eVoice 06.06.2012

 

June 6 2012

In This Issue:

  • Annual Conference 2012 Recap
  • News
  • Upcoming Events

 

News

Click on headline to read full story.

North Alabama United Methodists return to Birmingham-Southern for 2012 meeting

“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) Click here to download the 2012 Clergy Appointments. Thursday, May 31, 2012 Click to view pictures from Thursday, May 31, 2012 The 2012 North Alabama Annual Conference began on the evening of May 31 with the...

 

Bluff Park UMC hosts 13th annual Ladies Day event

The ladies of Bluff Park United Methodist Church and guests enjoyed the 13th consecutive Ladies Day on the first Saturday in May 2012. The day included Bible study, entertainment, a delicious lunch door prizes and wonderful fellowship. The purpose of the event was to bring ladies together for a time of worship and fun. This year's theme was "It's All About You." Frances Bellows, served as Mistress of Ceremonies Upon arrival the ladies were invited to the...

 

Dr. Jonathan Watts honored by Southern Wesleyan University

Snead State Community College Director of Religious Studies Dr. Jonathan Watts was honored in April at the 2012 Alumni Awards Luncheon at Southern Wesleyan University. Dr. Watts, who received his Bachelor degree from Southern Wesleyan University in 1974, was awarded the Professional Excellence Award from the School of Education. The religion and ethics instructor is an Oxford Foundation Fellow and the John Wesley Professor of Homiletics and Biblical Studies for the Graduate...

 

Pinson UMC youth work together to feed the hungry

On May 20, 2012, the youth of Pinson UMC hosted a Stop Hunger Now party for the Pinson congregation and local community during which volunteers packed 10,000 meals. Through the Stop Hunger Now assembly process volunteers combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packages. These meal packages are shipped around the world to support school feeding programs and crisis relief. The food stores easily, transports...

 

Church of the Reconciler invites North Alabama United Methodists to support ministry with the homeless

The Church of the Reconciler is a multicultural, multiracial United Methodist congregation with a unique ministry in downtown Birmingham. The congregation offers many ministries and programs to Birmingham’s homeless. On their website they explain, “While we are first and foremost a church, we also believe that Christ’s message of love and action calls us to make sure that those on the streets are cared for immediately through our feeding, worship, medical, and...

 

Talladega First UMC's small youth group makes huge strides

After a large group graduated and moved on to college a couple of years ago, there were no youth at Talladega First UMC. But eventually new families came and children grew, and soon there were four teenage girls in need of youth activities. When approached last September, Kaye Spears tentatively agreed to offer her gifts and talents to the role of volunteer youth minister. “I was a third and fourth grade teacher for 23 years. I was comfortable with smaller children but felt...

 

Rev. Lonna Lynn Higgs recognized by UM Endorsing Agency

The Rev. Lonna Lynn Higgs has been endorsed by The United Methodist Endorsing Agency of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for service as a Children’s Home Chaplain and Life Coach. This is recognition that she has met the requirements and completed the process to serve effectively in these two extension ministries. Endorsement is the process to ensure that chaplains and pastoral counselors are qualified and prepared to appropriately represent the denomination in...

 

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...

 

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...

 

News from United Methodist News Service

 

 

North Alabama Annual Conference 2012

“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)

May 31 - June 2, 2012
Birmingham-Southern College

 

Download Appointments LIst

Click here to download the 2012 Clergy Appointments. (PDF)

 

Complete your Evaluation

Click here to complete an online evaluation of Annual Conference 2012

 

Order Videos

Recordings of the Worship Services, Bible Studies, Presentations and Business Sessions will be available for purchase from GNTV. Place your order online at http://www.gntv.info.  (Order form is not currently live, but will be soon!)

 

Order Jounral and Clergy Directories

The deadline to order Journals and a Clergy Directory is July 15, 2012. Click here to order online.

 

Events

Featured Events

For informaiton about Summer camps at Sumatanga go to http://sumatanga.org/SummerCamp.aspx

 

"A Disciple's Path" Training Event

June 21-22, 2012
Start Time 6:30 p.m.
End Time 11:30 a.m.
Canterbury United Methodist Church
350 Overbrook Road
Birmingham, AL 35213
Coordinator: Resource Ministry Partners
(205) 503-5660

Register at http://www.resourcemychurch.org/james-harnish

As part of our signature series, Resource Ministry Partners is proud to present Dr. James Harnish, author of A Disciple's Path.

A Disciple's Path is an engaging approach to discipleship from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective. Whether used as an introduction for new members or a renewal course for existing mebmers, the program guides individuals to take the next step in discipleship and become dynamic, engaged followers of Jesus Christ.

 

 

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.)

 

 

Disaster Response Basic Care Team Training

June 28, 2012
Start Time 9 a.m.
End Time 5:30 p.m.
North Alabama Conference Center
898 Arkadelphia Road
Birmingham,AL 35204
Coordinator: UMC, United Counseling, UMCOR
Coordinator Email: umpcc1313@gmail.com
(205) 824-8320

This introductory training qualifies participants to apply for credentialing as members of the North Alabama United Methodist Conference Disaster Response Care Team. Training focuses on the spiritual and emotional care needs of individuals, communities and congregations following disaster, responses to those needs, strategies for disaster responders’ self care and training on how Care Teams fit into the overall disaster response structure. Care Team members will also be asked to complete Conference Safe Sanctuaries requirements, training in an offered Psychological First Aide course, and Early Response Team training.

Cost: No cost. Lunch is provided. Training materials and background checks are also provided.

Registration deadline: June 21st.

To register or for more information: United Counseling (Attention Carolyn Click) - umpcc1313@gmail.com or (205) 824-8320

 

Disaster Response Care Team Leader Training

Start Date 6/29/2012
End Date 6/29/2012
Start Time 9 a.m.
End Time 1 p.m.
North Alabama Conference Center
898 Arkadelphia Road
Birmingham,AL 35204
Coordinator: UMC, United Counseling, UMCOR
Coordinator Email: umpcc1313@gmail.com

This advanced training for Care Team Leaders provides tools and skills necessary to lead Care Team members before, during and after deployment. (NOTE: Basic Care Team training must be compelted first.)

Cost: No cost. Snacks and materials and provided.

Registration deadline: June 21st.

To register or for more information: United Counseling (Attention Carolyn Click) - umpcc1313@gmail.com or (205) 824-8320

 

African-American Women's Leadership Conference

August 23-25, 2012
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center
Lake Junaluska,North Carolina
Coordinator: Rev. Carl Arrington, Director African-American Ministries
Coordinator Email: carrington@lakejunaluska.com
(828) 454-6739

The Strong Black Woman: REjoicing Together in God's Abundant Grace

African-American Women's Leadership Conference, August 23-25, 2012, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center --

The women's leadership conference is open to all women - lay and clergy, from young adult to the young-at-heart and beyond. It will be from the unique perspective of what it means to live faithfully as Christians from an African-American female perspective.

Leadership includes: Dr. Sheron Patterson, Rev. Candace Lewis, Dr. Bernice Williams Kirkland, and Lucinda Laws, Kendra Ross, and Christal Brown-Gibson

Early registration: $99; Registration after June 30: $119; 1.3 CEU: $10

Check the website at www.lakejunaluska.com/african-american-women  for more information.

 

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.

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.