eVoice 12.18.2009
News
United Methodist Children’s Home Bids Farewell to Its Selma Campus
The Spirit of Advent giving: Advent Conspiracy can support ministries such as the Central Conference Pension Initiative
- Climate inaction a danger, United Methodists say
- Danish Methodists help bring faithful to summit
- Jones, Christian mission leader, dies at 92
- Asian youth promote justice, peace
- New congregation makes an Impact in Atlanta
- Chaplain brings Christmas cheer to children
- Gifts you cannot find in stores
- Garden gives new context to climate change
- Liberian seminary reaches out during rebuilding process
- Africa University leaders pledge to serve continent
- United Methodists seek climate justice at summit
Make Plans for VBS and save 30% - one day only!
VBS 2010 Showcase
January 23, 2010
Vestavia Hills UMC
Vestavia Hills UMC will host a VBS showcase where congregations can recieve a 30% discount on Cokesbury VBS and 25% discount on other publishers VBS materials. The showcase will last from ten am until noon on January 23, 2010. The first hour participants can browse through materials and purchase your VBS order, and the second hour we will have a more in-depth training for Cokesbury materials and Group publishing’s VBS. This is your chance to select your materials, and the ONE opportunity to purchase your VBS supplies at 30% during this event. VBS 2010 freebies complements of Cokesbury will also be handed out at this event.
Upcoming Events
Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Conference Center (lodging is not included in conference registration - reserve separately here)
Click here for Nashville CPC Online regisration.
REGISTER BY MAIL OR FAX: click here(check or credit card)****
REGISTER BY PHONE: 800.324.4543 M-F, 9am - 4pm MST (credit card)
****Be sure to include payment for your registration. Registrations received without payment will not be processed.
Children's Pastors' Conference is the premier Christian ministry conference that focuses exclusively on children's and family ministry. Because meeting ministry colleagues and networking is so important, most meals are included in the conference registration. You'll have plenty of chances to ask questions and learn from others also in children's and family ministry.
At CPC, you will spend four life-changing days being taught by experts in children's and family ministry. You'll hear quality speakers and performers throughout the conference while interacting with others in children's and family ministry. You will be able to browse through the largest gathering of children's and family ministry resource providers available. Most of all, you will be equipped, motivated, and challenged to increase your effectiveness in ministry to children.
Over 5,000 people participated at our previous CPC events and the excitement is building! With different sites and dates, there is sure to be one that fits your schedule. The "CPC Experience" includes over 140 breakouts, inspirational speakers, meaningful worship, excellent networking, a jam-packed exhibit hall and plenty of fresh ideas for ministry.
First 90 Days Training for local church leaders
Monday, January 4, 2010
Multicultural Center, Huntsville, AL
(Northeast District Office)
6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
OR
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC, Gardendale, AL
6:30-8:30 p.m.
This training is for local church leaders of churches receiving new senior pastors in January 2010.
The focus of the training is assessing your church’s situation and the five conversations that a church needs to have with their new pastor in order to get off to a good start. This training will be led by the Conference Office of Connectional Ministries.
You may bring as many leaders as you wish; however, we recommend that you bring at least the following leaders: Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee; Administrative Board/Council Chairperson, Lay Leader, and other Administrative Committee Chairpersons if they are available. The more people the better, since this seminar helps leaders develop a greater understanding of how to partner with their pastor in constructive and meaningful ways.
There is no charge for this Local Church Leaders event. Register online. To register online have a key contact person (such as SPR chair or Admin. Bd. chair) from your church should register your group. Person registering will be asked to enter number of participants from your church.
There will be two opportunities for this training. Please choose the day and location most convenient for your church.
Church and Community
This event will be designed to help churches get started in reaching out to their respective communities. Big or small, city or rural, this workshop will give you questions to start engaging your church on this very important issue. The event will be at Highlands UMC in Birmingham on Jan, 10, 2010 at 3-6pm. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Tools such as detailed demographic information, as well as examples will be provided to help churches know who is in their community, and how to reach out to those around them.
Contact Rev. Matt Lacey at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org or Reggie Holder at reggie@highlandsumc.net for more info.
This is a free event, open to all members of the conference.
Canterbury Academy for Christian Studies
Canterbury United Methodist Church
Winter/Spring Semester, 2010
Sundays, 6:00 PM
Orientation will be on January 10,2010
The Canterbury Academy for Christian Studies class for the Winter/Spring 2010 semester will be: A Deeper Look at Five Theological Perspectives: Augustine, Martin Luther, Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, and the Emerging Church. Three sessions will be spent on each perspective ... led by Bishop Will Willimon, resident bishop of the Birmingham Area; Dr. David Bains, Associate professor of Religion at Samford University; Steven Ingram, Director of Sr. Highs at Canterbury (authority on the Emerging Church); and Dr. Oliver Clark. Orientation will be on January 10 and Sunday evening classes will begin on January 24. Registration can be made on the Canterbury web page (www.canterburyumc.org ) or by calling or emailing Brooke Wilkens (205-874-1533) (brooke.wilkens@canternuryumc.org ) or Oliver Clark (205-868-6580) (oliver.clark@canterburyumc.org ).
At this point, the Canterbury Academy is self-supporting. We will not charge a fee for these classes: however, any contributions participants would like to make to support this educational ministry are appreciated. Checks should be made out to Canterbury UMC and marked "For Canterbury Academy."
Academy for Student Ministry 2
Start Date 1/11/2010Youth workers who have completed the Academy for Student Ministry now have an opportunity to extend their training with LINK: Academy for Student Ministry 2. This dynamic program consists of three intensive two-day training sessions which will culminate with a youth training event designed by participants and offered to conference youth and youth workers.
SESSION 1: LEAD
January 25-26, 2010
Led by transformational architect Dr. Ron Martoia, this session focuses on developing leadership skills for youth leaders in the local church.
SESSION 2: INSPIRE
March 22-23, 2010
Steve Case will bring his 25 years of youth ministry experience together with his passion for inspiring worship to help youth leaders develop exciting new ways to reach youth.
SESSION 3: NURTURE
May 3-4, 2010
Rev. Sheri Ferguson, Executive Director of Pastoral Care and Counseling, will guide participants through the steps required to nurture self, youth and families.
TRAINING EVENT: KIDS
August 21, 2010
The ASM2 class will serve as faculty for a conference-wide youth ministry training event! Event panning will take place at each of the three sessions and the seminar will be open to all conference youth and youth workers.
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Annual Event
Start Date 1/22/2010Click here to download a printable event schedule
1. Effective Leadership for Congregational Renewal and Church Growth (Rev Tyrone D. Gordon)
2. Effective Leadership for Real Church in Urban Ministry (Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr.)
3. Effective Leadership for Empowering a New Generation of Christians (Rev. Telley Lynnettee Gadson)
4. Effective Leadership Through the Change Process and Visioning (Rev Dale Cohen)
5. Effective Leadership for Reaching and Touching Secular People (Rev. Rudy Rasmus)
North Alabama Conference Pastor's Prayer Summit
This four day experience allows pastor the opportunity to focus upon God's call, vision, and direction for his or her life and for the church he or she serves.
CORE STRATEGY
CORE is creating opportunities for renewing effective churches with dynamic ministry strategies. Move beyond church diagnosis and claim your church's missional strategy for making and growing new disciples. Speakers include Bishop Will Willimon, Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church and is a prolific author and transformative Christian leader. Reggie McNeal is the author of Present Future and Missional Renaissance.
Confirmation Retreat 2010 "5 to Thrive"
Note to Confirmation Leaders:
Coming up on January 29 and 30, 2010 is the North Alabama Conference Confirmation Retreat 2010. Our theme is “Five to Thrive,” which is a reflection on the five vows of membership and the commitment that we are making to place Christ as Lord of our lives.
All children or teenagers who are participating in your confirmation program are welcome to attend. Last year nearly 100 confirmands had an exceptional experience that included great speakers, quality musicians, reflective time, engaging discussion, really messy games, and powerful worship. This is truly a do not miss event, make sure to put it on your calendar for January 29 and 30, 2010.
The cost is $70 per participant before January 21, 2010 and $75 per participant after that date.
We will see you there!
If you have any questions or would like more information contact:
Elizabeth Nall
205-226-7993
enall@northalabamaumc.org
Academy for Spiritual Formation - Five Day
Start Date 1/31/2010(850) 324-1015
Theme: Taking the Christ Journey
Faculty: Loyd Allen & Elise Eslinger
Retreat Leader: John Bonner jbonner419@aol.com
$545 with an early bird discount of $50 if registering before December 1
$50 non-refundable deposit holds your space and is deducted from the final payment
Registration deposit may be mailed to 209 Northcliff Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
Successful Small Groups featuring Debi Nixon of Church of the Resurrection
Start Date 2/6/2010Small Group formation, sustaining, and nurturing!
Cost $15 per individual
Break out sessions include:
- Small groups in small membership churches
Mark Puckett - Successful church plant senior pastor of The Beacon and believer in the strength of Life Groups. - Young Adult Ministry Small Groups
Mary Hardie – Adult Ministry Coordinator for the Northwest District - Older Adult Ministry Small Groups
Fran Gatch – Older Adult Minister at Canterbury UMC
Barbara Lee – Older Adult Minister at Vestavia Hills UMC - Couples Ministry Small Groups
Anne Skinner - - Building a Faith Home with Children - Small group for parents
Greg Foust – Associate Pastor at Asbury UMC - Men’s Ministry Small Groups
Andy Wolf – Senior Pastor of Trinity UMC, Homewood - Women’s Ministry Small Groups
Mary Bendall – Associate Pastor of Tuscaloosa First UMC
Denise Mullaney – Associate Pastor of Alabaster First UMC
Joy Morgan – Associate Pastor Florence UMC - Service Ministry Small Groups
Deb Welsh – Director of the Joe Rush Center for Urban Mission and Volunteer Recruitment - Activity based Small Groups
Lana Johnson – Lay leader extraordinaire from Liberty Crossings UMC - College Ministry Small Groups
Ken Smith – Wesley Foundation Director at the University of Alabama
Sherri Bassham – Wesley Foundation Director at Athens State - Outreach Ministry Small Groups
Edmund Perry – Alpha leader from Highlands UMC who understands the need for authentic outreach to those outside our church walls - Stewardship and Financial Resource Small Groups
Rick Owen – United Methodist Stewardship Resources - Caregivers Small Groups –
Carolyn Neiswander - - Support Ministry Small Groups –
John Douglass – North Alabama UMC Center for Pastoral Care
CORE FUTURE
CORE is creating opportunities for renewing effective churches with dynamic ministry strategies. Move beyond church diagnosis and claim your church's missional strategy for making and growing new disciples. This session includes Planning for a Lifetime of Ministry featuring John Ed Mathison.