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Weekly Word from Robbins

The Church often finds itself wrestling with issues related to biblical authority.  This gist of the question is typically, “What should we do in light of what the Bible says or doesn’t say about a particular issue?”  Interpretation of scripture is always inseparable from our appropriation of its authority.  For example, a self-assured proponent of Biblical literalism might argue, “The Bible says it.  I believe it.  That settles it.”  This sounds very definite and final, but it is doubtful that any contemporary advocates of this position would be willing to act in obedience to Leviticus 20:9, which says: “All who curse father or mother shall be put to death…”  Even the most rigid literalists will find a way to “interpret” their way around the seemingly clear command of this text.  The question is not whether we will question the face value of some texts, but how and why we question them.  

The late Robert Mulholland wrote a very helpful book on how the Bible’s authority is experienced and appropriated rightly.  The very title---Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation—points to the fact that the power of the Bible lies in the fact that God uses its message to change our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world.    A major thesis of Mulholland’s book is the assertion that we must move from a “functional” posture toward scripture to a more “relational” posture.  In other words, we should not think of the Bible as a tool we use, but as a means of grace through which God reaches us.  The Lord uses its message to shape our perception.  Accordingly, Dr. Mulholland said, “The scripture is not something we can use to bring our lives into conformity with the image of God (functional), but something God can use to transform our garbled ‘word’ into the word God speaks us forth the be in the world (relational).‘[1]   In this sense, scripture’s authority is not solely dependent upon its divine origins, but upon the Holy Spirit’s continually breathing God’s life into us through our reading and hearing of scripture within the community of faith.   
 
We honor the authority of the Bible, not by mechanically applying its principles, but by making faithful and courageous decisions based upon the renewed vision of reality God’s word engenders in us.  Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, is the destiny to which Scripture’s words lead us.   Biblical obedience is finally the ability to lay our choices at the feet of Jesus and honestly pray, “Lord, your will be done on earth as in heaven.”  Along the way, we will make mistakes.  1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us that however pure our intentions, in this world we see in a mirror dimly.  Even so, we can be bold to do our best to follow Christ’s command because the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth…And, from his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace.   
 
Grace and Peace,
 
Robbins Sims   
 

 
[1] Robert Mulholland, Jr., Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, (Nashville:  Upper Room Books, 2000.), p. 92.

 

Glory Sighting

On August 28, 2016, Dr. Charles McCartha will step down as Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church Tallassee.  Not only has Dr. McCartha blessed his congregation with 28 years of devoted service, but he has also been a blessing to thousands through the choral music he has composed.  

Although a dentist by profession, music has been a passion and a theme running through Charles’ life, since even before he began taking piano lessons in the third grade.  As a teen, he sang in the Youth Choir at FUMC Tallassee, played trumpet in the high school band, and supplemented his piano playing with college-level instruction in music performance and theory.  While attending dental school in Birmingham and later on faculty there, Dr. McCartha played accompaniment to the Youth Choir he helped assemble at St. Mark UMC in Vestavia Hills.  It was for this Youth Choir that Dr. McCartha wrote his first sacred choral piece: an anthem based on Scripture that is still sung by the youth there.  

Charles and his wife Ida returned to their hometown in 1998, feeling strongly called by God to serve Tallassee and especially to serve their home church of FUMC Tallassee, where Dr. McCartha first took on the position of Youth Choir Director and later became Director of Music Ministries. 

Although he had been working on his own compositions ever since his return to Tallassee, Charles feels he only really became serious about his craft following the publication of his first piece in 2010.  He has since had twenty-nine pieces published, has received several awards, and has been asked to write two commissioned pieces.  Charles’ current favorites are “O Gentle Savior” and “What Feast Will You Bring?”, both published by Shawnee Press, Inc.  

Asked about his talent for composing, Dr. McCartha says: “I feel like that is a gift from God; it’s no glory to me, other than—I will admit—I work hard at it.  If it were not for God and His inspiration, then I would not be able to do it.”  Much of his inspiration comes from Scripture and beloved hymns, and much of his support comes from his loving wife, Ida, whom he describes as “my anchor and my wings. […] She’s an integral part of my music life.”  

Charles’ greatest hope is that he is able to reach people through his music: that his music can become a witness for Christ and a ministry to further God’s Kingdom on Earth.  Indeed, Dr. McCartha’s music has not only reached people all over the United States, but is also being sung as far away as Taiwan!  

Now, after 28 years in Dr. McCartha’s capable hands, the role of Director of Music Ministries at FUMC Tallassee will be taken up by pianist and organist Leslye Ames, and Jerry Cunningham will join the music ministry as Chancel Choir Director.  Charles says he feels “very at ease and good about the transition and the future” and he will continue attending FUMC Tallassee.  He looks forward to singing in the choir, attending Sunday School, devoting more time to his three grandchildren, and to composing more music.  

In honor of Dr. Charles McCartha and his years of service, FUMC Tallassee is hosting a Celebration Concert on August 28, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., which will include in its repertoire several beautiful choral pieces written by Dr. McCartha.  We invite all to come and share in the blessings of music and of Charles’ musical talents! 

FUMC Tallassee is located at 1 Jordan Avenue, Tallassee, AL.
For more information, please contact: Leslye Ames, FUMCmusic@aol.com, (334) 283-2195
 
 

Upcoming Events 

Becoming a Healthy, Growing Church
Friday, August 26 - Saturday, August 28, 2016
Crosspoint UMC

Registration has been extended until August 23, 2016. Click HERE to register.  

 

(NEW) A Day of Fun, Family, and Fellowship
Saturday, August 27, 2016 
8:00 a. m. - 9:00 p. m.
Zion Fellowship UMC

Join us for a good time among friends, family, and community! We have planned a cook-out, parking lot sales, games, and more. Come one, come all!
8:00 a. m. - 5:00 p. m.  United Methodist Youth (UMY)
Contemporary- Gospel Extravaganza with radio personality Tracy Morgan, emcee.
6:00 p. m. - 9:00 p. m. Contemporary/Gospel Music Guests
Praise Dance Teams/ Dramatic Skits
Love Donation of $5.00 for this event only.
Contact 334-281-8971 or Theo Burden, coordinator, at 334-467-0869 for more information.

 

Fourth Saturday Event
Saturday, August 27, 2016
9:00- 11:00 a. m
.
RCC at 301 Dexter Ave., Montgomery Alabama 
Please join River City Church for free health, dental, and vision screenings, free hair cuts, food pantry, thrift store, prayer room,  and much more. Complimentary breakfast will be served. No reservation is necessary. We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

 

Service of Formal Installation and Welcome Reception for Bishop and Mrs. David Graves
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Montgomery FUMC

The Episcopal Committee of the Alabama-West Florida Conference will host a Formal Service of Installation and Welcome Reception for Bishop and Mrs. David Graves on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, Montgomery, in the sanctuary.  The service will begin at 4:00 p.m, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.  

For more information, please contact Mrs. Paulette Thompson, Chair, Episcopal Committee, at p.thompson1916@gmail.com.

 

AWFC Historical Society Annual Meeting
Thursday, September 15, 2016
St. Stephens UMC

9:30 a.m. 
Click here for a meeting brochure and registration form.  The deadline to register is September 8th. Please contact Rev. Ed Shirley at edtherev@gmail.com for more information.

 

Ultimate Training Event
Saturday, September 17, 2016

Christ UMC
Click HERE to register. Contact Rev. Jeremy Steele, Conference Youth Liaison, at cumcnextgen@gmail.com for more information.

 

(NEW) Webinar
Society of St. Andrew
Thursday, September 22, 2016
10:00 a. m. 

Learn about the Society of St. Andrew and how churches can be involved in ending hunger. More than 50 million people in the United States today are hungry or food insecure. Yet in this country, we will throw away over 133 billion pounds of good food this year. Churches can make an impact on these numbers! Panelist: Suzanne Wright, Regional Director
Click here to register. 

 

AWF Conference Methodist Lawyers Forum
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Asbury UMC, Birmingham

The Alabama-West Florida Conference will host a Methodist Lawyer's Forum on Thursday, September 22, 2016, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.  The event will be held 8:30 a.m. until 4:55 p.m.  
Click here to register.

 

A Fresh Expressions Vision Day
Monday, October 3, 2016
Pensacola FUMC

The Alabama-West Florida Conference (AWFC) will host a Vision Day on October 3, 2016, at First United Methodist Church of Pensacola, Florida.  The event will begin at 9:00 a. m. and end at 4:00 p. m. Cost is $20 for members of the AWFC; $35 for non-members.  Click HERE to register.
For more information, please contact Rev. Neil McDavid, Director of New Church Development, at neil@awfumc.org.

 

Mid-Career Retirement Seminar  
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Covenant UMC, Dothan, Alabama

A Mid-Career Retirement Seminar will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Covenant UMC from 9:30 a. m. until 4:00 p. m. Click HERE to register.  The cost is $5.00 for an individual and $10.00 for a couple. You must register in advance to receive lunch and retirement projections. The deadline for registration is Monday, September 19, 2016. Click HERE for a brochure. 

 

Blue Lake Sunday
Sunday, October 16, 2016

Blue Lake Sunday is an initiative by the Board of Blue Lake and the Alabama-West Florida Conference to prepare the way for future ministry at Blue Lake. All churches in the Montgomery-Opelika and Montgomery-Prattville District are encouraged to participate on October 16, 2016.

Donations from congregations and individuals may be given through the offering plate (please note on your check or envelope it is for Blue Lake) and mailed to Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly, 8500 Oakwood Lane, Andalusia, AL 36420, or you can give online at https://www.bluelakecamp.com/home.html.

Questions?  Contact Mr. Steve Lewandowski, Executive Director of Blue Lake, director@bluelakecamp.com.

 

God's Welcome: The Spirituality of Hospitality
Sunday, October 16 - Friday, October 21, 2016

Camp McDowell  
The Alabama-West Florida Conference, the North Alabama Conference, The Upper Room, and The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama hosts "God’s Welcome - The Spirituality of Hospitality" October 16 - 21, 2016.

Speakers will be Dr. Amy Oden, Former Dean of Wesley Theological Seminary and Professor at St. Paul Seminary, and Bishop Kee Sloan, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. 

Contact Pat Luna at patluna@me.com for more information.

 

Prayer Shawl Retreat
Monday, October 24 - Thursday, October 27, 2016
Blue Lake Camp

The 2016 Prayer Shawl Retreat will be October 24 - 27, 2016,  at Blue Lake Camp.  The theme is "Weaving God into our Lives."  Our guest speaker will be Lesley Cooper. 

Register online here.  Costs per person: Double occupancy $175; Single Occupancy $243 (which include lodging, meals, registration and programming).  Commuter Rate $78; 1 Day Visitor Rate $27 (includes lunch and dinner only).  The deadline to register is Friday October 7, 2016.  Contact Elizabeth Sandoe at sandoee@yahoo.com for more information.

 

Montgomery Districts Joint Mission Trip
October 29 - November 5, 2016 

Rev. Rob West of Clanton First UMC will be leading a mission trip open to all members of the Montgomery districts. It will be October 29 – November 5, 2016, to Santo Domingo, Ecuador. The cost will be approximately $2,000. The team will work with the Methodist Church in the area, and with Dan and Lisa Godwin, Global Ministries Missionaries from Alabama-West Florida Conference.
 
This mission journey is especially designed for churches that may not be able to form their own mission team, but have members who want to experience international mission trips.
 
Watch for more information to come. If you have questions, please contact Rev. West at 205-294-9325 or 205-755-0490, or Susan Hunt at 334-356-8014.

 

Rev It Up! An Energizing Event for Young Clergy
November 7-9, 2016
Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Click HERE to register.

 

(UPDATED) Webinar
Local Church Reports
Thursday, November 10, 2016
10:00 a. m.

Helpful hints on completing the Local Church Report to the Annual Conference for the calendar year 2016.
Panelist: Frank Dunnewind. Click here to register.

 

District Announcements

(NEW) Response to the Flooding in Louisiana
Our hearts are broken with the news of severe flooding in Louisiana over the last several days. Thousands of people have been displaced and are in temporary shelters after over two feet of rain fell in a short span of time, flooding many homes. Our brothers and sisters there need our help. Read more from Amelia Fletcher, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and Susan Hunt, Conference Director of Mission and Advocacy.
In-kind donations:
Baton Rouge First UMC also has a list of items they are requesting. Click here to see their list. 
We recommend your church concentrate on collecting only one or two items from the lists. This will help the receiving churches and warehouses not have to spend as much time sorting your donations and they can more quickly and easily distribute the items to those in need.
Please do not send items that are not requested. 

Collection sites:
We are very grateful to these churches that have offered to collect your donations:
Andalusia First UMC
Auburn UMC
Capitol Heights UMC - Montgomery
Demopolis First UMC
Fairhope UMC
Good News UMC - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Grove Hill UMC
Gulf Shores UMC
Please call the churches in advance to make arrangements for dropping off your items as not all have the same office hours during the week. Click on the church name above for their address and contact information.
Volunteers may also be needed at the above listed collection sites to help unload and load donations. Please contact the collection sites directly to offer assistance. 

Transportation:
Several people have already volunteered to transport donations to Baton Rouge FUMC, the Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, LA, and to the disaster response warehouse in Decatur, AL. However, we need additional drivers. If there is someone in your church with a truck and/or trailer and who would be willing to pick up and deliver our donated items from any of our collection sites, please contact Susan Hunt at 334-356-8014 or susan@awfumc.org, Amelia Fletcher at 251-978-8384 or amelia@gulfshoresumc.org.

Volunteers:
Baton Rouge First UMC is accepting volunteers at this time. They have some housing at the church available for 30-40 people, as well as showers and inflatable mattresses. Volunteers should be able to rake and muck out; ERT badges are not required. Our preference is for teams to have leaders who have been through ERT training.
Before deploying, team leaders must:

  • contact George Ragsdale at dgrags@firstmethodist.org for dates available and scheduling.
  • brief their teams on disaster response protocol and interaction with survivors
  • collect volunteer forms (click here)
  • have proof of volunteers' insurance
  • provide ID badges for team identification
  • notify your district disaster coordinators of your deployment

Financial Contributions:
Your financial contributions are always welcome. 
You can send donations directly to Louisiana Annual Conference, 527 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802, with "August 2016 Flood" in the memo line.
Or you can send contributions for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) to the AWF Conference fiscal office at AWFC, 4719 Woodmere Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36106. Write "US Disaster Response #901670 - Louisiana flooding" in the memo line.  

If you have any additional questions, contact Susan Hunt at 334-356-8014 or susan@awfumc.org, Amelia Fletcher at 251-978-8384 or amelia@gulfshoresumc.org.

 

(NEW) A Word from Bishop Paul Leeland: Gratitude
When our Alabama-West Florida Conference Cabinet met several weeks ago, I shared St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians as a reminder of the joy and the journey that we have shared together over the last eight years. Following the wonderful reception and “Sending Forth” by the AWF Conference on our behalf Sunday, I want to offer my appreciation and thanksgiving to you all. Click HERE for the full letter.

 

(NEW) A Greeting from Bishop David Graves
Click HERE to read a greeting from incoming Bishop David Graves. 

 

Becoming a More Effective Leader
Offered by the Academy for Congregational Excellence, the program features a series of ten seminars led by proven servant leaders who are volunteering their time to make the program possible. To provide for active participation in small and large group discussions, enrollment is limited, and participants will be selected in the order in which registrations are received.

The course will begin meeting on Thursday, September 15, 2016, and continue through April 20, 2017, meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month.  Participants meet at Frazer Memorial UMC starting promptly at 10:00 a. m. and ending at 2:00 p. m.  Each person who completes the course will receive 3 C.E.U.’s.  

The cost is only $150 for all 8 sessions and that includes your lunch. Click HERE to review seminar topics and presenters.  Participation is limited to 40. Invite key staff persons and laity to participate in this course so that you may develop a team of leaders that can go back into your local church and implement what you have learned.

Click HERE to enroll.  

Contact Allison Frost, Administrative Assistant, at allison@aldersgateumc.org, if you need assistance.

 

Partners in Preaching
Partners in Preaching is a monthly seminar-style coaching group for pastors and preachers to grow in the art and craft of preaching.  Dates are September 2016 through May 2017.  Lead Partner is Dr. Sam Persons Parkes.  Cost is $200 per person for seven sessions over nine months.  Each session will be held 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with lunch provided.  

Sessions will be held in Dothan at Cloverdale UMC on the second Monday of each month (except in December and April) and in Montgomery at  Aldersgate UMC on second Thursday of each month (except in December and April).  

Click HERE to register now. Registration deadline is September 1, but spots are rapidly filling!

Partners will sharpen their abilities to:

  • Analyze the content and delivery of their own sermons and those of others using the deep grammar of trouble and grace.
  • Develop sermons with a greater sense of unity and simplicity.
  • Develop methods for selecting texts for preaching.
  • Understand the difference between teaching and proclamation and why genres of both are essential for good preaching.
  • Orally interpret both scripture and sermon to move meaning forward.
  • Discern multiple ways of linking biblical texts and contemporary situations.
  • Form partnerships with other preachers in the group for support, prayer, and encouragement. 
  • Offer positive, caring, and frank response to peers.

3 units of CEUs will be granted.
 

Charge Conference Forms
Charge Conference forms are now posted on the conference website. Visit www.awfumc.org and look under Quick Links. It is the first quick link.     

 

Clergy Health and Wellness Initiative
Beginning January 1, 2016, the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits launched the Health and Wellness Initiative Program. The goal of the program is to encourage our pastors and their dependents to live healthier lifestyles by providing them with personal health information, screening, and coaching thus helping the Conference to reduce and control the cost of health insurance claims.  

Clergy members on the conference active health insurance plan are required to complete the HealthQuotient and Biometric Screening by August 31, 2016. Dependents, retired clergy, and dependents and employees who are on the annual conference health plan are not required to complete the HQ and Biometric Screening but are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Click HERE for more details.

 

Job Postings and Classifieds

(NEW) Group Studies Materials Available at Reduced Rate
Community Life United Methodist Church (Gulf Breeze, FL) has an abundance of several group studies that they would like to sell at a very reduced rate. Any church interested, please call the church office at (850) 916-1660. Community Life Church is located at 4115 Soundside Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL.   Here are the items:
•    "The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus" by Adam Hamilton - 22 DVDs
•    "The Cross: An Anthology" series by Thomas Nelson - 9 hardback books (a collection of the best classic and contemporary literature)
•    "God Is Closer Than You Think" by John Ortberg - 4 DVDs, 56 participant guides
•    "Better Together: What on Earth Are We Here For?" by Rick Warren - 150 workbooks
•    "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg - 23 DVDs, 160 participant guides
•    "God's Story Your Story" by Max Lucado - 20 participant guides
•    "Experiencing the Passion of Jesus" by Lee Strobel/Garry Poole - 26 discussion guides
•    "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson - 15 paperbacks, 12 workbooks 

 

Organ Available
Annie Jones UMC has an Allen organ they would like to donate to anyone that could use it.  If interested please call Ms. Wannetta McGinty at 850-327-4417 or 251-294-3606.

 

ISO Celebration Hymnals 
Pittsview UMC is searching for 40 Celebration Hymnals for sale. Please call Blythe Ethridge at 334-707-5436 or e-mail byfspirit@gmail.com

 

Discipleship Ministries Resources Available
The conference office has resources available  on a variety of topics including Lay Servant Ministries, Family and Young Adult Ministries, Responsible Social Media, and more. You may download a free PDF of each pamphlet at www.UMCdiscipleship.org/FreeResources or contact Traci in the conference office to pick up a hard copy.  

 

Assorted Theological Books Available
Mrs. Susie Kicklighter would like to make available to any United Methodist clergy or staff member the late Rev. Hamp Kicklighter's theological library. Titles include various commentaries, dictionaries, and much more.  Please contact  her at 334-313-3131 or susie.hamp@knology.net to make an appointment to peruse the library.

 

Conference Journals Available
The Methodist Archives Center (MAC) is having to discard many publications to create more shelving space.  We will have to destroy duplicates of conference journals which we have kept to share with persons or churches wanting them.  Available journals date back to 1923.  Anyone interested in obtaining one of these extra copies may contact Mary Ann Pickard at mpickard@hawks.huntingdon.edu.

 

Visit the Classifieds section of our website for older listings.

 

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4719 Woodmere Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: 334.239.7329
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Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.