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Bishop Carter Issues a Call for Prayers & Peacemaking
Bishop Carter calls United Methodists in Florida and Western North Carolina to prayers for peace in the Ukraine and across Europe.
United Methodists and others wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries. Learn more about donating through UMCOR here. |
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Bishop and Cabinet Update COVID-19 Best Practices for Ministry
The Bishop and Cabinet continue to be extremely grateful for all the many ways that you have led faithfully through these two years of the pandemic. We thank you for being the church. As we share these new recommendations, we do so asking that we all continue in the spirit of Philippians 2, “thinking more highly of others than ourselves.” |
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Celebrating Black History Month in the WNCC: Rev. Sophia Joyce East
As we wrap up Black History Month and move into Women's History Month, we lift up the life and ministry of the Rev. Sophia Joyce East (January 25, 1906-May 4, 1996), the first African-American woman to serve as a pastor in the WNC Conference. In this short bio, Jim Pyatt, Conference Archivist & Historian, tells the story of Rev. East and the impact she had on the Western North Carolina Conference and greater United Methodist Church. |
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Means of Grace: Hope for the Future with United Methodist Seminary Students
In this week’s episode, Kim and Jesse speak with three United Methodist seminary students who are in the candidacy process in the Western North Carolina Conference. They discuss the United Methodists who have impacted their faith journey, the incredible power of seminary education and community, and their hopes for the future of the United Methodist Church. |
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Annual Conference Updates
We are now accepting petitions for consideration by the 2022 Western North Carolina Annual Conference lay and clergy members. Petitions should be submitted by April 1, 2022 to Rev. Kim Ingram, Conference Secretary, at kingram@wnccumc.org. The Petitions Committee will meet in April to review the petitions and they will be published in the Program and Reports book prior to the Annual Conference meeting. Petitions should be formatted similar to petitions found here: 2019journal.vol1.ix.pdf (wnccumc.org).
Registration for displays at Annual Conference is also now open. Displays connect conference members to groups and organizations that have information to share about their ministry. Displays are provided to encourage conference members to learn more about the resources that are available through the wide variety of agencies and ministries in the conference and beyond. If you would like to connect with conference members at Annual Conference this year, please visit 2022 Annual Conference Displays to register today!
Keep up with the latest news and resources for Annual Conference 2022 at https://www.wnccumc.org/ac2022.
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New Tool Now Available for Your Local Church Toolbox: The Green Church Initiative
The WNCC Creation Care Ministry Team announces the official launch of the Green Church Initiative (GCI), which is now available online to all churches at https://www.wnccumc.org/wncc-creation-care-ministry. Although caring for God’s creation should never be just another list of things to do, many local churches have expressed difficulty envisioning ways they can incorporate more creation-caring activities into the life of their congregations. The GCI is a great tool that can help churches move forward with their planning, and then reward and recognize their efforts and achievements once they do! |
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OTHER NEWS
- Tod Bolsinger, author of Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change will present a webinar for WNC on March 15. (Find more on the Bolsinger webinar in the "Upcoming Events" section below.) Each district will host a connection and reflection group for 8 weeks following the webinar based on the book. There will also be a group for part-time pastors on Tuesday evening. A discount is available for the book.
- The Appointive Cabinet met to begin considering clergy whose gifts and grace would match the needs of churches where there will be an opening or maybe a change for the 2022-2023 conference year. They reflected on 102 charges, with a focus on the needs of fruitfulness and diversity in leadership.
- This season of ministry has been hard on leaders and many are exhausted, discouraged, and in need of time away. The WNCC Leadership Development Team wants to help nurture your own spiritual growth, as you nurture the spiritual walks of others. This could be through a renewal retreat or by engaging with a Spiritual Director. Ministry leaders (clergy and lay professionals) who sign up for a Spiritual Renewal offering, and pay a personal investment of $50 toward the experience, are eligible for up to $500 to cover the cost of registration, fees, and lodging/travel expenses.
- A resource providing guidance for what churches sponsoring Boy Scouts of America troops should do right now while awaiting the completion of the bankruptcy hearing.
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UPCOMING WEBINARS & EVENTS:
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Youth Ministry Network Retreat & Resource Gathering
Get excited for the next Youth Ministry Network Gathering! Take some time out for yourself to renew your body, mind, and spirit. Get to know other youth ministers around the WNCCUMC to share ideas/resources & encourage and support one another. |
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Clergy Leadership Webinar with Author, Tod Bolsinger
Tuesday, March 15, 12:00 p.m.
Join Bishop Carter as he moderates a webinar led by Tod Bolsinger on his book Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change. The webinar is open to all clergy in the Western NC and Florida Conferences.
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IgniteUS: Youth Retreat
IgniteUS is a youth retreat for 6th-12th graders planned by our Conference Council on Youth Ministry. We will have worship led by the Praise Team of First UMC Newton, and our speaker is the amazing Jennifer Bingham Hampton (Camp Director of Tekoa Foothills). Cost is $140. Register by March 15th! |
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