Fifth Episcopal District, CME Church Newsletter
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Presiding Bishop
March 2013
"Lent" or "Lint"

 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?  2 Corinthians 13:5

 

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. I Corinthians 11:28

 

As a child, I was confused by this season of the year and could not figure out why Christians would celebrate "lint".  I knew lint was that stuff that I had to get out of the dryer screen so the house wouldn't catch on fire.  Lint was those annoying balls of material that appeared on wool coats, sweaters, socks and pants and had to be picked off one by one.  Lint would get on the sofa and have to be brushed off.  Why in world was the church excited about "lint"?

 

Of course, as I got older, I learned the difference between "lint" and "Lent", the season of preparation for Easter in the Christian Church.  But in my mind, when I hear the word "Lent", those childhood images still pop into my mind.

 

Interesting enough, I have found a connection between the two sound-alike words.  Lent is a time of self-examination and penitence.  As we recall what Christ did for us through his death and resurrection, believers are called to recommit themselves in a sacrificial spirit.  That is why many people "give up" things - sweets, sodas, meat - for Lent. 

 

Lent is the time when we are to open our eyes and acknowledge the things that prevent is from fully being who God made us to be.  We pick off the things that don't look good in our lives - greed, laziness, doubt, fear, impatience, selfishness, bitterness and so on - just as we would pick the balls of lint off of a precious garment.  Often these attitudes and behaviors seem small and inconsequential, but they are barriers to true faithful living.

 

Just as we are instructed to examine ourselves before we take communion, the church's Lenten season is an invitation to examine ourselves.  Lent is the season of getting ready to receive the gift that God gave us through his son Jesus' sacrifice.  

 

God wants us to be our best, so "Lent" is a good time to take care of the "lint" that has been distorting our true beauty as the children of God and as inheritors of eternal life through a resurrected Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

  

Bits and Pieces.

 

Classes for the Spring Semester of the ACADEMY FOR PUBLIC THEOLOGY began February 4th. Courses include New Testament Survey (February), Contemporary Preaching (March) and Church Administration (April). Classes will be in Birmingham, Huntsville, Phenix City and Chatom. For more information, email Dean Gloria Haynes at [email protected] or call 205-929-1153.

 

If you want to invite Bishop Snorton to preach or visit, you will find her schedule on the Fifth District website www.cmefifthdistrict.org

to check her availability.

 

The CME Church has a new website -www.thecmechurch.org.

For instructions on how to keep the site updated by visit www.thecmechurch.org/Announcements/CMEWebsiteupdate.htm. You can add your local church in the CME Church directory, submit photos and videos of your local church, Region or Episcopal District special events (with the appropriate permissions), and provide feedback.

  

  

Donate to the Faith Walk

March 24, 2013

 

Please support Rev. Kenneth Smith, pastor of the Mt. Ararat Church in Alexandria, Alabama on his Palm Sunday, March 24th Faith Walk of 18 miles. Individuals and churches are asked to make a donation. Donations can be made online on his website. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Association.  Rev. Smith is a cancer survivor! For more information click here to go to his website!  Download his information letter here!

  

Upcoming Events

 

March 3-9       National Week of Prayer for the Healing of                             HIV/AIDS www.nwpha.org

 

March 7 (Th)   Birmingham Pastors meet with School                 Superintentent, Churches Addressing Violence                             Project, Sixteenth St. Baptist Church, 10 - 11:30                         am

 

 March  16  Come see our own Desirae (Desi) Washington          (member of Oak Grove, Athens) in concert with the                      University of Alabama Afro American Gospel                                Choir at 5 pm  at the University Church of Christ,                          Tuscaloosa, AL

 

March 22        Miles College Founder's Day  11 am

                      First Baptist Church, Fairfield, AL 

 

March 22-23   Alabama Regions Spring Convocation

Sheraton Hotel, Birmingham

 

March 24        Birmingham Region Annual Stewardess Day

4 pm, Thirgood CME Church, Birmingham

 

March 25-29    Holy Week 

Click here for information on Smith Tabernacle (Anniston) Tent Revival 

 

April 5-6          Florida Region Spring Convocation

Wyndam Hotel- Tampa Westshore

 

Click here for Registration, Hotel, and Schedule information and forms for both the Alabama and Florida 2013 Spring Convocations.

 

The HOTEL deadline for the Alabama Regions Spring Convocation at the Sheraton Birmingham was FEBRUARY 19!  Reservations now taken based on room availability.

 

The HOTEL deadline for the Florida Regions Spring Convocation at the Wyndam Hotel-Tampa Westshore is MARCH 22!

 

2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCE DATES AND LOCATIONS are posted on our website, www.cmefifthdistrict.org, or click here.

  

 

Contact Us:

 

Mailing Address:

P. O. Box 13383

Birmingham, AL 35202

 

Office Location:

4901 Lloyd Nolan Parkway

Fairfield, AL 35164

PLEASE DO NOT SEND MAIL TO THIS ADDRESS, USE THE POST OFFICE BOX ABOVE!!!

 

Website:     

www.cmefifthdistrict.org

  

Facebook:  

5th Episcopal District of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME)

 

Email: 

[email protected]

   

Twitter: 

@cme5th

 

Office Phone:

205-929-1145

   

Office Fax:

205-929-1190

 

NEW!

CME Church Website:

www.thecmechurch.org     
 
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PASTORAL CONCERNS
 
BEREAVEMENT
 
Rev. Eunice Lyles (MPCO District) lost her mother, Evelyn Williams, last month.
 
Rev. Edna Barclay-Scott lost her father, Mr. Williams Barclay, who was 101 years old.
 
PRAYERS
 
Presiding Elder Ollie Hatchett (Huntsville District) is recovering from hand surgery.
 
Rev. Gregory Woods (Huntsville District) has been hospitalized.
 
Mrs. Annie Williams, sister of Mrs. Helen and Rev. David King (Huntsville District) is recovering from a serious auto accident. 
 
Nina Calloway Livingston, daughter of Mrs. Nancy Calloway (Miami-Tampa District) has been ill.
 
Lucinda Rivers, sister of Rev. Mary McKinney (Jacksonville-Orlando District) has been in the hospital. 
 
Rev. James Carlisle, retired pastor (MPCO District) is ill.
 
GARDEN CONTEST BEGINS IN MARCH.
  Hall Memorial Garden 2
(picture of Hall Memorial  in Montgomery's 2012 garden)  
The Bishop's Blog
 
In January I made a commitment to begin to get fit by walking. That first month, I walked 14 of 31 days.  In February I managed to walk 19 of 28 days.  The weather forced me to be creative, but I was able to tailor my 30 minute walk/stretch routine to malls, shopping centers, hotel parking lots, as well as inside the house.
 
I also became more aware of what I am eating. While I am not "dieting", I have decided to eat better and eliminate all the snacking I tend to do. Bottom line, I feel a lot better and I look forward to my walks.  Thanks for the encouragement!

March is 
National Nutrition Month!
For more information and resources, visit
Bass Tabernacle Garden 3

(picture of vegetables from Bass Tabernacle's 

2012 garden) 

 

Registration is open for the 

2013 

PHENOMENAL WOMEN'S SUMMIT!

  

Phen Women Summit logo  

Save the Date--- August 29-30-31, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Birmingham at the Sheraton Hotel. Spread the word!! Come together in groups- churches, families, friends! Pay your deposit of $50 today! 

 

Click here to download the registration form! 

 

or visit our website for details, sponsor information and online registration

www.phenomenalwomenssummit.com

 

For highlights from the 2012 Summit, visit

 

 

 

REBUILDING OF PORTER CHAPEL (BESSEMMER, AL) 

SHOWING SIGNS OF PROGRESS

 

The Porter Chapel Church, which was destroyed by fire almost two years ago, is excited about its new sanctuary.  The new building should be finished by early summer.  Rev. Norman Dill II is the pastor.