Check this out, your future news/minutes/getting the word out location!

Hello to all my MMN friends, Brad here!

So here it is, our new blog!  All the minutes, news, pictures, updates, it's going to be coming from here.  Truth be told, the Newsletter I was making for you to print and share...I hated making it.  Loved the finished product, but getting there was horrible.  Now blogging is something I do already (cgdaddy.blogspot.com), and it's an interface I like and is one that is readily accessible!

Now does this mean the emails and Facebook postings cease?  Not at all, but instead of dealing with attachments and such those emails and Facebook postings will all lead here.  Plus, you can access minutes and news whenever you like!  This blog website (blogspot) is printer friendly, meaning you can hit Print if you want a physical copy of something and share it at your churches and it's easy to read.  I just tried printing a copy from my personal blog using Google's Chrome web browser and it worked fine.  Like I said, this will be full of the minutes, news, pictures, announcements if needed, etc.  Expect me to take lots of pictures during our meetings now.  Pictures make blogs look cool, and people like them.  I hope you like it!  After our meeting on Jan 27th at Cooleemee (don't miss it), this will be running full steam ahead!

Now to get us prepped for next week's meeting, here are the minutes from our last meeting for you to review.  Of course lots of stuff has happened since then (Hope Lives no less), but here you go;

Mocksville Missional Network Meeting

10/7/2014

Minutes:

Introduction/Icebreaker – Holy Spirit Moment & Prayer

Review of the 8/5/2014 minutes from last meeting.  There were no corrections and were approved

New Business:

1. John Erwin is now our new secretary.  There was thunderous applause!
2. Red Cross Presentation by Tom Dunn.  Tom was invited as Rev. Glenn Myers said there was a need for volunteers for the Red Cross in Davie County.  Tom Dunn is the District Program Specialist for 6 counties including Davie County.  The Red Cross itself is primarily a volunteer organization.  Tom started in 1993, and was hired at the Red Cross in 2006.  He noted that because of large accumulation of debt by the Red Cross it cut many of its paid positions, making its need for volunteer participation more necessary.  As of now there are 3 volunteers through all of Davie County.  One is a couple, the third is 80 years old.  Tom is now trying to build the volunteer base.  These volunteers help with a place to stay, food allowance, clothing, medication assistance, even in cases of death it helps a little with the expenses.  Tom is needing volunteers who know and love this community who want to help their neighbor and the Red Cross will supply all the training.  The training itself is 3 courses for about 14-15 hours total.  Volunteers who just want to help with big events (like opening shelters) are welcome.  There are many opportunities to volunteer, different jobs.  Tom is willing to come out to your church to share as well!
3. Rene Wilt – our Church Vitality Strategist.  Rene will be serving both the Yadkin Valley and North Piedmont Districts.  As of 7/1/14 she is now part of our Conference.  Her goals are 1., strengthen existing churches, and 2., look for new plants for a church.  Her purpose tonight; to meet and greet, build relationships and listen.  She has developed a toolbox of resources available for churches to use.
4. Hope Lives – It takes place 11/8/14.  Barbara Laymon’s emphasis – school supplies, food bags, and clothing.  School supplies are a bit lacking, so that’s the emphasis for now.  If you want a copy of the flyer, it’s free to download at 1st UMC Mocksville’s website.  It also has a Facebook page.  Also the 2009 Hope Lives video has been shared via Dropbox online (email Brad if you want a copy to share).  Volunteers are still needed, different times available.
5. Charge Conference Overview – It takes place on Oct. 28th, 7pm at Oak Grove UMC.  The meeting will be like a worship service with music, prayer, brief business, MMN report, and end with Communion.  For our report Pastor Brad needs pictures of churches doing mission and outreach work (MMN or individually), with descriptions of what is going on.  Also stats of mission teams are welcome.  You can email your pictures, videos, or stats to Pastor Brad at bcfishjedi@yahoo.com, or text them to his cellphone at 980-521-3531.
6. Additional Business – A. John Honeycutt said youth workers are planning a District Youth Event called Reverb on Sunday, 1/11/14 at 1st UMC Mocksville.  For Stop Hunger Now, it will happen on 12/28/14 at 1st UMC.  Setup will be at 3pm, bag up at 4pm.  Love offerings are welcome too, just earmark any collections or checks to “Stop Hunger Now.”  B. Tony Owens said that grant applications for missional funds are available.  Right now the Summer Food Bank has received a grant for $2000, and 1st UMC gets $ for the Food Growing Event.  Emergency Grant Applications are also available.  Next application deadline is 3/1/14 (2 grants a year).  
7. Our next meeting will be at 1/13/15 at 7pm at Cooleemee UMC.  (correction, due to weather the meeting is now 1/27/15 at Cooleemee UMC at 7pm).