Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We are starting something new this October – Super Saturday Church Conference! A great event has been planned. We will gather for worship, review and celebrate our 2016 goals, affirm new goals for 2016 for increasing the vitality of your congregation.
Here are a few things you need to prepare:
- Be ready to have someone review your goals for 2016.
- Pastor will share 2-3 goals for 2017 affirmed by your Administrative Board/Council.
- Make sure you have someone be the recording secretary.
- It is my expectation that you will stay for all portions of the SSCC – business portions, worship and plenary.
- To increase our learning opportunity, I’m asking that no more than two members from each church sit at the same table, so we can mix and mingle with others during worship and plenary sessions.
Here is the format for the church conference:
Church Conference will last 45 minutes and each church will have their own room (unless a pastor has a 2-pt charge then both churches will be together).
Worship will be united with all churches in your session for 30 minutes.
Plenary is a 60 minute TEDX style learning and group sharing in the same space that focuses upon areas of ministry impact for the local church. Two 8 minute videos:” Worship is Evangelism” and “On Ramps and Merging Lanes for Making Disciples” will be viewed on large screens followed by dynamic, powerful questions for roundtable discussions. By having 4-5 churches represented at each table, this will enable a powerful group learning from each other, a key aspect of SSCC that was lifted up as one of the best aspects of last years’ workshops.
This year we added light refreshments, coffee, tea and water.
Come expecting that God is about to do something new in your life and the life of your congregation. We are the people that God will use to transform our lives, our congregations, our communities and our world. Amen.
See you on the 8th, 22nd and 29th.
Blessings,
Varlyna
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Church Opportunities and Resources
Church Happenings
Click here to view all the church to church happenings on Capital District! Church events and flyers are updated on a regular basis so you will never miss out. If you would like your church event to be posted on the district events page please email capital@gnjumc.org.
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New Central Region Administrative Assistant: Octavia Truesdale
Please welcome Octavia Truesdale, Central Region Administrative Assistant. Octavia comes to us with an impressive background ranging from working as an executive administrative assistant, career developer and an outreach coordinator in a major municipal setting. Octavia is a gifted and talented welcomed addition to the regional team at GNJ. Octavia will be providing administrative support to all the churches on Capital District and can be reached at capital@gnjumc.org or 609-538-0048.
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Church Conference Schedule
Click here to view the Capital District Church Conference schedule online. Please note the location change for Church Conferences taking place on October 8, which will now be held at Medford UMC, 2 Hartford Road, Medford NJ 08055.
A friendly reminder that ALL church conference paperwork needs to be completed by Monday, October 10, if your church conference is being held on October 22 or October 29. If you have not already done so, please submit all church conference paper work ASAP if your church conference is being held on October 8.
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Super Church Conference Worship Resource
Click here to download a Super Church Conference worship resource compiled by Eric Drew, Director of Worship, to provide worship elements that any church can use on a Sunday morning to celebrate their church conference.
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IGNITE 2016 Highlights
Did your congregation send youth from your community? Click here to watch and share the highlight video from IGNITE 2016. Don't forget to save the date for IGNITE 2017 which will be held on September 29 - October 1 in Wildwood, NJ.
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Wesley Heritage 2017 Tour: July 19 - July 27, 2017
Clergy and laity from Central Region will be traveling together to England on a nine day Wesley Heritage tour leaving Newark airport on July 19. Optional extensions in London or Ireland are available. There are 2 C.E.U.'s available for clergy and discounts for making registration and payment deadlines. Pastors can contact Glenn Ferguson about becoming a host for a group from your church. Click here for brochure and additional information.
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10 Things Great Preachers Do Differently
What separates good preachers from great preachers? Preach with conviction, communicate authentically and build a big tool box are just a few ways to become a great preacher according to a recent article written by Florida Pastor Charley Reeb. Click here to read full story.
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2016 Annual Conference Journals
The digital version of the 2016 Annual Conference Journal is now online. Click here to view and download. If you are clergy, a church or a lay servant you can access the clergy and lay member directory by using your Arena log in. If you are a Lay Member, click here to have your credentials verified and we will email you a PDF file of the directory. All pre-ordered printed journals have been mailed.
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GNJ Nominations: Boards and Agencies
The nominations committee is looking for committed disciples of Jesus Christ who have leadership gifts and experience and are ready to join us as we take the next steps in our strategic plans. To recommend a person, or to offer yourself for leadership in one of our agencies, please complete the online survey found here. You can learn more about the purpose of the different boards and agencies by visiting the Connectional Table section in the GNJ website here. Nominations should be submitted by Monday, October 10. Please contact Ginny Kaiser with any questions.
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Non-Profit Solar Stewardship Program
Solar power can help congregations in many ways such as reducing electric expenses, free up funds for other purposes and help your congregation expand its potential for growth and community while securing a brighter energy future. Click here for more information about the non-profit solar stewardship program or contact Mary Jordan, Commercial Representative.
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Adopting a Missionary Mindset
Douglas Ruffle, who works with the Path 1 church planting initiative, says it is important for church leaders who want to support new communities of faith to learn how to identify with the people in our midst so they can better relate to their contexts. Learn about ways you can develop a missionary mindset. Click here to read full article.
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Small Group Symposium
Date: October 20
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 for clergy and $15 for students
Location: Drew Theological School, 36 Madison Ave. Madison NJ 07940
Click here for more information and to register.
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Capital District 2016 Fall Advanced Lay Servant Registration: Now Open
Date: November 5 and November 19
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m
Location: First United Methodist Church, 32 Conrow Rd., Delran NJ 08075
Cost: $50 early bird registration
Click here to register.
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Doxology: Central Region Day of Learning
Keynote Speaker: Kurtis Parks
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always be what you've always been."
Date: November 12
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Calvary Korean UMC, 572 Ryders Ln., East Brunswick NJ 08816
Cost: $25 per individual registration or $100 for an entire group of four or more (lunch included)
For more information and to register, please click here.
Click here to watch a short video to learn more about Doxology.
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Save The Date: Bishop's Day on the Central Region
Date: Thursday, December 8
Clergy Session: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Laity Session: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 568 Ryder Lane, East Brunswick NJ 08816
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Save the Date: 2017 Bishop's Clergy Convocation
Date: January 23-25, 2017
Location: Ocean Place Resort, Long Branch NJ
Come for renewal, learning and fellowship. Registration will open November 1.
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