Vol. 3 • No. 25 
November 23, 2004
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New Website Launched
The new conference website has been launched! This website strives to be one of South Georgia's most strategic tools in building up the connection. Our goal is that this site will become your home page or one of your favorites so you can keep up with the latest news and resources available. Please take the time to find your way around. We hope you will find exactly what you are looking for. We're still working on a few things, but If you have any questions please send us an e-mail.

Check It Out!
Here are a few features you may want to check out on the new website:
Event Calendars: Add events your church is hosting that appeal conference-wide.
Employment Opportunities: Add job openings at your church.
Church and Clergy Locators: Find information on a church or clergy.
Not sure where everything is? Check out the Site Map or Search This Site.

650 Attend Youth Celebration
Nearly 650 youth gathered at Epworth By The Sea Nov. 19-21 for Youth Celebration 2004. Meeting under the theme "Arise, My Soul," youth from all over the conference participated in church time, workshops, large group sessions, nightly entertainment and afternoons of fun.

Register Online for Confirmation Retreats
Registration for "Join the Journey" is now underway. The first retreat will be held February 11-13, 2005 and the second event will be March 4-6, 2005. Due to the large number of confirmands on the waiting list for last year's event, the South Georgia Conference is teaming with Epworth By The Sea to offer two retreats. Space is limited to 500 participants per retreat. The retreat is intended for 5th grade and above for this year, and will move to 6th grade and above for the 2006 retreats. For more information or to register online, click here.

South Georgia United Methodists Collect Goods for Florida
Two weeks ago the South Georgia Conference collected goods at Port Wentworth United Methodist Church for the hurricane relief effort. We are grateful to Mr. Randy Hall for providing the transportation, Mr. David Warren for coordinating the drop-off and loading at Port Wentworth, and to the following congregations who helped fill up the truck to Florida:

Pierce Chapel - Midland, GA - Bill and Judy Mullins
Pine Forest UMC - Dublin, GA - Joel and Joyce Dent
Springfield UMC - Springfield, GA - Paul Broussard, youth director and Willing Workers Circle
Statesboro First UMC - Statesboro, GA - Betty Hodges, Jay Hodges, and Leo Hutchkiss
Portal UMC - Portal, GA - Willie James Roberson, John King, Robert Wiggins, Fred Washington
First UMC - Sylvania, GA - Dr. Charles Cravey
Lakeside UMC - Brunswick, GA - Rev. Marsha Emery
Taylors UMC - Brunswick, GA
St. Simons Island UMC - St. Simons Island, GA
Antioch UMC - Adel, GA - Rev. Doug Walker
Sikes Chapel UMC - Claxton, GA - Rev. Jerry Petrea
College Place UMC - Brunswick, GA - sent $100 for the purchase of food
Isle of Hope UMC - Savannah, GA - Julie Vann

Other churches participating were: Ephesus Baptist Church - Rincon, GA.

IRS Mileage Rate Announced
The IRS recently announced that the mileage rate for travel for 2005 will be 40.5 cents per mile.  This is an increase of 2.5 cents per mile over this year's rate of 37.5 cents per mile.   Ministers may be able to use this information as they make their estimates of travel and expense reimbursement costs for 2005.  Ministers and lay persons who travel to conference related meetings will be reimbursed at 32 cents per mile if they request reimbursement. 

Advent Wreath Candle Lighting Meditations for 2004
A complete set of short meditations for the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Eve are available as a free download from The General Board of Discipleship worship-preaching-music website. Meditations consist of a short reading from one of the day's lectionary passages, a prayer, and an optional related stanza of a familiar carol of the season. Suitable for use in congregational or family worship, meditations may be used as is or adapted to your own needs.

Hallelujah Moments from Mozambique
Celebrations of United Methodist Mission from the Mission Education Unit of the General Board of Global Ministries
When Ezequiel Nhantumbo, the Mozambique Initiative representative of Missouri UMC was visiting Mabote, in Inhambane North district, he came across a woman right in the middle of the bush. Ezequiel writes, "I stopped and when I was speaking with her, she told me that she had walked for 4 hours to fetch water in the river. She had left around 3:00 AM so that she could also wash her clothes. She was pulling that container full of water that will last one month since this will just be for cooking and drinking. She will have to return the next day to bath." View photos.

Clean-up is Still Needed in Florida and Alabama
There is still much to be done in Alabama and Florida.  Your help is urgently needed. 

Don't Forget About TechShop!
If your church is looking to purchase new software or hardware (computer, screen, projector or any other computer equipment) be sure to check United Methodist TechShop first. They have worked with their partners to provide deep discounts to United Methodist Organizations. Visit TechShop today!