Dr. Rick Lanford, NCD Superintendent December 2018 Newsletter Bishop Lawson Bryan-Episcopal Leader P.O. Box 18169, Macon 31209 P.O. Box 7227, Macon 31209 Phone: 478-254-6023 Fax: 478-254-6230 Phone: 478-475-9286 Fax: 478-475-9248 Email: [email protected]North Central District Christmas Party December 6, 2018 6:00 pm Mulberry Street UMC 719 Mulberry Street Macon, GA 31201 Mission Focus: Macon Outreach Please RSVP to Sharon in the District Office
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December 2018 Newsletter - Amazon S3 · February 21 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sexual Ethics @ Pittman Park UMC – Statesboro, GA Feb. 21 – Feb. 28 Special Session – General Conference
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Mulberry Street UMC 719 Mulberry Street Macon, GA 31201
Mission Focus: Macon Outreach
Please RSVP to Sharon in the District Office
From the Bishop
Bishop’s Appeal: Special Christmas Offering
When disaster strikes, the United Methodist connection comes alive. The South Georgia Conference has seen this over and over again in the past month as people have responded to our needs here in South Georgia following the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael. Our connection is at work thanks to your overwhelming generosity.
Even as we continue down our own path of recovery in the southwest pocket of our conference, we also want to extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in the Alabama-West Florida Conference who will feel Michael’s impact for years
to come. Bishop Lawson Bryan is encouraging South Georgia Conference churches to collect a special Christmas offering for our neighbors in South Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
“I want to thank all those who already have contributed to the South Georgia Conference Storm Recovery Fund,” said Bishop Bryan. “Hurricane Michael did significant damage to a large sector of our conference. Thanks to your generosity we have been able to make an immediate initial response to those churches and communities. This special Christmas Offering for Storm Relief will give us the funds needed to sustain the long-term recovery effort. Also, through this Christmas Offering our conference will be able to continue doing what you have done so well in the past: reach out to help our brothers and sisters in need in the neighboring conferences of Alabama-West Florida and Florida. Those in Mexico Beach and the greater Panama City area are looking at a recovery period that will extend at least 10 years. While taking care of our own churches and communities we will also be able to give tangible support to our neighbors. Thank you for joining in this special Christmas Offering for Storm Relief.” Read more I Give now
Celebrating Two New Deacons
From left to right: Rev. Mark Magoni, Rev. Grace Guyton, Dr. Rick Lanford, Rev. Alaina Harrison,
Dr. Matt Woodbery
DISTRICT MEETINGS 2018-2019
DATE: LOCATION: December 6 6:00 pm District Christmas Party @ Mulberry Street UMC Mission Focus – Macon Outreach January Superintendent meets with SPRC Chairs/Committees Dec. 19 – Jan 1 NCD Office Christmas Break January 13, 2019 2:00 – 5:30 pm Connectional Ministries Leadership Training @ Forest Hills January 21 MLK, Jr. Birthday – Office Closed Jan. 18th & 19th 6:00 pm Lay Speaking Academy @ Centerville UMC Jan. 29 – Feb. 1 Winter Conference @ Epworth By The Sea February 21 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sexual Ethics @ Pittman Park UMC – Statesboro, GA Feb. 21 – Feb. 28 Special Session – General Conference March 9 12:30-3:30 pm Bishop’s Day Apart with clergy & laity @ UGA Conference Center, Tifton, GA March 31 4:00-5:30 pm District Conference @ Sandersville UMC April 8 8:30 – 10:00 am Clergy Women Breakfast w/Bishop @ The Methodist Home April 9 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sexual Ethics @ Vineville UMC, Macon, GA May 22 10:00am – 2:00 pm Moving Pastors Seminar @ Riverside UMC June 2 – 5 Annual Conference – Columbus, GA June 9 Lay Supply Sunday June 12 Moving Day June 24 5:00 pm District Set-Up Meeting @ The Methodist Home July 15-18 Pastor’s School @ Epworth By The Sea July 21-24 North Central District Camp Meeting
NCD Missions Grant Highlight
The NCD Board of Missions provides over $100,000 of grant money to NCD churches and sponsored ministries. This money comes from the district apportionments each church pays each month. This is one way that we are a connectional church specifically across our district. Because of the combined resources from each NCD church’s giving of district apportionments, many churches throughout our district receive help to carry out various types of mission work in their local setting. Without this money, this would not be possible. Thank you for your giving! Please share this with your churches. November Grant Highlight: UMW Mission U
Each year, United Methodist Women prepare to live their faith out faithfully by participating in mission studies that teach a lived-out faith. The studies include a geographical topic, a topical topic, and a spiritual formation topic. Mission U is for everyone; men, women, youth, children, and clergy. All are invited every July to Epworth by the Sea to learn more about living out their faith faithfully. This past year the workshops were: Embracing Wholeness What about our money? Missionary Conferences in the UMC Multiculturalism, Is it just money? (Youth Study) Money Matters (Children’s Study) This kind of intentional discipleship would not be possible without each church giving their apportionments. Thank you for giving!
MISSION HIGHLIGHT
Did you know…
Last month, the Office of Connectional Ministries launched a new monthly e-newsletter toolkit, Our Connection Matters. Each month the toolkit will focus on a different theme to resource local churches in nurture, outreach, witness, and advocacy ministries. This month's theme is Christmas/Advent If you would like more information, contact Allison Lindsey at [email protected]. It's through our connection that we can learn best practices and help each other bear fruit for discipleship and kingdom building!
UMW Gather in Warner Robins for Annual Meeting
Current and past presidents of South Georgia United Methodist Women gathered for the 2018 UMW annual meeting, held Saturday, Oct. 20 in Warner Robins. Pictured, left to right, are Carol Banks, Margaret Creech, Charlene Black, Gloria Morgan, and Sara Bankhead.
A hundred or so United Methodist Women gathered in Trinity United Methodist Church’s sanctuary Oct. 20 to join with their sisters and hear an encouraging word about being women of service, faith, and persistence.
“We are treading on holy ground,” South Georgia United Methodist Women president Carol Banks, who had just recently returned from a UMW Unbuntu Journey to Peru, said to the women gathered in Warner Robins.
Meeting under the theme, “Sacred Spaces of Service,” UMW from each South Georgia district met to celebrate 149 years of mission and ministry. Read more
Updated History of the South Georgia Conference Book Now Available
Anne Packard, curator of the Moore Methodist Museum, recently presented Bishop R. Lawson Bryan with a copy of "History of the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church: 1866 - 2018." The book is an updated history of the conference compiled by Packard and historians from each local South Georgia church.
Click here for ordering information, or call 912-638-4050 with questions or to order by phone.
Consider End-Of-The-Year Giving to the New Conference Center
Over the years I have found that the month of December is a time of incredible generosity. As we celebrate God’s gift of Jesus, our church members find fulfillment in giving of themselves and their resources. One special opportunity is “end-of-the-year giving.” This occurs when our members determine that they want to make a special gift before Dec. 31. These gifts may be stocks, bonds, property, and/or cash. A gift to the new Conference Center of the South Georgia Conference would be a great blessing. We are only $250,000 away from funding this project and breaking ground on our first-ever conference office center.
I welcome the opportunity to provide more information about the new Conference Center to anyone with whom I might meet. Please contact me through the Episcopal Office at 478-475-9286.
Thank you for considering a gift to the new Conference Center … and for making others aware of this special opportunity.
Alive Together in the World,
R. Lawson Bryan
Response Teams Needed Clean-up teams are needed now in southwest Georgia following Hurricane Michael. Register your team here. Thank you to everyone who has given, served, and made an impact in the affected areas.
Annual Conference 2019: Hotel room blocks now open
We are busy preparing for the 2019 Annual Conference Session, which will be held at The Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center set for June 2-5, 2019.
Last year, Bishop Bryan led us in celebrating all the ways we are “Alive Together in Worship.” We also prepared for a year-long emphasis on being “Alive Together in the World” and will continue that celebration at the 2019 Annual Conference Session. I pray that you are finding many ways to reach out to the world in word and deed as you share the gospel of Jesus Christ through your witness and your work.
Our host District Superintendent, Dr. Buddy Cooper, the Local Arrangements Coordinator, Dr. James Crosse, and the area
volunteers are already planning for our time in Columbus.
Hotel room blocks are now open. Valley Hospitality in Columbus has secured over 600 rooms for our event. All of the hotels on the list will be providing shuttle service to the Convention & Trade Center. Rooms must be booked by May 1 to receive the discounted price.
Valley Hospitality has created a website just for South Georgia Conference United Methodists to make booking your hotel easy and streamlined. For those who prefer to make reservations over the phone, they have provided the phone number for each hotel on the website. Click here to view the list of hotels. Read more
Conference to Offer Certified Lay Minister Training
“The Certified Lay Minister program is designed to offer anyone who wants to be a stronger leader in their church a good foundation,” said Dr. Nita Crump, Director of Connectional Ministries. “We encourage
everyone who is assigned to a church as Lay Supply to participate in this program, and we also encourage all other church leaders to consider it.” Participating in the CLM program will make any lay person a stronger
leader in their church, she said.
During the training, which runs October 13, 2018 through March 3, 2019, participants will develop a team of leaders and supporters within their current congregation who will encourage them throughout the course and
beyond. Through the 11 classes, held at The Chapel’s Brunswick campus, they’ll build relationships with other South Georgia lay leaders and learn, practice, implement, share, and be inspired to take what they’ve learned
and put it into action.
The cost for the class is $300 per person, which includes lunch, snacks, books, and supplies for the entire course. Scholarship opportunities are available
Campus Crawl: A United Methodist College Tour for High School Students
Campus Crawl is a bus tour designed to introduce 9th through 12th grade students to United Methodist campus ministries featuring our Georgia United Methodist Colleges and Universities.
In one weekend, February 28 - March 3, 2019, high school students will meet representatives from our United Methodist Colleges and Universities in Georgia as well as meet several Wesley Foundations on public university campuses. Stops on this year's tour include: Oxford College, Young Harris College, Reinhardt University, Kennesaw State Wesley, Clark Atlanta, Georgia Tech Wesley, Emory University, LaGrange College, Andrew College, Wesleyan College, Mercer University Wesley, Augusta Wesley, Paine College, UGA Wesley, and more (subject to change)!
The cost of $75 per student includes a tour bus, meals, lodging, and a t-shirt.
Click here to reserve your seat on the bus
For more information, contact Suzanne Akins at the Office of Connectional Ministries at [email protected] or (912) 638-8626 ext.107.
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RThursday, February 21, 2019
10:00 am– 4:00 pm
Pittman Park UMC, Statesboro
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
10:00 am– 4:00 pm
Vineville UMC, Macon
The Sexual Ethics Workshop is sponsored by the
South Georgia Conference Pastoral Counselor
Office. It is required every three years for any
person serving under appointment by the bishop
(clergy, local pastors, extension ministers,
appointed lay speakers). Register online at
www.sgaumc.org/pastoralcounselor. The cost for
the workshop is $35.00 and will be collected at the
Pastors Due for Sexual Ethics by Annual Conference 2019
North Central District
Grant Abernathy Jerry Akin Jimmy Asbell Stan Ballew
Michael Bland Jon Brown Nick Campbell Grady Carter
Kevin Clotfelter Leland Collins Jim Cowart Judd Drake
Grace Guyton Greg Harrison Nick Hazelton Craig Hutto
Michael Jones Tommy Martin Michael McCord Bill Neely
Barbara Nelson Keith Smith Brandon Tolle Wes Webb
For all disaster response related information, including ERT protocols and cleaning bucket drop-off locations, visit
www.sgaumc.org/disasterresponse.
Disaster Response Update
Hurricane season is not yet over, and we are closely watching a vigorous tropical wave in the western tropical Atlantic Ocean. Stay tuned to the Conference's disaster response page for up-to-date information.
There are continuing needs in southwest Georgia as we transition from relief work into the next stage, recovery, and look toward long-term recovery. The United Methodist Church is committed to being in the affected communities for the long haul.
Ed Haggerty, a lay person from Avalon UMC, is serving as UMCOR's representative in Albany and also as the financial chair of Albany Relief and Recovery, which will serve Albany and surrounding areas in this next phase of response.
Other impacted communities are currently organizing to respond to recovery needs. We will be looking for case managers to work in several areas across the South Georgia Conference and plans are being made to host a case manager training for the southwest Georgia areas. If you or someone you know would be interested in Disaster Response Case Management work, please contact Allison Lindsey at [email protected].
Needs right now: Clean-up teams - Register your team here Financial giving - Click here for ways to give
DATES TO REMEMBER
March 1-3, 2019 Join the Journey (17th Annual So. GA Conference Confirmation Retreat) Designed for students in the fifth grade and above, the “Join the Journey” Confirmation Retreat will provide churches of all sizes an opportunity to connect with others through worship, study, and fellowship. The event will also include large group gatherings around the church seasons and breakout sessions with topics of grace, United Methodist history and United Methodist lingo as well as Holy Clubs throughout the weekend. Not meant to be the only confirmation youth go through, the Confirmation Retreat should be complementary to what a church is or will be doing. For more information, please contact Event Coordinator Suzanne Akins at [email protected] or 912-638-8626 ext. 107. Registration Information and Schedule:
Lake Junaluska to offer Marriage Enrichment Retreats
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Beginning this fall, Lake Junaluska will offer three-‐day marriage enrichment retreats.
The faith-‐based retreats will teach couples how to forge stronger relationships through meaningful conversation. Ned Martin, an expert in marriage counseling, will lead the retreats.
“There is real value in taking time, going on retreat, having no distractions and being able to focus solely on that person to whom you’ve committed your life,” said Martin, who has both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Counseling. “You can open up to them and receive them in a way that’s so hard to do in the day-‐to-‐day hustle and bustle of life.”
By using emotionally focused therapy for couples, Martin will explain the psychology of successful relationships and guide couples through a series of conversations designed to help them connect.
According to Martin, not only will couples experiencing marital stress learn from the retreats, but couples who are stable but seeking to strengthen their bond will also benefit.
Currently, four different sessions are available, starting in September 2018 with the last scheduled retreat in September 2019. Couples will receive lodging, meals, counseling sessions and plenty of peace and quiet to reconnect with each, surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains at Lake Junaluska.
“Our setting provides a perfect place to step away from the busy-‐ness of life and focus on strengthening relationships with loved ones,” said Mitzi Johnson, Lake Junaluska director of programming. “Our staff take care of all the little things so that couples can spend their energy learning to communicate well.”
Pricing for each couple combined is $699, including two nights of lodging, access to Lake Junaluska recreation and five meals. Registration and more information is available at www.lakejunaluska.com/marriage or by calling 800-‐222-‐4930.
Lake Junaluska is a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. For more information about Lake Junaluska programs and events, visit www.lakejunaluska.com.
Retreat Dates
-‐ September 30 -‐ October 2, 2018 March 10-‐12, 2019 August 18-‐20, 2019 September 29-‐Oct. 1, 2019
Learn More:
Registration Now Open for Winter Youth Retreats at Lake Junaluska
Winter Youth Retreats at Lake Junaluska Come to a youth group retreat at Lake Junaluska this winter for adventure, spiritual growth and worship in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Energized worship with great bands is built into every program weekend, and groups can choose to ski, do a mission project or participate in other activities during the day. Find more information at www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth. Dates:
• December 29 – January 1 New Year’s Weekend: Andy Lambert (Speaker) & Jimmy Atkins (Worship Band)
• January 18-21 Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend: Lowell McNaney (Speaker), The Advice (Worship Band)
• January 25-27: Charlie Conder (Speaker) and The Advice (Worship Band) • February 8-10: Stephanie Hand (Speaker) and Zachariah Suggs (Worship Band) • February 15-18: Presidents Day Weekend: Mark Oestreicher (Speaker) and Cameron Moore
(Worship Band) Speakers and bands from across the Southeast will explore the theme in their messages. Mark Oestreicher, author and contributor to more than 60 books including “Youth Ministry 3.0,” will speak during the Presidents Day event. Oestreicher, who launched the Youth Cartel in 2010, provides coaching and consulting to adults who minister to youth. He worked for Youth Specialties for 11 years and for eight of those years he served as president. Lowell McNaney, the founding pastor of Crossroads Church in Concord, North Carolina and recipient of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award debuts at Lake Junaluska Youth Retreats in January. Returning speakers and bands include Andy Lambert, Jimmy Atkins, Charlie Conder, The Advice and Stephanie Hand. The three-night events over New Year’s Eve weekend, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and Presidents Day weekend include special entertainment such as comedian John Felts and illusionist Joshua Lozoff. Two night events begin at just $186/person and three-night events start at $249/person. More information about speakers, bands and entertainers is available online at www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth. Groups that register before October 30 will receive free sling bags for their youth groups. To register, call 800-222-4930 or visit www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth. Groups are also welcome to come to Lake Junaluska for a ski package, which includes lodging at Lake Junaluska and skiing at Cataloochee or Wolf Ridge Ski Area. For more information about ski packages, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/ski-groups.
DECEMBER
2 Lee Drake 5 Jim Davis 6 Joe & Beverly Flowers 7 Linda Elder 7 Jack Payne 6 Bill & Kay Neely 9 Clifford Wallace 10 Joe Stevens 9 Greg & Sheila Johnson 13 Grace Wicker 15 Charlene McAleer 10 Tommy & Flo Martin 15 John Edwards 16 Jody Martin 15 Jay & Kay Harris 17 Greg Harrison 19 Robin Middleton 17 Greg & Alaina Harrison 21 Jason Dillard 21 Gini Lamback 20 Eric & Carol Sizemore 22 Larry Giles 22 Tim Hemingway 22 Tommy & Carol Roe 24 Leta Smith 25 Matt Stewart 23 David & Hope Wood 26 Grady Carter 30 Judd Drake 26 Graton & Dot Helms 30 Greg Johnson 30 Ozzie Nelson 26 Keith & Regina Smith 31 John Carroll 31 William Smith 27 Joe & Joan Stevens
Children’s Birthdays
Abby Drake Judd & Lee Drake December 19 Eli Bland Michael & Wendy Bland December 21 Ellie Hurley Baxter & Carolyn Hurley December 22 Ansley Jane Tolle Brandon & MaryBeth Tolle December 29
Mr. Jere Cater, husband of Rev. Nancylee Cater (Warner Robins First)