October 3, 2016/Volume 15, No. 16

Conference News

Pastor’s Program Offers Seminarians Financial Lifeline

(Martha Simmons/UMNS) - Jay Cooper already had a wife, two children and a job at his father-in-law’s business when he felt God urging him toward ordained ministry. “Everything was going swimmingly well until God decided to issue the call,” Cooper recalled. He wondered how he could afford to pursue his vocation. His former pastor, the Rev. Karl K. Stegall, assured him: “Don’t worry about a thing.” More here.

Satsuma UMC Sanctuary Burns in Fire

On Monday, September 26, Satsuma UMC experienced a fire in their sanctuary. We are thankful that nobody was injured. At this time the cause has not yet been determined and the church is working with their insurance company. Please keep Rev. Joel Wasson, the staff and congregation in your prayers as they move forward and rebuild. The church celebrated its 100th anniversary the day before with a homecoming celebration. Click here for local coverage. Photo courtesy of Satsuma UMC.

Around the Conference

Conferences Hold UM Lawyers' Seminar

The Alabama-West Florida Conference and the North Alabama Conference held the United Methodist Lawyers' Seminar on Thursday, September 22, 2016. Both conferences invited United Methodist members in their local churches to attend this seminar that focused on church-related legal matters as many in attendance often serve on church boards and committees. The two conference chancellors, Alan Livingston of AWF and Terry McElheny from North Alabama, were instrumental in organizing this seminar and served as moderators throughout the day. The event was held as Asbury UMC in Birmingham, AL. Full story here.

Wesley Manor’s New Name & Logo

(Methodist Homes) - In the course of our work in redefining home at Wesley Manor, our Methodist Home in Dothan, and also at its sister community at Fair Haven in Birmingham, we have undergone the re-branding process. It is our pleasure to introduce all of our Alabama-West Florida Conference friends to the new names and new logos for Wesley Manor and Fair Haven! These new names and logos were developed with great care and thought to get them to the finished work you see here. In October we will be announcing these name and logo changes to the public, but we wanted our associates, residents, friends and family to have a first peek. Full release here.

Service of Installation Video Link Online

Bishop David W. Graves was officially installed as resident bishop Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2016. If you were not able to attend this event, the online video link is available to watch. Click here for video. Click here to read full article.

Raise the Roof Project Seeks Summer Work Teams

Raise the Roof Project is a home repair ministry partnership of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mobile, Alabama. Raise the Roof Project is a member of both United Methodist Volunteers in Mission and the ReFrame Association. They are seeking summer work teams for the month of June in 2017. Click here for more.

Connectional News

Churches Should Consider Acts of Mercy

(UMNS) - Western North Carolina Bishop Paul Leeland called on churches to consider “acts of mercy within our own communities right now.” Leeland issued a statement in the wake of protests over the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott, an African-American. The North Carolina governor declared a state of emergency after protests turned violent for two nights. Read Bishop Leeland’s statement.

United Methodist Seminaries Honored

CHICAGO (UMNS) — Seven United Methodist seminaries were named by the Center for Faith and Service to the fourth-annual Seminaries that Change the World list. Read press release.

South Central Jurisdiction Realignment Studied

(UMNS) - A task force has been making plans for the possible realignment of the South Central Jurisdiction. The work is under way because of the likelihood that the jurisdiction will, due to membership losses and Book of Discipline requirements, lose a bishop in 2020. The Texas Conference reports. Read story.

Resources

Advent Resources Now Available

In a local church and haven't yet selected an Advent study for 2016? Check out these updated resources! New to this year's list is "God is With Us" by our own Rev. Robin Wilson, senior pastor at Dauphin Way UMC, along with updated materials from Rethink Church. Click here for resources.

Seedbed Podcasts Address Relevant Youth Topics

Rev. Jeremy Steele, Next Generation Pastor at Christ UMC, talks with other youth leaders in the country, including Caroline Hare of Destin UMC, about various topics relevant to today's youth and student ministry groups. In this podcast, they discuss Safe Sanctuaries in the real world in youth ministries. They also discuss over committed volunteers in this podcast. Click here to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

Social Principles Webinar Archive Online

The Alabama-West Florida Conference Board of Church & Society hosted a United Methodist Social Principles Seminar. Dr. Wesley Wachob was the guest speaker. If you were not able to attend this gathering, you can watch the Webinar archived online her e.

Laity Sunday: Tips for Involving Members

(UMCOM) - United Methodists observe Laity Sunday on Oct. 16 as a day to include church members in the planning and execution of the worship service, but other days can be chosen as well. Darby Jones offers seven tips for including members in the service, and Discipleship Ministries has resources for observing Laity Sunday. Read story. Get resources.