June 2016 Vol. 4 Issue 5

Connecting Generations to Grow Relationships with God, Others, and Creation A Fond Farewell Chris Martin, Associate Pastor It is truly hard to believe that in just a few short weeks my time here at Latham United Methodist Church will be coming to an end. These three years have gone by far too quickly. I can’t begin to express in words how incredibly blessed our family has been during our time here! I came to Latham as a “rookie” preacher, to say the least, and all of you have taught me more about being a pastor than four years of seminary ever did. Many of you have graciously shared with me how you’ve watched me grow during my time here, and while I’m thankful for your kind words, I need to humbly acknowledge that any growth you’ve seen in me is first and foremost because the Holy Spirit has brought it about. And I would also credit that growth to a church family who has constantly encouraged me and shown tremendous patience with my frequent missteps and mistakes. Whatever we’ve managed to accom- plish during my time here was certainly a team effort and I owe a great debt of gratitude to our gifted church staff!

I believe with all my heart that the work we’ve begun with discipleship will bear fruit for the kingdom of God - if you stay the course! I also believe that Matt Jones is going to be a great addition to the church staff and if you will simply surround him with the love and patience and encouragement you offered to me, he will do great things at Latham. And finally I want to borrow a few words from the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 1:6-7, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” God has graciously given each of you some amazing gifts and I want to encourage you in the strongest possible way to allow the Holy Spirit to fan those gifts into flame. This is a great church and I believe God wants to do amazing things through it, if you will endeavor to be the radically countercultural force God has called you to be.

No matter where God leads us on this great adventure we began back in 2009, Latham UMC will always hold a very special place in our heart and the lessons I’ve learned from all of you will certainly shape the ministry I do in the future. Thank you for all your love and support! Know that we love you all and that this church will ever remain in our prayers, just as we hope to remain in yours.

Grace & Peace to You All! Chris, Amy, Jack, Graham, & Ben Pa ge 2 Letter from the Bishop, Debra Wallace-Padgett

Dear Friends, I am grateful for each of you and your ministry in North Alabama. Thanks to you, amazing ministry is happen- ing across this Conference and around the world! I know that some of you have been following General Conference proceedings closely by livestream. Technol- ogy allows those who want to stay up on everything that is happening to witness play-by-play accounts! Others of you are gathering your information through conver- sations, social media and additional means. It always takes a while to sort through everything that transpires at a General Conference. For now, here are some of the major items from the past 10 days. · We prayed heartfelt prayers for our church and our mission to the world and shared in uplifting wor- ship during which we praised God in a variety of languages and acts of worship.

· We celebrated Imagine No Malaria, noting the initiative has touched at least 4.6 million lives. We heard exciting reports on Vital Congregations. We heard testimonies of how United Methodists are in ministry around the world from medical clinics in Africa ... to building wells for people who lack clean water ... to ministries in prisons throughout the US and the world ... to our work through the Global AIDS fund ... to the work of the Korea Peace Committee.

· The Book of Discipline remains the same around human sexuality matters, including paragraphs about how to deal with violations. A Special Commission will be formed by the Council of Bishops to re- view every paragraph in our Book of Discipline regarding human sexuality. This Commission could possibly bring recommendations to a called General Conference prior to the year 2020. You will hear more from the North Alabama delegation about General Conference in the days to come. Also, there will be further clarification about the Council of Bishops’ recommendation to find a way forward regard- ing human sexuality as well as the process for naming the Special Commission in the near future. This General Conference has given evidence to both the joys and challenges of serving the church during the 21st century. May God grant us extra measures of hope, renewal, passion, strength and grace in this time and place. As always it is a privilege to serve as your bishop. Blessings, Debra Wallace-Padgett Resident Bishop North Alabama Conference Pa ge 3

Lectionary Scriptures for June

June 5, 2016 I Kings 17:8-24: Elijah and the Widow Galatians 1:11-24: Call to Apostleship Luke 7:11-17: Jesus raises the son of the widow of Nain June 12, 2016 I Kings 21:1-21a: Ahab lost sight of who he was and ignored the rights of those he had been called to rule. As a result he found himself in a place of condemnation before God. :1-8: Galatians 2:15-21: Paul addresses the legal question about whether Gentiles must first become followers of the Law before becoming converts to Christianity. He argues that God’s grace is not something to be earned by obedience to laws, but something to be received by faith in what God has done through Jesus Christ. Luke 7:36-8:3: Jesus commends to the Pharisees the woman who lived a sinful life and who wet his feet with her tears as an example of what it means to act in faith. Out of desperation and need, she dared to approach him and was rewarded with forgiveness thay set her free from her own deprivation. June 19, 2016 I Kings 19: 1-15a: The easiest thing to do when the cards are stack against us is to retreat and complain. This is what Elijah did. Complaining to God is not a bad thing. Complaining to God acknowledges the existence of God and opens us God’s “still small voice” that encourages us to rise and go. Psalm 42 Galatians 3: 23-29: Paul insists that the law can lead people to Christ because it reveals the limitations of their ability to save themselves. Only faith in Christ’s saving work enables people to enter fully into Christ’s love and frees them. Baptism is the symbol of freedom in Christ. Luke 8:26-39: Healing the demon-possessed man demonstrates Jesus’ compassion for all situations of the hu- man condition. Letting the demon take residence in a herd of swine might suggest that his belief in people is more important than possession. June 26, 2016 II Kings 2:1-2, 6-14: Elisha prepares for the departure of his friend, Elijah. Realizing that the mantle of lead- ership is about to fall on his shoulders he prays: “let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” Psalm 77: 1-2, 11-20: Galatians 5: 1, 13-25: A dynamic faith represents more than freedom from the law. There is a corresponding freedom for a higher principle which envelops the life of those who claim Jesus as the Christ. Luke 9: 51-62: Jesus sets a pattern for his followers as “he sets his face toward .” This determina- tion of purpose, linked with the compassion he had for those who would reject him, was a picture of the expec- tations he had for his followers, his disciples. He has little patience with those who are all talk and no action. Pa ge 4

Music Ministry Sam Cox, Minister of Music In 1920, composer Eric Satie wrote a series of pieces to accom- pany a comedy by writer Max Jacob. During the intermission, the audience was asked to view an exhibition of children’s draw- ings in the gallery space. As part of the experience, Satie wrote what he called musique d’ameublement (often translated as “furniture music”), a series of short pieces referencing popular songs, intended to be heard in the background. However, when the audience heard music playing in the hall, they rushed back in, fear- ing that they were missing the performance. Satie had to explain to his astounded audience that the music was not intended to be listened to; rather, it was meant to be experienced subliminally.

Years later, the Muzak company patented a system called “Stimulus Progression” in which 15-minute blocks of increasingly stimulating music were played for factory workers, increasing their productivity. The Muzak effect is dependent on inattentive listening, the music being so far in the background that other activities can be done in the foreground. Studies have shown that background music can also influence purchasing behavior and brand identity.

In such an overstimulated sonic environment, where we can be emotionally manipulated without even realiz- ing it, the embrace of silence becomes important. It is especially important to choose silence before hearing the Word of God. We are admonished, “the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!” (Habakkuk 2.20). Elijah heard God not in the earthquake and fire, but in the silence that followed (1 Kings 19.12). The psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

I am not suggesting that we eliminate music in our lives and worship – far from it. Scripture is replete with in- structions to sing and shout to the LORD. However, let our singing and let our listening be intentional, rather than just background noise for some other task, or the jingle that marks our particular brand. Let us silence the distracting and manipulative background, and hear God speaking through the songs we sing.

Memorial Contributions

Gifts were given in memory of…. Ann Hodges from Bill and Amma Barnes, Mac & Annette Cooper, Bob & Glenda Sharp Pat Lewis to the Music Fund from the Jo Walton Literary Club, Charles & Carole Bryant; Joyce Kerby, Bill & Jeane Wall; Lawrence Maples to the Lillie Latham Scholarship Fund from the Wesley SS Class Paula Stutts’ mother, to the Music Fund from Bob & Alice Shipman Pa ge 5

2016 Graduating Class

Baxley Porter, Henry Norman, MaryKate Terry, Ben Manush, Stormy Lasseter

North Alabama Annual Conference 2016

Sunday, June 5th 4:00p VBC North Hall-Opening Worship Monday, June 6th 8:30a VBC North Hall-Prayer Experience 2:00p VBC North Hall-Memorial Service 7:00p Trinity UMC-Ordination, Commissioning & Licensing Tuesday, June 7th 8:30a VBC North Hall-Prayer Experience-Annual Conference 2:00p VBC North Hall-Closing & Sending Forth Service Pa ge 6

Confirmation 2016

We congratulate our confirmands on their decision to accept Christ as their Lord and also to commit to follow- ing Christ through The United Methodist Church. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to the class as they continue to grow in spirit and in truth. The Apostles’ Creed was an important part of our work during this process. The following is an understanding of this creed that came from this class and our time together.

-I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. -I believe that there is a God because of the beauty in His creation. -Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, You are my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -He was here to forgive me of my wrong doings and give me a second chance. -He is here to teach me kindness, forgiveness, love, joy, and He wants me to be a disciple. -I know this through others who were disciples and shared the stories. -I believe that His teachings will help me be kind to others and help me be pure of heart. -I know that I need to keep people aware that Jesus is coming and that I need to spread the word to everyone. -He knows me and what I need even before I ask for it. -God arranges my life to give me joy. -The Holy Spirit guides me and helps me understand God Things. -I know that God gives me a purpose in my life to help others. -I know that this is not the easiest path but it is the one that I chose. Also, I believe in God who is Father of all. He made the earth and the vast Universe. I believe in His Son Jesus who was given to Mary through the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived on earth as a man until he was condemned by Pilate for things Jesus did not do. As prophesied He rose from the dead after three days and took all our sins to Hell so we would not have to carry them around anymore once we asked for forgiveness. Then he went to heaven to join his Father, where they watch over all creation. I believe in the Spirit of God, the Universal Church, that all sins are forgiven if you ask and that we will all live again in whatever heaven is. Amen. We are grateful for our confirmands, their families and their mentors. May God continue to bless each of them as they continue to grow in Christ.

Our 2016 Confirmands: Jessica Hardeman Bailes Charles Jackson Bailes Andrew Ekstrom Aiden Gray Geisinger Jacob Harrison Porter Cole Lewis Queeney SarahPenny Ryan Chester William Simmons Joseph Lee Stewart Bonnie Elizabeth Vosahlik

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Children’s Ministry Susan Terry, Minister to Children and Connect On Sunday, May 22nd, the Children's Choirs and Orff Choir held their spring presentation. It was an awesome array of music, singing, and worship. Melody Young has done an excellent job with the Orff choir. I thought their "Star Wars" song at the Talent Show was good, but last Sunday night was great! Thanks to all the kids who give their time, and especially thanks to Melody for leading them!

The Orff Choir was followed by the Cherub Choir, led by Dean and Tasmen Stone. They led us in a mini-worship service that they practice every week, along with a few famil- iar favorites.

After they finished, we graduated the first graders up to the Celebration Choir. Then we celebrated the thirty-year anniver- sary of Dean and Tasmen leading children's choirs at Latham. Thanks to Dean and Tasmen for all the lives they have touched over the years!

Finally, the Celebration choir performed a variety of music. Though their numbers were down because of illness, they did a great job on some difficult pieces. Many thanks to Ben Stone for leading this choir and keeping them motivated! Latham United Methodist Church

109 Weatherly Road Huntsville, AL 35803 Phone: 256-881-4069 Fax: 256-880-0305

On the web: lathamumc.org Connect with the Staff

Rev. Mike Ratliff, Senior Pastor [email protected] Chris Martin, Associate Pastor [email protected] Sam Cox, Minister of Music [email protected] Susan Terry, Minister of Connect & Children’s Ministries [email protected] Adam Miller, Minister of Youth [email protected] Jim Geisinger, Associate Music Director [email protected] Marvene Borntrager, Staff Coordinator for Inreach [email protected] Anita Banks, Business Administrator [email protected] Traci Harris, Director of Child Development Center [email protected] Cherry Keeton, Organist Joey Evans, Pianist Our Mission Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our Vision Connecting generations to grow relationships with God, others, and creation. Our Goals 1. Communicate our vision so the entire church and community will know it. 2. Organize intergenerational gatherings in the church and community that form mentoring relationships between all participants. 3. Simplify and align leadership structure to reflect and advance our vision. 4. Train and hire staff to become coaches in leadership development, intergenerational dialogue, mentoring, faith sharing, and creation stewardship. 5. Implement leadership training to equip laity to plan ministries that fulfill the church’s vision and goals. Our Core Values 1. Mission Focus: Latham performs service in the world to promote individual, community, and environmental wholeness. 2. Prayer: Latham values prayer to direct and energize our work in accomplishing God’s vision. 3. Gifts & Strengths: Latham utilizes spiritual gifts and abilities of our members. 4. Credibility: Latham practices honesty, integrity, passion, and accountability to God and each other.