Events

Urban Ministry Workshop with Gary Mason

Start Date 10/13/2010
End Date 10/13/2010
Start Time 10 am
End Time 2 pm

Address

Conference Center Large Conference Room
898 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham,AL 35204

Contact

Coordinator: Rev. Matt Lacey
Coordinator Email: mlacey@northalabamaumc.org
(205) 202-1879

The North Alabama Conference is pleased to welcome Gary Mason of the Methodist East Belfast Conference in Belfast, Ireland to share his unique perspective on urban ministry.  Gary's work of reconciliation in Belfast is well documented, and continues to lead ministry efforts in urban Belfast.

The East Belfast Mission is one of the largest Methodist churches in Europe. Located on a “peace line” between Protestant and Catholic communities, the Mission operates in an area that has one of the worst rankings in Northern Ireland in terms of employment, health education, and poverty.

With a membership of only 250 members, the Mission mobilizes a staff of 50 and a volunteer team of more than 50 in service to the community. Hosford House is a 22-bed hostel for people who are experiencing homelessness. The Job Bridge is an employment service that offers information, guidance on employment opportunities, training, and education.

The Welcoming Center is a café for locals, and Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals to people in need. The Mission’s two shops provide nearly new clothing and furniture at a low cost to the people in the area. The Mission also reaches out to youth through arts, music, community events, and Luk4, a former pub that the Mission has turned into a safe haven for teens.

The Mission’s most ambitious ministry is Skainos, a $40 million project designed to regenerate the inner city and build confidence in the peace process.

Click here to read a recent GBGM article written by Gary.

 

The workshop will run 10am-2pm and lunch will be included.  This is a free workshop.  Please register to let us know how many to expect.  Contact Rev. Matt Lacey with any questions at mlacey@northalabamaumc.org

Directions

Birmingham-Southern College is located off US Interstate 20/59 at the Arkadelphia Road exit (123). To get to the United Methodist Center, take the road through the guard gate until it comes to a "T." Take a right at the "T" and then a right at the next stop sign. The United Methodist Center will be on your left. Parking is available behind the building. From West: - Take I-20E/59N to the Arkadelphia Road exit (123) - From Exit 123, turn right onto Arkadelphia Road. - Birmingham-Southern College will be on the right as you top the hill. From East: - Take I-20W/59S to the Arkadelphia Road exit (123) - From Exit 123, turn left onto Arkadelphia Road. - Drive over the interstate overpass - Birmingham-Southern College will be on the right as you top the hill. From North/South: - Take I-65 to the junction of I-20/59 - Take I-20W/59S toward Tuscaloosa - Take I-20W/59S to the Arkadelphia Road exit (123) - From Exit 123, turn left onto Arkadelphia Road. - Drive over the interstate overpass - Birmingham-Southern College will be on the right as you top the hill.