News

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 United Methodist Churches and church...

DALLAS - What is the Christ’s way forward for doing mission and ministry in the worldwide United Methodist Church? That is the question bishops pondered during their February meeting in Dallas this week as they received an updated report from the Commission on a Way Forward. In the report given to the Council this week, the Commission shared with the bishops two sketches that carry forward many of the values and principles of the three sketches that were presented to the bishops at their ...

The deadline for submitting petitions for consideration by the 2018 Western North Carolina Annual Conference has been extended to Tuesday, April 3.  Please send petitions to Rev. Kim Ingram, Conference Secretary at kingram@wnccumc.org and they will be reviewed by the Petitions Committee.  For help with formatting, please refer to previous petitions.

Cycle to Lake Junaluska June 18-20, 2018 You are invited to join in the 5th Annual Cycle to Lake Junaluska which will take place Monday, June 18 to Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Join us as we pedal to Lake Junaluska in a 3-day fully supported charity bicycle ride that benefits the campus ministries of our conference. The C2LJ Team has been hard at work to set up a 145 mile route with amazing host sites. Day 1 will start in Hickory, NC at Christ UMC on Monday, June 18 and cycle to Rutherfordton, ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With attention on the missional and theological foundations of The United Methodist Church, the Council of Bishops (COB) is preparing to receive an updated report from the Commission on a Way Forward on possible models regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the global denomination. The 32-member Commission met last month to rework sketches of possible models of the future of the denomination and will present that updated report to the bishops at a special meeting set for ...

Grace Break ​Are you seeking ways to thrive in ministry for the long-haul?  Maybe you​ are tired, feeling the pressures of a 24/7 on-call ministry, or stressed at leading your church to make disciples for Jesus Christ in today's world?   Led by Big Sigh Ministries Inc. co-founders Jacqueline and Jack Tookey, this workshop will help you focus on self-care, rest and renewal.   Based on Mark 6, The Jesus’ Way for rest and renewal (Get Away, Get with People who Love You, Serve Where You’re not in ...

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”  We cross paths with people that personify this quote almost daily in our ministry.  Like Susie Heidt, who coordinated a successful VBS in a town that has no schools.  Or Ethan Oltreman, a high school senior who organized a revival designed to encourage racial reconciliation.  Or Rev. Andrew Singh who is passionate  about moving his church parishioners to pray and grow in their prayer lives equipping them to share the Good News of ...

As has been the practice for some years, the WNC Conference Commission on Archives and History will recognize all churches celebrating their 100th, 150th, and 200th anniversaries in 2018 with their display at Annual Conference this year.  If your congregation is celebrating one of these anniversaries this year, please contact Jim Pyatt, Assistant Archivist, at jpyatt@wnccumc.org  by March 15, so that your church will be included in this year’s recognitions.  

Robert H. McMichael III was the worship leader at the Western North Carolina Annual Conference in June 2017.  He was scheduled to return for the 2018 Conference at Lake Junaluska. We were saddened to learn of his death on Monday, February 19, 2018.  He was a celebrated musician and worship leader across the United Methodist connection and lead worship in a number of conference gatherings over the years.    He served in numerous capacities in churches throughout the Atlanta area. As organist, ...

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – A new meditation pier that will extend over 40 feet into the water and seat up to eight people is under construction at Lake Junaluska. The pier, located along the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail on the south end of the Memorial Chapel parking lot, will provide a place for meditation and reflection with incredible lake views. It will be open to the public to use by Easter. Funding for this new pier was given in memory of Erle and Mary Peacock, former summer residents of Lake...

Our Prayer of Lament February 15, 2018 "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (Jer. 31:15) Unbelievable. Unspeakable. Shock. Our nation prays with the families of Parkland, Florida, in response to the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The unanswerable questions of "why", "how", and "could it have been prevented", do nothing to alleviate the sudden horror unleashed upon ...

The Housing Letter has been mailed to all clergy and lay members of the conference and is arriving by postal mail across the state.  The link above contains all of the information contained in the mailing.  The Housing Request Form will go live on the morning of February 28th. For those interested in requesting display space, Annual Conference Display Information is now online.  The online application form is also available, and can be submitted until April 13, 2018.  

The Third Annual All Hood Alumni & Friends Center for Chaplaincy Symposium   Chaplaincy: The Many Roads of Spiritual Service and Compassionate Caring Thursday, March 15, 2018 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Networking Reception: Symposium attendees,  Chaplain Residents, HTS Students, Faculty and Staff Friday, March 16, 2018 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Continental Breakfast Morning Reflections: Rev. Katherine Higgins Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Director of Community, Practice, & ...

2018 Lenten message calls for more spiritual disciplines WASHINGTON, D.C. -  The Bishops of The United Methodist Church are calling on members of the denomination to deny themselves during the 2018 Lenten Season for the sake of the kingdom of Jesus Christ and to set aside self-interest so that others may have a more abundant life. In a message sent on behalf of UMC bishops to United Methodists throughout the world, Council of Bishops President Bishop Bruce R. Ough challenged fellow Christians to...

  Clergy Taxes: Don't Live in Fear Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, 10am, CST      You've heard a lot about changes to the tax laws that are beginning to take effect in 2018. More than ever, you'll want to be smart about filing for 2017 and strategic about how you plan for 2018! Clergy face some unique challenges when it comes to things like social security payments, estimated tax payments, housing allowances or exclusions, and reimbursed expenses. Your corner tax preparer ...

GET ON THE BOAT! "When Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him."  Matthew 8:23 Jesus tells his disciples, “Get on the boat!” Once on board, he teaches them, calms their fears, and launches them into mission. It’s no surprise the Church is symbolized by a boat and sail. Miracles happen when we get on board with Jesus. Come to Lake Junaluska this summer, and find your spot on His crew!   Summer Youth Event Dates Join some of your favorite speakers and bands during the Summer Youth ...

UMCOR Sunday is right around the corner. This churchwide special Sunday with offering provides United Methodists the opportunity to help our brothers and sisters around the world in their time of need. Our generous gifts through the UMCOR Sunday offering support the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR provides immediate assistance in the wake of disasters and participates in ongoing ministries of food, shelter, health and peace. On March 11, our congregations will receive ...

What happens when your speaker for a leadership event falls ill?  Call on your bishop. The Metro District Leadership Training Event has been on the calendar for months.  Rev. Stephanie Hand, the Metro District Vitality Strategist, was scheduled to teach: How to be a Disciple Making Church at the leadership event on Saturday, February 3rd. Hand, reportedly came down with the flu, and Bishop Paul Leeland pitched in at the last minute.  He called his session, "Growing the Church." It should be ...

We have received word from the family of Bishop Bevel Jones that he is now in hospice care at Wesley Woods Senior Living in Atlanta, GA.  Jones has been at the center for 3 years now. Bishop Jones served the Western North Carolina Conference from 1984 until 1996. David, his son, writes, “Despite his dementia and general decline - he's almost 92, you know – ‘the old Bev’ still comes through at times.” “The 3 of us have always been amazed by how many people in so many places love Dad. We ...

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that whatever we do for "the least of these" we do for God. For 70 years, since 1948, The Advance has given United Methodists and their predecessors the opportunity to serve those who are "the least" in the world's eyes — the marginalized, the poor and the disadvantaged. The Mission for Migrant Workers (Advance #14241A) is one of many Advance projects devoted to justice for those who find themselves oppressed by power structures in which they have no ...

By The Reverend Marji Hill, Deacon In our churches, January is a crucial time for new leaders. Equipping the laity for mission and ministry is often a primary focus in the first few months of the year. This is the time when new leaders who have answered the call and said “YES” are now beginning to ask “HOW?” Here in far western North Carolina the HOW question is even more difficult to answer, because we have so few resources. But things are changing. While theoretically we know there are plenty...

The moderators of the Commission on a Way Forward are urging United Methodists to engage in reflections on where they see mission at the heart of the denomination as well as seeing mission as significant for resolving conflict.  Below is the statement from Bishops David Yemba, Sandra Steiner Ball, and Ken Carter   Mission and the Way Forward in the Season after the Epiphany   At the conclusion of the recent meeting of the Commission on a Way Forward, the members were asked to share three words ...

Nashville, Tenn.: In December 2017, the Secretary of the General Conference publicly released information about the number of delegates assigned to the annual conferences within each jurisdiction and central conference for the 2020 General Conference. As directed by The Book of Discipline 2016, delegate counts for individual annual conferences were sent to the bishop and annual conference secretary of each. The full list was not made available at that time pending the completion of notifications...

The Western North Carolina Conference Connectional Table met Saturday, January 20 at the United Methodist Foundation in Huntersville. Rev. Amy Coles, assistant to Bishop Leeland, led us in a devotion sparked by research she has been doing on Bitcoin.  She concluded from her research (using phrases from Seth Godin) that “money isn’t real, but mostly a sign and a signal.” She continued with the idea that “Money tells stories” and referred to several stories from the New Testament- Zacchaeus, the ...

ATLANTA  — Faith communities and United Methodist congregations looking to learn more about what their church can do to improve health and wholeness in their local communities are being invited to gather in Atlanta for the 2018 United Methodist Church Day of Health.    Sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, UMC Day of Health will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Dunwoody United Methodist Church located at 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA. 30338. The event is free but ...

Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc. (BMCR) has embarked on a fundraising effort to move our organization toward self sufficiency. As we celebrate our 51st year, we are focusing on securing our potential for future ministry. We are doing this important work in partnership with the United Methodist Church Development Center and Methodistas Asociados Reprensentando la Causa de Hispano Americanos (MARCHA).  We have established an aggressive fund raising goal of $125,000 for 2018 so that BMCR ...

DALLAS - The Commission on a Way Forward is nearing the completion of its task of making recommendations of possible ways forward for The United Methodist Church regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ persons in this global denomination. The 32-member Commission concluded its three-day meeting in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday after reworking sketches of possible models of the future of the denomination that will be part of the final report to the Council of Bishops in May. Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, one...

The Design Team for the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration reported to the venue bright and early (8:00 am) on Saturday, January 13, 2018 to carry out final preparations for the day’s event. The Celebration was scheduled to start at 10:00 sharp. Anxiety among the team built as 9:45 came and went, and only a few dozen attendees were in the large banquet room at the Global Learning Center on the campus of Greensboro’s Bennett College. However, by 9:50 the floodgates opened and people were ...

This Odd and Wondrous Calling: A Time A Part for Clergy for Rest, Play, Creativity and Renewal Monday, April 9, 2018 – Wednesday April 11, 2018   As rich as the season of Lent into Easter is, it can often be a “full” time for clergy who are seeking to provide meaningful journeys of faith for those they serve during this time. In the Easter days that follow this time, Leslee Wray is offering a two-day retreat for clergy who might welcome some rest and renewal. Drawing upon Lillian Daniel’s and ...

MULTI CULTURAL / MULTI ETHNIC CONVERSATION January 27, North Davidson UMC Get the details: http://www.metrodistrictumc.org/post/multi-cultural-multi-ethnic-conversation-10608040   DISCUSS: NEW PLACES FOR NEW PEOPLE, DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FAITH LEADERS, SEVEN SEASONS OF CHURCH PLANTING, FRESH EXPRESSIONS, ETC. February 16, 9:30am - 3:00pm at University City UMC REGISTER HERE More information: http://www.metrodistrictumc.org/post/metro-district-discovery-day-10608184  

Sunday, February 18 is our designated Conference Brotherhood/Sisterhood Sunday. We encourage all churches to include the following information in their February newsletters and weekly bulletins to inform everyone of this significant ministry to our clergy families. The Brotherhood/Sisterhood of the Western North Carolina Conference has been engaged with the families of clergy members ever since this voluntary association of clergy and laity was organized in 1894. With the founding 121 clergy ...

WASHINGTON – The Council of Bishops is urging all United Methodists to join with other Christians throughout the world to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins tomorrow, January 18, 2018. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is promoted by the World Council of Churches, most regional councils of churches, and most mainline denominations, including The United Methodist Church. This year’s Week of Prayer (January 18-25, 2018) uses Exodus 15:6 with the theme “Your ...

While finishing his Master of Arts in Christian Practice degree at Duke Divinity School, worship leader and singer/songwriter Kyle Sigmon, from Boone, NC, became inspired to create something new out of words of old.  It was early spring of 2014 and the candidate for ministry as a deacon in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church was taking a class on Methodism from Dr. Randy Maddox and Dr. Lacey Warner. One article written by Dr. Maddox particularly spoke to Sigmon ...

Recent Housing Allowance Opinion Judge Barbara B. Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin recently found the housing allowance tax exemption for clergy to be unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Legal Services Department at GCFA has reviewed the decision and prepared a thoughtful analysis of its contents and the reasoning of the judge. The Legal Services Department will continue to monitor this case and will update its analysis when necessary. Updates...

All too often, renewal leaves are not sought by clergy or their district leaders until a pastor enters a crisis situation.  We at Big Sigh Ministries are changing the conversation from “burnout crisis” to “prevention and ministry resilience” with our GRACE BREAK program. Through this informative program, we help clergy dream and plan ahead for renewal leaves; we educate church Staff and Pastor Parish Relations Committees as to the unique, numerous stressors clergy face, the real threat of ...

IDK’18 will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at First UMC in Hickory, NC.  "IDK", short hand for “I don’t know”, is a youth conference for middle school and high school students who are sensing a call from God.  This isn’t a conference for entire youth groups but for those one, two or more youth who feel God’s call into some sort of ministry.  During the day the youth will hear from different people about their callings in our “Sharing Your Story” moments.  These are designed to be like TED...

Get Connected…To Each Other!  On a Worldwide Marriage Encounter you can make your good marriage GREAT!  Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, in-laws and technology to focus only on each other.  If you’d like greater depth, growth and enrichment in your relationship, you’ll love the difference a Marriage Encounter Weekend can make!  Join millions of couples worldwide who have learned how to keep their marriage vibrant and alive.  The next ...

YeTI is a two-week summer experience for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who want to become useful and effective servant leaders—and are ready to learn more about their relationship to God and God’s call on their lives. Program dates for 2018 are June 17 through June 30. Over the course of two weeks, students will engage in eco-service, bible study, worship and fellowship. They will put faith into action through hands-on learning, field trips, community service and outdoor ...

The first Special Sunday of 2018 is scheduled for January 14, 2018.    Below are links to Human Relations Day Sunday resources for your congregation:   Here is the link to the Pastor’s Kit for more downloadables: http://www.umcgiving.org/resource-articles/human-relations-day-pastor-and-leaders-kit Here is the link to order print resources: https://shop.umc.org/product/3137/2018-human-relations-day-sunday-offering-envelope-and-poster Here is the link to the overview page on umcgiving.org: http...

To the People Called United Methodists: Grace and peace to you as we embrace the New Year. The joy of Christmas and the gift of Emmanuel – God with us – gives us the confidence to face the future with hope.  This hope is born of our faith in the Living God.  Thus, as we enter the New Year we affirm that God who started a good thing in us will see it to fruition. As United Methodists, we are at a precipitous moment, uncertain about our denomination’s future.  Yet, we do know that we have been ...

ATLANTA, GA—Global Ministries and UMCOR will commission 17 new EarthKeepers in its first ecommissioning on January 22, 2018 at 8pm ET. The commissioning may be viewed via livestream at https://goo.gl/ffDMj8. This online service will affirm members of the EarthKeepers Arkansas class of 2017 in their call to the ministry of creation care and bless their work in their communities. Livestreaming will minimize the carbon footprint of the service while creating the opportunity for their communities ...

Bridge To Recovery (BTR) is a faith-based alcohol and drug treatment center serving Stanly/Union/Cabarrus counties, and all surrounding areas. BTR offers low-cost, high-value treatment in a gentle Christian environment. Due to our generous supporters, we often have the ability to scholarship those without funds. We have provided direct care to over 1,300 men and women since we opened our doors in 2011. We strive to offer substance abuse services to all in need, regardless of ability to pay. ...

The Annual Conference voted in June 2017 to move the Western North Carolina Conference Center from Charlotte to Huntersville. (see AC2017 documents) Trustees and Conference leaders had a ground breaking ceremony in July 2017 on the site next to the United Methodist Foundation building in Huntersville.   After working through permitting and construction formalities during the fall, contractors are making progress on preparing the land for new construction on the site on Professional Center ...

United Methodist Council of Bishops December 15, 2017 In a Christmas message to the people of The United Methodist Church on behalf of the Council of Bishops, Council president Bishop Bruce Ough encourages us to enkindle our longing for the birth of Christ in our lives.   Bishop Ough’s message follows: Longing for the Savior Bernard of Clairvaux, the great twelfth century abbot, once wrote about Christmas in his Sermons on the Song of Songs: During my frequent ponderings on the burning desire ...

A UMC.org Feature by Joe Iovino* We know the stories in the Bible, attend Advent and Christmas Eve worship each year, listen to tons of Christmas carols, and have seen just about every Christmas movie and special. We United Methodists know a lot about Christmas, but like most things there is always more to learn. Here are a few lesser-known tidbits. John Wesley never published a Christmas sermon If you search for Christmas sermons by John Wesley, you won’t find any. He never published one. One ...

Please mark your calendars: The Conference Center in Charlotte (and our district offices) will be officially closed from Friday, December 22, 2017 through Monday, January 1, 2018. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 8:30 AM. Please enjoy this Christmas Season with your families and churches!

The Internal Revenue Services has released  reimbursable mileage rates for 2018. Business standard mileage rate is $0.545 (54.5 cents) per mile (up 1 cent from 2017) Medical or Moving standard mileage rate is $0.18 (18 cents) per mile (up 1 cent from 2017) Charitable standard mileage rate is $0.14 (14 cents) per mile (unchanged from 2017 as this is set by Congress) The release can be downloaded here:  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-18-03.pdf The tax bill currently at work in Congress may ...

WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Council of Bishops offers an 88-page booklet that contains some of the resources the Commission on a Way Forward has used so far in its work. The booklet contains information on three proposals the bishops will discuss in their respective areas. The bishop-appointed commission has the task of trying to move the denomination past its impasse around homosexuality. DOWNLOAD BOOKLET  

Thanks to Scott Nowlan at West Market Street UMC in Greensboro who shared this news with the conference. If your church is currently using wireless microphones in the 600 mhz service band, you will be required to cease operations no later than July 13, 2020 (or earlier if they cause interference with new licensees). Please read the notification below: https://www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-microphones-0   Wireless Microphones   Wireless microphones are used to transmit sound to an amplifier or ...

At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors of Lake Junaluska Assembly, a statement was released regarding historical racism at the conference and retreat center: Statement on Racism Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc. Board of Trustees Lake Junaluska was established by people of the Christian faith more than 100 years ago and has continued to be led by followers of Jesus Christ throughout its history. People of the Christian faith believe in a God of love. Not only do Christians believe that we ...