eVoice 02.15.2012

February 15, 2012  

News

Click on headline to read full story.

Bishop Willimon to lead Ash Wednesday Service of Repentance and Reconciliation

On August 11, 1921, Methodist Episcopal Church, South preacher E. R. Stephenson stepped onto the porch of the rectory of the Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham and shot to death Father James Coyle, pastor of the Cathedral. Father Coyle, a native of Ireland, had been a teacher in Mobile and had served St. Paul's for seventeen years. He was renowned for his preaching and teaching on racial justice and the Christian faith. Just hours before he was shot, Father Coyle had...

 

Alabama and Auburn Wesley Foundations invite United Methodists to participate in March 24 Tiger-Tide Challenge

On Saturday, March 24, 2012, the University of Alabama Wesley Foundation and Auburn University Wesley Foundation will hold a two-hour fundraising event called the Tiger-Tide Challenge at the Birmingham Marriott grand ballroom. During The Tiger-Tide Challenge both schools and their fans will compete to raise programming dollars for these two United Methodist campus ministries for the upcoming year. Rev. Creighton Alexander, the Campus Pastor at the Bama Wesley Foundation explains, “The...

 

Candler School of Theology to host 'Singing Church' Conference to explore Congregational Song

Emory University’s Candler School of Theology delves into the issue of music in worship at “The Singing Church: Current Practices and Emerging Trends in Congregational Song” March 19-21, 2012. The school has assembled a roster of well-known church music professionals to address the so-called “worship wars,” a topic that has divided churches for more than a decade While some worship leaders may have pledged allegiance to a particular kind of music–historic...

 

Cabinet Announces Clergy Appointment Changes in the Mountain Lakes District

The Cabinet has announced that Rev. Paul Messer will be appointed as the Senior Pastor of Asbury UMC in Ft. Payne effective February 12, 2012. Mountain Lakes District Superintendent Robin Scott has asked Rev. Messer to use his proven skills to lead Asbury through a time of transition noting, “Paul, throughout his career, has shown an exceptional ability to lead churches through difficult times.” Sumatanga thanks Paul for his service as Camp Pastor and will welcome Rev. Johnny... 

  

Headlines from United Methodist News Service

Read more at UMC.org

 

Resources

Register by Feb. 29 for Early Bird Rate of $80!

NCD 3-Color Discipleship Tour featuring Christian Schwarz

May 18, 2012
Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC
805 Crest Drive
Gardendale,AL 35071
Coordinator: Nancy Cole
Coordinator Email: ncole@northalabamaumc.org

Click here to register.

In a one day training event designed for Pastors, Small Group Leaders, and NCD Coaches

Christian Schwarz, founder and president of the Institute for Natural Church Development (NCD International), will introduce you to the dynamic content of TWO NEW books: The 3 Colors of Leadership and The 3 Colors of Community.

Every church could benefit from more and better leaders. Christian will introduce you to fresh concepts about leading and empowering others in The 3 Colors of Leadership. You will also discover your personal results from the Empowerment Test.

In The 3 Colors of Community you will be introduced to the seven communal qualities of healthy groups. You will be challenged with creative teaching about the Seven Deadly Sins and understanding the energy behind them. We can respond by living in denial or compromise which both lead to frustration and defeat. However, a better option is we could learn how to transform this energy to experience God's best in our lives and in our small groups! You will discover your personal energy level and contribution to community.

You will not leave this seminar the same as you arrived!
Maximum Attendants Allowed: 125

Cost:

  • $80 Early-Bird rate before February 29, 2012
  • $95 Includes two books, breaks and lunch

Registration includes:

Two books, assessments, breaks and lunch.

Schedule:

Registration Check-in: 8:15-9 a.m.
Training + break: 9: a.m. - Noon
Lunch: Noon - 1 p.m.
Training + break: 1 - 4 p.m.

 

Upcoming Lay Speaking Classes

Lay Speaker Training-Southwest District
February 25, 2012 at Hargrove Memorial UMC
Cost $35 (Includes lunch and materials)

Registration 8:00-8:30 AM (Coffee and doughnuts will be available)
Classes 8:30 AM-3:00 PM

Registration deadline is February 15, 2012 (If registration forms are received after this date, class materials may not be available). Classes offered:

  • Basic class taught by Rev. John Hassell
  • Advanced class: Transforming Evangelism-The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith taught by Rev. Carol Lambert
  • Advanced class: Storytelling taught by Rev. Belinda Freeman
  • Advanced class: Secular Personalities of the New Testament taught by Bobby Ray Hicks

To register, contact Bobby Boothe, Email: bboothe@wabt.com  or by phone: (205) 367-8181.
 


Lay Speaking Classes
March 9-10, 2012 at Roanoke First UMC
Cost: $35

March 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
March 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registration deadline is March 3, 2012.

  • Rev. Kevin Payne will teach the Basic Course
  • Rev. Steve Baccus will teach the Advanced Course - From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon.

For registration forms or more information contact Anna McCain at (256) 329-2496 or annamccain4@yahoo.com.
 


 

Events

Featured Events

Back from the Brink: Helping Suicidal Patients Choose to Live

Feb. 23, 2012
Canterbury United Methodist Church
350 Overbrook Road
Mountain Brook, AL 35213
Canterbury Counseling Center - Kelly Boyd
(205) 879-0202|
Kelly.boyd@Canterburyumc.org

Back from the Brink: Helping Suicidal Patients Choose to Live led by Dr. Cory Frank Newman, Professor of Psychology and director of the internationally acclaimed Center for Cognitive Therapy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine will be held February 23, 2012 at Canterbury UMC.

Session for Professionals - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - This workshop focuses on helping therapists to utilize best practices in cognitive-behavorial therapy to safely, effectively manage and treat suicidal clients.

Session for the Community "Helping People Who Have Lost Hope" - 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - This discussion session led by Dr. Newman will talk about the ways in which we can become more alert and responsive to people we know and care about who may be having throughts about ending thier lives.

More information and registration form available in attached brochure.

 

 

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) 338-8447

TWEEN 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

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, E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey and a Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University, Portland, Oregon.

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.

 

 

Family Reunion 2012: A Christian Education Training Event

March 8-9, 2012
The United Methodist Publishing House
201 Eighth Avenue South
Nashville,TN 37203
Coordinator: Jean Foster
Email: curricuphone@cokesbury.com
(800) 251-8591

R.S.V.P. by March 1

Family reunion is an excellent opportunity for leaders who serve in ministries with children, youth, and adults, as well as resource centers and other ministry arenas to come together with staff of the United Methodist Publishing House to learn from one another.

It's an opportunity to:

  • Equip yourself to lead vital Christian education workshops as new workshops are modeled for you to use at home;
  • Network with other leaders in Christian education from across the country, sharing success stories, questions, and solutions; and discuss new resources with UMPH staff
  • Celebrate with these leaders and with The United Methodist Publishing House our shared work in the teaching ministry of the church.

Download list of Workshops and Schedule

There is no Registration Fee!
Continuing Education Units are offered.

Travel and Lodging: These expenses are your responsibility.

Download and complete registration form

For more information:

Download Brochure

 

Light the Fire Leadership and Worship Conference

March 9- 11, 2012
Hamilton United Methodist Church
130 Military Street North
Hamilton,AL 35570
Email: lesliemartin7@gmail.com
(205) 921-3243

The Light the Fire Leadership and Worship Conference is designed to inspire and equip those attending to become better disciples who are wiling to be fired up (motivated) to follow Jesus and invite others to grow in relationship to Christ.

Complete registration form in attached brochure and mail with your payment to Hamilton United Methodist Church by February 24, 2012.

Cost: Pastor - $25; Per Church - $50

 

 

Contemplative Prayer Conference

March 10, 2012
Start Time 9 a.m.
End Time 3:30 p.m.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Cahaba Heights
Coordinator: Diana Tschache
Email: tschache@bellsouth.net
(205) 991-6964

Contemplative Outreach of Birmingham hosts an annual conference on subjects about and related to the contemplative practice of centering prayer. The 2012 Alabama conference will be held Saturday, March 10, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Cahaba Heights from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The conference is open to anyone interested in learning about centering prayer, as well as experienced practitioners. The featured speaker, Mary Dwyer, is a long time practitioner of centering prayer and member of the Int’l Contemplative Outreach Resource Faculty. She will speak on the use of the Welcoming Prayer and Forgiveness Prayer in contemplative practice.

The cost for attendance is $50, which includes light refreshments and a box lunch.

To register and for additional information contact Diana Tschache at 205-991-6964 or tschache@bellsouth.net .

The deadline for registration is March 5, 2012.

 

 

SBC21 Training Event

 

 

 

March 16-17, 2012
9 a.m.- #3 p.m.
St. Paul-Birmingham
1500 6th Avenue North
Birmingham,AL 35203
Coordinator: Ethnic Ministries
 Email: Nhillman@northalabamaumc.org
(205) 226-7933

The Power of REAL

Changing Lives, Changing Churches, Changing Communities

Lead by: Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr. with Christine Shinn Latona

Friday March 16th Dr. Joseph will consult with Pastors.
The full workshop will start on March 17, 9 am-3 pm 

 

 

Scrap, Pray, Love - Scrapbooking Retreat

March 23-25, 2012
Camp Sumatanga
Coordinator: Chrystal Smith
Email: programs@sumatanga.org
(256) 538-9860

Come out to Camp Sumatanga for a weekend of fun and scrapbooking. This three-day, two-night retreat is perfect for any scrap booker, whether you are just starting out or if you have been doing it for years.

The cost is $160 for a double room and $210 for a single room. Price includes 2 night stay, 6 melas, snacks, games and prizes, a guest speaker, and scrapbooking goodies.

Download brochure

 

 

Babies First Annual Benefit Luncheon

 

 

 

March 31, 2012
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Babies First Home
4820 Overton Road
Birmingham,AL 35226
Coordinator: Robin Schultz
Email: robinschultz@att.net

Sponsored by the North Alabama Conference Clergy Spouses

Cost: $15

Please make checks payable to the North Alabama Conference UMC and mail to

United Methodist Center
Attn: Sandy O’Kelley
898 Arkadelphia Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35204
 

About Babies First

Babies First is a residential program of the Untied Methodist Children's Home which provides group care for up to four mothers and their babies. Mothers are usually ages 15 to 24. Children can be age 0 to 4. Babies First takes them in because their needs cannot be adequately met through families or other out-of-home placements. For more information about the United Methodist Children's Home go to www.umch.net

 

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.