CONFERENCE NEWS

South Georgia Conference seeks Director for Arthur J. Moore Museum
The South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church has an opening for the Director of the Arthur J. Moore Museum. Applicant must have an appreciation for history of Methodism, especially as it relates to John and Charles Wesley, the United Methodist Church and the South Georgia Conference. Job requirements include: ability to create and maintain museum exhibits; preparation of budget requests; computer skills are mandatory; ability to research questions including information retrieval and storing data; must be able to work independently; ability to supervise paid staff and volunteers; must be comfortable meeting and relating to diverse ethnic and age groups; and some out of town travel is necessary. Educational requirements: Bachelor's Degree required; experience as an educator is preferred; experience in grant writing would be a plus. The Museum is located on the grounds of Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, Ga. For more information or to send a resume with references listed, contact Miriam C. Hagan, Administrative Services Director, by e-mail at miriam@sgaumcadmin.com or call 1-800-535-4224. Applications deadline Nov. 15th.

Wesley Glen Ministries Receives Bequest from Former Resident
Wesley Glen Ministries is pleased to announce that a gift of $500,000 has been given by the family and the estate of G. Paul Jones III. Mr. Jones, who was a resident of Wesley Glen at the time of his death, left the organization a bequest in appreciation for the care he received. His mother, Dallis J. Jones (widow of G. Paul Jones, Jr.) of Macon, and his sisters, Louise Jones Geddes of Atlanta and Sanford Jones McAllister of Great Falls, Montana, have recently announced that they are adding to this bequest, bringing the total gift to $500,000.

The family asked that this gift be applied to the construction of a Life Skills Center on the campus of Wesley Glen on North Mumford Road in Macon. In announcing the gift, Dr. William Oliver, President and CEO, said, “Paul was a well-loved member of the Wesley Glen family. We feel great appreciation for a gift of this magnitude and the confidence of the Jones family in this ministry.”

The Life Skills Center , which will cost approximately $4 million, will house a recreational center, a multi-media room, classrooms, offices, and a commercial kitchen, and is the centerpiece of a $10 million Capital Campaign currently being conducted by Wesley Glen. An additional $1.5 million has been committed by churches throughout the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. Construction of the Center is expected to begin this fall.

In addition to the Center, the capital Campaign has the purpose of strengthening Wesley Glen's endowment. Wesley Glen Ministries, a ministry of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, operates 8 group homes in Macon and one in St. Marys, 2 in Lyons, and 2 in Jesup for adults with developmental disabilities.

Rev. Hamp Watson's fifth book will benefit Vashti
There is much happening in our world today to make us despair of life—9/11, tsunamis, hurricanes and their aftermath, crazed killers in college classes and schoolyards, and the pre-emptive and other wars spawned by sectarian violence. Add to that the personal illnesses and tragedies that many families have experienced. How do you live in a world like this and still affirm life? The Reverend W. Hamp Watson, Jr. seeks to address this contemporary question with the timeless truth of the Gospel in his new book, Saying Yes and Amen to Life. Each chapter brings positive words to a negative world. Since all printing and promotion costs have been donated, the sale of this book will benefit The Vashti Center in Thomasville, Georgia. Click here for information on how to order this book as well as the first four books written by Rev. Watson. Each book benefits a ministry in the South Georgia Conference. Rev. Watson can be contacted at 478-475-1763 or whwatson2@cox.net.

Don't forget to register!
--Safe Sanctuaries Training - November 3
--Statesboro District Lay Speaking Ministries Training - November 3-4
--November Youth Celebration - November 30 - December 2
--SEJ Multicultural Event - December 13-15
--Warmth in Winter with Ed Kilbourne - January 14-16
--Safe Sanctuaries Training - January 26
--Safe Sanctuaries Training - February 16


CONNECTION NEWS

Judicial Council Upholds Pastor's Appointment
(UMNS) The United Methodist Church's supreme court has upheld a bishop's decision that a pastor who changed gender from female to male remains eligible to serve the church. In combining two separate docket items related to the Rev. Drew Phoenix, pastor at St. John's United Methodist Church in Baltimore, the Judicial Council stated that it was not ruling on whether changing gender is a chargeable offense or violates minimum standards set by the church's legislative body, the General Conference. Rather, the court said "a clergyperson's standing cannot be terminated without administrative or juridical action having occurred and all fair process being accorded." Read more about this decision as well as others from the Judicial Council, which met Oct. 24-27 in San Francisco. Click here.

Asbury Seminary to Host Ministry Conference in Orlando
Restore. Just like a home restoration project where rooms are gutted and beauty is restored, today's church is in need of an extreme makeover. For many, hope is lost. Joy is gone. And healing is a far-off notion forever out of reach. But even in bleakness there remains hope. Hope for a new day in the church, hope for restoration. For renewal, listening to others is key. Wise words renew ideas and encourage the healing process. On February 4-6, 2008, take the opportunity to hear the men and women of Ministry Conference Orlando’s Restore the Joy! Pastor or youth minister, layperson or teacher, Asbury Theological Seminary's annual Ministry Conference is designed to enrich the lives of anyone involved in ministry. Through this conference, attendees will gain valuable insights and tools to become a more effective church leader. World-renowned guest speakers coupled with Asbury Seminary's cutting-edge faculty make this year's Ministry Conference a relevant event for anyone seeking to hone their skills and strengthen their church. Click here for more information.

Ministry candidates shifting to online applications
(UMNS) More than 800 ministry candidates have completed their application online since Jan. 2, doubling the 400 applications received and processed using the old paper system during the same period. The online process was launched last January by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the agency overseeing the church's licensed and ordained leadership. Staff with the agency expects that, by January 2008, all candidates with Internet access will complete the enrollment online. "The online candidacy application system is a major step in streamlining a complex and time-sensitive process," said the Rev. Sharon Rubey, director of candidacy and conference relations. More>>

United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 25
(Interpreter Magazine) "I have grown up in church, and I keep God as the head of my life," says Camela Jordan. A freshman at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Jordan is among more than 2,800 students who have received Gift of Hope scholarships from the Office of Loans and Scholarships of the General Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry. A nursing major, Jordan volunteers at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt Medical Center, where she hopes to work as a pediatric nurse practitioner one day. She is a member of Gordon Memorial UMC. Her father, the Rev. Robert L. Jordan, pastors another Nashville-area United Methodist church. "Being a Gift of Hope scholar means that there is money available for me within my denomination and people willing to award scholarship money," Jordan says. "I feel blessed and honored that there are people who think about students like myself in the academic area." For resources to assist with UM Student Day, including downloadable bulletin inserts, please click here.

Advance program has new look for 60th birthday
(UMNS) The Advance for Christ and His Church, the designated mission giving program of The United Methodist Church, has a new structure and staff and will have a new look in coming months. "We have gathered a strong, talented professional team that can build on the rich history of the Advance while positioning us for bold new steps," said Shawn Bakker, who became director of the almost 60-year-old program in 2006. The Advance is the "second-mile" giving channel for mission, meaning giving beyond mission support that comes from congregational apportionments. It includes disaster relief through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, supplementary support for missionaries, and ministries in evangelism, church development and human services around the world. The Advance is lodged within the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. More>>

Igniting Ministry Now Accepting Grant Applications for Lent
United Methodist Communications offers $1 million in matching funds annually to local churches, districts and conferences to help establish an advertising presence in their community. Matching funds can be used for placing television, radio, cinema, outdoor media or a combination of these media types. Grant applications are accepted three times a year for media placed in coordination with the national cable TV schedule: Lent, Back-to-school and Advent. Grants are being accepted now through December 1 for Lent 2008. Find more information here.

United Methodist churches among those affected by California fires
(UMNS) United Methodist families are among those who have lost homes in the raging wildfires that have consumed large portions of Southern California since Oct. 21. Two families in the Fallbrook United Methodist Church congregation and three families from Hope United Methodist Church in Rancho Bernardo have lost their homes, according to early reports from the United Methodist San Diego district. "The good news is that we have heard from all of our pastors and none of them have lost their parsonages," said the Rev. Myron D. Wingfield, superintendent of the San Diego district. "All our church structures and camps are secure." Wingfield they will continue to monitor Julian and Camp Cedar Glen because they are still in possible danger from the fires. More>>

Honor family and friends. Feed the hungry
(SoSA) While you and your family are celebrating the joyous Christmas season, many Americans will be experiencing first-hand the reality of hunger and poverty in our land of abundance. This Christmas you can give them hope by the simple act of honoring your loved ones with a Gift Donation to feed the hungry through the Society of St. Andrew. More>>

Connection News in Korean
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Connection News in Spanish
Click here.

RESOURCES

Free 2008 Worship and Music Planning Calendar
(GBOD) This is a free download designed for pastors, musicians, choir members, and worship planners. It is a full 12-month planning calendar for 2008 containing the lectionary reading citations for each Sunday and major observance of the church year, as well as special days of both the church and civil calendars. Prints one month per 8 ½ x 11 page. Also contained in Hymns for the Revised Common Lectionary (2008).

Igniting Ministry Offers New Resources
Prayer TV Message
(IM) Starting December 10, United Methodist messages will again air on cable television stations during Advent. The boy and his kite invite all viewers to "believe again" with child-like enthusiasm. Ideas for welcoming and using this message during Advent are in this PDF (click here). All customizable advertising graphics for "The Prayer" are offered as a re-usable kit in "Prayer Expression Package" from the Igniting Ministry Product Store. More>>

ADVENT Tools You Can Use
(IM) Advent is prime time to connect with returning family, friends, and everyone in your community. Door hangers are an effective way to invite people to your church and promote your special events. Browse free designs for immediate use! View all advent resources>>

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

All Upcoming Events
--Safe Sanctuaries Training - November 3
--Statesboro District Lay Speaking Ministries Training - November 3-4
--Discover God's Call Retreat - November 9-11
--Wesleyan College Sunday - November 11
--United Methodist Student Day - November 25
--November Youth Celebration - November 30 - December 2
--United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Sunday - December 2
--SEJ Multicultural Event - December 13-15
--Congress on Evangelism - January 2-5
--Ministry Exploration Event - January 4-6
--Warmth in Winter with Ed Kilbourne - January 14-16
-- Safe Sanctuaries Training - January 26
-- Peace Conference - January 31-February 2
-- Winter Camp Meeting - February 3-6
--Confirmation Retreat 1 - February 8-9
--License to Preach School - February 8-15
-- Day of Love and Justice at the Capitol - February 11
-- Sexual Ethics Seminar - February 14
-- Safe Sanctuaries Training - February 16
--Confirmation Retreat 2 - February 29 - March 2
--Spouses Retreat - March 13-15
--UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat - March 28-30
-- UMM Spring Retreat - April 25-27

Safe Sanctuaries Trainings
The following Safe Sanctuaries training dates have been set. Click here for more information on Safe Sanctuaries.
--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.

Methodist Home for Children and Youth Job Posting: Coordinator for Marketing/Development
Region: Macon
Department: Development
Hours: will be discussed at time of interview

This position is responsible for developing and executing a marketing program for The Methodist Home for Children and Youth. Implement marketing strategies to increase donor contributions, promote the Methodist Home's various programs. Responsible for designing layouts and other graphics for brochures and flyers. Will act as project manager for coordination of fundraising campaigns. Traveling to various churches and groups to promote The Methodist Home. Qualifications include Bachelor in Marketing of Business, experience working with a non-profit a plus.  Demonstrated ability to create goals and objectives and successfully achieve them. Well organized, strong team player, strong customer service skills. Well developed presentation and writing skills. We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits. Please submit resumes with references and salary requirements to Human Resources, P.O. Box 2525, Macon, GA 31203-2525; fax resumes to 478-738-0201, or e-mail resumes to debi.linn@themethodisthome.org.

Methodist Home for Children and Youth Job Posting: Paraprofessional
Region: Macon
Department: Price Education Center
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8AM-4PM

Paraprofessional The Methodist Home for Children and Youth is accepting applications for a paraprofessional in our Price Education Center . This position would assist our teachers in carrying out lesson plans, grading papers, and managing the overall classroom environment in an EBD classroom. Qualifications include a minimum of two years of college or one year of college and the paraprofessional test plus experience working in an EBD classroom. Please forward all resumes to Attn: Human Resources, P.O. Box 2525, Macon, GA 31203-2525, fax resumes to 478-738-0201 or e-mail debi.linn@themethodisthome.org. We will be accepting applications at The Methodist Home daily from 9:00 am until 4:00 PM in the Administration Building.

Methodist Home for Children and Youth Job Posting: Information Technology Specialist
Region: Macon
Department: Information Technology Department

The Methodist Home for Children and Youth is seeking an energetic, mature professional to work in our Information Technology department. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to installation and maintenance of computers, monitors, printers, and other peripheral devices, maintain networks, troubleshoot, repair and upgrade hardware and software. Qualified individuals will possess experience working in the computer field with knowledge of, but not limited to Windows XP/Active Directory, Server 2003, Exchange, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office 2003/2007, and Antivirus software. Candidates must have excellent communication and customer service skills and be capable of managing several projects simultaneously with minimal supervision. Please send resumes with salary requirement: Attn: Human Resources, P.O. Box 2525, Macon, GA 31203-2525, fax resumes to 478-738-0201 or e-mail to debi.linn@themethodisthome.org. Applicants may apply in person Monday-Friday from 9AM until 4PM in Administration. EOE.