Birmingham First UMC's Discovery Weekend leads to new members

Discovery Weekend is a life-changing weekend which happens at a local church. The focus for the weekend is the Junior High students of the congregation. The weekend helps teach Junior High students about God’s love for them and that the local church also loves them and wants to help them grow in their Christian faith. During the weekend, the congregation’s own Senior High Students and Adults serve as leaders for the event. This allows the Senior High Students to learn leadership...

Flint Hill UMC hosts outreach “Fall Block Party”

Flint Hill UMC in Alexander City (Southeast District) held a fall block party to reach their community. Following Bill Hyble’s idea in Becoming a Contagious Christian, the leadership of the church decided to hold an event to invite the community to come, mingle and have fun with the people of the church. In early September, the team “coaches” of the children, youth, outreach, fellowship and witness teams met and decided what activities would be part of the event. From these...

Alexandria UMC becomes Stepping Stone UMC and plans relocation

Alexandria UMC (Cheaha District) has become Stepping Stone--A United Methodist Faith Community. The new name also marks a plan to relocate. Pastor Rev. Paula Calhoun says, “Stepping Stone UMC is very excited about living into God's new vision and participating in providing new resources for the surrounding community.” In May 2010, the congregation bought property for a new church campus. In July 2010 they sold their existing property. Ronnie Carr (Carr Land Company) bought the...

Alabaster First UMC - Shopping for faith space

The following article is re-posted with permission of Alabaster Reporter By Neal Wagner | Alabaster Reporter Brian Erickson had only been serving as pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Alabaster for about a week when he decided to take a quick break from his day to do some grocery shopping. But as Erickson pulled into the parking lot of the city’s former Winn Dixie supermarket in the Alabaster Market Center off Alabama 119, he soon realized he would have to travel further...

Chase Valley UMC gathers at the river to celebrate baptisms

On Sunday, June 27, at high noon the congregation of Chase Valley UMC in Huntsville gathered on the banks of the Flint River as Pastor Fred Webster baptized four people, three youth and one adult. While not every baptism at Chase Valley UMC is at the river, it is a tradition that dates back to the early days of this northeast Huntsville church. When the congregation was just starting in 1992 and meeting in a local storefront, they began going to the river. It is still an important part of...

Gospel lived at Cullman First UMC

On March 25, the Cullman Times recognized seven local citizens as "Unsung Heroes" and another as a "Distinguished Citizen" for their all-too-often overlooked contributions to the community. Of those eight individuals, four are active members of Cullman First United Methodist Church. Their work in education, in helping those facing unexpected tragedies, and in working toward social justice embodies faithfulness to the gospel and to the vision of the North Alabama Conference....

North Alabama churches offer creative Holy Week celebrations

Holy Week is a time each year when Christians reflect on the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is also a time when local churches reach out to their communities and welcome visitors who want to be part of Holy Week activities and Easter Sunday celebrations. Some North Alabama United Methodist congregations are offering creative opportunities tied in to ancient celebrations of Holy Week as a way to open...

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church welcomes 53 confirmands

The Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church family is stronger as they received the wonderful gift of 53 confirmands into full membership on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at 5 p.m. Bishop Bob Morgan, was on hand to baptize seven of those who had not been baptized earlier in their lives and to confirm those who professed their faith in Christ. The special evening included all clergy in attendance and the New Life Singers youth choir on hand to lead this meaningful time of worship. Rev. Ruth...

InnerChange UMC celebrates Christmas with the baptism of new Christians

On Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, InnerChange UMC celebrated Christmas with a high energy worship service that included the celebration of baptism for several new Christ-followers. Rev. Mike Skelton explains, “We set worship up like a big Christmas party. I had a couple of folks who wanted to be baptized. At the end of the baptism, the guy who came dressed as Santa Claus came down and asked me to baptize him. This guy is a recovering drug user and new follower of Christ. We didn't know he...

Saint Paul-Triana Has Hallelujah Luau!

By Paul D. Hillard, Jr. Sr. Pastor As part of its commitment to renewal, transformation and the empowerment of a new generation of Christians, Saint Paul-Triana has begun using the last Wednesday of each month as “Fellowship Night.” It is a time for friends, family, food and good old fashioned Methodist fellowship. Members are encouraged to invite nonmembers and bring a covered dish. The inaugural Fellowship Night was held on April 29. Ministry coordinator; Doris Stevenson kicked...

Holly Pond UMC opens doors through Business Blessings Service

On August 23, 2009, the congregation of Holly Pond UMC intentionally welcomed visitors from their community for a Business Blessings service. During the service Local businesses were honored and prayed for as the participation in the special prayer service swelled attendance to 92 (up from an average of 62 in worship on a typical Sunday). Early in the spring pastor Rich Patsios sent out an invitation to each local business which in part said: We know that during these uncertain times...

Woodlawn UMC members discuss healing process after church fire; congregation celebrates growth

On Sunday, July 19, members of Woodlawn UMC gathered for a covered dish luncheon and conversation about strategies for processing the trauma and loss they experienced with the burning of their sanctuary on May 31 of this year. Rev. Sheri Ferguson, from the Office of Pastoral Care and Counseling, facilitated discussion on the phases of a healing process after such a trauma. She will meet again with the congregation in January for follow up and further reflections on their spiritual and...

Alexander City First UMC celebrates Pentecost by worshipping and serving community together

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Acts 2:1  On May 31, Pentecost Sunday, the congregation of Alexander City First UMC (Southeast District) celebrated by being all together in one place, with one heart for worship and service.  The one worship service led to members leaving the church building and going out to serve their local community in the name of Christ. They had approximately 170-180 members of the church who participated in the full...

Ava UMC celebrates growth as congregation dedicates new sanctuary

Exploring visitors, satisfied members, excited church leaders, grateful pastor Rev. Richard Smith and well wishers crowded Ava United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 3, 2009, to dedicate the new sanctuary and celebrate homecoming. However, this was no ordinary homecoming. This homecoming, while taking note of the past was really a step into the future with a larger sanctuary and additional Sunday school rooms to meet the needs of a growing congregation.  Last year, about this time, the...

Flint Hill and Haven Memorial UMC's Take a New Approach to Building Bridges

On Sunday, April 19, the pastors and choirs of Haven Memorial UMC (an African-American church) and Flint Hill UMC (a Caucasian church), both in the Southeast District, exchanged pulpits and choir lofts. This action came about because of the connectional system, the friendship between the two pastors and, most importantly because of the love of Christ that tears down walls and builds relationships. Reflecting on the experience, Rev. Tiwirai Kufarimai, pastor of Haven Memorial UMC, writes,...

Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Welcomes Confirmands

The Vestavia Hills UMC church family is 41 stronger after receiving the wonderful gift of 41 confirmands into full membership on Sunday, December 7. Bishop Bob Morgan, a former pastor of the church, was on hand to baptize seven who had not been baptized earlier in their lives, and to confirm those who professed their faith in Christ. The evening was a special one, with all clergy on hand to lead this meaningful time of worship. The New Life Singers youth choir performed during the service....

Conference introduces VideoShare -- a site to view and share ministry videos

The North Alabama Conference announces an exiting new online ministry feature which will better equip local churches in their online ministry and help the Conference work toward the priority of empowering a new generation of Christians. This new feature is called VideoShare.  It is an online site where North Alabama United Methodists can view, post and share videos.  The posted videos can also be embedded into local church websites or personal blogs. VideoShare will also be the...

Randall's Chapel UMC celebrates family's baptisms

Northeast District Superintendent Rev. Tom Bell joined Rev. Michael Carver and the Randall’s Chapel UMC congregation in a very special baptism on Sunday, September 14. Six members of the same family were baptized by profession of faith. April and Robert Culpepper took a stand that “...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” “It was a tremendous celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit," said Rev. Bell. "Since his appointment in June, Rev....

Saint Andrew’s UMC Doesn’t Sleep With the Fishes

Christ continues to use the passion of fishermen and fisher-women to spread the Gospel. In response to the challenges expressed through Igniting Ministries, the congregation of  Saint Andrew’s UMC in Sylacauga is living our promise of open hearts, open minds and open doors by taking the love of Christ beyond the walls of their church building to the rivers, lakes, and streams.   The vision for this ministry became clear when Saint Andrew’s pastor, Rev. James...

Flint Hill UMC Baptizes 5 on June 15

Five new disciples of Jesus Christ were baptized on Sunday June 15 at Flint Hill in Alexander City. Three of these individuals came through profession of faith and joined the church. The husband of one of the recipients of baptism also remembered his baptism and reaffirmed his vows to the Lord and the church. This family also celebrated as their two children were baptized that day Rev. Dee Dowdy says, "The Lord has really been at work here at Flint Hill. This was largest number of people...