Connecting Points - May 2023

Hispanic Ministry Task Force meets with Dr. Lydia Muñoz



On April 10, 2023, the South Georgia Conference Hispanic/Latino Ministries Task Force met with Dr. Lydia Muñoz, the director of the National Hispanic Plan, for an informational, evaluation, and advisory meeting. Dr. Lydia Muñoz is in charge of helping advise and provide resources to clergy and congregations of Hispanic origin in The United Methodist Church. This office is an administrative part of the Global Ministries agency. 
 
This meeting with Dr. Muñoz took place at the First United Methodist Church in Tifton and is part of a series of trainings for laity and clergy in which they are coached to develop community ministries called Comunidades de Fe (Communities of Faith) in which the church acts on behalf of the community. These Comunidades de Fe represent the hands of the body of Christ and are means of evangelism and discipleship.
 
The Office of the National Hispanic/Latino Plan recently awarded a grant to Hispanic/Latino Ministries of South Georgia for training and development in this form of community ministry and congregational development.
 
Annual Hispanic Rally in Cordele

It has been the custom of Hispanic United Methodist congregations in South Georgia to come together every year to enjoy a day as God's people. This year, on April 16, 2023, it was held at Cordele First United Methodist Church. Around 300 people of all ages gathered from Americus, Morgan, Albany, Bainbridge, Attapulgus, Macon, Warner Robins, and Cordele. This is a much anticipated day each year to enjoy worship, Bible study, and fellowship. The speaker for the evening was Rev. Mike Ricker who preached about the 5 “P's” in the Christian life: Perspective, Position, Purpose, Priority, and Provision. Local leaders were in charge of the worship and music planning. After the worship service, the local church served a delicious meal. 
 
Imagine Day  
Our South Georgia Conference leadership is committed to creating space for vitality in our local churches and new expressions of ministry both in and outside the church building! On April 15, South Georgia clergy and laity gathered for an Imagine Day with author and Fresh Expressions Cultivator, Michael Beck. The workshop helped participants envision a distinctly Wesleyan Spirit-led movement of new Christian communities that serve the present age. We are excited to see how these teams will go back to cultivate accessible, transformative, and connectional forms of church!

Early Response Teams continue to have a presence in North Georgia communities  
Our South Georgia Early Response teams continue to have a presence in the West Point, Ga. community following the destructive tornadoes on March 26. We’re grateful for service and continued response of our ERT teams! 
 
Museum receives New Room print from visiting speaker
   
David Worthington, Director of Global Relations, New Room, Bristol, England, presented Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum curator Anne Packard a print of the John Wesley equestrian statue in the Broadmead courtyard of John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol. The New Room is the oldest Methodist building in the world. On Thursday, April 20th, Friends of the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum hosted Worthington on his Florida/Georgia lecture tour entitled “Methodism Comes to America – The Bristol Connection.”  Seventy-five visitors enjoyed the lecture presented in Lovely Lane Chapel at Epworth By The Sea retreat and conference center followed by a meet and greet with the speaker at the Museum.