Reports Received - North Alabama Conference

135 Pages·2013·2.38 MB·English

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The tentative program and reports to be presented
to the Annual Conference
of the North Alabama Conference
of the United Methodist Church
June 2-4, 2013
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, Resident Bishop of the Birmingham Area presiding
Rev. Sherill Clontz, Conference Secretary
Entrance of Methodism into Alabama through Matthew P. Sturdivant 1808
Alabama Conference, Methodist Protestant Church Organized 1829
Alabama Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South Organized 1846
Alabama Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church Organized 1867
North Alabama Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South Organized 1870
Central Alabama Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church Organized 1876
Uniting Conference, the Methodist Church 1939
Merger Conference, the United Methodist Church 1968
Merger Conference, North Alabama Conference and
Central Alabama Conference, Making the North Alabama Conference Organized 1972
The One Hundred Forty-fourth Annual Session
of the North Alabama Conference since organization in 1870.
The Forty-first Session
of the North Alabama Conference since organization in 1972.
Vision of the North Alabama Conference
Every church challenged and equipped to grow more disciples of Jesus Christ
by taking risks and changing lives.
Conference Priorities
New Congregations
Natural Church Development
Effective Leadership for the 21st Century
Empowering a New Generation of Christians
Transforming the World through Missions and Advocacy
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,
but only God who gives the growth.
The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose,
and each will receive wages according to the labor of each.
For we are God’s servants, working together;
you are God’s field, God’s building.
—1 Corinthians 3:7-9 (NRSV)
The theme for the 2013 North Alabama Conference is Cultivate: New in Christ.
We gladly welcome Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett as we return to the campus of
Birmingham-Southern College and celebrate together the new life we have in Christ.
As clergy and laity gather for worship, study, reflection and reconnection, our prayer
is all will gain a fresh perspective on their call to ministry, garner innovative ideas and
methods for ministry and leave energized to serve the world.
Welcome: Reports Received:
From Bishop Wallace-Padgett 5 Adult Discipleship 63 T
Advocacy for Social Justice 63 a
From Steve Lyles, Conference Lay Leader 6
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Africa University 64
From Rev. Sherill Clontz, Conference Secretary 7 l
Birmingham-Southern College 65 e
From Gen. Charles Krulak, President of BSC 8

Reservations: Board of Ordained Ministry 68 o
Board of Superannuate Homes 71 f
Reservation Information 9
Boston University School of Theology 72 C
Hotels 10
Candler School of Theology 73 o
On-Campus Meals 11 n
Central Conference Pension Initiative 74
Childcare / Kids' Camp 12 t
Children’s Ministries 74 e
Youth Battle of the Bands 13
Church Revitalization 75 n
Conference Guide:
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Commission on Archives and History 76
Registration Team 14 s
Commission on Equitable Compensation 77
Registering Your Attendance 14
Committee on Episcopacy 83
Visitors 14
Deaconess / Home Missioner 83
PreConference Meetings 15
Disability Ministries 84
Directions 16
Disaster Recovery 85
Parking and Traffic Flow 16
Disaster Response Team 86
Places of Note 17
Ethnic Ministries 87
Emergency Contact 17
Evangelism Team 88
Persons with Disabilities 17 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary 89
Special Meals and Gatherings 18 Huntingdon College 90
Laity Luncheon 19 Kairos Prison Ministry 92
Archives Open House 19 Lay Ministry Team 93
Mission Displays 19 Lay Servant Ministries 94
Worship Services 20 Memphis Theological Seminary 95
Special Offering 21 Methodist Homes Corporation 96
Prayer Chapel 21 Mission2Gather 97
Items to Purchase 22 Mission and Advocacy 98
Cokesbury 22 Missionary Report—Rhett Thompson 99
Mission2Gather 5K Information 23 Missionary Report—Kay Twilley 100
Stay Connected 24 Missionary Directory 100
Health Screening 25 New Church Development 101
Lost and Found 25 Office of Communication 102
Frequently Asked Questions 26-27 P.E.E.R. Inc. 103
Leadership: Promise Homes 104
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett 28 Resource Ministry Partners 104
Society of St. Andrew 105
Rev. Sherill Clontz, Conference Secretary 28
Sumatanga Camp and Conference Center 106
Assistant Secretaries 28
United Counseling 107
Annual Conference Planning Team 28
United Methodist Children's Home 108
Steve Lyles, Conference Lay Leader 29
United Methodist Foundation 111
Rev. Jack Hinnen, Host Elder 29
United Methodist Senior Citizens Ministries 112
Rev. Lonna Lynn Higgs, Worship Coordinator 30
United Methodist Women 113
Christopher Henley, Worship Team 30
United Theological Seminary 113
Quint Harris, Worship Team 30
Upper Sand Mountain Parish 114
Rev. Bill Brunson, Worship Team 31
Urban Ministry 115
Rev. Kevin Payne, Worship Team 31
Wesley Fellowship at Athens State University 117
Rev. Wade Langer, Worship Team 31
Wesley Foundation at Jacksonville State University 117
Dr. Bill Morgan 31
Wesley Foundation at UAB 118
John G. Elliott, Worship Leader 32
Wesley Foundation at the University of North Alabama 119
Bishop Jonathan Holston 32
Wesley Theological Seminary 120
Business:
Youth Ministries 121
Tentative Schedule 34-37 Forms:
Call to Mission & Ministry 38-52 5K Registration 123
Consent Agenda 53 5K Sponsor Sheet 125
Voting Information 54 Journal Order Form 127
Petitions and Resolutions 55-61 Evaluation Form 129
Reserve Lay Member Form 131
Dear Annual Conference Member
We are excited you will be a part of the 2013 North Alabama Annual Conference on the campus of
Birmingham-Southern College June 2-4, 2013. Our theme this year is Cultivate: New in Christ. Thank
you for the important role you are playing in the North Alabama Conference connection for 2013.
As we gather for this time of Christian Conferencing which will include worshipping together, conducting
business, learning and celebrating the disciple-making ministries of the North Alabama Conference,
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett will preside over the gathering for the first time since her assignment
to the Birmingham Episcopal Area in 2012. Bishop Jonathan Holston of the South Carolina Annual
Conference will be our guest presenter. Dove Award-winning songwriter John Elliott will lead us in music
throughout our time together.
You are getting this mailing because you are a member or reserve member of the North Alabama Annual
Conference. It is important you read through this PreConference Book / Journal Vol. I to prepare yourself
for the position of leadership and service as an Annual Conference member.
In this book you will find
• Information on meals, hotels and other general information about the Annual Conference event
• The tentative schedule
• Reports received from Conference ministry teams and organizations
• Reports and petitions that will require action during the Annual Conference Session
• Evaluation Form, Journal Order Form and Reserve Member Form
• A Birmingham-Southern College campus map (see back cover)
We also encourage you to visit www.northalabamaumc.org/ac2013 to find additional information related
to the 2013 Annual Conference.
Thank you for your service and leadership to your local church and the North Alabama Conference.
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NORTH ALABAMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013
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Message from the Bishop c
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Dear Friends, e
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Welcome to Annual Conference 2013! I am excited about the worship, work e
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and fellowship that will happen in North Alabama Methodism here on our v
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Birmingham-Southern College campus this week as we focus on the theme i
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“Cultivate: New in Christ.” n
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Many thanks to the Birmingham-Southern College staff for graciously

welcoming and hosting us. Also, kudos to our talented Conference staff, teams and volunteers who have

worked tirelessly to ensure that this event is a high quality and meaningful experience. Finally, thank you to

each lay and clergy member participating in this Conference. Your commitment to God and the ministry of

the church is inspiring.
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My hope and prayer is that on June 4 we will leave this place with a renewed commitment to cultivate the n
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soil of our ministry contexts so that additional people will come to know new life in Jesus Christ. I pray that e
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as a result of what God does in and through North Alabama Methodists in this Conference year, many lives, e
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families and communities will experience the new life that Jesus Christ offers. c
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As always it is a privilege to serve as your bishop. G
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Blessings, d
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Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett

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m NORTH ALABAMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013
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Message from the Conference Lay Leader
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n Dear Laity, Clergy and Guests of Annual Conference,
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ti Welcome to the 2013 North Alabama United Methodist Church Annual Conference
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This is a pivotal year in the life of the local church, the Annual Conference and the
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e General Church. Our church, at all levels, finds itself with challenges never faced in
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our denomination. The challenges that face our Church can only be overcome with

hard work by the laity and clergy, with the grace of God.

With this Annual Conference, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett will finish her first year as Bishop of the North Alabama

United Methodist Conference. We give thanks to Bishop Wallace-Padgett for her leadership and the leadership efforts

she has put in place, which are inspiring our local churches to grow and be fruitful for the kingdom of God. Bishop

e Wallace-Padgett is a team builder and everyone will be asked to join the team that will elevate the North Alabama
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ui Conference in the work of Jesus Christ in the local churches, districts and in the Conference.
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Please take time to study this PreConference Book, reading and studying the various reports of the ministries of the
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c North Alabama Conference. This year’s Annual Conference schedule includes a balance of worship, business, reports,
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f Remember to enjoy the amenities of Conference by visiting the booths that tell the story of ministry together through
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The Laity Luncheon will be at noon on Monday, June 3, in the Great Hall on the third floor of the Norton Center.

Dr. Cam West, President of Huntingdon College, will be the featured speaker for the luncheon and the Rev. Keith

Elder will provide music for the enjoyment of those attending.

Remember—you will need to pre-purchase your Laity Luncheon ticket and any other meal tickets when you make

reservations for Conference. A very limited number of tickets will be available during Conference.

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hi Thanks to the Lay Members of Annual Conference for taking your time for the United Methodist Church by
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attending this year. The Lay Leadership team hopes you take away knowledge that will make your local church
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stronger, and fit to do the work of God in finding and recruiting new Christians.
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NORTH ALABAMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013
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Message from the Conference Secretary c
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Welcome to the 2013 Session of the North Alabama Conference. I look forward to s
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our first Annual Conference under the leadership of Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett.
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Our theme this year is "Cultivate: New In Christ." You will notice new pacing and a
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new energy as we focus on preparing ourselves for what God will do next in North i
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Alabama. There will be many opportunities for worship, study and fellowship as well n
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as our work together. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s Annual Conference:

Worship

• Annual Conference opens with worship in Bill Battle Coliseum Sunday at 3 p.m.

• Throughout Annual Conference, John Elliott will lead our music.

• Ordination, Licensing and Commissioning Service will be held at Vestavia Hills UMC on Monday night at 7 p.m.

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• The Memorial Service will be held in Bill Battle Coliseum on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with Dr. Bill Morgan preaching.
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• Annual Conference concludes with worship in Bill Battle Coliseum at 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon as the Bishop n
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prepares us to go forth for another year of ministry in North Alabama. We ask that lay and clergy members from
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their respective churches sit together for this service. e
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Study e
• Bishop Jonathon Holston of the South Carolina Conference will lead Bible study Monday at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. G
and Tuesday at 8 a.m. u
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Holy Conferencing e

• The Clergy Session will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday in Munger Auditorium.

• The Laity Session will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday in Bill Battle Coliseum.

• Business Sessions begin Monday at 9:30 a.m. and we will conclude around 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

• We will vote on four amendments to the United Methodist Constitution. Please see pages 54-56 for more

information on the amendments and on who is eligible to vote.
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Fellowship and Fun a
• Kids' Camp will be held throughout Annual Conference. d
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• Clergy Spouses will gather for Cookies and Conversation on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Stockham. r
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• 5K Run for Mission2Gather will take place on Sunday evening following worship.
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• The Youth Battle of the Bands begins Monday and concludes with an announcement of the winner Tuesday. The

winning band will perform following the announcement.

• ARMS Gathering will be held at 5 p.m. Monday.

• Be sure to check the list of other special meals and events on page 18.

The Annual Conference offering goes to support Imagine No Malaria. The offering will be collected on Monday night

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at the Ordination service and Tuesday at the closing worship service.
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I hope that you will take the time to prayerfully read the reports. In most instances, the reports are included on our i
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consent agenda (see page 53 for more details) and will not be specifically addressed during the conference. e
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Our ushers are trained to assist those with disabilities. If you need any assistance, please let our ushers know. s

I wish to thank Linda Holland and the Annual Conference Planning team, Laura Sisson and the wonderful staff at

Birmingham-Southern, our volunteer ushers, tellers and hosts for their work to plan and execute a very special Annual

Conference. And I thank all of you for the time and effort you are giving to the Annual Conference.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.

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Sherill Clontz, Conference Secretary
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