March 12, 2024

This weeks News includes the following information:

1. Because you asked about the Called Session

2. Call to Prayer and Fasting

3. Catalyst Mission Workshop

4. Lay Leadership Team Update

You Asked: Why do I need to attend to vote on April 12 or 13? 

The Answer: The purpose of the April 12-13 Called annual conference is specifically for the purpose of electing delegates for the Convening General Conference of the GMC in September in Costa Rica. Those eligible to be elected come from those who meet the requirements of Paragraph 611.6 of the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline. https://globalmethodist.org/what-we-believe/

April 12, clergy meeting the requirements of 611.6 are called to attend to vote for the number of clergy or delegate allocation approved by the Transitional Leadership Council of the GMC. 

On April 13, laity meeting the requirements of 611.1 who are voting members of the annual conference are called to attend to vote for the number of laity or delegate allocation approved by the Transitional Leadership Council. Each lay member of the annual conference represents their church by prayerfully voting for the delegates who will represent the churches of NC at the Convening General Conference. 

For more information see: 2024 Special Called Session — North Carolina Provisional Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church (gmcncpac.org)

Call to Prayer and Fasting

We invite you to join us in prayer and fasting for the election of our General Conference delegates. 

Reading Acts 13:1-4, it was through prayer and fasting of the leaders in the church at Antioch that the Holy Spirit revealed God's plans. Paul and Barnabas were to be set apart and sent for a special work that God had desired for them to accomplish. We, the GMC of NC are seeking those whom God has set apart and will send for a special work that is to represent the GMC of NC at the Convening General Conference. 

When we pray and fast, we open ourselves for dependence on and hunger for Jesus Christ to fill us. This is a time to seek the Holy Spirit to help us to discern the will of our Heavenly Father, giving us the mind of Christ. Join us in asking the Lord to raise up, those "godly, spirit filled" leaders and to guide us to discern those who God has called and set apart for this special work ahead. 

Note: Sunday, April 7 is the conference wide Day of Fasting and Prayer for the election of our delegates. Begin to invite your congregations to prepare to fast and pray as we prepare to vote later that week for those God is preparing to send. Many of us are regularly praying and fasting in the meantime to ask the Spirit into our 

A. Called Conference April 12-13

B. Annual Conference June 20-22

C. General Conference September 20-26

From the NC PAC Rules and Organization, Section 5.1: "The election of leaders is a spiritually significant work of the Annual Conference. Prior to the annual conference session in which elections are held, the churches will be invited to a season of fasting and prayer for those who are lay and clergy members of the annual conference and for the raising up of godly, spirit filled leadership."

An update on the invitation to Bring your Church Missions Team to a Missions Catalyst Workshop!

What is a Catalyst Mission Workshop? This is a 3 hour training that will launch your missions team with renewed purpose, and a process to engage your whole church in missions from local to around the world. Don't have a missions team? Then grab some laity who want to get your church outside its walls, and come!

Here's a recent list of confirmed dates and churches. If you do not see one nearby your church, fill out the form to request being a host church. PEs, grab the churches in your Circles if you see one within an hour of your churches, and get them the info to to sign up. 

See the full list, or sign up to be considered as a host church, at https://www.gmcncpac.org/missions. Sign up ASAP.

Middleburg Methodist, 155 Walnut St, Middleburg, NC Saturday, April 6, 2024, 9 a.m. - Noon

First Methodist Church Clinton, 208 Sampson St. Clinton, NC Sunday, April 7, 2024, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

First Methodist Church Conover, 410 First Ave. N Conover, NC Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9 a.m. - Noon

Camden Methodist, 197 NC Hwy 343 South, Camden, NC Saturday, June 8, 2024, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Farmville Methodist, 4588 West Church St, Farmville, NC Sunday, June 9, 2024, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

New Hope, 200 East New Hope Rd, Goldsboro, NC Tentatively June 30.

Crossroads Church Concord, 220 George W Liles Pkwy NW, Concord, NC Saturday, July 13, 2024, 9 a.m. - Noon

Mt Pleasant Methodist, 4136 Mt Pleasant Rd, Sherrills Ford, NC Sunday, July 14, 2024, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Mount Zion, 15772 NC 50 North, Garner, NC Saturday, July 27, 2024, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Tabernacle Methodist, 5721 Methodist Road, Greensboro, NC Sunday, July 28, 2024, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Dixon Chapel, 185 Varnamtown Rd, Varnamtown, NC Date TBD

Lake Waccamaw, 506 Lake Shore Dr, Lake Waccamaw, NC Date TBD

The Lay Leadership Team for the Conference met for a planning retreat over last weekend. Watch for a full report in next week's newsletter. We are working hard to build a network of connection and support much different- much more local-church-focused - than anything we've experienced before. One of the key components of our weekend focused on the call for training, equipping, and deploying the tens of thousands of Methodist laity across NC for faith sharing, being Disciples who make Disciples, not just within the walls of the church but in the vast majority of time spent throughout the rest of life. There will be much more on this to come!

Rev. Kari Howard

Vice President pro tempore

Global Methodist Church, NC Provisional Annual Conference

Shannon Medlin

Conference Secretary & Administrative Assistant | gmcncpac.org Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.