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Catawba Valley Happenings!
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A Word from Angela...
“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while’ for there were many people who were continually coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat. And they went away by themselves in the boat to a secluded place.” Mark 6:31-32 AMP.
October is the season for charge conferences, stewardship campaigns, updates on apportionments, and much more. It is exciting to see the various ministries, but if we are not careful, we can feel discombobulated and weary. If you are at that point of needing some time to refresh and renew, come away with your church team to our October 21 renewal service. The service will be at First United Methodist Church, Gastonia. We will gather at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Dr. Jim Harnish will be our keynote speaker,
Stir up the Fire!
And we welcome the gospel choir from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, leading our worship. We will enjoy testimonies and much more. Also, we will collect an offering for hurricane relief.
Jesus knew how tiring ministry could be for the disciples. His compassion reached out to his disciples and encouraged them to rest awhile. Likewise, I invite you to take some time away for renewal. Come and enjoy a time of praise and worship in celebration of all God is doing in the Catawba Valley District.
I look forward to seeing you and your laity at our district events.
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Charge Conference Paperwork
Due: November 16, 2017
All reports must be signed
Submit to the District Office (jalexander@wnccumc.org)
No staples please!
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Clergy Assessments
Due: November 30, 2017
Please complete electronically
Email to District Office
(jalexander@wnccumc.net)
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A Word from Kim Shockley
District Church Vitality Strategist
Five Tensions Faced by Small-to-Mid Sized Church Leaders
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Carey Nieuwhof (I have no idea how to pronounce his name!) wrote a blog* that came across my Facebook feed recently. In it he describes 5 tensions that small to mid-sized church leaders feel. He identifies the 5 tensions, so I thought I would highlight each one over the next weeks and offer some solutions to these tensions because I hear them from you as I travel around the district.
The first of 5 tensions is this: The desire to keep the church one big family. I hear this when the idea of a second worship service is discussed. “If we offer a second service, then we won’t know everyone!” Sometimes I hear it in the way people tell me how they came to the church – often my marriage or other family relationship. There are very few stories of people just walking in the door and finding a church home. There are good things and difficult things about being a family, but the reality is, even if there are 30 - 50 people attending your services, you really don’t know everyone. You may recognize them and feel comfortable having them in the space, but when it comes right down to it, each of us realizes that people we don’t know and don’t recognize make us uncomfortable. Each new person changes the make-up of our congregation and then we have to figure out ways to make room for them in our church and in our lives.
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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.
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Congratulations to the following churches for paying
both
their Conference and District Apportionments in full at the time of this newsletter:
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Arneys Fairview
Bess Chapel
Bethlehem (Lincolnton)
Burke Chapel
Crowell Memorial
David's Chapel
Double Shoals
Ebenezer (Denver)
El Bethel
Hebron (Vale)
Hoey Memorial
Iron Station
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Laurel Hill (Vale)
Lebanon (Denver)
Mount Beulah
Mount Harmony
Mount Pleasant (Morganton)
Mount Pleasant (Stanley)
New Home
New Hope
Oak Grove (Lawndale)
Pine Grove
Providence (Catawba)
St. Paul's (Shelby)
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Congratulations to Mountain View (Claremont) who has paid the Conference Apportionments in full.
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Congratulations to the following churches who have paid 100% of their District Apportionments as of this printing:
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Bethel (Dysartsville)
Brevard's Chapel
Brook's Chapel
Center (Catawba)
Christ (Gastonia)
Christ (Hickory)
Concord (Catawba)
Cramer Memorial
Ebenezer (Belmont)
Ebenezer (Vale)
First (Mount Holly)
Friendship (Connelly Springs)
Galilee (Kings Mountain)
Glen Alpine
Hartzell Memorial
High Shoals
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Ivey Memorial
Knob Creek
Lander's Chapel
Macedonia (Vale)
Maylo
Messiah
Mott's Grove
Mount Moriah
Puett
Reep's Grove
Rhyne Heights
Sharon (Shelby)
Shiloh (Claremont)
St. Paul (Newton)
Wesley Chapel (Newton)
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District Events & Happenings
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Retired Pastor and Spouse Luncheon
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All retired ministers and spouses are welcome to attend a luncheon on
October 26th at 11:30am.
We share lunch together, a devotion and lots of laughter. Everyone is welcome to come.
Court Street Grille
113 Court Square
Lincolnton,NC
If you have questions, you can call Ruth Childers 704-519-8124.
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Soul Shop is an event that trains faith community leaders to equip their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation. With a combination of teaching and interactive engagement, leaders will leave Soul Shop feeling equipped and empowered to engage in this very important ministry.
Soul Shop for Leaders Corinth Reformed Church
Tuesday, October 3, 2017 150 16th Ave NW
8:30 am - 4:00 pm Hickory, NC 28601
Registration deadline is September 19
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Emergency Response Teams Training
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Launch & Lead
(The Academy for Missional Wisdom)
Since the first cohort in 2011, Launch & Lead (formerly known as The Academy for Missional Wisdom) has been equipping people and teams from all over the US to launch and lead alternative forms of Christian community, and/or provide support to those who do.
The Missional Wisdom Foundation has trained many leaders in Western North Carolina and two more opportunities are forthcoming. Launch & Lead is a two-year equipping program. New cohorts are forming in November and January. The WNC Leadership Development Team has given a grant to reduce the cost for WNC participants.
Learn More
Financial Planning Service for WNC Clergy
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.
Registration & More Information
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Oct 1 - Derek Cline
Oct 5 - Keith Sherrill
Oct 6 - Jim Tate
Oct 8 - Dixon Adams
Oct 10 - Arthur Holland
Oct 12 - Nick Rochester
Oct 13 - Ronnie Karriker
Oct 16 - Jeff Sweeney
Oct 17 - Jon Golden, Molly VanDerwerken
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Oct 18 - Angie Hollar, Kim Ingram
Oct 20 - Harley Scalf
Oct 21 - Bobby Petree
Oct 21 - Joe Collins
Oct 24 - Matt Lawing, Sid Epperson
Oct 27 - Talmage McLain
Oct 30 - Mark Barden
Oct 31 - Trent Jones
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Oct 11 -- Strategic Planning team, 10:00, First Hickory
Oct 21 -- Spiritual Renewal Gathering 3:00 pm
Oct 23 - 25 -- Cabinet Meets; Angela out of office
Oct 26 -- Retired clergy luncheon
Nov 1 - 2 -- Joint Cabinet meets; Angela out of office
Nov 8 -- Clergy Gathering, 9:30, Shelby Police Department
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Central (Shelby) is seeking a Coordinator of Children’s Ministries.
Read more.
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