All Laity Articles

Access all 2024 Equip & Connect workshops (recordings, materials, links, etc.) on the conference's online learning platform. Go to wnccumc.org/onlinelearning to create a user account and download step-by-step instructions.

The wait is over! Access all 2024 Equip & Connect workshops (recordings, materials, links, etc.) on the conference's online learning platform. Go to wnccumc.org/onlinelearning to create a user account and download step-by-step instructions.

Registration is now open for the 2024 Metro District Lay Servant Ministry training! We are offering basic and advanced classes at Central UMC, Charlotte April 13-14 as well as an advanced course via Zoom. Class size is limited so register early. Deadline to register is March 31. Remember, if you are a Certified Lay Servant or want to become a Certified Lay Servant, you must take an advanced course every three years (and have completed the Basic course). The ministry of the laity is vital to our ...

The Western North Carolina Conference Equip & Connect Conference (January 21-25, 2024) is here! Make sure to register for all the sessions you're interested in.

Thank you to all who generously took the time to complete our survey. Your feedback was clear and resounding, highlighting a strong preference for us to develop a website service. Inspired by your enthusiasm, I've already initiated the planning phase and aim to present a proposal in January. In the meantime, please take a moment to view the image below, which captures some of the key insights gleaned from your responses. Wishing you all a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

WNC Laity Engagement and Transformation Forum and The Foundation for Evangelism Present: Discipleship - Participating in Abundant Life with Mark Teasdale and Heather Lear Date: Nov. 20, 2023 Time: 6:30-8:00 pm Eastern This is a virtual event - registration is required: https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/LaityEngagementTransformationForum_nov2023 The Laity are critical for the church to reach its community, but too often aren't empowered to talk about their faith or fully participate in inviting others ...

Come to the Table's School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling is set to begin in September, bringing together a national group of faith leaders to investigate root causes of hunger, uncover and challenge the dominant narratives around hunger, and equip leaders to transform these conversations in their community. The eight session training program will take place from September 28 to November 16, with sessions taking place weekly on Thursday. Sessions will explore the intersection of food...

There will be a Zoom gathering on September 7, 2023, 6:30 - 7:30 pm for laity interested in the Certified Lay Minister program.  Please share this information with those you know who are interested.  Hosted by: Jonathan LeMaster-Smith and Caroline Wood Topic: CLM Interest Meeting Time: Sep 7, 2023 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86085830560?pwd=b1BkWHBaL2J2cTF3R2d2L3hIQUdhdz09 Meeting ID: 860 8583 0560 Passcode: 504296

Register now for the next Laity Forum entitled Building Community - Monday, September 18, 6:30-7:45pm via zoom. This is the third of 4 forums in 2023 highlighting four stages that can move people from isolation to Christian community:  Listening  Loving People  Building Community  Exploring Discipleship  This forum is being planned by a team of young adults. You won't want to miss it!  You may register here: https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/LaityEngagementTransformationForum_september18

The Early Bird discounted registration for the 2023 Convocation & Pastors' School at Duke Divinity School will end in two weeks.

Go to https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/SSTTT0916 to register for this Safer Sanctuaries train-the-trainer event! It will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 10am-2pm at the Conference Center located at 13924 Professional Center Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078. Lunch will be provided. The registration deadline is end of day Monday, September 11, 2023.   Training will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson, from Discipleship Ministries who was part of the writing/editing team for the new ...

Go to https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/SSTTT0916 to register for this train-the-trainer event where you'll learn how to train others on your church's Safe Sanctuaries policy and procedures. Training will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 10am-2pm at the Conference Center located at 13924 Professional Center Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078. Lunch will be provided. The registration deadline is end of day Monday, September 11, 2023.

Over 180 Laity and Clergy have been trained as Global Ministries EarthKeepers across the USA. You are welcome to apply for the next training, October 5-8, 2023, to learn how to plan and carry out a grassroots project in your church, community, or beyond by combining your Christian faith with an ecological need in our world today. The only cost to you is transportation to and from the training site.

Rev. Jarrod Davis, Creation Ministries Coordinator for the WNC and NC Conferences, will host a training workshop on July 29th related to the Season of Creation 2023 which is celebrated throughout the month of September. With both in-person and online options available, this workshop is open to anyone in the state. Register now to attend!

Our WNCC chapter of PAUMCS (Professional Administrators or the UM Connectional Structure) is sponsoring a learning opportunity for church secretaries, administrators, clergy, and anyone who wants to learn more about using Social Media to promote your church.  Aimee Yeager, the WNCC Director of Communication, will be leading us in an informative workshop.  See below (and attached) for more information.  We hope to see you all there!   CREATING and MAINTAINING a SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE A workshop ...

In order to participate in the upcoming lay elections at the Annual Conference in June, each lay member is expected to bring a device capable of connecting to the internet or a cellular network, such as a tablet, laptop, or smartphone.

Join sisters-in-Christ from around the Southeast for a Journey to Joy Women’s Retreat at Lake Junaluska.  Come on your own and make new friends, or come with members of your church, women’s group, friends, or family.  This weekend promises to be a time to grow closer to each other and to our Lord.  

Register now for the next Laity Forum - May 22, 6:30-7:45pm via Zoom. Topic: Loving People https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/LaityEngagementTransformationForumMay222023

May is Mental Health Awareness month. On May 7, 2023 Matthews UMC is presenting “Depression: Out of the Darkness and Into the Light” featuring Dr. Daniel Hale, psychologist at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Hale will share personal and professional insights on the intersection of the faith community and mental health. Dr. Hale and his colleagues have developed a program called the Congregational Depression Awareness Program for utilization by faith communities. Dr. Hale will speak at the 8:15, 9:30, 11:00 AM services followed by a free lunch (registration required) and another presentation by Dr. Hale.

Following the release of the new Safer Sanctuaries resource in April, Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson from Discipleship Ministries will facilitate multiple virtual training opportunities for us. There will be two virtual basic training opportunities in May as well as an in-person train-the-trainer event in September. Learn more and register today at https://www.wnccumc.org/safer-sanctuaries-training

You're invited to a conference Crossnore is hosting in February, inviting church leaders and members to join us to learn about supporting young adults aging out of foster care.

"The Listening Church" is the topic for the next Laity Forum - Feb 27, 6:30-7:45pm via Zoom.

We would like for you to join us for a special webinar on Wednesday, February 8, 12:00noon-1:00pm.   Cross and Key Prison Ministries is hosting this webinar which is on the criminal justice issue of the Cash/Bail Policy in NC.

The WNCC Leadership Development Team (LDT) invites you to intentionally seek time away to be spiritually renewed in the presence of God.  The LDT knows ministry work can be draining, even while being fulfilling.  Take advantage of the Spiritual Renewal grant to be renewed and restored in life and in ministry.  Clergy and lay staff within the WNCC connection are eligible for $500 for a retreat, spiritual direction, or guided renewal program.  Funds are limited and only available for a short time, so read more about these opportunities and apply now!

Register now for the next Laity Forum sponsored by the WNCC team for Laity Engagement and Transformation (LET). When: Monday, Nov 14, 6:30-7:45 via Zoom Topic: A vision for the continuing United Methodist Church

This document is meant to provide information for the upcoming 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional (SEJ) Conference that will take place November 2-4 at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina and to address frequently asked questions.

Register for the ReEvangelism Conference for Lay and Clergy today!

Register now for the next Laity Forum sponsored by the WNC Conference team for Laity Engagement and Transformation (LET).  When: Sept 19, 6:30-7:45pm via Zoom Topic: Vital and Sustainable Local Churches We will hear four stories of vitality in a variety of settings across the conference - becoming an invitational church, exploring deeper connections with God and community, intergenerational worship, and a Fresh Expression of church - and have opportunity to ask questions and engage with ...

Register now for the next Laity Forum sponsored by the WNC Conference team for Laity Engagement and Transformation (LET).

The Academy of Church Business Administration (ACBA) will return to Nashville, TN at the end of August 2022. This multi-day, in-person training event covers a variety of topics. Participants learn from experts in their fields and seasoned church administrators on subjects such as marketing your church, effective use of social media, Human Resources best practices, successful capital campaigns, and best practices in accounting and finance. WNC Treasurer Dr. Mark King will lead three days of the sessions on Stewardship, Facilities Management, Accounting Practices and Strategic Planning.

Living Our United Methodist Beliefs Dates: May 10 (Tues), 19 (Thur), 24 (Tues), 31 (Tues) Time: 7-9pm on Zoom Materials needed: Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way Instructor: Rev. Fred Jordan This class will count as an Advanced Course if you have already taken the BASIC Course. All are welcome to register for personal growth and development, however, a certificate of completion will only be provided to those who have taken the BASIC Lay Servant Ministry course.  

Living Our United Methodist Beliefs Dates: May 10 (Tues), 19 (Thur), 24 (Tues), 31 (Tues) Time: 7-9pm on Zoom Materials needed: Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way Instructor: Rev. Fred Jordan This class will count as an Advanced Course if you have already taken the BASIC Course. All are welcome to register for personal growth and development, however, a certificate of completion will only be provided to those who have taken the BASIC Lay Servant Ministry course.  

Find Lenten resources and studies from across our United Methodist connection.

E-News is an email newsletter sent out by the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. It contains important news, stories, and events from around our conference.

By: Brian Mateer, Associate Director of Missional Engagement About ten years ago I was working as a youth leader at First UMC in a small town in southwest Virginia.  I was introduced to a youth-led ministry that provided community meals in a local park.  A primary goal of the ministry is to give leadership responsibilities to youth and provide opportunities to meet and interact with people unlike them.  Sounds simple, right.  That’s because it is.   Since the ministry focused and emphasized ...

WNCC Mission Engagement has opened registration for the 2022 Missional Collective Journey and welcomes applications. The MC Journey is an immersive learning, five-retreat series designed for a diverse gathering of clergy, laity, and community lovers. Experiential neighboring happens through shared meals, interactive discussions, historical and theological field trips, discernment and planning activities, personal spiritual direction, and corporate spiritual disciplines.

It's Black History Month! No matter your heritage, culture, or racial background, Black history is everyone’s story. The UMC General Commission on Religion and Race offers resources for Black History Month including 29 Ways You Can Participate in Black History Month, Do's and Don'ts - Helping White Congregations Observe Black History Month, and Black History Month Activities for Kids.

Available in the WNCC Resource Center Developing Laity: More Church Leaders-Stronger Church Leaders  Toolkit from Lewis Center for Church Leadership Churches with vital, growing ministries learn to leverage leadership potential within their congregations. With the More Church Leaders | Stronger Church Leaders Video Tool Kit, clergy and lay leaders in churches both large and small will discover a more synergistic and fruitful way of being in ministry together. More Church Leaders: Stronger ...

–Ann Dean, Dayspring Church In the fall before the pandemic hit, I planted a small Leyland cypress tree by the door to the driveway. Evergreen and fast-growing, it has thrived and is now amazingly beautiful — 12 feet tall, lushly branched, and fragrant. A cause for rejoicing, this exultant cypress has daily been an icon of strength and possibility for me. After the heavy snowfall last week, I was stunned and brokenhearted to see this tree bent over, leaning toward the street, half uprooted.  ...

Bishop Carter will give the keynote address on the opening night of the weeklong Winter Leadership Training webinar series. Bishop Carter's address, titled "Our Pathways to the Post-COVID Church," will explore four interrelated pathways to the Post-Covid Church. All laity and clergy are invited to participate. Join Bishop Carter Sunday, January 23, at 5 p.m. to explore the journey we are called to walk together. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers following the presentation.

The IRS issues standard mileage rates for 2022.

Laity and clergy from across the Metro District gathered Sunday, November 21st, to celebrate the ministry of the laity. This year the district recognized 79 recipients of the Laity Service Award. They say a picture is worth a thousand words....watch this video and join us as we celebrate and praise God for the mighty work he is doing among the laity of the Metro District for the sake of the Kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven!