eVoice 09.06.2012

 

Sept. 6, 2012

In This Issue:

  • News
  • Disaster Response Updates
  • Upcoming Events

 

News

Click on headline to read full story.

Magic City Miracle aims to change the face of Birmingham on September 30

Some United Methodists in the Birmingham area are expecting a miracle on September 30, 2012. In fact, they are working together to help it happen. . . and they are inviting others to be a part! Through personal invitation; social media; and a comprehensive marketing plan with targeted television, newspaper, billboard, internet and radio advertising organizers are inviting others in the community – especially friends and neighbors who are not a part of the Church – to join...

 

The Capstone UMC celebrates official launch

On Sunday, September 9, 2012, The Capstone UMC, one of North Alabama’s newest congregations, will celebrate its Launch Sunday. However, the celebration has already started as The Capstone’s launch team hosted a “Grand Opening” party on Wednesday, Sept. 5.2012, at Midtown Village mall in Tuscaloosa. The two hour Launch Celebration was an open-to-the-public party held on the grassy area of the outdoor shopping mall. The evening featured snow cones, games,...

 

Dr. Mac Stinson receives "Excellence in Chaplaincy" Award

The Reverend Dr. Mac Stinson, Chief Chaplain of the Shelby County Alabama Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Association attended the 39th Annual Training Seminar of the International Conference of Police Chaplains in Spokane, Wash., July 9-13, 2012. During the event, Chaplain Stinson received the John A. Price “Excellence in Chaplaincy” award. This award is the highest honor awarded annually by the 2500 member organization, serving 20 nations Chaplain...

 

District Superintendent writes new book titled "Multiracial Church Dynamics"

Although so many Christians live in multiracial and multicultural communities, many Christian churches do not reflect the diversity of their communities. Sunday morning worship remains racially divided. Southeast District Superintendent Dr. Richard L. Stryker has a new book out addressing this need in the Christian community. The book, Multiracial Church Dynamics: Possibilities & Challenges is straightforward in dealing with the subject. He recommends means by which uniracial...

 

North Alabama United Methodists elected for leadership at the General Church and Jurisdictional level

This year, 2012, is a quadrennial year in the United Methodist Church and therefore the quadrennial Christian Conferencing gatherings – General Conference and Jurisdictional Conference - have met to do business and make decisions to determine programs and the direction of ministry of the church. During these meetings, the bodies also elected leaders to serve on various boards and agencies over the next four years. There are several North Alabama Conference United Methodists...

 

News from United Methodist News Service

 

Resources

Disaster Response Updates - Hurricane Isaac 

We have received word that the Louisiana Conference have started registering Early Response Trained teams to respond to damage by Hurricane Isaac. If you have a current ERT badge (ie. have completed the UMCOR ERT course in the last three years), please start making plans within your local churches by beginning to form teams and collect materials. Please visit the registration page at the Louisiana Conference website by clicking here or going to: http://www.la-umc.org/pages/detail/1761

There is a cost associated with the response effort. Teams are needed for construction and gutting of houses. Please check the above link for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact me at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org

-Matt and Eric

Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference
Rev. Eric Bell, Disaster Response Coordinator, North Alabama Conference

 

Disaster Warehouse Needs

 Due to Hurricane Isaac and the Flooding in and around Selma, AL, the United Methodist Disaster Warehouse in Decatur is running low on

  1. Volunteers to help in the Disaster Warehouse
  2. Cleaning Buckets (formerly called Flood Buckets) Do not put bleach in these buckets. This has been removed by UMCOR. The North Alabama Disaster Warehouse has plenty of insect repellant at this time, so please leave this out of the buckets. We can add that after the buckets get to the warehouse. For a contents list of a Cleaning Bucket click here.

Please come help!

Ray Crump
Executive Director, United Methodist Disaster Warehouse in Decatur

 

 

Events

Featured Events 

Soul Keeping

Sept. 12-14, 2012
Start Time 6 p.m.
End Time 1 p.m.
Sumatanga Camp & Conference Center
3616 Sumatanga Road
Gallant,Alabama 35972
Coordinator: Chrystal Smith
Coordinator Email: programs@sumatanga.org
256-538-9860, ext. 1301
www.sumatanga.org

Soul Keeping is a 48 hour experience of silence for rest and renewal; an extended conversation with God. Designed to help you slow down, step away from the business and the noise, and be truly present in our lives. Soul Keeping offers participants a chance for physical and spiritual renewal through stillness and silence, guided prayer experiences, healing movement exercises, hiking, hammocking, reading, journaling, and great food.

 

 

Academy for Student Ministry

Sept. 14-15, 2012
Start Time 6 p.m.
End Time 3 p.m.
Sumatanga Camp & Conference Center
3616 Sumatanga Road
Gallant,Alabama 35972
Coordinator: Chrystal Smith
Coordinator Email: programs@sumatanga.org
256-538-9860, ext. 1301
www.sumatanga.org

The Academy for Student Ministry is an in-depth time for study about youth ministry. It helps strengthen a person's call to ministry as well as give hands-on ideas and support for on-going ministry. It will be inspirational as well as practical and relevant to where youth and youth ministry are today. ASM is a series of five sessions, Friday-Saturday events, coupled with debriefing times at the local church. Using the strongest leadership in the area, including college professors, nationally known speakers , clergy, and local youth veterans, participants will receive training needed for effective youth ministry in their local church. Sessions: September 14-15, 2012 Your Call to Ministry and Your Unique Gifts - Speaker, John Hayes November 2-3, 2012 Understanding the Why of Student Ministry - Speaker, Terry Carty March 8-9, 2013 Youth Culture - Speaker, Allison Sligh April 12-13, 2013 Doing Student Ministry - Speaker, Mike Selleck May 2-3, 2013 Bible Storying and Experiential Learning - Speaker, Michael Novelli An investment in your ministry... The cost per person for the Academy for Student Ministry is $550. Financial assistance is available. This includes meals and lodging at Sumatanga Camp & Conference Center, seminars and group modules, and over $200 worth of books relevant to your ministry and academy experience. To register or for more information, contact Chrystal Smith (programs@sumatanga.org or 256-538-9860, ext. 1301)

 

 

SBC21 Training Event

Sept. 15, 2012
Start Time 10AM
End Time 3PM
St. Paul UMC-Birmingham
1500 6th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Coordinator: Ethnic Ministries
Coordinator Email: ethnicministries@northalabamaumc.org
(205) 226-7933

The workshop will start on Saturday September 15, 2012 from 10 am-3 pm

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?

Download Speaker Bio: Lewis_bio_8372PYAV.pdf

Registration Fee: $10 per person

Registration Deadline: Monday September 10th

 

 

Disability Ministries Role in the Church Seminar - NE District

Sept. 15, 2012
Start Time 8:30 a.m.
End Time 12 p.m.
Huntsville First UMC
Coordinator: Deb Wade
Coordinator Email: ddvwage@att.net
(256) 778-7783

The Northeast District will sponsor a special workshop/seminar for Pastors and Local Church Leaders.

The Workshop will be at Huntsville First UMC’s Wesley Center. Registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The workshop will be from 9:00 a.m. until Noon.

Pastors attending the entire workshop will receive credit according to the Book of Discipline ¶ 630. 1d. A certificate of completion will be sent to the District Office for each participating Pastor's file.

Each Northeast District Church will receive a booklet of useful information for Disability Ministries.

Deb Wade, NAC Disability Ministries; UM Task Force on Disability Ministries; and, member of the Board of Directors for SEMAR will spend part of the time showing how churches can grow and find new focus for Evangelism in Disability Ministries.

You are invited to attend, even if you did not pre-register!

Special Guest: The Rev. Dr. Eric Pridmore will provide training for two of the three hours. Eric is an Ordained Elder in the Miss. Conference and C0-Chair of the United Methodist Assoc. of Ministers with Disabilities. Eric serves on the Board of Directors for SEMAR and is an advisor with the United Methodist Task Force on Disability Ministries. Eric travels with his wife, Lisa, who is also a UM Minister and his guide-dog, Atlas. Eric will bless your heart as he provides much needed information for Pastors and Churches.

Download Brochure: NE_Seminar_DM_Role_in_Church_UH2XTPPL.pdf

 

 

Disability Ministries Role in the Church Seminar - NW District

Sept. 16, 2012
Start Time 2:45 p.m.
End Time 6 p.m.
Hartselle First UMC
Coordinator: Deb Wade
Coordinator Email: ddvwade@att.net

The Northwest District will sponsor a special workshop/seminar for Pastors and Local Church Leaders.

The Workshop will be at Hartselle First UMC’s Wesley Center. Registration will be from 2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The workshop will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6 p.m..

Pastors attending the entire workshop will receive credit according to the Book of Discipline ¶ 630. 1d. A certificate of completion will be sent to the District Office for each participating Pastor's file.

Each person attending will receive useful information to benefit his/her church.

Deb Wade, NAC Disability Ministries; UM Task Force on Disability Ministries; and, member of the Board of Directors for SEMAR will spend part of the time showing how churches can grow and find new focus for Evangelism in Disability Ministries.

You are invited to attend, even if you did not pre-register!

Special Guest: The Rev. Dr. Eric Pridmore will provide training for two of the three hours. Eric is an Ordained Elder in the Miss. Conference and C0-Chair of the United Methodist Assoc. of Ministers with Disabilities. Eric serves on the Board of Directors for SEMAR and is an advisor with the United Methodist Task Force on Disability Ministries. Eric travels with his wife, Lisa, who is also a UM Minister and his guide-dog, Atlas. Eric will bless your heart as he provides much needed information for Pastors and Churches.

Download Brochure:NW_District_SEMINAR_2012_TKUUJFG8.pdf

 

 

Scrap, Pray, Love Retreat

Sept. 28-30, 2012
Sumatanga Camp & Conference Center
3616 Sumatanga Road
Gallant,Alabama 35972
Coordinator: Chrystal Smith
Coordinator Email: programs@sumatanga.org
256-538-9860, ext. 1301
http://www.sumatanga.org/Home/scrap_pray_love.aspx

Join us for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and cropping, preserving memories and creating new ones, surrounded by the beauty of Sumatanga. For details and registration information, visit our website.

 

 

Gathering of Orders and Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members

Oct. 1-3, 2012
Start time:5 p.m. on Monday
End time: noon on Wednesday
Camp Sumatanga
3616 Sumatanga Road
Gallant,AL
Contact:Cindi Patsios
Email:cpatsios@northalabamaumc.org
(205) 226-7970

Preaching in the Wesleyan Spirit
featuring Eugene Lowry and Tex Sample

Clergy, it is time to register for the Gathering of the Orders and Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members. It will be held at Camp Sumatanga on October 1 – 3, 2012. Our leaders for the Gathering are Eugene Lowry and Tex Sample. Bishop Wallace-Padgett will be with us at the retreat also. Room and meals will be reserved on a first come basis when registration and payment is received.

If you are registering and paying by mail, make your check payable to North Alabama Conference and mail to:
Office of Ordained Ministry
898 Arkadelphia Road
Birmingham, AL 35204

 

 

Clergy Spouse Retreat 2012

Oct. 19-20, 2012
Camp Sumatanga
Gallant, AL
Coordinator: Ann Cohen
Coordinator Email: ann508@comcast.net
Phone: (256) 508-9097

The 2012 Clergy Spouse Retreat will be October 19-20 at Camp Sumatanga.

The theme this year is "Similar Yet Different" based on 1 Corinthians 12.

This annual retreat for spouses of North Alabama Conference clergy features times of worship, fun activities, and fellowship. This year's retreat features entertainment by Christian Comic Bone Hampton. Worship will be led by Rev. Scott and Donna Thackerson and Revs. Dorothy Ann and Fred Webster.

Cost:

All prices are per person and include lodging and meals. Rooms will be at the Retreat Center.

  • Single Room ($96)
  • Double Room ($65)
  • Triple Room ($59)
  • Quad Room ($56)

All are welcome to participate in any activities offered. If you would like to make an additional donation to help cover the cost of this retreat, please add it to your registration total. $10 is welcome, but any amount is appreciated.

For full schedule download the brochure.

Register online by clicking the button below OR download and print the brochure to mail in your registration.

Download Brochure

 

 

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.