#BeUMC

In this episode, Bishop Ken Carter shares a helpful technique for thinking about and grappling with the various aspects of our callings and our lives. As members of and leaders in the United Methodist Church, we are called to create disciples, to participate in our denomination, and to care for and nurture our own spiritual selves. This is abundance. If we neglect to care for any of these parts, however, we can fall prey to burnout before our work is truly done.

Did you know that Rev. Dr. Hyung Jae Lee became the first Asian-American to be appointed as a District Superintendent in the WNC Conference in 2021 when he was appointed as the District Superintendent of the Smoky Mountain District? In this short bio, Conference Archivist and Historian Jim Pyatt tells a story of Rev. Dr. Lee's influence in The United Methodist Church.

The Board of Ordained Ministry is hosting a carnival event to honor all new clergy from the classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022 with a “Hats Off” celebration! Wear a fun hat as we come together to celebrate our new clergy colleagues!

With $20,000 donated by First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro, HHFH will break ground on its 51st home later this year!

Jesse Enniss and Kim Ingram, podcast hosts, talk with Rev. Dr. Preston Davis, Minister to the University at High Point University about his DMin focus on Christian practice for addressing the increase in fear and anxiety in young adults.  They talk about the role of mentors, churches, and parents in the lives of young people and how to help young adults belong. Preston shares knowledge, experience and wisdom from his research and interactions with students that are beneficial to all of us.

Did you know Rev. Dr. Abraham Kim became the first Asian-American to be elected as a clergy delegate to Jurisdictional Conference from the WNC Conference? In this short bio, Conference Archivist and Historian Jim Pyatt tells a story of Rev. Dr. Kim's influence in The United Methodist Church.

Our Christian principles charge us to be a community of prayer and action. We are to live in the tension of piety and work. Worldwide, we continue to experience racial, ethnic, and tribal injustices that dehumanize God’s people. We are called to work towards liberation — as a spiritual and actionable practice. For this reason, the General Commission on Religion and Race invites you to participate in the Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge. Beginning on Juneteenth (Sunday June 19, 2022) we will post daily prayers on social media for six weeks. We’ll also include weekly challenges to help you put your prayers into action.

Did you know Rev. Karen Miyoshi Kagiyama was the first Asian-American woman to be ordained an Elder and be received into Full Connection as a clergy member of the Western NC Conference? In this short bio, Conference Archivist and Historian, Jim Pyatt, shares the story of Rev. Kagiyama and the impact she had on the Western NC Conference and greater United Methodist Church.

In this episode, Dr. Bill White, Jr., Conference Director of Equity and Justice Ministries has a conversation with members of the Just Compensation Task Force for an update on their petition for Annual Conference. Rev. Amy Coles, Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Norma Villagrana, Chair of the Order of Elders and Rev. Brandon Lazarus share about the status of equitable compensation and the learning and proposals from the Just Compensation Task Force. More information will be shared at www.wnccumc.org/ac2022 as Annual Conference approaches and you can contact Brandon Lazarus at blazarus@wnccumc.org.

With generous support from the Reynolds Ministry Fund of the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Racial Healing and Reconciliation Learning Cohort will be offered again in Fall 2022. Interested churches are invited to complete an Interest Form providing basic information and describing their local church’s efforts in racial equity and justice. The framework for the Learning Cohort is a 6-step process for racial healing and reconciliation developed by Rev. Brian Tillman of the North Georgia Conference of the UMC. “Without racial healing, the wounds of racism will remain and will continue to inflict those who endure racism and those who benefit from it. We all need healing. It is the path to beloved community,” stated Rev. Tillman. To learn more or ask questions, please contact Cindy Thompson, Executive Director of Boundless Impact, at 336.209.1570 or cthompson@boundlessimpact.org.