eVoice 01.25.2012

January 25, 2012  

News

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New Vision UMC to hold grand opening of The Matrix Center on Feb. 3, 2012

The Matrix Center of New Vision United Methodist Church in Florence is more than a student center. It is designed to be a launching point for young people, bringing about a change in their lives and their community. The grand opening of The Matrix Center is set for Feb. 3, 2012. The Matrix Center developed as a way of addressing the best way to disciple young people today. Although, many people in youth ministry use youth talks as a primary teaching strategy, research has been shown that...

 

North Alabama group holds consultation and begins to look to future Hispanic Ministries

On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, a team of people active in Hispanic ministries from across the North Alabama Conference gathered for an initial consultation and to begin a strategic comprehensive planning process for Hispanic ministries in the Conference. The group met with Rev. Dionisio Salazar from the Office of Hispanic/Latino Ministries of the General Board of Global Ministries. The purpose of the day-long meeting was threefold. to assess the current status of Hispanic...

 

Conference Announces new Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

The North Alabama Conference Lay Ministry Team announces that June Wilson is the newly appointed Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries. Conference Lay Leader Steve Lyles says, “The Board of Laity is delighted to announce that June Wilson, a Lay Speaker from the Southeast District will immediately become the Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries. June has full support of the Conference and District Lay Leaders in becoming the Conference Director.” He adds,... 

 

Headlines from United Methodist News Service

Read more at UMC.org

 

Disaster Response Update

Responding to Jan. 23, 2012 Storms

North Alabama United Methodists are active in response to the storms that struck the Jefferson County area Monday morning, Jan. 23, 2012.

Clay United Methodist Church is serving as the relief center and hub for the Clay community's disaster response efforts. Volunteers in the United Methodist Disaster Warehouse in Decatur have been locating and shipping needed supplies to the affected areas. Beginning Tuesday morning, Early Response Team (ERT) volunteers from churches throughout the North Alabama Conference have been working in the Clay area. Click here to see pictures of some of the volunteers in action. (If you have pictures of a team from your church working please send them to Danette Clifton at dclifton@northalabamaumc.org.)

Conference Director of Mission and Advocacy Rev. Matt Lacey reminds people, "that as the disaster progresses, we are learning and adapting. Volunteers should keep this in mind when working with ERT teams."

He also noted that on Thursday, January 26, the Clay area will NOT be taking teams because of potential bad weather. The work will resume on Friday, January 27!

 

Resources

Deadline for PreConference Reports, Petitions and Resolutions for Annual Conference 2012 is Feb 1.

Annual Conference 2012 Emphasis: The Value of the Connection

All reports submitted for publication in the Journal Volume 1 (Pre-Conference Book) for 2012 and for subsequent publication in the Journal Volume 2 2012 should be submitted no later than Tuesday, February 1, 2012, as a Microsoft Word Document and attached in an email to the following email address:

acreports@northalabamaumc.org

Include "Pre-Conference Report" in the subject line and request a "read receipt" to ensure delivery.

All Petitions and Resolutions must also be submitted no later than Tuesday, February 1, 2012 per our Conference Standing Rules (See Call to Mission and Ministry para 8.1 (f) ). Petitions and resolutions should be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document and attached in an email to the Conference Secretary at the following email addresses:

acreports@northalabamaumc.org and sclontz@northalabamaumc.org

Include "Petitions and Resolutions" in the subject line and request a "read receipt" to ensure delivery.

All reports received are included in the Pre-Conference Booklet at the discretion of the Director of Connectional Ministries and/or the Conference Secretary. Any reports received after the report deadline will be received at the discretion of the Director of Connectional Ministries and/or the Conference Secretary due to publishing requirements.

In your report this year, please specifically address how your board, agency, committee, team, ministry, mission, or institution is helping the annual conference achieve its vision (stated above) and how your group benefits from or adds value to our United Methodist connectional system in North Alabama. As we return to the campus of Birmingham Southern College for Annual Conference this year, we will be celebrating Christ's work through our family of United Methodists, a family reunion of sorts. Your report should include how your group functions, serves and thrives in that family.

 

North Alabama Conference Advance Specials to participate in Alabama Gives Day on Feb. 2, 2012

On February 2, 2012 the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, in partnership with the Alabama Broadcasters Association and the Razoo Foundation, is taking one day to harness the power of individual contributions statewide. Alabama Gives Day will connect new and existing donors with thousands of Alabama nonprofits through a simple one day online giving process increasing awareness of local Alabama charities.

Many North Alabama Conference Advance Special Ministries are participating in this opportunity to join thousands of Alabamians in being part of a history making event that aims to raise millions of dollars for hundreds of Alabama nonprofits in just 24 hours. Inspired by other Gives Days in the nation, Alabama Gives Day provides nonprofits an opportunity to showcase the impact of the incredible work they do that helps improve the quality of life for everyone in our state.

You can learn more by visiting www.alabamagivesday.org.

Below are a list of the North Alabama Conference Advance Specials participating in this event with a direct link to their page on the Alabama Gives website.

 

Events

Featured Events

Contagious!

January 27-28, 2012
Gardendale Mt. Vernon UMC
805 Crest Drive
Gardendale, AL 35071

Become CONTAGIOUS! Infect your crew!

An event for children's workers presented by the North Alabama Conference Children's Connexion.Bring your children's ministry team to join in

  • Meet and Greet time
  • Worship
  • Breakout Sessions
  • Curriculum Preview
  • VBS Preview

Featured Speaker: Kristin Heiden
Minister of Formation, Fayetteville First UMC, Fayetteville, GARev. Kristin Heiden serves as the Minister of Christian Formation at Fayetteville First UMC in the North Georgia Conference. Her areas of focus include children’s ministry, adult education and formation, and recreation ministry. Within the area of children’s ministry, Kristin strives to connect children with the foundational stories of the Scriptures through interactive and engaging storytelling as well as guide them as they reach out to serve God and neighbor, incorporating a mission element into both weekly programs and special annual events.Breakout Sessions include the following:

  • Heart and Soul Therapy
  • Social Media Basics
  • Reaching Millennial Kids
  • Operation Pray and Play
  • Love and Logic
  • Serviceology
  • Small Church Children's Ministry
  • Irresistible Story Telling
  • Twitchin' Tweens
  • Catch the VBS Spirit

Registration

  • Early Registration by December 15, 2011: $49
  • Registration by January 15, 2012: $59
  • Registration at the Door: $69
  • Each Additional Team Member: $10

Hotel AccomodationsBook a hotel for Friday night, January 27.
Conference Rates Available at Hampton Inn, 1716 Fulton Road, Fultondale, AL 35068

  • After December 5: $129

 

 

An Afternoon with Dr. Tom Long

Feb 4, 2012
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Gadsden First UMC
115 S. 5th Street
Gadsden,AL
Coordinator: Rev. Roger K. Thompson
Coordinator Email: roger@fumcgadsden.org

The clergy of the North Alabama Conference are invited to “An Afternoon with Dr. Tom Long” on Saturday, February 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Dr. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, is well known for his writing and teaching. His books include the following:

What Shall We Say?: Evil, Suffering and the Crisis of Faith (2011)
Accompany Them with Singing – The Christian Funeral (2009)
Preaching From Memory to Hope (2009)
The Witness of Preaching, Second Edition (2005)

Dr. Long’s presentation will be part of the 2012 recognition of Hardin Scholars at Gadsden First UMC. The Hardin Scholarship was established in the 1980’s by Mrs. Mary G. Hardin and her daughters, Elisabeth and Mary Lee to help defray the expenses of seminary education for persons attending Candler School of Theology from the North Alabama Conference. Gadsden First has hosted numerous “Hardin Sundays” over the years to honor recipients of the scholarship.

In addition to the Saturday afternoon time with clergy, Dr. Long will be present for a luncheon honoring Hardin Scholars beginning at 11:30 a.m., then will preach at both worship services at Gadsden First on Sunday, February 5.

For more information, please contact Rev. Roger K. Thompson at roger@fumcgadsden.org, or (256) 543-8200.
 

 

 

Clergy Integrity *RETRAINING*

Only 75 people can attend this event. Registration will be on a first come basis when payment is received.

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

You must attend the entire training to receive credit for it. Latecomers or those who leave early will not receive credit for attending. Registration and attendance will be listed and submitted to the District Superintendents. There will be a cost of $12 that will include materials and coffee.

Dates and location of refresher trainings in 2012 are listed below.
You may click the link associated with the date you wish to attend to register online:

The retraining will begin at 9:00 AM and last until 12:30 PM. You must attend the entire training to receive credit for it. Latecomers or those who leave early will not receive credit for attending. Registration and attendance will be listed and submitted to the District Superintendents. There will be a cost of $12 that will include materials and coffee.

Registration must be made a full week before each training. TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

 

 

UMVIM Team Leader Training

Feb. 11, 2012
Start Time 10:00 am
End Time 3:00 pm
North Alabama Conference Center
898 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35204
Coordinator: Rev. Matt Lacey
Email: mlacey@northalabamaumc.org
(205) 202-1879This is a class which helps first time mission team leaders before their first mission trip. This is a requirement to lead a UMVIM team. Potential future team leaders are also encouraged to attend. This will cover how to organize a mission trip and cross cultural sensitivity.

Please RSVP with Rev. Matt Lacey, mlacey@northalabamaumc.org in order to attend. The total cost is $20.

 

 

Accelerating Church Growth

February 11, 2012
9 a.m. - noon
Alexander City First United Methodist Church
310 Green Street - at The Arbor
Alexander City,AL 35010
Coordinator: Debby Webb
Coordinator Email: dwebb@northalabamaumc.org

The Southeast District is excited to welcome Rev. Olujimi (Olu) Brown to lead the workshop on Accelerating Church Growth. The workshop is an attempt to provide churches with the tools for growth through the use of three essential and identifiable growth components: Small Group, hospitality and creative worship.

Olu Brown is the right person to provide pointers to lay and clergy in the area of chuch growth acceleration. He is the Lead Pastor of Impact Church, a new United Methodist Congregation in Atlanta, Georgia. Impact Church started weekly worship in 2007 after six months of small group meetings and community events. One year later, they saw over 1,000 people in worship and more than 400 people in small groups. Information on the ministries at Impact Church can be found at www.impactdcd.org

You can register by contacting the Southeast District at dwebb@northalabamaumc.org or calling (256) 409-9210

District Superntendent Stryker notes, “You and leaders of your church don’t want to miss this training. We are excited about the experiences and ideas Olu brings to us.”
 

 

 

Encounter: RESURRECTED 2012

February 17 - 19, 2012
Gatlinburg Convention Center
234 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg,TN 37738
Coordinator: North Alabama Conference Youth Ministry
Coordinator Email:Youthministries@northalabamaumc.org
(205) 226-7963Featured Speaker: Mike SatterfieldFeatured Music: On Fire

  • Early Bird Registration NOW OPENl $50 per person until December 1st
  • $60 per person December 2nd until February 3, 2012
  • Final Registration February 6, 2012

More information and registration available at www.northalabamaumc.org/encounter.

 

 

Tween Retreat

Feb. 24-25, 2012
Start Time 4:30
Camp Sumatanga
3616 Sumatanga Road
Gallant, Alabama 35972-3105
Coordinator: Mike Arnold
Email: 1tweenleader@gmail.com
(256) 338-8447TWEEN RETREAT A celebration of the Five Vows of Membership.

Many churches are going to year around confirmation with new confirmation curriculums offering Tweens an opportunity to journey deeper into their faith. We are offering an overnight retreat just for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders that will enhance their confirmation experience and make the Five Vows of Membership come alive.

Theme: Boot camp…..wear your favorite CAMO! Five vow talks, worship, games and crazy fun!

Registration cost $50/person including T-shirt.
Register today! Deadline is February 8, 2012.

For more information contact Mike Arnold, Tween leader Cullman First UMC 1tweenleader@gmail.com

Pay attention: I'm teaching you the rules and regulations that God commanded me, so that you may live by them in the land you are entering to take up ownership. Keep them. Practice them. You'll become wise and understanding. When people hear and see what's going on, they'll say, "What a great nation! So wise, so understanding! We've never seen anything like it." Deuteronomy 4:5-6

Click here to download the Permission and Liability Form.
Each camper must turn a signed release in to participate in Tween Retreat 2012.

Each church is responsible for providing chaperones for their group.
Churches should bring complete background checks of adults to the retreat.
Click here to download an Adult Background Check Consent Form.

 

 

Poured Out, A Conference on Prayer and Missions

Feb. 24-25, 2012
Asbury UMC, Madison
Coordinator: John Bailey
Coordinator Email: john.bailey@asburyumcmadison.com
(256) 837-0365
Related Link - www.asburygic.com

Asbury UMC in Madison will host a Prayer and Missions Conference on Feb. 24-25, 2012. The event is entitled, Poured Out, A Conference on Prayer and Missions and will feature more than 60 workshops on various aspects of prayer and missions. The conference is part of Asbury’s seventh Global Impact Celebration.

Keynote speakers for the event are Joy Griffin, International Leadership Institute’s International Director, and Dr. Leonard Sweet. Joy serves in her Director’s position with a special focus on leadership development for women. Previously Joy has served as a missionary in Estonia and Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation at the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary. Dr. Sweet is a preacher and writer who communicates the gospel powerfully to a postmodern age by bridging the worlds of academe and popular culture. Currently, he is the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey and a Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University, Portland, Oregon.

Small group session speakers include Dr. Florence Mundi, Linda Holland, Cindy McCarver, Darcie Gill, Saji Lukos, Carlos Cunningham, Paul Lawler, Lance Rod, Melvin Allen, Daniel Rickett, Ryan and Allison Riggs, Moses and Talsy Vega and Bart Bowlin. These breakout session presenters will share local, national, international and cross-cultural perspectives on prayer and missions. The Friday night service will feature Travis Cottrell leading praise and worship.

Additional information about the Global Impact Celebration/ Prayer and Missions Conference and specific small group session speakers and topics is available online at www.asburygic.com. You may also register online. You may also contact the Asbury UMC mission office at 256-837-0365 with any questions.

North Alabama Conference Clergy may receive 1.2 CEU credits for attending the entire event.

 

 

Conference Calendar

Click event name to read full event details on the Conference Calendar.

 

Local Church Events and Celebrations

Click here to see a listing of upcoming special events and celebrations at local North Alabama United Methodist Churches.

Click here to submit your events.