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

April 16, 2020

 

E-News - April 15, 2020

E-News is a bi-weekly newsletter sent out by the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. It contains important news, stories, and events from around our conference. Submit articles for the next e-news. Submit events.

NEWS

Financial Responses to COVID-19
It has come to our attention that churches can apply for another loan program, that is forgivable, with the Small Business Administration and the CARES Act. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program allows up to $10,000 that small businesses, including non-profits and churches, can immediately apply for. Information about the EIDL is found here: EIDL Portal. 

The United Methodist Credit Union is approved to work with the SBA to process CARES Act loans. Any church who would like to work with the UM Credit Union for their application is welcome. Learn more here. 

Bishop Leeland and other Cabinet members have been lobbying Governor Cooper's office to include church employees in extended unemployment benefits. Read more about church employees and NC unemployment benefits here. 

Bookmark and return to this page regularly, as it will be updated when new information is available. 
Information Regarding Continued, Faithful Giving of Apportionment Funds
Many churches have reached out regarding the payment of apportionment funds given the Conference office closure. WNCC Treasury Services continue to operate and process apportionment payments and payment disbursements weekly. Apportionment payments may still be sent to PO Box 2757,Huntersville, NC 28070. Thank you for your support of our connectional ministries.
GBHEM Loans & Scholarships to Offer Financial Relief Measures
In response to the economic impact of the global pandemic, the GBHEM Office of Loans and Scholarships has made some important updates to its policies. New 2020 guidelines – including a loan payment suspension option – are outlined here.
ServSafe Trainings Free Until April 30th
Whether your dinner church or feeding ministry has adapted to take out meals or pressed pause until COVID-19 is behind us,  ServSafe is offering free food preparation safety trainings until April 30th. 
WNCC Churches Can Help COVID-19 First Responders Now
The Western NC Conference of the UMC is working with Wesley Community Development and state health officials to determine which churches can provide immediate assistance to their local healthcare providers in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.  If your church is already providing any of these ministries for the COVID-19 fight or could offer space for one or more, please complete this brief survey  by Friday, April 17, and return it to Rev. Karen Easter Bayne at karen@wesleycdc.com. 
Join a Peer Learning Session: Learning from One Another During a Time of Physical Distancing

Clergy are invited to participate in upcoming peer learning sessions facilitated by a professional coach to consolidate and share timely insights, experiences, innovations and resources that help them and their churches adapt during a time of physical distancing.
WNCC Easter Service
In case you missed it, the Western North Carolina Conference hosted an Easter worship service. Bishop Leeland shares an Easter message and our District Superintendents lead us in worship. Continue your Easter season worship and watch the video here.
Means of Grace: Good Stewards of God's Creation
In this episode of The Means of Grace Podcast, Kim and Jesse talk with three Western North Carolina Conference EarthKeepers about their passion for the stewardship of God’s creation. Listen at www.wnccumc.org/meansofgrace or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Disaster Response Safety During a Pandemic - Advice from the Committee on Relief

The novel coronavirus pandemic brings with it new safety challenges for disaster response teams. The Committee on Relief offers advice on how to respond to disaster situations safely during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The COR has also been working with UNCC to help prepare resident halls as COVID-19 field stations. Read more about their work here.
Coping with Coronavirus - One Retirement Community's Response to COVID-19
Read how Arbor Acres, a continuing care retirement community, is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with safety measures, fun, and compassion for residents.
A Church in Motion: Putting Legs on Our Prayers
There is a graphic making the rounds on social media that makes a powerful statement about the church in our current times, times like none that we have experienced before. It reads: The church is not empty. The church has been deployed. First UMC (FUMC) of Hendersonville put that thought into action. Knowing that the church needed to be active in service and ministry during these challenging times, the church stood up a Coronavirus Response Team (CRT) of seven lay members and the senior pastor to address the needs of their members and their community.
2020 SEJ Conference Postponed
The decision has been made to postpone all 2020 U.S. Jurisdictional Conferences scheduled for July. According to our Book of Discipline, all Jurisdictional Conferences occur simultaneously on a date set by the Council of Bishops. As soon as the dates for the rescheduled General Conference are released, the Council of Bishops will set a new date for the opening of the Jurisdictional Conferences.
The 2019 Journal is Available Online!
The 2019 Journal is now available for viewing and download on the WNCC Administration page! Visit this link to view reports and pictures of the 2019 Annual Conference, obtain the clergy directory, and find other helpful information!  We hope you enjoy the new bookmarked table of contents (in the full download), allowing you to jump straight to the section you want to visit.

Director of Communications: Melissa McGill
Communications Ministry Assistant: Aimee Yeager

Church and Conference Administration Clergy Clergy Connection Connect and Fellowship Covid Financial and Administrative Resources Financial Resources Mission Spiritual Care

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