Financial and Administrative Resources

One of the Western NC Conference’s Ministry partners, Shelby Systems, has agreed to partner with churches in the conference by providing a comprehensive online giving program that will include text-to-give, custom website form, and mobile app.

The Committee on Relief has secured a donation of cloth face masks through FEMA. These masks are available to staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations and will be available to distribute in the next week(s).   Interested churches or organizations should fill out the following request form. COR will review requests and distribute masks. For additional information contact Ben Rogers (brogers@wnccumc.org).

An extensive resource from Candler School of Theology featuring in-depth guidance and advice from an ecumenical group of theologians, scientists, physicians, pastors, bishops, and practitioners. This guide includes theological foundations, benchmarks, best practices, planning checklist, and practical solutions.

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?"

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.

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.

The constraints of social distancing could tempt churches to throw established finance procedures out the window. Please don’t! Here are some important procedures that are available through the use of technology to help us through a difficult time.

Website development grants are for local United Methodist churches and church entities who do not currently have a website. Through this new grant, United Methodist Communications will offer the following: -One year of webhosting -One year of domain name registration -Free WordPress online training through UMCOM -Free online support throughout your training and during your year of web hosting -Free pre-designed templates for easy development of your new website -Access to Google apps (includes 5 Gmail accounts, Google calendar, 2GB of storage on GDrive) United Methodist Churches and church entities who wish to replace their current website with a WordPress site may also apply.

As we hear the announcements that our nation and state are going to slowly reopen, the Bishop and the Cabinet of the Western North Carolina Conference encourage all local churches to continue to follow the guidelines of the CDC as well as state and local officials regarding the resumption of in-person worship. Please continue to guide all your decisions by Jesus’ command to “love one another.”  COVID-19 has not been eradicated, and thus we continue to need to protect the most vulnerable among us. The following are 24 questions to consider as you make plans for persons to return to your church building and activities.  These have been adapted from the blog by Ken Braddy, “24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return.”

"After the pandemic-caused postponement, the new prospective dates for The United Methodist Church’s General Conference are Aug. 31-Sept. 10, 2021."

In addition to PPP loans, the CARES Act creates a payroll tax deferral period (“Payroll Tax Delay”) running from March 27 through December 31, 2020. Employers—including tax-exempt nonprofits like UMC local churches, annual conferences and general agencies—may defer/delay payment of the “employer share” of Social Security taxes that they otherwise are responsible for paying to the federal government with respect to their employees.

The Latest Edition of E-News - Financial Resources, Peer Learning Sessions for COVID-19, and more...

Nonprofits with a 501(c)3 status - including churches - are eligible to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program. GCFA has automated the process of obtaining the 501(c)3 documentation for your church or other United Methodist organization. We have updated our user guide to help facilitate this process. Be sure to read through it today. Visit www.umgroupruling.org to get started.

As churches explore more digital ministry options, GCFA has developed some guidance on reporting and counting the number of viewers of your online worship and Bible study attendance.

Bishop Leeland and the Cabinet share an update on appointments this year after discernment and reflection given the current circumstances of social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic.