November 3, 2006
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In This Issue of The Link:
Conference News
--Communication Director on Maternity Leave
--United Methodist Council of Bishops Meet in Mozambique
--November is Health Flex Election Month
--Volunteer in Missions News
--New Church Start Needs Trailer
--United Methodist Men Fall Planning Retreat
--80th Anniversary at Palmyra Road UMC
--Register Now for November Celebration ‘06
--Safe Sanctuaries Trainings Scheduled for 2007
--General and Jurisdictional Delegation Elections Process Defined
--Don't Forget to Register!
Connection News
--2007 Congress on Evangelism
--African American Pastors Alerted to Scholarships for 2007 Convocation
--2007 Church Musicians Retreat
--Spiritual Formation Academy
Resources
--Bishop Watson announces Spiritual Disciplines Resource
--A Gift that Keeps on Giving
--Advent: Expecting the Unexpected
--Advent Wreath Candle Lighting Meditations for 2006
--UMCOR's 2007 Calendar Available for Purchase
Mark Your Calendar
--All Upcoming Events
CONFERENCE NEWS
Communications Director on Maternity Leave
Just a reminder that Kelly Roberson, our Conference Director of Communications, is on maternity leave after giving birth to her first child on Wednesday, September 27. Any communication needs should be directed to the Office of Connectional Ministries, where several staff members will be covering duties while Kelly is away.
United Methodist Council of Bishops Meets in Mozambique
Bishop and Mrs. Mike Watson are currently in Maputo, Mozambique to participate in the Council of Bishops Fall meeting. Seventy United Methodist Bishops began conferencing on November 1. Please be in prayer for this body as it meets to worship and pray, to conduct its business and to learn more about how God is moving in Africa.
November is Health Flex Election Month
November is the month to make decisions about Health Flex for 2007. Elections can be made online anytime until Nov. 30, 2006. All Health Flex participants should have received two mailings from the General Board of Pensions to assist in making Health Flex elections.
Note: Retired clergy do not have any elections to make. Retired clergy can ignore this request to make elections for 2007.
Active (non-retired) participants can choose to have a Medical Reimbursement Account (MRA) and/or a Dependent Care Account (DCA). These are described in the brochure. The annual limits for an MRA and a DCA are shown on the Health Flex Election Worksheet. The money to fund these accounts should be withheld from your salary by the church and the Administrative Services Office will bill your church each month.
The “Health Flex Elections Worksheet” and a “Web Guide to Making Health Flex Elections for Participants” contains the instructions needed to make your elections. The “PIN #” that you need to use in making the elections is given to you on the Health Flex Election Worksheet in the box with your name in it.
If you do not have access to a computer, you can make your choices on the Health Flex Elections Worksheet, sign it and send it to the Administrative Services Office, P. O. Box 52101, Macon, GA 31208. If you prefer to fax the form to us, our fax number is 478-738-0048. Your information must be entered by Nov. 30th, so please fax or mail it to us in plenty of time for us to receive your form before the 30th.
If you have questions about making these elections, call the Administrative Services Office at 1-800-535-4224.
Volunteer in Missions News
The SEJ United Methodist Volunteers in Mission have upgraded the insurance coverage available to individuals and teams participating in mission trips. The new rates went into effect on November 1, 2006. Team leaders are encouraged to go to http://www.umvim.org/Insurance.htm to learn more about the changes and to access new forms.
Dr. Charles Cravey will lead a multiple church work team to La Fortuna, Costa Rica Feb. 17-24, 2007. Youth and adult volunteers are being recruited to assist with leading Vacation Bible School and working on a church structure. Total cost per person (all-inclusive) is $1,500. Those interested may contact Dr. Cravey directly at DrRev@alltel.net.
New Church Start Needs Trailer
A new United Methodist congregation has started offering preview worship services West Chatham County. This congregation worships in the West Chatham YMCA and needs a trailer to transport worship equipment each week. The Reverend Matt Hearn states that the ideal trailer size is 7x16, with a ramp door. Please contact Matt if you can loan a trailer, donate a trailer, or donate toward the purchase of a trailer. Whatever help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. You can email Matt at matt@gatewaysavannah.com or call him at 912-220-1074.
UMM Planning and Training Session
The South Georgia Conference United Methodist Men will hold a planning and training session November 10-11, 2006 at Kamp Kirksey in Albany, Georgia. All local and district UMM leaders are urged to attend this important meeting. If you need additional information, please contact Larry Price, UMM President, at 229-888-8088. Kamp Kirksey is located at 2416 Kirksey Road, Albany, GA 31705. Each participant will need to bring linens (for bunk beds) and toiletries. Conference UMM will pay lodging costs for first 60 registrants.
80th Anniversary at Palmyra Road UMC
You are invited to join with Palmyra Road UMC in Albany on November 12, 2006 as they celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Grace Methodist Church. In 1926, Palmyra Road began as Grace Methodist, a mission church to the Cotton Mill village on the northern outskirts of town. In 1953, the church was moved to Palmyra Road and the name changed. Dr. Hugh Davis, Thomasville District Superintendent, will be preaching at the 11:00 a.m. service in which the History Room will be dedicated. Immediately following the service, all are invited to join us for lunch. Please call the church office if you have any questions, 229/435-5411.
Register Now for November Celebration '06
On November 17-19, 2006 the South Georgia Conference Connectional Ministries Office will be sponsoring November Celebration '06. Held at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, this retreat is intended for 6th – 12th graders.
“A Time for Change” is this year's retreat theme. Change can be both an exhilarating and a frightening experience for teenagers. No matter how we view it though, change is inevitable when we meet Jesus Christ. Throughout the weekend students will hear examples of people's lives that were changed when they experienced an actual encounter with Jesus.
Click here for more information or to register online.
Safe Sanctuaries Trainings Scheduled for 2007
Safe Sanctuaries is the name commonly given by local United Methodist Annual Conferences and local churches to their individual efforts to make conference, district, and local church programs welcoming and safe for children and youth. The Safe Sanctuaries training is a first-step in an intentional effort to protect our young. Below are the current trainings scheduled for 2007. For more information about the training, click here. For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, click here.
January 27, 2007 at Richmond Hill UMC in Richmond Hill February 24, 2007 at Valdosta First UMC in Valdosta April 28, 2007 at Pierce Chapel UMC in Columbus General and Jurisdictional Delegation Elections Process Defined
The South Georgia Conference will elect its delegation to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional Conferences during the 2007 Annual Conference Session in Savannah June 3-7. Click here to view details of the elections process.
Don't Forget to Register!
Registration is underway for the following events. Click the name of the event for more information.
Holy Spirit Conference, a weekend retreat sponsored by the Brunswick Sub-district
Discover God's Call Retreat, a retreat focused on discerning God's call in your life November Youth Celebration '06, a weekend retreat for 6th-12th graders
CONNECTION NEWS
2007 Evangelism Congress
(GBOD) The 2007 Congress on Evangelism will be held at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., January 2-5, 2007. This year’s inspiring keynote speakers include: Adam Hamilton, Jeff Dunn, Anne Graham Lotz, Joy J. Moore, J. Ellsworth Kalas, Bishop Scott Jameson Jones, and Wesley Putnam. Visit http://www.gbod.org/evangelism/congress07home.asp for more information.
African American Pastors Alerted to Scholarships for 2007 Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches
The Conference ELCC sub-committee will award up to 10 scholarships for African American Pastors who wish to attend the 2007 Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches. This annual event will be held January 3-6, 2007 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Interested pastors should contact Reverend Denise Walton for more information.
2007 Church Musicians Retreat
(GBOD) The General Board of Discipleship is sponsoring a Church Musicians Retreat January 25-28, 2007 in Nashville. For more information or to register, click here.
Spiritual Formation Academy
The Florida Annual Conference and The Upper Room are co-sponsoring a five-day spiritual formation academy to be held on March 25-30, 2007 at the Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park, FL. Paul Chilcote and Stephanie Ford will be the faculty. Chilcote will lead participants in “Praying through the Arts” and Ford will make presentations on “Modern Spiritual Guides: Underhill, Merton and Nouwen”. More information may be found at www.fl5dayacademy.org.
RESOURCES
Bishop Watson Announces Spiritual Disciplines Resource for Extended Cabinet
You are invited to join Bishop Watson and members of the Extended Cabinet in using A Disciple's Journal: Daily Bible Reading and Guidance for Reflection (Year C Revised Common Lectionary) beginning with the upcoming Advent season. The guide is written by Steven W. Manskar, who is the Director of Accountable Discipleship at the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. This daily journal is organized in the Wesleyan tradition to help a Christian disciple maintain balance between works of piety (loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength through acts of worship and devotion) and works of mercy (loving neighbor as oneself through acts of justice and compassion). You can get the Manskar book through Cokesbury or directly through Discipleship Resources, PO Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003 www.discipleshipresources.org.
A Gift That Keeps on Giving
Those looking for a personal Christmas devotional guide, or a gift for that special someone, should consider purchasing the Rev. Hamp Watson's latest book, A Christmas Cornucopia—Advent, Christmas Meditations. Not only will the reader be blessed, the gift "will keep on giving," since all proceeds from book sales benefit Miss Ella's Camp for Special People at Epworth By The Sea. The camp is held each summer for persons with disabilities, and this year 114 attended. The director of the 21-year-old camp is Ella Cawthon. Watson has written three other books to benefit South Georgia mission institutions: Frederick Wilson Still Speaks, for the Methodist -Home for Children and Youth; More Big Words for our Time, for Wesley Glen Ministries; and Little Stories/Big Ideas for the League of the Good Samaritan at Magnolia Manor. To order. A Christmas Cornucopia, e-mail: whwatson2@cox.net; call (478) 475-1763; or write him at 149 Cambridge Way, Macon, GA 31220-8736. The cost of the book is $16 (including $2 for postage and handling). Checks should be made out to Epworth By The Sea and mailed to Watson.
Advent: Expecting the Unexpected
(GBOD) Expecting the Unexpected is a wonderful new devotional guide for Advent from Upper Room Books. It includes images and reflections for each of the days in Advent as well as prayers and small-group discussion themes. It also includes a different Charles Wesley hymn each week for singing, meditation, and discussion. Use it as a guide for a church staff, a small group, a Sunday School class, a choir, your family, or for yourself. Leader's guide is included. For more information or to order, click here or call toll-free 800-972-0433.
Advent Wreath Candle Lighting Meditations for 2006
(GBOD) Here are brief meditations for one or more readers for the Advent wreath candle lighting for all four Sundays in Advent and Christmas Eve. Each reading concludes with the optional singing of a hymn or song stanza from The United Methodist Hymnal or The Faith We Sing. These meditations may be used in worship, Sunday School, or in the home. Click here to view.
UMCOR’s 2007 Calendar Available for Purchase
The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) 2007 calendar, Questions of Crisis: Answers of Hope, shows how hope can break through even the darkest of hours and provide people in crisis what they need to restore their lives. Each month you’ll be greeted with a story of how UMCOR offers the power of hope to people in difficult situations. You can order your calendar now, while supplies last. Call 800-305-9857 or go to http://www.umcorcalendar.org/ to order.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
All Upcoming Events
Keep up with what's going on in the South Georgia Conference!
Eagles' Retreat - November 6-8 UMM Fall Planning Retreat - November 10-11 Holy Spirit Conference - November 10-12 Wesleyan College Sunday - November 12 November Youth Celebration - November 17-19Discover God's Call Retreat - November 17-19 Georgia Day of Prayer for Moral Leadership - January 7