eVoice 05.09.2012

May 9 2012

In This Issue:

  • General Conference 2012 concludes
  • From horror to hope - A year's journey through disaster
  • Annual Conference 2012 Information

 

News

Click on headline to read full story.

General Conference 2012 concludes

The 2012 meeting of the United Methodist General Conference met April 24 to May 4, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. This top legislative body of the church, which meets once every four years, worked through legislation submitted by individual members, groups and organizations of the United Methodist Church to revise portions of The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions. General Conference is the only entity that speaks for The United Methodist Church. During the opening worship service,...

 

Cabinet announces additional clergy appointment changes

North Alabama Conference Cabinet Secretary Rev. Sherill Clontz announces that Bishop Willimon and the Cabinet have made the following clergy appointments. These appointments are in addition to appointments made in round one of the appointment making process and previously announced. These appointments, and any additional appointments yet to be made, will take effect in June 2011.

 

Girl Scout's project benefits church

The 18-wheelers, pick-ups and automobiles number in the thousands speeding past Rainbow City’s most tranquil spot, drivers and passengers not realizing what they are missing. On West Grand Avenue (Highway 77), Christ Central Church is home to a prayer garden developed by a Girl Scout. Tall trees provide the shade for this area landscaped by Southside High School senior Kate Harwell, who was joined by family and friends to complete the ambitious undertaking. Kate is now a...

 

Julia Street congregation celebrates Biker Sunday

Reaching out into the community in ways that have never been done before has not been a deterrent for the congregation of the Julia Street Memorial UMC in Boaz. On April 22, 2012, Julia Street UMC hosted its first ever "Biker Sunday," which was well received and attended by motorcyclists from all over north central Alabama. Members of two chapters of the Christian Motorcyclists Association participated and one shared his testimony about how his life had been changed since...

 

From horror to hope - A year's journey through disaster

April 27, 2011 is not a day I want to remember. I have struggled mightily for days now with what to write in this article. I want to forget. I want to pretend it never happened. I only had one tree in my house, was scared out of my wits by the sounds I endured, and thought I was going to die. How must people feel that lost loved ones? Or those whose houses were ripped out from around them in just a matter of seconds? Or those who were tossed about and somehow survived? How must they feel...

 

Headlines from United Methodist News Service

 

 

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

Annual Conference Intro Video

Birmingham-Southern College Chaplain Rev. Jack Hinnen welcomes members of the North Alabama Conference to campus and provides a fun tour in preparation for Annual Conference 2012 in an online video. Click here to watch the video.

 

Resources

Urban Ministry's Joe Rush Center invites groups to serve this summer

Has your youth group ever been an answer to prayer?

And might we be an answer to yours?

I was scheduled to meet with Ms. Howard* on Wednesday of last week to talk about whether she could be accepted into our painting program. She told me that she was so nervous about it that she had taken it to the altar of her church on Sunday. This house was important to her; her father had built it himself before she was born. Ms. Howard clearly qualified for the program. I told her that I hoped we could paint her house this summer, but it depended on how many groups we had, how fast they worked, how the weather cooperated and so on. She was visibly disappointed when I told her that if we didn’t get to it this summer, it would almost certainly be March 2013 when our spring break groups come before we could get to it.

Your group can be an answer to the prayers of Ms. Howard or someone like her. Your group can pick up a paint brush and enter into relationship with a homeowner, offering that person compassion and dignity. Beyond that, your group can tap into firsthand understanding of what it means to serve others – in ways that weeks, months or a year of Sunday School and youth group programs could only hope to communicate.

The Joe Rush Center of Urban Mission has expanded its capacity so that we can host more groups for our summer mission camps than ever before; dates are available now for July and the end of June. We would love to have your group experience what is means to serve selflessly. For $250 per person, we can offer your group (Jr. High, Sr. High, college and older) a potentially life-changing experience over the course of a week. We provide the housing, the food, the programs, the tools, and the paint. Not only that, but for every six students (Jr. or Sr. High) that attend, one adult may come at no additional charge. Call or email Danny Jones now with your questions at (205)781-0517 x101, danny@urban-ministry.org.

If you are not the person in your church who would be responsible for organizing a trip like this, how about forwarding this right now to the person who is? Print this out and put it on that person’s desk, or respond to us in email and let us know how we should communicate directly with the appropriate person. Help be an answer to prayer for Ms. Howard or someone like her.

*I didn’t ask permission to use her words, so I’ve changed the name here.

Danny Jones

Rush Center of Urban Ministry
1229 Cotton Avenue SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
(205) 781-0517, x101

 

Events

Featured Events

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:
$95.00 Includes two books, breaks and lunch
$320.00 Group of Four - $60.00 Savings! 

 

 

SEJ Youth Harambee 2012

June 21-25, 2012
Epworth By the Sea
100 Arthur J. Moore Drive
St. Simons Island,GA 31522
Coordinator: Helen Allen
Coordinator Email: hra124@aol.com
(615) 742-5137

Save the Date!

HARAMBEE is a Youth Conference planned by the HARAMBEE Planning Team of youth, young adults and dedicated youth workers of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc.

The conference is held annually to help youth develop their spiritual, leadership and interpersonal skills. The youth develop relationships, connect with each other and learn how to bridge the gap from generation to generation. The conference also help youth and  adults, explore what it really means to pull together and work together in Christian love.

During Youth HARAMBEE, there is time to work, pray, sing, TESTIFY, fellowship and build meaningful relationships with GOD and each other!

Cost: $280 (per participant/all youth and adults)

Adults will be limited to 1 per five youth!

Fee Includes: All meals, housing, conference materials and activities!

(Transportation is not included!)

If you are interested in receiving more information, or being added to our mailing list or working with this team, please contact Helen Allen at hra124@aol.com  (Please list “SEJ Harambee” on the subject line.)

 

 

The Journeys of Paul Trip: Greece, Turkey and Rome

Oct. 25- Nov. 8, 2012
Contact: Susan Barnett
Email: susan.barnett@canterburyumc.org
(205) 874-1521

Come travel with us to the sites of Paul's ministry to the early Christian church in Greece, Turkey and Rome. A limited number of openings are available for this special Mediterranean cruise and tour, guided by United Methodist Bible scholar Brian Kvasnica.

There will be an informational meeting on Sunday, May 20 at 4p.m. in Wesley Hall of Canterbury UMC, that will answer the specific aspects of the trip.
 

For more information: www.canterburyumc.org/paul

 

 

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.