"Almighty God, our prayers rise like incense. When we cry out to you, the Psalms teach us, you answer. The massacres of the innocent, in Buffalo, in Laguna Woods, in Uvalde are known to you. Our schools, our churches, our supermarkets are pierced by violence, racism and hatred. We sit now in the darkness of yet another grief, and we cannot be complacent."
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Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the WNCC: Rev. Dr. Hyung Jae Lee
Did you know that Rev. Dr. Hyung Jae Lee became the first Asian-American to be appointed as a District Superintendent in the WNC Conference in 2021 when he was appointed as the District Superintendent of the Smoky Mountain District? In this short bio, Conference Archivist and Historian Jim Pyatt tells a story of Rev. Dr. Lee's influence in The United Methodist Church.
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Means of Grace: Ministry with Young Adults
Jesse Enniss and Kim Ingram, podcast hosts, talk with Rev. Dr. Preston Davis, Minister to the University at High Point University about his DMin focus on Christian practice for addressing the increase in fear and anxiety in young adults. They talk about the role of mentors, churches, and parents in the lives of young people and how to help young adults belong. Preston shares knowledge, experience and wisdom from his research and interactions with students that are beneficial to all of us.
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Both/And Worship Cohort 3rd Round
The Church Development Office, in partnership with the WNCC Foundation and the Reynolds Ministry Fund, is excited to offer the 3rd Round of the BOTH/AND Hybrid Worship Cohort Grant in an effort to help our churches improve the quality of online worship and provide a framework for hybrid worship in preparation for a post-pandemic reality. This is a rolling grant. When you apply you will receive a response as soon as possible. We will receive applications from May 18 to July 1, or until we receive 30 applicant churches.
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Innovation Lab
Are you a church motivated by faith and want to reimagine something old or start something new that makes your church and community better? If so, our innovation ministry lab is for you. The Congregational Faith and Learning Center at Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC, invites local churches to participate in the upcoming church innovation Ministry Lab that begins June 8.
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The Sacred Invitation
The Sacred Invitation offers a vision of vocation. This 12-month soul-shaping curriculum is for those who long for something more. At the deepest level, this work frees participants to identify and follow their God-given passion.
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OTHER NEWS
- The WNC Board of Ordained Ministry is inviting you to help celebrate the years of faithful service of WNCC Retiring Clergy by making a gift to a new initiative called Pass-the-Mantle, which will provide scholarships for WNCC seminary students.
- Our Christian principles charge us to be a community of prayer and action. We are to live in the tension of piety and work. Worldwide, we continue to experience racial, ethnic, and tribal injustices that dehumanize God’s people. We are called to work towards liberation — as a spiritual and actionable practice. For this reason, the General Commission on Religion and Race invites you to participate in the Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge. Beginning on Juneteenth (Sunday June 19, 2022) we will post daily prayers on social media for six weeks. We’ll also include weekly challenges to help you put your prayers into action.
- The United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina is offering leader kits for Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being for a discounted rate of $79. Saving Grace is positively changing the conversation around money in churches just like yours. This resource has proved so valuable, the Foundation is buying Leader Kits for the first 100 churches who register.
- What divides come to mind when you hear, “Heal Our Divides?” Political? Racial? Religious? Immigration? Vaccination? All the above? We all know serious divides exist. The question is, “Why do people of faith need to be involved in healing the things that divide us?” Check out the collaborative book How to Heal Our Divides: A Practical Guide that addresses various divides that face us in the United States.
- With $20,000 donated by First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro, HHFH will break ground on its 51st home later this year! Celebrate with us by congratulating First UMC of North Wilkesboro!
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UPCOMING WEBINARS & EVENTS:
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Connect at Annual Conference
It's been 3 years since we've gathered together in-person at Lake Junaluska. Let's connect with colleagues and friends to celebrate!
Thursday Morning, June 16, there will be several opportunities to connect in creation and experience the beauty in Lake Junaluska and the surrounding mountains.
On Friday Evening, June 17, join with old friends and new friends for fun activities around the lake and in Waynesville. Visit www.connectatac.com for all the details and registration.
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Juneteenth Celebration at Lake Junaluska
Join us Sunday, June 19th, following Annual Conference for a Juneteenth Gospel Celebration in the Nanci Weldon Open-Air Gym at Lake Junaluska. There will be music, worship, food, and fun for the whole family!
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