One of the best kept secrets in the Kentucky Conference and the Corbin District and at Union College is ALPS, which is the acronym for "Appalachian Local Pastors School," which is an extension of the Course of Study School of Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

ALPS is sponsored by The Red Bird Missionary Conference and The Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church. Many of the bi-vocational local pastors in the UMC do not have the opportunity to attend seminary, so the 2 week ALPS Course of Study at Union College each May, gives these wonderful pastors the opportunity of special training and continuing education in Theology, Bible, Prayer, Preaching, Evangelism, Christian Education, Methodist History, Pastoral Care, Leadership and Planning in the Local Church.

On May 11, Dr. Terry Faris (Corbin District Superintendent) preached at the 7:30 am Worship Service in Conway Boatman Chapel, and what a joy to be with and share with the 90 pastors from 15 states (all the way from Maine to Texas), and from 22 different Annual Conferences who were at Union College to participate in ALPS.

Great group photo of the ALPS, and also great group photo of folks there from Barbourville First UMC and Union College: Front Row - Kittly Allen (Director of ALPS), Janey Skidmore & Jane Blair from Barbourville First UMC. Back Row - Dr. Terry Faris (Corbin D.S.), Rev. Jim Doughton (Pastor of Barbourville First UMC), John David King from Barbourville First UMC, Rev. David Miller (Campus Minister of Union College), and Ed de Rosset (President of Union College).

Mrs. Kitty Allen has a wonderful ministry as the Director of ALPS, and in the providence of God, she and her family will soon be moving to Barbourville, where her husband, Dr. Joel Allen, will become the Pastor of the Barbourville First United Methodist Church, and also using his gifts in teaching "part-time" in the Religion Department of Union College.