B U S I N E S S N A M E. The Power of Prayer

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1 Volume 6, Issue 1 January 2012 B U S I N E S S N A M E The Power of Prayer I believe in prayer. I would like to think that every born again believer does also. I believe that God is calling the Mountain Lakes District to be a District where we call upon God to bless us indeed. With that said I would like to invite you to join me in a District wide effort for I am calling it Seeking Heaven at Seven. I am simply asking each church to invite its members to call out to our Lord each morning at 7:00 am and to ask God to bless your local church. You may desire to be systematic, praying for the children s department one week and your pastor the next week. You may desire to ask God to enable your church to reach someone who has yet to confess Him as Lord and Savior. You may spend a week praying for an up- coming Missions trip, whatever is on your heart pray for it. Now let me ask you, Do you think that hundreds of people praying for our churches at the same time each day will make a difference? I believe the answer is a resounding yes! So I am asking each Pastor and each Lay Leader in each church to challenge your members to come into holy covenant with God and with all the other churches in our District and pray. God promised if His people who were called by His name would pray and seek His face and turn from their evil ways, that He would hear from heaven and heal our land or in our case heal our churches. I do not want this to be anonymous I want it to be known who is praying. In fact if each church could send in the names of those who are praying I would like to create an blast that would go out weekly to all our prayer warriors. I believe that God is going to give us hundreds of people who are praying for our churches daily! Ask your people to turn in their names on a prayer card, to include their address and let s connect and unite in prayer. Also I would like to encourage all the Pastors in our District to attend the Prayer Summit. It begins at 10:00am Monday January 23 and ends at 4:00pm Wednesday January 25. If finances are an issue please contact the District. I want to encourage each church to help your Pastor financially so that he or she can have this experience that will bless your church. Remember the first vow we take when we join the church is that we will pray for our church, here in the Mountain Lakes District we intend to keep this promise to God and to each other. Robin Scott District Superintendent 1/7-Dcom Interviews, 8:30am-1PM, Christ Central UMC 1/9-Circuit Riders 1/12-Dcom Interviews, 4PM-8PM, The Summit 1/27-1/28-Children s Leaders Conference, Gardendale/ Mt Vernon UMC U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

2 Page 2 The Mountain Lakes District Office has moved back to it s original location at 2804 Wills Creek Road, Gadsden, AL (256) Fax (256) rscott@northalabamaumc.org amy@mldistrict.org

3 Page 3 Bishop announces Cabinet appointment 11/20/11 Lyn Cosby North Alabama Conference Bishop William Willimon has appointed Rev. Robin Scott to become District Superintendent of the Mountain Lakes District. Rev. Scott will begin that transition immediately by developing a First 90 Day Plan in consultation with the District Committee on Ministry and in consultation with other district leaders. Rev. Scott comes to this position after exhibiting significant leadership skills at Clearbranch UMC. "Robin Scott has had a remarkable ministry," noted Bishop Willimon. "He has earned the respect of his fellow clergy who have honored his leadership by repeatedly electing him to our General Conference delegation. I marveled at Robin's innovative, mission focused work at Guntersville where he not only revitalized and ignited a traditional congregation, but also started a new church for the marginalized. He was at Clearbranch, one of our largest and most demanding churches, only a few weeks before he started a new congregation! Having consulted with the Mountain Lakes District, and having considered all appointment possibilities among our clergy, I'm sure that Robin is the best new leader for one of our most dynamic districts, Mountain Lakes."

4 Page 4 MOUNTAIN LAKES CHILDREN S CONNEXION NEWS ATTENTION Children s leaders! Become CONTAGIOUS on January 27 & 28 th at Gardendale Mount Vernon UMC. Register today at Registration is $59 for the first person from each church and only $10 each additional member. Bring your whole team! Just added to the breakout session is In Ministry with Autism and Special Needs Children. Melissa Arnold from Wallace State will lead this session. Nine other breakout sessions and our main speaker, Kristin Heiden are in the brochure at the above website. Door prizes include a VBS starter kit from Cokesbury, a 26 flat screen colored TV for your children s ministry and more! Join us for the fun. Register today. ALIVE WITH FIVE is in transition to EXIT 456!!!! Coming February 24 & 25 Exit 456 for 4-6 th graders will aid Tweens in their journey of faith as they prepare for Confirmation. For more information contact Mike Arnold at 1tweenleader@gmail.com

5 Page 5 CENTRAL FRIENDS RESPITE CARE FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS If Jesus walked the earth today, what would his ministry be? Think of all the times that Jesus ministry focused on people with special needs. He healed the blind, the deaf, the disabled. Luke 14 says, But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. There are over 50 million people with disabilities in the US. Many are children. The stress on a family with a disabled family member is enormous. Christ Central Church recognizes the special needs and responsibilities placed on these families. Through our desire to help these families, we have started a respite care ministry for families. People with disabilities need a safe, accepting place to go and have fun, while caregivers receive a much needed break. We hope you and your family will consider being a part of this ministry. What is the mission of Central Friends? To provide respite relief for families caring for persons with disabilities by providing a loving, accepting place for the family and siblings to come and enjoy a night of fun. What services are provided? This ministry provides a time of relief to caregivers in our community who have loved ones with a disability. This ministry is not a medical service. We do not offer medical advice or provide medical attention. Who can come? Central Friends night is open to persons age 3 and up with disabilities and their siblings. RESERVA- TIONS MUST BE MADE BY CALLING THE CHURCH OFFICE AT When is Central Friends night? Respite care is offered one Friday night each month from 6:00-10:00PM. January 27th is the next date. Do I have to live in Rainbow City in order to participate? No. We take participants from anywhere. How much does it cost? There is no cost to those who attend. The service is offered solely as a ministry of Christ Central Church. CHRIST CENTRAL CHURCH 409 W GRAND AVE, RAINBOW CITY, AL (256)

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8 Page 8 Gadsden First to Host Dr. Thomas G. Long The clergy of the Mountain Lakes District are invited to An Afternoon with Dr. Tom Long on Saturday, February 4 th, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Dr. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, is well known for his writing and teaching. His books include: What Shall We Say?: Evil, Suffering and the Crisis of Faith (2011) Accompany Them with Singing The Christian Funeral (2009) Preaching From Memory to Hope (2009) The Witness of Preaching, Second Edition (2005) Dr. Long s presentation will be part of the 2012 recognition of Hardin Scholars at Gadsden First. The Hardin Scholarship was established in the 1980 s by Mrs. Mary G. Hardin and her daughters, Elisabeth and Mary Lee to help defray the expenses of seminary education for persons attending Candler School of Theology from the North Alabama Conference. Gadsden First has hosted numerous Hardin Sundays over the years to honor recipients of the scholarship. In addition to the Saturday afternoon time with clergy, Dr. Long will be present for a luncheon honoring Hardin Scholars beginning at 11:30 AM on the 4 th, then will preach at both worship services at Gadsden First on Sunday, February 5 th. Mark your calendars now for An Afternoon with Dr. Tom Long on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Gadsden First United Methodist Church, 115 S. 5 th Street in Downtown Gadsden.

9 Page 9 God Bless You & Your Family in 2012!!

10 Page 10 Great Start Let s Move Toward Our Goal The Mountain Lakes District started a pilot plan to fund mission giving throughout our connection and the world that is very different from what we have previously done. This year, instead of each church being apportioned amounts for the various funds toward district funds, annual conference giving, and world missions, we have received all of the information needed as a district and are asking each congregation to give 10% of their general fund to the district and the district will apply that to all of the mission sources. Since we are asking each congregation to submit this tithe monthly, this how we will report how we are doing. Each month, in the district newsletter, we will report every congregation that has participated and what each church tithed to missions. We have a district team of 8 clergy and 8 laity that will oversee this mission giving for us. We are at the end of our first year of the 10% Tithe Program, so if you are behind, pay quarterly or haven t paid at all, please catch up by the end of December. We will be under this plan in 2012, but we are only approved for one more year, at this point. We will go back to the apportionment system if we are not successful. FAIR SHARE REMITTANCE RECEIPTS FOR DECEMBER 12/01/ Belcher s Chapel $ Blountsville $ (Oct) 3016-Bothwell $ Cedar Bluff $ Centre $ Chaney s Chapel $ Clear Creek $ Crossville First $ Gadsden First $ Gibb s Chapel $ Southside (Southside) $ (Oct) 3122-Sweet Home $ Trinity (Ft Payne) $ Turkeytown $ (Sept) 3127-Turkeytown $ (Oct) 3127-Turkeytown $ Whorton Bend $ /07/11 (ck mailed to Conf) 3117-St. Mary s $ /06/ Albertville First $ Antioch $ Bellevue $ (Sept) 3029-Corbinville $ Ebenezer (Grove Oak) $ Haygood Memorial $ Henagar $ Joppa $ Lester Memorial $ McNutt Memorial $ Mt. Carmel $ Pleasant Hill (Gadsden) $ (Sept) 3096-Pleasant Hill (Gadsden) $ Samuel s Chapel $ Sand Rock $ Section $ Skirum $ Steele $ Union Hill $ /06/ Warrenton $ Warrenton $ (Dec) 3138-Wesley s Chapel $ /13/ Antioch $ (Oct) 3005-Antioch $ Asbury $ (Dec) 3012-Bethlehem $ Blanche $ (Oct) 3013-Blanche $ Brooklyn $ Cedar Hill $ Centre First $ Christ Church $ (Oct) 3025-Christ Church $ Collinsville First $ Cox s Chapel $ Deerman s Chapel $ Dutton $ (Aug) 3037-Dutton $ (Sept) 3037-Dutton $ (Oct) 3037-Dutton $ Ebenezer $ Fairview (Albertville) $ Flat Rock $ Forrest Home $ Fort Payne First $ Hokes Bluff $ Howellton $ Ider $ Lusk Chapel $ Marvin $ Miller s Chapel $ Morton s Chapel $ Mountain Chapel $ Mt. High $ Mt. Oak $ New Oregon $ Pine Grove (Blount) $ Pleasant Grove (Joppa) $207.00

11 Page 11 Fair Share Remittance Continued 12/13/11, con t 3095-Pleasant Hill $ Rainbow City First $ Red Hill (Gville) $ Red Hill (Attalla) $ Salem (Cedar Bluff) $ Snead First $ Snead Memorial $ St. Mark s $ St. Paul (Boaz) $ St. Paul (Ft. Payne) $ Union $ Union Chapel $ Valley Head $ Walker s Chapel $ Walnut Grove $ Webster s Chapel $ Whitehall $ /28/ Sand Rock $ St. Mary s $ Sweet Home $ Union $60.00 Churches we haven t heard from as of 12/31/11 Keener, Martling, Tucker s Chapel 12/14/ Alabama City $ Altoona First $ East Gadsden $ Fairview (Dawson) $ Hebron $ New Bethel $ /20/ Asbury (Ft. Payne) $ Fairview (Leesburg) $ New Hope (Cedar Bluff) $ Springville First $ St. Paul (Ashville) $ (Apr) 3125-Trinity (Gadsden) $ (Jan-Dec) 3141-Whorton Bend $ (Dec) We will be mailing your Fair Share Remittance Forms within the next few weeks. The envelopes will be provided. If you make a payment before you receive packet, please mail it to the P. O. Box 429, Gadsden, AL address. Thanks, Amy 12/27/ Clear Creek $25.00 (Dec) 3029-Corbinville $ (Dec) 3055-Guntersville First $11, Salem $ Sand Rock $ Trinity(Rainsville) $ /14/ Bethlehem $ Brooklyn $ Diamond $ (Nov) 3035-Diamond $ Ebenezer (Grove Oak) $ Joppa $ Miller s Chapel $ Mt. High $ Red Hill (G ville) $ Salem (Cedar Bluff) $305.00

12 Page 12 United Methodist Women President, Susan Minton (256) Rev. Sheri Ferguson will be seeing appointments at Gadsden First. If you would like an appointment with Sheri, her number is She will be in town on January 11th. Her address is The conference insurance gives you 8 FREE Employee Assistance Program visits, plus 50 after that at $15.00 copay. These visits can be used for consultation, coaching, etc... as well as counseling. United Methodist Men President, Jeff Prince (256) Your churches information Could be here! CHECK OUT OUR DISTRICT WEBSITE AT We are trying new things weekly. If you have things you want on the webpage, call the district office, we will get them on there for you! We would LOVE to hear from your CHURCH!!!!!! What has your church celebrated recently? What has your church done that you would like to share with others in the Mountain Lakes District? We want to hear from YOU! PLEASE your notes to amy@mldistrict.org, fax them to , or mail them to 2804 Wills Creek Rd, Gadsden, AL Thanks! Mountain Lakes District Office of the United Methodist Church, 2804 Wills Creek Rd, Gadsden, AL (256) , Fax(256) rscott@northalabamaumc.org amy@mldistrict.org website: mountainlakesdistrict.org