Northern Piedmont COVID-19 Update - March 20, 2020
posted on March 19
Graceful Contact
Dear Friends,
Communication and contact among people has never been easy and there is always room to grow to communicate better. We have different ways of expression with sharing meaning and processing information. So, let’s give ourselves a break right now as we learn a new way of ministry. Christ represented a posture of hospitality and openness when engaging a message. Now we must always start with an open mind and heart in our preparation, listening, and contact in any form.
The Northern Piedmont District is offering several local resources to support your way of communication in order to do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Today we want to introduce to Courtney and Carter!
- Courtney Guadagno is the Director of Communication and Technology at Christ UMC in Greensboro. She has offered some great advice and links to support your journey. Her email is cguadagno@christgreensboro.org. Feel free to contact her as you seek advice and wisdom.
- Carter Ferguson is a Northern Piedmont pastor in a rural setting with experiences in innovative worship planning and presentation. He loves creating diverse spaces and styles for worship. Please email Carter at cferguson@wnccumc.net with any questions as you prepare the space and style as you record.
As always, the District Staff is here for you with any conversation or communication we need to engage together.
Blessings to us all as we offer a witness of graceful contact.
| Online Resources for Your Local Church |
We have added a COVID-19 Resources page to our Northern Piedmont District website which will be updated frequently to give you links to useful information and resources for your local church. It will point you to district, conference, and other resources. Check it out! Topic categories so far include:
- Virtual / Online / Live-Streaming / Communication Resources
- Including, Social Media Resources & Tips from Courtney Guadagno, Director of Communications & Technology at Christ (Greensboro) UMC
- Online Giving Resources
- Including, Electronic Recurring Giving: Needed Now More Than Ever! - An EXCELLENT recorded webinar shared by Discipleship Ministries on March 19, 2020. Slides & downloadable resources are available to help you move your church forward on electronic recurring giving.
- Missional Network / Community Resources
- Bible Study / Other Resources
- United Methodist Church Resources
- And, more!
The Western North Carolina Conference is adding resources to the conference website, even daily, during the time of rapid change:
- Virtual Ministry Resources - Staying connected during social distancing...LOTS of resource links!
- Getting started with online giving - Resources from WNCC Treasury Services and WNCC United Methodist Foundation
- A list of churches doing live-streaming - Submit your church information if you are doing live-streaming!
- Church Development Offers Assistance for Streaming Worship
- Updates from Bishop Leeland
- And, more!
| From our District Lay Leader, Kim Eller |
Just a bit more than a speck…then fat and sassy…then a shroud…and THEN, shazam!! a new and transformed life!! The mysterious life of the beautiful butterfly…how I love their life journey, for it’s a constant reminder of my spiritual life’s journey. It is a reminder needed especially now in pertinent times like these. With the temporary closing of our beloved church services we find ourselves shrouded in dismay, disconnection, and despair. But just look at our clergy, bringing us The Light, The Good News, in creative, innovative ways!!
Technology was created for just such a time as this!! We had church anyway with fresh, interesting connections! And we continue to have church because of your faithfulness and diligence…your laity has taught you well, clergy! 
The shroud of the caterpillar is an imperative process and without it, we would have no beautiful butterflies. So it is with our spiritual journey. Soon we will break forth from this shroud and fly! Beautiful, strong, renewed. Enjoy the flight!!
Thank you, our beloved clergy.
Kim Eller, Northern Piedmont District Lay Leader
