http://www.awfumc.org/news_find.aspnothing provideden-usFri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTFri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=527http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=527November 19, 2009 STATEMENT FROM THE DESK OF BISHOP PAUL L. LEELAND (Montgomery, Ala.) - First of all, I want to say that I believe in the future of Frazer United Methodist Church. Despite some changes that will be occurring among the leadership of the church, we have a very strong clergy staff and lay leadership team who are strongly focused on the churchrsquo;s mission. Second, I want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the ministry and leadership of Dr. Barry Carpenter, senThu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=526http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=526(LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C.) In a statement that says, ldquo;We cannot help the world until we change our way of being in it,rdquo; the bishops of The United Methodist Church announced today a significant call to all United Methodists, ecumenical and inter-religious partners and people of goodwill around the world. ldquo;As bishops we know that critical issues of the day have left people feeling fearful, cynical, hopeless and overwhelmed,rdquo; said Bishop Gregory Palmer, president, Council of BishopThu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=524http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=52411.10.2009 Update: As of 12 noon, all reports have been of minor damage, with the exception of the Mobile District which has not been able to be reached. - Amelia Fletcher. (Montgomery, Ala.) The Alabama-West Florida Conference Disaster Response Team is in preparation for response to damage that may be caused by Tropical Storm Ida. Because of the storm surge, our concerns aremostly around flooding within low-lying areas. The Response Team is on standby and will go intoaction, as necessary, aftMon, 9 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=523http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=523 Find out more at www.arm-al.orgMon, 9 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=522http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=522(BeLinda Carnegie) Are you eligible for the Alabama - West Florida Conference health/dental insuranceInterestedHave questionsContact BeLinda Carnegie at your Conference Fiscal Office (888-873-3127) for answers to your questions and an enrollment application. Churches interested in becoming a sponsor for lay employee health/dental coverage should contact BeLinda Carnegie for eligibility requirements. Health insurance coverage is administrated through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, a third paFri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=521http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=521(Lewis Center) The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary is releasing its latest version of Clergy Age Trends in the United Methodist Church containing updated 2009 statistics. The new report, prepared with assistance from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, contains again this year modest good news for United Methodists. The consistent decline in under-35 elders as a percentage of all elders hit its low point in 2005 and has held relatively steady wiTue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=520http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=520 (Don Woolley)In June 2009, the Mobile District launched the ldquo;3.0 Summer Internshiprdquo; for college students thanks to a generous grant from the WWWW Foundation.Sixteen interns served the poor in four area sites, blessing hundreds while being trained as Missional leaders for the Church.We are thrilled to announce that the grant has been renewed, allowing us to expand the program in 2010 to include 26 college interns at six different sites!Recruiting will begin soon, so please help us sprThu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=519http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=519UMVIM Work Teams Needed for Recovery Phase in Georgia (Glenn Glover, AWFConference UMVIM Coordinator) I am sure you are aware of the extensive flooding that occurred in Georgia over the past month.The initial Disaster Response phase is winding down; however the long term recovery phase is just beginning.There was substantial damage to houses and other structures north of Atlanta, but also west and southwest of Atlanta (Carrollton and Powder Springs and surrounding communities).The recovery phThu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=518http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=518(Rev. Leigh Meekins) - There are many people who ask, quot;why does my church need a Safe Sanctuaries policyquot; A Safe Sanctuaries policy and procedures is a policy of the church for the prevention of abuse in the church.Such a policy will enable the church to do ministries in a safe manner.These policies include policies such as windows in all classroom and office doors, two adults in each classroom with children, youth, and vulnerable adults, and background checks.Safe Sanctuaries policies aWed, 7 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=517http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=517(Rev. Bob Couch) - At the Society sponsored Bicentennial Celebration last year, over three hundred Methodists from throughout the state met at Saint James United Methodist Church (Montgomery, Ala.)to celebrate 200 years of Methodism in Alabama.This year, your 94-year-old Alabama - West Florida Historical Society is holding its first Annual Meeting in decades.The Annual Meeting/Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the historic Little Texas Tabernacle located at Williams ChapeWed, 16 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST