9/15/2010

Three-and-a-half years ago, Emily Calhoun was at her wits end.  Constantly stressed, caught up in a flurry of activity and feeling like her life had no focus, she didn’t know where to turn. One morning she woke up and realized that she needed to take control of her schedule, time and priorities.  Rev. Karen Prevatt’s name popped into her head, and Calhoun decided she needed to make a phone call. “I believe the idea to call her was straight from God,” said Calhoun, a wife, mother, teacher and ...

9/4/2010

This summer, homeowners in the Brunswick area have been given a helping hand by good Samaritans from Emanuel United Methodist Church. The good Samaritans are part of Emanuel UMC’s Second Saturday Servants ministry, a local missions outreach of the church. On the second Saturday of each month, men, women and children come together to help those in need.  They meet in Emanuel UMC’s fellowship hall at 7:30 a.m. and then go out into the community to mow lawns, paint houses, repair leaky toilets and ...

9/3/2010

A relentless pursuit of God, and His relentless pursuit of them, led six South Georgia singer-songwriters on a spiritual and musical journey. What came out of their journey is “Relentless: A Worship Project,” a self-described “collaboration of passionate worship artists deciding to worship together.” The six Valdosta State University students began their almost year-long odyssey one evening after a VSU Wesley Foundation worship service.  Realizing that there was a wealth of musical talent within...

8/30/2010

Ruby G. King, mother of South Georgia Bishop James R. King, Jr., of Ashland, Alabama died Friday afternoon, August 27, 2010, at the age of 94. The funeral service and visitations will be held at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church.  The church is located at 41324 Highway 77 / Ashland, Alabama / 36251. Visitations will be held Wednesday, September 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, September 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September...

8/19/2010

Just like its motto says, New Covenant United Methodist Church is “Doing Church Differently.”  In September, the downtown Savannah church’s Joyful Noise Jazz Café will turn one year old.  On the first and third Thursdays of each month, this unique ministry transcends typical race and age barriers by showcasing local jazz musicians and poets.   During his initial visit to the church, New Covenant UMC pastor Dr. Andrew Young saw possibilities for the church’s lower level.  It was being used as a ...

8/4/2010

Numbers and spreadsheets don’t usually add up to a second career as an author.   But that’s exactly what happened when Ann Smith, a certified public accountant, combined her love of writing with her desire to enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord. As a teenager, Smith, who has been an accountant for more than 25 years, began reading the Bible all the way through each year.  Years later, she still reads from Genesis to Revelation every year, but realized that she was doing it more out ...

8/4/2010

What happens when hundreds of middle- and high-school students descend on Macon? Homes are repaired.  Lives are changed. More than 200 students from eight churches across the state recently participated in River of Life, a four-day local mission project hosted by Forest Hills United Methodist Church. Dedicated to repairing and rebuilding the homes of some of the city’s elderly, disabled and low-income residents, River of Life, held July 14-18, gave volunteers the opportunity to put their ...

7/14/2010

Years of prayers have been answered for members of one local church in Whigham. And Whigham resident Josephine Jackson says that a “miracle” has happened. Jackson’s home and Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church caught the eye of Rev. Garth Duke-Barton last summer when he visited Whigham prior to moving to the community.    Upon seeing the historic church, which had fallen into disrepair, Whigham-Springhill Charge pastor Rev. Duke-Barton said that he knew he needed to find a ...

7/13/2010

By Alice M. Smith* Gordon and Teca Greathouse have served as United Methodist missionaries to Brazil for 32 years and have seen great changes in the country as it moved from dictatorship to democracy. But what hasn’t changed is the overwhelming need among most of the people in a country where only a tiny percentage of the population, about five percent, owns almost all the wealth. “Among developing countries, Brazil is in the top echelon, but in terms of distribution [of wealth], it is in the...

7/13/2010

A special to The Advocate by Carlton Fletcher* Back in 1954, the Senior Adult Sunday school class at Brookfield United Methodist Church didn’t have a permanent teacher, so class members passed the lesson book around each week to a different member. When Perry McCranie got the book, though, he never gave it back. Now, some 56 years later, McCranie is still teaching the class. The long-time teacher and World War II veteran was honored by the church for his years of service recently. He ...

7/12/2010

Both of the full reports are available for review at www.umc.org/ctaresearch, and readers can share observations and suggestions through the website. Click here to read the full United Methodist News Service article: "Call to Action offers signs of crisis and hope" The Call to Action Steering Team has released the findings of independent research commissioned by the committee regarding congregational vitality and an operational assessment of the connectional church, and invites ...

7/9/2010

The Conference Board of Pensions and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry are sponsoring four Pre-retirement Workshops for clergy in August. These workshops are designed to help individuals make certain they are on track for retirement.  Peter Hang, Benefits Educator from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, will be leading these meetings.  Individual projections will be available with advanced reservations. Arrangements are being made to have a representative from Social ...

6/30/2010

ADVOCATE: Where did you grow up?  Have you always lived in South Georgia? DR. MARTIN: I was born in Lyons, Georgia, in the Dublin District of the South Georgia Conference.  With the exception of my years in college, I lived there until entering full time ministry in 1988.  Growing up in a small South Georgia county-seat town gave me a love for the close-knit community you find in small towns. ADVOCATE: What’s your faith journey? Did you grow up in the church? DR. MARTIN: I was blessed to grow ...

6/10/2010

Evangelistic awards were presented during the 2010 Annual Conference session to churches in each district which charted the largest net gain in membership, the largest number of professions of faith, and the best ratio of professions of faith with regard to membership.  Gateway Church in Pooler, of the Savannah District, was the overall conference leader in the largest net gain in membership.  Leading the conference in the largest number of professions of faith for the year was also Gateway ...

6/9/2010

Rachael Barnett, staff member of The Advance at the General Board of Global Ministries, addressed members of the 2010 Annual Conference Session on Tuesday afternoon, June 8. “On behalf of the General Board of Global Ministries,” Barnett said, “I would like to thank you for your gifts in 2009 totaling $290,103 through The Advance, including $82,883 for missionary support.” The Advance is an official program of The United Methodist Church for voluntary, designated, second-mile giving. Through The...

5/6/2010

 Spending a week away from home at summer camp is a rite of passage for many children and teens, a time of fun, freedom and friendships. But for many, attending a South Georgia Conference Summer Camp at Epworth By The Sea is more than just a fun-and-sun-filled vacation away from home and responsibilities.  It’s an impactful, life-changing and challenging place where youth grow closer in their relationship with Christ. “It (camp) has really helped me grow closer to God and become a stronger ...

5/5/2010

(Columbus, Ohio): The United Methodist Council of Bishops announced today that only 5 of 32 amendments to the church's constitution passed by the 2008 General Conference have been ratified by the annual conferences. The ratified amendments will become effective immediately. The process for amending the Constitution of The United Methodist Church requires a two-thirds majority vote of General Conference delegates. Annual conferences must then ratify the amendments by a two-thirds affirmative ...

4/20/2010

Adults and teens alike could learn a thing or two about time management from 17-year-old Maggie Bridges. Bridges, a junior at Southwest Georgia Academy and the daughter of John and Cathy Bridges of Brinson, is constantly on the go with school, sports, community service and church activities.  A member of Bainbridge First United Methodist Church, she participates in the youth praise band and youth leadership team, sings in the chancel choir and joined other members of her church on a mission ...

4/13/2010

 George Youmans, a long-time member of Vineville United Methodist Church in Macon, was recently awarded the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries’ 2010 Hall of Fame in Philanthropy Award. Presented on March 6 during the UMA’s Celebration of Excellence assembly at their 70th Annual National Convention in Burlingame, Calif., Youmans was honored for his longstanding and varied contributions in health and human services. Youmans, a Macon native, has a long history of service ...

3/31/2010

The Call to Action Steering Committee, a committee formed by actions of the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, needs your opinion about what makes a vital United Methodist congregation.  The team is charged with making formal suggestions for possible changes to the life of the United Methodist Church. The entire process is known as “A Call to Action: Reordering the Life of the Church.”  Amy Valdez Barker, associate minister at Athens First, is a member of the Call to Action Steering ...

3/29/2010

Set for April 16 through April 18 at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, the annual retreat has been a gathering place of older adults for many years.  Worship and spiritual growth are the main focus of this retreat, and participants are able to totally immerse themselves in the atmosphere and become spiritually renewed.  “This retreat gives people a break from everyday life to be renewed spiritually, physically, and mentally, and become more knowledgeable about scriptures,” said Ann Davis,...

3/28/2010

The United Methodist Men of the South Georgia Conference will host their annual Spring Retreat April 16-18 at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island. Coming together under the theme of “Living By Faith,” retreat participants will hear dynamic and inspirational messages from speakers Bishop James R. King, Jr. and Dr. Rick Lanford.  “This is a great opportunity for men to grow spiritually and be involved with other men who are trying to do the same thing,” said UMM president Chuck Cowart.  “It’s...

3/26/2010

On Sunday, March 21, 2010, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation related to health care reform.  In a speech prior to the vote, Speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to organizations expressing support for “this legislation.”  The United Methodist Church was among the list of organizations mentioned by Speaker Pelosi. United Methodists may have questions regarding the United Methodist Church stance regarding health care in the U.S.  The following factual information is offered as...

3/18/2010

Instead of giving up chocolate, French fries, television or other typical worldly pleasures for Lent this year, about 60 Savannah-area residents are observing the Lenten season in a different way: by living locally. Striving to eat locally produced food, patronize locally owned businesses and build relationships within the community, they are attempting to live more simply during their 40-day experiment.   Trinity United Methodist Church pastor Rev. Enoch Hendry is leading two six-week courses ...

3/17/2010

Every Monday afternoon, a diverse group of about 70 children from Willacoochee Elementary School bound off the bus and swarm the grounds of Willacoochee United Methodist Church. They are participating in Marvelous Monday, an after-school program run by Willacoochee UMC and Beulah UMC. Begun by former pastor Rev. Eddie Morrison, who now serves at Winona Park United Methodist Church in Waycross, the program has continued to thrive under the leadership of Rev. James Duvall, who was appointed in ...

3/15/2010

Young Harris College has earned approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to offer five new bachelor’s degree programs beginning in August 2010.   The College received notification Friday afternoon that the SACS Commission on Colleges has approved the addition of the following five degree programs: bachelor of arts in communication studies, bachelor of arts in history, bachelor of science in outdoor education, bachelor of arts in theatre and bachelor of arts in ...

3/10/2010

 Do not expect a special session of General Conference in advance of the 2012 meeting in Tampa, Fla. The limited amount of time available to put together a special session, the cost and the U.S.-focused agenda for a worldwide meeting of United Methodist leaders are among the reasons such a session is unlikely, church leaders said in interviews this week. “My personal read suggests there may not be a call” for a special session, said Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the United Methodist ...

3/9/2010

 The Ridge, the first United Methodist church planted in the Columbus District in the past 50 years, held its launch service on Sunday, February 21. More than 300 people, including 60 children, joined together to worship, fellowship and celebrate the birth of the new church.  Four people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and one infant was baptized. Meeting in the United Cheerleading facility on Knology Way in Columbus, The Ridge had four monthly preview services, held the fourth Sunday ...

3/2/2010

Moving thousands of pounds of agricultural equipment 9,000 miles may seem to be a daunting task. When members of the team needed to accomplish that task are 2300 miles apart, it may seem undoable – or at the very least, unlikely. But that's not accounting for United Methodist Connectionalism! This "journey of a thousand (plus) miles" began, as all such journeys do, with a single step – in this case taken in October, 2008 by four members of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, who were ...

2/21/2010

Bishop James R. King, Jr. announces the projected appointment of the Rev. Dr. Ben Martin as the next Superintendent of the Statesboro District.  The appointment will become effective at the conclusion of the Annual Conference session in June.  Dr. Martin is presently serving as senior pastor of Springfield First United Methodist Church.   Previously, Dr. Martin served Wrens UMC, Vidalia First UMC – Associate, and the Brewton Charge. “Ben Martin has demonstrated extraordinary spiritual ...

2/10/2010

General Secretary Jerome King Del Pino is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Michael McCord as director of Campus Ministry Resources and Training in the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Division of Higher Education. McCord joins GBHEM on May 1, upon the recommendation of the search team and approval of the appointment by Bishop James R. King.   “With this appointment, we continue to strengthen the Board’s commitment to campus ministry and chaplaincy as integral to ...

2/3/2010

The General Board of Global Ministries has put together a Digital Resource Packet for use by conferences, churches and groups to help interpret and promote mission and ministry in Haiti. Please click on the link below to view and download the contents individually or all together. http://multimedia.gbgm-umc.org/pindownload/login.do?pin=TPV48   This digital packet includes:   - UMCOR Haiti multimedia presentation, incorporating new images and music - to be used in worship, on the web, small ...

1/29/2010

  On behalf of the Methodist Church in Haiti and the Haitian people, we thank you. Thank you all for your outpouring of love, support and Christian brotherhood in our great hour of need. Haiti has suffered a great tragedy, and to rebuild, recover and strengthen, it will take us all. You have kept us in your prayers and we are grateful. You have sent donations through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We thank you for your generosity. You have expressed your selfless interest in ...

1/28/2010

Six young Haitian Methodists spent an afternoon dividing 55-pound bags of rice and 100-pound bags of beans into family-sized portions to feed more than 160 families who have had little assistance since the Jan. 12 earthquake. “This is meeting their first need,” said Val Keteline, 24. “The people will be very happy.” Workers move bags of flour in the Boutique Market in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where the United Methodist Committee on Relief is buying supplies to feed 160 families in Mellier....

1/27/2010

They call themselves the Agape Stitchers, this group of women in their 60s to late 90s who snip, stitch and sew for those in need. Meeting two days a month for almost six and a half years, the women of the Agape Stitchers group of Allentown United Methodist Church have made more than 4,500 girl’s dresses, 2,000 boy’s shorts/shirt outfits, and 600 baby blankets, all of which have been sent to needy children around the world.   Started in August 2003, the women who make up the Agape Stitchers have...

1/26/2010

Wesleyan College, a United Methodist College in Macon, Ga., is the nation's #3 "Best Value" private college for 2010 according to The Princeton Review, one of America's most widely known education services and test preparation companies. The Princeton Review teamed with USA TODAY, the nation's most widely read print newspaper, to present its list, "The Princeton Review Best Value Colleges for 2010." "The Princeton Review Best Value Colleges for 2010" list which features 100 schools in all  -- ...

1/25/2010

The South Georgia Conference Nurture Team, charged with equipping the local church in nine areas of ministry, has created a unique and specialized way to bring practical training in a variety of ministry areas to churches in the South Georgia Conference. Called the Nurture Café, it is designed to “feed” the local church by offering a “menu” of “entrees” (workshops) from which local churches can “place orders.” Churches can order “a la carte” (a single workshop) or a “combo” (two or more ...

1/20/2010

 PLAY VIDEO>> "We will rise once again,  From the place that we're in. Hand in hand with faith we will stand And with God as our guide, side by side Together we will rise.” --“We Will Rise” Stefan Youngblood wanted to give hope to Haiti. First, he donated money. Now he's donating a song. “We Will Rise," a song he composed, is being used in a music video to raise funds for Haiti through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. "It's a song that's meant to inspire people in the midst of all the ...

1/4/2010

A lifelong United Methodist and resident of Midland, Sara Bankhead is poised to take the reins as president of the South Georgia United Methodist Women. A member of Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Midland, Bankhead begins her two-year term on January 1.    As a child and young teen, Bankhead attended Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) meetings with her mother.  A member of UMW since her late teens, she has served every office in her local UMW unit, and has served at the ...

1/2/2010

The anonymous donor who previously gave a $500,000 challenge gift to the Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) has contributed another $500,000. The phenomenal support from the clergy and churches of the North and South Georgia Conferences have made this total $1 million gift a reality. The total commitments from Georgia is now $2,452,467.37. These gifts go toward pensions for clergy in Central Conferences (conferences outside the United States) who often serve in areas of great need ...