The Latest Edition of E-News - Conference Office Hiring, UMW Mission U, Means of Grace with Dr. Bill White, Jr. and more

July 7, 2021

E-News - July 7, 2021

E-News is an email 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. Submit articles for the next e-news. Submit events.

NEWS

HIRING: Conference Office Front Desk Receptionist
WNC Conference Office in Huntersville is seeking a full-time Front Desk Receptionist. Responsibilities include answering the main phone and directing calls to appropriate parties, receiving guests to the Conference Center, meal/event coordination for on-site meetings and events, ordering office supplies, and maintaining a warm and welcoming presence to the front office. Competitive salary and benefits.

Annual UMW District Celebrations

We all look forward to the day when we can again gather safely in person, and experience the special joy of that wonderful supportive community of United Methodist Women that is a part of every Annual Celebration! This year, however, in an effort to care for the safety and well-being of our members the celebrations will be held virtually. Learn more about the celebration dates and Zoom information for your district.

Join the WNC United Methodist Women for Mission U!

Passionate about mission? Love to learn? Want to engage with others who are? Then Mission U is right for you! Each year, United Methodist Women gather to learn more about missions and about being in mission. This year, we will have two virtual studies with various dates throughout July - including a study led by Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Amy Coles! Learn more and register today.

Means of Grace: Equity and Justice with Rev. Dr. Bill White, Jr.
In this episode of the Means of Grace podcast, Jesse Enniss has a conversation with Rev. Dr. William (Bill) White, Jr. to speak about his new role as the Director of Equity and Justice for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and how lay and clergy leaders can take first steps in moving toward these goals. Listen on our website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Reporting Historical Changes for the 2021 Journal
The Conference Office is working to pull together information for the 2021 Journal, and as in years past, is requesting churches to report data on church and parsonage renovations, remodeling, new buildings, dedications, etc. that took place over the past year.

2022 Apportionment posted to church dashboards
The 2022 General Church, Conference, and District apportionments for all churches will be posted to the church dashboards on July 1st. These become effective January 1, 2022. Please advise Treasury Services of any errors or questions.

Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) - Why Membership is Important

"With everything that's happening in our society and has been happening with the Church structure for year, dating back before the merger of the Church, more than ever ring true the words of Rev. Earnest Smith for not only Black United Methodists, but for ALL United Methodists, "Our Time Under God Is Now." Right now is the time for all of us to really live out the meaning of unity so that the world will know that we are Christians by our love for one another!"

Pamela Shoffner shares more about the important work of Black Methodists for Church Renewal and offers an invitation for ALL to join. Associate members (non-Black United Methodists) are also welcome and encouraged to become a part of this work and to journey alongside their Black brothers and sisters to help make the United Methodist Church whole. Learn more today.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Lake Junaluska hosts its first-ever Juneteenth celebration
"Juneteenth has made its way to public awareness in the last few years, and was just made the 11th federal holiday. However, months before the vote to solidify that, the decision was made to host an event in Haywood County commemorating the day that the last enslaved individuals in America were told they had been emancipated." Kyle Perrotti of The Mountaineer has the story.

NC Pastors Survey for UNC Research Project
Prominent UNC professors, Liesbet Hooghe, Gary Marks, and Stephanie Shady, are requesting pastors in the WNCC to participate in a short, confidential survey for research they are conducting regarding the moral underpinnings of political change in North Carolina. Please consider participating in this important study.

WNC Lands of the Bible Cruise with Bishop Ken Carter
Announcing the Western North Carolina Annual Conference's Lands of the Bible Cruise on the Celebrity Apex with Bishop Ken Carter, Jr.

UPCOMING WEBINARS & EVENTS:

Project AGAPE Virtual Mission Trip
Thursday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Whether you have traveled with us in the past or simply would like to know more about the work being done by North Carolina Methodists in Armenia, join us for a Virtual Mission Trip to Armenia. We will learn about the history of Armenia and Project AGAPE, hear from past mission participants, have a live chat with Project AGAPE board and get an update from the Project AGAPE Country Director, Nara Melkonyan. The event is FREE to everyone who registers.

Both/And Learning Lab #1

Saturday, July 17, 9:30 a.m.
BOTH current grant recipients AND potential grant recipients of the BOTH/AND Grants are invited to join us for the first Hybrid Worship Learning Lab. Participants will worship, learn, experiment, share, ask questions, and discover best practices around hybrid worship experiences. Learn more and register today.

Eating Together Faithfully Introductory Training (Virtual)
Saturday, July 17, 10 a.m.
As congregations and communities begin to safely gather together in person again, NOW is the perfect time to organize an Eating Together Faithfully (ETF) small group! The team at Life Around the Table invites you to join us for our next Eating Together Faithfully (ETF) Virtual Introductory Training.

AntiRacism Ethics Training
Dates vary throughout August-November, 2021
This workshop is designed for clergy and laity together. It is essential for each pastor to identify a key lay person to attend it together with him/her as a partner in advancing the work of antiracism.
All who are under appointment or assignment in WNC are expected to participate in one of the training events over the next four years by June 2024.

Director of Communications: Melissa McGill

Associate Director of Communications: Aimee Yeager