Vol. 5• No. 2  
January 26, 2006
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In This Issue of The Link:
Conference News
--2005 End-of-Year Financial Report
--Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor Featured in Interpreter Magazine
--Cobbtown UMC Receives Ministry Grant for Youth Outreach
--Brochure Now Available for UMW Retreat
-- Rev. Mike Ricker will be Featured Speaker for UMM Retreat
--Oconne Outreach Opportunity
Connection News
--UMCOR's New List of Top Supplies Needed
--Bishops announce ratification of constitutional amendments
--New Resources Address Church's Spiritual Leadership Need
--SEJ Ministries Convocation
--UMVIM Trainings Scheduled
--Young people will gather to explore call to ministry
-- Primetimers Program set for April 25-May 5
--Friends remember Gulfside, bishops repair house
--Church members can follow WCC assembly from home
--Sudan: Tools for Tomorrow
Resources
--Turn to Prayer for Lent
--VBS Showcase Special
--Apply Today for Communications Fellowships & Scholarships
--2006 Pastors' Salaries
Mark Your Calendar
--Upcoming Conference Events

CONFERENCE NEWS

2005 End-of-Year Financial Report
There are high points to celebrate as we look at the giving of our local churches in 2005.  An astounding $5,082,582 was given to Advance Mission Specials and non-apportioned items.  Over $1,000,000 of this amount was given towards Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  Although only 90% of conference apportionments were collected, we are grateful that this was a $711,306 increase in giving over the previous year.  Both the Statesboro and Dublin Districts paid 100% of their Conference Apportionments, Statesboro for their third year in a row and Dublin for their second.  Conference apportionments totaled $9,889,916; District apportionments totaled $1,010,218; Special Sunday Offerings totaled $93,216; and Advance Mission Specials and non-apportioned items were $5,082,582.  This makes the total connectional giving $16,075,932.  Thanks to the generosity and faithfulness of everyone who contributed in this connectional giving.   

Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor Featured in Interpreter Magazine
Read about the Rev. Leigh Ann Raynor, pastor of Thomasville First United Methodist Church, in the January-February 2006 issue of Interpreter and Interpreter OnLine. She is featured in article on clergy wellness. This issue of Interpreter, the ministry magazine for United Methodists, features a special section on Health and Wholeness. Other features in the current issue of Interpreter will take a look at C. S. Lewis and the recently released film, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe." You'll also find new resources for your church's ministry in IdeaMart and JumpStart, ideas for Living Our Your Faith in the Real World and "It Worked for Us" stories. Check out Interpreter OnLine at www.interpretermagazine.org. Then order your own subscription (1 year for $12) at the website or by calling United Methodist Communications at 888-346-3862.

Cobbtown UMC Receives Ministry Grant for Youth Outreach
This year, the Youth Service Fund will send $91,000 to 15 programs in the United States, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cambodia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Grants for ministries with young people total $90,000 for 17 programs in the United States, Finland, Liberia, the Philippines, Germany and the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the 17 to receive grants is Cobbtown United Methodist Church in north Tattnall County. Their youth outreach program, Youth Evangelizing Successfully--Y.E.S.!, has received a $5,000 grant. Click here to see all grant recipients.

Brochure Now Available for UMW Retreat
The South Georgia Conference United Methodist Women annual Spiritual Growth Retreat will be held March 24-26, 2006 at Epworth By The Sea. Meeting under the theme Resurrection Women, this full-weekend retreat will be led by two officers from the Southeastern Jurisdiction UMW Core Planning Group: Nancy Bearden, President, and Jacquelyn Whitehouse, Secretary. Nancy Bearden will also lead the singing, accompanied by Mary Crowson, Director of Music at Pine Forest UMW in Dublin, on the piano. Childcare and planned activities will be available for registered children, infants through 8th Grade.
Click here for more information or to download a retreat brochure and registration form.

Rev. Mike Ricker will be Featured Speaker at UMM Retreat
Rev. Mike Ricker, Pastor and Evangelist for Light for the Nations Ministries, will be the keynote speaker for the annual United Methodist Men's retreat set for April 21-23, 2006 at Epworth By The Sea. Frank Lowrey and Carl Tott of Americus First UMC will serve as music leaders.  This year's theme will be "The Wonder of it All".  See your local UMM President for more information.

Oconee Outreach Opportunity
The Oconee Outreach Opportunity has been scheduled for July 8-15, 2006 in Sandersville, GA. The Oconee Outreach Opportunity It is a week long mission trip where adults and youth 14 and older work together to bring hope and the message of love to those less fortunate by doing home repairs and spending time with them. This will be the 4th year, and the camp has grown in that time from 40 campers the first year to 105 last year. For more information, contact the Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Camp Director, at 229-768-2048 or Edward Miller at 478-552-2434.


CONNECTION NEWS

UMCOR's New List of Top Supplies Needed
The United Methodist Committee on Relief's (UMCOR) relief supply warehouse, the Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La., has issued a new list of most needed relief supplies this week. The top need is not a standard kit, but specific cleaning items that are required to fulfill requests after 2005's many disasters. Relief supplies are requested in the following order:
1. Cleaning Supplies
2. Bedding Kits
3. Flood Buckets
4. School Bags
5. Layette Kits
For more information about specific cleaning supplies, bedding kits and shipping, click here. Cash donations are also needed to cover the purchase of additional items and shipping costs. Please give to UMCOR Advance #901440, Material Resource Ministry, to help provide for additional expenses.

Bishops announce ratification of constitutional amendments
(UMNS) The United Methodist Council of Bishops has announced that all eight amendments to the church's constitution passed by the 2004 General Conference have been ratified by the annual conferences.  The new amendments are effective immediately, the council said. Click here to read the results.

New Resources Address Church's Spiritual Leadership Need
(UMNS) The United Methodist Church's discipleship agency has announced two new initiatives aimed at addressing the lack of spiritual leadership among pastors and within congregations. The announcement comes as part of a churchwide response to an urgent need identified by the 2004 General Conference, the top legislative body of the denomination. The assembly identified leadership and faith development as critical matters facing the church in the 21st century. The two new initiatives, designed to help pastors and congregations build those leadership skills, were introduced Jan. 11 at the Board of Discipleship. More>>

SEJ Ministries Convocation
The Southeastern Jurisdiction is presenting "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" Matthew 25:35, a convocation to all non- Hispanic/Latino churches and districts who are involved or would like to be involve with Hispanic Ministries. This convocation will take place February 16-18, 2006 at the Simpsonwood Retreat Center in Norcross, GA. Keynote speakers will be Dr. Justo Gonzalez and Dr. Edwin Aponte. Workshop leaders include Rev. Frank Ramos, Rev. Nora Martinez, Rev. Ivelisse Quiñones, Rev. Sonia Ortigoza, and Cookie Santiago. Cost for registration is $125. Contact the SEJ Convocation for Non-Hispanic Churches at (888) 525-3586 ext 3 for registration and lodging information.

UMVIM Trainings Scheduled
The United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) will be holding training sessions May 5-7, 2006 at the SIFAT Campus (Servants in Faith and Technology) in Lineville, Alabama. This will be a weekend of training for both team leaders/members and Individual Volunteers. Training will be led by the staff and experienced leaders of United Methodist Volunteers In Mission, SEJ. Individual Volunteers will receive invaluable information about effective and meaningful medium-term mission service, as well as placement assistance. Team Leaders/members will receive a wealth of information on preparing an UMVIM team for service, including such topics as effective project selection, cultural sensitivity for teams, logistics, and finance. Cost is $140 and includes room and board; instruction and materials. Register on-line at www.umvim.org or contact UMVIM SEJ to request a brochure: 404-377-7424; sejinfo@umvim.org.

Young people will gather to explore call to ministry
(UMNS) The Rev. Telley Gadson says she will "come full circle" when she preaches at the opening worship service of "EXPLORATION 2006." Although Gadson, now pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Sumter, S.C., delivered her first sermon at age 14, she made her final commitment to full-time ministry at the 1994 EXPLORATION event. "I wanted to be an attorney. I was comfortable with the call to preach, but I didn't want to do ministry full time. I was negotiating with God," the 31-year-old elder recalls. But then she heard the late Rev. Cornelius Henderson, who preached a sermon about the story of Jonah at EXPLORATION 1994. This year's Exploration is set for Nov. 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville, FL. More>>

Primetimers Program set for April 25-May 5
The General Board of Global Ministries Primetimers program offers “Putting Children First: Brazilian Methodists in Action” April 25-May 5. (See www.Primetimers.info, 2006 Events.) Hilda Dutrow from the South Georgia Conference will serve as “shepherd leader” for this group of adults over age 50, who originate from across the USA. The itinerary and agenda for the visit is coordinated by Gordon and Teca Greathouse, missionaries supported by Statesboro First UMC. Attendees will visit many of the sites ministering to children through the Shade and Fresh Water project of the Methodist Church, and facilitate Bible School for the children. For more information, contact Kim Lehman at (212) 870-3825. Deadline for registration is February 1.

Friends remember Gulfside, bishops repair house
(UMNS) A refuge. A place of inspiration. A place for fellowship. Holy ground. All those descriptions were applied to Gulfside United Methodist Assembly when an estimated 150 people gathered Jan. 7 for a service of remembrance for the historic facility that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. "When the Mississippi tsunami came in on Aug. 29, this place was transformed in a way that has broken our hearts," Mississippi Bishop Hope Morgan Ward said in her opening remarks. "Yet we gather today to give thanks for all the ways that the experiences we have shared at Gulfside live among us and rebound over and over to the glory of God." Gulfside sits across U.S. 90 from the Gulf of Mexico. After Katrina roared ashore, not a single building remained standing. More>>

Church members can follow WCC assembly from home
(UMNS) Those who aren't attending the 2006 assembly of the World Council of Churches in Porto Alegre, Brazil, can still learn about the issues and follow the action from home. More than 3,000 participants - representing nearly all Christian traditions, including Methodism, and all geographic regions - are expected to gather Feb. 14-23 at the Catholic Pontifical University. The assembly theme is "God, in your grace, transform the world. Church members also can access www.wcc-assembly.info, the WCC's official assembly website, to learn more about the issues and concerns, such as church unity, economic justice and religious plurality, that assembly representatives will discuss. Program documents, prayers, Bible studies, news stories and feature articles are being posted on the assembly site. During the assembly itself, video summaries and live webcasts of plenary sessions are planned, as well as an e-news service open to the public. More>>

Sudan: Tools for Tomorrow
Next month will mark one year for UMCOR's work in Sudan. Since the office doors opened last February, UMCOR Sudan has served tens of thousands of vulnerable people by providing them with shelter, relief supplies, seeds, and tools. Recognizing that the displaced people's needs go far beyond supply distribution, UMCOR's programs are growing to meet needs for education and health care. Read more about UMCOR Sudan's work in the newest Report to Donors. Gifts to UMCOR Advance #184385, Sudan Emergency will help UMCOR's work to expand to meet the needs of Sudan's vulnerable populations.


RESOURCES

Turn to Prayer for Lent
This collection of reusable, professionally developed resources can be used to coordinate with the denomination's upcoming national television advertising campaign for Lent or used any time the concept of Prayer fits your church's needs. Prayer contains a wealth of support for your welcoming ministry:

Prayer is the third volume of the Expression Package series.  The first two, Journey and The Gift are available for $59.95 through the Igniting Ministry Product Store. To order resources from  United Methodist Communications' customer services, please call toll free (888) 346-3862.  For more information, visit www.IgnitingMinistry.org. Prayer, Igniting Ministry's most recent Expression Package, gives you proven ways to reach your community.

VBS Showcase SPECIAL!
January 27 - February 11
Get 20% off all VBS Products
(Prices shown during this time period already reflect 20% discount.)
Click here for more information.

Apply Today for Communications Fellowships & Scholarships The Communications Resourcing Team at United Methodist Communications (UMCom) provides a variety of communications-related fellowship and scholarship opportunities for United Methodists. The deadline to apply is fast approaching - March 15, 2006. More>>

2006 Pastors' Salaries
There have been a few changes made to the 2006 Clergy Compensation List.  Those interested can view the list by clicking here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Upcoming Conference Events
Keep up with what's going on in the South Georgia Conference!
-- Winter Camp Meeting - February 5-8
--Confirmation Retreat - February 10-12
--Macon District Christian Enrichment School - February 11 & 12
--Breaking 65 - February 23
--Confirmation Retreat - March 3-5
--Spouses Retreat - March 17-19
--UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat - March 24-26
--UMM Retreat - April 21-23