Start Date 2/19/2010

This will be a joint training (those who register are welcome to come to both or either of the sessions).  The VIM Team Leader training will be held on Friday, Feb. 19, starting at 6pm.  This training is for folks who are looking to lead their first mission team.  This training should conclude around 9pm on Friday.

The Emergency Response Training (ERT) is a day-long extensive training for members who wish to be among the first on the ground if a disaster occurs, either within the annual conference, or anywhere in the country where assistance is needed.  This training will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 8am until no later than 7pm.

• The cost for the VIM training alone is $20. (Friday, 6-9pm)
• The cost for the ERT training along is $30. (Saturday 8am-7pm)
• The cost for both the training combined, including meals and lodging will be $75. 

Prayer and Missions Conference

Start Date 2/26/2010

End Date 2/27/2010

Asbury UMC - Madison, AL
Download the brochure: brochure-final_DC9H4EWQ.pdf 

GLOBAL IMPACT CELEBRATION
Asbury United Methodist Church is hosting a two-day prayer and missions conference, “Becoming 360° Disciples of Jesus.” Designed to transform attendees “full circle” as 360º disciples, the conference is an opportunity for growth for those seeking to become more faithful servants of Jesus and to do God’s will in the world.

More than 50 breakout sessions feature renowned speakers and cross-cultural workers from all around the world. Keynote speakers are Marilee Pierce Dunker and Leonard Sweet. Marilee Pierce Dunker is the daughter of World Vision founder Bob Pierce. She is an author of four books and has had her own radio talk show. Leonard Sweet is the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew University, Madison, NJ and a Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University, Portland, Oregon. He is the author of more than two hundred articles, over twelve hundred published sermons, and dozens of books.

1.2 Credits for the entire two day event, no partial credit available.

$25 covers two lunches and workshop materials. Register at www.asburygic.com.

 

Manna and Mercy Retreat

Start Date 2/26/2010
End Date 2/27/2010
Avondale UMC
Coordinator Email: mannaandmercy@gmail.com
(205) 532-0494 

Rediscovering the Bible through the Lens of Jesus

The retreat was developed by Reverend Alan Storey. 

Manna and Mercy is the name of a book written by Daniel Erlander. Using Erlander’s book, Alan Storey, South African pastor, develop the retreat to be a journey from Genesis to Revelation over the course of the weekend, with sensitivity to the contexts in which the scriptures were written and of our present day.

The Bible is meant to be an instrument of God to enable abundant life for God’s creation. Yet sadly through the ages it has been read and interpreted in such a way that it has been used as an instrument of human domination and death. It has been used to cheer on the crusades, support slavery, advocate Apartheid, glorify genocide, sanction sexism, bless war and worship prosperity in the face of the poor, to name just a few horrors of our human history. During the Manna and Mercy retreat, we will take a fresh look at scripture through the interpretive lens of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and God’s overall call for each one of us to partner with God in mending this fractured world. The hope is that after we have done so, our interpretations and use of the scriptures will be truly liberating and life-enabling.

Retreat Speaker is Rev. R. G. Lyons, who will lead a week-end journey from Genesis to Revelation. 

To register, email mannaandmercy@gmail.com  or call 205-532-0494.
Cost $25 — Scholarships available. 

Sunday, February 28, 2010
8:30 am – Session 1 – Pam Sunday and Messianic Expectation
9:45 am – Session 2 – The Last Supper
6:30 pm – Session 3 – The Death of Jesus and “The Jews”

Monday, March 1, 2010
9:00 am – Session 4 – The Crucifixion as Passover
10:45 am – Session 5 – Meaning from the Cross

All sessions will meet in our gym.

Each session will be approximately 60 minutes in length. Monday’s session will conclude by noon and will include a mid-morning refreshment break.

This is an approved option for Advanced Lay Speaker continuing education. Lay Speakers please contact Larry Millard for credit information.

The Prevention of Clergy Sexual Abuse Training is required for all clergy appointed to a church.  This training is required for all 2010 Licensing School students to be eligible for an appointment.  There are around 40 current clergy who have not attended this training  who must also attend. If you have questions if you are one who needs to attend contact Cindi Patsios at cpatsios@northalabamaumc.org

The cost is $60 for room (double occupancy) and meals at Camp Sumatanga and all material.

Click this link to get printable registration form and information - March_2010_Initial_Training_JCXXSQEX.pdf 

The Conference Committee on Ministerial Integrity on the Prevention of Clergy Sexual Abuse has scheduled required refresher training sessions for all clergy in the North Alabama Conference who have previously received Ministerial Integrity training. The North Alabama Conference insurance, the Bishop and Cabinet and the Board of Ordained Ministry now require this retraining every four years. All clergy include:

• All clergy appointed to a church (Deacons, Elders, Local Pastors and Associate Members) 
• Retired clergy appointed to a church
• ATEMs within the bounds of the North Alabama Conference
• Lay Speakers appointed to a church

Historic First United Methodist Church of Bessemer, Al. Will be having its closing service Sunday, March 7, 2010.

All former members, pastors, associate pastors, families and friends are invited to join in this service at 10:30 a.m. Marking the end of 123 years of ministry in the city of Bessemer. This church has touched thousands of people throughout the state and nation. The Reverend Dr. Gordon McKinney will be joined by several former members recounting the history and heritage of this great church.

"Youth Ministry" Leaders Training

Basic Lay Speaking Ministries Workshop: Equipping

Denman Evangelism Award Deadline

New Church Leadership Institute

Dr. John Simmons M.D. will lead a session on sprituality and healing for people who have terminal or chronic illness and their families. During these sessions issues such as grief, death and dying, curing or caring, health or illness will be discussed. We will use music, poetry, and personal stories to work through these four areas. We will review the evidence of the impact on health of such rituals as prayer, meditation, relaxation, etc. We will likely learn and practice some of these rituals.

Spirituality and Healing
A Retreat Model

1- Who am I?
During this session we explore the awe and wonder of being human and our place here and in the whole Cosmos.
2- The Dark Night.
Here we look at the meaning of suffering (and other dark night experiences). We address the question of how God is revealed during such experiences.
3- What is my purpose in life?
We look at how to be creative in health and in Illness by addressing such questions as how can I be creative; what will I leave behind; etc.?
4- Is life fair?
What is just about my illness? What is just about the world? What is my role in creating justice?

Revitalization Boot Camp - Basic Training

Individual Reservations $15
Sponsorship (Table for 8) $120

Make checks payable to the North Alabama Conference of the UMC
Reference Babies First Luncheon in the memo line, and
give checks to your clergy spouse or mail to:
Pat Bell
2116 Southwood Road
Birmingham AL 35216

Reservation deadline is March 19, 2010.
Your name tag will be waiting for you at the door. 

For more information about Babies First, visit www.umch.net

Click for Flier: ClergySpouseLuncheon_ITF55FXN.pdf 

Come join friends for a day of fun by the lake at Camp Sumatanga!

Entertainment – Arts & Crafts – Food

Admission is $5 – Ages 4 and up
Proceeds benefit Camp Sumatanga

Also don't miss...

“An Evening in the Assembly Hall”
April 16, 2010
7 PM – 10 PM
Pool Camp Assembly Hall

Remember those wonderful evenings in the Assembly Hall during Summer Camp? You can have that experience again on the Friday evening before Sounds of Sumatanga. We’ll gather from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. for games, singing, folk-dancing, story-telling by Nina Reeves, and entertainment by surprise guests. We’ll close the evening with a time of reflection and devotion and immediately afterward we’ll have a fire at the fire ring. You can support Sumatanga by staying overnight and being there early for Saturday’s events.