Louisiana churches Cope with Flooding
By Sam Hodges 
 
Photo by Max Becherer, Associated Press

     First United Methodist Church in Denham Springs, Louisiana, was proud to be a Red Cross Shelter for people flooded out of their homes late last week. But the good work stopped when floodwaters started closing in on the church itself.  "It became very apparent that we had to evacuate the shelter," said the Rev. Jackie King, pastor.
     Denham Springs would have to turn out the people it was rescuing, as well as volunteers. Sunday services were cancelled.  King and other church leaders have been scrambling to make sure church members are accounted for, and to offer comfort and counsel to the many who have had major flood damage to their homes.  "We'll forever more talk about 'after the flood,'" King said.  "This is catastrophic on a level that even those who have weathered many, many storms have never seen in their lifetime."
     The flooding from heavy rainfalls that began last week has claimed at least seven lives in Louisiana, and prompted the rescue of more than 20,000 people. Thousands fled to shelters, and even Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and his family had to leave the Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge because of flooding and loss of electricity.
     President Obama has signed a disaster declaration for the state, even as officials predicted waters would continue to rise in some areas.
     Louisiana Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey said she is unaware of any United Methodists among the fatalities, but she estimated that a dozen of the denomination's churches have had flood damage, and many church members have major flood damage to their homes.
The area just north of Baton Rouge, including Denham Springs, was especially hard hit because of flooding of the Amite River, she said.  Harvey counseled patience, emphasizing that the situation is still threatening, making volunteer relief work premature.  "Right now,
we're still in the rescue efforts," she said. "We've got to stay out of the way of that. Next will come our trained early responders."
     Harvey predicted it make take a few weeks before volunteer groups can be deployed safely and effectively. However, she said there's an immediate need for cleaning buckets and monetary contributions, which can be made through the United Methodist Committee on Relief or the Louisiana Conference.

Click here to read the full article
Fall Clergy Retreat
RSVP Deadline is Sept. 1

Please note: You may attend the retreat without participating in the
DISC363 for Leaders study.  Enjoy the mountain air & fellowship.   

MOVEMENTUM- RSVP Deadline is Friday, Aug. 26th
We have had a great response in RSVP's across the Conference.  Don't miss this opportunity!
 
Click here for all the info & to register
  

UMCOM Advent Digital Advertising Grants Available
Click here for all the info
The Deadline to apply is October 1st.

21st World Methodist Conference Looms in Houston
by Sam Hodges
 
     At the World Methodist Conference, church politics get checked - mostly - at the door.
There's no legislation, but plenty of preaching, teaching, singing and fellowship.  
Think revival, but also think family reunion, with John Wesley as the common ancestor.
"This is a full-on celebration of the Wesleyan tradition that takes place once every five years," said Sarah Wilke, publisher of The Upper Room, and program chair for the World Methodist Conference set for Aug. 31-Sept. 3 in Houston.
     As reunions go, this will be a big one, with attendance of 2,500 to 3,000 expected. Seventy percent of the early registration is from outside the United States. More than 70 denominations and other church groups will be represented, all sharing a Wesleyan heritage and basic Wesleyan theology.  And some will travel a long, long way.  "Myanmar just signed up!" Wilke said, referring to a Methodist group in the country formerly known as Burma 
Click here to read the full article 

Build your Church Cadre of Coaches!
The Conference is subsidizing the cost of these training opportunities.
Copy and paste this graphic & info to your newsletter or bulletin.


Professional Coach Training - Coaching Foundations
(Module 1 of Coaching4Clergy Coaching Certification Program)
October 19-21, 2016 at Grace UMC - ABQ
$250 (Conference subsidy - $500/person)  Attendee covers travel costs.
Registration deadline - Sept. 7th
Preparation for Professional Coach Certification
(Modules 3 & 4 of Coaching4Clergy Certification Program)
November 7 - 11, 2016 at Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
$700 (Conference subsidy - $1550/person) 
Registration deadline - Sept. 7th

  

Compensation Forms are Updated for 2017
There are two forms and one sheet of instructions.  Please have the forms completed and signed prior to your charge/church conference. 
Contact:  Dru Ann Kuntz - 505-255-8786, ext.102 or
Click here to find the Compensation Materials

New Vision Leadership Training Event
Saturday, October 15th, 9 am - 4 pm at University UMC, Las Cruces, NM

     This event is led by Dr. Peter L. Steinke, Author of Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times, Healthy Congregations, How your Church Family Works, and his newest book, Teaching Fish to Walk: Church Systems and Adaptive Change.  More than 800 people have now been trained in the use of the New Vision materials from 9 different denominations.  Participants will receive the training, materials and lunch.
     To register, please send an email to: hcongregations@austin.rr.com.  Include your name, email address, church affiliation and training location (Las Cruces, NM)
Event registration is $100 per individual or $85 per person, if 2 or more from your church attend.  Payment will be made at the door - checks made out to "New Vision".  (If financial assistance is needed, contact New Vision to make arrangements.)

 
Dr. Peter L. Steinke, "Are we in Crisis or at a time of Opportunity?"
 
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>Aug. 26-27
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RELEVANT, PASSIONATE, AND LIFE-CHANGING CHURCHES

New Mexico Annual Conference  

11816 Lomas Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87112

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Receptionist Hours: 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

(800) 678-8786 toll free; (505) 255-8786; (505) 265-6184 fax

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Please send photos, articles, events, etc. to Alli Costello, Communications Director at alli@nmconfum.com.  Send classified ads to frontdesk@nmconfum.com.