Clergy Health Initiative Coming Soon To EC District

December 18, 2008

Dear Pastor:

We invite you to join the staff of the Clergy Health Initiative and Duke Divinity School for a one-day program on Monday, February 2 at Edenton United Methodist Church in Edenton, North Carolina. This continuing education event, “Sacredness Reclaimed” centers upon recognizing the sacredness of everyday time, a sacredness which can open new perspectives on ministry and encourage us to care for ourselves in refreshing, creative ways. You will be empowered to re-imagine the sacredness of everyday time, and to attend to your own wellness as a spiritual discipline. Participants who attend all of the sessions in their entirety may receive 0.4 Continuing Education units from Duke Divinity School.

Registration for this event is required. The registration fee is $20 ($15 if you register by December 31, 2008). The deadline for registration is Monday, January 19, 2009. The cost of this event is kept minimal due to The Duke Endowment’s generous support of the Clergy Health Initiative. Registration fees include lunch, sessions, and materials.

Please fill out the attached registration form and mail or fax it into our office. You can also register online by visiting the Duke Divinity School district events web page: www.divinity.duke.edu/learningforlife/districtevents. The deadline for registration is Monday, January 19; please postmark your registration no later than Friday, January 16, 2009.

Check-in on Monday, February 2 will begin at 9:00 a.m. The program will begin with a healing service at 10:00 a.m. We will conclude at 3:30p.m. Speakers at this event will include:

· Dr. Sharon Trekell, Clergy Health and Wellness Consultant, Miami Valley District, West Ohio Conference, United Methodist Church

· Edgar Moore, Director of Educational Programs, Clergy Health Initiative

· Additional Duke Divinity School faculty members will join us as well

Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation packet that includes detailed information about directions to Edenton UMC, parking and other logistical information. Please see our website for additional information: www.divinity.duke.edu/learningforlife/districtevents. For planning purposes, please note the church address: 225 Virginia Road, Edenton, NC 27932. You can also contact amanda.wallace@duke.edu or call (919) 613.5353 to speak with an event coordinator.

We hope you will be able to join us for this event!

Warmly,

Edgar Moore and Amanda Wallace, Duke Divinity School, Clergy Health Initiative

(Clergy & their Spouses are welcome to attend. ...... EC District Superintendent)

From The GCFA of the United Methodist Church

Statement of the General Council on Finance and Administration

Economic challenges still lie ahead, but the church has weathered similar downturns.  That was one of the conclusions reached by members of The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) Economic Advisory Committee after its first meeting Friday, December 5, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Committee is comprised of clergy and lay leaders and includes economists, financial experts, researchers, and church leaders from across the country. It is still in the early stages of developing an outlook for the coming months. Based upon current data and some assumptions of some future events, the group anticipates the economy should be in recovery by the second half of 2009.

The current recession, the weakness in the financial sector, and the downturn in the stock markets have introduced financial challenges for our congregations. We are all concerned about the financial future of our local churches and our denomination as a whole.

It is important to remember that these challenges are similar to those our churches faced during past recessions. Although this time will not be easy for many, and will be very difficult for some, the assembled experts anticipate an economic recovery beginning in the latter months of 2009.

In the United States, giving at the local church level, adjusted for inflation, tends to decline during recessions, and then increase in the years following. During the recession of the early 1980’s, giving dropped 2.43% from 1978 to 1979, then declined another 3.11% in 1980, and another 0.31% in 1981. Giving then increased an average of 1.91% for the years 1982-1989. During the recession of the early 1990’s, giving dropped 1.04% in 1990, then increased an average of 2.12% over the next 12 years. Following the recession of the early 2000’s, giving leveled off again, increasing by 0.19% in 2003, and 0.44% in 2004. Over the last 30 years, local church giving has increased at a 1.28% average annual rate, adjusted for inflation.

Work throughout our denomination continues. Through the generous and faithful giving by local churches to the general funds, The United Methodist Church continues to make a vital difference in the world. We do this through mission programs like the ZOE Ministry in Huye, Rwanda where AIDS orphans are working to grow their own food to earn an income, pay for schooling, gain self-sufficiency, and, in turn, help out others who are in need. In Pittsburgh, PA we are using text messaging and other forms of new media in innovative ways to connect young people with our churches. We are making an impact on important legislation like the Second Chance Act, which provides vital federal funding to organizations working to transition people from prisons and jails back to their communities. We are building up a new generation of faith-filled leaders to go out start new congregations and revitalize existing churches around the world.

We know that many are wondering if it is still “business as usual” for the general agencies of the church. As annual conferences struggle to fully pay general funds apportionments, we have been asked what the general church can do to lessen the financial load on annual conferences.

The Discipline provides few options to change the approved apportionment factors for the coming 2009-2012 quadrennium. Although the formula is designed to adapt to changing financial conditions in the local church, the historical nature of the statistical data we use in calculations means that this formula may not exactly reflect current economic conditions. We will continue to look for ways to ease the financial burdens of our annual conferences through any means possible.

We do not believe this is the time for “business as usual” for any United Methodist entity. The leaders of the general agencies are adjusting their spending plans to adapt to the still-emerging economic picture. We will, through the Economic Advisory Committee, continue to study and monitor economic conditions and regularly report our findings to the leadership of the agencies to support them in their ongoing work.

During the challenging times ahead, many will turn to our churches for additional comfort and peace. It is important that in these times the Church remains ever present to those in need of support of all kinds. We believe these times of uncertainty represent new opportunities for the mission and ministry of our churches. Nevertheless, the committee expects modest shortfalls in payments to the general funds apportionment in 2008 and 2009, similar to those experienced during past recessions.

# # # # #

The General Council on Finance and Administration coordinates and administers finances and safeguards the legal interests and rights of The United Methodist Church.

www.gcfa.org

Note:  A downloadable PDF of this file may be found at --->THIS LINK<---

December Gates Mobile Food Pantry

Gates County Mobile Food Pantry

Location: Gates County Community Center - 130 Hwy 158 West Gatesville, NC 27938

Date and Time: Thursday December 18th 5:00 pm

The Food Bank of the Albemarle and Churches of Gates County are sponsoring a Mobile Food Pantry grocery distribution. Free groceries to the first 225 families. Must have an ID showing Gates County residency and one distribution per family. Bring boxes or containers to carry food home. For information call Pastor Mike Askew at 333-8811. Volunteers and sponsors are needed.

Looking for Files?

Looking for downloads of current files and forms? Forms are stored in the file section of our Google Group.   Visit our Google Group page here!  Some of the current files on the group page are:

Pastoral Assessment and Profiles Letter

Pastoral Assessment Checklist

Pastoral Self-Assessment

Pastoral Assessment Forms for PPRC

Action Play Instructions

Action Plan Forms

2009 Pastor's Profile

2009 Charge Profile

Evaluation Conversations Form

Thanks!

Bishop Gwinn Letter

North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church

RALEIGH AREA
Alfred Wesley Gwinn, Jr., Resident Bishop
1307 Glenwood Avenue; P.O. Box 10955
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605
1-800-849-4433 or 919-832-9560 ● FAX 919-834-7989

December 9, 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Grace and Peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ! I trust you are rejoicing in this blessed season of expectancy.

The news that the National Bureau of Economic Research announced on Monday that the United States has been in an economic recession for about a year comes as no surprise to us. We have seen and felt the pain that the current economic conditions have had on every aspect of our lives. The only reassurance in which we can genuinely trust is found in the same words we turn to for reassurance throughout all other times in our lives, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” (Ps. 46:1-2) It is in times of great stress and uncertainty that we need to center our thoughts around the One that is in charge and the One who has all things under control.

However difficult, we must remind ourselves of the covenant we have with God, our Provider; and, the trust he has placed in us to be faithful in all times. Remember, hope is the spirit that binds us together as people of faith – hope in a faithful God and a commitment to instill that same hope in others. Our North Carolina Annual Conference maintains an optimistic outlook throughout these trying economic times and will monitor closely any condition that will need our special attention as we move forward in the vision of this conference. We maintain a firm conviction that our churches will rise up in faithfulness to the work God has laid out for us to do.

We are thankful for the response we are receiving on apportioned giving from all churches! And, we continue to encourage faithful commitments to these first mile givings. In a world facing these economic challenges, there are tremendous opportunities for ministry as we reach out to those around us who are searching for meaning in their struggles. Our connectional giving allows our denomination to continue to reach out to those searching and to show them The Way to real peace!

As we live into this Advent season, may we all take time to remember how truly blessed we are as people of faith – and share freely out of His generosity! May we pray incessantly for those searching for that hope and comfort that is so desperately needed in their lives. Finally, know that you are in our prayers as you lead your people to “look up” in this wonderful season of expectancy! May hope, love, joy and peace light the way for us!

Faithfully,

Al Gwinn


P.S “Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands, All that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” (Luke 6:38)

Texas Work Team / Applebee's Breakfast Fundraiser

Bethany Methodist Work Team Forming

On September 13, Hurricane Ike slammed into Galveston, flooding 75% of the islands’ homes and businesses. An urgent call for help has been issued by United Methodist Bishop Huie. Craig Parker will lead this team from Saturday January 17th through Saturday, January 24, 2009. Both clean up and repair jobs will be performed. All skill levels are welcomed.

Team members will leave Norfolk January 17th and travel by air to Houston and then deploy to Beaumont, Texas for their work assignment. The cost per person is $450. This includes air travel, transportation to the work sight, and meals during the week. Minta Meekins will serve as registrar. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, December 14. A deposit of $100 will reserve a place on the team. The remainder of the cost of $350 will be collected on December 28. Team members will meet on Sunday, January 4 at 3:00 p.m.

A Pancake Breakfast Fund raiser will be held at Applebee’s Restaurant on Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 8 o’clock until 10 a.m. Tickets will be sold. Please prayerfully consider sponsoring a team member to rebuild this ravaged area.

….. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND COME SUPPORT OUR MISSION WHILE ENJOYING A GREAT BREAKFAST!

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Join New Hope United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th at 7:00 p.m. for this wonderful family service to celebrate the birth of Christ. The service will include: Singing favorite carols; Communion; and a special inspirational Christmas message from Pastor Bill that will help us understand, in a new way, the meaning of Christmas. Finally, we’ll participate in the cherished candlelight tradition, the passing of the light. In this awe–inspiring moment, we hope you’ll experience the true joy and hope of Christmas!

Please make plans to be part of our amazing Christmas Eve service. Bring your family and friends for a wonderful time of worship and reflection during this hour–long service. Childcare will be provided for children 2 and under.

New Hope United Methodist Church is located at 2098 New Hope Road, intersection of New Hope & Woodville Road in Herttford, NC. For additional information contact Pastor Bill at 252-455-7117.

District Beach Retreat February 13-15, 2009

The District Beach Retreat is coming. Registration Files may be downloaded here.

Permission/Insurance Form

Registration Page 1

Registration Page 2

Registration Page 3

The "Other" Ten Commandments

Registrations are due by January 10.

District Superintendent Carl Frazier (left) receives a Walking Stick from Rev. Charles Mosely and the ministers of the district as an expression of appreciation for the many miles he must travel to serve the Elizabeth City District.

The gift was a part of the annual Christmas Dinner for the clergy of the EC District.  This year's dinner was hosted by the Edenton United Methodist Church on December 5.  Together they shared a delicious meal, enjoyed caroling and almost watched a video!

A good time was had by all.