The Metro Messenger - University City. UNITED METHODIST

The Metro Messenger
E l e c t r o n i c
N e w s l e t t e r
o f
T h e
M e t r o
D i s t r i c t
o f
t h e
It is always interesting that the season
for “making appointments” takes
place at Easter. Perhaps there is
some irony in this scenario as we
prayerfully strive to bring new life in
our churches through new and
renewed pastoral leadership. Before I
was appointed to this ministry, I
believed that there was some
“mystique” about how appointments are made. Well, believe me, there is no
mystique….just hard, passionate, wrenching work. I have often
said…”appointment making is the hardest work I have ever done.” Why? You
ask.
Because we take very seriously the fact that we hold churches, pastors and
families in our hands. We hear you loud and clear when you tell us that you
need to stay in a particular geographical area. It makes our work doubly
difficult, but we do our best to accommodate any request which is legitimate.
We do our best to help pastors who are hurting through various “leaves of
absence,” financial support and appointment specifics. I know you are tired of
hearing it, but there is a new reality we are dealing with today in appointment
making. Every year we lose Elder appointments, churches and salaries which
complicates our desire to “promote” pastors in moves. Couple this with our
changing culture and demographics and you have a formula which has cause us
to have to change the way we make appointments. Our primary goal is not
promotion appointments but missional appointments. This simply means
“getting the right person at the right place at the right time for the right reason.”
If this is our goal, then salary becomes a factor but not the factor in making
appointments. The truth is, if we don’t get the right pastoral matches in our
churches, the future of the United Methodist Church will be in question. So,
please know that your Bishop and cabinet work very prayerfully and diligently in
placing pastors in churches.
So I would ask for your prayers, your patience and your support as we make,
what we believe, are appointments inspired by God. As Paul reminded us,
“keep your eyes on the goal” as we move forward toward making disciples and
transforming the world.
Gary
Dr. Gary C. Royals
Metro District Superintendent
U M C
Volume
, Issue
April 3, 2015
Inside this issue:
Lay Servant Training
2
Creative Workshop
Conference
3
Project AGAPE
Bethlehem Center
4
You’re Invited
Job Opportunities
6
Annual Conference
7
Building Teams
8
Special Points of
Interest:
 Golden Cross P. 4
 UM Women P. 5
 UM Men P. 8
The Metro Messenger
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 2
Lay Servant Ministry Training in the Metro District
This year four training locations were held in different areas of the Metro District--some on weekends and
others during weekdays. This provided a participant the opportunity to select a location which best suited
their schedule.
On March 21, early in the morning, fourteen advanced class members and twenty basic class members
arrived at Forest Hill UMC in Concord for Lay Servant Training. One excited lay servant leader and two
course leaders, having spent hours preparing to lead their classes in their respective ten hours of training,
with a collective of fifty to sixty plus years of experience teaching, showed up as well.
Over the course of the next twelve and one-half hours we melded into a community of faith! We began to
tell our stories, one to another, sharing from the depths of our hearts and from our life experiences. Some
stories were told with laughter and some with tears. God was there, as was the Holy Spirit. Lent was such
a beautiful time to come together for this training, because our hearts were already bending in
preparation for Good Friday and Easter.
By the end of our time together in training and fellowship, the great love these lay servants have for the
United Methodist Church and the church universal became evident. As we celebrated in closing worship
the dedication of each individual lay servant, they made the promise to assume the role of a lay servant in
their local church and to provide leadership to their respective churches. As a district, we committed to
pray for, support, and encourage each of them in their service to Jesus Christ. We must not fail in this
promise!
In 2 Corinthians 9:6, the Scripture says: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows generously, will also reap generously.” (NIV) Thirty-seven committed Christians left that training on
March 22 to go sow generously!
Basic class
participants break
for refreshments.
Rev. Wes Judy guides participants through the
advanced study material, “Dancing with
Words.”
The Metro Messenger
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 3
The Metro Messenger
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 4
Plan and collect items for the SPRING Humanitarian Aid drop-off dates:
Monday, April 27 – Friday, May 1.
Fall Drop off dates: Monday, September 28 – Friday, October 2 .
To help you, you can download the Packing Guide from the conference website
(http://www.wnccumc.org/mission-outreach/project-agape). This includes priority items, instructions for
packing, the drop-off points listed above, and the specific hours the drop-off points will be open to collect
these items. Please encourage your churches to support this United Methodist ministry of humanitarian
aid for the children, women, and men of Armenia. If you need additional information contact
Allan Van Meter
Chair, Project AGAPE Board
Pastor - Fair Grove UMC, Thomasville
Church number - 336-475-2598
[email protected]
Golden Cross assists individuals in the Western North Carolina Conference with medical bills not
covered by insurance. The ministry is dependent upon offerings from the local church to fulfill its
assigned mission. The first Sunday in May is the traditional Sunday designated to invite members to
give to this worthwhile ministry. Another Sunday may be chosen to better fit the church's
schedule. Once collected, the funds are to be forwarded to the treasurer of the Annual Conference.
All checks should be clearly marked for Golden Cross. If you have questions or for more
information, please contact Dr. Telezee Foster, Metro District Director of Golden Cross (704-6612010) or WNCC Golden Cross Director, Rev. Tom Hunter at [email protected] or 336368-4548.
The Metro Messenger
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 5
2705 BALTIMORE AVE
CHARLOTTE, NC 28203
704-371-7402
BETHLEHEMCENTER.ORG
Please Join Us at Our 75th Anniversary Brunch.
Bethlehem Center of Charlotte celebrates 75 years outstanding
contributions from the United Methodist Women in the heritage, history
and many accomplishments of our educational programs
and outreach.
Co-Hosted by the United Methodist Women and Bethlehem Center of Charlotte
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 ▪ 9:30-11:00 AM
Providence United Methodist Church
2810 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
To Register and Pay, Click Here
Or visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bethlehem-center-brunch-tickets-15652733748
Registration deadline April 20th
UPCOMING UM WOMEN
SPONSORED EVENTS
April 18
June 12-13
July 16-19
District Prayer Breakfast, University City UMC, 8:30 am (reservation deadline April 8th)
Spiritual Growth Retreat, Lake Junaluska
Mission U, Pfeiffer University
Details at www.wnccumw.org
The Metro Messenger
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 6
You’re Invited….

Greater Vision United Methodist Church will host a Fish Fry in support of a member of their congregation,
Tammi Easterling, who has ALS. Proceeds will benefit the ALS Walk in Charlotte on April 25, 2015. The Fish
Fry will be held on April 11, 2015 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Greater Vision United Methodist located at
11901 Eastfield Road, Huntersville, NC 28078. Please come out and join us in efforts. The fish is flounder
and perch.

Lynn Swedberg, author of the The Church and People with Disabilities, our UMW district mission study
for this year, will be at Forest Hill UMC on April 14th at 7:00 pm. She will speak a few minutes but will
mainly be available to answer questions about how the local church can address the needs of those
members and others who have disabilities. Please give this message to those you feel would be
interested in attending from your church. Lynn Swedberg is a United Methodist laywoman who serves
as disability consultant for GBGM/UMCOR Health. Her passion is facilitating accessibility and inclusion
in faith communities and camps. She is a lay speaker and writer. Lynn provides occupational therapy
services through Outreach Therapy Consultants, her private practice. She helps her clients, primarily
older adults at a rural hospital and transitional care unit, return home and live as independently and
safely as possible.

Plaza UMC, 5600 The Plaza, Charlotte extends an invitation to their 2015 Spring Revival, All
things are Made New. Three power-packed evenings-April 15, 16, 17, 7pm nightly. Speakers: Rev.
Alexis Anthony,-Greater Vision UMC, Huntersville; Rev. Tiffany Knowlin-College Place in Columbia, SC;
Rev. Miller Carter-Simpson-Gillespie UMC, Charlotte.
Job Opportunities

Director of Children and Intergenerational Learning, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church,
Cornelius, NC

Epworth United Methodist Church in Concord, NC is currently seeking an Organist/
Accompanist for 11am Traditional Service; also seeking a Director of Music for 9am Contemporary
Service (Jacob’s Well) and 11am Traditional Service (Late Service with Chancel Choir).

St. Francis UMC, a warm and inviting mid-size church located in southeast Charlotte, seeks
a Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries to lead its vibrant children’s and youth ministries. The
position is full-time and offers an annual salary commensurate with experience.

Weddington United Methodist Church is receiving applications for the position of Director of Music
and Arts.

Central UMC, Mooresville, NC is seeking a Full-Time Church Secretary.

The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church has an immediate opening for
an Assistant to the Archivist. This position, along with the Archivist, reports to the Conference
Secretary, and would be located at the Conference office on Shamrock Drive in Charlotte, NC

Hood Theological Seminary (HTS) located in Salisbury, NC, invites applications for the position
of Institutional Advancement Officer.
Visit http://wnccumc.org/careers/ for details on each of the above listings.
Page 7
The Metro Messenger
Volume 4, Issue 1
Western NC Annual Conference
June 17-21, 2015 - Lake Junaluska
Clergy Session: Wednesday, June 17th
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Opening Worship: June 17th at 7:30 pm
Conference will adjourn at Noon on
Sunday.
Stay tuned for more Annual Conference
Information at http://ac2015.org/.
WNCC Annual Conference
Display Applications Now Being
Received - Due April 16
Applications for display space at the 2015
Western North Carolina Annual Conference
are being accepted from conference
ministries/agencies, official United Methodist
affiliated groups, and others that are related
to the conference mission and vision. Displays
facilitate the ability of conference members to
connect with groups and learn more about
resources that are available. Groups are
encouraged to read the display guidelines
prior to applying. Applications must be
submitted to Michael Rich, the Web &
Communications Manager for the Western
North Carolina Conference no later than
April 16, 2015.
Display Space Application and Guidelines
details.
All WNC deacons and elders in full
connection, provisional and associate
members, and local pastors under
appointment are expected to attend. Clergy
who cannot participate should request an
excused absence. Retired clergy and those
on leave of absence will be excused if not
present. Please send a request addressed to
Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster and send it to
Rev. Kim Ingram, Conference Secretary, at
[email protected] (preferred) or
P. O. Box 18005, Charlotte, NC 28218.
The Ministry of All Believers
We are
excited that Rev. Dr. David McAllister Wilson,
president of Wesley Theological Seminary will
be with us for three great events in April
2015. Tuesday evening’s event, April 21st,
6:30 pm, hosted by Williamson’s Chapel
UMC in Mooresville is specifically geared
towards laity. Childcare available at
Williamson’s Chapel by contacting church
office at 704-664-3680.
Clergy are encouraged to participate in any
or all. David is a dynamic speaker and has a
lot to share. We know that you will be
enriched by this experience.
Registration for Pfeiffer morning sessions
can be made at https://
community.pfeiffer.edu/2015-pfeifferresponds. If you have questions or if more
information is needed, please contact
Kathleen Kilbourne at (704) 945-7315 or
[email protected] .
Volume
, Issue
Page 8
Mark Your Calendar
April 2015
5
18
13-17
19
26
27-29
Easter Sunday
District Prayer Breakfast, University City UMC, Charlotte (deadline April 8 registration)
Cabinet Meeting
Native American Sunday Observance
Metro Dist. Laity Service Celebration, Blair Rd. UMC, 3 pm
Cabinet Meeting
MAY 2015
3
12
10-15
17-21
31
Projected Appointments shared with Congregations
Metro District Moving Clergy Session, Location TBA, 10 am
Local Pastor Licensing School, Lake Junaluska
Local Pastor Licensing School, Lake Junaluska
Peace with Justice Sunday
JUNE 2015
17-21
28
30
Western NC Annual Conference, Lake Junaluska
Moving pastors last Sunday in present appointment
Clergy Moving Day
JULY 2015
5
12
Transition Sunday for Moving Pastors
First Sunday in Pulpit-new appointment
Learn about other upcoming events/opportunities in the Western NC Conference at:
http://www.wnccumc.org/news
http://www.wnccumc.org/events
Metro District Office of the Western NC Conference
The Rev. Dr. Gary C. Royals, Metro District Superintendent
Location: 3400 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215
(Metro District Office is located in the WNC Conference Center facility)
Mailing Address: PO Box 5622, Charlotte, NC 28299
Phone: 704-525-3395
Fax: 704-525-4238
Rev. Stephanie Hand, Church Vitality Strategist, Metro and Uwharrie Districts
([email protected]) 704-535-2260
Administrative Assistants:
Ravonda Britt ([email protected]) Clergy Relations
DeEtta Rivens ([email protected]) Church Relations