Yadkin Valley District E-News

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1 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 The Anatomy of Peace In This Issue From the District Superintendent...pages 1-2 District Resource Center.....page 2 Apportionment Honor Roll page 3 Lent 2017 Disaster Response Drive..page 3 Adult Lenten Day Apart page 4 Happenings Around the District and Conference.....pages 5-6 FaithHealthNC.page 7 EQ-HR Workshop page 7 WNCC Laity Address...pages 7-8 EO Travel Opportunities page 9 Job Openings.pages 9-10 District Statistician Report.page 11 District Joys and Concerns...page 12 Upcoming Dates page 12 Last month I wrote about Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute. I shared how I found this book to be very transformative for my life as a leader. The narrative within this book reminded me that leaders deceive themselves when they refuse to let the best that is within them determine the ways they react to the people they are leading. Leadership and Self-Deception is a powerful reminder that leaders need to see the people around them as valued people and not just as means to meet the leader s goal. God doesn t put people in our lives just to be used as a means to our desired ends, goals or dreams. Even if they are God-given ends, goals and dreams. Sometimes in our passion to accomplish what we feel that God is calling us to accomplish, we use people as commodities to help the church do what the church needs to do. We are prone to not listen for the voice of God coming to us through the people around us particularly if those people are frustrating our goals. Leadership and Self-Deception reminded me that I often treat the people around me as a result of my own illusions or self-deceptions rather than according to my most deeply held convictions. Simply put, this book is about learning to truly live all of life and all relationships according to the Golden Rule. People of faith claim to believe this standard. The second book produced by the Arbinger Institute is The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict. The premise of this follow-up to Leadership and Self-Deception is simple: people whose hearts are at peace do not wage war, whether they are heads of state, CEOs of great companies or members of a family. Like Leadership and Self-Deception, this second book is also presented in an easy-to-read narrative. In this semi-fictional story illustrating the principles of achieving peace, the setting is a two-day parent workshop at an Arizona-based wilderness camp (Camp Moriah) for out-ofcontrol teenagers, but the storyline is a mere setting for an instruction manual on being people of peace. In the narrative workshop facilitators are a Palestinian Arab whose father was killed by Israelis in 1948 and an Israeli Jew whose father died in the Yom Kippur War. These two facilitators use examples from their domestic lives and the history of their region to illustrate situations in which the normal and necessary routines of daily life can become fodder for conflict. Readers observe this through the eyes of one participant, a father whose business is in nearly as much trouble as his teenage son. The book The Anatomy of Peace helps the reader learn to identify his or her own warring heart and the ramifications of that warring heart for all relationships. The implications of discerning and transforming a warring heart are huge. While the Arbinger Institute produces its books for the business world, the spiritual connections are obvious to a person who seeks to make those connections. God truly desires to replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. The prophet Ezekiel spoke this truth to his people and us: A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (36:26). A transformed life or a transformed world is only created by transformed hearts.

2 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 2 These two books paint a picture for the reader; a picture of people living according to the Golden Rule respecting the image of God in each other and a picture of people living from the riches of a disarmed, peaceful heart. These books also remind us that living according to the Golden Rule and living out of peaceful hearts truly are the most practical, impactful, and effective ways to live. With Confidence in Christ, Jeff Resources Available from the District Resource Center Put your cape on! Cokesbury s theme for 2017 Vacation Bible School is Hero Central. The District Resource Center has the starter kit available for you to check out, along with the puppet and a cape! Children will discover their strength in God and realize that they are God s heroes. Also available are several kits from previous years from Cokesbury and Group Publishing. Holding Up Your Corner - Talking about Race in Your Community by F. Willis Johnson equips pastors to respond with confidence when crises occur. Rev. Dr. Johnson is the senior minister of Wellspring Church in Ferguson, Missouri. Writing out of his personal experience, Rev. Johnson provides a resource many churches are looking for to begin constructive dialogue and action. Book, participant s guide, and DVD are available. The Rewritten Life by Jessica LaGrone. You ll journey through six stories of people in the Bible whose lives and names were changed forever, giving them new identities and new storylines in line with God s purposes. Book, leader s guide, and DVD are available. Twelve More Women of The Bible This 12-session DVD-based Bible study will look at the spiritual lessons learned from twelve women in the Bible and what they mean for you today. Study book and DVD available. Let. It. Go. by Karen Ehman. Most women are wired to control life s details. In this six-session DVD-based study, you will be enabled to control what you should, trust God with what you can t, and decide which one is which! Book, study guide, and DVD are available. Becoming Heart Sisters by Natalie Chambers Snapp. This resource for women looks at authentic friendships. Friendships with other women are as important for mental, physical, and spiritual health as rest, exercise, and prayer. We don t just want friends we need friends. Sometimes this can be difficult especially if you have been hurt by a friend. Digging into timeless truths of scripture and sharing real experiences will guide you through the process of finding and nurturing healthy, authentic friendships. The Best Yes Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa Terkeurst. Learn the difference between saying yes to everyone and saying yes to God. Six-session DVD-based study.

3 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 3 Congratulations to the following churches who have paid 100% of their District AND Conference apportionments for 2017: Center (Mocksville) Cherry Street Maple Grove Salem (Mocksville) Congratulations to the following churches who paid 100% of their District apportionments for 2017: Central (Thomasville) New Union Stony Knoll (Dobson) Oak Grove (Mt. Airy) Lent 2017 Disaster Response Drive Due to natural disasters such as Hurricane Matthew, the Tennessee wildfires, floods in West Virginia and South Carolina, and tornadoes in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, UMCOR disaster supplies have been depleted in the Southeast. Every church in the Western North Carolina Conference is being challenged to assemble and collect as many UMCOR health kits and bedding kits as possible during Lent. Please deliver your kits by Sunday, April 2, to Wesley Memorial UMC, 1210 Bolton Street, in Winston-Salem. The kits will be picked up the following week to transport to the Mission Response Center. Please call the church office at to assure someone is at the church to receive your delivery.

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5 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 5 Happenings Around the District and Conference Midway UMC, located at 9795 Old Hwy. 52, Lexington, will present The Way of the Cross, a modern adaptation of the traditional Stations of the Cross on April 9, 10:30 a.m., in Midway s Christian Fellowship Center. Artists from the church and the Midway community are preparing artwork for this service. You are also invited to a luncheon on Tuesday, March 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the Christian Fellowship Center where you will have the opportunity to meet one of the artists and to hear her story about her artwork and how it relates to the station she has chosen. Please contact the church office ( ) by noon on Thursday, March 16, if you would like to attend the luncheon. Oak Forest UMC, located at Old US Hwy. 52, Winston-Salem, will sponsor Safe Sanctuaries training on Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 p.m. This training is vital training for anyone who works with children. Guest speaker will be Donna Cooke, former Christian Educator and Church Vitality Specialist for the Yadkin Valley District. Please contact Ben Roop at or ben.roop@oakforestumcnc.org if you plan to attend. New Union UMC, located at 1859 Sheffield Road, Mocksville, will have Hotdog Saturday on Saturday, March 25. The Men s Fellowship will be serving hotdogs with all the trimmings, chips and drinks from 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Donations will be accepted. Women s Fellowship will be holding a bake sale. Crafts, KayWos cloths, and RADA cutlery will be available. Doubs Chapel UMC, located at 5591 Seward Road in Pfafftown, will be sponsoring a Chicken Stew Fundraiser on Saturday, March 25, 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. The cost of the meal is $7.00 and includes all you can eat chicken stew, dessert, and drink. Proceeds go toward maintenance repairs at the church. Maple Springs UMC, located at 2569 Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem, will have a BBQ and Bake Sale on Saturday, April 1, 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. to benefit the Maple Springs Food Pantry. Costs are $10.00 for adults/youth. Children in grades 5 and under are $8.00. Shady Grove UMC, located at 167 Shady Grove Church Road, Winston-Salem, presents The Rising Worship Festival on Sunday, April 9, 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Music will be provided by the University City UMC Praise Team, Reynolda Church, and Shady Grove Praise Team. There will be egg hunts, games, inflatables, crafts, food and more. Relay for Life of Davie County has kicked off important activities for Spring, Each year individuals, businesses, churches, and other organizations form Relay for Life teams in Davie. They join thousands of other teams across the country and world to raise funds for The American Cancer Society (ACS) that support cancer research, provide information and support to people facing the disease, and educate the community about cancer causes and ways to prevent it. Corporate sponsorships are needed and available. Davie County teams will sponsor various fundraisers and activities through May. These include a large indoor yard sale, bake sale and silent auction at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 321 Redland Road, Advance, on April 21 st and 22 nd. Bethlehem s team is also planning a Classic Car/Truck/Tractor Cruise-In for April 22 nd. On April 28 th, cancer survivors and their caregivers will be treated to dinner and entertainment at Blaise Baptist Church in Mocksville.

6 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 6 Western North Carolina 2017 Spiritual Rally When: Saturday April 29, :00 a.m 4:30 p.m. Where: Crossnore Children s Home Campus 1001 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC Cost: Registration fee $30 if registered in advance, $35 at the Door Clergy Free with ADVANCE REGISTRATION Please Register in advance at or Mail check made out to WNCC-UMM to: c/o Dr. Ron Patterson 2302 Lakeshore Drive Greensboro, NC Winston-Salem s Interfaith Tour will observe its 10th anniversary on Sunday, April 30, with visits to Annoor Islamic Center, the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) meeting house and Temple Emanuel (Jewish house of worship). The tour begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Annoor Islamic Center, 1435 Lake Cottage Road in Clemmons; moves to the Mormon Meeting House at 3:00 p.m., 4780 Westchester Dr. in Winston-Salem; and ends at Temple Emanuel at 4:30 p.m., 201 Oakwood Dr. in Winston- Salem with a free pizza party concluding around 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Lewisville UMC, located at 6290 Shallowford Road in Lewisville, will have a free program on Marriage Communication and Conflict Resolution on Sunday, April 30, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Dr. Bob Nations, Associate Director of Online Counseling Programs at Wake Forest University, will be the speaker. Please call Debbie at by April 20 to reserve your space. Park in the lot off of Conrad Circle. The program will be held in the fellowship hall on the second floor.

7 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 7 FaithHealthNC FaithHealthNC has several opportunities for learning about the movement itself, as well as healthy aging for your congregational members. On Monday, April 24th at 6:00 p.m., there will be a light supper for those folks who are the "boots on the ground" from various UM congregations in the district. This meeting will be held at the Yadkin Valley District Office. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center will have staff in attendance to hear your stories of service, as well as have pertinent information about how and where this movement is unfolding. On Monday, May 8th from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. there is a Learning Forum presented by the FaithHealthNC Division of the medical center where all segments of the department are explained and represented. If you've ever wanted to see Biotech Place in downtown Winston-Salem, this is your opportunity! The Sticht Center has a complete presentation on healthy aging prepared for your congregations and their various small groups. They will even provide lunch if you want to schedule programming for your members. For more information on attending or scheduling any of the events listed above, contact Donna Cooke, UM Connector, donna.cooke@faithhealthnc.org The EQ-HR Center is bringing an emotional intelligence workshop to Western North Carolina May 8-12 at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. This core EQ HR Center workshop is an intensive session designed to enable participants to learn about, build and practice emotional intelligence skills in a small group setting. Skilled facilitators provide tools and feedback to enable participants to learn about themselves and to immediately practice emerging skills. Western North Carolina Conference clergy and ministry professionals can participate at a significantly reduced rate. Learn more and register at this link: Laity Address at the 2017 Annual Conference The Western North Carolina Board of Laity invites anyone interested in speaking to the 2017 Annual Conference to submit a minute sermon on the subject of Living the Call of Baptism to Grow in Faith and Make Disciples using Matthew 28:18-20 as the text. Jane Wood, Conference Lay Leader, writes: Baptism and Christian Ministry. Through baptism, God calls and commissions persons to the general ministry of all Christian believers (see 1992 Book of Discipline, ). This ministry, in which we participate both individually and corporately, is the activity of discipleship. It is grounded upon the awareness that we have been called into a new relationship not only with God, but also with the world. The task of Christians is to embody the gospel and the church in the world. We exercise our calling as Christians by prayer, by witnessing to the good news of salvation in Christ, by caring for and serving other people, and by working toward reconciliation, justice, and peace in the world. This is the universal priesthood of all believers.

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9 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 9 TRAVEL TO THE HOLY LAND WITH DR. JEFF PATTERSON AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES October 27 November 6, 2017 Dr. Patterson s trip to Israel is coming together well. This 11-day pilgrimage will be visiting Caesarea Maritima, Nazareth, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, Golan Heights, Nimrod s Castle, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Magdala, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea. This will be Dr. Patterson s seventh pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is life-changing as the Bible and the Christian faith take on new life. Cost starts around $3900 and covers everything but lunches and souvenirs. For a complete brochure with complete details, contact Dr. Patterson at jpatterson@wnccumc.org. The next informational meeting will be May 20 at Morris Chapel UMC in Walkertown, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Adam Hamilton, well known teacher and pastor, will be leading a tour of The Journeys of Paul, October 6-17, The Jewel of the Seas will embark from Italy and venture through Greece and Turkey. Adam will do the teaching aboard ship during the days at sea and Educational Opportunities, a Christian travel agency, will make all of the arrangements for air, sea and land excursions. All-inclusive pricing from New York begins at $3498. Contact Donna Cooke, Director of Traditional Worship Arts, Mt. Tabor UMC, for information and brochures (donna.cooke@mttaborumc.org). Maple Springs UMC, Winston-Salem, has an opening for a Coordinator of Youth and Food Pantry Ministries Reports to: Senior Pastor This position is part of an integrated approach to community evangelism and lifelong Christian discipleship, and will partner closely with the Parent Advisory Council and the Food Pantry Oversight Team. It involves an active, direct ministry with: (1) youth (ages 12-18) and their families; and (2) individual volunteers and leaders, including mobilization of ministry servants within the church and in outreach beyond it. This is a ministry of teaching others within the body to share biblical principles and to create inviting environments for lives to be changed. This position combines direct-care leadership and administration with equipping the saints for their own ministries, both within the church and outside in the community. It also includes coordinating events with the larger church calendar, and recruiting, equipping, and motivating volunteer servants to lead the various ministries. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Actively engage in relationship/group building with youth in the church and community, including the Wake Forest community. 2. Actively participate (through personal contacts) in the evangelism and assimilation of families with children who visit the church. 3. Recruit, train, and oversee all volunteers in the areas of Youth and Food Pantry. 4. Implement, at the direction of the Safe Sanctuary Committee, the policies and procedures of the Maple Springs congregation. 5. Attend planning meetings with the staff and other ministry leaders for planning and coordination. 6. Plan and lead youth events each week. Coordinate and attend seasonal mission trips and retreats. Engage youth in other events such as small group Bible studies, mission trips, before and after school activities, and provide spiritual support at their extra-curricular activities. Manage ministry schedule to maximize contacts. 7. Work with the chair of the Parent Advisory Council to develop and oversee the annual budget for the Youth ministry. 8. Work with the Parent Advisory Council and supervising pastor to choose appropriate curriculum and programming. 9. Oversee the weekly operation of the Maple Springs Food Pantry, building a relationship of cooperation among volunteers and always looking for opportunities to expand the ministry to all generations in the church.

10 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page Serve as the agency representative to the Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) of Northwest North Carolina. a. Submit monthly reports of Food Pantry attendance to SHFB. b. Ensure good standing of the account balances with SHFB. c. Ensure compliance with federal regulations and maintain the relationship between SHFB and the MSUMC Food Pantry. d. Attend SHFB and other community training events as needed. 11. Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers in the following important functions, while providing backup as needed: a. Manage inventory of all foods in the Pantry while continuing to assess new food supply opportunities as they emerge. b. Weekly shopping at SHFB, including driving the Food Pantry van or other designated vehicle. c. Placing monthly food orders via SHFB Purchase Program. d. Coordinating delivery of or pick-up of other donated foods. 12. Provide volunteer training on all Food Pantry roles on a regular basis and coordinate volunteer scheduling. 13. Assist with the coordination of special "Foodraiser" events at Maple Springs, including worship initiatives and external events. 14. Work with volunteers, the staff, and the Communications committee to produce newsletter articles, e-blasts, tweets, slides, videos, banners, and other communication pieces for both ministries. 15. Participate in worship regularly and represent both ministries in worship and special events as needed. Required Skills and Competencies: 1. A team player and lifelong learner who shares a love for the mission of the United Methodist Church and an understanding of its polity 2. Understanding of the spiritual, physical, and emotional development of youth 3. Ability to relate to youth and their families as well as having a sincere interest in people of all ages 4. Compassion for the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of adults in various stages of life 5. Passionate about the equipping and care of adult volunteers 6. Great oral and written communications skills, including occasional preaching and worship leadership 7. Bachelor s degree or equivalent experience in Christian Education/Youth Ministry 8. Willingness to relocate and become an active part of the Winston-Salem community 9. Good oral and written communications skills and a sense of the Winston-Salem community, its people and its needs 10. Proficiency in technology, sufficient to handle financial tracking and reporting, and attendance recording Terms of Employment: 1. The position is 40 hours per week.. 2. Two weeks of vacation for the first five years of employment, three weeks, thereafter 3. Salary and benefits package to be negotiated 4. Probationary hiring period of 90 days TO APPLY: your resume to Chris Douglas at cdouglas@wcsr.com by May 1.

11 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 11 Yadkin Valley District Statistician Report As District Statistician, it is my job to look over and verify the statistical reports for all 164 churches in the Yadkin Valley District. You may be interested in some of the statistics. Membership at the beginning of 2016 was 45,994 as reported on the 2015 statistical reports. Membership as of December 31, 2016 was 45,209, a 1% decrease. There were 458 persons received on Profession of Faith during 2016, and the total number of persons baptized in 2016 (all ages) was 568. Both numbers are a decrease over 2015 reports. Although we have 45,209 members, the average weekly attendance in worship was only 16,159, a 2% decrease from Average monthly attendance for all worship services was 61,986, a 4% decrease. Average attendance of Sunday School was 6,753, an 11% decrease. However, attendees at Vacation Bible School totaled 7,729, a 13% increase. In the area of missions, there were 280 persons that served on 47 UMVIM teams. There were 10,792 persons engaged in mission in 2016, an 8% increase over The number of persons served through various community ministries are: Daycare and/or Education 5,051 (a 3% decrease) Outreach, Justice, and Mercy Ministries: Outreach to Schools 27,183 (a 19% increase) Outreach related to Hunger 334,991 (a 5% increase) Outreach related to Poverty 52,240 (a 33% increase) Outreach related to the homeless 11,242 (a 22% decrease) Outreach through clothing closets 20,271 (a 21% decrease) Outreach through holiday events 35,463 (a 21% decrease) Other ministries for outreach, justice and mercy 18,085 (a 15% increase) A total of 499,475 persons was reached through our ministries for outreach, justice, and mercy, a 4% increase over The reports reflect that United Methodist Men have a membership of 1,774 (a 1% decrease) with $273,475 given to mission projects (3% increase). United Methodist Women membership totaled 4,534 (less than a 1% decrease) with $400,256 given to local mission projects (a 9% decrease). In the area of benevolences, there were 14,362 households supporting our local church with their tithes and offerings. Total income received for annual church budgets totaled $32,303,315. An additional $2,487,232 was given for capital campaigns and other special projects. Conference and District apportionments totaled $3,111,472. However, the amount of apportionments paid was $2, or 91% of total askings. In addition to apportionments, churches in the Yadkin Valley District sent $137,473 to the Conference Treasurer for General Advance specials, World Service specials, and other connectional ministries. A total of $470,831 was sent directly to United Methodist causes (Arbor Acres, Children s Home, etc.) while $1,423,687 was given to non-united Methodist charitable causes. Market value of church-owned land, buildings and equipment, including parsonages, totaled $395,908,110. Market value of other church-owned assets (investment accounts, checking account balance, etc.) totaled $46,040,010. Total amount paid on capital expenditures for building, improvements and major equipment purchases was $7,784,736, a 72% increase. Total amount paid for local church operating expenses was $7,492,006, less than a 1% decrease. Total amount spent for local church programming was $2,714,030, a 3% increase. Remember that keeping good reports through the year will make the reporting process easier when beginning to collect date for the 2017 reports! Amy Johnson District Statistician

12 March 2017 Volume 6, Issue 3 Page 12 District Joys and Concerns We send our thoughts, prayers, and get well wishes to: Wanda Needham, wife of Rev. Edwin Needham (retired), who is recovering from a stroke Darlene Gardner, District UMW President, who broke her ankle in a fall at her home Patty Lanier, wife of Rev. Sid Lanier (retired) who has been diagnosed with treatable, but not curable liver cancer. Rev. Dorothy Sullivan (Beulah-Zion Charge) who will be having surgery on March 16. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to: Rev. Jimmy Lawton (Stony Knoll UMC, Dobson) on the death of his brother, Robert. Angela Lord (wife of Rev. Johnny Lord of Palmyra-Stokesburg Charge) on the death of her mother, Lynda Gann. Rev. Doug Suggs (retired, former Director of Spiritual Life at Arbor Acres) on the death of his mother, Jacqueline Suggs. The funeral service will be Friday, March 17, 3:00 p.m. in Robinson Hall (Asbury Place) at Arbor Acres. Upcoming Dates March 23 Registration deadline for Adult Day Apart March 25 District UMW Mission Study, Yadkinville UMC March 30 Adult Day Apart, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Centenary UMC, Clemmons April 24 Move Letters Mailed April 27 DS Book Club, 11:00 a.m., District Office April 29 District UMW Day Apart, Mt. Tabor UMC April 30 Pastoral appointments announced in churches Yadkin Valley District Staff Jeffrey S. Patterson, District Superintendent, , jpatterson@wnccumc.org Rene Wilt, Church Vitality Specialist, , rwilt@wnccumc.org Amy Johnson, District Administrator, , ajohnson@wnccumc.org Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Closed on Friday