Fifth Episcopal District, CME Church Newsletter
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Presiding Bishop
 August 2013

STAY ON THE WALL

  

At this year's Annual Conferences in the Fifth District, we had a dynamic  combined Bible Study/Leadership Training session each day!  The sessions were led by Rev. Anderson T. Graves, II, pastor of the Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery and Director of the NIHD's Rural Leadership Development Institute.

 
Rev. Graves used the story from the book of Nehemiah to highlight what is required to accomplish the "great work" at hand.  It is a presentation that I would recommend for every local church.  It will transform how you think about leadership and about yourself as a leader. 

  

"Stay on the Wall' became the mantra of Rev. Graves' presentation - that as church leaders, we must not let anything deter us from the work we are called to do.  To fully appreciate this mandate, let us think for just a few minutes about the importance of walls.

 

Walls help define an area, they create a perimeter around an area that we want to preserve and protect, and to some extent they provide security and safety for the inhabitants within the wall.   Nehemiah understood this and realized that the future safety and preservation of the Jewish people depended upon their ability to restore the walls around their community.  They wanted to protect those within the walls as well as keep predators, conquerors, oppressors and destroyers of the community out. When Nehemiah hears about the state of Jerusalem, one of his questions is "Are our walls decayed and destroyed?" because he understood the importance of walls.

 

As we do our work, we must understand the importance of walls and ask ourselves "Are our walls decayed and destroyed?"  The future safety and preservation of the communities where our churches are located and of every community depend upon our ability to maintain, and when necessary, our willingness to restore the walls around our communities.  

  

We need to protect our communities and keep predators, conquerors, oppressors and destroyers of the community out.  

 

To be leaders, we cannot tolerate the invasion of drugs, crime, violence, inferior education, poor community service, anemic governments, corrupt leaders, poverty, racism, sexism, and classism into our communities.  We must rebuild the walls, no matter what the cost, and no matter who may laugh, ridicule, criticize or attempt to deter our efforts. We can do it - one brick at a time, if we refuse to quit and "stay on the wall!

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION....

On the presentations made at the Annual Conference, here is contact information:

  

Bible Study/Leadership Training - Rev. Anderson T. Graves, email: atgravestwo2@aol.com

  

Academy of Public Theology - Rev. Gloria Haynes, email: gloswan4@bellsouth.net, call 205-929-1153

  

Comfort Care Hospice Training on End of Life Issues - Rev. George Hill, email: ghill@comfortcarehospice.org , call 877-231-0321

  

National Alliance of Mental Illness, Faith Based Project (Alabama) - Mrs. Lois Herndon, call 334-396-4797, 

Fifth District Coordinator, Rev. DenTise Copeland, email:denTise7@yahoo.com

  

BP Claims - Eddie Lake, Claims Manager,  678-218-0818 email: elake@claimscomp.com, Information Links: http://bp.claimscomp.com/eddielake

  

Camp LifeSavers Swim lessons - Rev. Shunda Wilkin, email: shunda.wilkin@gmail.com

 

JJ's Freedom Center (A Safe Haven for Children) - Rev. LaVeatrice Crockrom, call 205-202-5628 or email: bugsgardensgrow@yahoo.com, to donate items or to volunteer

    

 

  

"Faith and Fitness"  Updates

  

 The Bishop's Blog 

 

July was worse than June.  With all the annual conferences, I did not exercise much at all.  But it's a new month, so, back to the routine. Here's to happy walking!

 

GARDEN SCRAPBOOKS DUE

NO LATER THAN AUGUST 15TH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GARDEN CONTEST! WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE END OF THE MONTH. 

 

If you did not submit a scrapbook, poster or pictures at the annual conference, please mail them to Fifth Episcopal District, PO Box 13383, Birmingham, AL 35202 or email them to cmec35203@yahoo.com no later than August 15th!

  

 

Thanks for all the samples!  -Bishop

  

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

 

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CME Church Website:

www.thecmechurch.org     
 
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EVENTS  

 

The Alabama Regions will have their Children, Youth and Young Adult Conference on August 9-10 at Shocco Springs Retreat Center, Talladega, Alabama.  The conference will open at noon on Friday and end at noon on Saturday.

 

2013 

PHENOMENAL WOMEN'S SUMMIT!

AUGUST 29-31 in Birmingham

  

   Phen Women Summit logo

All Fifth District Churches are asked to register at least one women.  All Women in Ministry are asked to register and attend!  

 

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

  

 

The Afro American Gospel Choir from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL will be having its annual Back to School Concert on Sunday, September 8th at 3:30 PM on campus. The concert will have performances from local high schools in Tuscaloosa, Stillman College, and the Afro American Gospel Choir. 

  

Save the DATE - NOVEMBER 10, 2013 - I DECIDE TO STOP DIABETES DAY!  Watch future newsletters for more information and resource material.

 

 

Pastoral Concerns

 

Bereavement

  

Rev. Paul Grey (Retired, Southside, Birmingham) died on Saturday, August 3, 2013.  Funeral Arrangements are pending.

 

Rev. Gloria Gregory (Macedonia, Ansley) was funeralized on July 20, 2013 at First CME Church in Montgomery.

 

Army Sargent Justin Johnson, a member of Peaceful Valley CME Church, Hobe Sound was killed last month in in Afghanistan. Funeral services were held at Peaceful Valley. He was a member at Holsey Temple CME during his tween years. His mother, Sonia Scott Randolph, and grandmother, Mollie Scott, are lifelong members of the CME Church along with other family members at Peaceful Valley.  Keep them in prayer.

 

Rhonda Ricks (past District Missionary President, Huntsville District) lost her mother.  The funeral will be August 8, 2013 in Chicago.

 

Rev. Mildred Watson (Smith Tabernacle, Anniston) lost her sister in July.

 

Rev. J. P. Dixon (Mt. Pleasant, Knoxville  ) lost his brother, Rufus Lee Dixon of Wichita, Kansas last month.

 

Rev. Debbie Smith (Mt. Pleasant, Hartselle) lost her grandfather, Bill Malone, last month.

 

Angie Eatmon (Joint Board, NC Alabama Region) lost her cousin, Ruby Nell Woods.

 

Mrs. Helen King (wife of retired Rev. David King, Tuscaloosa District) lost her sister, Velma McDougle, in Detroit on June 27th. 

 

Prayers Needed 

 

Rev. Gregory Woods (Huntsville District) is recovering from surgery.

 

Rev. J. B. Randolph (retired, Tuscaloosa District) is recovering from surgery.

 

Rev. Bryant Faust (Macedonia, Cantonment) is recovering from surgery on a broken arm.

 

Rev. Debbie Smith (Mt. Pleasant, Hartselle) is recovering at home after being hospitalized.

 

Mrs. Mary Carter (widow) continues to deal with illness.

 

Rev. Rose Allen (Bethel, Huntsville) is recovering at home after being hospitalized.

 

Rev. Annie Miles (Tuscaloosa District) is recovering at home after being hospitalized.

 

Rev. Willie Owens (Ackin, Gurley) is anticipating surgery this month.

 

Rev. Diedre Pierce (Shady Grove, Fairfield) is anticipating surgery this month.

 

Rev. Deborah Pace (Lane Chapel, Waldo) needs prayer for health concerns.

 

Donna Smith, daughter of retired Rev. Wilford and Mrs. Ethel Monroe (Miami-Tampa District). 

 

Let us keep them all in prayer!

 

Allman Chapel CME Church's (Sulligent) Vacation Bible School traveled to Splash Adventure in Birmingham on July 27, 2013 for a day of fun in the sun and water!

Allman Chapel VBS

 


BEWARE OF THIS SCAM !

 

Some members of the Fifth District have reported receiving phone calls from persons posing as one of the CME Bishops to ask for assistance for a relative who is traveling or relocating to our area.  These calls are SCAMS.  Do not send any money.  If in doubt about any such request, contact Bishop Snorton's office.

 

 

WEDDING BELLS 

 

Congratulations to Rev. Jeffrey Whitmore (Grey's Temple, West Palm Beach, FL) on his July 20th marriage to Georgia Narine!  We wish you the best!

 

NOTICE

After four consecutive weeks of Annual Conferences, Bishop Snorton will be on vacation August 10-26! She will answer messages, emails, and texts after she returns! Thanks for your consideration.