley district lay leader and the member of ‑‑ in Kernersville. Last November I was in Gastonia with a group, including Bishop Leeland, several from the cabinet and the Board of Laity, who were exploring ways to have the laity of Western North Carolina Conference 1* # become more engaged in ministry.  Towards the end of the meeting we were talking about the laity ...

Opening Worship at Annual Conference kicked off at 10:30 AM at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. You can check out the service order on pp. 2-6 in the 2018 Worship Book. The service was opened with a video: Following the Call to Worship and the Processional Hymn, we were reminded that this is the 50th Anniversary of The United Methodist Church: Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball offered her sermon- "Go and Teach" using the texts Matthew 28:16-20 and 1 Timothy ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball:  Thank you for asking to participate in your opening worship.  We gather an around this table this morning to remember and to be remembered, to be remembered with God, and to be re‑membered, knitted together with one another.  This table and the story and its host, where we can learn again, so that we can take in, so that we rehearse, practice, literally swallow the story of a loving...

If you would like to use the worship book at Lake Junaluska, please download it to your device and feel free to use it at the auditorium for all services. 2018 Worship Book  This document covers all of the services that will be held at Lake Junaluska this weekend.

The first hours of Annual Conference 2018 are underway at Lake Junaluska. Registration began promptly at 11:00 AM. Clergy pictures began at 12 Noon and will go through Saturday. Indoor and Outdoor Displays began setting up around 10 AM. There are over 40 different special events scheduled on the grounds of Junaluska between Thursday and Sunday.   The main event on the schedule for Thursday afternoon is the Clergy Executive Session in Stuart Auditorium at 3:00 PM Thursday. The first major ...

Have you heard?  Brooks-Howell, a retirement community in Asheville, NC owned by United Methodist Women, has expanded its Independent Living criteria to include those who have served in one or more service capacities in The United Methodist Church for 10 years or more. This means if you’ve been a Sunday School teacher, member of United Methodist Women, Director of Music and more, then you qualify to apply. Brooks-Howell continues to be a community of faith and fellowship for both men and ...

AC After Hours Thursday, June 21st, 8-10 pm BearWaters Brewing 101 Park St Canton, NC Join us at BearWaters Brewing for an evening of conversation and laughter among friends. We may have a guest Bishop or two on hand as we talk about the future of the church and then will chat with some colleagues about some of the creative ministry they're doing in our conference. Come unwind and get inspired! Questions? Contact Louis Timberlake (ltimberlake@wnccumc.net)  

To All Women in Ministry of the Conference,  As we excitedly prepare for our time together at Annual Conference, we have two things to share with you.     You are warmly invited to join together for our annual Women In Ministry Breakfast at Annual Conference.  The breakfast is open to all women who serve in professional ministry throughout the conference (deacon / elder / local pastor / Christian educator/ provisional / student).  We have varied gifts and callings  in diverse settings, and this...

Thursday, June 21, 2018 3:00 pm Home of Lisa Roberts 76 Atkins Loop Lake Junaluska A time of fellowship for Clergy Spouses to get together during closed Clergy Session. Easy access to house - trolley stops at Sunset Inn at corner of Atkins Loop - then short "3-house down" walk. Hosted by Lisa Roberts 707-677-6728 There will be emailed invitations going out soon, or please call Lisa Roberts to let her know you will attend.

FROM: Bishop Paul L. Leeland TO; WNCC Clergy Dear Friends,   I want to invite you to participate in one of two Space4Grace events on Thursday, June 21, the day of our Executive Session of Clergy Members. These Sabbath experiences are brought to us by the Sabbath Living Initiative. There will be two different options offered - either from 10:30 to 2:00 before the Clergy Session or from 5:30 to 9:00 after the Clergy Session.  Both of these sessions will include a Sabbath meal and a time of ...

The Spiritual Directors of the Western North Carolina Conference would like to offer you a place to slow down and take a breath during conference. The pace of day to day living makes it difficult to attune ourselves to the rhythms of soul, the rhythms of the Sacred within and all around us. This one hour guided experience is designed to provide you with a transitional space between the worries of the world and the slower, deeper, and more natural flow of Spirit. While there will be some space ...

You’re Invited to attend the GET TO KNOW WESLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL CONFERENCE LUNCHEON   Stop by and learn about the services offered by Wesley Community Development Corporation throughout the Western North Carolina Conference and beyond.   When: Friday, June 22, 2018 @ 12pm Where: Foundation for Evangelism at Lake Junaluska   Please RSVP Michael@WesleyCDC.com by June 10, 2018, as space is limited. We look forward to seeing you and sharing some of the past, present, and future ...

"Come and see what God is up to in our Wesleyan tradition! Class meetings, Band meetings Emmaus Reunion groups, Covenant Discipleship groups... all are a part of God's Back Porch."   Register Now →  

“Who do you know that should be considered for this year’s Harry Denman Evangelism Award?”   Each year The Denman Evangelism Award is presented at Annual Conference to the youth, clergy, and/or lay person that best personifies what it means to live our call to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The recipients are those who have followed in the footsteps of noted lay evangelist Harry Denman by showing Christ to others through their actions, ministries, and heart for living and sharing the Gospel. ...

WNC Emory Club 2018 5K at Lake Junaluska Register at: runsignup.com/EmoryClub5K $25 before 5/31/18 $35 after Friday, June 22, 2018 8 AM Stuart Auditorium Benefitting: UMCOR/Puerto Rico Recovery

The deadline for submitting petitions for consideration by the 2018 Western North Carolina Annual Conference has been extended to Tuesday, April 3.  Please send petitions to Rev. Kim Ingram, Conference Secretary at kingram@wnccumc.org and they will be reviewed by the Petitions Committee.  For help with formatting, please refer to previous petitions.

Cycle to Lake Junaluska June 18-20, 2018 You are invited to join in the 5th Annual Cycle to Lake Junaluska which will take place Monday, June 18 to Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Join us as we pedal to Lake Junaluska in a 3-day fully supported charity bicycle ride that benefits the campus ministries of our conference. The C2LJ Team has been hard at work to set up a 145 mile route with amazing host sites. Day 1 will start in Hickory, NC at Christ UMC on Monday, June 18 and cycle to Rutherfordton, ...

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”  We cross paths with people that personify this quote almost daily in our ministry.  Like Susie Heidt, who coordinated a successful VBS in a town that has no schools.  Or Ethan Oltreman, a high school senior who organized a revival designed to encourage racial reconciliation.  Or Rev. Andrew Singh who is passionate  about moving his church parishioners to pray and grow in their prayer lives equipping them to share the Good News of ...

As has been the practice for some years, the WNC Conference Commission on Archives and History will recognize all churches celebrating their 100th, 150th, and 200th anniversaries in 2018 with their display at Annual Conference this year.  If your congregation is celebrating one of these anniversaries this year, please contact Jim Pyatt, Assistant Archivist, at jpyatt@wnccumc.org  by March 15, so that your church will be included in this year’s recognitions.  

The Housing Letter has been mailed to all clergy and lay members of the conference and is arriving by postal mail across the state.  The link above contains all of the information contained in the mailing.  The Housing Request Form will go live on the morning of February 28th. For those interested in requesting display space, Annual Conference Display Information is now online.  The online application form is also available, and can be submitted until April 13, 2018.