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ANNUAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
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REGISTRATION FOR 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOW OPEN
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 Registration instructions for the 2012 Annual Conference were mailed to all Lay Members on Wednesday, February 8th. The registration packet which also contains the Conference agenda, hotel/meal instructions and driving directions was not mailed to Clergy Members in keeping with a 2006 Annual Conference mandate to reduce postage costs. Clergy may obtain their registration materials at the Conference website (http://www.gnjumc.org/pages/detail/449 ).
Registration is available at the Online Event Registration site with credit/debit card, or by mail with paper form and check.
To encourage timely registration this year, a Late Fee has been added to those registrations received after March 30, 2012 deadline. Our hotel contracts require room assignments be made on a rotating basis; early registration does not necessarily mean that you will be housed in an onsite hotel!
If you have questions regarding housing or meals, please send an e-mail to gnjacreservation@aol.com. All other questions regarding the conference should be directed to Dr. Michael Harriott: 973-441-3765 or conferencesecretary@comcast.net
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Scholarship Opportunities - Deadline Approaching
| The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference has many scholarship opportunities available for students. To view these scholarships, download applications, and to get more information visit: http://www.gnjumc.org/pages/detail/476
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Nominations Being Accepted For Harry Denman Evangelism Award
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The Conference Board of Discipleship is seeking nominations for the Harry Denman Evangelism Award to be presented at the 2012 Annual Conference. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award recognizes a person whose life and ministry exemplifies the teaching of Christ and the Great Commission. The Board is seeking lay, clergy, and youth nominations. One lay, one clergy and one youth award will be presented.
Nominations must be received by April 16, 2012
Nomination packets and history of the awards can be obtained at
http://foundationforevangelism.org/recognition/harry-denman-evangelism-award/
For those who do not have Internet access, please contact Rev. Doug Spencer @ (856) 629-6459 or by mail @ 159 South Main Street, Williamstown, NJ 08094
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Bus Trip Tickets Available with FUMC Mount Holly
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March 10, 2012: Philadelphia Flower Show and Reading Terminal Market. $62.00/pp. We have three seats that are available until March 9. Please call if you want to make a reservation. Call Debbie at (609) 859-4168.
Saturday, June 9, 2012: American Music Theatre, "AMT Country Classics Show". Sponsored by the First United Methodist Church, Mount Holly. $89.00/person. Includes round trip transportation, lunch at Shady Maple, free time at the Rockvale Outlets and the show. Call Debbie, (609) 859-4168. Payment plan available.
Payment plans are available. Please Call Debbie, (609) 859-4168
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Holy Week Resources From Marcia McFee
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Every season I, [Marcia McFee] work on a Series Vision for your consideration. But our number one saying in the Worship Design Studio is "no one size fits all." You'll find many different ideas besides my Series Vision through the podcast and other downloadable materials, some based on the lectionary and some not.
"Poured Out" is a Series Vision that incorporates the symbols, the elements that are poured out, which I found in the lectionary readings for Holy Week, including oil, water, wine, blood, tears and light. Encountering symbols is powerful in worship. Through an exploration of these elements, we can encounter the Holy Week story in a new way.
To obtain these FREE resources:
1. Call Ginny Kaiser at the Conference Office to receive the coupon code needed to subscribe. 1-877-677-2594 or 732-359-1043.
3. Go to www.marciamcfee.com/studio.htm (you can click the link below)
4. Scroll down and click on "click here to subscribe online"
5. For "Membership Type" click on "2011-2012 Worship Design Studio ($250.00) then fill out the rest of your information.
6. In the "Enter Coupon Code" box, insert the code you received from Ginny (this will let us know you are with the Minnesota Conference and you will not pay anything for your subscription). Any number of people involved in your worship team can use the same coupon code and insert their own username and password to have access to the materials!
7. Log in each time by clicking on "2011-2012" members login" and entering your username and password. So click on the link below and get started. Lots of resources await you AT NO COST TO YOU.
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Events
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Northern Shore District UM Men Gathering at Middletown UMC
| March 24
9:00am - 1:00pm
Middletown UMC
924 Middletown Lincroft Rd
Middletown, NJ 07748-3136
Annual Gathering of UMMen in the Northern Shore District. This year the District UMM Gathering will be at Middletown UMC.
We will gathering in prayer and have breakfast.
A panel discussion of laity and pastors will take place on how to get young adults into our churches and UMM in particular. Hear why youth and young adults question what we do, and how to get them involved and stay involved in being Christians. Today according to Banta Research more and more of are questioning things, and this is why we are Rethinking Church.
Another part of the Gathering will honor those of our youth who have earned the Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts and the Gold Award in Girl Scouts.
Make this event a Dad and Son event (off course women and daughters are welcome). all Scouts in the Northern Shore District might want to be present.
Suggested Reading: You lost me: Why Young Christians are leaving the Church and Rethinking Church and Unchristian (both by David Kinnaman-Banta Research)
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Black Methodists For Church Renewal Sponsoring Philadelphia Confirmation Trips
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Youth confirmation classes, ages 12-18 years old, are invited to Tour Philadelphia with the BMCR.
Make the historical black connection in Methodism come alive by visiting:
- St. George UM Church - where racial inequalities began and affirms our beginning
- Mother Bethel AME Church - Richard Allen, Founder
- Tindley Temple UM Church - Charles Albert Tindley, Founder and meeting place of the Delaware Conference/Central Jurisdiction
- Zoar UM Church - Harry Hoosier, Founder who attended the Christmas Conference at Lovely Lane Church in 1784
- St. Thomas African Episcopal Church - Absalom Jones, Founder
Deadlines for Registration:
SPRING TOUR: March 31, 2012
FALL TOUR: August 25, 2012
Historical Tour bus leaves @ 8:00 AM from St. Paul UMC Church, Charleston Raod & Levitt Parkway, Willingboro, NJ
Contact tour guide for more information:
Rev. Alfred Murray, St. Paul United Methodist Church
Church Phone: 609-877-7034
Church Email:
stpumc@verizon.net
Donations:
Youth $5.00
Adult $25.00
Lunch Provided!
Make Checks Payable To:
BMCR of GNJAC
Mail To:
Patricial Mills, Treasurer
Lawrence Drive - Apt. E
P.O. Box 448
Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Download Registration Form:[PDF]
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Fighting Poverty With Faith - New Jersey Council of Churches
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SAVE THE DATE!
NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
ANNUAL DINNER
"FIGHTING POVERTY WITH FAITH";
FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2012
6:30-9:00
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
BISHOP FELTON MAY
BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
512 NORTH CHURCH STREET
MOORESTOWN, NJ 08057
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Conference On Changing The World's Priorities From War To Peace
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June 24, 2012
PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ELIMINATION OF POVERTY
A CONFERENCE ON CHANGING THE WORLD'S PRIORITIES FROM WAR TO PEACE
Sunday, June 24, 2012
From 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Hosted by: The Islamic Center of Morris County, 1 Mannino Drive, Rockaway, N.J. 07866
The conference will promote:
* The end of world poverty,
* The Global Marshall Plan (GMP) and
* Moving money from the military to human needs.
Congregations of many faiths, interfaith peacemaking groups, secular peace organizations and humanitarian groups will advocate on behalf of people in need, especially the 14 million human beings who perish each year from poverty-related causes and pollution. They will identify programs that help people in need, support legislative programs to eliminate poverty and organize to accomplish the long-term goals developed at the conference. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard!
The conference will open with prayers from the Torah, Bible, Qur'an and Gita calling on everyone to help our neighbors. The speakers will share their experiences and expertise, followed by a panel discussion. We will conclude with breakout groups that will develop plans for advocating, organizing and implementing the objectives we set. The conference will close with prayers from the Buddhist tradition and one of our organizers.
Light refreshments will be served. The conference is free to the public although donations are welcome to help cover costs.
This is the same conference that was cancelled on October 30, 2011 due to the unexpected severe snowstorm that caused widespread power outages throughout the region. They have invited the same speakers and prayer readers to participate and are in the process of reconfirming them or obtaining replacements for those who are not available..
Become advocates for our neighbors in need here in the U.S. and around the world. Together we can forge a worldwide "Partnership for the Elimination of Poverty" and "Change the World's Priorities from War to Peace." For more information please contact one of the following individuals:
David Mortensen at dmortnj@hotmail.com or 862 812-2324;
Mostafa Abuzeed at mostafaabuzeed@optonline.net or 973 214-3479;
David Muyskens at muyskens@ptd.net or 973 726-9704
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LIFETIME OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
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Drew Theological School Offerings
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DREW THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL
Certificate in Spiritual Formation
Join Drew Theological School's CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION!
This program provides biblical, theological, and historical introductory studies and skill development in Christian spiritual formation in a setting of support and accountability. Professional certification is available to lay persons, ordained deacons and elders and diaconal ministers.
More information and a full list of courses are available at drew.edu/theo/spiritual-formation.
Questions? Contact Cynthia Bailey-Manns, Coordinator of Spiritual Formation at cmanns@drew.edu or 973-408-3019.
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Drew Theological School Offerings
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Drew Theological School
announces...
Certification in Ministry of the City
to be launched Fall 2012
Are you passionate about ministering within urban centers, partnering with the resources of a city - its people and communities - to mobilize and maximize those resources into their full potential? Or, do you see the distinctive dimensions and features of life in the city as opportunities to live into the Gospel's vision of God's will for communal creaturely life? Come learn more about Drew's Certificate in Ministry of the City! It is our newest non-degree programs designed to offer theological education directly to local church members.
What does this program offer?
Professional certification recognizes that an individual has been called and is making a commitment to serve with excellence in an area of specialized ministry. Drew Theological School's Certificate in Ministry of the City is a non-degree program designed to academically, culturally and practically prepare individuals to engage in ministry in urban environments. It explores the city in the Bible and its role in congregations and communities, reviews theological concepts in community organizing, raises cultural awareness and sensitivity, and provides field experience in various urban settings. This program aligns with GBHEM's Urban Ministry Certification.
Core Areas:
- Engaging the Bible in the City
- Practical Theology and Ministry of the City
- The City as Community
- Congregations and Communities as Partners in Ministry of the City
- United Methodist Studies (LOGON 240), Fall Semester 2012 (required for UM students)
In addition, numerous electives will be offered. Certification courses are offered in several formats. Some will be offered on-line. Some will be offered in intensives on-campus with pre-reading and post-class assignments and projects; evenings and weekends may be included. Some will be in traditional semester-based class format. Courses will be offered in a rotation to allow for completion of the certification in a two-year period.
For more information on the certification courses, electives, dates, and application process, visit: drew.edu/theo/ministry-of-the-city
Questions? Contact Nancy VanderVeen, Director of Theological Lifelong Learning, at nvanderveen@drew.edu.
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Drew Theological School Offerings
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Drew Theological School
Korean Caucus Lecture
"Creativity Exercise"
Guest Speaker: Dr. Joonki Kim,
March 20, 2012
7:00pm
Seminary Hall, Craig Chapel
Dr. Joonki Kim is author of a creativity book in Korean
"회사에서인정받는창의성" which can be loosely translated "Creativity that gets recognized." The book analyzes the creativity of many well known people to illustrate the personality traits, creative thinking, creativity processes, and exercises to help develop personal creativity. He hopes the book helps to encourage Koreans to develop and use their creativity to compete better in the world.
Dr. Kim is a computer scientist with 24 years of experience with IBM, and 11 years at Samsung. Dr. Kim is a member of the team that created "Thinkpad" laptop computers in 1992 at IBM. Since November, 2009, he has been writing a monthly column for a New York edition of JoonAngIlBo, the Korean Newspaper, on various topics on creativity. Also a lifetime Methodist, he is deeply involved with Church affairs, including various committees and boards of the New York Annual Conference, Metropolitan District, and the local church.
The lecture is open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
Questions? Contact: Nancy VanderVeen, Director of Theological Lifelong Learning, at nvanderveen@drew.edu.
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Drew Theological School Offerings
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Inaugural Bard Thompson Lecture in Liturgy and Music
Hymns Making Sense: Learning from Charles Wesley
Guest Preacher and Lecturer:
Dr. Andrew Pratt
Methodist Minister and Lecturer in Contextual Theology, Hartley Victoria College
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Chapel Service at 11:20am, followed by the lecture at 12noon
We invite you to join us for the inaugural Bard Thompson Lecture in Liturgy and Music. This annual lectureship will honor the life and work of Dr. Bard Thompson, who was professor of church history at Drew's Theological and Graduate Schools, and dean of the Drew Graduate School from 1969-1986. He authored numerous books on church history, including Liturgies of the Western Church.
This lecture will explore the ways in which hymns can make sense of theology in the light of human experience. Reference will be made to Charles Wesley's Hymns occasioned by the Earthquake (1750). This will form a foundation for the exploration of more recent hymns that have been inspired especially by natural disasters. These will in turn be used to model the ways in which theology can both explored and expressed in hymn texts. To enable this reference will be made to contemporary writers, my own writing, but also the scientific and cultural milieu in which 21st century Christian faith is set. A case will be made for hymns making, as well as giving expression to theology and doctrine.
Andrew Pratt is a Methodist minister and hymn writer. In 2004 he became tutor in Contextual Theology at Hartley Victoria College, part of the Partnership for Theological Education in Manchester. He serves as program leader for the BA Program and Module Leader for MA Modules in Words for Worship (Hymnody and Liturgy) and Spirituality in a Post Modern Context. He has produced over 900 hymns and has three published collections including Whatever Name or Creed and Reclaiming Praise.
The lecture is open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
Questions? Contact: Nancy VanderVeen, Director of Theological Lifelong Learning, at nvanderveen@drew.edu.
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Drew Theological School Offerings
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Drew Theological School
Classes without Quizzes
Friday, March 23, 2012
9:30 am - 12 noon
Seminary Hall, Craig Chapel
Art & Altar: Creating Space for the Spirit to Enter
Rev. Tanya Linn Bennett, Ph. D., Director of the Chapel and Religious Life,
and University Chaplain, Drew University
Worship is not only words and music. Worship that fills us with the Spirit, sparks our imaginations, and prepares us for holy work in the world, is a multisensory and visually-stimulating, even breathtaking, experience. A sense of mystery and excitement, an atmosphere of expectation and invitation, a wonderment at the possibility of coming face-to-face with God all are enhanced, even created, by developing a complete aesthetic in which to gather for communal worship. This Classes without Quizzes session will invite us all to consider the many ways we can engage our worship spaces to make them places where we conspire with the Holy One. It will include hands-on creative work, including painting altar scarves/drapes. So dress for a bit of a mess!
The cost of the workshop is $15. Refreshments will be provided. For more info and online registration, visit: www.drew.edu/theological/continuing-education/classes-without-quizzes
Questions? Email Nancy VanderVeen, Director of Theological Lifelong Learning at: nvanderveen@drew.edu or call 973-408-3084.
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Drew Theological School Offerings
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Ministry of the City: A New Vision
Snapshots of our New Certification Program to be Launched in Fall 2012!
JOIN US ONLINE...FROM ANYWHERE...
FOR THIS INFORMATIVE AND INTERACTIVE WEBINAR SERIES!!
A 4-part series on Mondays from 2:00 - 3:15pm,
starting April 16, 2012
If you cannot join us at 2pm, you may still register!
We will be recording all 4 sessions, and can provide the links!
Are you passionate about ministering within urban centers, partnering with the resources of a city - its people and communities - to mobilize and maximize those resources into their full potential? Are you interested in pursuing this area of specialized ministry, or are you considering it?
This webinar series will provide you with an excellent opportunity to gain insight into this ministry and four courses that Drew Theological School will be offering as part of the Certification in Ministry of the City program, being launched in Fall 2012. Join us, ask your questions, and gain new perspectives.
April 16, 2012:
Seeking Shalom: An Introduction to Communities of Shalom Ministry in the City
Michael J. Christensen, International Director, Shalom Initiative, Drew University
April 23, 2012: "Prison's Collateral Cost: The Ministry of the Church for the Incarcerated and their Families" Elias Ortega-Aponte,Assistant Professor of Afro-Latina/o Religions and Cultural Studies
April 30, 2012:
Listen Up! - Engaging Youth in Ministry in the City
Kathryn Ott,Assistant Professor of Christian Social Ethics
May 7, 2012:
READING WITH THE MARGINS Althea Spencer-Miller,Assistant Professor of New Testament
Cost: $15 per session, or $50 for the series
Continuing Education Units: .5 CEU available (additional cost of $17.50)
For more information and to register online, visit: drew.edu/theological/continuing-education/spring-2012-webinar-series Questions? Contact Nancy Vander Veen, Director of Lifelong Learning, at nvanderveen@drew.edu or 973-408-3084.
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GNJ DIGEST is an e-mail service from the Communication Office of the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church.- It provides leadership across the conference with information about resources, programs, and news. It is a way to send timely information, and links to more extensive materials.
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