Nov. 4, 2020

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In this edition Just for Clergy
Prayer Request
NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Camp and Retreat news
Learn about Ignatian Spiritual Exercises through an online program by Rolling Ridge
Workaway volunteers help at Mechuwana
Bishop and Cabinet will share Christmas Eve service
Make sure you know your state’s current regulations around COVID-19
UMW Charter for Racial Justice focus at New England Conference UMW meeting
Resource for kids suggested by NE CORR
Preview items available in NEJFON online auction
2021 pension and benefit info for clergy and churches
Ministry Partner Vanco Faith offering one-on-one help to set up digital giving
DON'T FORGET
Boy Scouts’ bankruptcy: Churches must take action by Nov. 16
Save the date: Cabinet Bible study
HealthFlex Annual Election continues until 11/12
Local Pastor Licensing School set for 2021
Apply now for a Lexington UMC Social Justice Grant
GCORR offers racial justice resource for Advent
Still time: NEAC offers ‘Reboot Your Worship’ training free
EVENTS
Advent/Christmas Church-During-Pandemic Think Tank Nov. 10 and 11
ERT Trainings – We can be anxious, or we can be prepared
United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 29, 2020
CLASSIFIEDS
OBITUARIES
UMC NEWS
Bishops called to bring stability in chaos

Just for Clergy

Prayer Request

Please hold Rev. Tim Wilcox and his family in your prayers. Rev. Wilcox reports the death of his maternal grandmother, Ruth Casteel, November 2nd due to COVID-19. She was one month shy of her 96th birthday.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Tim Wilcox, 8 Prospect St, Caribou Maine 04736.

NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Camp and Retreat news

The first Wednesday of each month we feature news from the New England Conference’s Camping and Retreat Ministries.
You can find more on each camp’s website.
Take a look:

Learn about Ignatian Spiritual Exercises through an online program by Rolling Ridge

The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola have been a spiritual resource for Christians for centuries. Beginning this month through April, Rolling Ridge is offering a 19th Annotation version (online, at-home) as an opportunity to engage the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in the context of your daily life. The various exercises and prayer experiences will be broken down week by week and emailed to participants by retreat director Rev. Jim David. There will be monthly group direction meetings via Zoom to process your experience through the exercises. Register online and join the initial all-group session online via Zoom from 6:30-8:30 pm Monday, Nov. 23, 2020

Workaway volunteers help at Mechuwana

Mechuwana has been blessed to have 6 Workaway volunteers for the past 7 weeks. Molly from Texas, Chelsea and Phillip from Indiana, Tristan and Hailey from California, and Anna from Seattle. They did many projects at camp including repainting all the rooms in retreat building one, painting the floors in the commons, tons of cleaning, and they even completed a stainedglass window with Norm Thombs, camp director. During their off time, they visited many Maine sites and were able to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. This is the first time Mechuwana has taken part in this program, but it will not be the last. We want to thank them for all their hard work, and we rejoice in the new friendships we have made this fall.

Photo by Burkay Canatar from Pexels

Bishop and Cabinet will share Christmas Eve service

The Bishop and Cabinet will be sharing a prerecorded Christmas Eve worship service of Candlelight Lessons and Carols for those who wish to join in this virtual time of prayer, scripture, and music. The recording will be accessible ahead of Dec. 24 so that pastors and congregations can share the link and help equip people to access it. Watch this newsletter for more.

Make sure you know your state’s current regulations around COVID-19

COVID-19 is resurging. Massachusetts is beginning a new nighttime stay-at-home order on Friday. Other New England states may be changing their guidelines as well. Make sure you know the latest information and are complying with the current regulations in place in your area. Find links to state info on our COVID-19 resources page: www.neumc.org/virus-state

UMW Charter for Racial Justice focus at New England Conference UMW meeting

The Conference United Methodist Women held its annual meeting online on Oct. 24. The day including a presentation on the UMW’s Charter for Racial Justice. Three members offered their personal testimony about facing racism and white privilege. The UMW also elected officers and approved its budget.
Read more

Resource for kids suggested by NE CORR

The Conference Commission on Religion and Race shares the following resource for young children from PBS, a video titled “The Power of We.” A link can also be found on the CCORR page on our website: www.neumc.org/CCORR

Preview items available in NEJFON online auction

Don't miss out on the great Items included in the upcoming online auction for New England Justice for Our Neighbors. You'll find overnight getaways in ME, MA, and NH; gift certificates; Christmas masks as well as a selection of "All God's Children" sculptures, Korean pottery — even archery lessons!
The site is open now; click here to preview items
Don't miss the online kickoff event beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. Learn more

2021 pension and benefit info for clergy and churches

HealthFlex Annual Election is underway, and the Benefits Department has shared some important new information regarding clergy health and pension benefits for 2021. This information was emailed to pastors and treasurers on Oct. 28, 2020. Read more

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Ministry Partner Vanco Faith offering one-on-one help to set up digital giving

GCFA Connectional/External Relations announces that Vanco has renewed its ministry partnership with GCFA. Vanco, through Vanco Faith, has built new services and enhanced existing tools to help churches, including a free smartphone app. All UMC churches that sign up with Vanco by Nov. 30, 2020 will receive personalized one-on-one onboarding with a Vanco eGiving specialist, an offer valued at $500. Click here to visit the site designed for United Methodist churches and learn more. For more information on the Ministry Partner program, contact Kellie Schmeal at connetionalrelations@gcfa.org, or 615-369-2408.

DON'T FORGET

Boy Scouts’ bankruptcy: Churches must take action by Nov. 16

In February 2020, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy reorganization to protect itself against a growing number of sexual abuse claims made against it.
Many of our local churches act or have acted as a “sponsoring organization” or “chartering organization” for a Scout troop or other Scout unit. Chartering organizations are potentially affected by the bankruptcy filing, even if the church has not yet been threatened with a lawsuit related to its current or former Boy Scout unit.
These churches will need to file a Proof of Claim with the court by Nov. 16, 2020. We have created a webpage with information from our Conference Chancellor and GCFA as well as the forms churches will need to file a Proof of Claim.
Visit www.neumc.org/BSA

Save the date: Cabinet Bible study

The New England Conference Cabinet invites you to participate in online Bible study during Advent. With shared reflection led by Many Waters District Superintendent Karen Munson, in these four sessions we will encounter scriptural insights about human relationships that help identify and unpack our current experiences of corporate bias and individual prejudgement.
The study will be 7-8 p.m. on Sundays Nov. 15, Nov. 22, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. Watch this newsletter and our website for more.

HealthFlex Annual Election continues until 11/12

HealthFlex participants: The Annual Election period for health benefits continues until Nov. 12, 2020. This is your opportunity to choose your medical, dental and vision plans, update your dependents, and set up any reimbursement accounts. You must make an election even if you are making no changes to your current coverage. Learn more at http://www.neumc.org/annualelection

Local Pastor Licensing School set for 2021

The NEUMC licensing school will begin January 10, 2021 and continue through March 20,2021. The live, online classes will be held on a series of Saturdays and Sundays.
Learn more and register

Apply now for a Lexington UMC Social Justice Grant

Is your social justice program doing well but with an infusion of finances could be amazing? Or maybe you have a transformative idea that can become a reality with some financial support? Through the Lexington UMC Social Justice (LUMCSJ) Fund grant program, the United Methodist Foundation of New England may be able to help. Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Nov. 15, 2020.
Learn more

GCORR offers racial justice resource for Advent

The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) offers a new resource: Advent 2020: Seeking Jesus, The Advent of Justice and Peace. Beginning with Sunday, Nov. 29, and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 27, celebrate the Advent season in a deep, meaningful, and inclusive way with lectionary texts and sermon starters, suggested hymns and songs, children’s messages and hands-on and age-appropriate activities. The five-week series is $20.
Purchase materials

Still time: NEAC offers ‘Reboot Your Worship’ training free

The New England Conference is making Dr. Marcia McFee's "Reboot Your Worship" training available to our churches for free. Just as we sometimes need to reboot our computers, "rebooting" is simply a way to look at our worship through fresh eyes and get some fresh skills.
Dr. McFee (www.marciamcfee.com), who is our Annual Conference worship leader, will be training churches in five basic ways to improve their worship immediately — no matter the size or style of worship — and without a big budget or drastic change.
Learn more and register

EVENTS

Advent/Christmas Church-During-Pandemic Think Tank Nov. 10 and 11

The challenges of COVID-19 restrictions are clearly going to last into the Advent and Christmas seasons. Come to an Advent/Christmas Think Tank via Zoom to share concerns, ideas and support for leading lead Sunday worship, other services and discipleship formation during these holy weeks. Together we can be more creative and resilient in these challenging times! Two sessions via Zoom:

11 a.m. to 12:30 pm — Tuesday, Nov. 10
7-8:30 pm — Wednesday, Nov. 11

The sessions will be moderated by Barb Lemmel and Betsy Waters. Registration is not necessary. For more information, please contact Rev. Barbara Lemmel at barblemmel@mac.com
This is the link for both sessions:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87204291400?pwd=U3BZaW1tME16dGhBSUt5dFMxb1FMQT09
Meeting ID: 872 0429 1400
Passcode: 011516

ERT Trainings – We can be anxious, or we can be prepared

NOTE: Changes to training schedule
As this year has already proved to be an unusually active hurricane season it is important that the New England Conference be prepared not only to respond to disasters in other parts of the country, but also for a significant weather event within the bounds of our Conference – winter is coming, too! These programs will be offered in collaboration with the New York Conference Disaster Response program. There is no charge for these trainings. Recertification attendees must be present for the whole session. Basic trainees must attend both sessions.

ERT-Recertification – We will now have one ERT-Recert workshop on November 10 from 7 to 10 PM. This is for persons who already have badges – even if your badge has expired.
ERT-Basic – This is for persons who have never taken an ERT Basic class. UMCOR requires an 8-hour training session. It will be held 5-9 PM Friday, November 13, from and 8 AM to noon Saturday, November 14. Participants must attend both sessions.

United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 29, 2020

Click the image to find more information and resources

CLASSIFIEDS

Administrative Assistant - Commonwealth West District
The New England Conference is seeking a part-time administrative assistant for the Commonwealth West District. This person will work out of the Commonwealth West District office, which is relocating to the Conference Center in Methuen, MA.

Church Administrator - Trinity UMC, Springfield, MA
Trinity United Methodist Church, a vibrant, multi-faceted congregation in Springfield, MA, is seeking a full-time Church Administrator responsible for providing effective administration for the church, including constant and effective management of finances, personnel, and financial records, in addition to and of the use and maintenance of the church building (and the resources therein).

Office Administrator
Saint Matthew's United Methodist Church in Acton, MA announces a job opening for an office administrator.

Director of Communications
The Wisconsin Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is currently recruiting for Director of Communications.

Director of Children's Ministry at St. Paul United Methodist Church
St. Paul United Methodist, a large congregation located in the heart of the Highlands in Louisville, Kentucky, is hiring a full-time Director of Children’s Ministry. St. Paul is a vibrant, diverse, and active community of believers dedicated to being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.

OBITUARIES

McClintock, Elizabeth

10/29/2020

UMC NEWS

Bishops called to bring stability in chaos

God's compassion remains steadfast in this time of pandemic, natural disasters and political divisions, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey reminded her colleagues in her first address as Council of Bishops president. The bishops' virtual meeting also included prayers for the coming U.S. elections. Heather Hahn of UM News reports.
Read story

African bishops: Let's make our own choices
HARARE, Zimbabwe — United Methodist bishops in Africa vowed to stay in The United Methodist Church despite the potential split expected at General Conference next year. During a virtual meeting, the bishops also said they feel the mediated Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation should be renegotiated.
Read press release

Publishing House board faces hard times
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The board of United Methodist Publishing House met by videoconference Oct. 27, approving a $31 million budget and learning of the impending retirement of Tammy Gaines, chief financial officer. The self-supporting Publishing House has faced slumping sales in the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing layoffs and a decision to put its headquarters up for sale.
Read press release