News

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of the Louisiana Area has made history by becoming the first Hispanic woman to be president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church.

May 4, 2020 As congregations, laity, and clergy, continue to deliver exceptional ministry to our communities, we have been inspired by the gracious spirit pervading our entire annual conference. Many churches have given careful thought to sharing worship online, expressing the faith of Jesus through hymns, music, scripture, and inspirational messages. Our communities have witnessed the kindness and compassion of the church through food and clothing initiatives. It has been inspirational and ...

Bishop Leeland and the Western North Carolina Cabinet have made the following local church appointments for the 2020-2021 year.  View the full list at the link below. 

We realize many churches may be struggling financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the Conference wants to partner with you in these ways - (1) A three-month waiver of the local church component of pension and health benefit premiums. (2) The establishment of the WNC Connexion Fund to help our WNC congregations support clergy and their families as they continue to lead our ministries. (3) Interpretation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

As livestreaming worship becomes a higher priority, many churches are looking to level up their media production from a smartphone to more advanced camera equipment. Eric Brown, founder of Picnic Table Productions, shares some broad equipment options at various price points to aid in streaming online content for congregations.   LOW Cost option (<$400) This is ideal for small setups with one person only (like a pastor) on a stationary shot.  Audio will be taken from the sanctuary’s sound system ...

UPDATE: For the most current information and news on Annual Conference, please visit www.wnccumc.org/ac2020 for information about the August 8 virtual session. April 30, 2020 Bishop Leeland and the Cabinet have made the decision to postpone the Western North Carolina Annual Conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of our traditional three-day event, the decision has been made to hold a one-day Annual Conference session on the afternoon of Saturday, August 8 at Lake Junaluska. The Ordering of Ministry Service where persons will be ordained, commissioned, and licensed for ministry will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska.

Peer learning sessions for clergy and church leaders who are experiencing an appointment change during this season of physical distancing and disrupted church activities.

Fresh Expressions is hosting webinars on how to navigate the complexities of being the church during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. Otto Harris will join the Western North Carolina Extended Cabinet, effective July 1, 2020. Dr. Harris leads the Comprehensive Plan of Equity, a conference-wide initiative centered around anti-racism in Western North Carolina launched last year.

Small groups and Sunday school classes form one of the most powerful connections and means of support for members. Many people are asking: What happens to these connections during times of social distancing? How can leaders maintain these essential care mechanisms in the lives of members?

Grab lunch and join us at noon on Thursday, May 28 for ALL IN for UMAR. This 30 minute virtual event will highlight UMAR’s mission and ministry for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across western North Carolina. Be ALL IN for UMAR as we help people LIVE, WORK and THRIVE through housing, vocational services, art programs and community services.

The constraints of social distancing could tempt churches to throw established finance procedures out the window. Please don’t! Here are some important procedures that are available through the use of technology to help us through a difficult time.

Rural churches have a unique opportunity to provide resources, connections, and hope during these stressful times. This episode of the Means of Grace podcast features a conversation with Rev. Santosh Niroula, Rev. Kristen Richardson-Frick and Rev. Allen Stanton, three leaders who have experience and expertise in leading and understanding churches in rural areas. They discuss the role of the church in a rural community and how it can build the kingdom through these connections. Listen on our website at www.wnccumc.org/meansofgrace or wherever you get your podcasts.

The North Carolina Council of Churches invites you to participate in a statewide Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 7 at noon.

Our high school seniors are missing an important rite of passage due to COVID-19. Phillip J. Brooks, and Resource UMC, remind us not to overlook our students' pain. It is important that we find ways for them to express themselves and be honored.

Website development grants are for local United Methodist churches and church entities who do not currently have a website. Through this new grant, United Methodist Communications will offer the following: -One year of webhosting -One year of domain name registration -Free WordPress online training through UMCOM -Free online support throughout your training and during your year of web hosting -Free pre-designed templates for easy development of your new website -Access to Google apps (includes 5 Gmail accounts, Google calendar, 2GB of storage on GDrive) United Methodist Churches and church entities who wish to replace their current website with a WordPress site may also apply.

"Plenty of resources can help United Methodist churches offer online worship that is accessible by computer, tablet or cellphone. However, offering only online worship services when people cannot come together due to the COVID-pandemic or for other reasons may not be the best option for every congregation." Resource UMC offers advice for reaching people without access to computers or internet during social distancing.

Some helpful resources to add to your graphics library.

UNC Wesley Campus Ministry will have a Zoom call for admitted students on Wednesday April 29, from 11 AM - Noon.  Please share this link with your students so they can join in:  https://unc.zoom.us/j/92316858406.

Bishop Leeland announces an appointment change to the Western North Carolina Cabinet, effective July 1, 2020.   Rev. Dr. Samuel Moore, Jr. will be appointed as District Superintendent of the Yadkin Valley District, succeeding Rev. Mike Bailey who retires this year. Sam has served as the senior pastor of Hickory Grove United Methodist Church in Charlotte since 2015. Prior to this appointment from 2008-2015, he served as the District Superintendent of the Northeast District and of the Uwharrie ...

As we hear the announcements that our nation and state are going to slowly reopen, the Bishop and the Cabinet of the Western North Carolina Conference encourage all local churches to continue to follow the guidelines of the CDC as well as state and local officials regarding the resumption of in-person worship. Please continue to guide all your decisions by Jesus’ command to “love one another.”  COVID-19 has not been eradicated, and thus we continue to need to protect the most vulnerable among us. The following are 24 questions to consider as you make plans for persons to return to your church building and activities.  These have been adapted from the blog by Ken Braddy, “24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return.”

April 22, 2020 Dear United Methodist friends,   Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.   We express deep gratitude to you for your energetic response to the needs of children in this time of COVID-19 crisis.  Within the necessary constraints of physical distancing, you have found ways to offer support for public school children and teachers.  Thank you for providing food, school supplies, and other resources that encourage as learning continues in homes and through technology.     ...

"After the pandemic-caused postponement, the new prospective dates for The United Methodist Church’s General Conference are Aug. 31-Sept. 10, 2021."

Five basic tips for improving your online church service.

Today millions share experiences together, no matter where they are, through live streaming. Let others "attend” your church on the internet in the same way. This resource can help your church live stream your own events on the web.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and more churches shift to digital ministry, United Methodist Communications offers a series of Local Church Learning Sessions. All have been developed specifically to support local United Methodist churches during this extraordinary time. More sessions may be developed.

In addition to PPP loans, the CARES Act creates a payroll tax deferral period (“Payroll Tax Delay”) running from March 27 through December 31, 2020. Employers—including tax-exempt nonprofits like UMC local churches, annual conferences and general agencies—may defer/delay payment of the “employer share” of Social Security taxes that they otherwise are responsible for paying to the federal government with respect to their employees.

Stay informed on event cancellations for the WNCC, districts, and related organizations.

The Latest Edition of E-News - Financial Resources, Peer Learning Sessions for COVID-19, and more...

Ministry Matters offers some suggestions on how rural churches can use their unique status in the community to help during COVID-19.

Nonprofits with a 501(c)3 status - including churches - are eligible to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program. GCFA has automated the process of obtaining the 501(c)3 documentation for your church or other United Methodist organization. We have updated our user guide to help facilitate this process. Be sure to read through it today. Visit www.umgroupruling.org to get started.

As churches explore more digital ministry options, GCFA has developed some guidance on reporting and counting the number of viewers of your online worship and Bible study attendance.

Bishop Leeland and the Cabinet share an update on appointments this year after discernment and reflection given the current circumstances of social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Leeland outlines specific guidelines for the practice for online communion during the COVID-19 crisis. Please note, this is only to be viewed as temporary. This is not a license to continue this practice when life returns to normal.

Arbor Acres, a continuing care retirement community, responds to the COVID-19 pandemic with safety measures, fun, and compassion for residents.

The Committee on Relief offers advice on how to respond to disaster situations safely during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The times are not only troublesome for us, but for our children as well. United Methodist News helps us find the words to say to our children about all that is happening with COVID-19.

"Ask the UMC" tackles the question of how to find public domain hymns for your worship live stream.

In this episode of The Means of Grace Podcast, Kim and Jesse talk with three Western North Carolina Conference EarthKeepers about their passion for the stewardship of God’s creation. Jonathan Brake, pastor of Woodmont UMC in Reidsville, Bill Garrard, retired UM clergy, and Kim Richmond, a member at Maple Springs UMC in Winston-Salem, share with us about their journeys in which they have embraced the work of creation care. They share ideas for individuals, families, churches, and communities through which we can “care” for the resources in which God has entrusted us. You can listen at www.wnccumc.org/meansofgrace or wherever you get your podcasts.

ClergyEducation.com is a resource for clergy and church leaders, offering CEUs accepted by most United Methodist annual conferences. Learn more here: https://clergyeducation.com/

The rural faith team at the Institute for Emerging Issues is hosting two weekly Zoom chats to check in with faith leaders on HOW you are doing (Tuesdays) and WHAT you are doing (Thursday). Learn more and join: https://iei.ncsu.edu/faith/

On Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. Discipleship Ministries will host a webinar to help you start planning your church's COVID-19 recovery ministry.

Clergy are invited to participate in upcoming peer learning sessions facilitated by a professional coach to consolidate and share timely insights, experiences, innovations and resources that help them and their churches adapt during a time of physical distancing.

Bishop Leeland and other Cabinet members lobby Governor Cooper to include church employees in extended unemployment benefits. Because churches are exempt from paying both federal and state unemployment insurance, church employees are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits at this time.

Many churches have reached out regarding the payment of apportionment funds given the Conference office closure. WNCC Treasury Services continue to operate and process apportionment payments and payment disbursements weekly. Apportionment payments may still be sent to PO Box 2757,Huntersville, NC 28070. Thank you for your support of our connectional ministries.

The 2019 Journal is now available for viewing and download on the WNCC Administration page!

The United Methodist Credit Union (TUMCU) is a participating institution in the Paycheck Protection Program and would be happy to assist any UMC church or related organization who would like to apply. Our online application and other information about the SBA program is available at https://www.tumcu.org/sba-paycheck-protection-program/.

Committee on Relief and Niner United work with university officials at UNCC to ready six residence halls in South Village to stage a massive field hospital or stable quarantine housing as needed for COVID-19 response.

Bishop Leeland and the Western North Carolina Cabinet are preparing an Easter worship video for our conference. Many of you are finding wonderful ways to connect with your church communities online and we celebrate that! However, if North Carolina’s restrictions on gathering are impacting your worship planning, use this worship video as a resource for celebrating Easter together. Bishop Leeland will share an Easter message and our District Superintendents will lead us in worship. The link will be sent to clergy on Saturday, April 11 and posted on the Conference website and Facebook page on Easter morning for your use.

Greetings, Delegates and Alternates to the SEJ Conference:   Grace and peace to each of you in this most unusual of Holy Weeks for all of us. As some of you may have heard by this time, the decision has been made to postpone all 2020 U.S. Jurisdictional Conferences scheduled for July. According to our Book of Discipline, all Jurisdictional Conferences occur simultaneously on a date set by the Council of Bishops. As soon as the dates for the rescheduled General Conference are released, the ...