eVoice 08.12.2010

News

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Alabaster First UMC - Shopping for faith space

The following article is re-posted with permission of Alabaster Reporter By Neal Wagner | Alabaster Reporter Brian Erickson had only been serving as pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Alabaster for about a week when he decided to take a quick break from his day to do some grocery shopping. But as Erickson pulled into the parking lot of the city’s former Winn Dixie supermarket in the Alabaster Market Center...

 

BSC President David Pollick steps down, Board of Trustees name Provost Mark Schantz as interim president

The Birmingham-Southern College Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of President Dr. David Pollick today as the institution's 12th president effective immediately. The full Board of Trustees met on the BSC campus for an overview and discussion ...

North Alabama Conference Cooperative School of Christian Mission Children’s Mission Camp empowers new generation of Christians

On July 29-August 1, the 2010 North Alabama Conference Cooperative School of Christian Mission Children’s Mission Camp welcomed first through ninth graders to Camp Sumatanga to participate in the United Methodist Women’s nationally endorsed children’s curriculum. This year’s topic was Hugging the World: Mission in Action. ...

 

Program helps ministers settle into new assignments

The following article is re-posted with permission of The Anniston Star. by Laura Tutor Special to The Anniston Star Jul 31, 2010 In his first month as senior pastor at Anniston's First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Bill Brown has learned a few things they don't cover in seminary. The second time around at a church is more intimidating than the first. The congregation might not recognize the unofficial "honeymoon" period that United Methodist churches observe during the...

United Methodist aid worker killed in Afghanistan

from a UMNS Report by Linda Bloom* Homepage photo: A UMNS photo courtesy of International Assistance Mission. Daniel Terry spent 40 years of his life working as a volunteer with those most in need in Afghanistan. Fluent in several regional languages, the 64-year-old United Methodist layperson had a deep understanding of the Afghan culture — an understanding that he used to guide the staff of international nonprofit organizations. So it came as a shock when leaders of the...

 

Local Pastors attend summer courses at Emory Course of Study

From July 8 to August 6, 2010, several North Alabama Conference Local Pastors attended summer Course of Study classes at Emory University in Atlanta. The Course of Study School educates and trains local pastors in The United Methodist Church. To be admitted, students must be certified candidates for ordained ministry, have completed the requirements for license as a local pastor...

‘Day 1’ radio program to air in Birmingham

Popular weekly mainline Protestant program starts Aug. 8 on WXJC AM-FM “Day 1,” the renowned weekly radio broadcast that features speakers from mainline Protestant churches, debuts in Birmingham, Ala. on Sunday, Aug. 8. The program will air Sundays at 12:00 noon on WXJC 850 AM/92.1 FM. Hosted by Peter Wallace, “Day 1” presents outstanding preachers from across America. Bishop William H. Willimon of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, based in...

 

Vestavia Hills UMC's Mobile Recreation Ministry allows churches to reach out through play

On August 21, 2010, Vestavia Hills UMC (Central District) will celebrate 10 years of ministry in the "Lighthouse," the congregation’s Leisure Ministry building. The congregation also celebrates that during the last 10 years its leisure ministry has expanded beyond the “Lighthouse” with a mobile recreation ministry. Vestavia Hills UMC Director of Leisure Ministries Jim Frazier says, “When ...

Bethlehem UMC celebrates 192 years of ministry

In 1808, two Methodist Conference sent circuit riders in to the Alabama area - Rev. James Gwinn set out from the Western Conference to minister to those families living in the Great Bend of the Tennessee River in North Alabama and Rev. Matthew P. Sturdevant, was appointed by the South Carolina Conference to minister to the sparse settlements along the Tombigbee River in south Alabama. This was the birth of Methodism in Alabama. Behind Sturdevant and Gwinn came other circuit riders, lay...

 

Elkmont UMC trailer ministry provides temporary homes for families affected by disasters

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Elkmont UMC (Northwest District), like so many United Methodist congregations, found ways to reach out to the victims of the storm. One form of outreach was sending three trailers to be temporary homes for victims of Katrina. In the years since the storm two of those trailers were returned as the families living in them began to recover. One trailer ...

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 Resources

Mission Grants 2011

The Missions and Advocacy Team supports efforts that encourage church members to get out into the world and make a difference. Our limited resources are available through the grant process to those who engage in mission and outreach projects that are advancing this goal.

Deadline: Sept, 30 2010

Click Here for Online Application

 

 

Upcoming Lay Speaking Training Events

There are many training events for Lay Speakers on the calendar this fall.  Both Basic and Advanced Courses are scheduled!

Click here to find a training event near you!

 

Help College Students Connect with a United Methodist Campus Ministry this fall.


Does your congregation have sudents heading off to college this year  If so, there is a United Methodist campus ministry waiting to connect with them!

Click here for an online form to provide your students' names and contact info along with the college they will be attending and it will be forwarded to the United Methodist campus minister at each student's college or university.

 

 

Stay Connected

Find news, ministry resources and more! 
Visit the North Alabama Conference website

www.northalabamaumc.org

 

 



 

Events

Calendar

 

Featured Events

Click here to view the online Conference Calendar for more details on any of these events

UMCOR Basic Early Response Training
8/14/2010
Central UMC, Decatur

The Canterbury-Beeson Forum on Aging
8/14/2010
Canterbury UMC

Adam Hamilton Reflection Session
8/16/2010
Friendship UMC

Adam Hamilton Reflection Session
8/17/2010
Gardendale/Mt. Vernon UMC

Church Media Workshop
8/18/2010 - 8/19/2010
Samford University

Conference Youth Leadership Team Meeting
8/19/2010
North Alabama Conference Office

Manna and Mercy Retreat
8/20/2010 - 8/21/2010
Riverchase UMC

Youth Rally
8/22/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Adam Hamilton Reflection Session
8/23/2010
Sylacauga First UMC

PREPARE/ENRICH TRAINING EVENT Sponsored by Pastoral Care and Counseling
8/24/2010
United Methodist Center

Clergy Integrity *INITIAL* Training
8/26/2010 - 8/27/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Clergy Integrity *RETRAINING*
8/27/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Advanced Lay Speaker Course
8/27/2010 - 8/28/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Advanced Lay Speaking Workshop
8/28/2010
Tuscumbia First UMC

Cheaha District Conference
8/29/2010
Pell City First UMC

Central and South Central Districts Clergy Family Picnic
8/29/2010
Genesis United Methodist Church

Growing disciples through small group ministry led by Rev. Bryan Collier
8/30/2010
Trussville First United Methodist Church

Adam Hamilton Reflection Session
8/30/2010
Christ Central UMC

Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course
9/3/2010
ClearBranch UMC

UM Center Closed
9/6/2010

Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course - Session 2
9/10/2010
ClearBranch UMC

Silent Retreat
9/10/2010 - 9/12/2010
Sacred Heart Monestary

Academy for Christian Studies begins
9/12/2010
Canterbury United Methodist Church

Eric Geiger - "Simple Church"
9/13/2010
Canterbury UMC

Cabinet Retreat
9/15/2010 - 9/18/2010
TBD

Building Healthy Congregations: Understanding Family Systems in Your Congregations 2010-2011
9/16/2010
Mountain Lakes District Office

Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course - Session 3
9/17/2010
ClearBranch UMC

Ivan Parker in Concert
9/18/2010
Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church

Beth Moore Simulcast
9/18/2010
Sumatanga, Green Auditorium

Local Church Lay Leaders - Spiritual Gifts Training (Pt. 1)
9/19/2010
Liberty Crossings UMC

Empowering Ministries of Health
9/21/2010 - 9/23/2010
Hilton Salt Lake City Center

Local Church Lay Leaders - Spiritual Gifts Training (Pt 2)
9/26/2010
Liberty Crossings UMC

Living with the Wesleys: Then and Now
9/27/2010 - 9/30/2010
Epworth by the Sea

Pumpkids Adventure
10/1/2010 - 10/30/2010
Sumatanga

Sweet Spirit Retreat
10/4/2010 - 10/6/2010
Camp Sumatanga

The Church of the Resurrection Leadership Institute 2010
10/7/2010 - 10/8/2010
The Church of the Resurrection

ARMS Fall Annual Meeting
10/12/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Urban Ministry Workshop with Gary Mason
10/13/2010
UM Center Large Conference Room

Wesleyan Leadership Conference
10/14/2010 - 10/16/2010
West End United Methodist Church

Clergy Spouse Retreat 2010
10/15/2010 - 10/16/2010
Sumatanga

Gathering of the Orders
10/18/2010 - 10/20/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Appointive Cabinet Meeting
10/18/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Superannuate Homes Board Meeting
10/26/2010
The United Methodist Center 

 

 

 

Reflection Sessions on Adam Hamilton's Teachings

Adam Hamilton’s appearance at annual conference on Saturday was inspiring, motivational, and educational. To help further equip pastors and North Alabama congregations, the North Alabama Conference Evangelism Team has made plans for reflections sessions on Hamilton’s teachings.

There will be session is six locations throughout the Conference. Each session will be led by a North Alabama Conference pastor who has shown growth and health in ministry.

The day will include

  • a session reflecting on Adam Hamilton’s teaching at conference
  • a dutch treat lunch,
  • reflection with the teaching pastor on church growth and health.

Please choose a location near you and call to find out times and to let the church know you are coming so that they can make appropriate arrangements.

8/16/10Friendship UMC in Athens
Led by Calvin Havens
(256) 232-4906

8/17/10 Gardendale – Mt. Vernon UMC
Led by Rudy Guess
(205) 631-7631

8/23/10 Sylacauga First UMC
Led by Andy Wolfe
Hosted by Lewis Archer
(256) 249-0362

8/30/10 Christ Central UMC in Rainbow City
Led by Robin Scott
Hosted by Bo Lloyd
(256) 442-6625

 


Church Media Workshop

August 18-19, 2010
Samford University, Birmingham

A one-day training seminar for churches on website content, public relations, advertising, media production, event planning and writing. The conference is designed to meet the needs of small- and medium-sized churches with church media.

$100 fee includes meals and materials

Go to the website for more information: www.samford.edu/churchmedia   

 


Growing disciples through small group ministry led by Rev. Bryan Collier

August 30, 2010
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Trussville First United Methodist Church
Gathering and registration starts at 8:30 a.m.

The Cheaha District presents Dr. Bryan D. Collier, senior pastor of the Orchard in Tupelo, Mississippi for an exciting opportunity of continuing education and renewal.

Bryan will be teaching about growing disciples through small group ministry. Small Group ministry is not a new dynamic in discipleship; the early Methodist movement was anchored by it! Though the circumstances of ministry have changed, the need for dynamic contexts for discipleship has not! Explore selection, development and sustainability models for small group ministry with Bryan as we consider implementation and organization strategies.

Also, Bryan will explore concepts in leading the local church. This time will include both practical strategies and leadership development in almost every area of ministry. This time will be driven by, "What you want to know, before you leave..."

To register for this event contact the Paul Whetsell at the Cheaha District Office at (205) 338-3883 or cheahadistrict@northalabamaumc.org

$25 covers all cost for the event. The participation fee can be paid at registration on the day of conference.

 


Eric Geiger - "Simple Chruch"

September 13, 2010
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Canterbury UMC

Stewardship Resources is hosting Eric Geiger, co-author of the book "Simple Church: Returning to God's Process of Making Disciples" for a Core Churches event.

About the book:
Simple Church clearly calls for Christians to return to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. No bells or whistles required, so to speak. Based on case studies of four hundred American churches, authors Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger prove that the process for making disciples has quite often become too complex. Simple churches are thriving, and they are doing so by taking these four ideas to heart: Clarity. Movement. Alignment. Focus. Each idea is examined here, simply showing why it is time to simplify.

About the speaker
Eric Geiger serves as executive pastor of Christ Fellowship, a large and growing multicultural church comprised of more than seventy nationalities near Miami, Florida. He and his wife, Kaye, have one daughter, Eden.

Go to http://www.corechurches.com to register.

 


Catapult Conference

Sept. 22-24. 2010
Christ UMC - Mobile, AL
Coordinator: Rev. Brian Miller
Email:
brianvmiller@gmail.com

Catapult is a missional leadership gathering of those who desire to recapture the mission of the church. This conference is designed to help leaders, both clergy and laity, take steps toward fidelity with the mission of Jesus. Community sessions reinforce the truth of God’s mission in the world. Community sessions will be led by Mike Slaughter, Alan & Deb Hirsch, Reggie McNeal, and Brian Russell. Breakout sessions equip for participation in the mission of God and will be led by practitioners. Networking creates a web of innovation and encouragement for this North American mission field. Catapult sends you as an agent of transformation in your neighborhood, your church, your city, your world.

For more information or to register visit http://catapultconference.com 


 


Gathering of the Orders

October 18-20, 2010
Camp Sumatanga

Coordinator: Cindi Patsios
Coordinator Email: cpatsios@northalabamaumc.org  
(205) 226-7970

The Order of Elders and Deacons and Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members Invite all clergy to :
RESTORE OUR HOPE - REDISCOVER OUR ROOTS
October 18 - 20, 2010 at Camp Sumatanga.

As clergy from time to time we need our hope restored. Often this restoration comes through rediscovering our roots. We invite you to an opportunity to rediscover your Wesleyan roots and allow the Spirit to open your eyes to a present joy and future hope. Our speakers are:

  • Richard Heitzenrater as the William Kellon Quick Professor of Church History and Wesley Studies at Duke Divinity School became best known for "breaking the code" of John Wesley's personal diaries.
  • S T Kimbrough, Jr. - Internationally known operatic, concert and music theatre singer is also the author and performer of Sweet Singer, a one-person drama depicting the life and work of Charles Wesley, which debuted in 1985 at Carnegie Hall in NYC

Director, Alan Head, pastoralanhead@aol.com, (205) 428-4056
 

Register online or clickthis link for printable schedule and registration form. 

 


The Church of the Resurrection Leadership Institute 2010

Oct. 7-8. 2010
The Church of the Resurrection
Leawood, KS

Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS, was the featured speaker at the 2010 North Alabama Annual Conference.

Here is an invitation from The Church of the Resurrection .

Now that you have heard from Adam Hamilton, We are excited to invite you to Leadership Institute 2010

The best years of the church are ahead of us, and in anticipation, this year’s Leadership Institute will focus on “Preparing for a Future with Hope.” Preparing for the future requires envisioning, planning and implementing key strategies and innovations to equip our churches to reach the unchurched, to encourage our members to grow deeper in their faith, and to empower our congregations to transform our communities in the name of Christ.

At Leadership Institute, in addition to selecting from more than 80 workshops led by The Church of the Resurrection staff and leaders, you will also have the opportunity to hear about the importance of innovation from senior leaders at Hallmark Cards Inc. — Steve Hawn, Hallmark’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Finance, and Bob Johansen, a highly sought after futurist and forecasting expert who regularly consults with many of the largest and most innovative companies in the world including Hallmark. Celebrating their 100th year of business, Hallmark has had to learn how to stay innovative to reach an ever-changing society without compromising their core mission. The ideas on leadership Steve and Bob share will challenge you to look to the future and begin developing strategies today to not just survive, but to thrive in the future! Bring a team of people to this year’s Institute, and begin dreaming together of the future God has planned for your church. The time spent at Leadership Institute will have a lasting impact on your ministry for years to come.

To learn more and register visit www.cor.org/institute  


 


Pumpkids Adventure

The month of October 2010
Sumatanga
Email:
reservations@sumatanga.org
(256) 538-9860

Sumatanga is offering "Pumpkids Adventure" during the month of October. Any day (except Sundays) - 9 am - 1 pm - by the lake.

Hayrides, S'mores, Canoeing, Pumpkin Painting, Pumpkin Creative Classroom, Parable of the Pumpkin, Inflatables. $10 each child or $15 with sack lunch included

For reservations - reservations@sumatanga.org or call (256) 538-9860

Related Link: www.sumatanga.org


 






Click here
to see local church events this month in North Alabama!

 
North Alabama congregations can add your church events to the calendar by using the Local Church Dashboard (Church Login on the homepage). 
Agencies, Advance Specials and other organizations can add your events by clicking here.