I wanted to share with you two things that I would encourage you to really push out into your congregations. These two events are open to ALL and we want to make sure that every member in every pew across the Sound is aware of and knows how to participate in both.
The first is a session designed specifically for Laity with our new Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton. You do not have to register for this event, you just show up! Bring you Sunday School Class or your Leadership Council and make a short road trip. The session will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Downtown New Bern. You can carpool and have dinner in one of the many great places the downtown area offers. Let me know if you need suggestions!
Please feel free to share this promotional image in your newsletters, on your social media, or anywhere you need to use it to inform fellow members of your congregation. This session will be a great opportunity to be together as we move forward in 2023.
The second is the Zoom session designed for Laity as well on January 24th with Bishop Willimon. Please see the information
below and let me know if I can help you with anything.
On January 24 @ 7pm, Bishop Will Willimon will be sharing (via zoom) with our district about his most recent writing, entitled: Don’t Look Back: Methodist Hope For What Comes Next. Why not have your Church Council watch this hour-long conversation together? It will cost you nothing more than the investment of your time. For more information, contact Kim at k.smith@nccumc.org .
We will have the chance to join Bishop Willimon in a conversation about his most recent book, Don’t Look Back via Zoom. Everyone is welcome and there is no cost to participants. However, we do need folks to register in advance.
Each person registered will be emailed the zoom link prior to the event. The link to register yourself, as well as others who might be interested is https://forms.gle/zPnC33o3mTmgVCCR6.
In his book, Bishop Willimon issues “Six Challenges” every United Methodist congregation faces. He writes, “…no matter how well or how poorly you’ve regrouped after the pandemic, your congregation probably needs:
1. Clarity about your congregation’s part in God’s mission
2. Vision of where God wants you to go from where you are presently most comfortable
3. Strategies for overcoming introversion by reaching and serving the surrounding community
4. Tactics for reaching, integrating, and equipping new disciples
5. Simple and accelerated decision-making and ministry follow-through
6. Active, resourceful leadership from the pastor as mission leader
Bishop Willimon adds: “If there is conflict in your congregation and internal wrangling over social issues, it’s probably because your congregation has ignored the six challenges. Doctrinal squabbling tends to be low in congregations whose commitment to mission is high, not because of their laissez-faire attitude toward biblical authority, but due to their commitment to theology as practical mission strategy. “
Thank you for all that you do to help us keep the Laity of the Sound connected and growing together.
Kim