Vol. 6 • No. 1  
January 10, 2007
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In This Issue of The Link
 Conference News
--Magnolia Manor expands to Columbus
--Registration for Confirmation Retreats has begun
--Safe Sanctuaries Trainings to help local churches protect children & youth
--UMW Young Women's Retreat Planned for February
--Evangelism Award Nomination Forms Now Being Accepted
Connection News
--Bishop's letter to Rev. King finds U.S. at ‘curious juncture' on race
--Make a New Connection with Your Faith at UMC.org
--Cokesbury is now order agent for Global Ministries
--Support Souper Bowl of Caring
--'Buzzkill' T-shirts promote anti-malaria campaign
--Nothing But Nets campaign gets $3 million challenge grant
--Devo'zine' magazine for teens gets redesign
--Interpreter Magazine Gets a Makeover
Resources
--Hymn for Martin Luther King Day
--Free 2007 Worship-Preaching-Music Calendar
--GBOD Worship Books for Sale
--New Book Explores Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith
Mark Your Calendar
--All Upcoming Events

CONFERENCE NEWS

Magnolia Manor expands to Columbus
Magnolia Manor, South Georgia Conference's ministry to older adults, has entered into a management contract with Omni Health Care in Columbus, Ga. Magnolia Manor will manage Oak Manor, a 210-bed nursing home, Pine Manor, a 166-bed nursing home, and Trillium Village, a 44-unit assisted living residence, all located on Warm Springs Road.

With this new addition, Magnolia Manor's 700 employees, providing care for over 1,200 residents, will grow to 1,200 employees caring for over 1,600 residents. Including independent living, assisted living, nursing care, and Alzheimer's care, Magnolia Manor has a community of care in Americus, Buena Vista, Ideal, Macon, Moultrie, Richmond Hill, St. Simons Island, St. Marys and now Columbus.

When asked about choosing Columbus, Mark Todd, President and CEO of Magnolia Manor, said, “There are many individuals in Columbus who want to have the same opportunity to receive great care as those residents already living at Magnolia Manor's other locations.

“Everyone deserves great care; our mission is to provide it for them. We are looking forward to providing care in Columbus.”

Online Registration for Confirmation Retreats has begun
It's that time again! Once again, the Connectional Ministries Office, Epworth By The Sea, and the St. Marys Foundation are partnering up to bring two confirmation retreats to South Georgia. The first retreat is scheduled for March 2-4, 2007, with the second one following on March 16-18, 2007. Both retreats will be held at Epworth By The Sea. Space is limited to the first 500 applicants for the first retreat and the first 180 applicants for the second retreat, so registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  Click here to register online. Brochures were mailed this week to each local church so look for them in your mailbox.

Safe Sanctuaries Trainings to help local churches protect children & youth
The Office of Connectional Ministries will be offering three training events for congregational leaders that is intended to help prevent the abuse of children, youth and vulnerable adults while they are involved in the ministries of the church. The first training will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2007, at Richmond Hill United Methodist Church. The other two dates are Saturday, February 24, 2007, at Valdosta First United Methodist Church and Saturday, April 28, 2007, at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Columbus. All trainings will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. Click here for more information or to register.

UMW Young Women's Retreat Planned for February
The South Georgia Conference United Methodist Women are planning a Young Women's Retreat for February 3-4, 2007, at the Baptist Convention Center in Norman Park, Ga. This year's theme is "Seeking Peace." Rev. Kim Jenkins will serve as the spiritual leader. Mary Crowson and Laneah Maddox will lead the music. Click here to download a brochure and registration form.

Evangelism Award Nomination Forms Now Being Accepted
Know a pastor or lay person in the South Georgia Annual Conference who has distinguished themselves in the area of evangelism? If so then you are encouraged to submit his or her name to be nominated for the Denman Evangelism Award or the Carl and Ruth Looney Evangelism Award.

The Denman Evangelism Award recognizes both a pastor and a lay person who are effective in developing true disciples of Jesus Christ in keeping with United Methodist history and tradition. The Carl and Ruth Looney Evangelism Award recognizes a clergy person who has completed their educational requirements, are serving in a full time ministry position, and have the gifts, graces and passion for evangelism and outreach. This award includes a scholarship for continuing their education in evangelism.

Click here to download the Carl and Ruth Looney Evangelism Award nomination form. Click here to download the Harry Denman Evangelism Award nomination form. For questions, contact Rev. Mark Addington, Witness Team Chair, at 478-781-0332.

CONNECTION NEWS

Bishop's letter to Rev. King finds U.S. at ‘curious juncture' on race
(UMNS) Each year, United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White writes a "birthday" letter to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. about the progress of racial equality in the United States. Now retired and serving as bishop-in-residence at United Methodist-related Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, White was the first top staff executive of the denomination's racial equality monitoring agency, the Commission on Religion and Race. King's birthday is Jan. 15, and Americans honor his memory on the third Monday of the month. Click here to read the letter.

Make a New Connection with Your Faith at UMC.org
(UMCom) Want to connect with other people of faith online? Or be connected with volunteer opportunities in your area? How about connecting your extra resources with churches in need?

Starting this month, all of that and more is just a mouse-click away at the new, redesigned United Methodist Church Web site, www.UMC.org. United Methodist Communications has spent the last two years developing this innovative site with features for every member of the church, as well as those who are curious about the denomination.

At UMC.org, you can connect and build relationships with other people of faith anywhere in the world at any time of day. You can find a United Methodist church in any community in the United States , identify your personal spiritual gifts, and ask others to remember your needs in their prayers. The site also provides a place where churches can go for resources such as sermons or Sunday school lessons, and even used furnishings or vehicles from other churches.

The possibilities for meaningful connections are endless, and they can all start at the new UMC.org site. Connect with this new faith experience.

Cokesbury is now order agent for Global Ministries
(GBOD) The General Board of Global Ministries began a new system for the distribution of print, audio visual and other promotional and educational materials on December 29, 2006.

Cokesbury, a part of the Nashville-based United Methodist Publishing House, will fulfill orders for all but one unit of the international mission agency. As previously announced, the Women's Division will both produce and distribute its materials through t he Mission Resource Center in Dallas, Texas.

The changes follow a decision by the Women's Division, the administrative arm of United Methodist Women, to close its Service Center in Cincinnati. That center had long filled orders for the board as a whole and for several other denominational and ecumenical entities. The closing of the Service Center reflects financial realities affected in part by a decreased use of print as electronic communications increases.

The United Methodist General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, which had used the Service Center, is also moving its distribution to Cokesbury, as is Friendship Press, a publishing unit of the National Council of Churches.

Cokesbury will handle materials coming from Global Ministries' communications department and its units on community and institutional ministries, evangelization and church growth, health and welfare, mission personnel, mission contexts and relationships, mission education, and volunteers in mission. It also covers the Advance for Christ and His Church, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Global Praise, the United Methodist Development Fund, Spanish and Korean-language resources, and the Global Ministries' research office. An online store is located at http://gbgm-umc.org/e-store.

Orders for single copies of the board's bi-monthly magazine, New World Outlook , will go to Cokesbury, but subscriptions will be handled by the magazine itself. Mission study books will be distributed with the Women's Division's resource center. The division has an online store at www.missionresources.org.

Here is the specific order information:

Cokesbury
Mail:
Cokesbury Customer Service
P.O. Box 801 / 201 Eighth Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37202-0801
Phone toll free: 1-800-672-1789
Fax: 1-800-445-8189
E-mail: customerservice@umpublishing.org
E-store: http://gbgm-umc.org/e-store

Women's Division Mission Resource Center
Mail:
United Methodist Women Mission Resource Center
1221 Profit Drive, Dallas, TX 75247
Phone toll-free: 1-800-305-9857
E-mail: cs@missionresources.org
E-store: www.missionresources.org


Support Souper Bowl of Caring
 (UMCOR) The Souper Bowl of Caring is a simple but significant youth- and young-adult-led effort to fight hunger and poverty. The Souper Bowl of Caring encourages people to give one dollar and/or a canned food item as they leave worship on February 4, Super Bowl Sunday. All collections are sent by the youth to the kitchen, food bank, or other hunger organization of their choice. In addition, the youths are encouraged to participate in a "Service Blitz," in which they volunteer at a local food bank or charity in their neighborhood.

Over 2,800 United Methodist Churches are registered to participate in this year's event. Last year United Methodists raised nearly $746,000 to help our hungry and hurting neighbors both locally and around the world. This year, United Methodists want to double their giving with a goal of $1.4 million. United Methodist Churches are encouraged to give a portion of the collected offerings to a local charity and UMCOR's World Hunger/Poverty Advance #982920. Get involved and make this goal a reality! Learn more at www.souperbowl.org.

'Buzzkill' T-shirts promote anti-malaria campaign
(UMNS) "Malaria kills. Send a net. Save a life." That's the message on the back of a new T-shirt for the Nothing But Nets campaign, an effort aimed at preventing malaria-related deaths in Africa.

The sale of each $20 shirt will also result in the purchase of an insecticide-treated bed net that will be distributed to a family in Africa. One net can protect a family of four from mosquito bites for up to four years. Nocturnal mosquito bites are the primary means by which the disease is transmitted.

Nothing But Nets is a partnership of the people of The United Methodist Church, NBA Cares, Sports Illustrated , the United Nations Foundation and

others. The campaign, inspired by a Sports Illustrated column by Rick Reilly, is raising money to buy and distribute bed nets to families across Africa. More>>


Nothing But Nets campaign gets $3 million challenge grant
(UMNS) The Nothing But Nets campaign is receiving a $3 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the purchase and distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria in Africa. The challenge grant was announced Jan. 4, as representatives of Nothing But Nets prepared to kick off the campaign with an event at the National Basketball Association store in New York City. The people of The United Methodist Church, the United Nations Foundation, NBA Cares, Sports Illustrated and other partners are working to raise donations for bed nets. The grant will match those contributions dollar for dollar up to $3 million. More>>

'Devo'zine' magazine for teens gets redesign
(UMNS) Upper Room Ministries has given Devo'zine, its devotional lifestyle magazine for teens, a new look.  "We gave our young people the chance to completely redesign Devo'zine," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. "Our editors and staff really listened to what young people had to say about the magazine and made the needed design changes. We are very pleased with the response to the new look and depth of content." The remix includes fun and edgy content that makes teens think and practices and rituals that "help them find a real God in the down-and dirty of life." The lifestyle section features reviews of music, movies, books, gear, fashion and gadgets as well as profiles of teens and celebrities dealing with life and faith. For information online, go to www.upperroom.org/devozine.

Interpreter Magazine Gets a Makeover
(UMCom) United Methodist Communications is giving Interpreter magazine a fresh look and a whole new focus. The January/February 2007 issue of The United Methodist Church's official ministry magazine features a new, more visually appealing format. The new contemporary nameplate and design, created by The Journey Group of Charlottesville, Va., make the content easier to read and to navigate.

The publication is intentionally refocused as a magazine for both lay church leaders and clergy and potential church leaders. Interpreter will provide Sunday school teachers, volunteers in mission, church officers and other people in congregations with a “leadership connection” to creative ideas, practical ministry suggestions, guidance from other leaders and other information to nurture leadership skills.

Interpreter will continue to provide inspirational stories and spiritual guidance, while adding new departments, such as “Leadership Link,” which offers leadership resources, and “Lighter Fare,” which includes fun articles and healthy recipes.

The mission of Interpreter magazine is to inform United Methodist laity and clergy about the wide-ranging ministries of the general church and to promote active involvement in them.

Some churches purchase subscriptions, in addition to the seven they receive through the World Service Fund, for officers, committee members and others who provide leadership in a variety of ways. Interpreter magazine publishes six issues a year and has 180,000 subscribers. A one-year individual subscription costs $12. For more information, visit Interpretermagazine.org or call (888) 346-3862.


RESOURCES

Hymn for Martin Luther King Day
“Martin's Dream” by Jean and Drew Adams to the tune, AURELIA
(GBOD) This hymn was written in 2003 for the Martin Luther King Day observance and was first used in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Trenton, New Jersey. It may be used one time in worship without charge, provided the copyright clause is included on each copy. For multiple uses, a donation is requested to the National Council of Churches or Church World Service. The authors may be contacted by email at andybig33@msn.com. Click here to view the hymn.

Free 2007 Worship-Preaching-Music Calendar
(GBOD) Click here for a 12-month 2007 calendar containing Revised Common Lectionary citations for each Sunday and major day of the church year, as well as dates for most of the important days of the church and civil calendars.

GBOD Worship Books for Sale
(GBOD) The Upper Room and Discipleship Resources Bookstore is running a sale on some of its books. I especially recommend the following worship-preaching-music related books:
--Worship Matters, Vol. 1 ($12)
--Worship Matters, Vol. 2 ($10)
--Creative Preaching on the Sacraments ($4.80)

You can see the entire list of titles in this book sale by clicking here. And while you're at the online bookstore, consider these:
-- Hymns for the Revised Common Lectionary
-- The Africana Worship Book

New Book Explores Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith
(GBOD) Discipleship Resources announces the publication of Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith by Henry H. Knight III and F. Douglas Powe, Jr. In Transforming Evangelism, (Discipleship Resources, ISBN: 978-0-88177-485-6 , 112 pages, paperback, $12.00) authors Knight and Powe help readers re-connect with a Wesleyan understanding of evangelism. They write, as did John Wesley, about evangelism as a way to share with other people the good news of God's love and salvation. Written in a very user-friendly fashion, the book especially targets clergy, local pastors, lay speakers, and lay leadership in evangelism ministries.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

All Upcoming Events
Keep up with what's going on in the South Georgia Conference!
--LAOS Laity Retreat - January 19-21
--Safe Sanctuaries Training - January 27
--Winter Camp Meeting - February 4-7
--Licensing School for Local Pastors - February 9-16
--Sexual Ethics Workshop - February 15
--Andrew College Sunday - February 18
--UMVIM Sunday - February 25