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Missionaries Visit AWFC

Rev. Dan Godwin, Ecuador

Rev. Dan Godwin is a Global Ministries missionary currently serving in Ecuador. Dan is a clergy member of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. US Missionaries visit churches ("itinerate") in the United States every three years to tell their story and share about their ministry. Dan is visiting AWFC churches in March and April. 

If you would like to have Dan come visit your church, contact Susan Hunt at susan@awfumc.org or 334-356-8014. Dan is available to speaking to various church groups including mission teams, committees, Sunday school classes, UMW groups, and more.

Click here for page 1 and here for page 2 of Dan's most recent newsletter.

Eric and Liz Soard, Tanzania

Eric and Liz Soard are Global Ministries Missionaries currently serving in Tanzania. They will be visiting churches ("itinerating") in Alabama-West Florida July 23 - August 5.

Contact Eric and Liz at esoard@umcmission.org or ericsoard@umcmission.org to schedule them to come to your church.

Read more about their ministry at their blog (www.ingodslife.blogspot.com) and at www.wesleycollegetz.com.

 

Around the Conference

Bring your UMCOR Relief Kits to Annual Conference

Coleman Moving Company has once again generously offered to provide a truck during Annual Conference 2017 for collecting UMCOR Relief supplies.

UMCOR is currently requesting health kits and bedding kits, though all kits will be accepted during annual conference. Click here for assembly instructions.

Relief-supply kits help provide care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. UMCOR collects 6 types of kits for global distribution and cleaning buckets for US distribution after storms.

Annual Conference will be June 4-7, 2017. Closer to that time, more details will be available about the hours each day when the kits will be received.

Disaster Response work in Century, FL, comes to a close

pictured l-r: Amelia Fletcher, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator; Felic Fussner, Florida Recovery Team Construction Manager; Century Homeowner Ms. Jessie; 
and Lynn Dobry, Florida Recovery Team Coordinator
 

 

In the months since a tornado struck Century, FL, in February 2016, hundreds of volunteer teams have been in the area to help repair and reconstruct homes. The United Methodist Church, through UMCOR and the Alabama-West Florida Conference, is one of several relief agencies working together to make a difference for those who were affected by the storm.

Our work there will be ending soon, and we are grateful for all the AWFC churches that sent work teams, financial support and other donations to help the people of Century. Many of the people in Century, including Ms. Jessie, are well on their way to restoration to a "new normal." 

We are also grateful for the excellent work of Lynn Dobry and Felic Fussner, our Florida Recovery Team.

Great Day of Service in the River Region

Members of New Style UMC in Wetumpka, AL, serve during the Great
Day of Service by making boxes of food that will be distributed locally

 

(Rev. Ashley Davis) On Saturday, March 11th, churches and individuals throughout the River Region stepped outside of the walls of the traditional church to have a day of focused service in the community. For a few hours, the love of God was shining brightly and people were being the hands and feet of Christ to neighbors in need. Gardens were prepared at local homeless shelters, food was prepared for the hungry, UMCOR kits were assembled, thrift stores that support local ministries were organized and relocated, and more. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Great Day of Service. The organizing team hopes this event will encourage and inspire you to reach out to neighbors in need each and every day. 

Put the 2nd Saturday in March on your calendar and go ahead and start thinking now about Great Day of Service 2018. What are the pressing needs in your community? How can you make an impact and form lasting relationships in just a few hours? What dreams do you have that could only be accomplished by bringing together the entire community or conference? Visit our Facebook page  at https://www.facebook.com/GDOSMontgomery/. Let us know about your plans and ideas for service in the coming year.

 

The Lord's Church UMC came out in full force to work at
the Friendship Mission Thrift Store.
 

 

At the Table - April 8, 2017

"At the Table" is a gathering of ethnic groups (lay and clergy) seeking to have intentional conversations about inclusion and unity in the local church. We confess that God’s heart for the Church is that we be a community of diverse believers, working and serving together for the transformation of the world. It is our prayer that this time of intentional conversation will aid in establishing commonality, creating community and bringing clarity of purpose.

Click here for more information and to register.

Homelessness Does Not Discriminate

(DWCC)  Dumas Wesley's transitional housing program, Sybil H. Smith Family Village (SSFV), provides up to 24 months of housing and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness. In February, SSFV welcomed its FIRST single fathers, Ryan and Dustin, along with their small children. Both families were referred from Family Haven, the Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama's emergency housing program.

Ryan and his little girl have been homeless for 3 years. He lost his job due to a work injury and things began to go downhill fast. He fell into depression after he lost control of his finances and housing.

Click here to read more.

Raise the Roof Project

Raise the Roof is a home Repair Ministry in Mobile, AL, for students and adults. The dates for 2017 are June 25-29. The cost is $150 per person, which includes materials, breakfast, lunch, and t-shirt.

Click here to read more.

PUMCM and Pensacola Habitat for Humanity partner together

Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries and Pensacola Habitat for Humanity have partnered together for neighborhood revitalization projects in Brownsville, one of the areas of highest need and lowest income in Florida.

Volunteers are needed for day projects, weekend projects, and week-long mission projects. Your team can stay at the PUMCM facilities for $10 per person per night.

To plan your project, contact Peggy or Jon at Pensacola Habitat at 850-434-5456. Click here for the flyer with more information.

 

Global Mission News

UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) is March 26

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The popular special Sunday observance One Great Hour of Sharing, now called UMCOR Sunday, is March 26. The offering underwrites the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s costs of doing business, which ensures that 100 percent of every gift made to a specific UMCOR project can be spent on that project. UMCOR does not receive apportionment funding.

UMCOR provides humanitarian relief and disaster response to people in more than 80 countries, including the United States. Click here for more information and here for UMCOR Sunday resources

Also read: UMCOR Earns Coveted 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

 

UMVIM, SEJ announces Rev. Matt Lacey to serve as new Executive Director

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Southeastern Jurisdiction (UMVIM, SEJ) is pleased to announce that Rev. Matt Lacey has been named Executive Director. As a member of the UMVIM, SEJ Board of Directors and previous employee, Matt comes with a comprehensive knowledge of the ministry. He also has vast experience training and leading UMVIM teams.

Click here to read more.

 

 

Support Conference Mission Agencies

Dumas Wesley Community Center - Plane Pull

Can you handle the ultimate man versus plane challenge? This extreme and unique event pits teams against an Airbus aircraft weighing more than 130,000 pounds. Teams compete to pull the plane 12 feet in the fastest amount of time. Family friendly activities include entertainment, food trucks, a Kid's Zone and awards ceremony. Spectators are free!

May 20, 2017
Mobile Aeroplex-Brookley 1891 9th Street, Mobile, AL 36615

Click here for more information and to register to participate.

Alabama Rural Ministry - Cycle of Service

What is Cycle of Service? It is an intense, fun 3 day bike ride (April 21-23) across the state to raise awareness about poverty housing in Alabama. The funds gained from cyclists' sponsorships provide home repair assistance to families in Lee, Macon, and Sumter counties. It is also helping renovate a historic church in Tuskegee being converted into a community outreach center. If you are not able to participate in the cross state trip, you can log miles through a spin class or in your neighborhood!
 
Do I have to bike the whole 300 miles? No, you can do one, two, or all three 100 mile legs of the trip from West Alabama to East Alabama. For more information on prices, sign up, or other details, click here.

 

Mission Internships for Young Adults

Alabama Rural Ministry - Summer Staff

ARM is looking for 3 to 4 more applications for both their Day Camp and Construction Coordinators for their 2017 summer staff internships. This team hosts their youth mission camp teams and coordinates the children's Day Camp and home repair ministries throughout the summer. A $1,700 scholarship is included along with housing and most meals. This is an excellent opportunity to serve and grow in your faith as you lead ARM's mission teams. Click here to learn more, or contact Joe at joe@arm-al.org.

Global Mission Fellows

Global Mission Fellows is a 2-year mission opportunity for young adults ages 20-30. Young adults are invited to engage with the local communities, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness. This program allows for transformation and leadership development to take place while addressing roots of social injustices with other young people from around the world. 

Click here to read more and to apply. The next deadline for application is March 31!

QuadW Missional Internship

The QuadW Missional Internship is an 8-week, paid, summer internship for college-age young adults. The internship will be in at least 10 cities across the US with positions for as many as 100 interns!

The interns will experience the rhythms of living in Christian community with one another - eating, praying, studying, worshiping and serving together.

Visit the QuadW website at http://quadwmi.org/ for more information.

Click here for the latest QuadW newsletter.

 

Other Resources

The Mutual Benefits of Church-School Partnerships

50 Ways to Engage Local Schools

50 Ways to Take Church to the Community

 

Want more?

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Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: 334.356.8014
Toll free: 888-873-3127
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Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.