Fifth Episcopal District, CME Church Newsletter
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Presiding Bishop
June 2014

HISTORIC 

FIRST GRADUATION OF THE ACADEMY FOR PUBLIC THEOLOGY HELD AT MILES COLLEGE

 

A class of 30 ministers and laypersons graduated from the Academy for Public Theology on Saturday, May 31, 2014 in the Auditorium in Pearson Hall at Miles College.  Over 200 family and friends gathered to celebrate with the group who had devoted the past two years in theology studies.  Rev. Dr. L. H. Whelchel, professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, challenged the students with a profound message entitled "Stand Your Ground"!

 

The Academy is a concept that "brings the school to the people" in an effort to overcome the barriers that often keep pastors from doing theological study - TIME, ACCESS  and COSTS.  Classes were held on Monday nights in Birmingham, Huntsville, Opelika, Chathom, Orlando and via conference call in Florida. The Academy is open to clergy and lay with no required level of education or experience in ministry.

 

Students completed a total of 12 classes, each having a total of 12 hours of instruction, over the course of two years.  Classes in Bible, Church History, Church Administration, Preaching and Worship and Pastoral Care and Ethics are a part of the curriculum.  The Academic Dean of the Academy is W. Clyde Williams, Ph.D., retired CME pastor from the SE Alabama Region.  Rev. Dr. Gloria Haynes of the Anniston District serves as Associate Dean and Director of Student Affairs. Rev. Mary McKinney served as Associate Dean for the Florida location.  

 

Faculty of the Academy is made up of pastors in the Fifth District who hold an M.Div. degree or higher:  Anthony Alford, Vanesse Burns, Geraldine Daniels, Desi Echoles, Keith Ellison, William Larkin, Jermaine Marshall, Oscar Massey, Alford McClaney, Nicholas O'Neal, Dollie Pankey, Janice Smith, Kenneth Thomas, John Walker, Jr, Mildred Watson, Brenda Williams and Gregory Williams (from the 6th Episcopal District).  The Academy is offered under the auspices of the National Institute for Human Development, Inc. (NIHD) where Bishop Teresa Snorton serves as Chair of the Board of Directors.

 

Click here to see the list of graduates!

Congratulations to each one of them!

 

Click here to read Dr. W. Clyde Williams' Charge to the Graduates!

 

For more information on the Academy, email [email protected] or call 205-929-1153.

 

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MORE GRADUATES

 

HIGH SCHOOL

 

Glen Edward Jones II (Star of Bethlehem, Moundville, AL), son of the late Rev. Glen Edward Jones, Sr. and Mrs. Doris Jones, Green County High School.

 

Breonna Oden (Greenfield, Cropwell, AL ), Pell City High School.

 

Jasmine Wallace (Mt Zion CME Church, Hamilton, AL), Hamilton High School.

 

COLLEGE

 

Katherine P. Blackburn (Porter St. Paul, Northport, AL) University of Alabama, BA in Political Science

 

Jeremy Peeples ( St. Paul, Selma, AL), Louisiana State University

 

Jennie Peeples  (St. Paul, Selma. AL), Tuskegee University

 

Rickdrieka Sanders (St. Paul, Selma, AL), Selma University, BS in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude

 

SEMINARY AND GRADUATE SCHOOL

 

Rev. Charles Williams (Pastor, Trinity, North Birmingham, AL), Interdenominational Theological Center, Phillips School of Theology,  Master of Divinity Degree

 

Rev. Ernestine Fountain (Pastor,  Pine Grove, Daphne, AL) Florida Apostolic Bible Institute and Vocational School, Cantonment, FL, Masters in Bible Studies, Valedictorian -Magna -Cum -Laude

  

BISHOP'S 

Faith and Fitness BLOG

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Here is a snapshot of one week of my moving/walking.  Goal is 10,000 steps per day.

 

Date

Number of Steps

Number of Miles

Sun, 

May 25th

  7,559

3.16

Mon, 

May 26th

11,026

4.60

Tues, 

May 27th

  7,102

2.97

Wed, 

May 28th

  4,972

2.08

Th,

May 29th

  6,392

2.67

Fr, 

May 30th

11,027

4.60

Sat, 

May 31st

 5,369

2.24


May 28th, my least active day, is the day my mother had surgery and I spent most of the day sitting and waiting! 

She is recovering very well from the surgery!

 

HEALTH TIP - ALLERGIES

Linda Forte', PhD

 

Spring has sprung and for those affected, so have the allergens!  An allergen is any substance that causes a hypersensitivity reaction or abnormal immune response.  An allergy is an immune response to a foreign antigen that results in inflammation or organ dysfunction.  Allergies range from life-threatening to annoying and include laryngeal edema, shock, blood transfusions, food, itching, hay fever, rhinitis (runny nose) and conjunctivitis (red eyes).  Allergies affect approximately twenty percent of the U.S. population.

 

Substances that induce allergic responses include foods, animals, fungal spores, dust mites, and metal/rubber products.  Most severe reactions are caused by stings, penicillin products, radiological contrast media, and latex.  Avoidance is the first step in treating allergies.  The second step is treatment with antihistamines, corticosteriods, cromolyn and epinephrine.  The drug of choice depends on the severity of the reaction.  If the reaction is severe, preservation of the airway is imperative.  Call 911 for transport to the nearest medical facility.  If your healthcare provider has prescribed epinephrine, fill the prescription and use as instructed in life-threatening situations.

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GARDEN CONTEST

 

The following churches have signed up for this year's garden contest.  If your church's name is missing, please contact the Episcopal District Office as soon as possible at [email protected]

 

Bass Tabernacle, Akron, AL

Brown Temple, Sheffield, AL

Cedar Grove, Sulligent, AL

Greater St. Paul, Akron, AL

St. Mark, Titusville, Birmingham, AL

St. Mary, Quincy, FL

Mt. Zion, Smith Station, AL

  

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Contact Us:

 

Mailing Address:

P. O. Box 13383

Birmingham, AL 35202

 

Office Location:

4901 Lloyd Noland Parkway

Fairfield, AL 35164

 

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ABOVE!!!

 

Email: 

[email protected]

   

Office Phone:

205-929-1145

 

Website:     

www.cmefifthdistrict.org

  

Facebook:  

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

 

Twitter: 

@cme5th

 

CME Church Website:
www.thecmechurch.org 

 

 

 

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PENTECOST

(Read Acts 2)

 

We think of Pentecost as a single event, when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. In reality Pentecost is an ongoing event.  The Holy Spirit is still moving and working among us.  In an age that is driven by logic, media sound bites and social hotspots like Facebook and Twitter, it is often difficult to leave room for the mystery and majesty of God.  God's presence and power was manifested on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts, Chapter 2.  That same presence and power is very much with us in today's world.

 

The social forces of today play on our emotions, appeal to our darkside, draw out our desire for the sensational and the extreme, and in many ways engage us in an unspoken game of "one-upsmanship" as even church folks "compete" to post the most "religious" saying, video or prayer of the day!

 

But the season of Pentecost calls out our ability to be in awe of things we don't understand, to surrender our imagined control of things, to expect the unexpected and to stand ready to be used by God.

 

Sometimes referred to as the "Birthday of the Church", Pentecost Sunday is 50 days after Easter.

 

This year PENTECOST SUNDAY IS JUNE 8, 2014.  The liturgical color for the season is RED.

 

 

YOU CAN PURCHASE CD's of the 
2014 Alabama Spring Convocation

CDs from the 2014 Alabama Regions Spring Convocation can be acquired at https://squareup.com/market/star-of-bethlehem-cme-church.com.


GENERAL CONFERENCE 
DELEGATE INFORMATION

Delegates', Alternates' and Orderlies' registration has been submitted and  housing has been paid for by your region. If you have not done so already, please finalize your travel arrangements. NOTE: The conference schedule has been revised to end earlier on Friday, July 4th to facilitate flight schedules. The Consecration Service will begin at 9 am on that day and end by 11:30 am. See the full schedule for the General Conference at http://www.thecmechurch.org/GeneralConference2014/Program.pdf


2014 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 
INFORMATION
 

Birmingham Region        

W-Fri, July 9-11, 2014     

Thirgood CME Church, Host

Holiday Inn, 492 Wildwood Circle N, Birmingham, AL 35209          

 

North Central Alabama Region

W-Fri July 16-18, 2014

Phillips CME Church, Host

Embassy Suites, 800 Monroe St. SW, Huntsville, AL 35801

 

Southeast Alabama Region

W-Fri, July 23-15, 2014

Stewart Memorial CME Church, Host

Mobile Marriott Hotel, 3101 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL 36606

 

Florida Region

W-Fri, July 30- Aug 1, 2014

Holsey CME Church, Host

Holiday Inn Hotel-Westshore Blvd. , 700 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609


NEW Pastoral Report Forms will be available by June 15th.  This is a new online form that every CME Church will use, so that we can streamline our collection of data and statistics for the Connectional Church. Watch the website www.cmefifthdistrict.org for the form. Please do not use old forms.

Pastors and Ministers on Trial can find the Continuing Education Report Form at http://www.cmefifthdistrict.org/5th_episcopal_district_forms

Registration forms are available at www.cmefifthdistrict.org. Note that there is the option to purchase meal tickets for the Birmingham and North Central Alabama Conference. It is recommended that you purchase these meal tickets along with your registration so that the host church can prepare enough food daily.   REGISTRATION DEADLINES ARE APPROACHING!

Background checks are required for all persons who wish to be admitted on trial at the Annual Conferences. A background check form is available at http://www.cmefifthdistrict.org/5th_episcopal_district_forms

 


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 

Saturday, June 7th at 11 am

Appreciation Celebration for Presiding Elder Oscar Massey, Tuscaloosa District, Bailey Tabernacle CME Church, Tuscaloosa, 

 

Saturday, June 7th

Huntsville District Conference, Jackson Chapel, Courtland, AL, Presiding Elder Janice Lewis

 

Sunday, June 8th at 2 pm

PENTECOST EXPLOSION "Overflow: Catch the Fire", Alabama State University, Hornet Stadium, Montgomery, AL. CME's are wearing white shirts and blouses!

 

Monday-Wednesday, June 9th -11th

Revival, Mt. Zion CME Church, Alpine, AL, Rev. Richard Shaw, guest preacher

 

Friday-Saturday, June 13th-14th

 Montgomery-Phenix City-Opelika District Conference, Phillips Temple, Phenix City, Presiding Elder Richard Hassell

 

Saturday, June 14th at 10 am

NAMI Mental Health Awareness Training and Workshop, MPCO District Conference, Phillips Temple, Phenix City, AL. All pastors on the district are expected to attend. Event is open to all.

 

Saturday, June 21st at 9 am

Mental Health Awareness Training, Mobile District, sponsored by NAMI, Cooper-Lewis CME Church, Chatom, AL . All pastors on the district are expected to attend. Event is open to the public.

 

Saturday, June 21st at 6 pm

"Rolling of the Scroll" Memorial Service, Family and Friends Season, Beth-el CME Church, Sarasota, FL. 

 

Sunday, June 22nd 10 am

Family and Friends Worship Service, Beth-el CME Church, Sarasota, FL

 

Saturday,  June 28th from 11am - 3pm

Parents Against Violence "Save Our Youth Day", Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham, AL

 

Saturday, June 28th - Friday, July 4th

CME General Conference, Baltimore, MD  For details visit www.thecmechurch.org

 

 JULY EVENTS

 

July 17-19, 2014

Miles College National Alumni Association Conference

1000 Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, AL 35244

Click here to see the registration brochure or contact

William Breeding at [email protected] for information.

 

Saturday, July 19th at 8:30 am

1st Annual  Rolling on the Greens Golf Tournament sponsored by Beth-El CME Church, held at Bobby Jones Golf Course, 100 Circus Blvd, Sarasota, FL. Registration: Individuals ($65) Team of 4 ($260)

 

128th Church Anniversary Worship Service, Mt. Olive CME Church, Orlando, FL 

   

Phen Women Summit logo  

Calling all

Phenomenal Women of 

all ages.....

 

Register today for the 3rd Annual

PHENOMENAL WOMEN'S SUMMIT

August 28-30, 2014

Sheraton Hotel and BJCC

Birmingham, AL

 

Space is limited!

 

To register and get other details, go to

www.phenomenalwomenssummit.com

 

 


3rd ANNUAL 

CME UNITY SUMMIT

September 23-26, 2014

Memphis, TN

Click Here to Register Now!

Click Here to Become a Sponsor!

 

 

PASTORAL CONCERNS

 

 

Funeral Services for Mrs. Janzetta Rogers, Birmingham Region Missionary Society Treasurer, were held at Moody Temple CME Church on May 10, 2014.  Keep her family in prayer.

 

Florida Lay Leader Ernest Upson's nephew, Edward Raynard Upson, made his transition in May. Funeral Services were held in Orlando.

 

Rev. Gregory Woods, Huntsville District, is praying to be a candidate soon for a kidney transplant.

 

Let us continue to pray for and assist those families affect by the recent tornadoes and stormy weather!

 

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There will be no Fifth District newsletter during the months of July and August.  

Watch your email for special announcements and "News You Can Use".

 

Have a Safe and Happy Summer!

 

Don't forget to support your local church while you are traveling!