Rev. Sheri Ferguson shares pastoral care plans for Gardendale - Mt. Vernon UMC

Dear fellow clergy and partners in ministry, I write to you with a hurting but hopeful heart about the tragedy with the Greer family and the Gardendale - Mt Vernon United Methodist Church. Many of you have reached out to me, my office, and the church during this difficult time, and I am grateful beyond words. It is for this reason that I want to inform you about the developing short and long term pastoral care plans for the congregation as I know them as this time. Because I know you, I...

North Alabama United Methodists elected for leadership at the General Church and Jurisdictional level

This year, 2012, is a quadrennial year in the United Methodist Church and therefore the quadrennial Christian Conferencing gatherings – General Conference and Jurisdictional Conference - have met to do business and make decisions to determine programs and the direction of ministry of the church. During these meetings, the bodies also elected leaders to serve on various boards and agencies over the next four years.  There are several North Alabama Conference United Methodists...

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...

2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference dates changed

The Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church (SEJ) has announced that the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference will be one day shorter than in the past. This new schedule will result in financial savings for both the SEJ and its Annual Conferences. This change was announced in the following message from Dr. Brad Brady, SEJ Conference Secretary. The conference will officially convene with worship at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18. Consecration of the newly...

UMVIM regional office has a new home

A large suite of offices in Vestavia Hills, walls and shelves covered with interesting artifacts from all over the world, is the new home of the Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. When Paulette West  was hired as its Executive Director, one of her objectives was to move the office to the Birmingham area. In December, this objective was met and West and her staff are now up and running in the new location. West is the first female and the first...

Dr. John “Jack” L. Ewing, Jr. Named Executive Director of Lake Junaluska Assembly

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Dr. John “Jack” L. Ewing, Jr. has been named the new Executive Director of Lake Junaluska Assembly Inc. Dr. Ewing will begin his new duties on January 1st, 2011, and fills a position that is being vacated by the retirement of Rev. Jimmy L. Carr. Ewing currently serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation for Evangelism, which is also based at Lake Junaluska, NC. “The entire Board of Directors is excited about the future and believes that...

Paulette West to become the Executive Director of Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Volunteers in Mission

In May 2009 Paulette West, who currently serves as the North Alabama Conference Director of Mission and Advocacy and Connectional Ministries Consultant to the Cheaha and Southeast Districts, will become the Executive Director of Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM-SEJ). West has served on the North Alabama Conference staff since September of 2002.  She served as the North Alabama Conference volunteer UMVIM Coordinator beginning in 2001. Bishop Will...

Committee on Episcopacy to request Bishop Willimon be reassigned to the Birmingham Area during 2008 Jurisdictional Conference

The 2008 Southeastern (SEJ) Jurisdictional Conference will be July 16-19, 2008, at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Western North Carolina.  During the SEJ Conference delegates from the 15 Annual Conferences within the southeast will gather under the theme “Living the United Methodist Way.” A United Methodist Jurisdictional Conference happens every 4 years. There are five Jurisdictions in the Untied States and each Jurisdiction holds  its Jurisdictional...

Southeastern Jurisdiction's diversity celebration draws hundreds

By Neill Caldwell For United Methodist News Service LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – Leaders in the Southeastern Jurisdiction took up the challenge of churches that struggle with inclusiveness and welcoming during a conference that tried to bring the region’s varied ethnic groups from diversity into community. At the “Embracing God’s Diversity” convocation Dec. 13-15 at the United Methodist retreat center here, there was a sense of urgency to jump-start years of talk into...

New Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska to Open July 9

Lake Junaluska, N.C.: After less than a year of construction, a building of hospitality and reconciliation is completed. The new Bethea Welcome Center will be consecrated on Monday, July 9 at 11:30 a.m. at the Nancy Weldom Gym. The service is free and open to the public. The 12,000 square foot Welcome Center will house Cottage Rentals, events registration, Marketing, Conference Coordinators and hotel management. A visitor’s center and a store featuring local art work and Lake Junaluska...

Arrington named SEJ African-American Ministries Director

Lake Junaluska, N.C.: The Southeastern Jurisdiction is pleased to announce the appointment of Reverend Doctor Carl L. Arrington to the SEJ Ministry Team asDirector of African-American Ministries. Reverend Arrington comes to this appointment from the Western North Carolina Annual Conference where he has most recently served in Extension Ministry as Minority Program Director of the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network in Charlotte, N.C. Reverend Arrington earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from...

Mission event at Lake Junaluska, NC to empower people to Connect with God's call.

Decatur, GA March 17, 2006- UMVIM, SEJ would like to announce the upcoming event, Connect, that will take place on June 28-30, 2006 at Lake Junaluska, NC. The theme is "Passion and Purpose- how can I Connect my desire to answer God's call with needs around the world."   Connect will feature keynote speakers, Bishop Will Willimon, North Alabama Conference, Bishop Hope Morgan-Ward, Mississippi Conference, and Dr. Wilson Bonfim, Evangemed in Brazil. Workshops will be offered on a...