Annual Conference 2013 to include an evening 5K Run / 1 Mile Fun Walk for Human Need

On Sunday evening, June 2, 2013, after United Methodists from across North Alabama gather for the opening of Annual Conference and worship together, they are invited to lace up their sneakers and participate in the 5K Run / 1 Mile Fun Walk for Human Need sponsored by Mission 2 Gather. The course for the 5k will be on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College. Participants will gather and will finish in front of the Striplin Fitness Center. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers and top...

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...

2012 is big year for United Methodist conferencing

The United Methodist Church is a "connectional church," which means United Methodist churches are connected by a system to guide their work, govern their policies and to be in ministry throughout the world in more ways than any one person or any one congregation could do alone. In order to guide the work of the church and conduct necessary business, United Methodists use the process of Christian Conferencing. In United Methodism, a Conference is both a worshipful meeting to...

PreConference Reports deadline is Feb. 1, 2012

Guidelines for Reporting North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church 2012 Conference Vision: Every church challenged and equipped to grow more disciples of Jesus Christ by taking risks and changing lives. Conference Priorities: 1) New Congregations 2) Natural Church Development 3) Effective Leadership 4) Empowering a New Generation 5) Missions Annual Conference 2012 Emphasis: The Value of the Connection All reports submitted for publication in the Journal Volume 1...

Annual Conference 2011 comes to a close

Click here for a Photo Gallery of Saturday. The 2011 North Alabama Conference came to order on Saturday morning with the Service of Commissioning Provisional Members and Recognition of Licensed Local Pastors. During the morning service 13 newly licensed Local Pastors were recognized including the following: Howard T. Cain Kyle G. Bryan Andrew J. Gregg William Mark “Ben” McCurdy T. Keith Monk Jeanet Berruecos Jeffrey Scott Hagood Benjamin...

Annual Conference Memorial Service remembers clergy and clergy spouses who have died in the last year

The 2011 North Alabama Conference began on Thursday evening, June 2, at Asbury UMC in Madison with the annual Memorial Service to remember clergy and clergy spouses who have died in the last year. Rev. Reagin Brown preached a sermon titled "Nothing" based on Romans 8:28-39. He reminded those gathered that nothing can separate us from the love of God. He reflected on the thought that even in times of pain we can feel separated from God, yet our relentless God comes in painful...

Conference Treasurer Scott Selman Shares Key Financial Notes for Annual Conference

Many of our pastors and lay members to Annual Conference have been actively involved in relief efforts since the tragic tornadoes on April 27. So, I’m wondering how many folks have had time to study all of the reports in the Preconference Book. Just in case you are a little behind in your reading, here are some key financial notes: Council on Finance The Council on Finance is recommending a 14.97% decrease or a $1.6 million reduction in the Conference budget for 2012. Such a...

Church court clarifies voting eligibility

When United Methodists start electing clergy delegates this spring to the denomination’s top legislative meeting, several new groups will be eligible to vote for those representatives. The new categories of electors for the 2012 General Conference were clarified by the denomination’s Judicial Council in a special called session Feb. 12. The nine-member council serves as the church’s “supreme court.” The new categories — related to elections conducted by the...

Guidelines for Reporting: North Alabama Conference 2011

Guidelines for Reporting North Alabama Conference of the UMC 2011 Conference Vision: Every church challenged and equipped to grow more disciples of Jesus Christ by taking risks and changing lives. Conference Priorities: 1) New Congregations 2) Natural Church Development 3) Effective Leadership 4) Empowering a New Generation 5) Missions All reports submitted for publication in the Journal Volume 1 (Pre-Conference Book) for 2011 and for subsequent publication in the Journal Volume 2 2011...

Bishop Willimon issues Episcopal Ruling requested during Annual Conference 2010

The following request for an Episcopal Ruling of law was received during the course of the regular business of the North Alabama Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in session June 3-5, 2010: I hereby request an Episcopal ruling of law by Bishop Willimon: Is proper consultation, according to the 2008 Book of Discipline, being performed with pastors and churches by the Cabinet of the North Alabama Conference? The grounds for this request for a rule of law is that our...

5 K Run / 1 mile Fun Walk For Human Need raises fund for missions in North Alabama

On June 5, 2010, 44 runners and 14 walkers participated in the 5 K Run / 1 mile Fun Walk For Human Need. Twenty-six North Alabama clergy persons participated as either runners or walkers. Rev. Sam Lasseter was the first clergyperson to cross the finish line in the race. Rev. Robert Lancaster had the most family members involved with Robert, his wife Sherry and their daughter as well as Robert’s two sisters and his mother all participating in the 5 K. Rev. Rachel Gonia of the Society of...

Saturday of Annual Conference is a day to equip effective leaders

Click here for photos from the Mission together 5K run / 1 mile Fun Walk. Click here for photos from the Saturday learning session with Rev. Adam Hamilton and the Commissioning Service. Saturday morning started early with the Mission2Gather 5K Run / 1 Mile Fun Walk for Human Need started Saturday of Annual Conference. All proceeds benefitted Mission2Gather mission agencies and mission congregations of the North Alabama Conference working together to engage persons in mission and ministry to...

Friday of Annual Conference includes business and ordination of new clergy

Click here to see photos from Friday of Annual Conference. Click here to see photos from the Ordination Service. The 2010 North Alabama Conference opened on the morning of June 4, 2010, at ClearBranch United Methodist Church. The focus of the Conference is one of the five Conference priorities -- Effective Leadership. After Bishop William H. Willimon called the Conference to order, Conference Secretary Rev. Sherill Clontz set the bar (areas where voting members may sit to have their votes...

Annual Conference 2010 begins with family fellowship and remembering the saints

Click here to see photos from Thursday of Annual Conference. On June 3, 2010, members of the North Alabama Conference gathered at ClearBranch UMC. The day began with a family picnic. There were grilled hamburgers, games for the children, live music, mission projects and mission displays. This was a designated time for Conference members to gather and fellowship, catch up with new friends and make new connections. Following the picnic there was a dialogue session for those interested in...

Journey to 2012 General and Jurisdictional Conferences dialogue session scheduled for Thursday of Annual Conference

On Thursday, June 3, 2010, at 4 p.m. there will be a dialogue session for Potential Clergy and Lay Delegates to the 2012 General and Jurisdictional Conferences of the United Methodist Church. The session will be in the ClearBranch UMC worship center. Gloria Holt and Dr. Bill Morgan will be the facilitators. Topics for discussion include: Basic Introduction to the United Methodist General Conference Meeting Basic Introduction to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference...

Important Information about C Plus Medicare Select Plan B

BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama (BCBSAL) recently mailed a letter to all participants in C Plus Medicare Select Plan B supplemental coverage concerning a new hospice benefit that is being added to the plan. For a limited time, you have the opportunity to replace your existing contract with the new C Plus Medicare Select Plan B contract. The new C Plus Medicare Select Plan B contract will provide the same benefits that you currently have, plus a hospice benefit, at no additional cost. This...

Send More People from Your Church to Annual Conference to be Equipped for More Effective Leadership

by Rev. Dale Cohen, Director of Connectional Ministires Churches are normally represented at Annual Conference with a Lay Member and their Clergy Person; however this year on Saturday, June 5, 2010, we’re inviting you to “expand” your church’s participation by sending additional leaders to hear Rev. Adam Hamilton of Kansas City’s United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Rev. Hamilton is not only leading United Methodism’s fastest growing and largest...

The North Alabama Conference celebrates African Connection

The North Alabama Conference has a long history of love for and work in churches in Africa. Bishop Willimon says, “We have been part of one of the areas of fastest church growth in the world and Africa has been good to the United Methodists in Alabama.” The late Mildred Taylor, a missionary from North Alabama serving in Africa, helped lead Dr. Thomas Muhomba’s mother to Christ. Now Thomas has come to North Alabama from Zimbabwe to lead our Conference Ethnic and Multicultural...

Deadline for Annual Conference reports is Feb. 1

The North Alabama Annual Conference 2010 will be June 3-5, 2010, at ClearBranch United Methodist Church. The theme this year will focus on the Conference priority of Effective Leadership. The featured speaker will be Rev. Adam Hamilton pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. As plans for Annual Conference 2010 are underway, the deadline draws near for reports to be submitted for this year’s Annual Conference session. Below are the Guidelines for...

2009 Journal now available for download - printed copies hitting the mail this week

The 2009 North Alabama Conference Journal is now available for download from the Journal Library on the North Alabama Conference website. Printed and CD copies of the Journal will be mailed in the next week to those who ordered and paid for them. Readers of the Journal will notice a few changes in the content and format of the 2009 edition. There are two major reasons for these changes. The first reason is that the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church passed legislation that...