The Latest Edition of E-News - Join the AC2021 Virtual Choir, Nominations for Harry Denman Awards, Mission Engagement Virtual Book Club, and more

April 14, 2021

E-News - April 14, 2021

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

Join the Annual Conference Virtual Choir!
The Worship Committee for the 2021 WNC Annual Conference is creating a virtual conference choir for the opening hymn. Singers of any age from WNC are invited to video record themselves singing the hymn, "And Are We Yet Alive." Find downloads for the lyrics, sheet music, organ accompaniment, and instructions on how to record and upload your video hereVideo submissions are due by April 16, 2021.
Now Accepting Denman Award Nominations

Do you know someone in your church who has excelled in evangelism this year? The Western North Carolina Conference is now accepting nominations for The Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Clergy, Lay, and Youth.

Means of Grace: A Conversation with Greg Jarrell

In this episode, Brian Mateer talks with Greg Jarrell, founder of QC Family Tree in Charlotte and author of A Riff of Love: Notes on Community and Belonging. Since 2005, Greg and his wife have been serving their neighborhood of Enderly Park in West Charlotte through QC Family Tree, an organization that seeks to build a better community through affordable housing, youth development, and art. Brian and Greg talk about building community, the dangers of white centrism in minority neighborhoods, and the work QC Family Tree is doing in Charlotte.

The Mission Engagement Team will be hosting a virtual book club discussing A Riff of Love beginning April 21st. Sign up today!

Equity is the quality of non-violence

"In the fall of 2020, Northern Piedmont District communities had to think, react and form as ones who understood the past, and strive to change our former violent ways of racism. The vaccine was coming into our communities, and how would we bring equity and honesty to our discipleship?"
Read more of the Northern Piedmont District's response to the call for equity.

Experiencing Fresh Expressions

Come enjoy a day of interactive learning about Fresh Expressions, new ways of thinking about evangelism, and how you can impact your local community for Christ. Sponsored by the Uwharrie District, Experiencing Fresh Expressions will be held on May 15th at the Mount Shepherd Retreat Center. Learn more and register today!

Faith into Action: Advocating for Children in NC

Join us on May 6th for Faith into Action: Advocating for Children in NC. The Western NC Child Advocacy Network, Congregations4Children (WNCCUMC), and NC Child will share their experience and expertise related to child advocacy.

Mission Engagement Blog - April 2021

"Just over a week ago, many of our churches gathered, in person or virtually, to celebrate Maundy Thursday, a night when we remember how Jesus’ command to ‘love one another as I have loved you' was instituted around the table. Throughout Jesus' ministry, he was regularly feeding others. Food and feeding the hungry was a way Jesus showed love and a way God invites us to show love...Many churches have food-related ministries: gardens, pantries, community meals. Yet, often, we struggle to feel like these ministries are having the impact we want them to have."

Read more of the latest Mission Engagement blog by Rev. Laura Byrch discussing this month's topic, "Come to the Table."

NC Council of Churches 2021 Legislative Seminar

Whether you are new to policy advocacy or have been engaged in this work for years, the Council’s Legislative Seminar offers a chance to learn about the important discussions during this 2021 General Assembly session. By refracting policy through the lens of faith, we can frame a different conversation that leads to meaningful change together. The Seminar will be virtual this year.

Scholarship Application Extended Deadline: United Methodist Foundation of Western NC

Are you a United Methodist student pursuing higher education? Scholarships are available to seminary students preparing for service in the Church and undergraduates attending a United Methodist-related institution.

News from Hood Theological Seminary
A lot is going on at Hood Theological Seminary! Learn more about the 2021 Chaplaincy Didactic, three new graduate programs, and two upcoming virtual meet & greet sessions for potential new students.
 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Innovation and Change
Catch up on any of the Innovation and Change stories you may have missed.

Mustard Seed Migration Grants
The Mustard Seed Mitigation Grant program will grant up to $2000 each to 50 United Methodist churches in the United States to engage in service with refugees and migrants in their own cities and towns. The application deadline is May 16, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
 
Project AGAPE Spring Collection
Traditionally, the WNCC hosts an annual spring donation drive each April for this long-standing mission of our conference. This year, however, due to the forced relocation of the Project AGAPE offices and warehouse as a result of the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Nara Melkonyan, the in-country director, informed us the staff will not be ready to receive shipments of goods until June 2021.

Therefore, for this year's AGAPE Sunday (traditionally the fourth Sunday of April), we encourage all of our churches to provide their members with the opportunity to financially support the ministries of Project AGAPE. In-kind donations are not needed at this time. Learn how you can donate financially to Project AGAPE and/or support our ministry partnership by volunteering at the Mission Response Center. 
 
School of the Spirit registration open
School of the Spirit is an online and in-person twelve-month journey into contemplative practices that bring the seeker closer to God. School of the Spirit offers five 2-day retreats designed to equip, empower and nurture transformation through the ancient spiritual disciplines of Jesus and the early church. There is still time to apply. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited to 24 clergy and lay ministry professionals. School of the Spirit 12 begins July 26-27, 2021.
 

 

UPCOMING WEBINARS & EVENTS: 

The Art of Hospitality
Thursday, April 22, 11 a.m. EST
Join the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection for an all-online conference designed to equip church leaders in ways to help everyone feel welcome and included, from first-time visitors to deeply engaged members - whether in person or online.  
Racial Healing and the Gospel of Reconciliation
Final Session! Saturday, April 24, 9 a.m.
Rooted in 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, this workshop will teach reconciliation as spirituality, highlighting biblical examples of reconciliation and our call to be ministers of reconciliation as followers of Christ. With this theological foundation, participants will learn practical strategies for the Church to live out our role in the reconciliation process. Register today!


Annual Conference 2021
Save the dates for Annual Conference 2021! 
Virtual Clergy Session (Zoom Webinar) - Friday, June 11, 10 a.m.
Virtual Annual Conference (Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Conference Website) - Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m.
Ordering of Ministry Service (Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska) - Saturday, June 19 - Commissioning Service, 10 a.m. - Ordination Service, 2 p.m.

Stay up to date with the latest Annual Conference news, updates, and announcements at www.ac2021.org.

 
Director of Communications: Melissa McGill

Communications Ministry Assistant: Aimee Yeager

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