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Spiritual Renewal Grant for Clergy/Lay Ministry Professionals
This season of ministry has been hard on leaders and many are exhausted, discouraged, and in need of soul-deep renewal and self-care. If you are clergy, or a lay member in full-time ministry, the Leadership Development Team wants to help nurture your spirit, for you to be renewed and restored in life and ministry. Apply for a grant for one of the identified offerings, to receive up to $400 for your renewal needs. Funds are available because of the generosity of churches who pay their apportionments. Offerings include day retreats, overnight getaways, and virtual retreats, as well as spiritual direction and more.
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Both/And Worship: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences for Online and In-Person Audiences
Join us for Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences For Online and In-Person Audiences on Sunday, March 14, at 2 p.m. The Western North Carolina Conference Office of Church Development is making this opportunity available at no cost to you. This two and a half hour workshop will delve into strategies for how to create powerful, transformative worship where no one feels like they’re an afterthought. Registration is required. |
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| Council of Bishops Concordat Working Group requests submissions of case studies from churches ministering with migrant/diaspora groups
Since 2018, the ecumenical and interreligious staff with the Council of Bishops have been working to renew and invigorate the concordat agreement we have with the Methodist Church of Britain (MCB).
For 2021, one of the foci the Concordat Working Group selected was migrant and diaspora ministry. Bishop Patrick Streiff has worked with his counterpart from the MCB to create a method to collect information about migrant ministries. The information collected will be used to learn how migrants are faring in our United Methodist churches and in areas in which The United Methodist Church exists.
In order to collect this information, we are asking that all United Methodist churches who minister with migrants consider submitting one or more case studies. From these stories, the Concordat Working Group will begin to discern both the pains and the joys of migrants in The United Methodist Church.
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Council on Finance & Administration to offer grants for churches serving as COVID-19 community stations
The WNCC Council on Finance & Administration is setting up a fund for churches to make application for COVID 19 strategies, principally testing and vaccine administration. We know our congregations are being called upon to assist as stations for COVID 19 needs. There is a cost to such in both set up as well as cleaning afterwards. Therefore, the CFA has set aside $250,000 for this effort, with $125,000 specifically set aside to assist our churches of color. Learn how you can apply. |
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| Means of Grace: Getting to Know the United Methodist Foundation of Western NC
In this episode, David Snipes, President and CEO for the UMF WNCC and Caroline Cox, Director of Reynolds Ministries and Programming have a conversation with Caroline Wood. They share part of their own stories as well as stories of the Foundation, its programs and offerings and how lives are changed through the ministries that build the church for generations to come.
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| Scholarships Available through United Methodist Foundation
The United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina continues to support students in the Western North Carolina Conference through various scholarship opportunities including the Dollars for Scholars Program at the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation.
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| WNCC UMM presents an eight-week study on The Class Meeting
The WNCC United Methodist Men invite you to join them as they study Kevin Watson's The Class Meeting. Beginning Sunday, March 14 at 3 p.m., Dick Strachan, an experienced presenter of this course, will lead us through an eight-week study of this book via Zoom meetings.
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| Amplify Live: Justice or Just Us? The Biblical Call to Confront Racism
Justice or Just Us? explores what it means to be a faith community that’s committed to anti-racist and justice-seeking work. Pastors Jevon Caldwell-Gross, Nicole Caldwell-Gross, and Rob Fuquay – who all serve at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana – developed this four-week study based on their experiences in leading the church to confront racism.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
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UMC bishops offer Lenten Season Devotions
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church will be offering a weekly devotion during the Lenten season which begins this week. Each Wednesday during Lent and every day during Holy Week, a 15-minute recorded devotion, led by a bishop and leaders from their episcopal areas will be released.
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UMW shares resources for Black History Month
February is Black History Month — a time to reflect on the history of Black Americans and to honor the individuals and groups who have worked tirelessly toward racial justice. The United Methodist Women invite you to join them in their effort to eliminate all institutional racism. This curated list of resources for study and worship during Black History Month is a great place to start.
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| Certificate for Church Treasurers
The Conference Office of Treasury Services and the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina will offer a certificate training program for United Methodist volunteer treasurers within our conference.
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UPCOMING WEBINARS & EVENTS:
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A Season of New Beginnings: How Rural Churches Can Use Pandemic-Inspired Innovations
Thursdays, February 25-March 25, 12 p.m.
As the pandemic evolves, our churches continue to learn, innovate, and respond to the needs of our communities. This webinar series explores ways in which we can continue to use and adapt the pandemic-generated tools, resources, and approaches as we move into new seasons of church life post COVID-19.
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People Over Property: Reimagining Church Space in a Pendemic
Thursday, February 25, 1 p.m.
Duke Divinity School will sponsor a free webinar with the Rev. Dr. Audrey B. Warren and United Methodist Church Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr. offering guidance and inspiration on how the pandemic might be used to reimagine church space.
The two will build upon the work presented in their 2020 book Fresh Expressions of People Over Property during the event titled "People Over Property: Reimagining Church Space in a Pandemic." The webinar will be an opportunity to dream and imagine the possibilities when people return to their church facilities after the pandemic.
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WNCC Christians Engaged in Faith Formation (CEF)
Thursday, March 25, 10 a.m.- 12p.m.
We are excited to begin our work on intentionally connecting people who are leaders in faith formation, especially during our current times. Be on the lookout for more information that is forthcoming. |
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