eVoice 04.25.2012
April 25
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In This Issue:
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News
Click on headline to read full story.
General Conference delegates begin worldwide conference
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is meeting April 24 - May 4, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. General Conference is the highest legislative body in the denomination. It meets once every four years. It is the only entity that speaks for The United Methodist Church. The primary responsibility of the General Conference is to enact legislation for the denomination. The General Conference revises The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions. Most of the first week of...
New Church in Tuscaloosa focuses on resurrection amidst tragedy
Through research and prayer, the North Alabama Conference New Church Team and Cabinet discerned the need for a new United Methodist congregation in Tuscaloosa. As they were beginning to organize for the endeavor in the spring of 2011, the April 27 tornadoes hit. Following the tornadoes and all their destruction, it became apparent that the new church would need to address both the growing population as well as the rebuilding and restoration efforts of the community. In June...
Hackleburg home is music to family's ears
Tommy Quinn is not your typical college student. He is attending classes to become a piano tuner, a career so specialized, you find few around. Quinn is also a self-taught organ player. A few days before April 27, 2011, Quinn had been filming many of his surroundings, including his family home, a home which would be lost on April 27 to an EF-5 tornado which devastated the town of Hackleburg. Only six days later, Tommy returned to his music classes at Northwest Shoals...
12 ways to be connected to General Conference 2012
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church will meet April 24 - May 4, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. General Conference is the highest legislative body in the denomination. It meets once every four years. It is the only entity that speaks for The United Methodist Church. The primary responsibility of the General Conference is to enact legislation for the denomination. The General Conference revises The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions. The 2012 General Conference...
Husband Honors Wife's Legacy with Candler Gift
The Rev. Rebecca Herring was a great storyteller whose sermons painted unforgettable pictures, a minister whose unadorned conversations with God taught others how to pray, and a leader whose kindness and service turned skeptics of women as clergy into loyal friends. Now she will be remembered in perpetuity at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology for her mentorship of women, thanks to a gift from her husband of 41 years, Lee Herring. He has created the Rebecca Redd Herring...
Snead First UMC builds prayer garden
The congregation of Snead First United Methodist Church has created a beautiful and inspirational prayer garden in the hope that all people will feel welcome to make use of its beauty as a place of peace and solitude. According to church member Becky Whitley, the inspiration for the garden comes from scripture, and many of the elements in the garden are based on references to numbers found in scripture. "Our prayer garden itself represents Gethsemane, where Jesus went to pray,"...
Cedar Hill UMC is a small church making a big impact
At Cedar Hill United Methodist Church, we began this year in agreement that we needed to have a more visible presence in the Leesburg community. Our Evangelism Team met and devised a strategy to host four large community activities, the first of which was a "Community Wide Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt" in the local park. In an attempt to attract and serve those within the community who were nominally religious or not religious at all, we designed and sent flyers through the mail...
United Methodist Children's Home Announces New President/CEO
The board of directors of the United Methodist Children’s Home is announcing the appointment of Dr. K. Blake Horne as the agency’s new President/CEO effective May 16, 2012. “I am truly humbled to have the privilege of serving the children and families of Alabama and northwest Florida through the United Methodist Children’s Home,” said Horne. “My first counseling-related position was with the Methodist Home for Children and Youth of the South Georgia...
Headlines from United Methodist News Service
- Bishop has ‘sole authority,’ top court says
- Faith communities can overcome AIDS epidemic
- Reframing the 'Call to Action'
- GC2012: Bishops limit meetings, shift roles
- Book of Resolutions guides church ministry
- The plan for congregational vitality
- Do we understand how the church works?
- Two views on a set-aside bishop
- Two views on Ministry Study report
- Bishops urged to bring peace to GC2012
- Pan-Methodist vote set for GC2012
Read more at UMC.org
North Alabama Annual Conference 2012
May 31 - June 2, 2012
Birmingham-Southern College
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (NRSV)
- The Guest Speaker will be Rev. Michael Slaughter, Lead Pastor of Ginghamsburg UMC.
- Bible Study Leader will be Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr., Bishop of the Holston Conference.
- The Memorial Service will be Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Trinity UMC.
- The Ordination Service will be Friday, June 1, 2012, at 7:30 pm. at Canterbury UMC.
- The Service of Commissioning and Licensing will be Saturday, June 2, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. at Bill Battle Coliseum.
Make Your Reservations
All North Alabama Annual Conference members and guests who wish to purchase meal tickets or other Conference items, have children participate in the Annual Conference Kids' Camp or childcare, or request accommodations for special needs should make reservations.
You will need to take action prior to Annual Conference to...
- purchase meal tickets—the BSC cafeteria will not accept cash
- purchase journals, a clergy directory, t-shirts
- request childcare for your child or grandchild
- request special accommodations for disabilities
Reservation deadline is May 17, 2012. If you make reservations by May 17, 2012, you will receive your meal tickets in the mail prior to Annual Conference.
The easiest way to make your reservations is through Online Reservations.
PreConference Meetings
District |
Date |
Time |
Place |
| Central | May 6 | 2 p.m. | Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC |
| Cheaha | May 20 | 3:30 p.m. | Pell City First UMC |
| Mountain Lakes | May 20 | 3:30 p.m. | St. Paul UMC, Boaz |
| Northeast | May 20 | 2:30 p.m. | St. Paul UMC, Huntsville |
| Northwest | May 6 | 4 p.m. | Moulton First UMC |
| South Central | May 6 | 2 p.m. | Cahaba Heights UMC |
| Southeast | May 20 | 2:30 p.m. | Trinity UMC, Alexander City |
| Southwest | May 6 | 3 p.m. | Fayette First UMC |
Events
Featured Events
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
Golf Tournament benefiting Camp Sumatanga
May 7, 2012
Grayson Valley Country Club
2201 Grayson Valley Drive
Birmingham,AL 35235
Coordinator: Bill Noland
Coordinator Email: billnoland1@gmail.com
Trussville First United Methodist Church will be hosting the Sixth Annual Sumatanga Golf Tournament Monday, May 7, 2012 at Grayson Valley Country Club. The organizers are inviting United Methodists from across North Alabama to be a part of this event. There will be a shotgun start for teams of 4 at 12:30 pm. $100 per person registration.
Form your team today. Registration is limited to the first 100 paid golfers. Sign up by Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
All proceeds from this golf tournament go to support Camp Sumatanga. For brochure with more information and registration form, email Bill Noland at billnoland1@gmail.com or jmort0028@aol.com .
Navigating Pastoral Transitions
Coordinator: Rick Owen & Sheri Ferguson
Coordinator Email: Rowen@resourcemychurch.org or sfergusonumpcc@gmail.com
Navigating Pastoral Transitions (formerly First 90 Days Training)
A training event for pastors in transition provided by United Counseling, Resource Ministry Partners and the North Alabama Conference of the UMC
Three training events:
-
Huntsville area:
Asbury UMC in Madison, Hope Room 209-211,
Monday, April 16, 2012 1-4 p.m. -
Birmingham area:
United Methodist Center, Birmingham-Southern College,
Friday, April 20, 2012 9 a.m.-Noon -
Local Pastor Training,
United Methodist Center, Birmingham-Southern College,
Saturday, May 12, 2012 10 a.m.-Noon
There is no charge for this training but a reservation is required.
All printed materials will be provided, but you may access materials for the training in advance by visiting http://www.resourcemychurch.org/navigating-pastoral-transition.
If you have any questions, please email Rick Owen at rowen@resourcemychurch.org or Sheri Ferguson at sfergusonumpcc@gmail.com.
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 Includes two books, breaks and lunch:
$95 - After March 25
Conference Calendar
Click event name to read full event details on the Conference Calendar.
- Lay Speaking Basic Course - Session 2 — Mt. Olive UMC, Apr 28
- Annual Women's Day Observance — St. Thomas UMC, Apr 29
- General Conference continues — Tampa Convention Center, May 1 - 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
- Southeast District & Pre-Conference Meeting — Trinity UMC, May 6
- Southwest District & Pre-Conference Meeting — Fayette First UMC, May 6
- Golf Tournament benefitting Camp Sumatanga — Grayson Valley Country Club, May 7
- Sweet Spirit Retreat — Camp Sumatanga, May 8 - May 10
- Navigating Pastoral Transitions - Local Pastor Training — United Methodist Center, May 12
- Gospelfest — Hopewell United Methodist Church, May 12
- NCD 3-Color Discipleship Tour featuring Christian Schwarz — Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC, May 18
- Youth Revival "IMPACT" — Hayden UMC, May 18 - May 20
- St. Paul Women's Conference — St. Paul UMC, May 19
- Mountain Lakes District & Pre-Conference Meeting — St. Paul UMC, Boaz, May 20
- Northeast District & Pre-Conference Meeting — St. Paul UMC, Huntsville, May 20
- Cheaha District Pre-Conference Meeting — The Beacon at Pell City First UMC, May 20
- RIM Orientation Retreat — Camp Sumatanga, May 28 - May 30
- Babylon VBS — Salem UMC-Geraldine, May 29 - Jun 2
- 2012 North Alabama Annual Conference — Birmingham-Southern College, May 31 - Jun 2
- SEJ Youth Harambee 2012 — Epworth By the Sea, Jun 21 - Jun 25
- Music and Worship Arts Week 2012 — Lake Junaluska, Jun 24 - Jun 29
- Methodist Center Closed —Jul 4
- SEJ Historical Society Annual Meeting — Scarritt-Bennet Center, Jul 9 - Jul 12
- Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference — Lake Junaluska, Jul 18 - Jul 21
Local Church Events and Celebrations
Click here to see a listing of upcoming special events and celebrations at local North Alabama United Methodist Churches.