March Edition!!!

Salisbury District ENews

 

Check out our website at www.salisburydistrict.org

Thanks to Rev. Tommy Conder for developing and maintaining our new website!

 

 

Calendar of Events

 

March 11 – 15             Sally out of town

March 16 – 20             Cabinet Meeting

March 22                     2pm – 6pm, District UMW Mission Study, North Kannapolis UMC

March 30                     9am, District Ministers Meeting, Bethel UMC (Midland) – with Pam Hurley on Parish Nursing and Dr. Patty Suggs on “Healing Touch” – Lunch will be served.

April 6                         5:30pm, District Youth Council, District Office

April 13 – 16               Cabinet Meeting

April 18                       8:30am – 4:30pm, Lay Speaker Training, North Kannapolis UMC

April 25                       8:30am – 11:30am, District UMW Spiritual Growth event, China Grove 1^st  UMC

April 26                       2pm – 4pm, Lay Speaker Training, North Kannapolis UMC

April 27 – 29               Lombard Clergy Clinic, IL

May 3                          District Board on Ordained Ministry at the District Office (Time to be determined)

                                    5:30pm, District Youth Council

May 11 – 13                Cabinet

May 18                        9am, District Ministers Meeting, Gay’s Chapel UMC – with Dr. Joe Webb on “Preaching Without Notes”

 

 

District Disaster Relief Update

 

TROPICAL DEPRESSION FAY REPORT

Edward Peurifoy – Disaster Relief Coordinator

 

Tropical Depression Fay visited our area between August 26th and August 28^th bringing eleven to fifteen inches of rain to the Salisbury District within a twenty-four hour period.  This resulted in the flooding of many homes whose owners never imagined that they would ever be in such a situation

 

The state opened offices in the basement of the Cabarrus County Courthouse to which people could come and request aid from the state and the Red Cross.  Sally Langford and I, representing the United Methodist Church, spent two days at the courthouse offering help to those who requested it.  Most of the people needing aid came those first two days and it became obvious to us that our presence there after two days was no longer necessary.  Only one other family was referred to us by the Red Cross after that two day period.  Our presence at the courthouse resulted in fifteen families requesting assistance from the United Methodist Church.

 

Jackie Bolden and Tony Oberley , both with our Conference Disaster Response Committee, came down from Statesville and spent two days in our district.  Jackie Bolden, serving as a case worker, interviewed the families to determine their financial needs and abilities.  Tony Oberley surveyed the homes to determine their structural needs and  the best way to meet those needs.  Betty Smith from First United Methodist Church in Salisbury served as a case worker with some of the families that later requested help.  Roy Holm, director of   Wesley Community Development Cooperation also came to look at some of the homes.

 

Carlos Baldwin, a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Kannapolis and one who has had many experiences at renovating houses in the area and on mission trips and is acquainted with local building contractors and building suppliers, came on board and got the rebuilding phase started.  He was a God send to me because my building experiences are limited and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before us.  Carlos set up an account for the district with Gulledge Building Supply Company in Kannapolis and helped in getting the families needing assistance adopted by our various churches.

 

Mike Collins, with the Conference Disaster Response Committee, informed us that the conference would be able to supply us with a limited amount of money for each family.  We never exceeded that amount with any of the families and therefore did not need to seek out other sources of  revenue.  The faith communities of some of the people who had requested help from us were beginning to step in and help the people out and so we were left with eight families.

 

We have taken out sheetrock and put in new.  We have replaced old roofs with new ones. We have built new drainage ditches.  We have applied new paint and replaced carpeting and other types of floor covering.  We have had licensed electricians  come in to replace wall outlets. We have paid bills for families and bargained with contractors for the lowest  price  to make our dollars go further.  But more importantly, we have listened to the people.  We have heard their stories of how they stepped out of bed at 2:00 A.M. onto a floor that was ankle to knee deep in water.  We listened to two of the families  tell us of leaving their home in a boat.  We have heard the stories of young couples, middle age couples, and those approaching retirement. We have heard the stories of those living on disability and social security.  We have heard the stories of those who all they had was in their homes. We have listened and we hope that our listening has  been  of some comfort to them.  We have listened but more importantly we have prayed. We have prayed with them and privately for them.  We  have even cried with them.  Let us hope that with our helping, with our listening, with our praying and crying with them they will know that they are not alone.  Let us hope that even though they may not be able to see God  in the storm that they will be able to see his presence and love in the recovery.

 

So many people have been involved in the work of  this  recovery that if I started to recognize them by name I fear that I would leave someone out.  Please know that the time and effort of each and every person is greatly appreciated. We have worked because we love people and because it is what Christ asks of us..

 

I would like to give recognition to our various churches that did adopt families  to help through this crisis. They are: First UMC-China Grove, Center UMC, Harrisburg UMC, Central UMC - Concord, Trinity UMC, Jackson Park UMC, Cold Spring UMC, and Forest Hill UMC.

 

The equipment that is kept in our district disaster relief trailer was a  help at many of the sites. This trailer is stored at Cold Springs UMC  and is available for use by all of our churches  If your church would like to use the trailer or just some of the equipment in the trailer for a mission trip or local project please call me, Edward Peurifoy, at 704-786-2741.

 

I am happy to say that our recovery efforts from Tropical Depression  Fay is now over. A great thanks goes out to all who helped with this recovery  and may God go with those who helped and with the families that received the help.

                

 

Opportunity House and Narrow Gate Ministries

 

2216 Kannapolis Highway, Concord, NC - Across street from Employment Security Commisson (Job Link).

 

Thursday Services 6:30 P.M. - Featuring: MEAL  MUSIC  MESSAGE

 

We need your help! How?

1. Pray for God's presence and blessings on these services.

2. Tell and/or bring someone who is un-churched for whatever reason.

3. Volunteer to work with us. We need greeters, guest musicians, child care helpers, folks to provide transportation and groups to prepare meals.

 

Thank you!

Opportunity House is a ministry of Midway United Methodist Church in conjunction with several partnerships

 

 

NARROW GATE MINISTRIES--Thursday Nights  6:30 p.m.  The Opportunity House located at 2216 Kannapolis Highway, Concord (a satellite outreach of Midway UMC, Kannapolis)

 

A worship experience being led by retired UM clergy, Rev. Charlie Davis, to reach the needs of the "last, the  least, and the lost."  We are targeting individuals who find the traditional church setting too foreboding.  This may include those who have been incarcerated, victims of substance abuse, even those who are under restrictions/restraints from public gatherings. (For example, a couple was estranged and a restraining order was court ordered.  I asked the husband to attend another church since his ex-wife and children were attending Midway.)  All, of age and station, stand in the need of the means of grace that is offered through a relationship with the Risen Christ.  Supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by music, interactive worship, and sharing. Come as you are!  For more info, call 704-932-3216 or email preacherdave@ctc.net.

 

 

 

WNCC Clergy Spouse Retreat

March 27 – 29, Catholic Conference Center, Hickory

De-clutter and be Inspired

Facilitator: Sylvia Kirks McClintick

For Registration / Information, please see  flyer on uploads page

 

Full Out Fools for Christ / District Youth

 

Save the date of April 3rd from 7pm until 11pm. We will again have Full out Fools for Christ youth event. This district event will be chance for your youth to deepen their relationship with God and each other. Last years event was great and this year should be even better. We have decided not to have an overnight event this year in order for more to participate. Tell everyone that you know to save the date. More details will be coming soon.

 

Remember you are invited to work on your DYC. We meet each month on the first Monday at 5:30pm at the District office. Please feel free to attend. You may also email or phone me with suggestions or questions. Phone 704-490-8625. Let us know how many you plan on having.

 

Pastor Ron Hartman

Woodleaf United Methodist Church

 

 

Annual Conference Events

 

Dates for Annual Conference:   June 11 – 14

 

·         Spiritual Day Apart: “Art and Spirituality: Open the Door of Your Heart”

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Central United Methodist Church, 410 Charles Street, Clyde, North Carolina

(Less than 3 miles from Lake Junaluska, just off US 19/23)

 

A Spiritual Day Apart led by Katie Warren, MAEd., Spiritual Director and Art Facilitator, Potter’s Touch

Susan Sihler, MSW, Counselor, Spiritual Director and Art Facilitator, Potter’s Touch

 

Katie Warren, Director of Christian Education and Faith Formation for the Asheville District, works intimately with Potter’s Touch and is a graduate of the Sursum Corda Spiritual Directors Formation Program. Susan Sihler, a founding member of the Potter’s Touch, is a graduate of the spiritual director’s training program at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. These two gifted leaders will lead us in a hands-on exploration of our inward heart-door that calls us to transformation in communion with the Holy Spirit. The theme is inspired by Joyce Rupp’s book, Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self. If possible you are invited to read this book in preparation. It is available at Cokesbury or any book marketer.

 

The Day’s schedule begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. with the opening session, led by Katie and Susan. Persons can check in at Central UMC, Clyde beginning at 9:00 a.m. Lunch is included in the event and event fee, and will be served in the Fellowship Hall from noon until 1:00 p.m. The afternoon session will conclude by 3:00 p.m. Our leaders ask that you bring a Bible, journal, pen or pencil, scissors, glue sticks and any favorite art supplies, including favorite pictures of doors. Art experiences will assist us in spiritual growth, but No art experience/talent are required. Holy reading, silence, prayer, written reflection and music will provide the framework of exploration. The process is the key, not the product.

 

Questions can be directed to katiewarren@ashevilledistrict.org

 

Registration Information: All interested persons (laity and clergy) are invited to register and attend. This is NOT restricted to delegates to the WNC Annual Conference. Participants will be limited to the first 125 persons submitting their registrations. The all-inclusive fee for the event is $20, and checks should be made to “WNC Conference Treasurer” and sent to Gloria Hughes, WNCC UMC, PO Box 18005, Charlotte, NC 28218. The registration deadline is Friday, May 29 or when 125 persons have registered. Persons will be placed on a waiting list when the event fills. If you find you cannot attend after you have registered, you can transfer your registration to another person. For further information, contact Randy Sherrill at rsherrill@triad.rr.com or 336-765-6186.

If you do electronic mapping for directions, please remember this is at Central UMC, Clyde and NOT Central UMC Asheville.

(Complete the form below and mail with a $20 check per person made to “WNC Conference Treasurer”, memo line “AC Day Apart” to: Gloria Hughes, WNCC UMC, PO Box 18005, Charlotte, NC 28218

 

Name(s): __________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

Phone and email: ____________________________________________________________

Number of attendees: ______ X $20 each = _________________________ (Amount enclosed)

 

·        World Hunger

During our recent Commission on Mission/Outreach tele-conference, we agreed to the following two events to take place at the WNCC Annual Conference in June 2009 – a Canned Food Drive for the Food Banks and, a Food-Packing Program in coordination with “Stop Hunger Now,” a Conference Advance Special.  We have also agreed to invite June Kim, a GBGM/UMCOR representative on World Hunger to speak at our annual Mission Luncheon.  Please review the following materials.

 

1.      Canned Food Drive: We are setting a goal for churches of the WNCC to bring canned food to the annual conference from their churches.  This food will be sent to the Winston-Salem and Asheville Food Banks for distribution.  The food banks are in need for “protein-based foods”: Beans, tuna, canned meats, stews.  The food banks are having their “faith-based” food drive in the month of April.  Working with them, we are urging WNCC churches to collect foods in April (and May) to be brought to the Annual Conference during the June meeting.  We will then deliver one-half of the foods to the Asheville Manna Food Bank on Friday/Saturday and then the following week take the other half to the Winston-Salem Food Bank.  The food banks report a 31% increase in the need over the past year.

 

2.      Stop Hunger Now Food Packing Drive: We have reserved the Kern Center (youth area) for Thursday and Friday of Annual Conference.  During this period of time we will have 8 2-hour packing sessions.  Each session will need 40 volunteers.  Prior to AC we will need to get churches/members to pledge “meals” at .25 cents each.  We will need to have a good idea of how many meals we need by the first week of May and will need to have money in-hand for the meals by the end of May.  I believe a goal of 150,000 meals is very reachable.  We also need to get the word out that we need “volunteers” to sign up for packing.  We will set up a “sign-up” through email for each of the 2-hour packing sessions.  The youth packing session will be Thursday evening (tentative at this time).  Volunteers may be delegates, spouses, guests – anyone, young and old can participate!  It is estimated that each volunteer can pack an average of 288 meals. 

 

3.      The Mission Luncheon: Annually we have a missions’ luncheon at the Waynesville’s First United Methodist Church.  It will take place this year on Friday, June 12^th beginning at 12:30 PM.  We urge you to be present and to let others know!  The cost will be $11 per person.  Checks are made out to “WNCC Treasurer” and may be sent to: Office of Mission/Outreach, P.O. Box 18005, Charlotte, NC 28218.  More info on this will follow within the next two weeks. 

 

We need you to please say “Yes” or “No” to the two requests (in red) no later than Monday, March 2, 5 PM by emailing me at mcollins@wnccumc.org or Laura Diviney at ldiviney@wnccumc.org. These are events prior to annual conference, thus, even if you are not a delegate, we still need your help!

 

 

·        Call for Visual Art Entries

Western North Carolina UMC

 

Exhibit Dates – June 11-13, 2009

 

Theme – Follow Jesus, Make Disciples, Transform the World

 

Venue - Lake Junaluska Assembly, Western NC Annual Conference

 

United Methodists of Western North Carolina are invited to submit entries of original artwork to be exhibited during Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska.  All submissions will be displayed as “Not for Sale.” Size limitations and  details will be forthcoming. 

For information contact:

 Rev. Anne Conover  - 336-679-7973 or anne.conover@gmail.com

 

 

Revised Baptismal Ritual Now Available

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 5, 2009/GBOD/ -- The GBOD Worship Web site now has, in addition to an article about the revisions made to the baptismal ritual, the full baptismal ritual itself revised to align with all of the changes that have occurred up to and including the 2008 Book of Discipline.

 

The new resource, called “The Services of The Baptismal Covenant in The United Methodist Church as Revised to Align with the 2008 Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions,” is available at: http://www.gbod.org/worship/baptismal-ritual-revised.pdf.

 

Persons looking for guidance on receiving new affiliate and associate members may visit: http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=43820&loc_id=9,824.

 

While a PDF version of the full texts is now available, GBOD is still in the process of developing several other formats to deliver this resource, including a Word document, HTML, and booklet-form PDFs for congregations to print to insert in their hymnals or pew racks as needed.

 

GBOD was granted permission by The United Methodist Publishing House to develop and publish online this new resource for congregations under the copyright of The United Methodist Publishing House.

 

In addition to the changes made to the ritual texts by the 2008 General Conference, the new resource updates language about membership clarifying the terminology about how we receive baptized and professing members and persons from other denominations. This clarification is based on “By Water and the Spirit” and changes to paragraph 225 in the 2008 Discipline. The changes also include instructions (in italics) that offer guidance for the role of Deacons in Full Connection in the sacrament.

 

The ritual as it appears in The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) and The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992) was created before The United Methodist Church instituted the Order of Deacons (1996).

 

While changes to the rubrics have not been specifically approved by General Conference, the 2008 Book of Discipline authorizes the General Board of Discipleship to offer new resources to the church that “set forth and interpret the biblical and theological basis for corporate worship… consistent with the doctrines of The United Methodist Church” (Paragraph 1114) and to “prepare revisions of the ritual of the Church and approved orders of worship for recommendation to the General Conference for adoption” (Paragraph 1114.4). This new resource, and the family of additional formats that will accompany it, are offered to the denomination in that spirit.   

 

GBOD’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is located at 1908 Grand Ave.  in Nashville, Tenn. Visit www.gbod.org for more information or call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017.

 

 

 

Narrow Gate Ministries…

 

NARROW GATE MINISTRIES--Thursday Nights  6:30 p.m.  The Opportunity House located at 2216 Kannapolis Highway, Concord (a satellite outreach of Midway UMC, Kannapolis)

 

A worship experience being led by retired UM clergy, Rev. Charlie Davis, to reach the needs of the "last, the  least, and the lost."  We are targeting individuals who find the traditional church setting too foreboding.  This may include those who have been incarcerated, victims of substance abuse, even those who are under restrictions/restraints from public gatherings. (For example, a couple was estranged and a restraining order was court ordered.  I asked the husband to attend another church since his ex-wife and children were attending Midway.)  All, of age and station, stand in the need of the means of grace that is offered through a relationship with the Risen Christ.  Supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by music, interactive worship, and sharing. Come as you are!  For more info, call 704-932-3216 or email preacherdave@ctc.net.

 

 

2009 Annual Children’s Choir Festival

 

Come join us for the 2009 Annual Children’s Choir Festival sponsored by the WNC Chapter of the Fellowship Of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts.  This year’s festival will be held at First UMC in Lenoir, NC on March 21^st from 9AM-3PM.  We are looking forward to a great event led by Heather Potter.  This festival is for ages 3^rd grade through unchanged voice.  Bring your choirs for a wonderful day of singing, making new friends, and worshipping God!  More details are available at www.wncfummwa.org or by contacting Rev. Carrie Wright cwright@comporium.net.

 

 

Stepping into Springtime – Summit on Poverty and Suffering

www.wnccumc.org/chs/summit3.htm

 

March 28, 2009 - First UMC

410 First Ave, N | Conover

 

Phase 2 of ‘A Summit on Poverty and Suffering’ is a timely program to assist our churches in their preparations to hear and respond to the cries

of those in need

 

The Western NC Conference of The United Methodist Church presents Phase 2 of A Summit on Poverty and Suffering

Training and ideas that work for implementing ministry to transform the lives of the poor and suffering.

• Nonfarm payroll employment declined sharply in December, and the unemployment rate rose from 6.8

to 7.2 percent. Payroll employment fell by 524,000 over the month and by 1.9 million over the last 4

months of 2008. In December, job losses were large and widespread across most major industry sectors.

–Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dec. 2008

• Each year, more than 3 million people experience homelessness, including 1.3 million children.

• According to national studies, even more Americans are at risk of homelessness. Millions of low-income

American households pay more that 50 percent of their income on rent when estimates say the figure

should be no more than 30 percent. –National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

 

 

Deaf Ministry

 

Beverly Maulden, who is director of the WNCC Deaf Ministry, is available to come to your local church to sign during Sunday morning. This is particularly easy for Beverly to do, because she lives in Concord and is active at Mt. Mitchell UMC. If you would like to set up a Sunday for Beverly to worship at your church, please email her at bmaulden@ctc.net

 

 

LCLCL remains available online

 

Beginning in 2009, local churches are able to make changes to the LCLCL all year long.  It is important that the leadership contact information is current and correct so that ministry information gets to the right people in a timely and direct manner.  As a result, you are now able to go into your LCLCL at any point and make updates.  You will access your LCLCL list on the WNCC Administrative website (www.wnccadmin.org) just like you did when the names were originally submitted.  Much of the communication happens through email so it is important that all contacts with access to email have an address listed.  Please remember to make changes in the LCLCL database as they arise! 

 

 

Local Church News and Events

 

Trinity UMC (Kannapolis)     Director of Christian Education

Full-time position with benefits.  Undergraduate or graduate degree in Christian Education required.  Living in the community a must.  Position emphasis:  children and youth ministry.  Please send resume to SPRTeam, Trinity UMC, 416 E. 1^st Street, Kannapolis, N.C. 28083. 

 

North Kannapolis UMC         has about 50 – 60 old folding type chairs available. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Tommy Conder (tconder64@carolina.rr.com)

 

 

Services available       Certified Coach Kay Levan is available for individual or small group coaching Christian coaching in your local church.  Kay, who is an active member of Forest Hill UMC in Concord, can work with individuals handling a life transition, wishing to identify and fully use their spiritual gifts, or wanting to find improved ways to incorporate their Christian values more directly into their church or professional work.  For more information, please contact Kay at 704-721-0993 or kaylevan@ctc.net.