Latest News Regarding COVID-19

May 28, 2020 The past two days have reminded us of the chaos, hurt, distrust, and anger, that emerges all too frequently in our communities. The news of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis has shocked and awakened us once again to the injustice still present in our world. My thoughts are focused on the family and friends who are grieving and all who are impacted by the traumatic effects of racism and violence.  The Church has consistently denounced racial discrimination and violence. As United...

We have curated a list of resources for celebrating Pentecost virtually with your congregation and small groups, or at home with your family!

Our nation will soon pass a grievous point in history: 100,000 Americans will have died from COVID-19. As people of faith, we cannot allow this grim number to go unnoticed. Always and everywhere, it is the duty of religious communities to remember the dead and mourn their passing. We call on religious and political leaders to take a time of prayer, Monday, June 1st at 12 p.m. to acknowledge, lament, and mourn all those we have lost.

Coach facilitated help sessions are being offered to clergy moving in a crazy time through the generosity of the Duke Endowment.

Rev. Denise Kilgo-Martin walks through three tutorial videos of using StreamYard to live stream worship - starting with a basic, introductory video and moving into advanced features.

As the state of North Carolina prepares to enter Phase Two, the Cabinet has updated our Conference Guidelines for In-Person Worship and Ministry During COVID-19. These will be effective Saturday May 23, 2020 and will remain in effect until at least June 30, 2020. In alignment and compliance with public health guidance, governmental mandates, and our scriptural and Wesleyan call to "love others" and “do no harm,” these guidelines are to be followed by churches in the Western North Carolina Conference. We have also prepared a Frequently Asked Questions to help you navigate ministry concerns at this time.

As the State of North Carolina loosens restrictions imposed on the public related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the churches in The Western North Carolina of The United Methodist Church face a variety of the same questions and issues faced by the business community as they look toward opening their doors again. Find information related to employee/employer AND church/public risks when re-opening.

Video editing is the process of taking raw footage from your smartphone or other camera and formatting it for your viewers. This training from UM Communications will help you learn how to use Adobe Rush to edit your videos and format them for popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Alex A. Shanks explores why reopening a church is different than reopening a business. "Planning for the future during COVID-19 presents challenges for the church unlike any other. How will we lead in a time of change?"

As we emerge from the crisis of the last weeks and enter a new era of being church, establishing strong spiritual disciplines requires innovation, mutual support and accountability. Join one of these learning sessions to grow alongside your clergy and lay peers.

With questions arising about viral safety and communal singing, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Chorus America, Barbershop Harmony Society, and Performing Arts Medical Association (PAMA) present an important webinar about the near term future of singing as we seek fact based solutions in protecting our singers, teachers, and conductors during this time.

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership offers advice for pastors facing ministerial transition during this unprecedented time.

With Facebook rolling out the new Live Producer, we want to be sure you have the information you need to keep live streaming your services! *Please note, as of now, the camera option for Live Producer only works in the Chrome Beta and/or Firefox browsers.

Announcement of suspension of scheduled summer camp and addition of new summer opportunities Also announcement of the Tekoa "Raise Your Candles High" Emergency Fund campaign

First United Methodist Church in Mocksville dedicates itself to caring for seniors in two stages of life - homebound and college-bound.

UPDATED May 21, 2020: Phase One guidelines are no longer in effect. Please find the Phase Two guidelines and FAQs here. Phase Two is effective starting Saturday, May 23, 2020 and will remain in effect until at least June 30, 2020. ------- Greetings, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:   We give thanks for the many ways that you have continued to be the body of Christ during this pandemic. Your innovation and creativity are to be applauded. As a state, we are...

Using examples of three United Methodist Churches in the WNCC, Aimee Yeager explores some of the ways our perspectives of online ministry have shifted in the wake of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

Wondering what to do about VBS? Take a look at these tips on what to consider when deciding what's best for your community.

May 4, 2020 As congregations, laity, and clergy, continue to deliver exceptional ministry to our communities, we have been inspired by the gracious spirit pervading our entire annual conference. Many churches have given careful thought to sharing worship online, expressing the faith of Jesus through hymns, music, scripture, and inspirational messages. Our communities have witnessed the kindness and compassion of the church through food and clothing initiatives. It has been inspirational and ...

We realize many churches may be struggling financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the Conference wants to partner with you in these ways - (1) A three-month waiver of the local church component of pension and health benefit premiums. (2) The establishment of the WNC Connexion Fund to help our WNC congregations support clergy and their families as they continue to lead our ministries. (3) Interpretation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.