Huffman UMC serves God by serving local schools

Huffman United Methodist was delighted to support their community children, teachers and administrators with the donation of school supplies and uniforms to two local Birmingham City schools, Going Elementary and Huffman Middle School. There was wonderful enthusiastic support of this mission project. The passion for this mission project continued on Sunday, August 15 ...
 

New Oregon UMC volunteers helps construct North Carolina Home

At the end of July, a group from New Oregon UMC in Ft. Payne traveled to Transylvania County, in Western North Carolina to help build a house for residents in need of affordable housing. The house in the town of Rosman was the first to be built in a new subdivision being developed by a coalition of non-profit organizations. The mission team of 50 included members of New Oregon and their family members and friends. Thirty people in the group helped with the construction while the other 20...
 

First class of Pastors Ordained by United Methodist Church in Cameroon
 

The United Methodist Church in Cameroon has ordained its first nine pastors (elders), including one woman. This historic occasion took place on July 31 at the civic auditorium in Yaounde, the capital of the West African country. Bishop Benjamin Boni from Côte d'Ivoire, who also supervised the United Methodist missions in Cameroon and Senegal, officiated at the service ...
 

Cullman First UMC reaches out to teachers as new school year begins
 

As the Cullman city schools were preparing for a new school year, Cullman First UMC placed gift baskets in the faculty break rooms of every city school as a way to say “thank you” to the teachers for role in the lives of children. Beyond the thank you, the congregation also delivered a promise with each basket: if a teacher sees a child in need (field trip expenses, supplies, clothes, etc.), just call the church and the need will be met. Period. The funds for these needs come...

 

The United Methodist Children’s Home & Concordia College Close on Selma Property

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News Service 

 Read more at UMC.org
 

• Floods threaten ‘core of Pakistan’
• Hispanic caucus focuses on youth, outreach
• New York bishop supports Islamic center
• Diverse church lifts up New Orleans
• Baptismal waters bless post-Katrina church
• Letter alleges racism in Obama attacks
• Mississippi churches thank Katrina workers
• The road back from Hurricane Katrina
• Zoning battles endanger religious freedom 
• ‘Angels’ mending lives on Gulf Coast
• African churches desire equal voice
• Keys to building vital congregations
• Louisiana churches hail Katrina response
• Luke’s House offers healing and prayers
• Giving thanks in Katrina’s wake
• Opening doors to people with disabilities
• Donors respond slowly to Pakistan floods
• Border school strengthens spirits
• Church schools among ‘best colleges’
• United Methodists address mosque conflicts
• Church growth often requires starting small
• Pakistan floods threaten millions of children
• Facebook fans rank favorite hymns
• Global AIDS Fund provides help, comfort
• United Methodists lose pounds, gain health

UMCOR

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is at work around the world in places of flooding like Pakistan and Afghanistan. UMCOR is also prepared to help those in the United States who are affected by storms, floods, and other disasters during the 2010 Hurricane Season. Every dollar you designate for a specific program goes to that program.
 

Click here to learn how you give to UMCOR's work.

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

Calendar

Featured Events

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

Advanced Lay Speaking Course - Discover Spiritual Gifts
9/2/2010
Methodist Center

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

UM Center Closed
9/6/2010

Advanced Lay Speaking Course - Discover Spiritual Gifts Session 2
9/9/2010
United Methodist Center

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

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

Gardendale-Mt. Vernon Tent Revival
9/12/2010 - 9/14/2010
Gardendale- Mt. Vernon UMC

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

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

Board of Ordained Ministry Meeting
9/14/2010
Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church

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

Building Healthy Congregations: 2010-2011
9/16/2010
Mountain Lakes District Office

Advanced Lay Speaking Course - Discover Spiritual Gifts Session 3
9/16/2010
United Methodist Center

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

Northeast District Mini-School of Missions
9/18/2010
Hazel Green UMC

Ivan Parker in Concert
9/18/2010
Taylor Memorial UMC

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

Catapult Conference
9/22/2010 - 9/24/2010
Christ UMC - Mobile

Central & South Central Deacons luncheon
9/23/2010
Kairos Restaurant

Advanced Lay Speaking Course - Discover Spiritual Gifts Session 4
9/23/2010
United Methodist Center

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

Days of Renewal Conference
9/26/2010 - 9/28/2010
Hewett UMC

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

Advanced Lay Speaking Course - Discover Spiritual Gifts Session 5
9/30/2010
Methodist Center

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 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
Conference Center Large Conference Room

Wesleyan Leadership Conference
10/14/2010 - 10/16/2010
West End UMC

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

Jim Griffith's Turning Tippers Into Tithers
10/16/2010
St. Andrew's UMC

Central District United Methodist Women Annual Meeting
10/17/2010

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

Appointive Cabinet Meeting
10/18/2010
Camp Sumatanga

Building Healthy Congregations: 2010-2011 Session 2
10/21/2010
Mountain Lakes District Office

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

Cheaha District Charge Conference
11/7/2010
Leeds First UMC

Cheaha District Charge Conference
11/8/2010
Oxford First UMC

Cabinet Meeting
11/18/2010
United Methodist Center

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.

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.

Northeast District Mini-School of Missions

Sept. 18, 2010
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
8:30 am registration
Hazel Green United Methodist Church
14131 Hwy. 231 - 431 N
Hazel Green,AL 35750

Contact :Kay West - (256) 509-9575

"Hugging the World" - Saturday, September 18, 2010 - Hazel Green UMC - Registration 8:30 am - Cost: $7.00 for lunch (Ole Dad's BBQ) - Pre-register by September 11

Classes: "Joy to the World, Mission and Evangelism" with Rev. Abi Carlisle-Wilke; "For the Love of God, Epistles of John" with Rev. Sara Cameron; "The Beauty and Courage of Sudan" with Nancy Lane; Study for Adults who teach youth - "Embracing the World" with Judy Englehart; Study for Adults who teach children - "Hugging the World, Faith, Hope, Love in Action" with Shae Lindsey

Childcare is available but pre-registration for children is necessary. (Bring lunch and snack for each child.)

Open to the entire church body. Come learn about the studies so that you may teach them in your local church. You must attend enitre class to receive credit and be eligible to teach the study.

Send class and childcare information along with a check to cover expenses to Teresa Love, 4342 Jeff Rd., Toney AL 35773. Make checks payable to DCMSCM.Pre-register by September 11, 2010.

CEU credits are available for this event. Contact the coordinator, Kay West for additional information.

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

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

Urban Ministry Workshop with Gary Mason

Oct. 13, 2010
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
United Methodist Center - Birmingham

Contact: Rev. Matt Lacey
mlacey@northalabamaumc.org or (205) 202-1879

The North Alabama Conference is pleased to welcome Gary Mason of the Methodist East Belfast Conference in Belfast, Ireland to share his unique perspective on urban ministry. Gary's work of reconciliation in Belfast is well documented, and continues to lead ministry efforts in urban Belfast.

The East Belfast Mission is one of the largest Methodist churches in Europe. Located on a “peace line” between Protestant and Catholic communities, the Mission operates in an area that has one of the worst rankings in Northern Ireland in terms of employment, health education, and poverty.

With a membership of only 250 members, the Mission mobilizes a staff of 50 and a volunteer team of more than 50 in service to the community. Hosford House is a 22-bed hostel for people who are experiencing homelessness. The Job Bridge is an employment service that offers information, guidance on employment opportunities, training, and education.

This is a free workshop. Click here register online to let us know how many to expect.

Clergy Spouse Retreat 2010

Oct. 15-16, 2010
Sumatanga

Coordinator: Robin Schultz

HOLY GROUNDS
2010 Clergy Spouse Retreat

Registration online

Click here for Spouse Retreat Flyer.

Jim Griffith's Turning Tippers Into Tithers

Oct. 16, 2010
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
St. Andrew's UMC
615 Main Ave SW
Cullman, AL

COST: $50 per person or $100 per team from one church.

Contact: Lynne Paden
lpaden@northalabamaumc.org or (256) 382-6935 ,x236

TURNING TIPPERS INTO TITHERS
"A just in time training for these difficult economic times."

A workshop for church pastors and members of finance/stewardship teams designed to help learn the following principles:

• Principles of giving.
• Re-thinking motives for giving.
• Re-thinking the stewardship letter.
• Helping people grow in their giving.

The workshop is led by Jim Griffith who has presented several courses for the North Alabama conference, such as a Revitialization Boot Camp. Jim works with hundreds of congregations nationally on issues of church vitality.

Cost includes material, lunch and snacks.

For more information, please contact Congregational Ministry at lpaden@northalabamaumc.org or 256-382-6935, x236.
 

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.