| ENEWS - September 26, 2017 |
This edition of the ENEWS was published on the Brick River system. Please share this information with your church leadership.
The next edition of ENews is scheduled for October 10, 2017, deadline for submissions is October 5, 2017.
|
 ![]() ![]()
Dear Western North Carolina Annual Conference Members,
Sexual misconduct has been a problem in all religions and denominations. Fortunately, The United Methodist Church has been addressing the problem for about three decades, but there is more to do. In our efforts to hear from those who work and worship in UM churches and offices, and to better understand the extent, nature and trends of this problem among both clergy and laity, we are inviting everyone in The United Methodist Church to participate in the “2017 Sexual Harassment Survey.”
The survey will take between 5 and 20 minutes depending on your experience with sexual harassment in the Church. Since this survey is about sensitive information, it is totally voluntary and you are invited to skip over any questions that are uncomfortable. However, the more complete your survey, the more we can understand from the data.
All of the responses from this survey are anonymous. We have no means of tracking any individual respondent, and all of the data will be reported in the aggregate. The results of this study will provide important feedback about the frequency and response to sexual misconduct within The United Methodist Church and help the Church address abuse. We hope to publish the findings later this year.
We are relying on you to share this with anyone you know who attends or is employed by The United Methodist Church. It is important for this survey to be distributed as widely as possible and completed by a broad sample of clergy and laity. Here is the link to the survey: UMC Sexual Harassment Survey. The deadline for submitting surveys is October 3.
If you have any concerns about sexual misconduct in your ministry setting, or believe that you may be a victim of sexual harassment, please contact Becky Williams at the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, 312-346-4900. If you have a question about the survey, please contact Gail Murphy-Geiss, Ph.D. at 719-389-6868.
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
Dawn Wiggins Hare-General Secretary
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
Bishop Sharma Lewis- Virginia Annual Conference
Council of Bishops Representative to
Interagency Sexual Ethics Task
FRESH EXPRESSIONS VISION DAY
OCTOBER 7, 2017
Covenant Community Church, Asheville, NC
Details and Registration
2017 CLERGY ASSESSMENTS
Clergy Assessment forms for 2017 are now available for completion by clergy and S/PPRCs.
The forms are identical to last year’s assessments. The only change is that they have been converted to fillable pdf files to make it easier for them to be accessed. All needed documents can be downloaded from this link.
The deadline for completion of all assessment documents and emailing them to your district office is November 30.
DETAILS ON THIS PAGE
|
| CONFERENCE NEWS AND NOTES |
FROM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Just a reminder about the release of the Health Benefits rates and that all forms must be in the Treasury Office by December 1, 2017.
Read Memo on Health Rates 2018
If individuals wish to make a CHANGE from one health plan to another; if they wish to add or delete dependent coverages, they must submit NEW HealthGram 2018 Open Enrollment Form. If they do not need to make ANY changes, then no form is required.
For FSA Medical and Dependent Care, new enrollment IS REQUIRED even if they currently use the plans. If they wish to discontinue, then nothing is required. If they wish to begin participating, new enrollment form is required.
Link is: http://wnccadmin.org/ConfBenefits.cfm for all forms and rate information.
FROM THE UM FOUNDATION
Stewardship in African American Churches- October 7, 2017
with Rev. Melvin Anderson and Bishop Paul Leeland at Greater Vision UMC, Huntersville, NC DETAILS
Called and Gifted to Lead Workshop
A 3 day workshop
October 23-25, 2017
Hickory, NC
This workshop is sponsored and funded by the Leadership Development Team of WNCC. It is a 48-hour experience during which you remember your call and best ministry moments, celebrate your strengths, consider your current ministry, identify development needs, and create a 3-5 year plan for growth. Using feedback, small group experiences, and individual and group leadership coaching, you are able to create a self-directed, individualized plan for your next steps in ministry. Once you have completed the workshop, you are eligible for up to $1000 in scholarship funds to resource your leadership develop plan. Over 350 WNCC clergy and ministry professionals have participated in the workshop. You can too! The deadline for registration is September 30. Learn more and find an application at this link:
http://leadwncc.org/called-and-gifted-to-lead/
Financial Planning Service for WNC clergy
Take advantage of the opportunity to meet with a certified financial planner at a reduced cost or free. http://leadwncc.org/clergy-financial-planning-with-a-certified-financial-planner/
"Mercies in Disguise" is a spiritual retreat for clergy and ministry professionals who are caregivers for family members, whether spouses, aging parents or children with special needs. The retreat will be offered at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC on Monday, October 23, 2017 beginning at 5pm through Tuesday, October 24 at 3pm.
Registration deadline is September 30, 2017. REGISTER ONLINE
Great Ministry in the Second Half of Life
Lake Junaluska, NC
October 30-November 3, 2017
A 5-day workshop
Great Ministry in the Second-Half of Life is designed for ministry leaders over the age of 50 with a minimum of 10 years of service to the church. In a beautiful retreat setting, we will examine research about mid-career, reflect on our own lives and passions, and talk with God and each other about how to find meaning, balance, joy and success at mid-career and beyond. More information is available at this link:
http://leadwncc.org/great-ministry-in-the-second-half-of-life-rediscovering-meaning-balance-joy-and-success/
EQ-HR (Emotional Intelligence - Human Relations)
Hickory, NC
October 30 – November 3, 2017
A 5-day workshop
Learn more and register:
https://www.eqhr.org/registration/5-day-hickory-nc
Emergency Response Teams Training
Morris Chapel UMC, Walkertown October 7
Tyro UMC, Lexington November 4 (Recertification)
Christ UMC, Greensboro November 18
Harrison UMC, Pineville November 18
More from Disaster Response Training
Light the Fire of Discipleship
Saturday, October 21, 3 - 5pm
First UMC, Gastonia
Jim Harnish, guest speaker
More information
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY IS OCTOBER 1
Plan ahead for this Special Sunday. Get all of your special offering and celebration information here.
LAITY SUNDAY IS OCTOBER 15
Laity Sunday in the United Methodist Church is on October 15, 2017 and the Board of Laity of the WNCC invites all congregations to celebrate the ministry of the laity on this Sunday.
Methodism has long celebrated and recognized the ministry of the laity. In the early days of American Methodism, the laity served and maintained congregations between visits of the circuit riders. Today, lay people are at the front line of daily ministry in our congregations and in our communities. Read this entire article by Shannon Sherfey
Partners in Health and Wholeness-
Faith and Health Summit
Making Connections: We're Worth It!
October 19-20, 2017
First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC
Register here.
(tickets are free of cost for PHW Collaborative Church Pastors
and PHW health leads)
The United Methodist Credit Union
The United Methodist Credit Union is pleased to be a financial resource for the church members and churches of the Western North Carolina Conference. Here are just a couple of ways we can help churches grow their savings or cut loan expenses. READ MORE
Wesley Theological Seminary Lay Academy & Certification
Curious about Methodist Theology? Interested in earning a Wesley Theological Seminary Lay Certification? Check out this online Course October 9-December 8. Space is limited, so register today.
http://www.beadisciple.com/online-christian-courses/wmn303-methodist-identity-part-ii-our-beliefs/
Christian Community Development Intensive
November 4, 2017
10am to 3pm
Location: St. Luke UMC Hickory.
Lunch is included.
Cost for the event is $12.
MORE INFORMATION
Duke offers study leave for ministry professionals
Get the details for week-long study opportunities during 2017-18 school year at Duke Divinity School. Registration is open now for all scheduled weeks! Read more
Open to WNCC- 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
The 5 Day Aacdemy of Spiritual Formation, scheduled for October 1-6, 2017 at Trinity Center, Atlantic Beach, NC is open to participants from the Western North Carolina Conference. More information and registration materials.
CREATING SPACE FOR THE NAME TO LIVE:
An Almost Advent Retreat
Monday, November 20, is the theme for Into the Desert :: Nurturing a Different Wisdom retreat day at Starrette Farm in Statesville.
Ann Starrette and Roxanne Morgan will facilitate. Everyone seeking wisdom is invited!
* Online registration here: https://thelydiagroup.com/into-the-desert/
* Questions? Contact Ann at AStarrette@DavidsonUMC.org.
Join the 2018-2019 School of the Spirit program!
If you long for deep down change . . .
If you yearn to be a part of a clergy/leaders community whose aim is to nurture transformation in Christ . . .
If you are ready to deepen your understanding of the contemplative practices of Jesus and the early church and the transforming wisdom they hold for modern times . . .
Apply to join seasoned facilitators in a one-year course of study and practice in community!
Learn more here: www.SchooloftheSpirit.com. Click on “Apply Now” for full document.
Read testimonials. Questions? Contact program director, Ann Starrette at AStarrette@DavidsonUMC.org.
Completed applications are due February 1, 2018.
LOCAL CHURCH NEWS:
Be Strong 2017- McNair Field in Forest City, NC-sponsored by area UMC's- More information
Finch Preaching Mission- October 1-3 at Memorial UMC, Thomasville, NC Details
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR- October 18th at First UMC Charlotte. Story and link to buy tickets
BOOKMARK- RECORD OF DECEASED CLERGY AND SPOUSES
http://wnccumc.org/record-of-deceased-clergy-and-spouses/
Bishop Minerva Carcano Preaching September 26, 2017
at Wake Forest Divinity School, Winston-Salem, NC
Full Information
SEJ Disaster Response Academy- September 26-29, 2017
Hosted by WNCC. Held at Central UMC in Asheboro.
More information and registration.
UMW Annual Celebration- September 29- October 1, 2017
Change is Good, Shannon Priddy, National UMW President, speaker at Lake Junaluska more information
Fresh Expressions Vision Day- October 7, 2017
9:00 am - 3:30 pm- Covenant Community Church, Asheville
Details
Christian Community Development Intensive- November 4, 2017
10am - 3pm, St. Luke UMC, Hickory, NC ($12 dollars includes lunch)
More information and registration link
Mourning's Dawn - November 12 -14, 2017
Healing and Living with Grief
Led by Margaret Fields and Leslee Wray
Details
The Big Silence-January 14-18, 2018
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, NC
For more information and registration:
www.centenary-ws.org/the-big-silence-retreat
|
Events
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño
at Wake Forest Divinity School
Sep 26 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
SEJ Disaster Response Academy
Sep 26 @ 5:30 pm –
Sep 29 @ 12:00 pm
Take Thou Authority-
Uwharrie District
Sep 27 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
United Methodist Women
Annual Celebration
Sep 29 @ 5:00 pm –
Oct 1 @ 12:00 pm
Smoky Mountain District
Lay Servant Training
Sep 30 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Blue Ridge District-
Advanced Lay Servant Training
Sep 30 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Be Strong 2017
Sep 30 @ 4:00 pm
|
Careers
Coordinator of
Children’s Ministries
Central UMC
Shelby, NC
Administrative Assistant
Union Grove UMC
Union Grove, NC
Program Manager
for Sabbath Living Initiative
Western North Carolina
Music Director and Organist
Lutheran Church of the Nativity
Arden, NC
Administrative Assistant
for Music & Worship
Arts Ministry
Matthews UMC
Matthews, NC
Director of Youth
and Young Adult Ministry
First UMC
China Grove, NC
|
WNCCUMC | WNCCADMIN | UM FOUNDATION
LEAD | MISSION | VITAL
|
