eVoice 10.11.2012

Oct. 11, 2012

In This Issue:

  • News
  • Advocacy for Social Justice Information
  • Upcoming Events

 

News

Click on headline to read full story.

United Methodist Children's Home opens a Birmingham Office

The United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH), a 120 year old child care agency based in Montgomery, Alabama announces the addition of Rebecca Morris and Lara Wheeler to its newly organized Birmingham Office of Marketing and Development located in the United Methodist Center on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College. Dr. Blake Horne, CEO of the United Methodist Children’s Home is pleased to announce the new staff and office, “We are thrilled to have Rebecca and Lara...

 

Trinity UMC Hosts UA football legends during luncheon series

Every Monday at noon, Trinity United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa hosts guest speakers for its fall Faith & Football Luncheon Series. Each hour-long discussion explores the relationship between our faith and our community’s love for Alabama football. The series is lead by Rev. Kelvin Croom, a former UA football player, and Rev. Penny Ford, senior pastor of Trinity UMC. Community members are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and join church members for an...

 

Social Justice resources available to local churches

On September 16, Trinity UMC in Huntsville, launched the "Daybreak in Alabama" resources, a collection of of videos and study guides addressing topics such as predatory lending, immigration, food security and others. Ten topics are covered in the initial offering to help church members grow as disciples while the church grows in capability and capacity to be witnesses in their communities. The Daybreak in Alabama resources are created by a network of...

 

Worship Without Walls tradition continues at Pell City First UMC

Pell City First United Methodist held its third “Worship Without Walls” event September 30 as the culminating event for its annual "In His Steps" stewardship campaign. Members gathered at 10:30 to pray, lay offerings and pledges at the foot of the cross, and commission the workers to scatter throughout the community with their gifts and service. Twelve different missions projects were planned, allowing members to choose the project...

 

Clergywomen welcome Bishop Wallace-Padgett at special lunch

Sixty-five clergywomen of the North Alabama Conference welcomed incoming Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett at a apecial luncheon at Camp Sumatanga on October 1. Reverends Sherill Clontz and Sherri Ferguson organized the event with special help from Reverend Rachel Gonia, with no agenda for the gathering other than introductions and conversation. Camp staff served a wonderful meal of soup - tomato bisque or vegetable barley - and a selection of salads - pimento, chicken, pasta and...

 

News from United Methodist News Service

 

Resources

Advocacy for Social Justice

The North Alabama Conference Advocacy for Social Justice team has planned new ways to help equip local congregations to work for justice through faith. One resoeurce they have created is a blog on the North Alabama Confernece website.  Each new blog entry will be emailed to people signed up to recieve Advocacy for Social Justice emails. 

Here is a bit of this week's blog ...

Caring for the most vulnerable is a consistent theme throughout Scripture.  Likewise, Wesleyan theology and the Methodist movement from its very beginning placed a high emphasis on caring for the “least of these.”  There are two primary ways the church lives out this calling: charity and justice.  Charity meets temporary needs.  Justice addresses root causes.  Charity feeds the hungry.  Justice asks why are there hungry people in the first place.  From the Old Testament Law, to the Hebrew prophets, from Jesus to the apostle Paul, from John Wesley to the Book of Discipline, it is clear that we as the church are called to do both.  We are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, and visit the sick.  But we are also called to work to make sure that no one is hungry, that our society and our laws treat strangers and immigrants humanely, and that all people have access to health care.  That is the work of justice.  - Click here to read the entire blog post.

To subscribe to the email list for these updates and valuable information for your congregation, go to http://www.northalabamaumc.org/site/stayconnected and sign up for "Advocacy for Social Justice" emails.

 

 

Online 10-Fold event celebrating United Methodist Church in mission expanded for entire month of October

During the month of October, United Methodists are invited to participate in an interactive global gathering that features projects around the world supported by the General Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

Each week will feature a different United Methodist ministry. Through technology such as streaming video, Tweetups, online chats and other media, participants will learn about amazing ministries that are changing people’s lives. There will also be devotions and worship resources available.

Plus, with just a click of your mouse, you can become an advocate for mission! (Each visitor can trigger a US $1 donation to the week’s project, made by one of 10-Fold’s sponsors, simply by clicking on the Be Counted button.)

Schedule at a glance:
Week 1: (week of Oct. 1) Disaster Relief
Week 2: (week of Oct. 7) Young People in Mission
Week 3: (week of Oct. 14) Mission Initiatives
Week 4: (week of Oct. 21) Missionaries
Week 5: (week of Oct. 28) Fair Trade

10-Fold began as a campaign on October 10, 2010 and lasted for 10 days. Last year organizers saw record success. This year the campaign was expanded, yet simplified, by making it a month-long event that allows participants to visit many times throughout October.

For more information and to participate visit www.10-fold.org.

 

 

Attention Clergy:

To the clerypersons who processed at the 10/7 Bishop's Installation Service at Canterbury UMC:

Men: please check the blazer/sportscoat/suitcoat that you picked up in the robing room following the installation service. Someone accidentally picked up the wrong garment. Missing is a navy blue blazer with brass buttons, and a silver thread running through the lining. Canterbury church has the information on whose coat is missing. Their phone number is (205) 871-4695. The owner would really appreciate the return of his coat. It was an anniversary present from his wife.

 

 

Events

Featured Events

UMCOR/UMVIM Early Response Training (ERT)

Oct. 20, 2012
Start Time 8:00am
End Time 5:00pm
Asbury UMC
6690 Cahaba Valley Road
Birmingham, AL 35242
Coordinator: Meridee Gibson
Coordinator Email: gibsonme@bellsouth.net

You must click here to complete the registration, or copy and paste this address in your web browser: http://northalabamaumc.org/registrations/register/120

[ERT] Early Response Training is a joint venture between UMVIM and UMCOR to train disaster response sensitive individuals to serve in disaster areas after first responders are allowed to do their jobs in those areas. This training covers pastoral care, tarping, mucking out, and other disaster response skills. Each individual must have a valid background check on file with the North Alabama Conference office and after completion of the training and background check, will be issued an ERT badge valid for three years.

If you have any questions about the contents of this training, please contact Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org

 

 

Clergy Spouse Retreat 2012

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

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

Download Brochure: Spouse2012update_QK5S2FPI.pdf

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. A Book Talk on Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore will be led by Robin Schultz

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.

 

 

Sumatanga Fall Fest

Oct. 25 - 27, 2012
Start Time 9:00 a.m.
End Time 6:00 p.m.
Camp Sumatanga
Coordinator: Chrystal Smith or Lora Parker
Coordinator Email: sumafallfest@gmail.com
(256) 538-9860

Camp Sumatanga will be hosting a Fall Fest on October 25-27. Group reservations ($5 each) may be made for Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, October 27, Sumatanga Fall Fest will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Public tickets are available for $1 each to different activities or snacks.

Sumatanga Fall Fest will have the following activities available:

  • S'mores & Bonfire
  • Snack Station
  • Pumpkin Patch
  • Fun Zone
  • Hay Ride
  • Pumpkin Decorating
  • Movie & Popcorn
  • Pre-ordered Sack Lunches

This is a great opportunity for daytime child care programs or for your entire family!

For reservations or information, contact Lora Parker or Chrystal Smith at sumafallfest@gmail.com or at (256) 538-9860.

 

 

Worship Workshop: Plan, Enhance, and Experience Worship of Meaning and Power

Nov. 3, 2012
Start Time 9:00 a.m.
End Time 12:00 noon
Sylacauga First UMC
105 East Spring Street
Sylacauga,AL 35150
Coordinator: Debby Webb
Coordinator Email: dwebb@northalabamaumc.org
(256) 409-9210

Rev. Barbara Day Miller, Associate Dean of Worship and Music at Candler, will lead a workshop geared toward enhancing the experience of congregants as they seek to worship Christ. Pastors, worship teams and leaders of churches are invided to participate in this practical training event. Rev. Day Miller also teaches practical liturgics and directs the Candler Singer. She is the author of Encounters with the Holy:A Conversational Model for Worship Planning (Alban Institute, 2010) and The New Pastor's Guide to Leading Worship (Abingdon Press, 2005)

There is no cost for this event, but please let us know if you are going to attend and how many people you are bringing with you.

 

 

from txt 2 speech

Nov. 29 - Dec. 1, 2012
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville,TN
Coordinator: Center for Youth Ministry Training

Proclaiming scripture to youth in a digital age.

The Center for Youth Ministry Training (CYMT) is hosting a conference at the end of November called Text 2 Speech which is about bringing the gospel to life in a digital age particularly so that youth and young adults can better hear it and accept it.

Featured speakers - Kenda Creasy Dean, Mike King, Dave Ward, and Olu Brown

$85 general admission before October 25th - $105 after October 25th.

Register at txt2speech.org

Download brochure.

 

 

Lake Junaluska Multicultural Conference: Creating a Church for All People

Nov. 29- Dec. 1, 2012
Lake Junaluska
North Carolina
Coordinator: The Rev. Dr. Carl Arrington
Coordinator Email: carrington@lakejunaluska.com
(828) 454-6697

Register today at www.lakejunaluska.com/multicultural
 

Scholarships available soon. Contact 828.454.6697 for more information.

The 2012 Multicultural Conference will explore the changing racial, ethnic and cultural demographics of our country that are moving towards a population that is majority racial-ethnic. In light of this fast-approaching demographic change, how do we create a church in which all people feel welcome? This conference will provide thought-provoking cultural competency training for clergy and laity, enhancing their ability to serve as leaders within diverse churches and changing  communities.

Participants will experience this training through a mixture of plenary sessions, workshops, powerful and inspiring worship services and motivating speakers, all of which will empower the participants to embrace the principles learned at the conferences and put them into action in their local churches and communities, thereby "Creating a Church for All People."

Leadership includes:
 

  • Bishop Melvin Talbert
  • Bishop Linda Lee
  • Bill Cruse
  • Others to be announced


 

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.