Plans Move Forward to Hold Annual Conference Virtually on August 8
July 1, 2020
Plans Move Forward to Hold Annual Conference Virtually on August 8
Given the current challenges of meeting in-person and keeping our constituencies safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we realize it is no longer feasible to gather 3,000 people in the same location. Therefore, Bishop Leeland, the Cabinet, and Conference Secretary, Rev. Kim Ingram, propose a virtual meeting on August 8, 2020.Lay and clergy delegates to the 2020 Annual Conference will receive a paper ballot in the mail to approve moving Annual Conference to a virtual platform this year. Please return this ballot by July 15.
More details regarding the specifics of the virtual annual conference will be released after official approval by the membership. The Program and Reports book is now online. Additional news and updates can be found at www.wnccumc.org/ac2020.
The 2020 Ordering of Ministry service will be postponed until Sunday, October 11. The combined service for clergy being commissioned and ordained will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, with likely limits on attendance numbers and enforced social distancing. Clergy will also have an opportunity to participate in a future Ordering of Ministry service at Lake Junaluska, if they choose.
Resources for Vital Congregations
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Books
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Serve Your Neighbor
GBHEM Leadership Resources
Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Ted Talks: The Power of Vulnerability
Ted Talks: The Price of Invulnerability
Meditations on the Ministry of All Christians
DISCIPLE FORMATION:
A Disciple’s Path; A Guide for United Methodist
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Adult Christian Studies from the Wesley Ministry Network
Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple Forming Congregations
WESLEYAN STUDIES:
Living As United Methodist Christians
Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials
Reclaiming our Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today
John Wesley Sermons: Anthology
REACHING PEOPLE:
Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit
Fresh Expressions: Dinner Church
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Reach New Disciples
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: 50 Ways to Reach People
Community: The Structure of Belonging
RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY:
GRANTS:
The Royce and Jane Reynolds Ministry Fund Grants
OTHER:
The Appalachian District Church Vitality Team has been prayerfully seeking ways to help support you and the ministries of your local congregation during this COVID-19 pandemic. Together they have diligently researched and connected with others throughout the conference and our denomination to identify resources and offer them to you. We hope they will be helpful to you and bless you greatly in leading your churches and communities through this unprecedented time. We are very grateful to the District Vitality Team and other contributors for their great work on this resource.
This faithful team has created three documents, two of which you are receiving today. They include:
- Family Home Worship – designed to help families establish a regular worship space within their homes as well as a time where they can worship together.
- Tech Strategies – to help guide you in selecting effective tools and resources within your budget to best communicate in the digital world.
We believe these resources will be of great benefit to you. Also know that the District Vitality Team is available to answer any questions you might have in regards to the documents attached. If you have questions, you may email Rev. Howard Fleming at hfleming@wnccumc.net.
- Resources