December 18, 2018

Great News!

As we come to the end of the year, we want to share with you a recap of what is happening at Communities of Transformation. We are wrapping up our year with Great News! 

Pine Hill

In January of 2018, our site at Pine Hill in the Demopolis District began regular meetings. Thanks to the groundwork laid by Reba Wiley, our site has a home at Pine Hill UMC and a dedicated leadership team. New site coordinator Brenda Autry joined our staff when Reba retired, and under Brenda's leadership the site celebrated their first class of participants and volunteers in October. 

Selma
COT Selma is grateful to Gene and Jamie for providing meals so faithfully! Site coordinator Margaret Bennett leads an amazing group of volunteers who are determined to make a difference in their community.

Brewton

Brewton celebrated six participants completing the Awaken course in October, and three of them have new jobs! Site coordinator Shae Hines works tirelessly in her community to help make a better future story.

Phenix City

COT Phenix City was thrilled to receive a grant this year from the Phenix City Mayor's and Council Ball. Site coordinator Joan Gatewood has worked to secure finncial support from a variety of funding sources, and great things are happening in Phenix City! 

New Director
  
We have a new director this year! Former Mobile site coordinator Katy Wrona was named director effective September 2018. We are excited to be moving forward in 2019!  When Katy accepted the position of director, we had an opening for a site coordinator in Mobile. We are happy to have Rebecca Levins in that role now.   

South Walton

We are finally expanding into Florida! On November 8, Emily Proctor held in initial interest meeting at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa Beach. With more than twenty-five potential volunteers and over $10,000 pledged to start the site, we are looking forward to welcoming participants who are ready to create a better future for themselves and their families. 

Mobile

New site coordinator Rebecca Levins hit the ground running this fall! COT Mobile participated in the Wesley Foundation cook off, hosted a Fall Festival at the Vision Center, and made appreciation pumpkins for Thanksgiving. They will close out 2018 with a Christmas party. We're excited to have Rebecca on staff!

 Evergreen

Our site at Evergreen had been in the development stage while site coordinator Anita Watson worked in the community and in the garden building relationships. On November 29, Evergreen COT celebrated their first five participants as they completed the Awaken curriculum. The highlight of the night was when a first grader shared a poem dedicated to his mom, "I'm glad you're graduating and thank you for working for our new house. We're on our way now!"

Eufaula

COT Eufaula enjoyed an outing in downtown Eufaula. Site coordinator Beverly Brown planned a dinner and fellowship event for members to get together in the community. They are taking Communities of Transformation outside the building and into their community! 

Dothan

Dothan community members hosted "Heartwarming Stories of Christmas" on Sunday, December 2. The special fundraising event benefiting COT Dothan featured storytellers reminiscing about Christmas memories. Thanks to all who hosted and attended!

Montgomery


COT Montgomery celebrated the graduates of their Awaken class in December, then they held a COT Awards ceremony. Site coordinator Jennifer Lancaster gave out homemade trophies for awards such as the "Cruising and Crushing It" award to Melissa Hill, the "Mama Bear" award to Jackie Slaughter, and the "Making Others Great" award to Robin Mackey. What a fun way to celebrate our gifts and graces in Communities of Transformation!

 

 

Continuing the Five Dimensions: Physical

Participants and volunteers who participate in Communities of Transformation look at resources that can help bring about a better future story for themselves and their community. They look closely at each of the five dimensions of life, considering where they have work to do. Last month's newsletter focused on the intellectual dimension. This month we are looking at the physical dimension.

The physical dimension in our Awaken curriculum generally refers to health. We look at physical health as well as mental health. Class participants are asked to evaluate how much sleep they get, the kinds of foods they eat, when they last visited a medical provider for a check-up, and how they respond to stress. These health needs are often addressed in later programming as part of Communities of Transformation meetings. We have a strong partnership with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, and they offer programming on healthy eating, exercise, and other related topics. Our Mobile site is just finishing a study of mental health where members learned about stress management, anxiety, and depression. We want all our members to live a healthy lifestyle!   

 

Special Events

January Book Study- Brewton More Than a Bird

January 17- Brewton Pastors' luncheon 

January 21- Pine Hill MLK walk

January 24- Pine Hill Taste and See