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| Means of Grace: Remembering the Saints
As we approach All Saints Day, we want to pause to remember the Saints we’ve lost this year in our churches, in our communities and in our world. The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives including death, dying and how we celebrate life and find ways grieve together. How do we balance sacred and safety in our rites surrounding death? Melissa McGill talks with Kay Morrison-Sanders, a cemetery bereavement counselor and lay member of St. Mark’s United Methodist in Charlotte and the Rev. Carter Ferguson, who pastors Prospect UMC in Archdale and Pleasant Hill UMC in Thomasville.
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| Four denominations pray for peace
On October 31, you are invited to join with members from four denominations in praying for peace and healing, in a non-partisan way, in preparation for the 2020 election. There will be speakers from the AME, CME, AME ZION, AND UM CHURCHES.
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| ZOE Empowers - Virtual Mission Trip
Pack your bags for a virtual trip to Rwanda, Kenya, and India! Glimpse the kingdom of God with orphaned and vulnerable children around the world lifting themselves permanently out of poverty. What does this unique travel experience include?
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When the frost is on the pumpkin...
St. Mark's UMC celebrates five years of pumpkin patch fun. Story and photos shared by Bill Jones, lay member of St. Mark's and the Conference Commission on Communications. |
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| Grace Kitchen To Go: Wednesday Meal Program Adapts to COVID-19
Bob Bamberg, editor of The Alleghany News, shares the story of Sparta UMC - a story about the grace that manifests through the simple acts of kids playing basketball, neighbors sharing a meal, and a church willing to open their minds, doors, and hearts.
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| Weekly Resource Roundup
We scanned the internet for resources that will be of interest and value to you and your ministries. This week's roundup includes: Discipleship Ministries 2021 Revised Common Lectionary Calendar, Illustrated Ministries pre-recordable, Zoom-able Virtual Christmas Pageant, best ways to distribute weekly bulletins to your congregation, and more.
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| Local Church Learning Sessions: Technology for Worship, Small Groups, and Giving
As the COVID-19 pandemic continued and more churches shifted to or increased their digital ministry, United Methodist Communications began developing a series of Local Church Learning Sessions. All have been developed specifically to support local United Methodist churches during this extraordinary time. New sessions will be added here as they are produced.
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| WNCC Christmas Service
On the Sunday after Christmas, the Western NC Conference will offer a conference-wide virtual worship with a homily from the Bishop, music and liturgy from pastors and churches around our conference. Clergy and worship leaders, take a much-needed break after the Advent season and worship with friends around the conference. More information to come soon.
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| Advent 2020: Seeking Jesus, The Advent of Justice and Peace
Advent is a time for church leaders to guide their congregation through a soul-enriching time of reflection, lamentation, anticipation and renewal. The General Commission on Religion and Race announces a five-week Advent resource, Seeking Jesus: The Advent of Justice and Peace.
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Important Notice About Boy Scouts Bankruptcy
Many of the Churches in The Western North Carolina Conference currently serve or have served as a BSA Chartered Organization. It has only recently been made clear to our denomination that Chartering Organizations have potential standing in the BSA bankruptcy proceedings and should file a proof of claim to protect their interests before the proof of claim deadline. |
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Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, today released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness ... |
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
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| Peace, Justice, and Conflict Transformation
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center seeks to proclaim Christ’s good news, the gospel of peace and justice, and to be active in the sacred ministry of reconciliation. LMPC trains church leaders on biblical peace and justice issues, as well as conflict transformation and other training grounded in family systems theory.
Scholarships are available for clergy and ministry professionals from the WNC Leadership Development Team ... |
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| Means of Grace: Meet Our Church Planters
In this episode, Luke Edwards catches up with two church planters, Ashley Crowder Stanley of the Wellspring Congregation near Asheville and Rev. Charlie Rivens of The Place in Charlotte, to talk about their ministries, the highs and lows of starting a church and how they’ve adjusted during the pandemic.
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| NC Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions Program
The Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program is a new statewide initiative that may provide rent and utility assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income renters experiencing financial hardship due to the economic effects of COVID-19. The new program will help prevent evictions and utility disconnections in order to promote housing stability during the ongoing pandemic.
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| Pastor's Breakfast Brings Small Community Together
When we find ourselves living in remote places it can be hard to find ways to fellowship. If you find yourself in a small town with no places to gather, perhaps it is time to consider making the local diner a new favorite for community gathering.
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UPCOMING WEBINARS:
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| Dismantling Racism Events
Upcoming converations on October 28, November 18, December 9, 1 p.m. EST
Around the connection, United Methodists are gathering online and in-person to do the difficult work of dismantling racism. Find an event to attend or watch the video of one that has already occurred.
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Fulfillment of Faith Women's Retreat
Friday, November 6 - Saturday, November 7
Prepare yourself for the Advent season with this special, one-night retreat November 6th – November 7th hosted by the Catholic Conference Center.
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Racial Healing and the Gospel of Reconciliation
The next conversation will be held November 19, 9 a.m.
Using racial healing as our focus, participants will learn a 6-step process of reconciliation that can be taken back to congregations as a resource tool for further healing and reconciliation in their communities. |
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