Volume 7, Issue 11 Mountain Lakes News · Mercys Hope was formed in 2007 with the purpose of bringing hope and help to children and young adults whose lives have been directly or

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

11/3-Charge Conference, Guntersville First UMC, 3PM 11/19-Operational Team Meeting, Dist Office, 7AM 11/4-Romans Bible Study, Dist Office, 9AM 11/27-Operational Team Meeting, Dist Office, 7AM 11/10-11/12-Robin Preaching Revival at Trinity (Rainsville) 6PM 11/28-29-District Office Closed for Thanksgiving 11/11-Romans Bible Study, Dist Office, 9AM 11/17-Robin Preaching at Union, 9:30AM, Daniel’s Chapel, 11AM 11/18-Romans Bible Study, Dist Office, 9AM 11/18-Lay Leader Meeting, Dist Office, 5:15PM

B U S I N E S S N A M E

Mountain Lakes News

November 2013 Volume 7, Issue 11

Some of you have asked me to please keep you up to date with all of the follow-up surrounding the same sex union performed by Bishop Melvin Talbert in Birmingham on October 26th. Many have thanked our Bishop for being transparent and for sharing what she knew as these events unfolded, as she would say that is the “North Alabama Way!” As you know Bishop Talbert from the Western Jurisdiction flew into Birmingham to join together a same sex couple that are members of a local United Methodist church. This service was held at a church of another denomination. Bishop Talbert was asked not to do this by our Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and by the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops. He was reminded that his actions would be a violation of our Discipline. He ignored both of these request. The Council of Bishops will be meeting November 9-15 at Lake Junaluska. I would ask that you remember them daily in your prayers. This is a very critical moment in the life of our church and we all simply need to “hold steady” and trust that those who have been given leadership positions will exercise that leadership in a responsible and appropriate way. Conversations will continue to take place around a multitude of issues as we continue to allow the Holy Spirit through Sanctifying Grace to change us into His likeness. I appeal to everyone to have these conversations in a Spirit of peace and humility, to allow the fruits of the Spirit to be visible and abundant. For we can never go wrong if our interaction is based upon gentleness, love, kindness, and self-control. We will not have regrets if out of patient endurance we share and listen. God bless each of you as you minister in the name of the risen Savior! Robin

Hold Steady

Page 2 Mountain Lakes News

North Alabama Conference Goal: Saving 100,000 lives by June 2014

Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary ministry of The United Methodist Church, putting faith into action to end preventable deaths

by malaria in Africa, especially the death of a child or a mother. This is a lifesaving ministry, together we can save lives.

As North Alabama Conference, we are called to put our faith in action. The gospel reminds us that we are the balm in Gilead; to-gether we can make a difference in the life of those suffering from malaria. “For 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, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and

you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25: 35-36

Every 60 seconds, malaria claims a life in Africa. It kills an estimated 655,000 people each year, most of them children under 5 and pregnant women. Transmitted through the bite of a female anopheles mosquito, malaria is a parasite that initially causes fever, vom-

iting and joint pain. Left untreated, its symptoms progress to convulsions, organ failure and death.

Yet, malaria is 100% preventable, treatable and beatable!

Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary effort of the people of The United Methodist Church, putting our faith into action to end pre-

ventable deaths by malaria in Africa, especially the death of a child or a mother.

Imagine No Malaria is a comprehensive model to fight malaria.

PREVENTION

Building on the success of Nothing But Nets, Imagine No Malaria is thought as nets Plus. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are still the best way to prevent malaria, however other measures like draining standing water where the insects breed, trimming foliage and

proper sanitation, are also critical in preventing malaria.

EDUCATION

We train community-based health workers to share the facts about malaria, like identifying symptoms and dispelling myths about the

disease. This information, coming from a trusted, local source is a very effective way to educate about malaria.

COMMUNICATION

Community health workers also provide behavior-change communications—helping families to understand why it is critical to sleep under a bed net and how to properly care for this life-saving tool. Community health workers also provide behavior-change commu-

nications—helping families to understand why it is critical to sleep under a bed net and how to properly care for this life-saving tool.

TREATMENT

For 160 years, The United Methodist Church has been operating hospitals and clinics across the African continent. But those hospi-

tals need rapid diagnosis kits and life-saving medicines to treat people infected with malaria.


FALL 2013 CHARGE CONFERENCES

Below is the schedule for our Fall Charge Conferences. Please

make a note on your calendar when and where your Charge

Conference will be held. We are having Charge Conferences by

Circuits again this year. So look for your Circuit Leader’s name.

Also, make sure you let people in your church know that they are

welcome to attend. We will take care of necessary business, but

this will mainly be a time of worship.

Sunday, November 3, 2013_Terry Bentley/Marvin

McCormick’s Circuit at Guntersville First 3PM

*If your church has missed your scheduled Charge

Conference, for any reason, please be sure that you

attend this last Charge Conference at Guntersville

First.*

**Please be sure that all of your Charge Conference

Reports are locked. If you have not locked them by

Sunday, they will be locked for you. This will make

sure that all Charge Conference Reports are sent to

Conference.**


RIVERSIDE LANE COMMUNITY CHURCH A MISSION OF UNION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

We are excited to receive a challenge to revitalize the former Gaylesville United Methodist Church. We are reaching out to a community where we feel the saving grace of Jesus Christ needs to be met. We have a Pot Luck Supper and a Bible Study each Wednesday Evening at 6:00 PM. We want this to be a church where EVERYONE is welcome. Rev. Jimmy Hall

Continuing cleanup at Riverside Lane Community Church

Pianist Position Available

(Bellevue United Methodist Church -- Gadsden) Hours needed are Sunday Mornings and Wednesday Nights Must be able to play a variety of music/hymns Pay is Negotiable and can be discussed Please submit a resume to [email protected] or call the church office at (256) 547-0201


IF YOUR CHURCH NEEDS THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO ORDER ANY

OF THIS INFORMATION FOR YOU, LET US KNOW AND WE WILL

BE GLAD TO DO SO. CALL THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 256-546-7405

OR EMAIL AMY AT [email protected].


HOPE IN NOVEMBER

As we approach the season for being thankful and the giving of thanks, I am reminded of the ever present need of HOPE during our thanks. I share with you some thoughts on HOPE from John Maxwell from "Think on These Things"...... Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest. Hope motivates when discouragement comes. Hope energizes when the body is tired. Hope sweetens while bitterness bites. Hope sings when all melodies are gone. Hope believes when evidence is eliminated. Hope listens for answers when no one is talking. Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping. Hope endures hardship when no one is caring. Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing. Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking. Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging. Hope dares to give when no one is sharing. Hope brings the victory when no one is winning. When we are thankful this season, let us never forget about HOPE and where it will lead us. Til Next time, Bro Larry Walls Pastor Corbinville/Lusk Chapel

Mercy’s Hope

Boxes & Bags of Blessings Mercy's Hope is a locally based international ministry helping and caring for orphan and underprivileged children in Ukraine.

Mercy’s Hope was formed in 2007 with the purpose of bringing hope and help to children and young adults whose lives have been directly or in-directly affected by the pain and tragedy of an absent, broken or dysfunctional family. There are

a multitude of ministry opportunities by which Mercy’s Hope functions. These include Orphan & Underprivileged Children Care, Transition and Hope Homes, Boxes & Bags of Blessings, Food Giving & Distribution, Children’s Summer Camps and Mercy Ranch which serves as a Men’s Rehab Center. Through these ministries, God has brought healing, restora-tion and change to many children, student and young adults and individuals. With consistent and caring help, the staff

and volunteers of Mercy’s Hope continue to demonstrate the love of God by giving of themselves in practical and sacrifi-cial ways. In both the US and Ukraine, the call to be a servant to the “least of these” is answered by many who truly want to show that God will change lives and make a difference. You can participate in one of these ministries called Boxes & Bags of Blessings right here from your home in the USA. Through Mercy’s Hope Boxes & Bags of Blessings, you and your family have the opportunity to impact children in des-perate situations in the country of Ukraine. Boxes & Bags of Blessings is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through an expression of love, care and blessing by giving small gifts in boxes or bags which lets them know someone does care! In addition to your involvement with Boxes & Bags of Blessings, we would be grateful for the opportunity to come and speak to your church or organization about the marvelous things God has done and is doing in the lives of many in Ukraine and throughout the world. If you would like us to share about Mercy’s Hope, please contact Cris or Karen Mahy at 256-490-8825 or by emailing us at [email protected]. Also, visit us at www.mercyshope.org.



Sumatanga's first camp was in June of 1951, in an unfinished Pool Camp. Now it is 35 buildings on 1,700 acres and truly a gift from God to North Alabama. Hundreds of thousands have drawn close to God at Sumatanga over the last 62 years. Countless lives have found Christ as Savior and Friend. Untold numbers of Christians have gotten their lives back on track through renewed commitment at camp. Quite a few have heard God's call to serve him in special ways through their lives. Sumatanga is YOUR camp because you have been there and experienced the presence of God there. Four years ago, Sumatanga was drowning in debt. The people of North Alabama responded miraculously and so did God, providing a major donor who paid the balance owed after your gifts. Since then Sumatanga has continued to struggle to make ends meet finan-cially. Why? In part because some unwise decisions were made and in part because most Methodists thought the camp was able to make it on its own without any help from individuals and churches. The camp continues to undercharge by not factoring into rates all the things it costs Sumatanga to keep its doors open and to provide you a comfortable faith-based camp environment. In 2000, the delegates to Annual Conference decided that missional agencies like Sumatanga and the Children's Home should be stand-alone ministries and raise their own support. This has not worked well for these missions. If you allow for inflation, the amount we anticipate as deficit at the end of 2013 is about the same as the amount that the conference once gave Sumatanga through your apportionments. We have no indication that the camp will be put back in apportionments, so we are approaching churches and individuals to include us in mission giving this fall and generously in your budgets in 2014. Most faith-based camps and conference centers get about 1/4 of their support from their parent denomination. That is what we need from you. But, I have good news, too. We are almost certain of a “matching grant” if Sumatanga can finish the year without red ink. An indi-vidual and his foundation has given a verbal statement to our leadership that they will give $100,000 a year for three years if we fin-ish 2013 in the black. We will need to receive around $250,000 in philanthropic giving before December 31 in order to qualify. Sumatanga has been at risk to close its doors. The camp trustees are doing all they can to be fiscally responsible, and even now the camp is understaffed. To keep Sumatanga's doors open and to help your beloved camp thrive, please do the following: 1) Have a Sumatanga emphasis Sunday and receive an emergency love offering as soon as possible. 2) Use the camp. Have small group or class retreats; have leadership training or staff planning retreats; have senior adult get-aways and weekend youth retreats at Sumatanga. 3) Put Sumatanga generously in your 2014 mission budget that most churches are planning. Consider ½ of 1% of your over-all budget as your fair share in partnering with your camp. God bless you, and hope to see you at camp soon! Rev. Mark Parris Director of Development Sumatanga Camp & Conference Center 3616 Sumatanga Road Gallant, Alabama 35972

Bishop Debra Wallace– Padgett with her husband, Rev. Lee Padgett, Interim Executive Director of Camp Sumatanga


MAKING MEMORIES

AND LEARNING ABOUT JESUS!

SUMATANGA

SUMMERS

LET’S

KEEP

THIS

TREASURE!!


Fair Share Remittance—10% Tithe

A Tithe is a Faithful Biblical Response People have asked me everywhere I am, “Are we going to be able to keep the “tithe” system here in the Mt. Lakes District?” The an-swer is yes! We had a very good year as most of our churches were faithful both in promptness and by giving a full tithe. All of our churches participated at some level. The first year of this experiment we were short of where we had been in previous years. This year we exceeded those levels and will finish the year more than ten percent ahead of last year. We are increasing our grants to local church projects from one thousand a month to two thousand a month. It is our goal to put 50% of what the District receives back into local churches. So thank you ahead of time for your faithfulness in 2013. If you have been tithing thank you and keep up that faithfulness. If you have been giving but not to the level of a tithe then increase that until you reach that fair share gift. And if you have not been par-ticipating to any significant level please know these gifts are making a difference and we look forward to your full participation!

FAIR SHARE REMITTANCE RECEIPTS FOR SEPT 2013

10/01/13 3049-Gadsden First $5,180.70 (August) 3106-Samuel’s Chapel $546.00 3112-Snead Memorial $99.00

10/03/13 3010-Belcher’s Chapel $69.60 3012-Bethlehem $306.15 3016-Bothwell $107.30 3025-Christ Central $163.50 3026-Clear Creek $25.00 3029-Corbinville $257.20 3030-Cox’s Chapel $204.00 3031-Crossville First $1,326.00 3034-Deerman’s Chapel $246.90 3044-Flat Rock $294.90 3047-Fort Payne First $3,903.69 3053-Glencoe First $69.50 (wk of 9/29) 3058-Henagar $609.50 3060-Hewett Memorial $1,000.00 3066-Joppa $356.09 3081-Mt. Carmel $132.50 3082-Mt High $278.50 3088-New Oregon $1,347.51 3091-Pine Grove (Blount) $79.00 3092-Pine Grove (Dekalb) $82.70 (January) 3100-Red Hill $608.00 3109-Skirum $863.90 3116-St. Mark’s $380.00 3117-St. Mary’s $198.10 3119-St. Paul (Ashville) $188.27 (August) 3122-Sweet Home $893.00 3127-Turkeytown $199.00 3129-Union $191.50 3130-Union Chapel $1,062.44 3141-Whorton Bend $219.70

10/08/13 3004-Antioch (Blount) $148.00 3017-Brooklyn $49.00 3019-Cedar Bluff $955.30 (August) 3019-Cedar Bluff $1,054.11 3020-Cedar Hill $470.80 3021-Centre $114.90 3037-Dutton $315.27 3039-Ebenezer (Cedar Bluff) $348.45 3048-Fyffe $190.80 (July) 3048-Fyffe $148.90 (August) 3051-Geraldine First $542.20 3052-Gibb’s Chapel $37.22 (August) 3056-Haygood Memorial $185.30 3062-Hokes Bluff $3,219.18 3063-Howelton $346.30 3078-Miller’s Chapel $142.20 3083-Mt. Oak $118.60 3097-Portersville $119.20 3105-Salem (Cedar Bluff) $215.60 3108-Section $100.00 3115-Springville First $3,375.55 3121-Steele $1,162.63 3133-Walker’s Chapel $180.00 3138-Wesley’s Chapel $177.50 3139-Whitehall $280.00

10/10/13 3002-Albertville First $3,139.88 3007-Asbury (Ft. Payne) $2,340.00 3027-Collins Chapel $262.00 (August) 3027-Collins Chapel $260.00 3036-Douglas $320.80 3038-East Gadsden $1,272.06 3040-Ebenezer (Grove Oak) $250.00 3041-Fairview (Dawson) $303.40 3057-Hebron $328.70 3079-Morton’s Chapel $206.60 3080-Mountain Chapel $157.20 3102-Rock Springs $107.50 (August) 3102-Rock Springs $104.00 3111-Snead First $846.50 3124-Trinity (Ft. Payne) $124.00 3137-Webster’s Chapel $566.61

10/15/13 3013-Blanche $165.40 3022-Centre First $4,089.19 3023-Chaney’s Chapel $438.60 3024-Christ Central $1,500.00 3043-Fairview (Albertville) $675.86 3053-Glencoe First $325.60 (wk of 10/6) 3055-Guntersville First $11,340.96 3069-King’s Chapel $105.00 3095-Pleasant Hill (Springville) $250.00 3098-Rainbow City $1,949.48 3114-Southside $585.72 3118-St. Paul (Boaz) $983.05 3123-Trinity (Rainsville) $892.00 3131-Union Hill $342.00 (July –correction) 3131-Union Hill $493.29 (August –correction) 3131-Union Hill $548.10 3142-The Summit $1,014.13

10/17/13 3071-Liberty $319.00 (October) 3072-Lusk $212.70 3076-McNutt $111.80 3096-Pleasant Hill (Gadsden) $218.00 3104-Salem (Geraldine) $497.99 3120-St. Paul (Ft. Payne) $655.60 3132-Valley Head $106.40

10/22/13 3005-Antioch/Goodsell $574.67 3009-Attalla First $735.98 (July) 3009-Attalla First $583.68 (August) 3015-Bogan Chapel $115.70 (August) 3015-Bogan Chapel $75.30 3053-Glencoe First $171.30 (wk of 10/13) 3065-Ider $471.30 (August) 3065-Ider $310.74 3070-Lester Memorial $6006.16 3085-New Bethel $97.90 3136-Warrenton $624.00 (August)

10/24/13 3003-Altoona First $695.82 3011-Bellevue $1,300.00 (June) 3011-Bellevue $1,300.00 (July) 3011-Bellevue $1,300.00 (August) 3011-Bellevue $1,300.00 (September) 3011-Bellevue $1,300.00 (October) 3011-Bellevue $1,300.00 (November) 3011-Bellevue $1,300.00 (December) 3042-Fairview (Centre) $1,761.00 3049-Gadsden First $5,833.85

10/29/13 3067-Julia Street $56.10 (August) (Correction) 3067-Julia Street $563.90


UNITED METHODIST MEN

NEXT MEETING

NOVEMBER 21, 2013

GADSDEN FIRST UMC

6:00PM

SPEAKER: STAN WALKER

ALL MEN INVITED!

10/31/13 3006-Asbury (Albertville) $150.00 (October) 3010-Belcher’s Chapel $42.80 (October) 3012-Bethlehem $235.88 (October) 3014-Blountsville $1,372.04 3016-Bothwell $85.00 (October) 3027-Collins Chapel $250.00 (October) 3029-Corbinville $185.50 (October) 3031-Crossville First $1,036.00 (October) 3046-Forrest Home $244.50 3046-Forrest Home $165.70 (October) 3058-Henagar $472.80 (October) 3060-Hewett Memorial $1,000.00 (October) 3075-McCauley’s Chapel $590.30 3076-McNutt Memorial $132.10 (October) 3081-MtCarmel $122.00 (October) 3082-MtHigh $250.20 (October) 3083-MtOak $121.90 (October) 3101-Robertson Chapel $578.06 3106-Samuel’s Chapel $472.00 (October) 3109-Skirum $739.90 (October) 3136-Warrenton $818.00 3141-Whorton Bend $165.70 (October)

We would LOVE to hear from your CHURCH!!!!!! What has your church celebrated recently? What has your church done that you would like to share with others in the Mountain Lakes District? We want to hear from YOU! PLEASE email your notes to [email protected], fax them to 256-546-7407, or mail them to 2804 Wills Creek Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904 Thanks!

CHECK OUT OUR DISTRICT WEBSITE AT

www.mountainlakesdistrict.org. We are trying new things weekly.

If you have things you want on the webpage, call the district office,

we will get them on there for you!


Mountain Lakes District Office of the United Methodist Church, 2804 Wills Creek Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904 (256)546-7405, Fax(256)546-7407 [email protected] [email protected]

website: mountainlakesdistrict.org http://www.facebook.com/mldistrict

The United Methodist Women Sisters in Christ Annual Meeting was held at Sweet Home United Methodist Church in Gadsden, Al. on October 19, 2013. Rev. Watt Washington, a retired United Methodist Pastor and who attends Christ Central Church, had the devotion which was enti-tled “Check-up Time” for our mind and spirit. His Scripture was from Romans 12:1-3. He spoke to us about his “Call to the Ministry.” We only had 2 that were recognized for the Memorial Service. I know we had more from the Moun-tain Lakes District that had passed, but their names were not sent to me. We had 18 persons in attendance, 7 churches represented and there were 2 first timers. Here is a list of churches that attended: Bellevue – 2 Christ Central – 3 Geraldine – 1 Springville First – 3 1 First Timer St. Paul Boaz – 4 1 First Timer Sweet Home- 4 Lester Memorial – 1 Certificates were given out for the Reading Program, Excellence of Study Units, Mission Today Units, and Five Star Giving. As of October 19th, our district was $9100 behind on our pledge for 2013. Our pledge for next year is $20,000. As I have stated before, I will no longer serve as President for the Mountain Lakes District effective December 31, 2013. We are in need of a President, Secretary and Parliamentarian. Dyanne Sterling is the Treasurer, Frances Patterson is Program Resource and Diane Fielder is the Chairperson, Committee on Nominations. If you are interested in any of the positions, please let Diane Fielder know. Thank you Sweet Home United Methodist for hosting the Annual Meeting. Thank you to Sheila Billingsley, President of the Sweet Home UMW, Diane Fielder and Annie Sue Melson. The Mountain Lakes District appreciates your open-ing your church and hearts to us. God Bless Susan Minton

President of Mountain Lakes United Methodist Women

Volume 7, Issue 11 Mountain Lakes News · Mercys Hope was formed in 2007 with the purpose of bringing hope and help to children and young adults whose lives have been directly or

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