The GNJ Digest: 10.05.16

PaCE Groups Begin for Clergy

Explore new ideas and expand your horizons within a safe, trusting community of colleagues. PaCE Groups create synergy to empower spiritual and pastoral formation, and unlock the imagination. PaCE groups are made up of clergy who meet monthly for a period of 8-10 months with a curriculum focused on shared learning objectives and group covenants. Click here to sign up as a group or individual before the end of the month.

"Everything was amazing. There was so much joy and worship, every speaker and band really inspired me. I am definitely coming back next year" - 15-year-old IGNITE 2016 attendee

Lives Changed at IGNITE 2016

Last weekend, over 1,200 students grades 6-12 gathered at the Wildwoods Convention Center for the 2016 IGNITE youth conference. Hundreds made first time or renewed commitments to follow Christ in their lives. Click above or here to check out a wrap up video from IGNITE. Read the full story here.

Be a part of Team Vital this Spring

Register by Dec. 1 to be a part of Team Vital this upcoming Spring. Leaders have the opportunity to create strategic ministry plans using the 5 markers of vitality. Click here for an overview or here to see Fall 2016 participating churches. Fill out an application here.

2016 Fall Advanced Lay Servant Registration

A Local Church Lay Servant serves the community through ministries of leading, caring and communicating. Click here for 2016 Fall Lay Servant ministry certification and re-certification.

Save the date: 2017 Bishop Convocation

The 2017 Bishop Convocation will be held January 23-25, 2017, at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ. Come for renewal, learning, and fellowship. Registration opens Nov. 1, 2016.

Southern Region Bishop’s Day

Northern Region Bishop’s Day

Central Region Bishop’s Day

Cluster Church Conference Worship Resource

Since many churches will be celebrating their church conferences in groups, Director of Worship, Eric Drew, created worship resources for individual churches to use with their own congregations. Click here to download Cluster Church Conference worship resources that provide worship elements any church can use on a Sunday morning to celebrate their church conference.

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 please complete the survey here. Learn more about the purpose of the different boards and agencies here. Nominations should be submitted by Oct. 10. Contact Ginny Kaiser with questions.

Central Region Lay and Clergy Wesley Heritage Tour

Members of the Northern Shore, Capital, and Raritan Valley districts will be leaving on a nine day tour of England on July 19, 2017, to explore their roots in places associated with the life of John Wesley. Informational meetings will be held on each district; the details of place, date, and time will be announced shortly. Tour host opportunities available for clergy taking groups from their church. Two units of Continuing Education credits available as well as discounts for timely payments. For more info please email Glenn Ferguson or call 732-856-0699.

2016 Annual Conference Journals

The digital version of the 2016 Annual Conference Journal is now online. Click here to view and download. All pre-ordered printed journals have been mailed.

Embrace the Worship Experience

Sponsored by the Central Region and hosted by renown worship leader Kurtis Parks, Doxology: A Worship Conference will bring together leaders from around GNJ for a day of learning new ways to embrace the worship experience. Find out more and register here and wach the video above.

United Methodist Communities Learn about Islam

Amidst the turmoil in the Middle East, a group of United Methodist Communities residents wanted to learn the truth about Islam. Click here to view the video clip and find out more for yourself.

Clergy and local seminary students are invited to explore a variety of small group approaches, emerging trends, challenges and theological perspectives at a symposium sponsored by the Northern Region Resource Team. On Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Drew Theological School, experts from Greater New Jersey and beyond will lead panels followed by discussions and workshops. Cost is $30 for clergy and $15 for students. Click here for more information from our website.

Come enjoy the fall weather at the Pineland's Harvest Festival on October 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be an open house, trunk or treating, hayrides, nature walks, bake sale, activities for kids, a make your own caramel apple, and more. Fore more information call 609.893.3354 or click here to download flyers for your church , group or organization.

Pinelands Center at Mount Misery is seeking a part-time kitchen, housekeeping and maintenance staff member with a heart for serving and team work to work weekends and evenings. A Program Internship is also available for college students. Click here for more information. If interested, call 609-893-3354 or send an email.

Update on Commission on a Way Forward

The Council of Bishops' Executive Committee says that an overwhelming number of nominations for the Commission on a Way Forward has delayed the appointment of Commission members. Click here to read the full update.

Global Mission Fellows Application Opens

The application period for the 2016-2017 class of Global Mission Fellows began on Sept. 30. Online informational sessions for those interested in learning more about the program will be held on Oct. 11, Nov. 16, and Dec. 14. To register for an information session, click here. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2017. The application can be accessed here.

Laity Sunday: Tips for Involving Members

United Methodists observe Laity Sunday on Oct. 16 as a day to include church members in the planning and execution of the worship service, but other days can be chosen as well. Click here to explore seven tips for including members in the service. Get resources here.

UMW Acknowledge Guns Factor into Domestic Violence

During the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, United Methodist Women is raising consciousness of the role guns play in violence against women. Click here to read the press release.

Korean Ministry Plan Holds Annual Meeting

The United Methodist Korean Ministry Plan set goals for the next four years at its annual meeting in Chicago last month. Direction was set to strengthen local congregations with local global programs, including training for new church starts and small group leadership. Read the full report here (in Korean)

Missions are investment in youth

Florida United Methodists are embracing young people by giving them unique opportunities to better themselves and their communities. Click here to read how churches use missions to cultivate teen disciples

New Relay Stories Posted

Can't wait for your October Relay? Click here to browse online articles from the upcoming edition. From IGNITE coverage to the Laity Leadership Academy, Haddonfield UMC's partnership with Respond Inc., and the a GNJ teen becoming the youngest 'Survivor' contestant, we have you covered here.

Career Opportunities Available

Job opportunities in Greater New Jersey are available to browse on the web. From youth directors, Sunday School teachers, musicians and custodians, you can click here to see the latest postings.

Let the Mission and Resource Center Serve You

Let the Mission and Resource Center serve you. Click here to fill out the Conference Meeting Room request form and reserve space for your congregation, agency, or committee.

How to Get in The Relay and Digest

Have a good story idea for The Relay? Contact Josh Kinney at jkinney@gnjumc.org, Do you have information for The Digest? Contact gnjdigest@gnjumc.org. The deadline to send news for the following month's Relay is the 15th of each month. The deadline to send news to the Digest is noon every Tuesday.