Vol. 5 • No. 12 
June 27, 2006
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In This Issue of The Link:
Conference News
--School of Christian Mission Set for July 13-16
--Lay Speaker Training Offered During School of Christian Mission
--Brochure and Registration Form Available Online for Pastors' School
--Pathways Registration Has Begun
--Administrative Services Office Seeks Accountant
--Harvest Offers Purpose-Driven Seminar
--Infocus Retreat Cancelled
--Experiencing the Holy Mystery
--Holy Spirit Conference Brochure Available for Download
--Open Door Community House, Inc. Offers Clergywomen Pins
--Macon Residents Named to Magnolia Manor "Securing the Promise" Committee
--St. Marys United Methodist Church Foundation, Inc. Announces Grant Recipients
Connection News
--U.S. United Methodist membership drops below 8 million
--UMCOR in Need of Medicine Boxes
--Helping Kids Recover from the Storm
--Re-build Teams Needed in Tennessee following Tornado
--Church invited to open the doors for celebration of Sunday school
--Rising retiree health costs pose major concern for church
--Pension board summarizes conference retirement plans
Resources
--Certified Lay Ministry Module 1 now available
--Worship and Music Resources for USA Independence Day
--Resources for Music Appreciation or Choir Recognition
--"Lost" Hymns of the United Methodist Hymnal
--Let the Amen Sound from the People Again
Mark Your Calendar
--Upcoming Conference Events
--Summer Camps

CONFERENCE NEWS

School of Christian Mission Set for July 13-16
The South Georgia Conference 2006 School of Christian Mission is set for July 13-16, 2006 at Epworth By The Sea. Meeting under the theme “Harvesting Peace,” this event provides opportunities to prepare for leadership in mission study and personal enrichment. It will challenge individuals to look at what peace means for each of us as members of the global community. Click here for more information or to download a brochure and registration form.

Lay Speaker Training Offered During School of Christian Mission
Basic and Advanced Lay Speaker Courses will be offered July 13-16, 2006 at Epworth By The Sea in conjunction with the School of Christian Mission. Click here for more information and a registration form.

Brochure and Registration Form Available Online for Pastors' School
The 2006 Pastors' School is scheduled for July 24-27, 2006 at Epworth By The Sea. Meeting under the theme "Rethinking Evangelism," the school will feature guest preacher Rev. Steve Sjogren, and lecturers Rev. Rudy Rasmus and Dr. David McAllister-Wilson. Click here for more information and to download a brochure and registration form. Housing reservations can be made at www.epworthbythesea.org.

Pathways Registration Has Begun
Following a successful Pathways 2005, the 2006 Pathways to a Healthy Church event will be held August 19, 2006 at Trinity UMC in Warner Robins. Fifty-two workshops plus two all day tracks will be offered. This day of training is intended to stimulate participants with new ideas that will work in their local ministry setting, give them a renewed sense of commitment to their role as spiritual leaders, and empower them to go forth to offer vision-driven leadership. Click here for a list of workshops and registration information.

Administrative Services Office Seeks Accountant
The South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking a qualified person for a position in the Administrative Services Office. This position reports directly to the Administrative Services Director. Primary responsibilities include: general ledger (including journal entries, account analysis, and closing), cash disbursements, financial reports, bank reconciliations year-end schedules for external auditors, and special projects. Requirements include a bachelor's degree, preferably in accounting, 1-2 years of accounting experience, proficiency with Word Perfect and/or Word Office Suites including word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. The candidate must be personable, dependable, a self-starter, a team player and have good communication skills. CPA and knowledge of non-profit accounting and the United Methodist Church is desirable. Compensation will be based on experience and includes benefits. For consideration, send a letter of introduction and resume to Miriam Hagan, Administrative Services Director, South Georgia Conference, P. O. Box 52101, Macon, GA 31208, fax to 478-738-9768, or e-mail at miriam@sgaumcadmin.com. Deadline for response is June 30, 2006.

Harvest Offers Purpose-Driven Seminar
Every life, church and organization is driven by something. What keeps you going? What, or who, determines the vision for your congregation? The scriptures are clear that the body of Christ is to be driven by purpose. The purpose is laid out clearly for us in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The question then is, "How do we do that?"

To answer this questions, Harvest Church, a United Methodist Congregation in Warner Robins, is offering a one day seminar August 24, 2006 at the Eagle Springs Clubhouse in Warner Robins. This seminar is intended to be a concise overview of the Purpose Driven Church Strategy. Purpose-Driven strategies are about CHANGING LIVES ON PURPOSE!

Pastors are encouraged to bring a team of staff and laity to enjoy the day with them so that you can dialogue together about how to implement these tools in your location. Registration deadline is August 5. For questions, please e-mail kelli@harvestchurch4u.org or call 478-923-8822. Click here to download a registration form or register online at www.harvestchurch4u.org .

Infocus Retreat Cancelled
The Infocus Youth Retreat scheduled for July 7-9, 2006 has been cancelled. For questions contact Diane Giles at 888-266-7642.

Experiencing the Holy Mystery
Sandersville United Methodist Church is hosting a one day workshop with Gayle Carlton Felton entitled Experiencing the Holy Mystery. The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sandersville United Methodist Church. This time of study and worship for clergy and laity is designed to engage our hearts and minds in a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Guest speaker Gayle Carlton Felton is an elder in the North Carolina Conference and the principal writer of This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion. For more information, click here to download a brochure and registration form or contact Rev. Mike Brown at 478-552-3374 or mbrown@sandersville.net. This event is made possible through a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Holy Spirit Conference Brochure Available for Download
The Holy Spirit Conference is being planned for November 10-12, 2006 at Epworth By The Sea. Click here to download the brochure and registration form or visit www.holyspiritconf.com for more information.

Open Door Community House, Inc. Offers Clergywomen Pins
Open Door Community House, Inc. is selling Clergywomen pins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women in the United Methodist Church. Pins are available in Elder and Deacon designs in three skin tones. A variety of background colors with stripes and metallic finishes are available as well as four liturgical stole colors. Cost per pin is $20.00 plus shipping & handling. All proceeds from the sale of the pins benefit Open Door ministries. For more information, visit www.opendoorcommunityhouse.org or call 706-323-5518.

Macon Residents Named to Magnolia Manor "Securing the Promise" Committee
(Magnolia Manor) Thirteen Macon residents have volunteered to serve on the committee to fund the $2.65 million expansion of Magnolia Manor of Macon.  Magnolia Manor is a ministry of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, which provides a variety of retirement living accommodations for senior adults. Community leaders from Macon, Warner Robins, Fort Valley and Gray serving on the committee include: Don Cornett, A.V. Elliott, Gene Franklin, Dr. Derek McAleer, Rose Mary McKelvey, W. John O'Shaughnessy, M.D., Dr. Marcus Tripp, Charles Wallace, Roy W. Wyche, Jr. and George Youmans from Macon, Ga; Nancy Bearden of Gray, Ga; Junyth Meeks of Warner Robins; and Helen Rhea Stumbo of Fort Valley, Ga. “The Securing the Promise capital campaign allows us to fulfill a dream by adding 24 moderate income, assisted care apartments to our Macon location,” said Mark W. Todd, president and CEO of Magnolia Manor.  “We are very appreciative of the individuals who have volunteered to help make this dream a reality.”

St. Marys United Methodist Church Foundation, Inc. Announces Grant Recipients
The Board of Directors of the St. Marys United Methodist Church Foundation, Inc. has announced it will be awarding $1,000,000 in grants during the Spring 2006 Grant Cycle. Grants were distributed during the week of June 5, 2006. Click here for a list of recipients.

CONNECTION NEWS

U.S. United Methodist membership drops below 8 million
(UMNS) For the first time since the 1930s, the U.S. membership of the United Methodist Church has dropped to just under 8 million. A preliminary report from the denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration, released June 21, shows that total U.S. membership dropped to 7,989,875 in 2005. The final statistical report will be completed in the fall. More>>

UMCOR in Need of Medicine Boxes
(UMCOR) "This Medicine Box will serve many people who would not be able to get medicine otherwise," said a Medicine Box recipient in Angola. A Medicine Box contains 18 essential drugs and medical supplies--enough to treat illnesses and injuries in a population of 1,000 for three months. Medicine Boxes have proven to be of critical value from urban hospitals to rural and community health centers. The United Methodist Committee on Relief's (UMCOR) stock of Medicine Boxes is running low! You can send a lifesaving gift to UMCOR Advance #982630, Medicine Box. The cost of one medicine box is $425.

Helping Kids Recover from the Storm
(UMCOR) Camp Noah is a VBS-style day camp for kids whose lives were changed by natural disasters. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is providing seed money for 11 Camp Noahs that will take place in South Mississippi this summer. The camps will help children affected by Hurricane Katrina work through their feelings and fears. Your gifts to Hurricanes 2005, UMCOR Advance #982523, help children and adults experience complete recovery after last year's terrible storms.

Re-build Teams Needed in Tennessee following Tornado
Re-build teams are needed in Dyersburg, TN to help with framing, sheet rocking, roofing, concrete work and general carpentry.  General clean up is also needed.  Please have at least 2-3 skilled carpentry folks on each team!  Teams can stay in the gym at FUMC, Dyersburg.  Showers are available.  Teams will cook their own meals, using the church kitchen. Youth 7th grade and up are welcome.  An adult (age 25 and over) to youth ratio of 1 - 5 is required. A fee of $500 minimum per team to help pay for construction supplies is requested.  Contact Rev. Robert Craig at 731-285-6454 to schedule a team or for more information.

Church invited to open the doors for celebration of Sunday school
(UMNS)-Spruce up the place and put out the welcome mat-the United Methodist Church is having an "open house" during the month of September. Igniting Ministry, the denomination's national television and welcoming campaign, works with bishops to encourage congregations to celebrate United Methodist Open House Month each September. This year, Sunday school is joining the welcoming wagon.

"Sunday School continues to be a fruitful and powerful time of forming faith and building friendships," said Harriett Olson, senior vice president with the United Methodist Publishing House. "It's easy to forget that we need to offer regular invitations to children, youth and adults who are not already part of a class." More>>

Rising retiree health costs pose major concern for church
(UMNS) United Methodists have a strong tradition of caring for their retired pastors. The double-edged sword of escalating health care costs and growing numbers of retirees receiving benefits is making that an increasingly difficult proposition. Some in the denomination worry that the church will follow the lead of many secular corporations and be forced to eliminate health care coverage for its retirees. More>>

Pension board summarizes conference retirement plans
(UMNS) The United Methodist Church's 2000 legislative assembly directed its Board of Pension and Health Benefits to gather information from the 63 annual conferences about retiree health care issues and their pension plans. During the agency's examination, it found that plans vary widely from conference to conference, but that all conferences have access to health care benefits for retirees. Some conferences fund plans for staff and local church employees as well as clergy. Most have some level of cost sharing by participants in the plan, and some conferences offer a prescription drug program, or vision or dental benefits. Some conferences have been forced to stop paying into retiree benefits plans entirely. More>>

RESOURCES

Certified Lay Ministry Module 1 now available
(GBOD) The General Board of Discipleship is pleased to announce that the first of four study modules for Certified Lay Minister Training (CLM) is now available at their online bookstore.  A Certified Lay Minister is a qualified lay person assigned by a District Superintendent to a congregation. Certified Lay Ministers preach the Word, provide a care ministry to the congregation, assist in program leadership and are a witness in the community for the growth as well as missional and connectional thrust of The United Methodist Church. CLMs will serve as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergy person. They are recognized leaders who enhance the quality of ministry to small membership churches and expand team ministry in churches. CLMs display an expression of gifts and evidence of God's grace associated with the lay ministry of early Methodism. Click here to purchase your copy.

Worship and Music Resources for USA Independence Day
(GBOD) Click here to access worship and music resources for Independence Day.

Resources for Music Appreciation or Choir Recognition
(GBOD) Many churches have a service of appreciation or recognition for their faithful musicians who have led in worship throughout the preceding year -- choir members, bell ringers, soloists, instrumentalists, accompanists, praise team, and directors. Click here for resources that may be used and adapted for such services, whether it be a musical service or a portion of the regular Sunday worship service.

"Lost" Hymns of the United Methodist Hymnal
(GBOD) The thesis of this article is that there are a good number of hymns in the current United Methodist Hymnal (1989), now 17 years old, that are largely ignored, unsung, and unknown to many congregations. They were included for good reasons when the hymnal was new, but they simply have not gained acceptance and use. They are the "lost" hymns of The United Methodist Hymnal. They have been listed in this article along with some of the reasons why. Upon seeing the list, someone will inevitably say, "Oh, no! That is one of my congregation's favorites!" which may certainly true, or "But that's such a beautiful hymn!" A hymn's appearance on this list is not a reflection of its beauty, worth, or excellence -- merely its lack of acceptance and use in the church. What do you think? Read the article>>

Let the Amen Sound from the People Again
(GBOD) A note from Dean McIntyre, Director of Music Resources: The 1989 hymnal committee decided to remove the Amen from all of the hymns and songs in the new hymnal (with only one exception). It was the committee's desire to dispense with the practice of singing concluding Amens after all hymns. From what I have been able to observe around the connection, the committee succeeded beyond  its wildest hopes. Singing Amens, other than as service music by the choir, has all but disappeared from United Methodist hymn singing. I believe it is time to bring back the Amen to our singing. Read why and my suggestions for doing so in this article.  You'll also learn which is the single hymn in our hymnal to contain a concluding Amen. Read the article >>