The Alabama - West Florida Conference NewsCONNECTION is the official periodic newsletter provided by the Conference Resource Center.
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CONFERENCE NEWS

Blue Lake Hires Moore as Development Director
(Blue Lake Camp) Phyllis Murray, Executive Director, and the Board of Trustees of Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly, are happy to
announce that after a long search Sissy Louise Moore has been hired to serve as the Blue Lake Development Director.  Mrs. Moore will be helping to develop programs and campaigns for the support of camp ministry in the Alabama- West Florida Conference. 

“Her experience in marketing, training and administration and her sincere belief in the mission of Blue Lake make her a great addition to our team” said Murray. The job of Development Director involves contacting and cultivating a strong donor base, informing donors and potential donors of the various opportunities to be involved in the Blue Lake ministry, and designing ongoing efforts of fundraising and financial development.

Sissy Louise will be contacting churches to set up presentations, is available to do programs, and will be able to work with Phyllis and Patric Newton, Program Director, to support and enhance the efforts of all groups at Blue Lake. Blue Lake Camp is excited to welcome a member of our own Conference (Mobile, Ala.) to the ministry team.

Register now for Mission Team Leader Training
(Susan Hunt) Are you or someone in your church leading a mission team this year or considering leading a team in the future?  Have you been trained to lead a mission team?  Do you have a trained team leader for your church’s mission team?  If not (or maybe if so), plan to attend one of two scheduled AWF Conference UMVIM Team Leader Training sessions: 

Saraland UMC, Saraland, AL, August 28, 2010, 9 am – 4 pm, or
Brundidge UMC, Brundidge, AL, September 11, 2010, 9 am – 4 pm

Participants will receive a wealth of information on preparing an UMVIM team for service, such as effective project selection, spiritual development, cultural sensitivity for teams, logistics, and finance.  Participating in the training does not obligate you to lead a team, but will help you understand the fundamentals of team leadership and will enrich any future Mission experiences you have.

Even if you have previously led mission teams, this training will benefit your leadership abilities.  If you have been trained, but it has been several years, it may be time to “refresh” your skills and share your leadership and mission experiences with new team leaders.

The cost of the Team Leader Training is $35 – you can register online at www.awfumc.org/umvimtraining.  Included in the registration fee is the UMVIM Team Leader Handbook and lunch.  This training is open to all Alabama-West Florida United Methodists, and satisfies training requirements for leading an UMVIM team.  For more information, contact Glenn Glover at umvim@awfumc.org or 334-703-1115. 

Oil Spill Prayer Vigil Creates Space for Healing
Pray without ceasing. That’s just what those gathered at Point Washington UMC in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. did for 24-hours on July 1 & 2. The church hosted an interfaith community prayer vigil for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, drawing approximately 200 people from not only the surrounding community, but surrounding states. more>>

Anxiety and despair continue to increase as the days mount without relief from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Many families are dependent on the income generated by tourist season and may not have several year’s worth of income saved for potential financial fallout from the spill. The sense of worry is palpable. The small monetary amount our family contributed during our vacation in the area was just that, a small amount. Yet, added to the small amount others are bringing into the area it can become so much more. And so much more is desperately needed. more>>

AWF Conference To Send Second Mission Team to Haiti -- August 17-25
(Susan Hunt) In May, our first conference UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers In Mission) team went to Haiti to work with UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), UMVIM and the United Methodist Church in Haiti after the devastating earthquake on January 12. This team was one of the first 5 teams to go to Haiti in the new system coordinated through UMVIM. Working with the Methodist Church of Haiti will ensure the work we do there will be meaningful and helpful, and the work teams do is what the Haitians have decided they need the most.

We are currently scheduling a second team to travel to Haiti August 17-25. If you are interested in participating with this team, contact Glenn Glover, Conference UMVIM Coordinator, at umvim@awfumc.org, or 334-703-1115. There is space on this team for 12 people. The goal is to have as many potential team leaders on this team who will lead future teams there, so first priority will be given to those willing to take future teams.

UMCOR is employing two Haitians for every American team member who serves there. The people they employ are assisting teams as cooks and interpreters, and also working as carpenters, painters, de-construction workers, and more. Plus, UMCOR is matching the project funds brought by each team ($3,500 per team). Funds are used for building materials and to hire laborers. 

The people of Haiti are very grateful for the teams who are coming to help because our teams show them they are not forgotten or in this alone. It shows we care because we’re there, and that brings them hope. The UMVIM motto – Christian Love in Action – is lived out through our teams.

The media has already moved on to other matters so we rarely hear about Haiti in the news anymore, but the situation in Haiti is as dire as ever. The immediate needs for trauma care are not as revalent. However, the current health issues are still serious and revolve around diseases such as malaria and typhoid as well as other healthcare problems such as diabetes and malnutrition. The unsanitary conditions and destruction are everywhere; the need for teams will continue for many years to come. 

Catapult Conference - September 22-24

From Bishop Paul L. Leeland: "On September 22-24, lay and clergy leaders of the Conference will gather at Christ UMC in Mobile for our first ever Catapult Conference. This is a phenomenal opportunity to learn from some of the most influential leaders in the Church today. Keynote speakers include Mike Slaughter, Alan Hirsch, Deb Hirsch, Reggie McNeal and Dr. Brian Russell of Asbury Seminary. In addition, numerous break out sessions will focus on action and implementation, one of which will be led by Lance Ford of shapevine.com.

This training is a response to the dramatic changes that have re-shaped our culture, and a recognition that our churches are not in a healthy position to effectively reach today’s non-Christians. The United Methodist Church in the U.S. loses 1,500 members every week and the rate of decline is increasing! While we might bemoan our losses, the real tragedy is the huge and growing number of people with no experience of the life-transforming love of Jesus Christ."

Catapult gathers Jesus followers of any tribe for encouragement and equipping in a post Christendom world. We explore how organic movements, innovations, and creative partnerships help the Church to be signs of the reign of God.

Community sessions reinforce the truth of God’s mission in the world. Breakout sessions equip for participation in the mission of God. Networking creates a web of innovation and encouragement for this North American mission field. Catapult sends you as an agent of transformation in your neighborhood, your church, your city, your world. Catapult will be held September 22-24, 2010 at Christ UMC in Mobile, Ala. Find out more, and register, at www.catapultconference.com. 

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CONNECTION NEWS

UM Funds Put Pressure on BP
(Newscope) If you have a pension with The UMC, you have investments in BP, Transocean Ltd., and Halliburton. Likewise, if you have a fund with The UMC Foundation, you also could have a stake in BP. Those investments might be the best chance the church has of influencing these energy companies to clean up the oil spill now darkening
the Gulf and clean up their acts, say church officials. “Our position has always been that it’s better to have a seat at the table than none at all,” said David Zellner, chief investment officer with the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBOPHB).

By owning shares, church organizations have more authority in urging companies to act in a way consistent with UM Social Principles. Such shareholder advocacy can include making phone calls and writing letters to corporate executives. Often, it takes the form of shareholder resolutions that can pressure a company to behave in a more ethical manner.

As of June 25, the pension board held the equivalent of 133,091 shares of BP valued at about $600,000. The board holds 440,816 shares of Halliburton and 82,600 shares of Transocean Ltd. As of July 6, the foundation held 550 shares in BP, worth about $16,100, reported Byrd Bonner, executive director of The UMC Foundation.

An investor needs at least $2,000 worth of shares to draw up resolutions under Security and Exchange Commission rules. Both Zellner and Bonner can point to some wins using shareholder advocacy. For example, the pension board was instrumental in getting Walmart to no longer use cotton produced in Uzbekistan, which uses child
labor. Shortly after the SEC upheld a GBOPHB resolution calling on Halliburton to adopt a policy for lowcarbon energy research, the company added information to its website on its work with low-carbon technology.

The pension staff was able to participate in an investor briefing on June 6 attended by the BP chair and chief executive officer. As BP’s recent losses in the stock market show, Zellner said, it also is in a company’s best interest to reduce its environmental liability: “We believe that adopting sustainable business practices is compatible with the
prudent pursuit of suitable investment returns as well as responsible environmental practice.” —Heather Hahn, UMNS

Number of Delegates for 2012 General Conference Still Undetermined
(Council of Bishops) No decision has yet been made about the size of the 2012 General Conference, according to the secretary of the General Conference, Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist. 

The Constitution states the General Conference “shall be composed of not less than 600 nor more than 1,000 delegates.”  The Book of Discipline provides a formula for the distribution of delegates that currently allocates more than 1,000 delegates.  A means to adjust the formula to bring the total into compliance with the Constitution is also stipulated.

Reist said he is awaiting analysis of the 2009 membership statistics to see how the size of the General Conference may affect representation.  He anticipates that no decision will be made before November 2010. 

"I am prayerfully seeking the guidance of the church and the Holy Spirit as I make this decision.  I am concerned that the voices of the church be heard and the resources of the church used in the service of Jesus Christ," said Reist.

The General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, and meets once every four years to consider revisions to church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for churchwide programs for the next four years. The 2012 meeting will take place April 24-May 4 at the Tampa Convention Center.

New research on congregations, church structure
(UMCom) The Call to Action Steering Team has released the findings of independent research commissioned by the committee regarding congregational vitality and an operational assessment of the connectional church, and invites others to review the research and provide comments and ideas. The steering team reviewed the two reports at their June meeting, and will be further examining the implications of the data as they work toward formulating recommendations to be presented to the Council of Bishops and Connectional Table in November. Comprehensive research was conducted on data from various sources in order to gain information about the factors that lead to congregations being more vital as evidenced by attendance, growth and engagement. The process included interviews with stakeholders across The United Methodist Church, group meetings, and surveys targeted at different stakeholder groups. In addition, data on attendance, growth, and engagement from over 32,000 churches in North America was analyzed. More>>

Call to Action offers signs of crisis and hope
(UMNS) First, the bad news: The United Methodist Church needs to change its operations denomination-wide to address financial challenges and be more relevant in its ministry around the globe. Then, the good news: Despite these challenges, many churches of varied sizes and settings have found ways to grow and thrive. More>>

United Methodists caught in Uganda blast
(UMNS) Six United Methodists from Pennsylvania were injured and a Ugandan pastor killed July 11 as they gathered with others to watch the World Cup final match at an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala, Uganda. At least 74 people were killed and 71 injured in the bombings at that restaurant and the Kyadondo Rugby Club. A Somali militia, al-Shabab, is suspected of being behind the terrorist attacks, according to news reports. The church members were part of a 14-member team from Christ Community Church in Selinsgrove, Pa., a city bordering the Susquehanna River 50 miles north of Harrisburg. Eight of the team members already had returned home after completing work at a mission project in Uganda. More>>

In face of Uganda blasts, mission spirit endures
(CNN.com) Mission agency leader reflects that missionaries are not exempt from political turmoilbut know God is with them. Read a post on CNN.com from Thomas Kemper, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries - "My take: In face of Uganda blasts, mission spirit endures."

UMCOR: New bog from UMCOR director
(UMCOR) In a new blog that will appear regularly on UMCOR’s website, UMCOR head Cynthia Fierro Harvey reflects on the courage, strength, and hope that are both a part of UMCOR’s work around the world and characteristic of the people the organization serves. “It is up to us to nurture the seeds of hope that they may grow wildly,” Harvey says, paraphrasing the writer Macrina Whitaker, in the blog’s first entry. “That kind of seed-tending requires a kind of courage and strength that can only come from the heart.” Follow Rev. Harvey’s blog and help UMCOR nurture seeds of hope in vulnerable communities in the US and overseas by giving to UMCOR Undesignated, Advance #999895

Peace Conference planned for Lake Junaluska
(SEJ) The third annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, September 18-21, 2010, will offer a variety of workshops and presentations. Leadership includes Marian Wright Edelman, Dr. Jeni Stepanek, and Bishop Kenneth Carder. Participants in the peace conference, Peace for the World's Children, will have the opportunity to join with children's advocates from across the United States to explore social issues facing children. For the first time, the Lake Junaluska Peace Conference includes a Saturday - Sunday session specifically for children, youth and their adult leaders, led by Jeni Stepanek. Click here for more information.

Hinton Rural Life to focus on 'Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60' at retreat
On August 14-15 Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC will host a vital two-day workshop for pastors and laity featuring Eddie Hammett, acclaimed author of "Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60." Not just a book review session, this seminar will provide timely in-depth information on this important topic which affects churches large and small. Attendees will earn .7 CEUs upon completion. The workshop cost is $100. Fees are underwritten by the Waynesville District of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and by a grant from the Duke Endowment. Call (828) 389-8336 for more information, or visit www.hintoncenter.org to download a brochure with registration form. The workshop is limited to 40 participants, and registrations are due by August 2.

Lake Junaluska Seeks New Executive Director
(SEJ) Lake Junaluska Assembly is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Lake Junaluska Assembly Executive Director. Since June 2000, Rev. Dr. Jimmy L. Carr has served as the Executive Director of Lake Junaluska. Carr recently announced his retirement, effective at the conclusion of 2010. The Lake Junaluska Executive Committee and Bishop Larry Goodpaster, the President of the Lake Junaluska Board, are in the process of searching for the right person to fill the position. Applications must be received no later than August 10, 2010. For more information, or to download and print a full job description and application, click here or contact Karen Kirby, Director of Human Resources at Lake Junaluska Assembly, at 828-454-6707 or kkirby@lakejunaluska.com.

Empowering Ministries of Health Conference set for September
(UMCOR) Church leaders, clergy, health educators, and parish nurses are encouraged to attend the Empowering Ministries of Health conference, September 21-23, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference, sponsored by The United Methodist Church, will provide participants the opportunity to share information about successful health ministries; provide practical tools for developing a health ministry; and help participants to create a culture of wellness throughout the church. Click here for full session descriptions and other event details, or download a flyer. The registration deadline is August 13. Your gift to Congregational Health Ministry, UMCOR Advance #3021045 supports health ministry education programs.


Annual Conference Sessions Coverage
Click here to read reports from Annual Conference sessions across the connection.

FOR MORE GLOBAL AND LOCAL UNITED METHODIST NEWS,
check out the press room!

Churches Can Use CyberSafety Training Kit To Help Protect Children and Youth
(GBOD) A new, inexpensive training CD developed by the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) is now available to help churches and community groups protect children and youth from the perils that exist in the digital world of cell phones and cyberspace. The CyberSafety for Families Training Kit allows the church to be more directly involved in providing awareness and training around technology to help ensure that children and youth are protected as they navigate the internet world, says the Rev. Susan Hay, Director of Effective Practices in Young People’s Ministry at GBOD. The training kit’s CD includes a section on “what you need to know first,” a planning guide, teaching plans with schedule options, handouts and a slide presentation. Subjects include safety in the high tech world of computers, cell phones, video games and social networking sites.The training kit is available online at both The Upper Room (www.upperroom.org) and Cokesbury (www.cokesbury.com) and also at Cokesbury bookstores nationwide.

Microsoft Office 2010 now available from TechShop
(UMCom) Microsoft Office 2010 is now available from TechShop for 82% off the retail price. This new office suite is user friendly and more comprehensive in applications than ever before! This software suite can help streamline your office operations while away, simplify everyday tasks and even take your sermon presentation to a new heavenly level! Office 2010 Professional Plus license and installation disc is only $117 and Office 2010 Standard license and installation disc is only $96. To order Office 2010, visit www.techshopministry.org or call 888-346-3862.

More bang for your graphic design efforts
(UMCom) Graphic designers enhance the message of your church’s communications tools. People “read” visually before they look at the text. Even with a limited budget, quality graphic design is important. Finding time and money to create effective marketing pieces for your church can be daunting. Stock your design toolbox with inexpensive tools. Make your job easier and your projects shine! More>>

Communication audit syncs everything together
(UMCom) Local church communicators often create marketing materials based on a specific need or request. They create a brochure here, produce a newsletter there or develop a website. Imagine what would happen if you created all of your congregation’s communications resources to work together. You would maximize efforts and the value of each communications vehicle. A communications audit will enable you to see what works for your local church. More>>

Inspire youth with a summer ‘staycation’
(UMCom) Turn the “staycation” concept on its ear by hosting one for middle and high school students at your church or a nearby recreation area. Everyone likes to get away from it all. Teens are no different. Create an entertaining, more grown-up vacation Bible school. Give young people a chance to get away, live independently for a few days, have fun and be inspired. More>>

Liven up your church directory in print and online
(UMCom) Make the church directory an indespensable ministry tool for everyone to use. A church directory helps clergy and other leaders to stay connected with the congregation. A directory serves multiple purposes and should be a regular fixture of your congregation. Don’t be overwhelmed if you don’t have one—or if you have one that needs improving. It’s manageable—and a great way to connect your congregation year-round. More>>

Is your blog bearing fruit?
(UMCom) OK, so you have started blogging for your church. Now what? What results do you want? Are you getting those results? How should you measure your blog’s success? What were your unique objectives when you started your blog? To communicate more intimately with members? To attract visitors? Did you set weekly or monthly goals for how many visitors you wanted to attract? Did you determine what you wanted visitors to do after reading the blog? More>>

5 ideas for holistic ministry with the homeless
(UMCom) You’ve probably heard the adage “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Food pantries and clothing closets offer a quick fix and a simple, temporary solution to some of the problems homeless people face. However, the problem of homelessness is usually deeper than a meal or a change of clothes. What if your church could empower homeless people to regain a sense of identity, purpose and worth? More>>

12-step programs boost mission and congregation ranks
(UMCom) How does your congregation help members and non-members address life challenges? Offering 12-step support programs can enrich your church and reach out to the community. One example is Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program. It assists people in overcoming challenges through Bible-based principles, while emphasizing responsibility for hurts, hang-ups and habits. Often, non-church members who participate decide to get involved in other ministries of the congregation. More>>

Featured Event: SoulCare
Being with God in the World

August 9-10, 2010 at Blue Lake UM Assembly

A time of inspiration and renewal for  AWF clergy and their spouses

Dallas Willard writes in The Pastor’s Guide to Effective Ministry, “The call of God to minister the gospel is a high honor and a noble challenge. It carries with it unique opportunities as well as special burdens and dangers for members of the clergy as well as their families. These burdens can be fruitfully born and the dangers triumphantly overcome.  But that will not happen unless the minister’s “inner person” (2 Corinthians 4:16) is constantly renewed by accessing the riches of God and His kingdom in the inner person.”

The purpose of Soul Care: to renew, refresh, and feed your soul.

Soul Care is a special retreat for clergy - elders, deacons, local pastors, and provisional and associate members and their spouses.  It begins Monday, August 9 and ends on Tuesday, August 10.  Our host is Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly.  Dr. Robert (Bob) Mulholland, Professor Emeritus at Asbury Seminary, will be our presenter. There is also time set aside for rest, worship, prayer, and reflection. Find out more here.

Other Upcoming Events

• SBC 21 Conference, July 22-24
• School of Christian Mission, July 23-24
• African American Women's Leadership Conference, August 5-7
• Willow Creek Leadership Summit Simulcast, August 5-6
• Soul Care, August 9-10
• Teacher Training, August 21
• AWF Conference Leadership Summit, August 28
• UMVIM Team Leader Training, September 11
• Catapult Conference, September 22-24
• Living with the Wesley's, September 27-30
• Energize {Fall Rally}, October 1-3
• Wesley Heirs Fall Roundup, October 12-13
• St. James UMC Hosts VeggieTales, October 19
  2011
• SEJ Clergywomen's Consultation, April 4-7

FOR MORE EVENTS, check out the online calendar!