April 27, 2015/Volume 14, No. 8

Conference News

Dauphin Way UMC Funds Clean-water Wells for African Village

Through a recent church-wide Lenten challenge, Dauphin Way United Methodist Church raised more than $29,000 to fund clean-water wells in Zambia, Africa. The funds raised will bring clean, safe drinking water and the gift of life to villagers in rural Zambia through Dauphin Way’s partnership with Water282, a non-profit organization whose mission is to tackle the world's leading health problem by connecting local organizations to African villages in extreme poverty to supply clean, safe drinking water. Full story here.

Gift of Hope Scholar Keeps God at Center of Life

(UMC Giving) - Morgan Snipes knew that as the oldest of four children, she needed to be a good example for her siblings. With both parents working — her mother as an office manager, and her father as a construction company owner — she took on extra responsibilities at home. Growing up in Montgomery, Ala., she attends First United Methodist Church. “We have had a strong community at our church that has supported and encouraged me throughout my childhood,” says Morgan. Her church community has been an intricate part of her life by helping her focus on goals and maintain good moral character. Read more here.

80 Easter Baskets Donated by Local Churches Help Support Kids in Residential and Foster Care

(UMCH) - More than 80 Easter baskets were assembled, loaded and delivered to residential and foster children within United Methodist Children’s Home last week. Boxes were built and donated by Jackson First United Methodist Church in Jackson, Ala. and Summerville First United Methodist Church in Phenix City, Ala. Each box contained a Bible, gift cards, candy, small toys, and various gifts.
Rev. Alan Gantzhorn of Jackson UMC stated that their church has been blessed to be a blessing to others. “We wanted to give the children a keepsake, so that they would have a tangible reminder of people who love them and care for them, even if they never meet the folks who made and assembled the gift boxes.” Full release here.

Around the Conference

Q and A with Rev. Dan Pezet: AWF Director of Congregational Vitality

Rev. Dan Pezet is the new AWF Director of Congregational Vitality and has served in this appointment since July 1, 2014. In his brief ten months, he has canvassed the bounds of the conference to identity many churches with growth potential. We learn more in a recent Q & A with the Office of Communications (OOC). OOC: You’ve been in this appointment just under a year. How has this appointment been different than any of your previous appointments? Rev. Pezet: Working on the conference staff has been a completely new experience. It has given me the opportunity to travel around the conference and meet lots of great people along the way. We have a wonderful conference filled with wonderful people. It is a joy and a privilege to work with our congregations. Complete interview here.

AWF Historical Society Now Online

The Alabama-West Florida Historical Society is now online with their website and Facebook page. Visit www.awfhistory.com to learn more. Their new presence will allow them to be more visible and accessible to history enthusiasts. A typical search on the internet in reference to history and Methodists should display their site among the results. They welcome you to share your photographs and stories about our Conference's history on their Facebook page. Brochures about history, upcoming events, and profiles of historic churches will be posted to the new website. Vice President of the AWF Historical Society, Rev. Ed Shirley, will manage the website and welcomes your comments and advice about what you would like to see on this new site.

Recovery Team Gives "Shout Outs" to AWF Local Churches

Lynn Dorby with the Florida Recovery Team extends her appreciation to the following churches for their leadership in the recovery process. Cokesbury UMC, Pensacola fed the volunteer teams a wonderful weekly dinner from January through March and sent them away each week with a sack lunch to enjoy on their job sites the following day. Some weeks this included 120 volunteers, which was a huge undertaking and such an incredible blessing to the folks who have come to serve our community. Gulf Breeze UMC continues to feed the volunteer teams monthly, as well as hosted a Volunteer Recognition Sunday for the teams on March 22. The church will also host a “We Remember” cookout on April 29th for the community to celebrate the hope and healing that has resulted through the generous efforts of many volunteers over the past twelve months. Pensacola’s Richards Memorial UMC, Pine Forest UMC, and Gadsden Street UMC continue to serve as host housing locations for some of the weekly teams. These churches have graciously opened their facilities to the volunteer teams for a week or more at a time, providing a restful place to relax after a long day on the job. On behalf of AWFUMC’s Florida Recovery Team, we are so grateful for the hospitality extended to our incredible volunteers!

AWF Pastors and Worship Leaders Attend Large Church Initiative

Several pastors and worship leaders from the AWF Conference attended the Large Church Initiative (LCI) at The Woodlands UMC in The Woodlands, TX. The conference equips pastors to be more effective in their ministry and highlights keynote speakers and offers a time of renewal. Pictured above left to right: John Ricketts, Rev. Kathy Jorgensen, Rev. Jeff Wilson, Rev. Robin Wilson, Crystal Couch, Dr. Rob Couch, Rev. Brad Goode and Harold Williamson.

Connectional News

Ripple Effects From Imagine No Malaria

(UMNS) — The United Methodist Church's Imagine No Malaria campaign has helped lessen suffering and lower the death rate from that disease. But the campaign is having other benefits for health care in Africa, as a young mother learned and Crystal Caviness reports for Interpreter magazine. Read story.

Council of Bishops To Meet In Berlin

United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States will gather in Berlin at Hotel Palace Berlin for the Council of Bishops meeting, from May 1-7. Main topics on the agenda include the development of vital congregations, the implementation of the four Areas of Focus, preparation for the 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church, and the role of bishops in helping to maintain the unity and faithfulness of the church in the face of many significant challenges and opportunities. More here.

They Weren't Supposed to Teach You That in Seminary

(Ministry Matters) - Every Sunday I hook up our church trailer and pull it to our venue. I back it up. (To make the trailer disappear in your side mirror, turn the wheel in that direction). I’ve gotten pretty good at backing up a trailer. They didn’t teach me that in seminary. I meet with our music director on Tuesday. I’m not a proficient musician myself, but I took piano from the time I was 7 until I was 16. I also played in a garage band. I have a decent understanding of what it takes to make good music, and what it takes to lead people in singing. It really helps in planning worship. They didn’t teach me that in seminary. Read more.

Pension Board Receives International Recognition

(GBPHB) - Responsible Investor international news service (RI), located in the UK, has nominated the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB) for the RI Reporting Awards 2015, recognizing the highest standards in the disclosure of responsible investment activities by global asset owners. The RI Reporting Awards showcase excellence in responsible investment and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, encouraging best practices in transparency, public disclosure and accountability that lead to higher standards and enhance the credibility of responsible investment. Full release here.

Resources

Quick Facts About The United Methodist Church

(UMNS) — Looking for a snapshot of The United Methodist Church's numbers around the globe? The data services department of the General Council on Finance and Administration has put together a chart of church membership, attendance, total active churches and total active clergy. More here.

Just Say Yes!

(Abingdon Press) - Churches say No in a thousand ways to new ideas, ministry initiatives, and creative people. They struggle with committees that are no longer conducive to their mission while pastors and laity have become conditioned to view anything new with suspicion and resistance. Churches operate with a pervasive culture of No. Many people have energy and ideas that have been tamped down and are left to feel frustrated by attempts to start programs, reach new people, or experiment with alternative worship services, only to be told No. Invite your church to join Bishop Robert Schnase in examining the systems and attitudes that restrain and control ministry by sharing about his new book Just Say Yes!: Unleashing People for Ministry. Click here for more.