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Come and Celebrate - Conference Day of Learning
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June 9, 2012
Greetings in the precious and mighty name of our Lord Jesus the Christ!
I would like to invite all conference-wide leadership to gather for a "Conference Day of Learning: Our Celebration of God's Call to Serve" event at Calvary Korean United Methodist Church in East Brunswick on Saturday, June 9th, 2012. In our celebration, there will be worship with an "installation" of all newly elected committee members of the Annual Conference, panel discussion with representatives from various General Boards and Agencies, and group workshops.
The schedule of the day will look like:
Worship 9:00 am - 10:15 am
Panel Discussion 10:15 am - 11:15 am
Group Workshop 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
More detailed information will be provided soon.
The main speakers for our worship and panel discussion will be Ms. Erin Hawkins (General Commission on Religion and Race) and Mr. Thomas Kemper (General Board of Global Ministry). Let us come, celebrate, and be equipped so that we can serve the people of God, that have been entrusted with our service and leadership, more faithfully and effectively.
Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." (Mt. 9:37) However, with God's grace, we have hundreds and hundreds of "workers" who are willing to work in God's vineyard to bear many fruits in this Annual Conference. Thanks be to God!
Rev. Sung H. Ahn, Director of Connectional Ministry
Greater New Jersey Annual Conference
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Appointment Announcements
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The Bishop has announced the following new appointments for 2012. Additional appointments will be published in the DIGEST as they are announced.
Whiting UMC - Glenn Ferguson (FE)
First UMC Scotch Plains - Carletta Aston (FE)
The UMC at Mount Tabor - Amanda Hemenetz (PE)
Trinity UMC (Clayton) - Paul Amey (Eff. 4-1-2012) (FE)
New Dover UMC (Edison) - Vijaya Kumar (OE)
Bridgewater UMC - Associate - Jennifer Lovallo (FE)
The UMC in Washington - Jean McMullan (FE)
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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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Annual Conference Display Tables Registration Now Open
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The 2012 Greater NJ Annual Conference will be held at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on May 31st to June 2. It is exciting to see the various ministries represented, and we encourage you to be creative and showcase your particular ministry with informative displays. Please register by May 6th, 2012 To ensure your space. Spaces will be granted to registrants in the order they are received. Requests received after the spaces are filled will be put on a waiting list on a space-available basis. We thank you in advance for your work in interpreting the mission and ministries of the Annual Conference.
To download the registration form and for additional information visit: http://www.gnjumc.org/news/detail/55
You can also find additional information about Annual Conference, as it becomes available, at http://www.gnjumc.org/pages/detail/449
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Leftover Food at Annual Conference
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The Sessions Team is looking for local churches or groups who would be willing to be of service to the Annual Conference in collecting leftover food at lunch time during the sessions on May 31-June 2. The understanding is that the collected food would be taken to food banks and/or soup kitchens or the like for distribution to those in need. If you are willing to perform this ministry on any or all of the days of Annual Conference, please contact Glenn Ferguson, Site Team Co-Chair, at mumc.pastor@comcast.net.
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Registration Deadline Approaching For 2012 Taizé Pilgrimage
| July 27 - August 6, 2012
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Photo courtesy of Rev. Chris Heckert
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You Are Invited!
If you are between 16 and 29 years of age, you are invited to join Bishop Devadhar and chaperones on a week-long spiritual development experience. Additional adults may request to attend as space provides opportunity. The group will leave the USA on July 27 and return on August 6, 2012.
Coming to Taizé is an opportunity to seek communion with God through common prayer, singing, personal reflection and sharing. Everyone is here to discover or rediscover a meaning for their life and to find a new vitality. Being in Taizé is also a preparation for taking on responsibilities back at home with a view to being bearers of peace and trust... [Read More]
Cost: Pilgrim non-refundable deposit of $375 required for registration by Feb. 15, 2012.
$1,000 payment due March 15, 2012
$825 final payment due on April 15, 2012
Download the 2012 Taizé Brochure: [PDF]
Download the 2012 Personal Statement and Recommendation Form: [PDF]
For more information and to view pictures from last year's pilgrimage visit www.gnjumc.org or email Emunoz@gnjumc.org
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Mission of Peace Youth Trip to Cuba
| The Mission of Peace is a yearly journey of discovery and Shalom to nations in our global community sponsored by the Northeast Jurisdictional Council on Youth Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Each year, every Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in the Northeastern Jurisdiction may select up to three youth to share in this experience. On each MOP, participants worship in churches, meet youth in churches and civic organizations and share with people who have a similar longing for peace and understanding. These times have been the high points of each MOP experience.
The MOP is a life changing experience! It is a journey which leads each participant to discover God's Spirit at work in the world. It is an experience of God's extended family. It is a journey of discovering God's Shalom. It is primarily a people to people experience in which we learn from our hosts how they live as disciples of Jesus Christ in their country. It is a mission which has brought us closer to God's hoped for community where all are sisters and brothers.
This year's trip is to Cuba on or about December 27, 2012- January 13, 2013.
For more information about the Northeastern Jurisdictional Council on Youth Ministries' Mission of Peace please contact the MOP Coordinator:
Ted Anderson 1100 South Goodman St. Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 340-9525 email: ted@crcds.edu
Download an application here: [PDF]
Download more information about MOP: [PDF]
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March 2012 Shared Ministry Statements
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Attention Pastors and Treasurers,
The March 2012 Shared Ministry Statements that were mailed the first week in March have the statement date as 3/1/2012 but say "2012 February Statement". These are actually the March Statements. We apologize for the inconvenience.
If you need a new statement with the correct "2012 March Statement" heading, please email or call Jessica at jstorer@gnjumc.org (732)359-1033
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Help for "Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums" Application Process
| The Federal Government is continuing the "Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums" rebate to employers, including churches, who provided health care insurance for employees (and pastors) in 2011. Although a number of churches applied for and received these credits last year, the Conference Council on Finance and Administration feels that many churches that would have been eligible for the credit did not take advantage of the opportunity. The credit can be substantial, ranging into the thousands of dollars for eligible churches.
CF&A has asked the Conference office staff to assist local churches in the application process for the 2011 credit by making the required calculations for each church and supplying the completed IRS Forms 8941 and 990-T. The church may complete a simple questionnaire that will assist the staff in making the calculations for the church and determining eligibility. The link to the online questionnaire can be found on the bottom of this webpage. See additional instructions and deadline information at Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums.
Please call John Cardillo, Conference Treasurer, 732-359-1030, or our accountant, Mary Ellen Suarez, 732-359-1031, with any questions you may have.
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EVENTS {in chronological order}
| For additional events, visit www.gnjumc.org/events
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Partners in Action. Deacons, Pastors & Laity Responding Together to the Bishops' Call to Action
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March 24, 2012
Sat. March 24, 2012
9:00am - 3:30pm
Aldersgater UMC
Wilmington Delaware
This one day seminar is designed to be an opportunity for worship, growth, and fellowship as lay persons, deacons, and elders/pastors from multiple conferences explore the ways in which they can be in ministry together in response to the Bishops' Call to Action through building vital congregations making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Interactive group sessions on vital worship, making disciples, growing faith, serving in mission, and responding in generous giving will be conducted. In each of these sessions, deacons will propose and listen as to how this growing order can lead, assist, and support pastors and lay persons in meeting the challenge for effective ministry. We will then invite participants to envision ways God will have the church go forward in new and bold efforts to extend Christ's love to all.
For more information contact
Rev. Susan L. Worrell
Email: susan.worrell@hopeccrm.org
Phone: 610.436.9298
Registration ends March 20th!
Download Registration Form: [PDF]
This event is endorsed by:
Bishop Peggy Johnson
Boards of Ordained Ministry of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, Greater New Jersey Conference, Peninsula-Delaware Conference
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Raritan Valley Sunday Night Live Youth Event
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March 25, 2012
Sunday, March 25
5:30 - 8:15 pm
Sunday Night Live: Dinner, Devotions, Swimming and Games
Plan now to attend our last Sunday Night Live (SNL) this year. SNL is an interfaith event sponsored by the Raritan Valley District and Bridgewater UMC.
We begin with educational and spiritual devotions and spend the rest of the evening in fellowship with other local youth groups. Everyone may use the pool and gym (for volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer, and dodge ball). Our District offers this as a ministry to local churches/temples to help youth grow in faith together.
WHERE: Somerville YMCA, 2 Green Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
WHO: Open to all Youth groups (6th - 12th graders) with advisors
This is the last SNL this year. We hope to start up again in October.
COST: $3.00 per person covers the pizza.
BRING: Bathing Suit, Towel, Sneakers, and Snacks, Desserts or Drinks to share.
REGISTER: Call Cathi Reckenbeil at 908-526-1414 ext 5 with an approximate head count by this Wednesday. Even if you are not sure of your count, let Cathi know you are planning to bring a group!
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And The Survey Says...
| United Methodist Emerging Technology Survey
Nashville, Tenn.: While most younger people in the church are immersed in new technology, many older members are also jumping on the bandwagon. That's according to a new study conducted by United Methodist Communications that tracks how United Methodists are adopting and using new technology.
The purpose of the United Methodist Emerging Technology Survey was to help determine the need to broaden the use of certain new technologies in order to reach members and seekers. The survey found younger members are busy texting, watching videos and socializing online, and older members are making progress in technology use, though they still have some catching up to do before the same digital tools are integrated into their daily lives.
Read the full article here
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UMNS Daily Digests
| Click on the date to view the highlighted stories and more from the United Methodist News Service.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012:- Finance group stands by $603.1 million budget
- Agency Q&A: Finance and Administration
- Flash floods in southern West Virginia
- Connectional Table names panel
- Bishop outlines Call to Action legislation
Monday, March 19, 2012: - Group offers 'Plan B' for church structure
- Bishop Paul A. Duffey dies at 91
- Agency Q&A: Higher Education and Ministry
- New initiatives for Hispanic/Latino Plan
- Meharry students matched to care fields
- Webcast to teach grant process
Friday, March 16, 2012: - 'Our town has lost its obscurity'
- What St. Patrick can teach United Methodists
- 50 Days of Prayer campaign begins
- What to give?
- 'This is home and we'll never leave it'
- Countdown to GC 2012: Media Credentials
- Blog: Disaster response is both/and
- Blog: The role of another 'Lin' for diversity
Thursday, March 15, 2012:- Agency Q&A: Publishing House
- 'We are not forgotten'
- Hope rises above flood damage in Minot
- Texas Conference affirms Call to Action
- Board of Discipleship responds to restructure
- Blog: Are we ready to be relevant church?
- Blog: How do we know God's will for us?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012- Will restructure give bishops more power?
- Fluke reacts to Limbaugh comment
- Agency Q&A: Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
- Sibling Arkansas delegates share hopes
- March 26 'witness' for health care
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CONFERENCE MEETING SCHEDULE
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| Conference Committee Meeting Schedule | |
Title: Church & Society
Date: Saturday, March 24, 2012
Time: 2 - 5pm
Place: TBA
Title: Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns Conference Call
Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012
Time: 3pm
Place: Conference Call
Title: Order of Elders
Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Time: 10:30am
Place: Conference Office
Title: Commission on Religion and Race
Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Time: 7pm
Place: St. John's UMC - Hazlet
Title: BOP
Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Cranbury UMC
Title: Board of Discipleship
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Time: 10am
Place: Conference Office
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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.
Contact Information
phone: 1-877-677-2594 | |
