NM Conference News
January 14 - 20, 2019
In this Issue
  • General Conference 2019 Delegate Devotionals
  • The Lord be with you...with Rev. Dr. Eddie Rivera
  • Pastors in Pews Video - Rev. Dustin Burrow
  • Live + Learn Webinars
  • FUMC-Lovington to Host Night to Shine Prom for People with Special Needs
  • Reminder - End of Year Statistics Due on Jan. 23rd.
  • Mid-Winter Clergy Retreat - Feb. 3-6, 2019
  • Navajo Advocate & UMW Member, Daryl Junes-Joe
  • Methodist Children's Home Open House - 2/7/19
  • Upcoming Events
General Conference 2019 Delegate Devotionals
For some, the Special Called General Conference (February 23 - 26 in St. Louis) has been on their minds and hearts since GC16 and for some, it has been something very distant and of no concern to the work of their local church. Wherever you fit into this spectrum, the common denominator is that the United Methodist Church needs to be covered in prayer during this time leading up to GC19 and as we move forward with whatever transpires there.

We will publish them in the newsletter and in other communications. If you with to email the delegation at delegation@nmconfum.com.
The Lord be with you... with Rev. Dr. Eddie Rivera
What Moves the Church Forward?
Read Ephesians 1:1-14
 
The Apostle Paul wrote a powerful letter to the Church in Ephesus. In it, he described many characteristics of the Church’s identity and overall purpose. I believe that embedded in the first verses of this Letter, Paul introduced the driving force that propels the Church to fully realize its identity and fulfill its purpose: God’s Plan of Redemption, which was also the guiding light of Christ’s Mission. Verses 7-10 state that: “7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

Beloved, our Denomination stands at the threshold of a crucial time that will undoubtedly impact its future and its witness in the world. Next month, the United Methodist Church will hold a Special Called Session of the General Conference to consider different plans with the hope that one of them (or the combination of some) may move our Denomination forward.

As a voting Delegate to this General Conference, I want to let you know that my belief is that only God’s Plan of Redemption - evidenced in the Mission of Christ - is what can move the Church forward. Any other church plan pales in comparison with God’s Plan.
Therefore, in prayerful discernment, we, your Delegation, must approach this great responsibility to vote for plans that have been submitted or plans that can emerge from amendments or other procedural means NEVER losing sight of what moves the church forward: God’s Plan of Redemption.

At the end of the day, every local church and every clergy in our Denomination must embrace God’s Plan for Redemption and fulfill it through our lives and ministries as we advance the Mission of Christ in the world. Only then the United Methodist Church will be able to move forward!
 
Prayer: (From Ephesians 1:17-19)
17  I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,  18  so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,  19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
In the Name of the One who will meet us in the future, Amen!
Pastors in Pews Getting Things that Start with P - Rev. Dustin Burrow
LEARN + LEAD Webinars
Hi friends in ministry, I want to share a wonderful (free!) resource for you and your congregation. The Missouri Conference is offering LEARN + LEAD webinars on Congregational Excellence every third Tuesday of the month, from 1-2pm CST. 

Upcoming webinars include: Small Groups 101 (January 15); How to Start a Recovery Ministry (February 19); Missional Community 101 (March 19); Starting a New Worship Service (April 16); Churches Planting Churches (May 21), and How to Start a New Church or Multisite (June 18).
 
I’ll be tuning in for several of these, and will share them with my staff members, as well. Visit the following page for Registration and more Click here
Blossom Matthews
Assistant Director of Congregational Vitality
FUMC-Lovington to Host Night to Shine Prom for People with Special Needs
First United Methodist Church of Lovington, announced they will serve as one of nearly 500 churches around the world already registered to host Night to Shine 2019, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, simultaneously on Friday, February 8 of next year. They have partnered with the Lea County Fairgrounds as hosts. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older, hosted by local churches in all 50 states and across the globe all on one night. First UMC and the Lea County Fair Grounds are excited to be a part of this worldwide movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how culture embraces people with special needs and to rally the church worldwide to stand up for those who are differently-abled.
Tim Tebow Foundation Supports Night to Shine
Reminder for End of Year Statistics
You will need your church financial reports to enter Statistical Church Data. Statistical Reports are due Wednesday, January 23, 2019 .

A common question is about username & password. Your username is your Church ID # and your password is your Account #. You may find these on any past statement. If you are still unsure, call Maryann at 505-255-8786 or email frontdesk@nmconfum.com. Please contact me if you need help. Thank you for your cooperation.
Griselda Sandoval
Treasurer/Statistician
505-255-8786, ext. 103
Navajo Advocate, Daryl Junes-Joe and United Methodist Woman
Daryl Junes-Joe is a member of the Navajo Nation from Shiprock, New Mexico. Junes-Joe spent years working as a Navajo Nation tribal prosecutor and as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Junes-Joe pictured a quiet retirement but God had other plans. Junes-Joe is a  United Methodist Women  National Board director; she  testified  on behalf of indigenous people at an EPA hearing in Washington, DC; and she is on the board of the United Methodist  General Commission on the Status and Role of Women .
Methodist Children's Home Open House
Save the Date for the Methodist's Children's Home Open House on February 7, 2019. Celebrate the new location from 4-6:00 pm. The new location is 3876 Masthead St. NE, ABQ, NM 87109. For more information, call 505-255-8740.
Upcoming Events
January
  • Basic Lay Servant Training - Jan. 19 - University-Las Cruces
  • Church Statistics Due - Jan. 23
  • CLM Training Starts - Jan. 25 - St. John's-ABQ
February
  • Mid-Winter Clergy Retreat - Feb. 3-6 - Sacramento
  • Advanced Lay Servant Training - Feb. 9 - University-Las Cruces
  • Special Called General Conference - Feb. 23-26 - St. Louis
March
  • ROC 2019 - March 1-3 - Sacramento
  • CCYM 2019 - March 29-31 - Sacramento