The Latest Edition of E-News - It's time for Annual Conference, Join us for Connection Points, Support the AC2021 Offering, and more

June 9, 2021

E-News - June 9, 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 us for all of the events leading up to and during Annual Conference 2021.
Clergy and delegates, please be sure to check your email for information on how to view all livestreams and instructions on voting. 
 
  • Connection Points (Zoom Webinars and Facebook Live) - Join us tonight, Wednesday, June 9, and tomorrow, Thursday, June 10, at 7 p.m. for Connection Points. See below for the full schedule. (Missed a session? You can catch up here: Connection Points)  
  • Virtual Clergy Session (Private Livestream) - Friday, June 11, 10 a.m. *Clergy, check your conference email address for more information.*
  • Virtual Annual Conference (Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Conference Website) - Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. *Delegates, be sure to check your email for instructions on voting.*
  • Ordering of Ministry Service (Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska) - Saturday, June 19 - Commissioning Service, 10 a.m. - Ordination Service, 2 p.m. *Both services will be livestreamed on the Annual Conference page and through Lake Junaluska.
 
Stay up to date with the latest Annual Conference news, updates, and announcements at www.ac2021.org.

 

Join us for WNCC Connection Points
Join us tonight and tomorrow, for WNCC Connection Points, live webinars connecting us to Christ, each other, and ministry in the world. Live streams will begin each evening at 7 p.m. Click here to join the webinars or watch on the WNCC Facebook page.

Wednesday, June 9 - Theirs Is the Kingdom Documentary Screening and Q&A
View the virtual screening of the new documentary Theirs Is the Kingdom, which follows the rare creation of a contemporary fresco mural inside the sanctuary of the Haywood Street Congregation in Asheville. On June 9, LIVE at 7 p.m. join Director Chris Zaluski, Artist Christopher Holt, and Rev. Brian Combs for a virtual Q&A panel discussion moderated by Conference Director of Communications Melissa McGill.
Thursday, June 10 - Conference Awards Night
Gather with us on this special night as we honor leaders in ministry with the presentations of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award, Francis Asbury Award, Scouting Award, and the Certificate in Church Treasury. 
 

Equity & Justice: Eradicating the Other Pandemic (Recording available now)
Get to know Dr. Bill White, Director of the newly established WNCC Department of Equity and Justice Ministries. Learn about Dr. White's passion and vision for this position and the future of equity and justice ministries in the Western NC Conference. 
Moving Forward in the UMC (Recording available now)
Where do things stand in the denomination and what can we expect in the near future? Bishop Paul Leeland and WNC Delegation Chairs, Kim Ingram and Jennifer Davis, led us in this discussion.

 

Pre-Conference Video Reports Available Online Now

Videos explainers on petitions requiring a vote are now available. Full reports and petitions can be found in the AC2021 Program & Reports book, as well as the P&R Supplement. Any questions can be submitted through the AC2021 Question and Answers form

Support the 2021 Annual Conference Offering, collected in honor of Bishop Paul and Janet Leeland
This year's Annual Conference offering, collected in honor of Bishop Paul and Janet Leeland, will support the ministries of UMAR and the Northern Haiti Mission Connection. Give generously to these valued ministries, out of the abundance which God has given generously to you.
 

ReLaunch Playbook

This webinar, sponsored by the WNC Leadership Team, is for leaders thinking about what it means to be the local church and how to show up differently in the community as both a faith community and as a disciple. It is for those who serve in churches that have already opened their doors and are thinking toward fall and for those who are still figuring it all out.

NC Pastors Survey for UNC Research Project

UNC professors, Liesbet Hooghe, Gary Marks, and Stephanie Shady, are requesting pastors in the WNCC to participate in a short, confidential survey for research they are conducting regarding the moral underpinnings of political change in North Carolina. Please consider participating in this important study.

Both/And Learning Lab #1

BOTH Current Grant recipients AND Potential Grant Recipients of the BOTH/AND Grants are invited to join us for the first Hybrid Worship Learning Lab. Participants will worship, learn, experiment, share, ask questions, and discover best practices around hybrid worship experiences. Learn more and register today.

 
WNCC Innovators' Information Survey
Are you an innovator in our conference? Do you know someone who is?   We would love to hear from you! Help the WNCC Innovators Table compile a database and hover map for our conference. 
 
A Few Words on Innovation: Still Waters Landing
Check out this interview with Bryan Wilson with the Hickory Stand and Oak Forest charge about their innovative food-and-faith-based ministry to serve the local community in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  
Mission Engagement Blog - June 2021
Check out the Mission Engagement Blog page for a new blog post by Rev. Alexis Coleman titled "Transforming the World (or your little piece of it) Really Can Happen". 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

AntiRacism Ethics Training
This workshop is designed for clergy and laity together. It is essential for each pastor to identify a key lay person to attend it together with him/her as a partner in advancing the work of antiracism.
All who are under appointment or assignment in WNC are expected to participate in one of the training events over the next four years by June 2024. 
 
Launching a Non-Profit
There are unique aspects of beginning a non-profit as a ministry within a local church. This cohort will share challenges, lessons learned, and best practices. As needed, the cohort will bring in guest speakers to discuss technical skills/areas related to non-profit work such as 501(c)3 applications, accounting that tracks funding streams, bylaws, memorandums of understanding, board development, grant writing, and other topics as determined by the participants.
 
Disaster Response District Orientation
If you are a Disaster Response leader in your district, an ERT Leader, or involved in Disaster Response within your district office, please sign up for the two-part District Orientation.
 
Financial assistance available for families struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic

Clergy and lay leaders, a new state program has been established to provide financial assistance for broadband service and laptops to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. Please share this resource with your communities.

 

UPCOMING WEBINARS & EVENTS: 

Juneteenth Freedom Celebrations

Saturday, June 19, times vary
Juneteenth Freedom Celebrations are happening across the Conference! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. In churches across our Conference, people of all races are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Find a Juneteenth celebration near you and join the celebration!

We’re not keeping this to ourselves,
    we’re passing it along to the next generation—
God’s fame and fortune,
    the marvelous things he has done.
-Psalm 78:4


*If your church or community is hosting a Juneteenth celebration, we'd love to add it to the list! Send an email to Aimee Yeager with the details.

Project Agape Virtual Mission Trip
Thursday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Whether you have traveled with us in the past or simply would like to know more about the work being done by North Carolina Methodists in Armenia, join us for a Virtual Mission Trip to Armenia.  We will learn about the history of Armenia and Project AGAPE, hear from past mission participants, have a live chat with Project AGAPE board and get an update from the Project AGAPE Country Director, Nara Melkonyan.  The event is FREE to everyone who registers. 

 

 

Director of Communications: Melissa McGill

Communications Ministry Assistant: Aimee Yeager

Loading...