News

Salisbury, NC - Dr. Ashley Dreff and Rev. Thomas Grinter have been accepted to the 14th Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies to be held August 12-19 at Pembroke College of Oxford University in Oxford, England. This important gathering of top professionals in the field is held once every five years and is sponsored by the British Methodist Church and the World Methodist Council. Dreff is assigned to the working group on Methodist History and Grinter to the Biblical Studies working ...

WASHINGTON –  The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is asking the Judicial Council for declaratory decisions on the constitutionality of the petitions submitted by the Commission on a Way Forward to the 2019 Special Session of General Conference. In an electronic vote on July 7, 2018, the bishops agreed to seek a ruling from the highest court in the denomination on whether proposed legislationsknown as the One Church Plan, the Connectional Conference Plan, and the TraditionalPlan...

Check out the latest newsletter of the E-Readers Project, which featured members of the Uwharrie District. Click here to read more. "With this newsletter, we welcome a new school to the E-Reader Project—the Bishop Wenner School of Theology in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Julu Swen recently visited the school and led a training on using the e-readers for all the students. This particular group of e-readers were made possible by donors in the Uwharrie District of the Western North Carolina Conference,...

WASHINGTON, D.C. _ The Council of Bishops (COB) has amended its call for the Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be held February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, in response to Judicial Council Decision 1360, which was handed down on May 25, 2018. The amended call issued by COB President Kenneth H. Carter notes that “The purpose of this Special Session of the General Conference shall be limited to receiving and acting upon a report from the ...

E-News - July 3 E-News is a bi-weekly 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. Articles for the next e-news can be submitted here. NEWS Anam Cara: Training in Missional Spiritual Direction Anam Cara is a two-year missional spiritual direction training program that, along with traditional preparation for one-on-one spiritual direction. moves ...

Anam Cara is a two-year missional spiritual direction training program that, along with traditional preparation for one-on-one spiritual direction. moves participants toward a posture of spiritual direction within the wider context of the neighborhood of one’s work, travel, and life in community. The name Anam Caracomes from the ancient Celtic tradition, meaning “soul friend,” one who walks alongside. Soul friends, or spiritual companions, have long listened and discerned how the Holy Spirit is ...

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Award-winning author and renowned public speaker Carol Howard Merritt will preach at Lake Junaluska on Sunday, July 8. The service starts with a prelude at 10:45 a.m. in Stuart Auditorium. The service is part of the Summer Worship Series at Lake Junaluska, which brings in internationally known preachers each Sunday during the summer.  Howard Merritt will draw on her personal experiences, as well as her professional experiences. Her latest book, Healing Spiritual Wounds: ...

Have you noticed a call to ministry in a member of your congregation? Perhaps, you feel God's calling? The WNCCUMC wants you to know there are pathways available to equip laity with the resources they need to serve in Lay Servant Ministries. With different tracks for Certified Lay Servants, Certified Lay Speakers, and Certified Lay Ministers, there are opportunities to provide just the right level of training for each person's calling. Lay Servant Ministries give laity an opportunity to serve in...

            On Tuesday, June 26, the Conference Staff recognized Dr. Nancy Andersen as she transitions into retirement.  Nancy joined the WNC Conference Staff as Archivist in January of 1999 and has served faithfully in this capacity ever since, making her one of the longest tenured members of the WNC Conference Staff at the present time.             Dr. Andersen received her B. A. from Duke University, her Master’s Degree from Memphis Theological Seminary, and her Ph. D. in Church History from...

As the WNC Conference offices move to a new office building in Huntersville, the WNC Conference Archives will move to the G. A. Pfeiffer Library at Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer, NC.  The present schedule has the Conference Archives moving at the end of July and the beginning of August.  Because all everything that needs to happen to prepare for the move, the Archives will not be able to process any research requests until the move is completed in mid-August.  During this transitional period ...

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — A free worship service led by the Lake Junaluska Singers and the Lake Junaluska Singers Alumni Association will take place on Saturday, July 7 at 10 a.m. in Memorial Chapel to honor the legacy of former Lake Junaluska Singers Director Glenn Draper. Draper is celebrating his 90th birthday this year. Draper led the Lake Junaluska Singers, Lake Junaluska’s prestigious residential choir, from 1956 to 2009. During that time, he grew the chorus from a quartet to a 16-voice ...

Check out the video here. Meds & Food for Kids is a social enterprise dedicated to saving the lives of malnourished children in Haiti. Please help MFK: https://mfkhaiti.org/contribute/

Annual Conference Daily News Monday, June 25, 2018 Whats New: Bishop Leeland's Sunday Sermon Transcript Saturday Ordination Service Pictures Sunday Worship Service Pictures 2018 Appointment List Miss Something? Bishop Carter's Remarks on "A Way Forward" All photos taken by our volunteers can be found here. Did you get some good photos at Annual Conference? Submit them here and click the ! All sermon transcripts and other news can be found here. Check out the videos from Annual ...

Annual Conference Daily News Saturday, June 23, 2018 NEWS STORIES FROM THURSDAY AND FRIDAY Laity Address by Tom Bridges Opening Worship Notes Bishop Steiner Ball- Sermon at Opening Worship Photos from Emory 5K Worship Book Available Online Annual Conference preparation at full steam MEDIA FROM THURSDAY AND FRIDAY Videos Opening Video from Opening Worship Opening Worship- 1968 Merger Video 2018 Retirement Video Fresh Expressions Video (Church Vitality Report) UMM- Amending Through Faith ...

Annual Conference Daily News Sunday, June 24, 2018 NEWS STORIES FROM SATURDAY Bishop Gwinn's Ordination Sermon Bishop Carter's Address on "A Way Forward" Jan Brittain's Sermon for Celebration of Life Service Saturday Morning Business Bishop Gwinn's Sermon from Friday Night MEDIA FROM SATURDAY Bishop Carter's Remarks on "A Way Forward" Videos Lay Servant Ministries Training Neighboring Well with Laura Birch Media and Food for Kids See All the People- Harambee 2017 Fresh Expressions ...

Creating good stewards of God’s financial resources Application Deadline August 30, 2018 The Clergy Debt Reduction Loan Team is promoting its first loan offering this year!   Loans will be offered at 1.5% interest for a period not to exceed 15 years in an effort to relieve clergy of paralyzing debt that can result in physical, emotional, and spiritual burden.  Active clergy in good standing, physically residing within the geographical boundaries of, and serving at least ½ compensation time to ...

Clergywomen’s Breakfast  June 22, 2018  Lake Junaluska, NC  Dr. Nancy B. Rankin  (Hi Nancy,  I hope you are having a great week!  I’m sure your schedule is full of many things yet to be done, though I imagine you (and Terry!) must be very excited for your upcoming retirement!   During our Women In Ministry Breakfast (Friday, June 22), I would love for you to offer us some of your thoughts, insights, wisdom, etc... with the women gathered.  In light of your ministry and experiences, the influence...

A Shocking Violation of the spirit of the Gospel In recent weeks, we have watched with horror at the implementation of policies from the Department of Justice regarding the treatment of people migrating to the United States. Read Statement from Church and Society Revising the Social Principles 2020 As we revise the Social Principles, we are calling for United Methodists to weigh in on the content. Share your voice and concerns | Download Dialogue Guide MARCHA 2018  August 2-5, 2018 Charlotte NC ...

  Transcript The scripture lesson is from Paul's letter to the ‑‑ we always thank God our father the Lord Jesus Christ, he is the visible image of the invisible God.  The firstborn of all creation for in him all things were created in heaven and Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, principalities, all things were created through him and for him.  He is before all things and in him all things hold together.  He is the head of the body of the church, he is the beginning, ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  The DNA of Your Calling You know, I said and I meant it, last evening, to many of you who may be here tonight again, some of you were not here last evening.  I am humbled by this.  I found myself Bishop Leeland, the more you spoke, the more I scooted down in my chair, thinking oh my, I have to come up after this and stand in the pulpit.  But I am deeply grateful.  I said also to the crowd last evening, you ...

Remarks on "A Commission on a Way Forward" Bishop Ken Carter | Annual Conference 2018   Questions/Thoughts/Concerns? You can provide those anonymously here   Transcript This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  BISHOP LEELAND:  For those who are visiting or coming to the Annual Conference for the first time, you have not had the privilege of meeting Bishop Ken Carter, Bishop Carter was a member of this conference at the time of his election, a ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Altars of Faithfulness Sometimes when I step into a pulpit I cannot honestly make this statement to the people seated before me, I know exactly what it's like to be where you are.  But today, I can.  Just 20 days ago I met my father and my brother in Greenville for the SC Annual Conference.  To attend the memorial service where my mother, along with countless other faithful servants would be remembered and ...

The morning session began with an Order of Morning Prayer led by the youth of the conference. Following the brief service, the Annual Meeting  of the Membership of the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina was convened by Tom Jordan and David Snipes.  They presented their glowing report of a year of growth for the foundation, and presented the conference with a check of $30,000 dollars to assist with the Bishop's Leadership Initiative. 2018 UM Foundation Presentation from The...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Anywhere But Nineveh You know I was a little nervous, but now I am trembling.  Bishop Leeland, thank you so much.  I am humbled, I always strive to live up to some of those attributes that Bishop Leeland was talking about.  We know that who we are is the result of God at work in our lives.  That's who we really are as his sons and daughters.  The wonderful thought tonight for all of us is he loves each of us ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Good afternoon.  I am Tom Bridges, the Yadkin valley district lay leader and the member of ‑‑ in Kernersville. Last November I was in Gastonia with a group, including Bishop Leeland, several from the cabinet and the Board of Laity, who were exploring ways to have the laity of Western North Carolina Conference 1* # become more engaged in ministry.  Towards the end of the meeting we were talking about the laity ...

Opening Worship at Annual Conference kicked off at 10:30 AM at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. You can check out the service order on pp. 2-6 in the 2018 Worship Book. The service was opened with a video: Following the Call to Worship and the Processional Hymn, we were reminded that this is the 50th Anniversary of The United Methodist Church: Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball offered her sermon- "Go and Teach" using the texts Matthew 28:16-20 and 1 Timothy ...

This is from a rough transcription provided by Loveeta Baker, Realtime Captioner.  Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball:  Thank you for asking to participate in your opening worship.  We gather an around this table this morning to remember and to be remembered, to be remembered with God, and to be re‑membered, knitted together with one another.  This table and the story and its host, where we can learn again, so that we can take in, so that we rehearse, practice, literally swallow the story of a loving...

If you would like to use the worship book at Lake Junaluska, please download it to your device and feel free to use it at the auditorium for all services. 2018 Worship Book  This document covers all of the services that will be held at Lake Junaluska this weekend.

The first hours of Annual Conference 2018 are underway at Lake Junaluska. Registration began promptly at 11:00 AM. Clergy pictures began at 12 Noon and will go through Saturday. Indoor and Outdoor Displays began setting up around 10 AM. There are over 40 different special events scheduled on the grounds of Junaluska between Thursday and Sunday.   The main event on the schedule for Thursday afternoon is the Clergy Executive Session in Stuart Auditorium at 3:00 PM Thursday. The first major ...

The Board of Directors of Wesley Community Development is pleased to announce the third President in the company’s sixteen-year history has been appointed.  Effective June 15, 2018, Mr. Joel Gilland was elected as President of Wesley Community Development Corporation. Mr. Gilland has served as Senior Vice President of Wesley for the past three years leading the organization’s work in church real estate development in Western North Carolina. This change marks Wesley’s full commitment to serving ...

Members and Friends of the Western North Carolina Conference:   The national debate related to immigration, expressed in the “Zero Tolerance Policy” of separating children from their families is boiling over, fed by the flames of fear and anger.  The outcry of the nation has been rapid and robust.  As the Bishop of our Western North Carolina Conference, I wish to express my dismay at the way in which the current policy of our nation to address the issue of immigration is framing the conversation...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is joining other faith organizations in a statement urging the U.S. government to stop its policy of separating immigrant families. Below is the full statement signed by dozens of faith organizations. Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, president of the Council of Bishops, signed on behalf of the COB. FAITH LEADERS’ STATEMENT ON FAMILY SEPARATION  Recently, the U.S. Administration announced that it will begin separating families ...

Have you heard?  Brooks-Howell, a retirement community in Asheville, NC owned by United Methodist Women, has expanded its Independent Living criteria to include those who have served in one or more service capacities in The United Methodist Church for 10 years or more. This means if you’ve been a Sunday School teacher, member of United Methodist Women, Director of Music and more, then you qualify to apply. Brooks-Howell continues to be a community of faith and fellowship for both men and ...

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. –  With the arrival of the Lake Junaluska Singers, music is in the air, and it is officially summer at Lake Junaluska.   The Lake Junaluska Singers are Lake Junaluska’s well-known summer vocal ensemble comprised of young singers from around the nation. Throughout the summer, they perform at Lake Junaluska and other regional worship events.   Director Mary Huff and Associate Director Kathy Geyer McNeil held the ensemble’s first rehearsal in early June.   “The most exciting ...

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – How can churches help people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and their caregivers? Answering that question is the topic of a new, free resource now available from The United Methodist Church.  The five-part study, titled “Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Ministry with the Forgotten” includes downloadable videos and a leader’s guide. Retired Bishop Ken Carder wrote the resource based on his experiences caring for his wife, Linda, who was diagnosed in 2009 with ...

Chris Hampton will be joining the Western North Carolina Conference staff as Webmaster as of June 4. He is a lifelong United Methodist who grew up in Thomasville, NC. He attended UNC-Charlotte where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and a minor in Computer Science. At UNC-Charlotte, Chris was very active with Niner United, the United Methodist campus ministry led by Rev. Steve Cheyney.  He has worked as a Youth Minister in Concord, NC and has served as Lay Associate ...

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – All are invited to spend a patriotic Fourth of July at Lake Junaluska. The Independence Day Celebrations will feature three concerts, a variety of family friendly activities, a parade and a fireworks display. The theme for the event is Red, White & Bluegrass: Celebrating the Music of the Mountains, and it will be incorporated throughout the events.    Bluegrass band Balsam Range kicks off the celebrations on July 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium. On July 3, hop on any ...

Just like everyone else in the Conference Memorial Center, the WNC Conference Archives will be moving this July.  The Archives will be moving to Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC.  Moving more than 1,500 linear feet of records and documents of the WNC Conference and keeping everything organized will not be a small thing.  As the archivists prepare for this move and the transition into the new home at Pfeiffer, there will be a period of time when access to all documents and records will be ...

AC After Hours Thursday, June 21st, 8-10 pm BearWaters Brewing 101 Park St Canton, NC Join us at BearWaters Brewing for an evening of conversation and laughter among friends. We may have a guest Bishop or two on hand as we talk about the future of the church and then will chat with some colleagues about some of the creative ministry they're doing in our conference. Come unwind and get inspired! Questions? Contact Louis Timberlake (ltimberlake@wnccumc.net)  

To All Women in Ministry of the Conference,  As we excitedly prepare for our time together at Annual Conference, we have two things to share with you.     You are warmly invited to join together for our annual Women In Ministry Breakfast at Annual Conference.  The breakfast is open to all women who serve in professional ministry throughout the conference (deacon / elder / local pastor / Christian educator/ provisional / student).  We have varied gifts and callings  in diverse settings, and this...

Thursday, June 21, 2018 3:00 pm Home of Lisa Roberts 76 Atkins Loop Lake Junaluska A time of fellowship for Clergy Spouses to get together during closed Clergy Session. Easy access to house - trolley stops at Sunset Inn at corner of Atkins Loop - then short "3-house down" walk. Hosted by Lisa Roberts 707-677-6728 There will be emailed invitations going out soon, or please call Lisa Roberts to let her know you will attend.

FROM: Bishop Paul L. Leeland TO; WNCC Clergy Dear Friends,   I want to invite you to participate in one of two Space4Grace events on Thursday, June 21, the day of our Executive Session of Clergy Members. These Sabbath experiences are brought to us by the Sabbath Living Initiative. There will be two different options offered - either from 10:30 to 2:00 before the Clergy Session or from 5:30 to 9:00 after the Clergy Session.  Both of these sessions will include a Sabbath meal and a time of ...

The Spiritual Directors of the Western North Carolina Conference would like to offer you a place to slow down and take a breath during conference. The pace of day to day living makes it difficult to attune ourselves to the rhythms of soul, the rhythms of the Sacred within and all around us. This one hour guided experience is designed to provide you with a transitional space between the worries of the world and the slower, deeper, and more natural flow of Spirit. While there will be some space ...

You’re Invited to attend the GET TO KNOW WESLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL CONFERENCE LUNCHEON   Stop by and learn about the services offered by Wesley Community Development Corporation throughout the Western North Carolina Conference and beyond.   When: Friday, June 22, 2018 @ 12pm Where: Foundation for Evangelism at Lake Junaluska   Please RSVP Michael@WesleyCDC.com by June 10, 2018, as space is limited. We look forward to seeing you and sharing some of the past, present, and future ...

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — All are invited to attend the Summer Worship Series at Lake Junaluska from June 10 to August 5. The Summer Worship Series includes spirited traditional worship services led by internationally known preachers on Sunday mornings. Most services begin Sundays in Stuart Auditorium at 11 a.m., with a prelude by the Lake Junaluska Singers at 10:45 a.m. This year two special services will be held in the evenings at Memorial Chapel and the amphitheater by the Lake Junaluska Cross....

from Northern Piedmont District Churches Thanks be to God for all the volunteers from Laughlin Memorial, Newlyn Street, Mt. Zion AME and all who contributed financially to our Tornado Relief Effort!  We even received contributions by mail from Little Rock, AR! We (Laughlin Memorial UMC) carried out our effort for two weeks.  During the first week, we were without electricity and telephones, but our congregation wanted to do something.  It began by working with our District Vitality Specialist,...

Dear United Methodist friends, Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. We are deeply committed across North Carolina to the education of all children, to the support of teacher and administrators, and to stronger funding for public education.   At the 2016 Sessions of the North Carolina and the Western North Carolina Conferences, we voted overwhelmingly to be energetic advocates for public schools.  Together we engage directly in public schools through C4C (Congregations for ...

WASHINGTON, D. C.:  The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has completed canvassing the votes of annual conferences on the five constitutional amendments that were approved by the 2016 General Conference.  Summary of Votes by Annual Conferences   Amendment Total “Yes” Votes Total “No” Votes % of Yes Votes Amendment I 31,304 15,753 66.5% Amendment II 29,049 18,317 61.3% Amendment III 42,639 4,578 90.3% Amendment IV 43,770 3,340 92.9% Amendment V 38,087 8,828 81.2% ...