Check out our website at www.salisburydistrict.org

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

Words from Sally

Happy Summer to the Salisbury District!  Summer can be a busy time with Vacation Bible School, youth retreats, and mission trips, not to mention the craziness related to pastoral transitions.  Do find time for rest and relaxation.  Andy and I just returned from a week’s vacation with family at the beach and in the mountains.  It was wonderful time away!

I have been praying for pastors and local churches experiencing moves this year.  Welcome to clergy families moving into the Salisbury District!  I hope that you have been warmly received by your congregations and are settling into your new homes and ministries.  Please do not hesitate to contact Ravonda or me with questions or concerns.

The first district ministers’ meeting for the fall has been scheduled for Monday, September 14 at 9 AM at Midway UMC in Kannapolis.  We will gather for light refreshments and business at 9 AM; the program will follow at 10 AM and worship at 11:15 AM; and we will conclude our meeting with lunch and fellowship at 12 noon.  Bishop Larry Goodpaster will lead our program and worship, while the focus of the morning’s business session will be the fall charge conferences.  More details to follow, but please mark your calendars now.

I am grateful for the new slate of district clergy officers, who have been working hard to plan this year’s clergy meetings and gatherings:  President, Dan Gobble; Vice-President, Annalee Allen; Secretary and Treasurer, Linda Royer; At-Large Officers, Dale Bost, Dave Cash, Andy Conder, Mary Hatley, Millie Orbison, and Judy White.  Please pass on program or fellowship ideas to any of the district officers.

I also appreciate the hard work of the Salisbury District Leadership Team, who give oversight to the mission and ministry of the district, provide support to other district committees and teams, and envision new directions for the district:  Class of 2010, Dale Bost, Betty Jo Hardy, Rita Sims; Class of 2011, Frank Evers, Amy Walters (Chair), Judy White; and Class of 2012, Andy Conder, Linda Hood, Cathy Newsome (Secretary).  The SDLT have already met this summer and are working on plans to make ministry with the poor its number one emphasis for 2009-2010.  Watch for ways that you can get involved.

Blessings on all of you as together we seek to follow Jesus, make disciples, and transform the world!

Calendar of Events

July 27             Cabinet Meeting – Charlotte

August 3          5:30pm - District Youth Council at the District Office

August 11        11:30am – District Clergy Officers at the District Office

August 23-30   Sally out of town

August 27        5:45pm – District UMW Annual Meeting at Westford UMC, Concord

September 22   6:30pm – District Leadership Team at District Office

Sacraments “The Means of Grace”

A Seminar for Clergy and Laity

July 24 – 26, 2009 – Lake Junaluska

Leader: Dr. Gayle Felton

This timely seminar on the United Methodist sacraments – Baptism and Communion – will provide Clergy and Laity alike with an exploration of the primary Means of Grace in the Christian tradition. In recent years, all of the mainline Christian denominations have given renewed study and theological reflection on the sacraments of the Church. This seminar will span the theological and practical considerations of the sacraments in the spiritual journey of persons and congregations from the United Methodist perspective.

To register online—go to:  www.lakejunaluska.com/sacraments.aspx

For more information, contact Pam Naplen at pnaplen@lakejunaluska.com

Gathering of the Laity - August 14, 15, 16, 2009

“Summoned to be A Disciple”

Invitation to the 44th Gathering

The Gathering of the Laity is the only evangelistic outreach program sponsored by the Council on Laity of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

We invite all persons to attend this Gathering of the Laity Event

LEADERSHIP:

REV. DR. REGINALD MALLETT is both an ordained minister and a physician. He studied Theology at the University of London, graduating with First Class Honors. He  subsequently graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Birmingham, England. As a minister, he has served some of the largest churches in British Methodism. As a

physician after working in General Practice, he specialized in Epidemiology and carried out research in the field of perinatal morality. He has preached extensively in the United States, including many events at Lake Junaluska. He is the author of God’s Coming in Christ, Journey With Jesus, The Cradle and the Star, and Sermons By The Lake. He and his wife, Brenda, have two children and five grandchildren.

JULIANNE BRITTAIN “JAN” • Presently serving Christ United Methodist Church, Greensboro District. Western North Carolina Conference, Senior Pastor. • Served New Salem  UMC, Statesville District 1998- 2003. • Served Salem UMC, Ashville District, 1994-1998. • Served Salem / Clark’s Chapel Charge, Asheville District, 1991-1994. • Served three churches in Bristol, England from 1989- 1991 on a Special Appointment by the Bishop through the British Methodist Church. • Graduated from Candler School of Theology, Emory

University, in 1989 with honors. Received Faculty Award for Highest Academic Excellence and Faculty Award for Social Concerns. • Graduated from Pfeiffer College, summa cum laude, in 1977 with a BA in Christian Education and Business Administration. Who’s Who is American Colleges and Universities. Received the Pearl Fisher Citizenship Award from the Faculty. Homecoming Queen. • Married to Cecil Donahue, also an Elder in WNCC, August 1979. Two Sons. Wade, 22 and Riley 20. • Serves as Executive Vice President, Finch Hunt Institute of Homiletics, WNCC. • Currently serves on WNCC Council of Finance and Administration. Served as President Hinton Rural Life Board of Directors, 2000-2004. Southeastern Jurisdictional Agency of the UMC. • Delegate to 2000 + 2004 General Conferences United Methodist. • Other Interests: Keeping up with the boys’ activities. Conversation and time spent with friends and family, working in the flower garden and reading. • Daughter of Rev. Tom and Jean Brittain, South Carolina Conference.

ANDY LAMBERT is the husband of Renee and the father of Grace and Joy. He is an evangelist, a pastor, a comedian, an author, an adjunct professor of evangelism, a youth ministry consultant, and a former bagboy at his hometown grocery store. Andy is child of the King.

ANGEL CHRIST is a music evangelist, worship leader, conference speaker, worship consultant and recording artist. She is an endorsed artist of Christian Music Presenters, Inc, a corporation located on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee, that is dedicated to musical excellence, spiritual integrity, and ministry readiness. Angel has been a featured guest with

TCT network on their internationally broadcasted T.V. Program The Master’s Music. She has shared the platform with evangelists such as David Ring, youth leader and author Andy Lambert as well as Alex McFarland, evangelist for James Dobson’s Focus on the Family, who has said “Angel Christ is a gifted and godly communicator of the Christian message. My wife and I have been greatly impressed with the way that Angel Christ comes into a church to serve the Lord. Angel reaches out to people not only “from the platform,” but she also graciously and patiently ministers to individuals long after the worship service has concluded. We have a great appreciation for this talented singer and speaker. Whether the context is a series of services or a special event large or small, Angel Christ will encourage, inspire, and strengthen every audience.” Angel has been recognized in national publications such as The Singing News and Trade Review magazines. Her last

two recordings have received their highest 3 star rating in the category of new southern. They have also been selected by Capitol Enterprises of Savannah, Georgia for release to over 1200 southern gospel radio stations across the United States and abroad. She has also been featured in a musical showcase at the Southern Gospel National Quartet Convention. Angel has led worship with thousands in conferences across the southeast as well as local church  revival/renewal services. She also serves local churches in short term consulting assignments as a commissioned lay minister specializing in worship, drama and visual arts. You can learn more about Angel, read her personal testimony and listen to song clips directly through her web site at www.angelchrist.com

DEBI ATKINS is the traveling musician for Angel Christ Ministries. She began playing the piano at the age of three years old. By the age of 16 she was the pianist for Lindley Park Baptist Church. She has served in the capacity of Director of Music with the local church for many years; currently she serves on staff at Southside Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC. Debi has also traveled extensively for over 20 years as the professional traveling and studio musician for the Christian Herald’s Quartet. You will be blessed by her musicianship and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as it is expressed through her keyboard ability.

Safe Sanctuaries – featuring Joy Melton, author of the original Safe Sanctuaries resources.

·         Cyber Safety

·         Vulnerability of Older Adults

·         Jessica’s Law

September 2, 9am – 1pm at Asheville Covenant Community Church

to register, contact Katie Warren at kwarren@wnccumc.org

September 3, 1pm – 5pm at Maple Springs UMC, Winston Salem

to register, contact Kate May at kate@maplesprings.org

This event is free. Donations are accepted. Lunch is not included.

Looking for the Wide Open Door (Friday – Sunday, September 25 – 27, 2009)

Volunteers in Mission Event

Schedule of Event

Friday, September 25: Celebrating a past…

Saturday, September 26: Envisioning a future…

Sunday, September 27: Worship & Re-entering the Mission Field

About the Event

Both new and seasoned volunteers are invited to attend this event

as a chance to celebrate the past successes and projects of the

Volunteers in Mission ministry, as well as envision a future of serving

others through mission work. This promises to be an uplifting,

encouraging and worthwhile event, and we hope you join us!

VIM Registration

Available online June 15.

Deadline to register is August 25.

Registration for people lodging off site will include Saturday lunch.

Lodging

Please arrange your own lodging for this event. A block of 75 rooms

is available at Lake Junaluska Conference Center (held until July

27). Other local area lodging is also available. It is recommended

that you book early to avoid being caught in the mountain fall

season.

Contacts

Lake Junaluska:

Phone: 1-800-222-4930

www.LakeJunaluska.com

Conference Website:

wnccumc.org/vim/bgt-BuildingTeams.htm

Or Contact David Millsaps:

V92CDC@bellsouth.net

336-275-9457

Southeast Asian Consultation

We are pleased to inform you that the Southeast Asia Mission Consultation will be held at the Providence United Methodist Church, Charlotte NC on October 1-3, 2009. The consultation will be geared towards churches and conferences working with or wishing to work with the countries of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. 

The consultation begins with registration starting at 4:00 PM on the 1^st and will conclude after lunch on October 3rd.   Details are provided in the attached brochure. Please reserve these dates and plan to attend.

The Consultation is sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries and will be hosted by Bishop Larry Goodpaster, the Western North Carolina Conference and the Providence United Methodist Church.  Delegates from Southeast Asia Mission, missionaries and staff of the General Board of Global Ministries will be present to share first-hand program updates. We encourage each church/conference to send at least one representative to the consultation to interact, exchange information, and review possibilities for future work with Methodist Churches in Southeast Asia.

Registration costs for the program will be $75.00.  Individuals are urged to give an additional $25.00 towards the travel arrangements of representatives from the Southeast Asian countries. 

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Comfort Inn Executive Park, Charlotte.  Each guest must call to make their reservations through Hotels.com to get the rooms by September 1, 2009.  To get the group rate request a reservation under the group name:  PUMC/C/CHARLOTTE/10-1.  To reserve a room, call 1-800-476-8771 extension 5116, the Hotels.com reservation number.

Thanks to you who have supported the Southeast Asia Mission through GBGM’s Advance program, Volunteer-in-Mission, prayer and in other ways. We look forward to continued partnership in mission, and hope to see you in Charlotte in October!

Grace and peace,

Rev. Jim Gulley                                   Rev. Mike Collins

GBGM Consultation Coordinator      Western North Carolina Conference Coordinator

jim.gulley@comcast.net                      mcollins@wnccumc.org

Women in Ministry Day Apart

Wednesday, October 14, 2009    10am – 2pm

“LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH”

WNCC Women in Ministry Day Apart with Bishop Larry Goodpaster

Christ United Methodist Church, Statesville Campus 

Cost of the Day is $7 which includes lunch

Please RSVP to Laura H. Auten by September 28 at lh.auten@bellsouth.net

What will we be doing?

The focus of our time together will be disciplines of body and self care,

nutrition, exercise and rest.  Through worship, conversation and several brief presentations,

we will explore how physical disciplines strengthen us personally and professionally

helping us be faithful and effective women in ministry.

Resource Book for the Day – If you can, read before October 14!

Honoring the Body:  Meditations on a Christian Practice

By Stephanie Paulsell       Published by Jossey-Bass, 2002

Books can be ordered from Cokesbury or www. practicingourfaith.org

To give you an idea of the book’s scope, here is a list of chapters:

Awakening to Sacred Vulnerability, Pondering the Mystery of the Body,

Bathing the Body, Clothing the Body, Nourishing the Body,

 Blessing our Table Life, Exerting and Resting the Body,

Honoring the Sexual Body, Honoring the Suffering Body

10am  Arrival and Welcome

10:15am  Morning Worship and the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

with Bishop Larry  Goodpaster

11:15am  Dialogue with Bishop Goodpaster

12noon  Lunch and Round Table Discussion

1pm Presentations and Conversation             2pm  Closing Prayer

Directions to CUMC, Statesville Campus

From I-40 take exit 150 and travel north on Hwy. 115 for 2 miles. The church is on the right.

Community Supper Opportunity

If your church or group is looking for a meaningful mission opportunity, please take a few minutes to read this message and the attached brochure. At Kerr Street United Methodist Church we have been offering a free bi-weekly meal for the community through our Open Hearts Community Supper ministry since January of this year. This ministry has two goals: 1) to meet the physical and spiritual needs of our guests and 2) to provide an authentic, meaningful mission opportunity for other churches or small groups. We have had some success in accomplishing the first goal, and now we want to focus on the second goal.

The purpose of this message is to invite your church or small group to partner with us by sponsoring an evening meal. We are not asking you to help us do ministry - we want to give you ownership of your own ministry.

We believe that this ministry offers your group some tangible benefits. First, we are already reaching those who are most in need. We serve an average of 60 people each meal. They are Black, Hispanic, and White. Many are unemployed - some are in serious need. If you partner with us, the individuals in your group will know that they have made a difference by the end of the evening. Second, we are committed to making this project both rewarding and fun. We have a modern kitchen, and we provide everything except the food. We will work with your group in any way that we can to make sure your evening goes smoothly.

We hope that this ministry opportunity could be the springboard that would encourage your church to begin its own outreach program. The most difficult part of any outreach program is getting started. This is an opportunity to see and experience what such a program in your church could be. It is suitable for congregations, UMM or UMW groups, youth groups, or small groups.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss how your group can sponsor a meal, please contact the office here at Kerr Street UMC or feel free to contact me directly.

God bless you,

Jim Hood

Pastor, Kerr Street United Methodist Church

kerrstreetumc@carolina.rr.com

Office: (704) 782 4224

Cell: (704) 425-3443

Local Church News and Events

·         Jackson Park UMC will be hosting Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (see "What is FPU" attached) this fall. The university consists of (1) two hour session/week for (13) weeks. There will be two FREE previews: Sunday, July 26th and Thursday, July 30th

The cost is $100 / family  - Registration deadline is Monday, August 3rd

Patti Rader

FPU Class Coordinator

704-938-6538

·         Kerr Street UMC has a Toshiba copier, which it is willing to donate to a church that needs it.  Please email Jim Hood at jhood1@carolina.rr.com if interested.