The Month of May
As children we learned, "April showers bring May flowers". The month of May is special to me because it is my birth month. It also has a lot of "holidays" -- May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day. May includes observances like National Teacher's Appreciation Week and National Nurses' Day! I have a sister, a niece and a nephew, a first cousin and three good friends who also have birthdays in the month of May.
For me May represents the beginning of the summer, the beginning of a season when I have more energy and the weather is better. The month of May reminds me of the psalmist words in Psalm 100:
Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!
Worship the LORD with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
The month of May reminds me that God is faithful even through the dark, cold winter. The signs of new life are in every new blooming flower, tree and plant. The month of May reminds me that God has provided me with a loving mother, family and friends. The month of May reminds me that there is much to be thankful for, dedicated teachers and nurses who work hard serving others, soldiers who died to protect my freedom, and so much more.
I like the month of May! It makes me feel like "SHOUTING WITH JOY" because I belong to the Lord! And the Lord is good!
"Faith and Fitness" Updates
Bishop's Blog
"Trochanteric tendinitus", that's what the orthopedic doctor said was the cause of the excruciating pain in my left hip. The cause was interrupting a good daily exercise routine of stretching and walking! In early April, a multi-day trip disrupted the routine to which my body had become accustomed since the beginning of the year. I wore high heels daily during my trip. And I did NO stretching. I'll never do that again! I am on the mend (I did have to get a cortisone shot in my hip), and anxious to resume walking! In the meantime, I AM stretching everyday. Attending a low impact exercise class sponsored by the American Arthritis Association at the Senior Center in my neighborhood has also helped!
Lose Big-Get Healthy
"12 Weeks of Change" Continues
"Leaving Diabetes Behind", a project of the Faith and Fitness sponsored by Black People Run Bike and Swim, The Fifth Episcopal District and Thirgood Memorial CME Church, was launched on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. The first session of "12 Weeks of Change To A Healthier Lifestyle" brought more than 85 individuals together from churches on the Birmingham District and churches from other denominations in Birmingham. Each week, participants are evaluated for progress on their individualized plans, exercise together as well as receive education in nutrition, meal planning, cooking, and other health related topics!
Garden Contest has begun!
The "Leaving Diabetes Behind" project also provided nine CME churches with $50 gift cards for seeds or supplies to plant vegetable gardens. The gardens promote healthy nutrition, education about gardening and sharing with our neighbors. Participants include:
Thirgood, Birmingham, AL
St. Mark, Birmingham, AL
Mt. Ararat, Alexandria, AL
Brown Temple, Sheffield, AL
Cedar Grove, Moscow, AL
Mt Zion, Smith's Station, AL
St. Paul, Salem, AL
St. Mary's, Quincy, FL
Trinity, Tampa, FL
Pastor Desi Echoles inspects the new garden at Thirgood!
Next Generation Gardener at Thirgood! 
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: cmec35203@yahoo.com Twitter: @cme5th Office Phone: 205-929-1145 Office Fax: 205-929-1190 NEW! CME Church Website: www.thecmechurch.org |
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Announcements
Please send your GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS to the Episcopal Office via email to cmec35203@yahoo.com by the end of May in order to be included in the June newsletter. Please include graduate's name, church, school and degree completed and any future plans (be brief, please).
Advertise your business in the CME Business Directory. The Directory, which will be available beginning at the 2013 Unity Summit in September, is designed to promote African-American businesses, CME-owned businesses, minority businesses and small business throughout the connection. The price for an ad in the Directory is $50. Application forms are available from the Episcopal District Office.
Upcoming Events 
May 11
Graduation at Phillips School of Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta.
May 17-18
Florida Region Ministry to Men's Retreat, Christian Retreat Center, Bradenton, FL, Registration $120. Contact Mr. George Powell by email at 1Ministry2men@gmail.com.
May 23-25
National Black Women In Ministry and Leadership Conference, Marriott Atlanta Airport Hotel. (Bishop Snorton is a panelist on Friday and Saturday).For more information and registration visit www.blackwomeninchurchandsociety.com.
May 26 (Sunday)
Florida Ministers Spouses, Widows and Widowers Annual Unity Day, Trinity CME Church, Tampa, FL
June 8 (Saturday)
Birmingham Region Stewardess Luncheon, 12 noon, Pell City Civic Center
June 9 (Sunday)
NATIONAL CME STEWARDESS DAY
2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCES MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW! DEADLINES ARE SOON! June 8 -------SE Alabama June 16------NC Alabama June 25 -----Florida June 30 -----Birmingham PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE CONFERENCE IS JUNE 30th! DATES, LOCATIONS, SCHEDULES AND REGISTRATION FORMS are now available on our website, www.cmefifthdistrict.org, or click here! Pastors, Delegates, Visitors and ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH are asked to pre-register. The Florida Region Children and Youth Conference will be during annual conference July 24-26 at the Conference Hotel. The Florida Young Adult Retreat will be on the Fri-Sat, July 26th-27th, following the Annual Conference. The Alabama Regions will have their Children, Youth and Young Adult Conference on August 9-10 at Shocco Springs Retreat Center, Talladega, Alabama. Registration is open for the 2013 PHENOMENAL WOMEN'S SUMMIT! AUGUST 29-31 in Birmingham  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 Pastoral Concerns Bereavement Rev. Samuel Garrett (retired, Anniston District) made his transition this month. His funeral was at Jacobs Chapel on May 6th. Keep his wife, Rev. Garrett and their children in prayer. Rev. Henry Brown (New Jones Chapel, Decatur) lost his brother. Please pray for the family. Mrs. Mary Lacy (Florida Region Widow) made her transition in April. Keep her daughter Linda and the family in prayer. Prayers Needed Rev. O. R, Jackson (retired, Florida Region) recently had a kidney transplant in St. Louis. Rev. Gloria Gregory (Macedonia, Ansley, AL) had a stroke and is now in rehab. Rev. Cassandra Weakley (Allman Chapel, Sulligent, AL) has been in the hospital. Rev. Imogene Jackson Rose (Florida Region) has been in the hospital. Rev. Anderson Graves (Hall Memorial, Montgomery) is recovering from knee surgery. |
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