News

Incredible things are happening on campuses across the state of Georgia! Last year the weekly student reach (discipleship+worship) averaged over 4,000 students per week. Think about that for a moment: 4,000 young adults (18-22) were part of the United Methodist movement on campus. Over 90% of those are experiencing United Methodism for the very first time! Here’s your chance to support the ministry taking place! The 2024 Annual Conference special offering will benefit the United Methodist ...

The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley, President and CEO of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation, in collaboration with Bishop David Graves and the South Georgia Cabinet, announces the appointment of Rev. Doreen Smalls as the Foundation’s new South Georgia Regional Vice President and Director of Lending. Rev. Smalls will begin her appointment at the Foundation on September 1, 2024.     Rev. Smalls will assume responsibilities previously held by Mr. Jim Pope, whose retirement from the ...

By Kelly Roberson   It was a fun night of dinner and dancing for the residents, staff, and friends of Wesley Glen Ministries at Wesley Glen’s annual Abundant Life Gala on March 9, 2024 at Macon's Marriott’s Edgar H. Wilson Convention Center.   For Wesley Glen residents and staff, you will hear them refer to this night as “the best night of the year.”    “The Abundant Life Gala was an incredible celebration, not just of the funds raised, but of the remarkable individuals we have the honor of ...

By John McIntyre   In April 2023, Marsha Bilbrey and John McIntyre - two members of Christ United Methodist Church in Warner Robins - presented to the church’s leadership board the possibility of starting a clothes bank specifically for children. The idea was to help parents and guardians provide for their children, newborn through high school, with clothes, shoes, accessories and more.     Marsha and John started meeting to lay out plans of what was needed - fixtures, hangers, signage, rules, ...

Submitted by Jo Robinson, member of Speedwell UMC Speedwell United Methodist Church in Savannah, Ga. was looking for an outreach ministry where they could make a difference in the community. They were eager to love their neighbors and to love God. Beginning in September 2021, members of Speedwell UMC began donating items such as kitchen utensils, toiletries, laundry items, toys, etc. to the Thomas Austin House, a 12-unit transitional housing apartment for homeless families in Savannah. They ...

When people pray, God listens. And John and Charles Wesley believed “that God does nothing apart from believing prayer.” In a focused effort to prepare for the upcoming General Conference session, the South Georgia Conference is launching a month-long Conference-wide prayer initiative, “Hear Our Prayers.” It will begin the day after Easter - April 1 - and run through the General Conference session, scheduled April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Psalm 4:1 says: “Answer me when I call ...

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, representatives from Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama and the South Georgia Conferences met in Columbus, GA, to begin the necessary work of the shared Episcopal area. The group held an introductory Zoom session in February.    This work comes in response to the recent recommendation from the Southeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy for a unified episcopal area, a change that calls for careful planning and preparation.   The group is facilitated by Rev. ...

By Buddy Hughes & Terry Dickson from The Brunswick News and conference communications   There was a flurry of activity around the cabins at Epworth By the Sea on Saturday morning, March 9, 2024, and not just from the groups that were staying in them.   As luggage wheeled out and soccer balls kicked around, a group dressed in matching blue T-shirts pressure washed the exteriors of all the buildings. It wasn’t a professional cleaning crew. It was one of 12 groups from St. Simons United Methodist ...

With General Conference set to begin this month, the South Georgia Conference delegation has been meeting to pray, study, and discuss legislation as they continue to prepare for the global gathering, set for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, which meets once every four years. However, because of the pandemic, the last regular session of General Conference was nearly eight years ago. The conference can ...

By Suzanne Akins   In today's fast-paced world, it's increasingly difficult for young people to carve out moments, especially entire weekends, of worship, study and fellowship with others amidst the daily grind of just being a teenager.    Since 2002, hundreds of middle schoolers have flocked to the beautiful grounds of Epworth By The Sea each spring for the Confirmation Retreat. It’s become a respite from the chaos of daily life, as confirmands join others their age who are walking the same ...

As the fiery spirit of the Wesleyan revival moved into the Spanish-speaking world during the late 1800s, many new churches began and countless lives were transformed. Yet, there were few ways to access the vast majority of John and Charles Wesley’s writings, apart from some collections of sermons and hymns. The Spirit-inspired evangelism, worship, and service were all present, but most people could not read the foundational documents of the movement itself. In the early 1990s, the Wesley ...

LaGrange College will implement three new graduate and undergraduate academic options, including a Doctor of Education — the college’s first doctoral-level degree — and a minor in Computer Science.  “These new additions will expand our academic offerings to reach more students,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We are committed to growing and evolving our programs to meet employer needs in high demand job markets.  “The Doctorate in Education has been discussed at...

By Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed The beautiful campus of The Methodist Children’s Home was the site of the third of four self-care, wellness initiatives. The self-care and wellness initiative is a collaboration with the Conference Task Force on Mental Health and the Diversity and Justice Ministries Office for South Georgia Conference.  South Georgia was awarded a grant from the General Commission on Religion and Race to focus on mental health for its minority clergy.  The first gathering was The ...

By Kelly Roberson   Part of our call to discipleship is to carry each other’s burdens as we fulfill Christ’s command to love God and love others. In times of overwhelming difficulty, having someone to walk alongside us in faith and prayer - to help carry our burdens - can make all the difference.    This is the core principle behind Stephen Ministry, a one-to-one lay caring ministry deeply rooted in a biblical understanding of Jesus, His church, and His ministry.   Stephen Ministry offers a ...

By Kelly Roberson   Wesley United Methodist Church in Taylor County is the 2023 South Georgia recipient of the Renfro Trust Grant.    The Renfro Trust awards grants for the purpose of establishing and supporting United Methodist churches in rural areas of the United States within the Southeastern Jurisdiction. These “brick and mortar” grant applications are considered for projects involving new or existing church buildings.   “Wesley UMC is honored to receive the Renfro Trust Grant,” said Eloise...

On February 14, Bishop Richard Looney – who was the first bishop of the South Georgia Annual Conference – celebrated a remarkable milestone: his 90th birthday.    Bishop Looney's life and ministry have been a testament to his faith, compassion, and extraordinary storytelling ability. As a cherished leader in The United Methodist Church, he has touched countless lives with his wisdom and grace.   In honor of Bishop Looney's 90th birthday, you are invited to enjoy a collection of some of his most ...

Church establishes Education Plan for Wesley and Henry Hagan By Kelly Roberson   Wrightsville First United Methodist Church stands as a beacon of love and faith in their community.    Rev. Dr. Mike Bankston, the senior pastor of Wrightsville First, shares a deeply rooted philosophy of shepherding children and youth with care and intentionality. For this church, children are not just the church's future; they are its present. Through intentional engagement, education, discipleship, worship, and ...

On the campus of Valdosta State University, the Wesley Foundation is more than just a gathering spot for college students. It’s a place where lives are transformed, disciples are made, and forever friendships are formed. Discipleship is at the core of their mission. The Wesley Foundation is a catalyst for transformation, fostering an environment where students not only strengthen their faith but also discover their purpose and potential. Amidst the academic pressures, the Wesley Foundation is a...

The 2024 Annual Conference session dates have been adjusted. The conference, originally scheduled to begin on Sunday, June 2, and conclude on Wednesday, June 5, will now adjourn on Tuesday, June 4.   The decision to adjust the dates was made after careful consideration by Bishop David Graves and conference leadership.    “After reviewing the agenda for our time together, we do not feel that the half-day originally scheduled for June 5 is necessary,” said Mrs. Meredyth Earnest, Conference ...

Bishop David Graves and Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett have collaboratively established a task group to begin shaping the future of the United Methodist annual conferences in South Georgia, Alabama West-Florida, and North Alabama.    This forward-thinking initiative sets the stage for a comprehensive and strategic pre-work plan over the coming year to ensure a seamless transition for the assigned bishop, set to begin on September 1, 2024.   In January, the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) Committee...

By Kelly Roberson   If you’ve been to a session of the South Georgia Annual Conference in the last ten years, you’ve heard these words from Rev. Dave Hanson: “This has been a John Wesley moment.”    Rev. Hanson is a retired minister in the South Georgia Conference, having served congregations in Warner Robins, Swainsboro, Hinesville, St. Simons, Brunswick and Kingsland.    One of Rev. Hanson’s first encounters with John Wesley was as a high school student where Wesley’s ideas of salvation by ...

By Christie R. House    Students at seven colleges, including Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia, have access to free or low-cost food and hygiene products thanks to grants from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Food insecurity on college campuses is often a hidden problem because students do not want to admit they are in need. The grants were funded by offerings on Human Relations Day. “On days that I was away from home from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., I didn’t worry about ...

The supplemental Advance edition of the Daily Christian Advocate is now available online at DailyChristianAdvocate.org. The Advance Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA) contains the agenda, rules, petitions, reports from the general agencies/commissions and study committees, information for delegates and codes of conduct for the General Conference. The website includes: New valid petitions to the postponed General Conference received prior to September 6, 2023 New reports from the General Agencies ...

By Allison Lindsey Henri Nouwen once said, “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”   Sandy Bonner ...

Andrew College’s Spring 2024 enrollment figure of 288 shows a 37% increase in enrollment from last Spring when there were 211 students. The increase is due to strong retention and a robust incoming class of new students to the Cuthbert, Ga. campus. This is the highest Spring enrollment since 2003 at the Southwest Georgia Methodist Institution.   “At Andrew College, we strive to put our students first,” said Dr. William R. Kennedy, Andrew College President. “We are here to help them attain a ...

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation partners with donors who establish endowments, a student's church, participating United Methodist-related schools, and the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) to award matching United Methodist Dollars for Scholars (UMDFS) scholarships valued at up to $4,000 per year to Georgia Methodist students. UMDFS scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will be open from January 1 - through March 1, 2024 on UMHEF's website. Read more...

Your congregation is invited to celebrate Vashti Sunday on February 4. For over 120 years, Vashti - located in Thomasville, Ga. - has evolved into a place of love, care, and healing for children who face enormous challenges. The United Methodist Women first founded Vashti in 1903 as an institute for young women. Their vision quickly grew into an organization that now serves hundreds of children, youth and families who face mental health and behavioral challenges every year. Vashti's programs ...

Registration for the upcoming livestreamed orientation and briefing for General Conference delegates is now available.  Individuals wishing to watch the Feb. 29 and March 1, 2024, presentations can sign up at Resourceumc.org/GC-Delegate-Orientation-registration. The live feed will be from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. U.S. Central Standard Time each day. It will be offered in English, French and Portuguese. Archived video viewing options with translations will be available after the event. Co-hosted by...

Resolutions to the 2024 South Georgia Annual Conference (meeting June 2-5) will be received through noon on Wednesday, March 1, 2024. Please be aware of the following requirements listed below for resolutions to be presented to the Resolutions Committee. Highlights are listed here, but full instructions are found in the conference's Standing Rules (below) Resolutions must be submitted by the posted deadline of March 1, 2024.   Resolutions must be signed by at least five persons, unless the ...

The following letter was issued by the SEJ Committee on Episcopacy to the delegations of each Annual Conference. Rev. Doreen Smalls and Mr. Richard Shinhoster, heads of the South Georgia delegation, would now like to share it with the South Georgia Conference.  Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church Committee on Episcopacy January 8, 2024 Dear SEJ Delegates: Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ as we begin the new year of 2024 with great confidence that God is ...

During its December 6, 2023 meeting, the Georgia United Methodist Foundation Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Search Committee’s recommendation to elect Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley as the Foundation’s next President and CEO, effective January 9, 2024. Coppedge-Henley succeeds Rev. Keith E. Lawder, who returned to his prior role as President and CEO on an interim basis following the departure of Mathew A. Pinson. She is also the first female to serve in this role in the ...

By Kelly Roberson   Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and our United Methodist Connection, South Georgia United Methodists are able to respond immediately to those affected by disasters - whether through monetary assistance, early response teams, or relief supplies.   This past Fall, the North Central and South Central Districts put together 180 UMCOR cleaning kits – also known as flood buckets – to help their neighbors and enable those affected by floods, hurricanes, and ...

By Denise Rooks, South Central District Lay Leader   There is no better way to “Count Your Blessings” than spending an evening with sisters and brothers in Christ giving thanks, singing, and praising God together.    On Sunday, November 19, 2023, the United Methodist churches in the Baxley area (Appling County) came together to host a musical community Thanksgiving service. They connected for a night of music, singing, fellowship, and giving in the Life Center at Baxley First United Methodist ...

By Rev. Stephanie Smith   Over 80 leaders from across the United States who believe that the rural churches matter came together for the first-ever Rural Church Rising Conference this past October in Florida. Rural Church Rising was filled with three days of learning, connection, and worship.    Stephanie Smith, Agnes McKinney, Lynn Barber, Dorsia Atkinson, and Anne Bosarge – all from South Georgia – were present to learn and listen to the way fresh-expressions are taking root in rural contexts....

The United Methodist Church has released the 2022 State of the Church Report. This offering centers around how the people of The United Methodist Church have dug deeper into our Wesleyan roots to reclaim, revive and renew our identity as United Methodists. The report is themed around being bound together, and is inspired by the excerpt “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” from Ecclesiastes 4:12 NRSV. “This State of the Church Report is about how, over the past year, The United Methodist ...

By Allison Lindsey Food. Festivities. Fun. Martha Bowman United Methodist Church packs all of these into one at their annual Food Truck Fest, which according to organizers is one of the church’s favorite days of the year. Food trucks have existed for decades but have become even more popular over the last several years offering food truck owners an opportunity to share unique foods with a larger audience of people and take their food and hospitality literally -  on the road. Martha Bowman ...

There's no question this has been a challenging season. But we still have much for which to give thanks. We asked you, our South Georgia UM family and friends, what you’re thankful for during this season of giving thanks. We are thankful for our wonderful #sgaumc family! Here’s what you shared with us: I am very thankful that I can live a life knowing that I’m doing what I am supposed to be doing. I am so grateful for the great mentors, friends, and people that I get to do life with. In youth ...

It’s hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner. That means it’s time once again for Giving Tuesday. #GivingTuesday harnesses the generosity of millions of people around the world to support the causes they believe in around the world and in the communities in which they live. This year on November 28 United Methodists have the opportunity to come together as a part of that movement to advance vital ministries in our communities, in our conference, and around the world.  There are...

By Rev. Stephanie Smith   Every pastor needs an opportunity to find rest and renewal to cope with the stress and strain of ministry. For several South Georgia United Methodist pastors, Green Bough House of Prayer, an ecumenical retreat center tucked away in the heart of Georgia, offers them space to find it.    According to new Barna research, two in five pastors (41%) say they’ve considered quitting full-time ministry in the last 12 months. In 2015, 72% of pastors said they felt “very satisfied...

Submitted by Andrew College staff and LaGrange College staff   Andrew College Adds Intercollegiate Football Starting in 2024 Andrew College President Dr. William R. Kennedy has announced the addition of an intercollegiate football program at Andrew College. Andrew College will begin play in Fall 2024 at the NJCAA level.    "We are excited to add football to our growing list of athletic offerings at Andrew College,” said Dr. Kennedy. “Fighting Tiger Football will increase campus vibrancy and ...

By Rev. Stephanie Smith   Why Jesus? Why New Disciples? Why New Places?    Eight South Georgia United Methodist lay persons took a leap of faith and began to answer those three questions during the inaugural Lay Planters Academy facilitated by the South Georgia Conference Congregational Development Team.    Laurie Cigal, Mary Fletcher, Michelle Reeves, Roger Presnell, Steven Rowe, Chris Cigal, Diane James, and Margaret Wheeler committed to a 10-week online training and mentoring course through ...

The South Georgia Annual Conference Committee on Nominations has begun a process to identify laity and clergy interested in serving on Conference and District boards, committees, and teams for the 2025-2028 quadrennium.  Between now and November 30, you are invited to indicate your willingness to serve or to encourage possible leaders to complete an online Interest Form. Each quadrennium, the United Methodist Church seeks new leaders for open positions on conference boards and committees to ...

By Nancy Abarca   “I really believe God has always had His hand in my life, even when I did not know it. He always put the right people in the right place at the right time. The Carpenter’s Way Ranch was one of those places.”  – Adam Anderson   When Adam Andersen was four and a half years old, he was adopted. On multiple occasions this adoptive family would take him back to the Division of Family and Children Services and say, “You can have him back.” Needless to say, Adam had a rocky start. ...

Submitted by LaGrange College staff The start of a new school year can bring a feeling of excitement but also anxiety for students away from home for the first time. The Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins (class of '08), who joined the staff of LaGrange College this summer as Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life, aspires to provide a warm and accepting environment for the campus community.   "I want to cheer students on and be with them during their hardships,” Jenkins said. “If a student is ...

by Megan Hopkins    People with mobility challenges will now have an easier time accessing Pittman Park UMC’s Fellowship Hall thanks to an automatic door opener. The low-energy operator arm engages when users apply pressure to the door, opening the door and holding it open to allow those with canes, crutches, wheelchairs, or just full arms to more easily pass through.    Members of The Bulloch County Historical Society were the first group to benefit from the improvement at their group’s monthly...

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)    In a world already consumed with political unrest and conflict, the recent attacks by Hamas against Israel only add to the reality that the prophetic words from Isaiah are needed now more than ever.  As a people who pray for and work toward peace, we in the United Methodist family are appalled, and dismayed by the ...

By Allison Lindsey Just eight short months ago, as a group of United Methodists in Thomasville found themselves displaced as a result of disaffiliation, God’s prevenient grace was at work orchestrating the path for these believers now proudly known as the United Methodists of Thomasville. In January, Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor, following God’s call, came out of retirement to once again shepherd a body of believers who loved the Lord and The United Methodist Church. Their new faith journey began the...

The Commission on Religion and Race of The United Methodist Church (GCORR) is pleased to announce the recipients of the CORR Action Fund (CAF) Grant program, an initiative aimed at fostering mental health awareness and wellness through the creation of cohorts and small groups in the United States. Among those chosen, the South Georgia Conference has received a grant for $10,000.  Open to both pastors and laity of the United Methodist Church in the United States, the CORR Action Fund Grant ...

Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all Christians as they love God and neighbor. As God’s people grow in grace to become “all-love” disciples in community, we gather with others and connect all to God’s saving love in Jesus Christ. So, on Laity Sunday (this year, October 15, 2023), we continue to lift up the vocation of all to follow the way of Jesus and lead others to him – particularly as we consider what it means to hold fast to the pattern of healthy, sound words that bring life to all ...

The 2022 joint annual report for Global Ministries and The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), “God’s grace: our source of hope and mission service,” is now available. The report shares the impact of United Methodist mission in the areas of missionaries, evangelism and church revitalization, global health, and humanitarian relief and recovery.   In their opening letter, General Secretary Roland Fernandes, Bishop Thomas Bickerton and Bishop Hee-Soo Jung write: “Without God’s grace, we ...

Right now, there is still a need in the Lowndes County and surrounding areas for work teams. Teams from South Georgia, North Georgia, and South Carolina have been hard at work helping to restore homes and give hope to the community following the destruction caused by Hurricane Idalia on August 30. Our United Methodist connectional system is at its best when we come together to help those around us! Please contact Kelly Crane (kelcrane@gmail.com), Glenn Martin (gmartin0704@gmail.com), or Luis ...

By Kelly Roberson   Mulberry Street United Methodist Church in Macon, Ga. is kicking off their annual stewardship campaign in a little different fashion. For three weeks this Fall, they are sharing stories of how giving makes a difference as church members live out their mission to share the heart of God from the heart of downtown Macon by fostering healing for the broken places of life.    As part of this focus on giving, the church is turning its attention outward to its community and has ...

By Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed   Last month, the members of Piney Mount United Methodist Church in Tennille, Ga. gathered to participate in an intentional time of worship to pray for the needs of their community. They invited friends, family, and community neighbors to come and celebrate the unfailing grace of God.     Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Gary Griffin, he and his congregants boldly declare that love is the answer, and that love can be found at Piney Mount UMC.    Since 1847, Piney ...

United Methodist Communications (UMCom) has revealed the podcast lineup for their second annual United Methodist Podcast-a-thon taking place October 2nd-6th. The event will be hosted on the ResourceUMC website and Facebook page and shared across various United Methodist platforms. Among podcasts chosen is “Faith Revisited,” a podcast produced and hosted by Mrs. Molly Carlson, lay person from Trinity UMC in Savannah, and the senior pastor of Trinity, the Rev. Dr. Ben Gosden.    The “Faith ...

By Heather Hahn September 1, 2023   The day after Idalia slammed the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, Florida Conference leaders surveyed the results of the storm’s destructive power.   But they also marveled at the United Methodist connection’s power to heal.   “We have been on the road for just a couple of hours to visit impacted areas,” Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin said. “And during that time, three annual conferences have contacted our disaster-recovery personnel with offers of ...

By Allison Lindsey   Mr. Jim Ellis is affectionately known as the "Bee Guru" of Striplin Terrace United Methodist Church. His passion for bees has not only cultivated an understanding of these remarkable insects but has also ignited a new energy around hospitality among the Striplin Terrace UMC congregation in Columbus, Ga.    Ellis is a member of the local beekeeper’s association and a dedicated educator in the world of bees. Every month, the members of the local beekeeper’s association gather ...

Andrew College’s Fall 2023 enrollment figures show a 19% increase in enrollment from last fall. This number is primarily due to a first-time freshman class that is the largest in four years and robust re-enrollment. The number of students residing in on-campus housing is also up 22% to its highest total since the fall of 2020.   “Since 1854, Andrew has offered students a quality education and individualized attention and worked to meet the needs of southwest Georgia,” said Dr. William R. ...

Fall and the charge conference season is a great time for church leadership to do an annual audit of who can sign documents and authorize financial transactions on behalf of the church. When church officers and committee chairs change, or when there are staff changes, it is good stewardship to confirm your church authorizations are up to date! Click here to read the Georgia United Methodist Foundation’s latest newsletter.  

A UMC Relationship Committee has been working with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to develop paths to serve the needs of both the local church and the BSA troop. The two path options are: 1 - an Affiliation Agreement or 2 - a Facilities Use Agreement. The latest, approved agreements can be found here: methodistscouter.org/conference-resource-page/.  These agreements have been updated with the new insurance levels for the 2023 policy year.  

Thirty-six students received United Methodist Dollars for Scholars scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year from the Georgia United Methodist Foundation. The Foundation partners with individuals and families who establish scholarship endowments, Methodist churches statewide, participating United Methodist-related schools nationwide, and the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation to award matching United Methodist Dollars for Scholars scholarships valued at up to $4,000 each year. Since...

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, the pastors serving in Hispanic congregations in the South Georgia Annual Conference and several of their local church members met in Cordele to receive training on “How to be a Disciple-Maker.” This program, which will be used in each of the congregations, promotes a system to develop leaders by training them to intentionally reach and disciple new persons and form small groups whose "disciples" will also reach others for Christ and their church.   The training was ...

By Rev. Stephanie Smith Can youth inspire change in their community? Can they be a catalyst that motivates others to come together in worship and service for the Kingdom of God? That is precisely what happened this summer in Tifton, Georgia.  From July 12-16, 2023, over 120 middle and high school students gathered at Tifton First United Methodist Church for River of Life. In addition, these students were supported by more than 60 volunteer lay persons throughout the week.   River of Life is a...

Wind-driven wildfires on Maui have prompted evacuations and caused significant loss of life and widespread damage. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is coordinating with the California-Pacific Annual Conference to process an initial grant for emergency supplies such as shelf-stable food, water, hygiene items and tools to help survivors recover belongings. As first responders continue to provide initial aid in the area, please join UMCOR in prayer for those affected. Gifts can be ...

By Allison Lindsey Carolyn Harrison knows it’s not just about the number of people in a church, but it’s also about the size of the heart. And for the people of the Grovania and Snow United Methodist Churches in the Hawkinsville/Unadilla area, their hearts are big. Harrison, seeking purpose after retirement, embarked on a mission to provide warmth and comfort to those in need. Little did she know that her simple act of kindness would evolve into a beautiful blanket ministry for her ...

ADVOCATE: Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? Have you always lived in South Georgia?   DR. HAGAN: I was born in Brunswick, Georgia, when my dad was teaching at the junior college there. We moved to Athens for him to get his doctorate and my brother Kirk was born there. Dad was hired as the first anatomy teacher of the new nursing school started at Georgia Southern the summer before I started first grade, so we moved to Statesboro. I graduated from Statesboro High School and ...

It was a week of sunshine and spiritual formation for United Methodist clergy from North and South Georgia Conferences and their families as they gathered in St. Simons for the annual Georgia Pastors' School. "It was a wonderful Pastors' School this year; a time of reflection, refreshment, and revitalization," said Rev. Matt Murphy, chair of the Pastors School Board of Managers. The focus was on spiritual formation. Clergy were invited to spend time answering the question John Wesley worded ...

A Note from Dr. Jay Harris Dear Colleagues in Ministry & Local Church Lay Leadership, I hope you are having a good summer and hopefully taking some vacation time for rest and renewal. The purpose of this email is to give you some information about the transition with our district offices. As you know, we have made reductions in our conference and district budgets so that we can continue to resource you and your churches while allowing more of your local church offerings to stay in the local ...

The Commission on General Conference gathered in Florence, Kentucky for an in-person meeting this past May. Participants included representatives from each U.S. jurisdiction and Central Conference members from Africa.  Members from Europe and the Philippines were unable to attend for a variety of personal reasons. During the session, important updates and continuing work were discussed in preparation for the postponed 2020 General Conference to be held April 23-May 3, 2024, at Charlotte ...

The South Georgia Conference is no stranger to storms.   And folks throughout the Conference – not just those on the coast – need to be aware and should always be prepared for what may lie ahead.   The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and is predicted to have “near-normal” hurricane activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).    NOAA is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of ...

By Kathy L. Gilbert James Thigpen, representing the U.S., sailed into Special Olympics history, winning a bronze medal at the 2023 World Games in Berlin.   Thigpen lives at Wesley Glen Ministries, a residential community serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in Macon, Georgia. It is a ministry of the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church.   His sailing partner is Phil Martin, volunteer director of the Sailing Center at Lake Tobesofkee. He and Thigpen...

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation announces the election of a new chair and vice chair to oversee the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Ruth A. Knox was named Chair of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation Board of Trustees, and Rev. Doreen Smalls was named Vice Chair of the Board.   Knox, who works with the Hall-Knox Foundation and is a retired president of Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., began her two-year term on July 1, 2023. Knox served as a member of the Foundation’s Board of ...

The South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church ratified local church disaffiliations at its special called session held online Sunday, May 21, 2023. All churches were to complete the agreed upon steps laid out in the disaffiliation policy by June 30. This marks the end of the use of paragraph 2553 in the South Georgia Conference, which sunsets December 31, 2023.   At the June 2022 Annual Conference session, however, Conference members approved a report from the Conference Trustees ...

On Friday afternoon, June 23 Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar arrived at Temple Beth Israel in downtown Macon, Ga. to prepare for the evening's Shabbat service. What she found in front of the synagogue, however, was not what she expected.   Standing on the street just outside the synagogue shouting what police deputies called 'obscene language' through a bullhorn was an out-of-town Anti-Semitic group who had chosen Temple Beth Israel as its latest target.    While Rabbi Bahar could have chosen to move the ...

At the 2023 Annual Conference session in Tifton, Ga. June 4-6, South Georgia United Methodists passed a resolution focused on evangelism and church planting.  The resolution reads in part, “Now, therefore be it resolved that the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church commit itself to evangelism and church planting in areas where disaffiliations have occurred and in new areas of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.”   Church planting is one of Bishop ...

By Jeanette Dadzie   Africa University graduated its largest class to date on June 10 and celebrated several firsts for the United Methodist university.    More than 950 students from 19 countries received degrees during the university’s 29th graduation ceremony. This year, Africa University’s largest group of women ever graduated, with over 60% constituting the class of 2023.    In other firsts, Collins Prempeh from Ghana, the first Deaf student from the Institute of Theology and Religious ...

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation announced that Mathew A. Pinson will step down as President and CEO. He will remain in office through July 17, when the Rev. Keith E. Lawder, former President and CEO of the Foundation, will become interim President. The Rev. Lawder served as President and CEO of the Foundation from 2016 until his retirement in 2021. Mathew will return to Emory University at the end of July, serving as the Assistant Vice...

Submitted by Ben Sandifer   On Saturday June 10, 2023, more than 60 former members of Cherokee Heights United Methodist Church gathered to share memories of their days at one of the largest churches in the South Georgia Conference. Many of these stories were recorded for an audio podcast.   The reunion was held in the fellowship hall at Riverside United Methodist Church, one of two Macon churches started by members of Cherokee Heights. With the rapid growth of Macon’s suburbs, Riverside began in...

Detailed recaps of each day’s events, including listings of those who retired and the ministers and spouses who were remembered during the memorial service, as well as the appointment list, photos, and bulletin insert can be found by clicking here. By Kelly Roberson On the heels of a tough and trying season, the spirit of the 2023 Annual Conference was one of excitement and hope as South Georgia United Methodists gathered to worship and pray, conduct the business of the annual conference, and ...

By Kelly Roberson Naomi. Nehemiah. Mary. Peter. United Methodists of the South Georgia Annual Conference. What do all of these have in common? They prayed bold prayers. Because of their prayers, we see how God redeems, rebuilds, reveals, revives, and moves us forward into a hope-filled future. In a focused effort, the South Georgia Conference centered itself around prayer leading up to and during the 2023 South Georgia Annual Conference, meeting June 4-6, 2023, at the UGA Tifton Campus ...

By Kelly Roberson During the 2023 annual conference session, held June 4 through June 6, South Georgia United Methodists elected delegates to fill vacancies in its delegation to both the postponed 2020 General Conference (to be held in 2024) and the 2024 Jurisdictional Conference. Because of the pandemic and then scheduling challenges, the 2020 General Conference was postponed and will now meet April 23-May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Judicial Council ruled that conferences may ...

By Kelly Roberson During the 2023 South Georgia Annual Conference session, meeting June 4-6, three individuals were recognized for their contributions in their local church and ministry settings and for their disciple-making efforts and faithfulness to their calling with prestigious denominational awards. Rev. CJ Harp, Valdosta State University Wesley Foundation director, received the Francis Asbury Award from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; Rev. Jerry Hudson, senior pastor...

Churches throughout the conference continue to demonstrate how great God’s faithfulness is  through mission, ministry, and evangelism. Evangelistically Fruitful Congregations The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. A significant dimension of the disciple-making process is that of leading people to make a commitment to God through baptism and profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Reaching new persons with the gospel is at the very heart of every church’s purpose. Below ...

By Kelly Roberson Annual Conference is a special time to celebrate ministry milestones and achievements, from those just entering the ministry to those taking the next step of their journey into retirement. During the Board of Ordained Ministry report Monday afternoon, individuals were recognized for achieving milestones and achievements. Received into their new relationship with the conference as Elders and Full Conference Members were Joseph Isaac Carter, Mark Jeffrey Miller, and Matthew ...

By Kelly Roberson A Memorial Service for those faithful servants who served in the South Georgia Annual Conference was held Tuesday morning, June 6, at 11 a.m. as conference members gathered at the UGA Tifton Conference Center in Tifton, Ga. The Rev. Dr. Derek McAleer, South Georgia retired minister, asked those gathered to think about that great Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11, which he says is one of the most challenging and beautiful passages anywhere in scripture for him.  “We know ...

On Tuesday, June 6, during the 2023 South Georgia Annual Conference session, Bishop David Graves fixed the 2023-2024 pastoral appointments for the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. 2023-2024 Appointments Click here to download and view the list of appointments by district. For full Annual Conference coverage, visit www.sgaumc.org/annualconference.

South Georgia United Methodists will gather June 4-6, 2023, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Ga. to worship, fellowship, celebrate mission and ministry, and discuss the future of the South Georgia Conference. Meeting under the theme, “When They Prayed,” attendees at the 2023 Annual Conference session will worship together, pray together, and see friends new and old. This year’s Annual Conference session will be marked by daily worship services and prayer moments woven ...

Andrew College has announced the establishment of the Aderhold Chair of Nursing thanks to an endowed gift of $1.5 million from Andrew Alumni Tom and Kay Aderhold in support of the College’s nursing program. Dr. Linda R. Buchanan, President of Andrew, describes the gift as one of the largest individual gifts in the history of the College and a ringing endorsement of the importance of Andrew’s efforts to graduate superior registered nurses to serve Southwest Georgia.    “We are so grateful to Tom ...

UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, which has hosted thousands of volunteers who support the United Methodist Committee on Relief by working on relief supply kits, reopened to volunteer teams in March 2023. Part of the United Methodist Relief Supply Network, UMCOR Sager Brown Depot was closed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the safety of volunteers, staff, and supplies. In past years, more than 2,000 volunteers annually have prepared approximately $4 million on average in relief supplies ...

The South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church ratified 193 local church disaffiliations at its special called session held online Sunday, May 21, 2023.    Bishop David Graves, episcopal leader of the South Georgia Conference, opened the 158th session of the South Georgia Annual Conference with a message of hope to the 274 congregations remaining with the conference.    Recognizing that disaffiliation conversations have consumed so much time and focus for our United Methodist ...

The South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church is writing a new chapter in its story as it looks ahead to mission and ministry in this next season.  Bishop David Graves, episcopal leader of the South Georgia Conference, has expressed his great hope for the future of the South Georgia Conference. While it may be smaller in number, he says, he knows that numbers do not tell a full story nor define a church’s ability to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ.  “It is time to ...

Disaffiliations from The United Methodist Church in the past year have left some faithful United Methodists who want to stay part of the denomination without a church home. In response, South Georgia Conference leadership has worked to make sure there is a place to call “home” - at least temporarily.    If the church where someone currently holds their membership is disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church and they have not yet found a new church, the Conference has created a mechanism to...

Bishop James Swanson, most recently bishop of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC), has been named Bishop-in-Residence at United Theological Seminary. Following his retirement from nearly 20 years as a bishop in the United Methodist denomination, Bishop Swanson is now using his spiritual gifts to encourage students as they prepare for ministry.   “Bishop Swanson’s highly effective pastoral leadership in local congregations and episcopal leadership in two different ...

Business items for the 2023 Annual Conference session are contained within the Book of Recommendations and Reports (BOR). Inside the BOR delegates will find helpful annual conference information, detailed reports from conference ministries, pension and benefits recommendations, conference budgets, and much more. One of the purposes of the BOR is to allow delegates to read the recommendations, reports and resolutions before the annual conference session. As it's always been, the BOR will be a ...

Serving in full-time ministry is consuming. It's hard to relax and "turn off" at the end of the day. Being a pastor is an always-on, always-in-demand role with sometimes unrealistically high expectations.  The South Georgia Conference realizes the need to care for those in ministry, and has implemented S3, a program for sustaining excellence in ministry through small-group experiences focused on Sabbath, study, and service. Brought to South Georgia nearly 20 years ago, the S3 program was ...

At a special called session on Sunday, May 21, 2023, South Georgia United Methodist clergy and laity will meet online to complete the process of ratifying the current requests for disaffiliation of local churches who have met the requirements outlined in ¶2553 of the Book of Discipline and who have met the published South Georgia Conference deadlines. The session will take place at 4 pm via Zoom. A live stream link will be available on the conference website, www.sgaumc.org, for guests who would...

May Prayer Guide The South Georgia Conference is centering itself around prayer in 2023. May’s prayer guide, written by Reese McCurry, Alison Evans, Angela Gilbert, and Gail Springstead, is now available at www.sgaumc.org/year-of-prayer.    District Prayer Days This year for Annual Conference our theme is, "When They Prayed." During the six weeks leading up to Annual Conference each district has been assigned one week to pray for our Annual Conference. Laity and clergy from each district are ...

By Jamie Denty* (Contributions for this article provided by Conference Communications)   When Jesup First United Methodist Church and Epworth United Methodist Church began praying about their future as one congregation, they knew it was more than just sharing a building or a name. For these two church families and one pastoral family, it was about bringing people together to make an even bigger impact for the Kingdom of God in their community.   On Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, the members of ...

Wesleyan College President Meaghan Blight was formally inducted as the 26th President of Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga. on Wednesday, April 19, during the annual Honors and Awards Day Ceremony.    President Blight was presented with the presidential medallion and formally endowed with the responsibilities of the office. Blight shared her ongoing vision for the institution, which includes bringing more awareness to women's colleges and their importance in our communities. President Blight ...

By Allison Lindsey, Advocate Contributor  When Katie Cawthon attended her first United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader Training seven years ago, she had no idea the doors that God would open to serve alongside the people in Subirana, Honduras. But through the United Methodist Church connection, Cawthon, Missions Coordinator at Perry United Methodist Church, has seen a beautiful partnership launch, relationships built, and a deep love planted and nurtured for the people of ...

The South Georgia Conference will elect persons to fill vacancies in its delegation to the postponed 2020 General Conference (to be held in 2024) and the 2024 Jurisdictional Conference during this year’s Annual Conference Session in Tifton, Ga. on June 4-6, 2023. The General Conference is the global gathering of The United Methodist Church where mission and ministry priorities are established and The Book of Discipline is reviewed for possible revisions. The General Conference is the policy ...