Vol. 5 • No. 14 
July 27, 2006
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In This Issue of The Link:
Conference News
--Warren Barfield...in concert
--Margaret Bagwell to Serve Dakota Campus Ministry
--By All Means' bracelets available for purchase
--Summer Fun in Roberta
--Don't Forget to Register!
Upcoming Conference Events
--Pathways to a Healthy Church
--Bishop's Day Apart
--The Gathering
--Safe Sanctuaries training
--KidzQuest
--Black Church Summit
Connection News
--Methodists from around the world gather amidst global tension
--UMCOR Needs Funds for Middle East Crisis
--Burundi: Supporting Peace
--Responding with Faith to Immigration
--Clergy Find Rest during Ministers' Week
--Bracelets support rebuilding along Gulf Coast
--Are Churches too Feminized for Men?
Resources
--'Created By God' program targets pre-teens and parents
--Worship and Music Resources for Grandparents' Day
--Upper Room introduces new worship resource
Mark Your Calendar
--Upcoming Events

CONFERENCE NEWS

Warren Barfield...in concert
Warren Barfield, a contemporary Christian singer, will be in concert August 26 at Strickland Auditorium at Epworth By The Sea. The concert begins at 8:00 p.m. An energetic blend of acoustic rock, one is torn between clapping, dancing, or just closing their eyes and listening as Warren's lyrics paint the picture of a believer's ongoing relationship with Christ. The passion that is displayed as he plays his guitar, and sings his original heart-felt songs, is contagious. Listen to a sample of Warren's music at www.warrenbarfield.com. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. For ticket information click here or call 888-266-7642. This concert is being sponsored by the Office of Connectional Ministries. Make plans now for your youth or young adult group to attend.

Drawing representatives from churches in 132 countries, the World Methodist Council met July 18-19, followed by the July 20-24 World Methodist Conference. More>>

"Our funds for Middle East emergencies are painfully low," said the Rev. Paul Dirdak, UMCOR's chief executive, on July 25. "As Christians and as a denomination, we need to equip ourselves to do our part in responding to humanitarian needs in this tragic situation."

Contributions should go to the Middle East Emergency Fund, No.601740, of the Advance for Christ and His Church, the United Methodist designated mission giving fund. This general fund allows UMCOR to respond to civilian needs on any front in the confrontation, Dirdak said. More>>

Although Rev. Dick Reese, pastor of Isle of Hope UMC in Savannah, was busy with his tasks as a design team member, he enjoyed the different activities planned for the participants.

“I just got out of a workshop talking about Jesus and the Sabbath. He talked about how Jesus changed the minds of the people towards the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for the man and not man for the Sabbath,” he said.

Another South Georgia minister, Rev. Ron Smith and his wife Connie have made Ministers' Week their primary place for earning continuing education units for the last four years. The pastor of the Vienna-Shiloh charge said he brings his son who always goes to youth events at Shackford Hall.

“Jim Gentry's planning a Sabbatical was excellent and informative. He was well prepared and he had lots of good information on how to plan a Sabbatical and he had resources. Every South Georgia minister should be here. These are the most enjoyable CEUs I've taken,” he said.

Money from purchases of the maroon wristbands will be used for the bishops' Katrina Church Recovery Appeal.

The appeal focuses on the needs of clergy, church staff and mission personnel in the affected areas and on the United Methodist facilities-churches, retreat centers, urban ministries, retirement facilities and mission centers-that were severely damaged or destroyed. Many were underinsured, with insufficient coverage for damage due to rising water. More>>

Are Churches too Feminized for Men?
(UMNS) Author David Murrow says a typical guy feels as comfortable in church as Tom Sawyer in Aunt Polly's parlor. "He must watch his language, mind his manners and be extra polite," Murrow writes in his popular 2005 book, Why Men Hate Going to Church. That's because the altar flowers and felt banners, mostly female Sunday school teachers and blue-haired ladies playing the organ, all make church feel like a "woman's thing." And unless a man enjoys serving on a committee or passing out bulletins, he may feel there's not much for him to do, so he steers clear. More>>

The Upper Room Worshipbook: Music and Liturgies for Spiritual Formation is a new collection of some 350 hymns and songs, with new prayers and liturgies. The compilation will be launched nationally by the Upper Room Aug. 28-31 at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and with worship services at the Upper Room Chapel and the Scarritt-Bennett Center.

"In the spirit of the Wesleyan tradition, the Upper Room worship book is truly a resource for the whole church, for it forms the heart and imagination and makes us want to follow Jesus," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. More>>