The Latest Edition of E-News - WNCC Hiring Director of Equity and Justice Ministries, join the ZOE virtual mission trip, hear how are youth are processing the pandemic, and more

December 2, 2020

E-News - December 2, 2020

E-News is an email 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

HIRING: Conference Director of Equity and Justice Ministries

The Western North Carolina Conference is seeking a Conference Director of Equity and Justice Ministries (CDEJM) to direct our strategic efforts in diversity, equity, belonging, and advocacy and to help implement these practices in all areas of Conference and local church ministry.

Royce Reynolds’ Bequest Marks Largest Gift in United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina History

The late Royce Reynolds, philanthropist and founder of Crown Automotive, has secured a faithful legacy with a bequest to the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, Inc. It is the largest single gift ever received by the Foundation, which has a mission of building the Church for generations to come.

ZOE Empowers - Virtual Mission Trip

Pack your bags for a virtual trip to Rwanda, Kenya, and India!  Glimpse the kingdom of God with orphaned and vulnerable children around the world lifting themselves permanently out of poverty.  

Means of Grace: Youth Perspectives on Faith, Technology and Community During a Pandemic

In this episode, Melissa McGill and Jeremy Coffey check in with the 11th grade youth small group they co-lead at Myers Park UMC. Four youth – Hayden, Nathan, Lucy and Bobby – share their thoughts on how faith, community and technology intersect for teens during the pandemic. We’ve pivoted in all areas of Church life this year – here’s what it looks like for this high school small group and how their Church continues to play an important role in their lives.

Winter Leadership Training Webinar Series

Like most events during the pandemic, our District Winter Leadership Training Events will look a little different for 2021. Rather than hosting in-person events in each district, we will offer a series of Conference-wide training webinars during the week of January 10-14 to resource and equip all areas of your Church leadership.
Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions will lead the keynote webinar to launch the series on “Telling the Old Story in a New Time.”
Other topics will include: Financial Faithfulness in Uncertain Times, The Ministry of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Evangelism During A Pandemic, Leadership During a Pandemic for Church Councils, Racial Equity and Justice, Courageous Conversations, and much more.

Treasury Services announces new Online Payments Portal for 2021

Treasury Services is pleased to announce a new avenue for making Apportionment and Benefits payments via electronic payments. This new feature will be available in early 2021. To get started, however, we need to set up the payers.

Virtually Connect with the Randalls, Global Ministries Missionaries

Rev. Courtney and Rev. Dan Randall are UM elders serving as Global Ministries missionaries, yet COVID restrictions in the Holy Land have delayed their departure. They are living in Charlotte while they wait for their visas, and they would like to virtually connect with congregations in the Western North Carolina Conference.

The Church, Immigration, and Racialized Policing Non-Degree Certificate Program

Christian Community Development Association, in partnership with Sojourners, Matthew 25/Mateo 25, and Duke Divinity School, is excited to present The Church, Immigration, and Racialized Policing Non-Degree Certificate Program. This cohort program seeks to develop ecclesial imagination and equip North Carolina-based Latinx and African American pastors, ministry leaders, and their congregations so that they may respond effectively, on multiple levels, to the pastoral crisis’ happening in their communities, particularly related to immigration and racialized policing issues.

Resource Roundup - Week of November 30, 2020

We scanned the internet for resources that will be of interest and value to you and your ministries. This week's roundup includes: an Advent Playlist from the WNCC Resource Center, ways to safely add personal interaction to virtual Christmas celebrations, ideas to inspire a better financial start to 2021, and more!



 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

 

Advent Resource from the WNCC Resource Center
Zoomed out? Tired of technology? Can't stand to look at a screen for one more minute? We get it.

This Advent, go back in time and engage with ancient spiritual practices designed to help you find more hope, peace, joy and love in your life.

Adventus: Ancient Practices for an Advent at Home - the latest resource from the WNCC Resource Center - includes five lessons: one for each week of Advent plus an extra lesson for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Project Agape and Armenia: Update & Call to Prayer
The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan has come to an end. Our Armenian brothers and sisters and our partners at Project Agape still need our prayers. Bishop Leeland and the Project Agape Board give an update on the situation and call all Western North Carolina United Methodists to prayer.

WNCC Christmas Service
On the Sunday after Christmas, the Western NC Conference will offer a conference-wide virtual worship with a homily from the Bishop, music and liturgy from pastors and churches around our conference. Clergy and worship leaders, take a much-needed break after the Advent season and worship with friends around the conference. More information to come soon.

2021 WNCC Martin Luther King, Jr Commemoration 
The WNC Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the Justice & Reconciliation Team and the Commission for Religion and Race have set the 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Service for Saturday, January 16, 2021, 10 a.m. EST. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Joseph Daniels, the Senior Pastor of Emory Fellowship United Methodist Church, Washington DC.

UPCOMING WEBINARS & EVENTS:

Mental Health and Care: Coping with Stress During This Season and Beyond
Upcoming webinars on December 3, 8, and 10, 3 p.m. EST

This year, because of COVID-19 and the inequalities it has exacerbated, adults are reporting considerably higher mental stress. According to the CDC, “younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers reported having experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal ideation.” Please join our therapeutic and pastoral experts as we discuss the practical and spiritual disciplines needed for surviving this season.

Dismantling Racism Events
Upcoming conversation December 9, 1 p.m. EST
Around the connection, United Methodists are gathering online and in-person to do the difficult work of dismantling racism. Find an event to attend or watch the video of one that has already occurred.
Journey Inward - The Big Silence Retreat
January 17-20, 2021

We are all on a spiritual journey in this life, but so much of our journey is spent outside of ourselves. How often do you get away from the distractions of this world to find a holy place within? When was the last time you just hung out with God with no expectations whatsoever? Maybe it’s time for you to journey inward at The Big Silence Retreat. Start the New Year with a different kind of experience.


 
Director of Communications: Melissa McGill

Communications Ministry Assistant: Aimee Yeager

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