iVoice is sent to clergy and lay leadership in the Wyoming Annual Conference and its local congregations. You have received this mailing because of the position you hold in the annual conference or in your local church, or because you have requested it. Please feel free to use this information in your bulletins, local church newsletters, or as announcements during worship services.
In this issue:
Dates to Remember
In Memory
Resource Links Added to Haiti Page on Website
Checks for Haiti Relief
Track Your Church’s Ministry Share Performance
10 Christian Education Trends for 2010 And Beyond
I am Prophet-Driven
United Methodist Witness now United Methodist Advocacy in PA
News from United Methodist News Service
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, February 3: Bishops Middleton & Hassinger at 7:00 p.m. @ Elm Park, Scranton UMC - For laity (and clergy who can’t attend the clergy meeting)
Thursday, February 4: Bishops Middleton & Hassingerat 10:00 a.m.@ Clarks Summit UMC - For clergy
Thursday, February 4: Bishops Middleton & Hassinger at 7:00 p.m. @ Shavertown UMC - For laity (and clergy who can’t attend the clergy meeting)
Tuesday, March 2: Statistical Reports due
Monday,March 29: Licensing school registrations due
In Memory
Raymon M. Heller died Thursday, January 21, 2010, at the Forest City Nursing Home, Forest City, PA. Raymon served as Lay Member of the Union Dale United Methodist Church.
A funeral service was held Monday, January 25, 2010, at the Jones and Brennan Funeral Home in ForestCity led by Rev. Keith Benjamin.
Resource Links Added to Haiti Page on Website
Additional resources have been added to the Haiti Page, such as Facebook and Twitter Connections, worship resources, bulletin covers and inserts, etc. Go to www.wyomingconference.org and click on Resources & News for Haiti Response or just click here.
Checks for Haiti Relief
When giving to UMCOR for Haiti Relief from your church, please make your check payable to your own local church, mark it UMCOR for Haiti in the memo line and drop it in the offering plate. Your local church treasurer will then send one check to the Conference Center, made payable to Wyoming Conference and marked for Haiti Relief.
Track Your Church’s Ministry Share Performance
How did your congregation do in meeting its connectional obligation for 2009? To see the final report for 2009 including late payments, go to the conference website and click on Bishop's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Ministry Shares, which is the second brown box to the left on the home page. Then click on Track Your Churches Ministry Share Performance or just click here.
10 Christian Education Trends for 2010 And Beyond
What trends are emerging in Christian education? The 10 Christian education trends listed in this article has implications for faith formation in your congregation. You are encouraged to take this list and discuss it with your ministry boards and staff. In truth, many of these trends have been around for several years now, but they are beginning to move from the larger congregations to the mid-sized and smaller churches.
To read about these 10 Christian Education Trends, click here or copy and paste the following URL in your web browser.
I am Prophet-Drive
The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society has launched a new campaign entitled, "I am Prophet-Driven," challenging the notion that those in poverty must suffer first and recover last, and proclaiming a new vision for an economy of shared prosperity. You can sign on to the campaign on the GBCS website, where you can also send an e-mail to President Obama, encouraging him to make poverty a key part of his upcoming State of the Union address. Or just click here.
United Methodist Witness now United Methodist Advocacy in PA
United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania has a new name: United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania. And it has new tools for communication and advocacy.
"Communication requires quick, clear messaging," said the Rev. Keith Benjamin of Carbondale, PA, chair of United Methodist Adocacy PA. Changing our name from witness to advocacy removes any confusion about our role. We are advocates for the church and Jesus Christ."
As he announced the name change, Benjamin said the organization has a new Web site: www.umadvocacypa.org, a Facebook page: United Methodist Advocacy PA, and a Twitter designation: PAMethodist.
"We are very proud of the way United Methodists have responded to our calls to action on issues of vital importance," Benjamin said. "With our new Web site, Facebook page, and Twitter, Pennsylvania Methodists can both receive and send information related to issues before Pennsylvania government."
The new Web site has the ability for persons to communicate directly with their state representatives, senators, the the governor. The Facebook page will provide information on issues and conversation. Access to Twitter provides real-time communication with persons interested in the church's work.
United Methodist Advocacy's office is located at 216 State Street, Harrisburg, PA17109. Its executive director, Stephen Drachler, can be reached by email at sdrachler@umadvocacypa.org
If you have information that should be included in an iVoice, please send it to Don Perry at dperry@wyomingconference.org or Nancy Conklin at nconklin@wyomingconference.org. Please do not send information on fundraisers such as breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, yard sales, etc.
