NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE / UNITED METHODIST MEN
The Church at this moment needs bold men. Men who feel themselves expendable in the warfare of the soul, who cannot be frightened by threats of death because they have already died to the allurements of this world. Men free from the compulsions that control weaker men. Men who will not be forced to do things by the squeeze of circumstances; their only compulsion will come from within–or from above.
Men who will serve God and mankind from motives too high to be understood by the rank and file of religious retainers who today shuttle in and out of the sanctuary. Men who make no decisions out of fear, take no course out of a desire to please, accept no service for financial considerations, perform no religious act out of mere custom; nor will they allow themselves to be influenced by the love of publicity or the desire for reputation.
A.W. Tozer
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Here’s wishing all a happy, prosperous, and Christ-centered New Year.As with each New Year, most of us pause to give reflection on goals and objectives which we plan to achieve. With this in mind, I encourage each of you to reflect on what Christ is calling each of us to do to advance His Kingdom in the North Carolina Conference. This is a unique year as God has laid in our laps unlimited potential and opportunity to embrace untold and creative possibilities which lie ahead. I am convinced that God has a plan for each and every man in the conference to become an integral part of the operation and mission of 3MC. And this means involvement. People get involved in something they believe in, especially if the belief is strong. And involvement requires knowledge and attention to absolute necessities. So, don’t sit back and wait for someone to invite you to participate or to inform you as to what is going on at 3MC, or what its mission, capabilities, and possibilities are. Each man in the conference is integral to all of this.
Take the initiative to find out for yourself and then determine what you can do or where you fit in best. You may just be the one to initiate the creativity that underscores and multiplies our success. And remember, passion and enthusiasm are the lifeblood of creativity. So please, please prayerfully consider what God is calling you to do in support of 3MC, and then convert that calling into positive and creative action. We will surely make a lot of mistakes going forward toward maximizing the mission of 3MC, but that should in no way hinder us from accepting and embracing the changes that will blossom participation and effectiveness of the mission of the men in the NC Conference.
I would also encourage every man to commit to something designed to enhance their spirituality this coming year. As an example, I have committed to my local church program to read through the bible this year. To my surprise, I have already benefited through the pick-up on spiritual facts that I had completely missed before. I am also participating in a city wide prayer vigil to address both local, state, and national issues. And then, on April 21st, I will participate in the “Rewired” training event which will be held at 3MC. If you are not familiar with what Rewired is, it is a Man in the Mirror training package designed to encourage and help men to turn from a life based on performance to a life based on God’s grace, suitable for laity and clergy alike. At the event we will also have a Resources to Grow table containing books from Man in the Mirror that men can purchase to advance their walk with Christ. Please put this event on your calendar and plan to attend.
My prayer for the coming year is explosive support of, passionate participation in, and unparalleled growth and effectiveness in the mission of 3MC as the hub for men’s work throughout the conference. We have the unique opportunity this coming year to exemplify and demonstrate to all of Methodism what a viable, committed, and effective men’s organization can accomplish in doing God’s work. Let’s all roll up our sleeves and get to it!
Tom Starnes / NCCUMM President
REWIRED COMING TO 3MC
Mark your calendar and plan to attend the REWIRED event at 3MC in April. See ATTACHED poster for details.This will be a time of learning as well as sharing and fellowship. The staff of 3MC is also excited about your visit to see firsthand the mission and ministry underway in this place. Contact Paul Wilson pswilson42@gmail.com for further details.
SANFORD DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST MEN have reached an agreement with 3MC to manage the Mobile Kitchen Trailer ministry. Under the agreement, the Sanford District Men will maintain and manage all upkeep, repairs and maintenance of the kitchen. The kitchen will continue to be available for disaster response as well as to all groups throughout the conference for fundraising events based on processes and procedures set forth by the Sanford group. 25% of all funds raised by this ministry will be donated to 3MC. This arrangement serves as a prime example of how UMM groups can embrace specific ministries to promote the overall vision of 3MC in uniting all the men of our conference.
SWANSBORO UMM ON THE MOVE !!!!!!
The Crystal Coast Men’s Emmaus Walk #84 – Topsail Retreat Center – March 8 – 11. One of the training sessions on Feb 11 will be hosted by the Swansboro UMM, to include complimentary lunch for the 23 members of the Emmaus Team.
For 2011, Swansboro UMM sold $39,500 worth of their world famous, best tasting, lightly salted, oil roasted, jumbo gourmet peanuts.
BANDED BROTHERS ANNOUNCES DONATION
Wally Mills ( Millbrook UMM President and incoming Raleigh District President ) and Charlie Gray ( Banded Brothers President ) recently accepted, on behalf of Banded Brothers, a $59,345.00 donation from SomeDay ministry. SomeDay had raised the money with the intent of building a retreat center when their plans changed but they still had the funds. Since the funds were raised on the premise of constructing a retreat center, the funds were donated to Banded Brothers who, at the time of the conversations, were intending to build such at MERCI Center. Once the transfer of the MERCI property to UMM Ventures is complete, Banded Brothers will donate the funds to 3MC and we will have a significant start to our fundraising effort to construct a retreat cabin on the undeveloped portion of the Goldsboro property. Tim and Roberta Byram were the procuring cause of this generosity and we thank them both from the bottom of our hearts. We also received drawings, plans and renderings of our proposed project which will be on display at 3MC.
NCCUMM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING will be held at 3MC on Saturday January 14th. Meeting begins promptly at 10:00. All NCCUMM officers are expected to attend and visitors are welcomed. We need input and involvement from all our men.
If you have news or announcements to share – send to cgray@nccumc.org
