Church Development - News Articles
Both/And Worship Cohort 5th Round
5/30/2023The Church Development Office, in partnership with the WNCC Foundation and the Reynolds Ministry Fund, is excited to offer the 5th Round of the BOTH/AND Hybrid Worship Cohort Grant in an effort to help our churches improve the quality of online worship and provide a framework for hybrid worship in preparation for a post-pandemic reality. This is a rolling grant. When you apply you will receive a response as soon as possible. We will receive applications UP TO July 20, 2023, or until we receive 10 applicant churches (Whichever comes first.).
Any questions can be directed to Rob Hutchinson, Director of Church Development, at: rhutchinson@wnccumc.org
Messy Church Training Hosted by the Appalachian District
3/21/2023Is your church looking for ways to connect with families with children in your community? Messy Church is a type of fresh expression that is having a huge impact in the UK, Canada, and Australia. Messy Church combines activities, a meal, and a brief message to bring families together to experience church who would not normally come on a Sunday morning.
On Saturday April 22nd the Appalachian District and WNCC Fresh Expressions are hosting a Getting Started in Messy Church training at the Jefferson UMC (115 E. Main Street Jefferson, NC) from 9:30am to 2:30pm. This training will give you all the tools you need to start a Messy Church at your church.
Renewing Rural Ministry Thru Fresh Expressions
3/21/2023Join the Uwharrie District on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 9:30am-3pm at Hood Theological Seminary for a day of learning and dreaming about fresh expressions of the rural church. Bring a team and spend the day learning from Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, author of Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church, as we discover how Fresh Expressions can bring new life to ministry in rural areas. The day will be part teaching, part brainstorming, where you and your team will have an opportunity to work out hopes and next steps on your Fresh Expressions ideas no matter where you are in the Fresh Expressions Journey (listening, loving and serving, building community, church taking shape). Lunch is included in your registration.
Charlotte Dinner Church Immersion
3/6/2023Is your congregation interested in starting a dinner church? Would you like to see one in-person? Fresh Expressions Western North Carolina, Word on the Street, and the Metro District are hosting a dinner church immersion experience in Uptown Charlotte on March 30th from 10:30am to 1:30pm.
Both/And Worship Cohort 4th Round
1/5/2023The Church Development Office, in partnership with the UM Foundation and the Reynolds Ministry Fund, is excited to offer the 4th Round of the BOTH/AND Hybrid Worship Cohort Grant in an effort to help our churches improve the quality of online worship and provide a framework for hybrid worship in preparation for a post-pandemic reality. This is a rolling grant. When you apply you will receive a response as soon as possible. Deadline to apply is January 13, 2023.
New WNC Shelter for Women and Families Celebrates Their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony With Support from Wesley CDC and The WNCC
11/1/2022Lydia's Place, a new plant in Asheboro, celebrated in October 2022 with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Means of Grace: Church in Reverse with Rev. Rob Parsons
10/11/2022What could it mean for our congregations, for our communities, if we flipped the script on how we “do church”? In this week’s episode Rev. Rob Parsons, pastor of Saluda UMC and a new church start called WithALL, shares how these two congregations are doing just that. He describes their ministry style as “church in reverse,” and for them, their ministry does not start in the sanctuary, or a food pantry, or a Facebook page – it starts in courtrooms.
BOTH/AND Learning Lab – What’s Next!
9/13/2022Pushing the Progression of Hybrid Ministry
Worship/Discipleship/Equipment/New Expressions
Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church
8/15/2022Register today for this webinar taking place on Thursday, August 25th on the topic "Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church".
Collections From Annual Conference 2022 Offering
8/3/2022Thank you for supporting Stuart Auditorium Renovations and the Both/And Grants for this year's Annual Conference Offering!
[Important] Zoom Accounts Through WNCC Ending July 31st
7/18/2022After careful consideration, the Office of Church Development and IT Services has determined that we will be unable to extend the Zoom licenses offered to churches during the pandemic beyond our current agreement (which runs through July 31st, 2022).
Church Leadership Two-Day Event
7/6/2022Church Leadership Two-Day Event
Evangelism in the Post-Christian Context
Duke Endowment Scholarship Available to Attend
Dr. David Wilkinson and Family from Durham, England
Long’s Chapel UMC
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
July 29th and 30th
Peace with Justice Sunday Pastor and Leader Kit
6/20/2022Welcome to the 2022 Peace with Justice Sunday Pastor and Leader’s Kit. This Special Sunday kit provides a full package of ready to use resources to help your church celebrate the Peace with Justice Special Sunday and define how we give, why we give and the impact we make through connectional efforts.
Gift of $20,000 From First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro to Hometown Habitat for Humanity
5/25/2022With $20,000 donated by First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro, HHFH will break ground on its 51st home later this year!
Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge
5/18/2022Our Christian principles charge us to be a community of prayer and action. We are to live in the tension of piety and work. Worldwide, we continue to experience racial, ethnic, and tribal injustices that dehumanize God’s people. We are called to work towards liberation — as a spiritual and actionable practice. For this reason, the General Commission on Religion and Race invites you to participate in the Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge. Beginning on Juneteenth (Sunday June 19, 2022) we will post daily prayers on social media for six weeks. We’ll also include weekly challenges to help you put your prayers into action.
Uwharrie Fresh Expressions Day
The Uwharrie District will host our 3rd annual Fresh Expressions Day! Watch for more information.