International Mission
Join us in Tanzania!
Bishop David Graves, Rev. Allen Newton, and Susan Hunt invite you to join them as they lead an exploratory mission trip to Tanzania March 21-28, 2018.
If your church is interested in partnering with an international ministry or adding a new one to your list, consider Tanzania. Many churches in the Alabama-West Florida Conference have partnerships with ministries around the world. Through those partnerships, lives are changed and amazing things can and do happen.
In Tanzania, a new seminary, Wesley College, is educating a new generation of leaders; new churches are being established; people are learning new skills for employment and economic stability; children no longer live on the streets; and so much more. You will have the opportunity to see this ministry in action.
Eric and Elizabeth Soard are Global Ministries missionaries serving there. Click here to see their blog, which has more information about the incredible work being done through the United Methodist Church in Tanzania. Click here to see their latest newsletter.
If you would like to know more about this trip, contact Susan Hunt at 334-356-8014 or susan@awfumc.org.
New Church Start in Ecuador!!
We are grateful to announce the start of a new church in Ecuador. Located on the outskirts of Santo Domingo de Los Colorados, IEMUE Campamento is making an impact for God. They held their first worship service on December 17, 2017, with 95 people in attendance. The next Sunday saw 285!
Rev. Daniel Godwin, a GBGM Missionary and Retired Elder of the AWF Conference, and his team have been hard at work to bring the Word of God to the people of this community. He said, "We have a location and a crude building, God is so good! It is a great location on the outskirts of Santo Domingo de Los Colorados. I think that these are the fields of harvest Jesus is calling us to."
They need your help. Please consider sponsoring them through a general donation or from the following list:
Pulpit- $250
Sound- $1,200
Ceiling- $700
Flooring and other improvements: $1500
Please send contributions to:
Loaves & Fishes for Ecuador
189 Eglin Pkwy 2nd Floor
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Earmark: New Church in Sto Dgo
Also, Dan would love to receive a team of volunteers from your church. You can find him on Facebook, 3 locations:
Daniel Godwin
Echoes from Ecuador
IEMUE Campamento
Email: dgodwin@umcmission.org
Upcoming Events
Thursday, February 1, 7:30 AM
Alabama State House, Montgomery
Join us for breakfast as we join with our Alabama State elected officials for a time of prayer and encouragement.
Our speaker this year is Bishop David Graves.
Click here for more information. RSVP by January 30 to Susan Hunt at susan@awfumc.org.
Monday, February 5, 6:00 PM
Frazer Memorial UMC, Montgomery
Learn about the horrific Alabama Payday Lending law and how it drives so many citizens into a downward spiral of poverty, and what churches can do to help.
Click here for more information, including how to register. RSVP for the meal by February 1.
Disabilities Awareness Sunday
February 25, 2018
"Disability Awareness Sunday calls the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and calls the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community.”(¶265.4)
Berta Hurston, member of the AWF Conference Committee on Ethnic Local Church Concerns, Division of Disability Concerns stated, “This special Sunday will allow our local churches to acknowledge and show appreciation to those with disabilities. Often times these members are overlooked in our congregations because they are perceived to have limitations. We want to bring awareness that many of these members with disabilities bring a unique perspective to our congregations and can be leaders and contributing members to the United Methodist Church and our communities.”
For more information about Disabilities Awareness Sunday and other disability ministry resources, please click here.
Friday, March 2, 2 PM, to
Saturday, March 3, 3 PM
Blue Lake Camp
This summit will be an opportunity for members of small membership churches (membership under 200) to come together to learn from each other and a few specialists about topics that are relevant for small churches. Open for all lay and clergy.
Click here for more information and to register.
River Region Great Day of Service
Saturday, March 10, 2018
The Great Day of Service has been an annual event in the River Region and beyond for most of the last decade. The purpose of this event is three fold: to see to the needs of our community; to connect with individuals, community agencies, and other churches; and to get as many United Methodists in mission on one day as possible with the hopes of inspiring people to a lifetime of service.
If you would like to participate in the 2018 Great Day of Service, simply choose a project with your congregation, Sunday school class, or small group. The project could be things like working in your local food pantry, cleaning up the yard of a home-bound individual in your community, building a wheelchair ramp, or working at a local outreach agency.
If you have just a few people and are in need of a project, please visit the Great Day of Service Montgomery Facebook page, there will be some projects listed there. If your group has a large project and could use a partner church or just a few extra folks to help out, please post details about your project and the number of people needed on the Facebook page as well.
It doesn't have to be difficult! Do something for someone in need, make relationships in your community, and share your experience on March 10th through stories and pictures on our Facebook page or send them to Susan Hunt at susan@awfumc.org
Young Adult Opportunities
Global Mission Fellows, Global Ministries
Application Due January 21, 2018
The Global Mission Fellows Program is a 2-year mission opportunity for young adults ages 20-30. Young adults are invited to engage with local communities, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness.
Click here to learn more and apply.
Alabama Rural Ministry
Summer Mission Internship with Alabama Rural Ministry
Do you love serving others, sharing God’s love, growing in your faith and leading youth to grow in their faith too? Don’t just pass the time this summer! Serve with ARM to restore hope, build dreams, and extend Christ’s love through its home repair or children’s day camp ministries.
Roles: Day Camp Counselors, Construction Coordinators, and Site Leaders.
Locations: Tuskegee and Livingston
Upon completing the internships, interns will receive a scholarship. Serve with ARM to restore hope, build dreams, and extend Christ's love through home repair or children's day camp ministries. To apply, please visit ARM's website.
QuadW
Summer Mission Internship with QuadW
As an intern, you will be placed in a challenging ministry environment where you will do hands-on community ministry. This is a cooperative effort of pastors, congregations, and area agencies who focus on under-served populations.
The summer QuadW Missional Internship has six primary components:
1. Hands-On Missional Service
2. Community Living
3. Spiritual Disciplines
4. Mentoring/Coaching
5. Equipping Sessions
6. Next Step Planning
$2,000 stipends are provided to each student.
Locations: over 10 sites across the United States
Visit http://quadwmi.org/ for much more information.
Raise the Roof Project
Summer Mission Internship with Raise the Roof
Are you seeking a summer experience to help you stretch and grow? As a Raise the Roof Project intern you will develop leadership skills, live in community, mentor students, and be trained in construction practices. This is an opportunity to live out the Gospel in word and deed.
Roles: construction interns, hospitality interns, and camp assistants.
Location: Mobile
Dates: June 1-July 8
Click here for more information.
Job Opportunity
The Society of St. Andrew - Alabama is searching for a Program Coordinator. Click here for a current job description and application details, or find it on their website, endhunger.org/employment.
