The United Methodist Reporter

Volume 152 Number 42

Reporter.Memphis-UMC.org

February 17, 2006

Briefly…

Deadlines for Reports/Materials in 2006 Annual Conference workbook

•Written reports to be printed in Pre-Conference Workbook due by March 17.

•Requests for listing of luncheons, etc. to be printed in Workbook due March 17.

•Loose materials to be mailed with Workbook due April 14.

•Materials for programs (Orders of Worship, Ordination, etc.) due April 21.

•Materials for AC registration hand-out packet due May 5.

Please send typewritten reports on 8-1/2 x 11 white paper printed one side only. Please hold reports to one page. Reports may be sent on CD, faxed or emailed. If you send a CD or fax a printed copy, be sure format is correct. Fax to 731-660-5712. Email to bfrouse@bellsouth.net.

Questions, call 731-664-8480.

Older Adult Ministries’ Training, MarCH 16, Northside

Dr. Gene Davenport, Chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Lambuth University, is the keynote speaker at the Older Adult Ministries Training seminar, “Intergenerational Programming,” to be held at Northside UMC, March 16, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The cost is $15 (lunch included). Scholarships are available. “... I believe that worship, usually, and Christian education, frequently, should be intergenerational,” said Davenport. “This is vital for helping children, youth and adults of all ages develop a vision of the church as a corporate body in which age should be a dividing factor no more than race or gender.” The day will include round table discussions, communion and commissioning. To register, send name, address, church, phone number and email plus your check for $15 (made out to Older Adult Ministries) to: Memphis Conference, 24 Corporate Blvd., Jackson, TN 38305-2315.

Youth Annual Conference, Come “Get your F.I.X” (Faith in Christ)

On March 31–April 2, the youth of the Memphis Conference will meet at Lakeshore for Youth Annual Conference, “Get Your F.I.X” or Faith In Christ. The concert artist is Olivia; the speakers are Bishop Dick Wills (Friday), the Rev. Jerome Scales Jr. (Saturday), and Chase Simpson & Jennie Douglas (Sunday). Worship will be led by Ben Hampton (Lambuth University), and the Conference Youth Council.

At Youth Annual Conference, officers will be elected to the Conference Youth Council, resolutions debated, Design Teams will meet to work on Missions, Rallies, Recreation, Retreats, Youth Relations and the Youth Service Fund. Registrants will also worship, go to a great concert, and have fun.

The cost is $75 per person–which includes room, board, t-shirt, concert, leader development, games and more.

Check at your church for brochures. For more info, call Deb Suddarth at 731-664-8480.

Health & Healing Clinic to open in Jackson

A clinic modeled on the Church Health Center in Memphis will open in Jackson, Tenn. in the spring. Healthcare will be offered to the working poor at a reduced rate. The clinic will be housed at 691 Skyline Drive. Dr. Bethany Lawrence has agreed to be medical director. •

Coming soon: Small Church Summit

Bishop Joe Pennel

Rev. Joe Beal	Rev. Daphne Moses	Nancy Hardin
Rev. Jerry Hassell	Rev. Tim Atkins	Rev. Joe Moseley
Rev. Joey Reed	Marcia Tate	Rose Lewis

By Cathy Farmer

_Coming soon to a location near you is the Small Church Summit. Designed to offer creative, effective ministries for congregations ranging in size from small to medium, the summits will feature eight sessions by knowledgeable leaders plus a keynote speech by Bishop Joe Pennel. The registration fee of $10 includes a continental breakfast and box lunch.

The first summit will be on Saturday, March 25, at Germantown United Methodist Church 2332 S. Germantown Rd. Germantown, Tenn. The second will be on Saturday, April 8, in Fulton, Ky. at First United Methodist Church, 200 Carr Street.

Both summits will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and continental breakfast. They will end promptly by 12:45 p.m with a box lunch that can be taken home or enjoyed on site.

The Rev. Roger Hopson, director of connectional ministries, said, “The small membership church has been and continues to be a vital part of the United Methodist family. The Program Ministries team has talked to local churches about providing resourcing that can help them live out their gospel mandate.

“After listening to local church concerns,” he continued, “the Small Church Summit was designed for maximum effectiveness in helping to strengthen the local church.”

Bishop Pennel, recently retired as the episcopal leader of the Virginia Conference and now living in Nashville, will address the “hot button issues” of the church.

Recent decisions by the Judicial Council on whether or not pastors have the power to decide who becomes a member of a local church and its reversal of a lower court ruling about a lesbian pastor have caused tremendous debate.

Bishop Pennel will talk about those decisions and other “hot button” topics that divide congregations and the denomination.

The talented leaders of the sessions will be drawn from the Memphis Conference.

“The Neighborhood Changed When We Weren’t Looking.” The Rev. Joe Beal, pastor of Northside United Methodist Church in Paducah, Ky., will be offering ideas for those churches who find themselves living in transitional communities. An African-American pastor, Beal leads a predominantly white church that’s trying to relate to its diverse community.

“Mission Possible.” Daphne Moses, coordinator of Memphis Conference Volunteers in Missions (VIM), will show churches how to become involved in VIM through short term mission trips in the United States and internationally. She also plans to talk about disaster response, how to be an Individual Volunteer and other UMVIM projects.

“Buenos Dias and God Bless You.” Nancy Hardin, chair of Disability Concerns for the conference, will offer easy ideas for being in Hispanic Ministry–without being able to speak Spanish.

“Overcoming Fear in the One Talent Church.” The Rev. Jerry Hassell will bring practical ideas to help small membership churches make their smallness an asset instead of a liability in Christian stewardship.

“Keeping Your Church From Getting Sued.” The Rev. Tim Atkins says, “Protect your church from the top legal risks facing churches and church leaders!”

“Healthy Churches Grow in Any Setting.” The Rev. Joe Moseley believes any church an grow if the model is biblical and Christ-centered. Evangelism isn’t a numbers game, the key is making disciples.

“Getting the Word Out in Your Community–On a Budget.” The Rev. Joey Reed will share methods of reaching the unchurched with resources already at your disposal.

“Single Digit Youth Groups.” Marcia Tate and Rose Lewis, youth group leaders at Schoolfield UMC, will come with creative programming for small youth groups.

Check with your pastor for registration forms. Please choose only one workshop. If you have questions, call Cathy Farmer at 731-664-8480. •

Age doesn’t stop Whitehaven man; octogenarian continues to volunteer as disaster relief worker

The Rev. Martha Wagley wishes Paul Efnor well as he leaves for Ocean Springs, Mississippi with the Memphis Conference Area 1 Disaster Recovery team.

By Sandra Mathias

Memphis First Church member

_When Hurricane Katrina struck the coastline of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, many here in the Mid-South felt compelled to help the victims of the disaster. Some gave money, some donated food and clothing, and many prayed.

However, some citizens felt they had to do even more. So they left their comfortable homes and families and traveled to the storm-ravaged areas to help the victims pick up the pieces of their lives.

One such volunteer was Whitehaven, Tenn. resident Paul Efnor. Efnor, a member of First United Methodist Church in downtown Memphis, is a volunteer with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). He and about 42 others traveled with one of the Memphis Conference Disaster Relief teams to Ocean Springs, Miss., for a one-week mission. Their goal was to clean and sanitize as many flooded homes as possible.

The team traveled in a caravan of trucks, trailers and ATVs, taking their own tools. It was a labor-intensive mission of pulling wet wallboard, clearing trash and cutting down fallen trees.

What is truly remarkable about Paul Efnor is not just that he volunteered his time to go to Ocean Springs on this mission, but the fact that he is 81 years young. His energy, knowledge and mechanical skills are an inspiration to everyone he knows.

After returning from this mission, Paul intended to volunteer for a second mission, but due to a severe hand injury sustained while in Ocean Springs, he was not able to go a second time. His hand required surgery and he is now healing.

As his pastor at Memphis First Church, the Rev. Martha B. Wagley praises Paul’s dedication to helping others in need–not only in the aftermath of Katrina, but also in response to tornado damage in West Tennessee.

“For many years, Paul has served unselfishly at First Church offering repairs, knowledge, dedication and a spirit of love to the community of faith,” said Wagley. “It is a joy to be his minister and witness the sacrifice he makes of his time and knowledge to help others.” •

Register by March 15 for UMCOR Case Management Training

By Joe Moseley

_The devastation brought about by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region coupled with our own needs in Western Kentucky due to recent tornadoes, has created a great need for Case Managers. In Kentucky, at least 140 families are still suffering the effects of the storm.

Christy Smith, chairperson of the Memphis Conference Program Ministry Team and a national trainer for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), will be conducting Case Management Training classes in our conference.

Conference plans disaster database

The classes are for those interested in becoming a certified case manager in order to serve either those affected by the recent tornadoes in our conference, those affected by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast Region, or to be prepared to respond in the event of a future disaster in our conference or jurisdiction.

Certification through the conference will expire in three years and refresher courses will be offered. The names of trained case managers who are willing to volunteer in the conference or surrounding conferences will be entered into a conference disaster database.

Those interested must send their name, address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address (if applicable) to the Rev. Joe Moseley at:

Program Ministry Office

24 Corporate Blvd.

Jackson, TN 38305-2315

Contact Moseley by phone at (731) 664-8480 or by email: brojoemo@bellsouth.net

Each class is limited to 25. Training location(s) will be determined by the area(s) showing the most interest.

The deadline for expressing an interest is March 15, 2006. Dates, times, and locations will follow and those expressing an interest will be contacted.

Depending on the level of interest, subsequent classes may be scheduled later this year. •