Vol. 6 • No. 16
August 22, 2007
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In This Issue of The Link
Conference News
Hey, kids...let's go to KidzQuest!
Methodist Home for Children and Youth Special Offering: A Day at Work Can Become a Labor of Love
Comprehensive School Brochure Now Available
GA PAUMCS Celebrates 25 Years
PAUMCS announces Secretary of the Year
Epworth By The Sea to host retreat featuring Dr. Evelyn Laycock
Using Internet Technology for Effective Ministry Training - Gulf Breeze, FL
Don't forget to register!
Connection News
Racial justice agency names Erin Hawkins as CEO
Olson elected to lead church's Women's Division
GCFA Names Chicago Attorney as Corporate Counsel
UMCOR Medicine Box Supplies Are Desperately Low
Racial, ethnic clergywomen to explore gains, barriers
Final Study of Ministry report available online
Wesleyan Institute to Explore Spiritual Disciplines
Public forum set by United Methodist pension board
'Open Hearth' ventures into online advertising
Disaster Response
UMCOR Response to Hurricane Dean
UMCOR Response to Peru Earthquake
Resources
A Hymn for Global Warming
Review: Worship in Small Membership Churches
GBOD Survey on Favorite Hymns
Mark Your Calendar
All Upcoming Events
Safe Sanctuaries Training Dates
Employment
Statesboro First UMC Seeks Ministries/Program Coordinator
CONFERENCE NEWS
Hey, kids...let's go to KidzQuest!
Get ready to be TRANSFORMED this fall at the annual KidzQuest retreat set for September 14-16, 2007, at Epworth By The Sea. Kids in the 3rd -6th grades will experience a weekend of incredible worship, exciting stunt bikes, and a whole lot more. Uncle Charlie will be back and is more excited than ever to lead us in a time of high-energy worship. Mark Danzey will be the speaker for the weekend. Mark has 16 years experience in Student Ministry and is the Lead Student Minister of Mt. Pisgah UMC. He is a father of four, singer/songwriter, conference speaker, and terrible golfer. Also during the weekend The Mark Manuel Band will be in concert Friday night and Saturday there will also be a special performance by a professional BMX stunt bike team.
Throughout the retreat kids will enjoy indoor and outdoor games, Bible studies, large group worship times with awesome multi-media, crafts, church time, swimming, cookouts, and hanging out with the hundreds of other children in attendance. Cost for the event is $125 and full payment is required to complete registration. Click here to download a brochure or register online. For questions call Diane Giles or Adam Ricker at 888-266-7642.
Methodist Home for Children and Youth Special Offering: A Day at Work Can Become a Labor of Love
Once each year South Georgia United Methodists are asked to give a day's wages to help The Methodist Home for Children and Youth. A typical day at work quickly becomes a labor of love for “the smallest of these.” This year you are asked to take a Work Day Offering on September 16, 2007. Click here for a flyer to use to promote the offering in your church.
Seyle Named 21st President of Andrew College
David C. Seyle has been unanimously elected the 21st president of Andrew College. Meeting August 8 in a specially called board meeting, Andrew's Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of its 8-member Executive Committee that Seyle, currently the interim president, become Andrew's next leader. Emily Jean McAfee, chairman of the Andrew board, said, “The Trustees and I appreciate the strong leadership David Seyle provided during the academic year, are aware of his successes both on and off campus, and look forward to his leadership bringing Andrew to new levels of meeting our vision.” Founded in 1854, Andrew College is a small, two-year, residential college related to The United Methodist Church. Its mission is to provide an academically challenging liberal arts curriculum within a nurturing community. In keeping with its Christian heritage, Andrew is committed to providing students with the resources and guidance to move ahead, to finish college and enable them to understand themselves as persons of responsibility and potential within the global community.
Comprehensive School Brochure Now Available
The 2007 South Georgia Conference Comprehensive School for Clergy Leadership is slated for September 24-25 at Epworth By The Sea. This year's theme is "Creating Lasting First Impressions and The Simply Strategic Church" featuring Tim Stevens and Mark Waltz. Tim Stevens is the executive pastor and Mark Waltz is the pastor of connections at Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana. Due to the generosity of Epworth By The Sea, there will be no charge for rooms and meals to the first 100 appointed clergy in the South Georgia Conference to register. Church leaders are also welcome to attend. Cost for them is $15 registration fee plus lodging and meals. Click here to download a brochure and registration form.
GA PAUMCS Celebrates 25 Years
(PAUMCS) The Georgia Chapter of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries celebrated its 25th anniversary August 9-12, 2007 at Aldersgate UMC in Savannah, GA. Chapter participants were welcomed with a time of devotion led by Rev. Steve Meguiar, pastor at Aldersgate UMC.
The conference included a warm welcome by Mr. Otis Johnson, mayor of Savannah, followed by workshops designed to encourage, support and educate those persons attending. Workshops included General Office Issues led by Rev. Karen Kilhefner, ordained Deacon serving Wesley Monumental UMC in Savannah; Juicy Fruits or Milk Duds led by Rev. DeDe Leetch, DS in the Atlanta Emory District; and Transitions led by Jackie Powers, Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor at Gainesville UMC.
Also included were breakout sessions. These small groups allowed discussion of things that were specific to particular job settings and responsibilities. On the last evening together, attendees enjoyed a Riverboat ride on the beautiful Savannah River. A Vital Link Worship and Communion Service was held in the Aldersgate Sanctuary to close the retreat.
Special thanks are extended to Denise Wilson, Vice President, for all her hard work in coordinating this event. Thank you also to our onsite members, Diane Eason of Aldersgate UMC and Brenda Johnson of the Savannah District Office.
PAUMCS announces Secretary of the Year
(PAUMCS) Every year during the annual GA-PAUMCS (Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries) Conference a new Secretary of the Year is announced. Brenda Johnson of the Savannah District Office has the honor of serving as the 2007 Secretary of the Year. Brenda has been with the Savannah District office for four and a half years and has been a member of PAUMCS since 2003. She became a Certified Secretary in July 2006 by attending the Certification School held at Emory University. She is a graduate of the Savannah University School of Business with a degree in Business Administration, concentration in Management. In 1998 she retired from the US Army with the rank of Sergeant Major. Runners Up included Terry Fisher of the Cornelia UMC and Karen Croy-Whitehead of the Bethlehem First UMC. Congratulations to Brenda and all the nominees, and thank you to all the church secretaries for your hard work and dedication.
Epworth By The Sea to host retreat featuring Dr. Evelyn Laycock
Epworth By The Sea will host Dr. Evelyn Laycock for a look at the Parables Through Middle East Eyes October 15-18, 2007. Dr. Evelyn Laycock stirs the hearts and minds of all who have been blessed by her teachings. She is well known and loved for her in-depth Bible studies, workshops, retreats and lectures. She holds both Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Emory University. For 35 years she served as Professor of Religion at Hiawassee College. View accommodations and register online at www.epworthbythesea.org or call Tiffany at 912-638-8688.
Using Internet Technology for Effective Ministry Training - Gulf Breeze, FL
Do you want to develop or expand a Web presence for your local church, district or conference organization? Are you interested in the latest Internet technology for ministry? Then join local church, district, and conference volunteers, staff, webmasters/servants, communicators, editors, and pastors for this exciting training event co-sponsored by United Methodist Communications and the Alabama-West Florida Conference Office of Communications. The event is set for October 12-13 in Gulf Breeze, FL. Click here for more information or contact Kelly Roberson for questions, 888-266-7642 or kelly@sgaumc.com.
Don't forget to register!
Sexual Ethics Course - September 6
KidzQuest - September 14-16
Safe Sanctuaries Training - September 22
Comprehensive School for Clergy Leadership - September 24-25
Charles Wesley Festival - September 27-29
Safe Sanctuaries Training - October 13
Safe Sanctuaries Training - November 3
Discover God's Call Retreat - November 9-11
Wesleyan College Sunday - November 11
SEJ Multicultural Event - December 13-15
CONNECTION NEWS
Racial justice agency names Erin Hawkins as CEO
(UMNS) The United Methodist agency that monitors and advocates for racial inclusiveness has elected staff executive Erin M. Hawkins as its new chief executive. Hawkins will become general secretary of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race effective Sept. 1, and will officially be installed at the agency's fall board meeting in October. At 31, she is possibly the youngest top executive of a denominational agency, according to the commission. She has served as associate general secretary — a staff executive position — since 2001. More>>
Olson elected to lead church's Women's Division
(UMNS) Harriett Jane Olson, an executive with the United Methodist Publishing House, has been elected chief executive of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Olson will oversee the administrative arm and policy-making body of United Methodist Women, a denominational organization of approximately 800,000 members in the United States. Its purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice, and its members give more than $20 million a year for ministries related to women, children and youth around the world. She will begin the job Sept. 4 at the board's headquarters in New York. She succeeds Jan Love, who left at the end of 2006 to become dean of the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. Olson was unanimously elected Aug. 17 at Scarritt-Bennett Center during a called meeting of the Women's Division board of directors. More>>
GCFA Names Chicago Attorney as Corporate Counsel
(UMNS) Chicago attorney Richard J. Rettberg has been named the new corporate counsel that represents the legal interests of The United Methodist Church. An Aug. 10 announcement from the denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration said Rettberg will assume his new role in September. A member of the Northern Illinois Annual (regional) Conference and First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove, Ill., Rettberg brings 31 years of legal experience to the job. As a partner with the firm of McKenna Storer in Chicago, Rettberg has been involved in cases on the state and federal levels. He also has served for 17 years on the Downers Grove Elementary School Board. "I have had a lifelong interest in law/religion issues," said Rettberg. "… I (am) very excited to work with these issues as a lawyer employed by the church."
UMCOR Medicine Box Supplies Are Desperately Low
(UMCOR) Medicine Boxes are often sent to places where medications and pharmaceuticals are not easily accessible to people. These basic medical supplies can often mean the difference between life and death. Because of the severely low supply of Medicine Boxes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has not been able to fulfill requests for them. This recently happened in Zimbabwe, a place where obtaining supplies is increasingly difficult due to the current economic crisis there. The Medicine Box helps the day-to-day treatment of common ailments that plague babies and their mothers, children, and adults. The Box contains 18 essential medicines and medical supplies that are enough to respond to illnesses and injuries in a population of 1,000 people for a period of three months. You can send a lifesaving gift to UMCOR Advance #982630, Medicine Box. The cost of the Medicine Box is $425. Learn how your church or community group can be involved in this life saving program, visit UMCOR's Medicine Box web page.
Racial, ethnic clergywomen to explore gains, barriers
(UMNS) A gathering of racial-ethnic clergywomen will celebrate the gains they have made in The United Methodist Church and address challenges they still face during a Jan. 3-5 conference in Los Angeles. The consultation, "Rising From Our Common Ground," follows up on the findings of the 2004 study of the status of racial-ethnic clergywomen in the denomination, according to the Rev. HiRho Park, an executive with the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The board sponsored the study. The last gathering of racial-ethnic United Methodist clergywomen was held in 1982. There are more than 1,000 active racial-ethnic clergywomen in The United Methodist Church today. To learn more about the Racial-Ethnic Clergywomen's Consultation or to register, visit www.gbhem.org/recc. To read the 2004 study, click here.
Final Study of Ministry report available online
(UMNS) After more than two years of study, a commission has issued its final report on its work to clarify the ordering of ministry within The United Methodist Church and recommends four more years of study by the church. The Study of Ministry Commission report lays the groundwork for the church to reflect further on the theological, ecclesial and practical groundings of its system of lay, licensed and ordained ministry. The 49-page report makes eight recommendations about the ordering of ministry, including separation of ordination from full conference membership. The final report is available at www.gbhem.org. More>>
Wesleyan Institute to Explore Spiritual Disciplines
(GBOD) The General Board of Discipleship and the Texas Conference will co-sponsor a Wesleyan Institute, October 8-11, 2007, at Klein United Methodist Church in Spring, Texas. The Wesleyan Institute will explore the role spiritual disciplines play in forming persons as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. The registration fee prior to September 14 is $150 and $175 after this date. For more information or to register, go to www.gbod.org/WesleyanInstitute; call Becky Caudill toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7059; or email cdgroups@gbod.org.
Public forum set by United Methodist pension board
(UMNS) The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits invites constituents to a Sept. 17 public forum in Chicago with its board of directors. The forum, tentatively scheduled for 11-11:30 a.m. CDT at the Renaissance O'Hare Suites, is designed to allow board directors to hear concerns of constituents from across the church. To place your name and topic on the agenda, call Colette Nies by Sept. 10 at 1-800-269-2244, extension 4296, or e-mail cnies@gbophb.org. The board is a nonprofit agency of The United Methodist Church, overseeing the retirement, health and welfare benefit plans, programs and funds for more than 74,000 active and retired clergy and lay employees of The United Methodist Church. The board manages and invests more than $16 billion in assets.
'Open Heart' ventures into online advertising
(UMNS) The United Methodist "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors." advertising campaign is entering a new realm through online ads targeting people ages 22 to 44. From Aug. 20 through mid-October, the ads will appear on Beliefnet, eHarmony, Yahoo, CitySearch, About.com and other sites. More than 21 million people are expected to see them. "We're seeking to reach people who feel like something is missing from their life and are looking for meaning or purpose," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications, which coordinates the campaign. "Many of those people are searching online. We've chosen sites where they may be looking for something to fill a void in their lives—whether it's travel, relationships or something more spiritual." More>>
DISASTER RESPONSE
UMCOR Response to Hurricane Dean
(UMCOR) Hurricane Dean tore through the Caribbean August 19-21. Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula took the direct hit from Hurricane Dean after it had lashed the coastlines of Haiti, Belize and other Caribbean nations. This massive storm that struck Mexico as a rare category 5 hurricane weakened after crossing the Yucatan Peninsula. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is contacting partners in the region to determine its response. UMCOR provides assistance for long-term recovery that lasts months and sometimes years after a major storm like Hurricane Dean.
Please pray for those thousands who are affected by Hurricane Dean. Your gifts are imperative to UMCOR's response. Funds for UMCOR's response to 2007 hurricanes are low as this is the first major storm of the season. Please give generously to support UMCOR's work through Hurricanes 2007, UMCOR Advance #982511. Financial gifts may be given through the Conference Treasurer (for Advance Special Giving credit) earmarked Hurricanes 2007, UMCOR Advance #982511. The address is PO Box 52101, Macon, Georgia 31208. All funds will be sent to UMCOR promptly.
UMCOR Response to Peru Earthquake
UMCOR is responding to the massive earthquake that leveled several cities in Peru Aug. 15 with offers of aid to the Methodist Church of Peru and a planned grant to Action by Churches Together, an international relief alliance. You can join the effort by giving to International Disaster Response - Peru Earthquake, UMCOR Advance #982450. Financial gifts may be given through the Conference Treasurer (for Advance Special Giving credit) earmarked International Disaster Response - Peru Earthquake, UMCOR Advance #982450. The address is PO Box 52101, Macon, Georgia 31208. All funds will be sent to UMCOR promptly.
RESOURCES
A Hymn for Global Warming
(GBOD) The Rev. Andrew Pratt, British Methodist pastor and hymn writer, has written a hymn, "The Footprints Where Your People Tread," as a prayer on global warming. It has been set to the American hymn tune, MORNING SONG. Click here to view.
Review: Worship in Small Membership Churches
Worship in Small Membership Churches By Robin Knowles Wallace and Terry R. Heck
Lyle Schaller, author and consultant, wrote in the 8/3/07 issue of Newscope that in 2004 there were 169 UMC congregations (0.5% of the total number of UMC congregations) reporting an average attendance of 1,000 or more, and there were 10,976 UMC congregations (32.2% of the total UMC congregations) reporting an average attendance of fewer than 35. This is a book written for those nearly 11,000 small membership congregations as well as for the thousands of larger small membership churches. The authors believe that small membership churches are the perfect size for a variety of worship experiences, that each congregation has gifts for worship, and that small membership churches can meet and deal with any challenges that come their way. They make these points while providing a wealth of information and suggestions in many different areas relating to worship, preaching, and music. For more information on this book, or to order, click here.
GBOD Survey on Favorite Hymns
(GBOD) You are invited to participate in an online survey by telling your ten favorite hymns. You may choose any ten selections in any combination from The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) and/or The Faith We Sing (2000). The survey consists of the alphabetical listing of both books' contents and a check box for each title. You simply click on your ten selections. You may find it helpful to think about your selections prior to actually completing the survey, perhaps even by browsing through the hymnal and making a list. This information will be used to help GBOD plan for future resources in congregational singing and in identifying changes and trends in musical style. They are grateful for your participation and ask you to encourage your friends, your children, your congregation, Sunday School classes, students, professors, pastors, choir members, church staff -- any United Methodist – to participate. To take the survey, go to www.gbod.org/favoritehymns.html.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
All Upcoming Events
Keep up with what's going on in the South Georgia Conference!
Resolving Church Conflict Workshop - August 23
Waycross District Basic Lay Speaking Course - August 25
Sexual Ethics Course - September 6
Dublin District Lay Speaking Courses - September 7-8
KidzQuest - September 14-16
Safe Sanctuaries Training - September 22
Comprehensive School for Clergy Leadership - September 24-25
Charles Wesley Festival - September 27-29
Safe Sanctuaries Training - October 13
Safe Sanctuaries Training - November 3
Discover God's Call Retreat - November 9-11
SEJ Multicultural Event - December 13-15
Safe Sanctuaries Trainings
The following Safe Sanctuaries training dates have been set. Click here for more information on Safe Sanctuaries.
Saturday, September 22, 2007at Pine Forest UMC in Dublin
Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Albany First UMC in Albany
Saturday, November 3, 2007 at Cordele UMC in Cordele
Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Pittman Park UMC in Statesboro
Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Waycross First UMC in Waycross
CLASSIFIEDS
PLEASE NOTE: A local church can send their job description to kelly@sgaumc.com and it will run one time in The Link. The "Employment" section of the conference website will continue to run your ad for as long as you need.
Statesboro First UMC Seeks Ministries/Program Coordinator
First United Methodist Church of Statesboro, GA is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of a full-time Ministries/Program Coordinator. The Coordinator will be responsible for creating and coordinating small groups for the purpose of education, mission, evangelism and fellowship for a large church. This position will also coordinate and assist other ministries throughout the church. This person needs a 4 year college degree and 1+ year(s) experience in establishing and coordinating new programs. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Ordained minister is preferred but not necessary. Resume to: Ministries/Program Coordinator, First United Methodist Church, PO Box 2048, Statesboro, Georgia 30459 or fax to: 912-764-7638 or email to mail@statesborofirst.com. Application deadline is August 31, 2007.