Vol. 4 • No. 25 
September 22, 2005
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UMCOR Is Ready for Rita, Officials Say
As more than a million people fled north away from Hurricane Rita's 165-mile-an-hour winds, United Methodist Committee on Relief emergency services officials made plans to manage the current response to Hurricane Katrina and to expand its scope to include Rita recovery.

"We're in constant contact with our emergency workers and consultants who are on the ground in the Gulf Coast states," said the Rev. Kristin L. Sachen, Emergency Services Office head. "UMCOR's self-sufficient early response teams are poised to go into the new disaster zone as soon as it is safe to do so," she said.

In the meantime, she had advice for people in Rita's path. Listen to local emergency advisories Have three days' food, water, and batteries on hand Know your most vulnerable neighbors and church members and have a way to contact them "Disasters like these powerful hurricanes offer an opportunity for people to make remarkable connections with their neighbors that may not be possible in ordinary times," said Ms. Sachen.

UMCOR also invites United Methodists to continue their generosity in giving as the new storm threatens a large area with damage from high winds and floodwaters. Disasters of this scope will require years of recovery and investment. "Cash is the best gift right now," said Ms. Sachen. "UMCOR does not accept clothing or food because they take up valuable space that is needed for critical emergency supplies."

A list of most-needed supplies is available online at www.umcor.org. Cash gifts will help UMCOR continue to support work of volunteers, annual conferences and interfaith response efforts in the Gulf Coast disaster area as well as other vulnerable regions of the world. Checks can be mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. One hundred percent of every donation to any appeal, including the Hurricane Rita appeal, UMCOR Advance #901323, goes to support recovery efforts in the disaster-stricken regions. More>>

Hurricane Katrina Relief
Click here to view the latest Disaster Response Link.

“It's going to take everybody in this country doing something. This whole country is affected by what's happened. At this point, it's a human event. We're hearing from local churches from New York to Arkansas - from everywhere. Churches are doing all that they know how to do. I don't know of a single church that's not doing something. They're all involved."
Tom Hazelwood, Domestic Disaster Response Exec., UMCOR

Churches all across South Georgia are Reaching Out
St. Peter UMC in Columbus teamed up with Knology of Columbus to take a a tractor-trailer filled with relief supplies to Biloxi, Mississippi.  St. Peter and Knology also cooked 1,000 hot meals for those in shelters.

Waycross First UMC delivered a tractor-trailer full of goods to Monroeville, Alabama, a community of 6,000 located about 90 miles NE of Mobile.  There currently are about 400-450 evacuees living the motels and shelters located in Monroeville. 
Share your pictures by e-mailing Kelly Roberson at kelly@sgaumc.com.

Wesley Glen Family Fun Day
You are invited to come out and visit Wesley Glen for a day of family fun October 1, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Activities include an Auction, Yard Sale, Craft Sale, and Bake Sale. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served for lunch at $5 a plate. Wesley Glen Ministries is a ministry for people with mental disabilities and is located at 4580 North Mumford Road in Macon. For questions call 478-471-3711.
Caring Ministry Workshop in Savannah
Stephen Ministries will be holding a Caring Ministry Workshop in Savannah, Georgia on Saturday, September 24, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Savannah (contact person is Robin Gunn 912-354-7615). The address for the church is 520 Washington Ave / Savannah, GA 31405 (view map). These half-day events are an opportunity for pastors, lay leaders, and caregivers to:

•  Receive samples of Stephen Minister training in “How to Minister to Those Experiencing Grief” and “How to Care in a Distinctively Christian Way,” and
•  Learn all about Stephen Ministry and how to bring this lay caring ministry to your own congregation.

The cost of the workshop is $15 per person or $50 for a congregation group of four or more. To learn more or to register, log on to www.caringministry.org or call the contact person listed above. Log on to www.stephenministries.org to find out more about Stephen Ministry.

United Methodist Women Tel-A-Woman
Click here to read the September issue of the South Georgia Conference United Methodist Tel-A-Woman.

Order ‘World Communion Sunday” worship resources now
One of six Special Sundays in the United Methodist Church, World Communion Sunday, is scheduled for the first Sunday in October.  This year the date is October 2.   If it is not convenient to observe World Communion Sunday on the appointed day, please observe on another Sunday convenient for your congregation.  When churches take the offering for World Communion Sunday the offering provides Ethnic Scholarships for international and U.S. racial-and ethnic-minority graduate students as well as scholarships for racial-and ethnic-minority persons seeking second careers in church-related vocations.  Visit here to order free resources.

Open Door Community House Anniversary Celebration was 'Fantastic'
"We had a fantastic day with nearly 700 people in attendance," said Kim Jenkins, Executive Director of Open Door Community House in Columbus.  Open Door Community House celebrated its70th anniversary with a huge celebration on August 27. Three live bands from local United Methodist Churches entertained the guests, and a beach was set up in the parking lot where children made sand castles and had a ball playing in the sand! Open Door would like to thank all who came to help celebrate with them, especially the Executive and Finance Committees of the United Methodist Women of the South Georgia Annual Conference who were also meeting there.  Your presence and support was greatly appreciated. Open Door Community House, Inc. is a mission agency of the South Georgia Conference and one of 99 National Mission Institutions of the General Board of Global Ministries.
Agency equips pastors for digital age, offering e-mail for life
(UMNS) - United Methodist pastors can count on several address changes during the course of their ministry. But now, thanks to the church's communications agency, one address will remain the same throughout their careers: their e-mail. The United Methodist Commission on Communication approved a plan to provide pastors e-mail addresses for life during the board's Sept. 16-18 meeting. The new initiative, tentatively scheduled to be available next spring, was referred to United Methodist Communications by the 2004 General Conference. The plan is for pastors to be able to register for a permanent e-mail address that would then be forwarded to a personal e-mail address. When a pastor moves, he or she would forward the e-mail address to his or her new provider. The service possibly would be provided through UMCom's relationship with Kintera, a San Diego-based provider of technology services to nonprofit organizations.

Christmas Before and After: Celebrating the Journey
(GBOD) The days between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day can be so much richer and more meaningful if we can find ways to mark the time, to celebrate the themes, to explore as individuals, families, and churches what it means for God to be born in human flesh. Advent consists of the four Sundays before Christmas Day, and there are nearly two more weeks after Christmas Day until Epiphany (the twelve days of Christmas). Without minimizing the importance of Christmas Eve or morning, how can we make more significant the journey along the way and following? More>>

Free Worship Planning Calendars for 2005-2007
(GBOD) As you plan for 2005, 2006, and 2007...There are planning calendars with lectionary citations as well as liturgical seasons and sacred and secular days of the year available as a free download on The General Board of Discipleship worship-preaching-music web site. These are intended for anyone involved in planning and leading worship, music, and preaching. Click here to view.

New Resource from UMCOR: "Harvest of Hope," 2006 Calendar
UMCOR’s 13-month wall calendar, Harvest of Hope, highlights the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s work around the world. As you turn each page you will encounter programs that sow seeds of mercy and compassion, and reap a harvest of hope in our world. For just $10 (plus postage and handling) you’ll receive the Harvest of Hope calendar and a free CD containing a computer screensaver using the calendar’s rich images, a slideshow presentation, and bulletin inserts to print and share with others.

Order now--quantities are limited! Click here to visit UMCOR online.

KidzQuest
KidzQuest 2005 was a blast! Check out pictures from the weekend here.

Noticias de septiembre: boletín #2
BOLETÍN ESPECIAL -  HURACÁN KATRINA
Construyendo esperanza en medio de la destrucción
La Clínica abre centro médico en Baton Rouge
Cómo prepararse ante la amenaza de un huracán
FEMA empieza su programa de ayuda inmediata
La Cruz Roja Americana ofrece un registro de enlace de familias
Iglesia Metodista de Cuba muestra solidaridad ante la devastación dejada por Katrina

NOTICIAS LOCALES
Se celebra mes de la hispanidad
Se alzan voces en defensa del inmigrante

NOTICIAS INTERNACIONALES
Iglesia Metodista da la bienvenida a la Cumbre de los Pueblos
Obispo metodista postula a Cámara de Diputados

EVENTOS
Plantando nuevas comunidades de Fe Hispano/Latinas
Se ofrece taller para saber cómo trabajar con hispanos-latinos

District Charge Conference Dates
--Americus District Charge Conference Dates: Click here to view
--Dublin District Charge Conference Dates: Click here to view
--Macon District Charge Conference Dates: Click here to view
--Thomasville District Charge Conference Dates: Click here to view
--Savannah District Charge Conference Dates: Click here to view
--Statesboro District Charge Conference Dates: Click here to view
--Valdosta District Charge Conference Dates: Click here to view

Upcoming Conference Events
Keep up with what's going on in the South Georgia Conference!
 -- Comprehensive School - September 26-27
--Sexual Ethics Workshop - October 11
--UMW Annual Meeting - October 22
--Blueprint for the House of Prayer - October 22
--Sexual Ethics Workshop - November 3
--Wesleyan College Sunday - November 13
-- Youth Celebration - November 18-20
--United Methodist Student Day - November 27
-- Annual Georgia Day of Prayer for Moral Leadership - January 8
-- LAOS (Laity Retreat) - January 20-22