eVoice 02.29.2012

February 29, 2012  

News

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Ashland Circuit churches begin Lent with donation to Clay County schools

On February 22, 2012, the pastors of the Ashland Circuit in the Southeast District led their churches in doing something special and meaningful for their community as part of a joint Prayer and Illumination Ash Wednesday service. According to Rev. Malinda Jowers Weaver, Ashland First UMC collects book bags and supplies to give to students at the start of the new school year. As the pastors thought about this gift to students, they realized that many teachers have to find extra...

 

 

Cabinet faces appointment challenges in a shrinking Church

This spring, as the Cabinet continues to make new appointments for pastors, it struggles with some real challenges due to a rapidly declining number of positions for full time elders. In the United Methodist Church, elders are seminary graduates who tend to serve larger churches and who must be given an appointment at least at a minimum salary level. “One of our consultants helped us to see that an average attendance of 125 adults is required for a church fully to support an elder...

 

 

Bishop and Cabinet Announce Appointments Effective March 18

Bishop William H. Willimon and the Cabinet announce a series of pastoral appointments in the Northeast District that will be effective March 18, 2012, involving three churches:   Rev. Tommy Gray will be appointed as associate pastor of Asbury UMC in Madison replacing Rev. Jimmy Aycock who moved to ClearBranch UMC in January. Tommy has been serving as the Director of the Office of Congregational Development for the North Alabama Conference of the UMC and as the Senior Pastor of...

 

 

Dr. Rick Owen to lead Trinity UMC in Huntsville

Bishop William H. Willimon has announced the appointment of Dr. Rick Owen as Senior Pastor of Trinity UMC in Huntsville effective June 2012.  Rick is currently serving as the Director of Strategic Ministry with Resource Ministry Partners.   Rick has served as a United Methodist pastor in the North Alabama Conference in churches from 15 members to 4,500 members.  He is an experienced teacher serving with the School of Christian Missions in seven United Methodist conferences...

 

 

Bluff Park UMC and Promise Homes partner for new facility to house special needs adults

March is recognized nationwide as Intellectual Disabilities Month.  One special event early in the month will celebrate the partnership of a local United Methodist church and North Alabama Conference mission agency in ministry to special needs adults. On Sunday, March 4, 2012, Bluff Park UMC in Hoover will break ground on a Promise Home, a facility to house special needs adults. The groundbreaking for the home for six residents will be at 4:30 p.m. followed by a dinner at the...
 

 

Headlines from United Methodist News Service

 

Read more at UMC.org

 

Events

Featured Events

Fowler Lecture

March 8, 2012
Start Time 10 a.m.
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham,AL 35226
Coordinator: Delane Tew
Coordinator Email: ctew@samford.edu
(205) 426-4194

Dr. Ellen Ott Marshall, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, will be the speaker for Samford University's annual Fowler Lecture. The public is invited. Following the lecture, Dr. Marshall will speak at the monthly luncheon of the Christian Women's Leadership Center at noon.

Dr. Marshall focuses on contemporary Christian ethics. She is particularly interested in issues of violence and peacemaking, ethical questions in literature and film, and the dynamic relationship between faith, history and ethics. Dr. Marshall worked with the refugee resettlement programs of Church World Service and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. In 2009, Dr. Marshall served as the lead writer for God's Renewed Creation, a pastoral letter and foundation document for the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops.

The lecture series, sponsored by Samford’s Christian Women’s Leadership Center, honors the late Marie NeSmith Fowler, who was a Samford graduate and longtime Hartselle, Ala., resident. She was one of the first female pharmacists and pharmacy owners in Alabama.

 

 

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
10 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

Facilitator: Rev. Candace Lewis

The goal of this workshop is to provide black churches with tools to impact their communities, share the Gospel, and grow healthy churches.

Discussions will be centered around:

  • Recognition of or signs that your church is in decline - the cycle of a church.
  • Healthy church growth vs. growth for the sake of growth
  • What are Biblical and Jesus centered approaches to being the church?

Registration Fee:           $10 per person
How to Register:            Call or email Nacole Hillman
Registration Deadline:    Thursday March 8, 2012

 

 

WE Community Gardens Banquet

March 17, 2012
Start Time 7 p.m.
Café Dupont
113 20th Street North, Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, AL 35203

WE Community Gardens, a joint initiative of Urban Ministry and Church without Walls, is one of our most transformative ministries. Through the growing of food, we believe that we are not only able to provide greater access to healthy, fresh produce, but that we can transform the entire community. At WE Gardens we bring people together; we provide classes to teach people how to prepare good food on a budget; we’ve helped our local elementary school start its own garden; and we provide employment opportunities and leadership development for our youth. During 2011, we greatly expanded our garden program as we acquired two more lots and began our youth intern program. This year, we will hire more interns so that other young people will develop the skills they need not only to grow food but to become leaders in their community.

All of this is possible because of our many great partners and supporters. One of our strongest partners is Chef Chris Dupont and the folks at Café Dupont. Chef Dupont regularly uses herbs and produce that he purchases from WE Gardens in his restaurants, and, for the third consecutive year, he is hosting a fundraising banquet for WE Gardens. Last year, Chef Dupont was a semi finalist for the James Beard Awards for the best chef in the South region. So come on out! Not only can you support a great ministry, but you will also get a chance to eat some of the best food in the country.

Cost: $125/person

Click here to reserve your spot online or you can mail a check to Urban Ministry, 1229 Cotton Ave. SW, Birmingham AL 35211 with “Gardens banquet” in the memo section.

 

 

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

 

 

Brian McLaren at Trinity UMC Homewood

March 25, 2012
Start Time 8:45 AM
End Time 6:30 PM
Trinity UMC
1400 Oxmoor Rd.
Homewood,AL 35209
Coordinator: Rev. Drew Holland
Coordinator Email: dholland@trinitybirmingham.com
(205) 879-1737

Trinity UMC in Homewood will host renowned Christian speaker Brian McLaren. Brian will preach at the 8:45 and 11:00 traditional services, and will lead sessions during the Sunday School hour at 10:00 and in the evening beginning at at 4:00. Brian will be speaking on the topic "A New Kind of Christianity". He is the author of several books and has been noted by Time Magazine as one of America's 25 most influential evangelicals. For more information on the event, please contact Rev. Drew Holland at dholland@trinitybirmingham.com or 879-1737.

 

 

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

 

 

Sounds of Sumatanga

 

 

 

April 20-21, 2012
Start Time 7 p.m.
End Time 5 p.m.
Camp Sumatanga
3616 Sumatanga Road
Gallant,AL 35972
Contact: Patti Wright
Email: Patti.Wright@protective.com

Music... Food... Fun

Great music, awesome friends - both old and new, beautiful scenery, good food and more....all on a spring Saturday at Camp Sumatanga! What more could you ask for on a Saturday in April? Sounds of Sumatanga will feature a variety of musical styles from local favorites and special guests. Other activities will include arts and crafts vendors, food and drink vendors, and games & crafts for children.

An Evening in the 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 for games, singing, folk-dancing, storytelling, and entertainment by some surprise guests. We’ll close the evening with a time of reflection and devotion. You can support Sumatanga by staying overnight and being there early for Saturday’s events.

Download Brochure

For more information: www.soundsofsumatanga.org

 

 

Evangelism Workshop with Bob Pierson

April 21-22, 2012
Gadsden First UMC
115 South 5th Street
Gadsden,AL 35901
Coordinator: Tammy Jackson
Coordinator Email: tammy@fumcgadsden.org
(256) 543-8200

Gadsden First UMC will be hosting Bob Pierson of Leadership Nexus for a workable evangelism workshop on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22. On Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., he will focus on motivating people to share their faith story and inviting them into both a relationship with Jesus Christ and into the life of the local church. He will help develop workable strategies to do just that. Participants will be motivated, trained and have a plan to go "tell their faith story" to others.

The cost is $40 and includes lunch. A discounted block of rooms will be reserved at the Hampton Inn for anyone needing overnight accommodations.

Register at www.fumcgadsden.org .

 

 

2012 Church Music Workshop

May 5, 2012
Start Time 8:00am
End Time 1:00pm
Pell City First UMC
2200 3rd Ave. N.
Pell City,AL 35125
Coordinator: Christopher Henley
Coordinator Email: chrishenleyorganist@yahoo.com
(256) 375-4150


Individual Registration: $25

Session One - 9:00 to 9:45
Group A: Dr. Faythe Freese - Organ
Group B: Rev. Minnie Stovall - The Great Thanksgiving in Song

Session Two - 10:00 to 10:45
Group A: Rev. Wade Langer - Contemporary Worship Seminar
Group B: Rev. Ava Rozelle - Spiritual Development

Session Three - 11:00 to 11:45
Group A: Jennie Wall - Choral Reading / Choral Technique
Group B: Rev. Steve West - Heritage of the United Methodist Hymnal

Closing: Rev. Sherill Clontz - Communion Service in the Sanctuary

 

 

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.

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

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.

 

 

Conference Calendar

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

Groundbreaking for Promise Home — Bluff Park UMC, Mar 4

Family Reunion 2012: A Christian Education Training Event —United Methodist Publishing House, Mar 8 - Mar 9

Fowler Lecture — Samford University, Mar 8

Light the Fire Leadership and Worship Conference — Hamilton UMC, Mar 9 - Mar 11

Lay Speaking Classes — Roanoke First UMC, Mar 10

POSTPONED: Disability Ministry Workshop — Grace UMC, Mar 10

Laity Board Retreat — United Methodist Center, Mar 15

SBC21 Training Event — St. Paul UMC Birmingham, Mar 17

WE Community Gardens Banquet — Café Dupont, Mar17

Brian McLaren at Trinity UMC Homewood — Trinity UMC, Mar 25

Babies First Annual Benefit Luncheon — Babies First Home, Mar 31

1st Annual Car & Bike Show — Sylvan Springs First UMC, Mar 31

The Academy for Ministries with Children — Birmingham, AL, Apr 13 - Apr 14

Clergy Integrity *RETRAINING* - Tuscaloosa FUMC — Tuscaloosa First UMC, Apr 17

Clergy Integrity *RETRAINING* Trinity/Hvl — Trinity UMC, Apr 17

Sounds of Sumatanga — Camp Sumatanga, Apr 20 - Apr 21

Evangelism Workshop with Bob Pierson — Gadsden First UMC, Apr 21 - Apr 22

General Conference — Tampa Convention Center, Apr 25 - May 4

2012 Church Music Workshop — Pell City First UMC, May 5

Central District Conference & Pre-annual Conference Meeting — Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC, May 6

South Central District Conference and Pre-Conference Meeting — Cahaba Heights UMC, May 6

NCD 3-Color Discipleship Tour featuring Christian Schwarz — Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC, May 18

RIM Orientation Retreat — Camp Sumatanga, May 28 - May 30

2012 North Alabama Annual Conference — Birmingham-Southern College, May 31 - Jun 2

 

 

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.