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February 2010 Newsletter
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Highlights from the February 2010 Edition
3rd ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL TRANSFORMATION EVENT
“BEING WELL: CONGREGATIONAL HEALTH, VITALITY, AND YOU”
FEBRUARY 12-13, 2010 - FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, BIRMINGHAM
The Region’s Program Committee on Church Development is sponsoring the third annual congregational transformation event on February 12-13, 2010, at First Christian Church, Birmingham. The theme of the 2010 event is “Being Well: Congregational Health, Vitality, and YOU.” As in the past, the weekend will begin with a dynamic worship service on Friday night with an outstanding preacher. On Saturday there will be a total of eight workshops offered that will be aimed at addressing issues of health – spiritual, congregational, and personal. Participants will be able to attend three of the eight workshops. There will be time for scriptural instruction in a Saturday morning plenary session as the day begins. Cokesbury will set up a book display of resources which will be of help to those are seeking to be healthy in every way.
Our preacher for Friday evening, February 12, will be Rev. Bill Lee, pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church in Roanoke, Virginia, for more than 30 years. Widely-regarded as one of the most dynamic preachers in the Christian Church, Rev. Lee served as Moderator for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from 2005 to 2007. He is also a past president of the National Convocation. Under his leadership, his congregation has demonstrated a strong commitment to neighborhood and community involvement, especially in ministries that focus on the quality of life of Roanoke’s youth. Rev. Lee is a strong advocate for health ministries and has created programs and ministries that provide an array of medical and social services to disadvantaged persons in the community. He is also a passionate voice for clergy health and wellness and relates the health of congregations to the health of their leaders. In addition to bringing the sermon on Friday evening, Rev. Lee will address ministers and spouses (if applicable) at a breakfast gathering on Saturday at the Drury Hotel in Birmingham, where we have arranged a large block of rooms at a special rate.
Guests from beyond the Region who will be with us on Saturday include Dr. Toni Craven, Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Ft. Worth, Texas, and Rev. Warren Lynn, Director of Search and Call with Disciples Home Missions in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Craven will lead a plenary session on Saturday morning and also one of the eight workshops. She will help participants understand the biblical concepts of “shalom” and “sabbath” as they relate to health and vitality. Rev. Lynn will explore a variety of spiritual disciplines so that participants may find new ways of nurturing their spiritual connection with God on a daily basis.
Congregations are urged to pay a registration fee of $250, which allows any number of persons from their congregation to attend. The cost of an individual registration is $25. The registration fee includes lunch. Registration information was included in the November Leader’s Packet. Please contact the Regional office (205-425-5245) if this information is needed.
2010 REGIONAL ASSEMBLY SET FOR APRIL 23 - 25
The 2010 Regional Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alabama-Northwest Florida will be held at First Christian Church, Decatur, Alabama, on April 23-25, 2010. Complete information on registration and housing was sent out in the January Leader’s Packet and is available on the website <www.alnwfldisciples.org>
The 2010 Regional Assembly will focus on the theme, “...to the Ends of the Earth.” The Assembly will emphasize the mandate from Christ, found in Acts 1:8, for his disciples to continue his work of proclaiming the good news to the ends of the earth. We will be joined by several partners representing ministries that are taking the Disciples witness to the ends of the earth. These partners include: Rev. Amy Gopp, Rev. Sandra Gourdet, and Rev. Felix Ortiz. Please see the write-up below to learn more about these special guests.
Rev. Amy Gopp serves as Executive Director of Week of Compassion, the relief, recovery, and development ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada. A native of Ohio, Rev. Gopp received a Bachelor's degree from the American University School of International Service, Washington, D.C., in 1994, followed by a master of Arts degree in Conflict Revolution from the McGregor School of Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York in 2005, the year she was ordained. She has lived in Yugoslavia, Bosnia, and Croatia, serving as a peace activist in war-torn areas. She served as Intern Coordinator with Disciples Peace Fellowship for four years prior to coming to Week of Compassion as Associate Director. She began her service as Director in 2008. Rev. Gopp will be the preacher at the Friday night worship service and will be a part of the workshops on Saturday afternoon.
Rev. Sandra Gourdet serves as Executive in the Africa Office of Global Ministries, a joint ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Rev. Gourdet and her husband Daniel, began service with the Division of Overseas Ministries in 1973 and have served on the mission field in the Congo, Zimbabwe, and Haiti. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Rev. Gourdet was ordained at the Macedonia Christian Church, Birmingham, in 1999. She received Bachelor's degrees from Miles College and the University of Alabama. She also studied at L'Accueil Fraternal, LeChambor Sur-Lignon, France, and she completed her theological education at the University of South Africa, where she received a degree in 1999. Rev. Gourdet and her husband, Daniel are the parents of two grown children.
Rev. Gourdet will be the preacher on Saturday morning, and she will give leadership to the Saturday afternoon workshops.
Rev. Felix Ortiz-Cotto serves as Executive in the Latin America and the Caribbean Office of Global Ministries, a joint ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. A native of Puerto Rico, Rev. Ortiz-Cotto served as a congregational pastor prior to beginning service with the Division of Overseas Ministries in 1985. He was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico in 1976, after having received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Puerto Rico and his master of Divinity degree from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico in Hato Rey. Rev. Ortiz-Cotto is married to Maria Esther Cruzado-Amador, who coordinates People-to-People programs through the Division of Overseas Ministries. Rev. Ortiz-Cotto and his wife, Maria, are parents to two adult children.
Rev. Ortiz-Cotto will be a part of the Saturday morning worship and he will give leadership to the Saturday afternoon workshops.
AMBER CHURCHILL IS FIRST GRANT RECIPIENT
FROM THE MILDRED B. WATSON MEMORIAL FUND
Amber Churchill, a young adult who is in Ministry Care, has been chosen as the first recipient of a grant from the Mildred B. Watson Memorial Fund, which was established in 2008 by the Valley Christian Church, Birmingham, and the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region. This Fund was established to assist Disciples, particularly young adults, as they develop leadership skills and gain greater awareness of the ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Amber received the grant to assist her to be a part of the delegation to Honduras in 2010. Members of the delegation will have significant interaction with Global Mission personnel as well as with partners who are living and serving in Honduras.
Amber Churchill is a 2009 graduate of the University of Alabama- Birmingham, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in psychology and criminal justice. She serves in a volunteer capacity as youth director with Grace Christian Church in Helena, where she is a member. Sensing a call into the ministry, Amber was received into Ministry Care by the Region’s Committee on the Ministry in October, 2009. Amber is currently considering options as she plans to pursue formal theological education and ministerial preparation and training. She is the daughter of Jane and John Churchill, who is an ordained Disciples minister.
RECONCILIATION IS FOCUS OF YOUNG ADULT RETREAT
Twenty-one young adults representing nine congregations, five states, eight colleges, and one seminary participated in the Young Adult Retreat at Camp Chandler Jan 22-24. They enjoyed fellowship and planning for future events in addition to learning about their part in God’s Dream for humanity. The program included sessions on implicit prejudice and decision-making, and the devastating effects of white privilege on each person.
The group enjoyed the climbing tower and high ropes challenge course and a few even braved a windy and cold canoe trip on Lake Jordan. Future events for the young adult ministry include: Alternative Spring Break work trip to our mission station in Slidell, LA; a missions fund-raiser at Regional Assembly in April; Miracle Day June 5 at Anniston FCC; Disciples Women Quadrennial Assembly June 23-27 in Greensboro NC; future domestic and international mission trips; and a Back-to-School lock-in July 30-31.
Youthtopia 2010
“If You Judge Others… You Have No Time To Love Them”
“Love One Another” – John 13:34
Youthtopia 2010 was held on January 22-24, 2010, at Camp Chandler, in Montgomery, Alabama. It was a wonderful event! Our focus was on Anti-racism and Reconciliation. Sixty-three participants were led on an incredible journey by our very own Reverend Sekinah Hamlin and other SERF (South Eastern Regional Fellowship) volunteers. Many members of our own Anti-Racism Team were present as well. The event consisted of a poverty simulation, low ropes course, high ropes course, climbing wall, worship, fellowship, community meals, and so much more!!!
We encourage you to visit our page on the website to read more about the event, and see lots of photos!!!!
"FEED MY SHEEP”
WEEK OF COMPASSION SPECIAL OFFERING
FEBRUARY 21 - 28, 2010
Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. This ministry seeks to equip and empower Disciples to alleviate the suffering of others through disaster response, humanitarian aid, sustainable development and the promotion of mission opportunities. Please visit <www.weekofcompassion.org> to find resources for promoting the many ways that Week of Compassion is touching lives in the name of Christ all around the world, all around the year. Your support of the Week of Compassion offering, collected in most congregations February 21 and 28, is much-needed and greatly appreciated.
OUTREACH GIVING UPDATE
The giving in 2009 by congregations in Alabama-Northwest Florida to the Disciples Mission Fund and the four Special Day Offerings (Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) showed a 2.07% decrease from the amount given in 2008. Church-wide gifts to Disciples Mission Fund and the four Special Day Offerings decreased by 8.80% from the amount given in 2008. Week of Compassion giving in Alabama-Northwest Florida (regular and designated) decreased by 28.72% from the amount given in 2008. Gifts to the Reconciliation Offering decreased by 13.35% from the 2008 Offering. The 2009 Easter Offering declined 11.00% from the 2008 total. The 2009 Pentecost Offering declined 27.81% from the 2008 total. The 2009 Thanksgiving Offering increased by 12.66% from the 2008 total. The 2009 Christmas Offering decreased 1.11% from the amount collected in 2008.
Disciples outreach ministries are carried out in partnership between general ministries, ministries of higher education, Regions, congregations, and other related ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The financial support given by your congregation enables this partnership to be effective in carrying out the ministry of Jesus Christ. Your commitment to our shared ministries is greatly appreciated.
NEWS OF THE CLERGY
Willie Smith has been approved for a ministerial license by a subcommittee of the Committee on the Ministry. The license will be presented to him at Salem Christian Church, Letohatchee, where he serves as pastor, on February 7. Nathan Hartley has been approved by a subcommittee of the Committee on the Ministry for ordination. The service of ordination will take place in the early part of 2010 at Mt. Moriah Christian Church, Letohatchee, where he serves as pastor. Mitchell James has retired from his ministry with Mt. Pleasant Christian Church in Matthews. He ended his ministry with the congregation in December. Kathryn Menser has begun a new ministry as institutional chaplain at Westminster Village in Pensacola and at White Sands Manor in Fort Walton Beach. Ordained in 2007, Rev. Menser previously lived in Fort Worth, TX.
CONGREGATIONS SEEKING A MINISTER
Falkville, Cedar Plains (Jerry Smith is Interim)
Madison, Madison (Bob Stegall is Interim)
Mathews, Mt. Pleasant
Tuscaloosa, First (Phillip Hayes is Interim)
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