Posted by: Jill @ 1:40 pm
Building the Milton C. Booth Home has been a rich experience for us all. The boys from the Tuscaloosa Group Home have been a tremendous help, as have so many volunteers from so many churches who have been a part of realizing the vision of Rev. Booth.
Below are some of the updates from the building process starting with the Groundbreaking Ceremony in August 2006. We would love to hear from you. Post a comment to this article by clicking here.
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“Whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Most have also seen much devastation in their lives – catastrophes of a different and more personal kind. Tenecia is among them. Her early years were tragically filled with lonely and frightening days, as she and her younger brother and sister suffered abuse and neglect.
Click to make an Easter gift online.
Over the eight years she has lived with us, Tenecia has truly blossomed into a beautiful, Christ-loving young lady. Once very shy, she is now a leader and positive example for the other children, and is spiritually active – singing in the choir and dancing for our Praise Dance Team.
Her most impressive qualities are her strong belief in abstinence before marriage, her dependence on God for guidance, and her optimism for her future. She once said,
“I used to think that I wasn’t loved, and that was the reason I was at the Children’s Home. But as I began to let God in my life, I have learned that everything happens for a reason.”
I often wonder what her life would be like now if she had not found the safety, shelter and Christian love through the Children’s Home ministry.
I can’t thank you enough for All of your past support. You are among the many blessings we give thanks for every day. Without your prayers – and your generous gifts – Tenecia’s life would have most likely continued down a path of spiritual devastation and suffering. So many more children in your community, behind closed doors, quietly suffer their own storms – and we want to reach them and bring them into God’s shelter.
As we celebrate our risen Lord this Easter, I ask that you pray for Tenecia and all of our children – and consider sending a gift to the Children’s Home as a testament of your faith in God’s ministry to children. Jesus said, “For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” We need your help to continue guiding them to Him.
Make a donation online | Find out where to mail a gift | Go to our home page
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Posted by: Jill @ 12:32 pm
What: Madison First UMC’s Second Anual Gospel Singing Concert
Where: Madison First UMC in Madison, Alabama
When: Sunday, May 6 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM
Contact: Juanita Becton Lamb at 256-830-9304 or e-mail jllamb154@aol.com
On May 6th, Madison United Methodist Church will be holding its second annual Gospel Singing Concert from 2-6 PM. All proceeds will be given to the United Methodist Children’s Home.
“Everyone in the church gets involved in this Project,” said Juanita Lamb, Madison First UMC’s Local Church Representative for the United Methodist Children’s Home and coordinator of the event. “We have a bake sale, and pizza and drinks are also being sold that day. My goal this year is $1,000.”
Groups returning for the second year will be The Servants from Ardmore, Tennessee; Compassion from Ardmore, Alabama; and The Blue Notes from Huntsville, Alabama.The Blue Notes are a gospel group from the Huntsville police department. “Five policemen who sing for the Lord,” said Lamb. “They are wonderful.”
The Servants will be the event’s host group. They will share their equipment with all of the other groups. The Servants and Compassion will be donating money from the sale of their CD’s to the Children’s Home.
Compassion is two Baptist ministers who will be closing their churches that day to come sing for this United Methodist ministry.
For more information, contact Juanita Lamb at 256-830-9304 or e-mail her at jllamb154@aol.com.More about…
The Servants
The Servants is a ministry with a promise to serve God, a desire to see souls saved, and the love to worship in song. Danny Lewter and Jimmy Irvin are the two men who hold the group together. Danny was first introduced to gospel music at a country church located within walking distance of his boyhood home, where he currently serves as music director/worship leader. Jimmy has enjoyed serving the Lord as music director and adult sunday school teacher and has played bass for several groups in Tennessee and Alabama for the past 17 years. Groups include Space City Quartet, The Gospel Road Band, The Ole Time Christians, The Petty Family and, most recently, Calvary Connection. The Servants formed in late 2004.
Contact The Servants…
931-468-2998 or 931-638-3470
E-mail: Sogspl@aol.com
Compassion
The members are Mike Clark, Mona Clark and Don Hillis. Mike is the pastor of Mable Hill Baptist Church in Ardmore, Alabama. Mona is the clerk and publication specialist for the Madison Baptist Association in Huntsville, and Don is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Toney, Alabama. Compassion is a unique ministry, and they love sharing their talent in revivals and civic centers as well as conferences and state convention meetings. Compassion sings a variety of music ranging from the true southern gospel style three-part harmony to old hymns of the faith. Compassion has traveled and sung before thousands of people but its members feel most at home when ministering to local assemblies where ministry is still a priority in the Christian life.
Contact Compassion…
Mike Clark, 256-420-4469
E-mail: preacher@hiwaay.net
The Blue Notes
These five men serve the Lord in their singing. They are all members of the Huntsville Police Department on the Southside. Their families travel with them, and they are a joy to listen to. They have to be requested in writing to be able to perform for any group and can not be paid.
Contact The Blue Notes…
Huntsville Police Department
Attn: Captain Kenny Bryant
P.O. Box 2085
Huntsville, AL 35804
Posted by: Jill @ 7:58 am
 My Hope Is Built - A crowd of about 250 volunteers, donors and other church members and leaders gathered to help dedicate the new Milton C. Booth Home in Cottondale, Alabama. The home will serve young men who have aged out of foster care and need a place to live while going to college. |
“My Hope Is Built,” reads a plaque attached to the front of a new home in Cottondale, Alabama. A reference to the 19th century hymn, the words are offered not only in thanks for the home’s completion, but also in prayer for what the young men will experience who will live there.
On March 11, 2007, Bishop Will Willimon and over 200 United Methodists and other community supporters gathered to dedicate the new Milton C. Booth Home. The facility is a transitional living home for young men who have aged out of the foster care system. The home is named for the late Rev. Milton C. Booth, a United Methodist pastor with a reputation for building homes and building hope.
On a beautiful afternoon, standing in front of the new, pristine, duplex with light blue siding, hanging ferns and a long front porch with white rocking chairs, Bishop Willimon of the United Methodist Church’s North Alabama Conference lauded the members of that conference’s Southwest District.
“I am so pleased that you have given and worked so that we can receive the children,” said Willimon in his address to the gathering. “I am so proud that our church is receiving them in Jesus’ name.”
Willimon noted that historically, the church has founded institutions for children outside of the church family. He remembered that Rev. Booth “kept our eyes focused outward on missions…to take responsibility for other people’s children.”
The plaque hanging on the front of the Home bears the title of Rev. Booth’s favorite hymn, “My Hope is Built.”
Before the United Methodist Church’s North Alabama Conference redrew the boundaries of its districts in June, 2006, Booth was the Tuscaloosa District’s Missions Coordinator. His successor, Rev. Rock Stone, now holds the same position with the conference’s Southwest District.
The Southwest District spans from south Marion and southwest Winston counties in Alabama to Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties in the south. Dozens of churches in the district supplied over $45,000 and hundreds of volunteers to complete the home, whose groundbreaking ceremony was in August, 2006.
In comments to the group, Rev. Stone remembered Booth. “Two years ago, Milton started talking about this home.” Stone said that now, not only has it been completed, but the project is completely debt free.
Rev. Stone addressed the members of churches of his district when he said, “This is your achievement. This is what United Methodists do. We come together and do the Lord’s work.”
Using a football metaphor, Stone mentioned that the project had a “most valuable player,” recognizing Bill and Ginger Abernathy, members of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa. He credits the Abernathys with an intense volunteer effort in oversight and hands-on labor.
The district’s Superintendent, Rev. Charles Lee, also addressed the gathering. He recognized the hard work done by Rev. Stone and the group that coordinated the effort. About the work, he said, “We offer what we can to the United Methodist Children’s Home.”
The new home is built alongside the Tuscaloosa Group Home. Both facilities are part of the ministry of the Children’s Home, which has group homes, foster care and other programs throughout North and South Alabama and Northwest Florida.
Rev. Lee recognized Kristy Goodman, Supervisor of the Tuscaloosa Group Home, for her dedication to the children in that program. The group home serves school-age boys who are not able to live with their birth families due to abuse, neglect or other traumatic events.
Most of the group home’s residents are in the custody of the state. Some are becoming old enough to move out of the foster care system. Of those that do, some will qualify for the state’s transitional living program. The Milton C. Booth Home will house young men in this program.
The idea is to give these young men more independence while living in a stable place. With guidance from Children’s Home staff, they can pursue college and learn about living on their own.
Rev. Lee introduced Booth’s widow, Linda Booth, who read from the book of Jeremiah in the Bible. Goodman and Rev. LuAnne Wages-Smith, Chaplain of the Children’s Home, presented Mrs. Booth with a framed resolution announcing the naming of the Home in her husband’s honor.
Rev. Wages-Smith prayed for children all over, reading from a poem by Ina Hughs, “A Prayer for Children.” Among others, she named those children “who give us sticky kisses…who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire…who slurp their cereal on purpose…whose monsters are real.”
 Mothers Galore - David (left), a resident of the Tuscaloosa Group Home, stands in what should soon be his new bedroom inside the Milton C. Booth Home. With him are ladies from the Women’s Night Circle of Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Women in the Circle decorated David’s room. |
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| And the winners are… - Local celebrities and the general public cast their votes for the top prizewinners of the 2007 Children’s Art Calendar contest. While supplies last, the 2007 Calendars are available for free from the Children’s Home. E-mail orders@umch.net to get one! |
Notable persons from Alabama and West Florida and an internet vote have chosen the top prizewinners in the United Methodist Children’s Home 2007 Children’s Art Calendar Contest. Congressman Jeff Miller and Artist Daniel Moore are among leaders and celebrities who are taking an interest in the children served by the agency.
“This is the second year that we’ve involved famous folks from our region in the contest,” said Jill West, Director of Development. “We’re just so grateful to get the participation of our celebrity judges.”
Again this year, the bishops of the two United Methodist conferences served by the agency participated as judges. New to the panel were Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida’s District 1, artist Daniel A. Moore and environmental educator Pat Mitchell, known nationally as Auntie Litter.
“We included an internet vote as one of the ‘celebrities’ this year,” said Patrick McCurry, the Children’s Home’s Public Relations Supervisor. He said that the results of the internet voting, which closed on February 28, were weighed equally with the choices of the VIPs.
The internet vote continues, but now it is just for fun. “August is leading the pack,” said McCurry, referring to the large number of votes that it has received online.
When the combined with the other judges’ votes, Al’lre, the artist of the August page, has tied for first place with Asha’s December nativity scene. Third place went to the February artist, Clarissa.
Children who participated in the contest are residents in the Children’s Home’s programs. These include group homes from North Alabama to Northwest Florida and foster homes
Below are the judges and their comments about the art.
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“The artwork reflects the inner creativity of each child, and the hard work and dedication that the children put into their designs have made them all masterpieces. May God continue to stand as inspiration in all that we do just as he has done with the children and their artwork, and may His blessings continue to bestow upon the entire family of the United Methodist Children’s Home.”
“I always enjoy the Children’s Art Calendar. It reminds us each year that children who have been through so much can still express themselves in colorful and creative ways. Each piece of art has its own special beauty. My prayers are with all of these children. We thank God for their gifts.”
“I am very impressed with the artwork created by the children. All of the entries were wonderful.”
“I am always blessed and amazed when I look at kids’ artwork. Part of my amazement in seeing creativity is the realization that God, the Master Artist, is able to create creatures (us) who have the ability to create. Each work of calendar art was worthy of an award or honorable mention. Congratulations to all who participated!”
“God has blessed us with some talented children! I’m glad that the United Methodist Children’s Home is encouraging their gifts.”
All children whose art is included in the calendar receive a prize. Higher awards are given to the cover art and the top three winners of the judging. The four winners are pictured below. Click on each picture for a larger image.
More art from the calendar can be found at www.umch.net/calendar.
Posted by: Jill @ 2:29 pm
 Babies First - This mother car (a modified 1946 Willis) and baby car–and baby baby car–were among the 157 vehicles registered at the Mobile Car Show at Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile, Alabama. Proceeds from the event benefitted the United Methodist Children’s Home programs in Mobile, one of which is a Babies First program that takes care of adolescent mothers and their babies. |
Whoever thought that a motorized bicycle and a WWI Russian fighter plane could actually help a child?
On March 3, 2007, mobilecarshow.com put on the fifth annual Mobile Car Show at Christ United Methodist Church (UMC) in Mobile, Alabama. The group donated $5,000 in proceeds from entry fees and other contributions to the United Methodist Children’s Home programs in Mobile.
Enthusiasts registered 157 antique and tricked-out cars, trucks, motorcycles and various other motorized vehicles.
“We had such a variety,” said Ricky Bell, founder of the car show and coordinator of the event. “From hot rods to off-the-road to MG vehicles.”
Bell said his favorite was an almost completely restored 1886 Ford Quadricycle. The quadricycle is like a four-wheeled bicycle that the owner modified with a 2-cycle engine so he could ride it in parades. “It was a very, very unique vehicle.”
Among those attending the event were children from the Mobile Delchamps Group Home in Mobile. The home, a Babies First program, takes care of adolescent mothers with infants and young children. These girls are not able to live with their own families, so the Children’s Home takes care of them and teaches them vital parenting skills.
Bell said this was their biggest show ever. The money raised will pay for food, clothes, and shelter as well as psychological, spiritual, childcare and educational services for the kids at the Children’s Home.
One participant did a flyover at the show using a fully restored WWI Russian fighter plane.
Christ UMC’s Men of the Word Sunday school class was a major sponsor of the event. Bob Joyce is a member of the class and coordinator of corporate sponsorship for the car show. He considers the class’s involvement a ministry.
“It was such a family-oriented event,” said Joyce of the show which was free to spectators, had food and drink and fun things to see. “We try to promote Christian values.”
Of the 48 volunteers at the event, Joyce said that 36 were from Christ UMC and most of those were from the Men of the Word class.
Other sponsors of the car show were Marshall Auto Body and Paint, VDL Fuel Systems, Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Company, Joe Bullard (HUMMER), Total Performance Centers, TCI Tire Center LLC and Southern Windshield Repair.
The Christ United Methodist Church Grounds Ministry, with which Bell is also involved, was another sponsor. The church will begin providing some groundskeeping services free to the Group Home. Volunteers from the church support the young mothers and babies in various ways.
 A Grateful Family - Pictured here at the Mobile Car Show on March 3, 2007, are Rosalyn with her fraternal twins. She is among the young mothers cared for at the United Methodist Children’s Home’s Babies First program at the Mobile Delchamps Group Home. Rosalyn and her babies are residents in the agency’s Transitional Living Program. |
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| A Big Gift - Shaketta, Markesha and Olivia, residents of the Children’s Village in Selma, help carry a big gift from Valero L.P. to the United Methodist Children’s Home. |
Valero L.P.’s Moundville Terminal is a conduit for more than just jet fuel.
On February 28, employees from Valero L.P. presented a $10,000 unrestricted gift to the United Methodist Children’s Home. Interim President & CEO Rev. Joe Lisenby accepted the gift at a ceremony at the agency’s headquarters in Selma, Alabama.
Jamie Smith, one of the company’s Senior Area Terminal Managers for its Gulf Coast Region, said that the company encourages its employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and service projects.
“This is what Valero is about,” said Smith. “This is the fabric of our company.”
Children’s Home employees attended to give their thanks. Some of the kids were happy to take a break from their work at the on-campus school to attend the presentation.
The money will go mainly toward running the Children’s Home’s residential programs for abused and neglected children. Group homes are located throughout Alabama and the Florida panhandle.
The company is based in San Antonio, Texas. It is in the process of becoming independent from Valero Energy. In April 2007, Valero L.P. will change its name to NuStar Energy L.P.
Valero Energy and Valero L.P. co-sponsor the Valero Texas Open and the Valero Benefit for Children Golf Classic. Together, the two events raised $7 million.
Valero L.P. is distributing a total of $333,000 of that money to 30 charities. Each year, the company asks employees at each of its facilities to nominate a nonprofit group that helps children. Based on those nominations, representatives decide how to divvy up the money raised by the golf tournaments.
David Tidmore is the Terminal Manager of the company’s petroleum storage facility in Moundville, Alabama. His terminal primarily handles military jet fuel. Tidmore wrote the nomination that won the Children’s Home this $10,000 gift.
Tidmore is a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa. He said that when Valero L.P. took over the management of his facility, talk of community involvement and volunteerism increased dramatically.
“The important thing is that employees are involved in their communities,” said Smith.
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| Nominated No. 1 Charity (click picture for a full-resolution image) - Jamie Smith (back row, far left) and David Tidmore (middle row, far right) of Valero L.P. recently visited the United Methodist Children’s Home’s facilities in Selma, Alabama. Employees at the company’s Moundville terminal nominated the United Methodist Children’s Home to receive part of the proceeds from two charity golf tournaments that the company helped sponsor. |
Posted by: Jill @ 2:47 pm
Sunday, April 22, 2007
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Mobile Delchamps Group Home
3166 Schillinger Rd.
Mobile, Alabama
All are invited
For more information or to RSVP, contact the group home at delchamps@umch.net or call 251-633-5507.