Conference Announces new Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

The North Alabama Conference Lay Ministry Team announces that June Wilson is the newly appointed Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries. Conference Lay Leader Steve Lyles says, “The Board of Laity is delighted to announce that June Wilson, a Lay Speaker from the Southeast District will immediately become the Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries. June has full support of the Conference and District Lay Leaders in becoming the Conference Director.” He adds,...

Northwest District welcomes new Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

The following article appears in the July-Sept. 2011 issue of the Northwest District Magazine He Lives. It is reposted here with permission. Our new Director of Lay Speaking Ministries for the [Northwest] District is Keith Russell. He was born in Decatur, Alabama and graduated from West Morgan High School in 1968 He worked as a radio announcer until March of 1969 when he moved to Washington, D.C. at age 18 to work for the FBI. During his five years with the FBI, he met Linda, a Hoosier girl,...

General Board of Discipleship offers free online webinars to help local church leadership

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – The General Board of Discipleship’s series of free online training sessions for local church leaders continues in February with a webinar about issues that face church council members. The live event, “Leading the Church Council: Administration IS Ministry,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. CST on Feb. 24, hosted by Betsey Heavner, GBOD’s Director of Congregational Renewal. “This webinar will address the challenge church leaders face when...

insideOut helps churches focus on ministry outside their church doors

InsideOUT is an exciting vision that has grasped the attention of churches in both the Mountain Lakes and Cheaha Districts this summer.  This vision is leading the congregations to step outside their church doors and be in ministry to children in their community. The ministry assigns a college intern to a congregation which has formed an InsideOUT team of laity. They work together to develop a six week stint of summer ministry to children in their local community. The rule is...

Guntersville UMC hosts Every Member in Ministry seminar

On Saturday January 23, 2010, churches from the Mountain Lakes District gathered at Guntersville First United Methodist Church for a special focus seminar. Participants learned about the “Every Member In Ministry” program from special guest speaker Rev. John Ed Mathison. Rev. Mathison retired in June 2008, after 36 years as senior minister of Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Ala., where under his leadership the church grew from 400 members to more than...

Guntersville First UMC hosts Every Member in Ministry seminar

Approximately 200 people from 23 churches in the Mountain Lakes District and surrounding areas gathered at Guntersville First United Methodist Church Saturday,  January 24, 2009, for an “Every Member In Ministry- Lay Involvement” seminar.  The event was sponsored by the Lay Leadership Team of Guntersville First United Methodist Church as part of their equipping members for ministry plan.  Rudy Heintzelman from Frazer Memorial UMC in Montgomery was the seminar speaker...

Metro Methodism class members surprised at the diversity in North Alabama

The following article was written by Gordon Short, Metro Methodism Class of 2008 and a life-long United Methodist.  Gordon is a member of Highlands UMC and his father is a retired elder in our Conference.  For more information about Metro Methodism, contact Kathy Clements, coordinator, at 205-226-7953 or kclements@northalabamaumc.org. Metro Methodism – a view from a class member Written by Gordon Short, Class of 2008 On Tuesday, February 12, the Metro Methodism group met at...

Metro Methodism holds its 14th Opening Retreat

On January 25, 2008, Metro Methodist participants and leaders gathered for the 14th Opening Retreat at Sumatanga.  Over 340 persons have participated in this lay leadership process which is unique in all of Methodism.    The following article is written by Melinda Underwood, Class of 2008, from her experience of the retreat.  For information about Metro Methodism, contact Kathy Clements at (205)226-7953; 800-239-7950 or kclements@northalabamaumc.org. Metro Methodism...

Lay Ministry Team kicks off year of emphasis on Methodist beliefs

Click here to see more pictures of the event. On Saturday, January 5, 2008, more than 300 United Methodists from across North Alabama gathered at ClearBranch UMC for the "Celebration of Methodism - The Wesleyan Way" event sponsored by the North Alabama Conference Lay Ministry Team as a kickoff on their emphasis for each congregation to study United Methodist beliefs during 2008. The morning featured Bishop William H. Willimon presenting some major points from his new book United...

North Alabama United Methodists to begin year with event celebrating United Methodist beliefs

You’ve probably heard someone make the comment, “United Methodists believe anything.”  But as a good United Methodist you know that statement is simply not true.  However, as a United Methodist can you articulate what United Methodists do believe? If you’re not sure the Lay Ministry Team has an event for you! On Saturday, January 5, 2008, the North Alabama Conference Lay Ministry team is hosting the "Celebration of Methodism - The Wesleyan Way" event at ClearBranch United Methodist...

Metro Methodism accepting applications for 2008 class

Approximately 40 laity gathered for the Metro Methodism Orientation & Information dinner at the United Methodist Center on Thursday evening, November 15.   Metro Methodism is a successful program of the North Alabama Conference that empowers, informs and develops lay leadership. It is sponsored by the Office of Connectional Ministries and the Birmingham metro area districts. Each Metro Methodism class is made up of 25 to 35 United Methodists who meet together for six sessions...

'Discernment Events' Planned to Assist Laity in Finding God's Will for Their Lives

New York, New York, January 19, 2007—To “discern” means to recognize or identify. United Methodist young laity—women and men—seeking to discern God’s will for their lives will have that opportunity in late April, 2007. A Young Adult Deaconess and Home Missioner Discernment Event, open to persons aged 20 to 39 living in the United States, will take place in New York City on April 27-29. Regional events are tentatively scheduled for later in the year (see below). Space is limited...