http://www.awfumc.org/news_find.aspnothing provideden-usSat, 7 Nov 2009 05:00:00 ESTSat, 7 Nov 2009 05:00:00 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 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=516http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=516It appears there is an ever increasing conversation about how we offer meaningful expressions of our faith.Our sense of community is not shaped by simply becoming a member of a congregation; rather, our Christian community is made up of individuals who both personally and corporately understand God has called and blessed us to serve as a blessing to others.This seems to me to capture the natural rhythm of inward holiness and outward compassion; personal holiness and social holiness. The emerginFri, 4 Sep 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=515http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=515(Lisa Pierce, Executive Director, ARM) - At Alabama Rural Ministry, the blisters have healed and most of the callouses are gone, but we are left with an incredible memory of an incredible feat. It still seems a bit surreal that we walked across the state of Alabama; that I personally had such amazing conversations with the people that walked with us - including my own mother! When we encountered tough moments during the walk and Iwanted toquit, I thought and prayed about thefamilies in povertyliWed, 2 Sep 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=514http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=514The United Methodist Childrenrsquo;s Home ndash; over 100 years of hope (UMCH) - When John* was 6 years old, his dad abandoned he and his older brother. He pinned a note onthem telling whoever found them that he had gone to quot;find himself.quot; The boys had never been in school and had been living like little animals, traveling from town to town with their father scavenging food and necessities. Both boys were neglected and abused.John was originally placed with a United Methodist Childrens Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=513http://www.awfumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=513ldquo;I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.rdquo; Matthew 25:35 Click here to see additional photos of the Prodisee Pantry (by Deann Servos, Executive Director) - Have you ever been hungryFor the thousands of families served by Prodisee Pantry, the answer is yes!Fighting hunger while feeding familiesrsquo; spirits is what we do on a weekly basis.Prodisee Pantry is a ministry that provides love, hope and comfThu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST