posted on August 18

Raising Our Ebenezer Together

Charge Conferences Fall 2023

Greetings, friends, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ:

As school resumes across the district, the transition from summer to fall has begun (at least in activities, if not in temperature!). And with that transition, we begin planning for our fall events in the church, including charge conferences.

This year, we will be gathering once again in sub-district, or clusters, for our charge conferences. Each charge conference gathering will offer an opportunity for remembering and celebrating who we are as a connectional church, lifting up both our individual and collaborative ministries for blessing and commissioning what has been and what will be in the coming year.

As I began my ministry among you as the Uwharrie District Superintendent, I shared with you the theme “Raising Our Ebenezer” reflecting on the story in First Samuel where the priest and prophet, Samuel, placed a rock to mark the Lord’s presence with them on the journey, naming the rock and place “Ebenezer,” which means, “the stone of help.” (1 Samuel 8:12) During our charge conference celebrations, we will continue to “raise our Ebenezer” together as we celebrate the many ways in which we have experienced God’s help as embodied in the “GRACE of letting go,” the “power of CONNECTION,” and our ongoing “commitment to HOLINESS.”

In preparation for our charge conference gatherings, you should begin work on your reports to be submitted online ten days before your scheduled charge conference date. These reports will include, for approval at charge conference, the 2024 compensation for the clergy in your church and the 2024 lay leadership. Other annual reports to be submitted will also include reports of the Finance Committee, Trustees, and the Pastor. The link for these forms and reports should be available through the Conference website no later than September 1, 2023.

Also, as publicized in the Uwharrie District Weekly, please submit pictures and videos from events in your local church and missional networks that celebrate your life and ministry in your church and community. Katie Linberger is collecting these to produce an “offertory” to be shared during our gatherings. You can send those directly to Katie through her email: klinberger@wnccumc.org

The date and location of our Fall Cluster Charge Conferences by county are below. If you have an unavoidable conflict with the date for your area, please contact the District Office to make arrangements for your participation in a neighboring cluster gathering.

We look forward to raising our Ebenezer together as we celebrate and remember our call to embody Grace, Connection and Holiness in our shared life and ministry.

Growing in Grace, Connection and Holiness together…

Beth

Fall Charge Conference Gatherings

NOTE: The email sent on 8.18.2022 contained incorrect dates. The dates listed below are CORRECT. (updated 8.22.2023)

October 15, 2023, 2:00 pm: Randolph County Charge Conference at Jordan Memorial UMC

October 22, 2023, 2:00 pm: Stanly County Charge Conference at Central UMC Albemarle

November 5, 2023, 2:00 pm: Rowan/S. Davidson Charge Conference at Milford Hills UMC

November 12, 2023, 2:00 pm: Union-Anson County Charge at Peachland UMC