eVoice 02.26.2010
News
Health and Spirituality: a retreat on spirituality and healing for people who have terminal or chronic illness and their families to be held in March
North Alabama continues to send relief supplies to Haiti
New Bethel UMC members and friends celebrate a Black History moment brought to you by Coca-Cola
Encounter2010 weekend helps youth embrace fullness of the Trinity
- Megachurch revitalizes downtown congregation
- United Methodists applaud health care summit
- Agency aids Haitian medical evacuees
- Pastor plants church in growing suburb
- Pastors challenge IRS status of D.C. ‘church’
- Attorney honored for protecting immigrants
- Contemporary church begins in coffee shop
- Class helps parents find children’s gifts
- Dreamer plants new church in Kansas City
- Summit addresses suffering in Sudan
- United Methodists keep focus on Haiti
- Young clergywomen blaze new trails
Upcoming Events
Dr. James Fleming, biblical archaeologist Holy Week and the Passion of Christ Bible Conference
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.
Clergy Integrity *INITIAL* Training
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
VIM Mission Team Leader Training
Start Date 3/6/2010This is a training designed to help those who are going to lead their first mission trip abroad. Logistics such as travel and planning will be covered, as well as a discussion about cross-cultural ministry. This course is needed if you wish to lead an UMVIM mission team through any United Methodist Church.
Contact Rev. Matt Lacey for more info at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org
Clergy Integrity RETRAINING
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
Closing Service for Bessemer First UMC
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
What is the status of your "Youth Ministry"? Whether you are just beginning or have a successful ministry, Youth Minister, Russell Bernard, will provide tips to help your ministry reach youth and connect with Jesus Christ in 21st Century terms.
This will be an excellent opportunity to gain insights from an innovative and out-of-the-box minister who believes that we should not compromise the Gospel but we must engage the culture to reach our youth.
Russell Bernard has a passion for discipling youth and assisting them to make sense of their relationship with Christ through their context. He has both initiated and grown youth ministries. As a result of this success and experience, he is finishing his first book entitled, Doing Effective Youth Ministry. Below is an abbreviated bio:
- Served as Minister to Teens for The Empowerment Temple AME Church, Baltimore, MD, growing the youth service to over 150 young people in attendance.
- Served as Pastor of Students and Young Professionals for The Fountain Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where over 80 students received Christ and joined the ministry in the first year.
- Wrote articles for The American Bible Society's Student Magazine "Elementz of LIfe", www.elementzoflife.com.
- Prepared national curriculum on youth leader training for The Urban Youth Workers Institute "Reload", www.reloadtour.org .
Basic Lay Speaking Ministries Workshop: Equipping
Please Join Us As The Northwest District Presents An Exciting And Brand New
Basic Lay Speaking Ministries Workshop: Equipping
Learn About Leading, Caring And Communicating
Open To All United Methodist Laity Throughout The North Alabama Conference
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Registration: 8:00 Am – 8:30 am
Workshop: 8:30 Am – 4:30 pm
Cost $30: Includes All Materials, Lunch And Breaks
Presenters Include:
Rev. Greg Reynolds
Rev. Mike Stonbraker
Rev. John Yeates
Dr. Wendy Sellers
Multiple Guest Panelists
Please Register By Monday, March 8, 2010
Download the Registration Form below: Registration_Form_BASIC_LSM_HMM4TWXC.pdf
Denman Evangelism Award Deadline
Deadline for nominations for the Denman Evangelism Award is March 15, 2010. One clergy and one lay person will be selected to receive the Harry Denman Evangelism Award. The awards will be presented to the individuals who have shown effective leadership in evangelism.
Click here to submit nominations online or download and print application forms.
New Church Leadership Institute
Curious about church planting? Want to know more about planting a new church or satellite? This is an event for pastors and key leaders who are curious and want to explore some possibilities. No strings attached. This event will be led by Jim Griffith, founder of Griffith Coaching Network and veteran of five new church plants. Jim is the coach for our North Alabama new churches.
Health and Spirituality
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
This Boot Camp is for Pastors and Leadership Teams from existing churches who need a plan to increase people, impact, finances, mission, ministry and discipleship. It is for those who are committed enough to spend a Saturday and Sunday away from their church in order to help their church. This event will be led by Jim Griffith, founder of Griffith Coaching Network and veteran of five new church plants. Jim is the coach for our North Alabama new churches.
North Alabama Clergy Spouses - Babies First Benefit Luncheon 2010
Fellowship Hall
980 Hughes Road
Madison, Alabama 35758
Lunch and Program - Noon-1:30 p.m.
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
2010 Ebony Exploration
A weekend retreat for African-American senior high youth to discover, explore,and celebrate ministry as a vocation—Grades 9-12.... How Will You Holla Back?
During this time together, the youth, along with 20-25 Adult Mentors, will worship God through the ministry of education and exploration of various ministries within The United Methodist Church. The weekend will be grounded in spirit-filled worship, rich opportunities for small group sessions, fellowship and mentoring sessions for youth to discover, explore and celebrate a call to ministry. There will also be a resource fair with United Methodist-related seminaries and general agency representatives on-site.
Criteria for Participants:
- Participants must be serious about exploring ordained and/or lay ministry as a Christian vocation.
- Participants must be dedicated to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, weekend covenant groups, communal and private worship and a spirit of learning, listening, and sharing for the weekend.
- Participants must have shown potential to serve as a leader in their local church and live an active Christian life that exhibits the fruit of the Spirit among adults and their peers.
- Participants must be active members of a local church in The United Methodist Church.
- Participants must be current 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th graders.
Scholarships for North Alabama students
To work toward our Conference priorities of empowering a new generation and effective leadership, the North Alabama Conference Ethnic Ministries team will provide 10 youth from North Alabama with 100% sponsorship (including registration, meals & transportation) to the Ebony Exploration 2010 event. Please have interested youth submit a self-written one to two paragraph essay stating why they would like to be apart of the Ebony Exploration 2010 trip. All submissions need to be submitted by March 22, 2010, to nhillman@northalabamaumc.org. Pleases include full contact information with the essay.The 10 students whose submissions are chosen will be notified March 24, 2010.
Students not awarded scholarships are also encouraged to attend this event! The registration cost is $90.
For information on registration contact Nacole Hillman at nhillman@northalabamaumc.org (205) 226-7963 0r 800-239-7950
Download Travel and Health Form needed for Registration.
Download Flier: Ebony_Exploration_Retreat_Flyer(2010)_T5KM5IDY.pdf
ROOTS! - Retreat for Young Adults
Behold Ministries is excited to announce our first annual retreat especially for the young adult and college aged population.
We have a passion to see young adults come together to grow deeper in Christ, stronger in righteousness and further in outreach! Therefore, we are inviting college ministries both large and small to join together to enjoy a weekend of truth, worship, restoration and community.
At ROOTS you can expect to find biblically based teachings, prayerfully led worship and plenty of opportunity to build community both within your ministry and with other college ministries across the state.
Cost $75 per person (t-shirt included if registered by March 15). Registration in now open at www.roots.beholdministries.com . Spaces are limited so register early!
For more information visit: www.roots.beholdministries.com
Sounds of Sumatanga
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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.
A Day with Wesley (for High school students)
Here's something just for your Senior High group!
Let your students experience what campus ministries have to offer.
Come to The University of Alabama Wesley Foundation on April 17, 2010, for The A-Day game.
Your Senior High Students will go to the game and have a worship service with current UA Wesley Foundation students. Lunch and Dinner will be provided. There will be live music entertainment as everyone eats and enjoys themselves!
If your senior high group is interested please RSVP by emailing either :
Paul Asbury: pwasbury@crimson.ua.edu Or Mack Savage: zmsavage@crimson.ua.edu
Look for more details in the coming weeks!