10/14/2023

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...

10/14/2023

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 ...

10/1/2023

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...

9/29/2023

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 ...

9/29/2023

By Suzanne Akins After spending a couple of fall football weekends in Athens, it’s pretty obvious that college students are able to choose their own path into adulthood. There is so much freedom and so little accountability that sometimes it doesn’t bode well for responsible adulting.   But I get to see a different side of college students.    I saw a group gathered around a breakfast table asking questions and sharing encouragement as they get ready for campers to arrive. I saw an entire staff...

9/27/2023

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 ...

9/15/2023

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 ...

9/15/2023

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 ...

9/14/2023

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 ...

9/2/2023

Idalia made landfall along the coast of Florida's Big Bend around 8 am August 30, 2023, and continued its way across Florida and into Georgia throughout the day Wednesday. At this time, the South Georgia Conference disaster response team, under the direction of Luis Morales, is communicating with local Georgia officials and pastors in affected communities.  "I am thankful that Hurricane Idalia came and went," said Morales. "In its path we now have neighbors with no electricity, debris in their ...

9/1/2023

Do you have an innovative idea for starting something new to reach your community? Do you have a heart for the lost and a passion for the Gospel? Do you have an idea and a person or two willing to walk with you, but you need a little financial spark and coaching to get things going? If the answer is YES, the South Georgia Conference Congregational Development Team would love to come beside you and spark that idea to life with Spark Grant funding!     New leaders are doing new things to reach new...

9/1/2023

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 ...

8/31/2023

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 ...

8/30/2023

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. ...

8/30/2023

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.  

8/30/2023

World Communion Sunday is Oct. 1 On World Communion Sunday, United Methodists will join Christians of different traditions to recognize our ecumenical oneness in Christ and to bring Christians together in a spirit of unity and peace. We have resources to inspire your community to fully embrace this Special Sunday. In the pastor and leader kit, find offertory talks, children’s messages, age-level resources, social media graphics and more. Core resources will be available in multiple languages. ...

8/30/2023

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.  

8/29/2023

The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is holding a “30 Days of Antiracism” challenge for the month of September. Each day, participants are encouraged to engage in an activity that helps them to become more antiracist in the ways they think and act.    Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed, Conference Director of  Diversity and Justice Ministries, encourages South Georgia laity and clergy to join the challenge.    “Racial justice issues are front and center within the marketplace and impact the ...

8/29/2023

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...

8/14/2023

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 ...

8/14/2023

KidzQuest, the annual children’s fall retreat sponsored by South Georgia’s Connectional Ministries, is for students in 3rd-6th grades. Children and adult leaders from all around South Georgia come together with dozens of other church groups, learning how to worship, study God's Word, and understand what a relationship with Jesus really means. Amidst beautiful coastal scenery, amazing adult leaders (that's you!) and time away from home - these children are given an opportunity to experience ...

8/14/2023

By Rev. Stephanie Smith We are seeing the connection in South Georgia move in new and exciting ways in just over two months since our Annual Conference meeting. We see God moving in home churches, host churches, fresh expressions, new partnerships, and new church starts. Established churches, serving as host churches, are working on their online presence. By doing so, they are creating an inviting connection for home churches to participate in the worship and life of the host church. This ...

8/14/2023

By Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed   Addressing diversity, equity and inclusion issues is paramount to disrupting and dismantling racism. The South Georgia Annual Conference is committed to this work so that our conference continues to thrive. Since its inception, the Bishop’s Task Force on diversity, inclusion and vitality began the work of developing a DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) strategy that South Georgia can achieve.    At the 2023 annual conference, I shared with annual conference attendees ...

8/14/2023

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...

8/11/2023

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 ...

7/28/2023

August Prayer Guide The South Georgia Conference is centering itself around prayer in 2023. The South Georgia Conference is centering itself around prayer in 2023. August’s prayer guide, written by Revs. Julia Norman, Teresa Edwards, Grace Guyton, and Cathy Tucker, all deacons in the South Georgia Conference, is now available at www.sgaumc.org/year-of-prayer.   

7/28/2023

September Prayer Guide The South Georgia Conference is centering itself around prayer in 2023. September’s prayer guide, written by district lay leaders John Ray (Northeast), Karen Forrester (Southwest), Denise Rooks (South Central), and Scott Cleaveland (Coastal) is now available at www.sgaumc.org/year-of-prayer.   

7/28/2023

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 ...

7/28/2023

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 ...

7/28/2023

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 ...

7/27/2023

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 ...

7/17/2023

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...

7/16/2023

Connectional Ministries is accepting applications for the Southeastern Jurisdiction Renfro Trust Grant. This grant is a brick-and-mortar grant specifically for small, rural churches. Guidelines, requirements, and applications can be found here. Completed applications must be submitted to Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries (revgarth0810@gmail.com) by our conference deadline: Monday, August 21, 2023. (Note: application will say August 1)

7/15/2023

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 ...

6/29/2023

July Prayer Guide The South Georgia Conference is centering itself around prayer in 2023. July’s prayer guide, written Kelly Roberson, Jay Harris and Anne Bosarge, is now available at www.sgaumc.org/year-of-prayer.  Next Book Study – August 21 In addition to the prayer guides and prayer days, book studies centered on prayer and hosted by Connectional Ministries, will expand our minds, challenge our hearts and encourage our prayer walks. Click here for a synopsis and links to register for these ...

6/29/2023

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 ...

6/29/2023

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 ...

6/10/2023

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 ...

6/9/2023

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 ...

6/9/2023

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 ...