September 28, 2018

New Conference Coordinator

As announced on August 1, 2018, the Alabama-West Florida Conference has named Katy Wrona the new Conference Director of Communities of Transformation. We are grateful for the leadership Fred and Laurel Blackwell provided, serving COT since its inception. They will always be a part of the story of Communities of Transformation. Katy was an integral part of COT, launching the Mobile site under Fred and Laurel's tutelage, and sharing in their passion for helping people.

Katy served as a Global Mission Fellow through the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries from 2014 to 2016 in Mobile. Since coming to Alabama through this program, she has worked to launch and develop the Mobile COT site. Katy's expertise in grant writing and management has been important to  the success of Communities of Transformation. Katy has also coordinated the QuadW Missional Internship program in the Mobile area and worked with youth and children’s ministries at various churches in the Mobile area. Katy is an active member of Mobile United’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Ignite Mobile Inc. She is also a member of St. John UMC.
 

We are excited to see where Katy's passion and vision will take Communities of Transformation as we move forward!

 

Taste and See Events

As the school year began, our Montgomery, Eufaula, and Phenix City sites held Taste and See events in anticipation of beginning new classes. Taste and See events are a great opportunity for sharing the story of Communities of Transformation.

COT Montgomery had more than forty people attend their most recent Taste and See event. Guests included potential participants, referral agencies, and UMC pastors.

Former participants Shawn Snowden and Raheema Ware spoke to guests at Eufaula's August Taste and See events. COT worked together with Eufaula's Housing Authority to publicize and host the events where nearly forty guests learned more about COT Eufaula! Thanks so much to Saint James Episcopal Church who provided refreshments for both events.

COT Phenix City had successful Taste and See events in August, too, with new volunteers and participants joining. Brady Baird is the volunteer trainer, and participant-turned-volunteer Tracy Threatts is working with Catherine Phillips, the participant trainer. We are grateful for new participants and volunteers! You can contact your local site coordinator for more information about the next Taste and See in your community.  

Five Dimensions: Spiritual

Participants and volunteers who participate COT training first cast a vision for their lives and their community.  They look at resources that can help bring about that vision, then they look closely at each of the five dimensions that must be balanced for a high quality of life.

The first dimension they examine is the spiritual dimension because it impacts every aspect of life, making change possible. The spiritual dimension involves personal growth. Both participants and volunteers begin to find a  purpose and meaning to life, and they learn how to experience love, joy, and fulfillment. They embrace personal ethics, values, and a code of living. They learn that spiritual habits include acceptance, surrender, kindness, love, service, gratitude, forgiveness, simplicity, and humility. As each group defines and examines each habit, they start to think about how to cultivate spiritual habits themselves.  Writing a mission statement is an important part of each person's experience. This statement allows them to identify and work toward goals that lead to a stable future.  Each of the five dimensions is reinforced through programs studied all year round.  

  

October 2018 Events

All meetings are 5:30 - 8:00 p. m. unless otherwise noted.  Please contact the site coordinator for more information.

Brewton 
Tuesday, October 2   Meeting
Tuesday, October 9   Meeting
Tuesday, October 16 Meeting 
Tuesday, October 23 Meeting
Tuesday, October 30 Meeting

Dothan
Tuesday, October 2   Meeting (Taste and See)
Tuesday, October 9   Meeting
Tuesday, October 16 Meeting 
Tuesday, October 23 Meeting
Tuesday, October 30 Meeting (Game night!)

Eufaula
Monday, October 1   Meeting
Monday, October 8   Meeting
Monday, October 15 Meeting
Monday, October 22 No Meeting
Monday, October 29 Meeting

Evergreen
Thursday, October 4   Meeting
Thursday, October 11 Meeting 
Thursday, October 18 Meeting
Thursday, October 25 Meeting

Mobile
Thursday, October 4   Meeting (Child Development)
Thursday, October 11 Meeting (Child Development)
Thursday, October 18 Meeting
Thursday, October 25 Meeting (Halloween Party!)

Montgomery 
Tuesday, October 2   Meeting
Tuesday, October 9   Meeting
Tuesday, October 16 Meeting 
Tuesday, October 23 Meeting
Tuesday, October 30 Meeting

Phenix City (all times Eastern)
Monday, October 1   Meeting
Monday, October 8   Meeting
Monday, October 15 Meeting
Monday, October 22 Meeting
Monday, October 29 Meeting (Costume Party!)

Pine Hill (meetings start at 6:00)
Thursday, October 4   Meeting
Thursday, October 11 Meeting 
Thursday, October 18 Meeting
Thursday, October 25 Meeting (Celebration!)

Selma 
Wednesday, October 3   Meeting
Wednesday, October 10 Meeting
Wednesday, October 17 Meeting
Wednesday, October 24 Meeting
Wednesday October 31 No Meeting