Vol. 4 • No. 26 
October 6, 2005
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UMCOR Continues Gulf Coast Aid
(UMCOR) Widespread losses over the 90,000 square mile area devastated by Hurricane Katrina are impelling a widespread response from UMCOR. Workers have fanned out through the four-state area, working with a dozen highly skilled volunteers who have extensive experience in disaster response. They are "multi-tasking"--training volunteers at storm call centers, assisting with case management, and mobilizing church members in the disaster zone.

In Louisiana, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission joined UMCOR officials to tour affected parishes. Their assessments will feed into long-term recovery plans. In Mississippi, churches have responded to Red Cross requests and opened their church houses to evacuees. In a side yard St. Paul United Methodist Church members in Ocean Springs have pitched tents that house up to 200 people.

In Alabama-West Florida, United Methodist volunteers are distributing health kits, cleaning supplies, mosquito netting and lunches to families in south Mobile County.

In Texas, UMCOR is opening new relief centers. The centers will stock and distribute supplies from other depots.

Read more about hurricane recovery in UMCOR’s newest report to donors, available now to download and share with others at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/reporttodonors/KatrinaReporttoDonors.pdf .

UMCOR invites United Methodists to continue their generosity in giving. Disasters of this scope will require years of recovery and investment. "Cash is the best gift right now," say agency officials. You
can give to Hurricane Katrina relief, UMCOR Advance # 982523, or Hurricane Rita recovery, Advance #901323. 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 by clicking here.

Early Response Team Training
There are three more dates for Early Response Team Training. Click here for more information on Early Response Teams and for directions to the training locations.

October 11
October 13
October 18 		Trinity UMC, Waycross
Pine Forest UMC, Dublin
Thomasville First UMC 		6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

UM Cash Contributions to Gulf Hurricane Relief Reach $11 Million
(GBGM) Cash contributions to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for hurricane relief and rehabilitation in the Gulf Coast region reached $11 million on October 3, 2005. The figure incorporates donations covering both Hurricane Katrina, which struck on August 29, and Hurricane Rita, which came ashore on September 24. Of the total, $2.7 million has come through internet and telephone contributions; the remaining $8.3 million by check, according to Roland Fernandes, treasurer of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. UMCOR is part of that agency.

Registration Form for Eagles Fall Retreat Now Available
The 2005 Eagles Fall Retreat is scheduled for November 7-9, 2005 at Epworth By The Sea. Click here to download the registration form.

Experience 'Deeper Encounters with God' at the Holy Spirit Conference
Are you longing for a deeper walk with the Lord? A cordial invitation is extended to the 27th annual Holy Spirit Conference, November 11-13. The theme this year is Deeper Encounters with God . As usual, it is being held at beautiful Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, GA. There will be dynamic programs for children and youth, as well as adults. Interested? If you would like more information, please go to www.holyspiritconference.org which includes housing and conference registration forms.

Discover God's Call Fall Retreat
The 2005 Discover God's Call Fall retreat will be held at Norman Park November 18-20th! The speaker is the Reverend Mike McAfee, pastor of Albany First UMC. Participants will come as a member and walk away as a minister.

As part of the pre-retreat study, which begins on October 17th, participants will be asked to commit to a 30-minute daily study for 26 days prior to the retreat. Using this personal study time, the small groups at the Discover God's Call weekend will help you "discover your spiritual gifts and God's call" for your life.

You won't want to miss out on this weekend filled with inspirational messages from an anointed speaker, small groups filled with love and laughter, perceptive leaders, encouragement and prayer from our prayer team, time for solitude and meditation, opportunities to share your insights, fellowship and celebration in lively worship services, ending with a time of communion and commitment! 

Deadline to register is October 7th. If you are interested, have any questions, or want to register, please contact Buddy Whatley as soon as possible at 912-685-2777. Discover God's Call is a ministry of the Foundation for Evangelism of the United Methodist Church.

Dates for the 2006 Spouses Retreat Set
The dates for the South Georgia Conference Spouses Retreat have been set for March 17-19, 2006. Guest speaker will be Sylvia Powell from Columbus, Ga. Registration forms will be mailed in Jan. to all clergy spouses of South Georgia. Mark your calendar now and make plans to attend!

Third Book by Hamp Watson benefits Magnolia Manor
Little Stories / Big Ideas, by W. Hamp Watson, Jr., will benefit the “League of the Good Samaritan” at the seven Magnolia Manors of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. A native of Baxley, Georgia, Watson has been pastor of United Methodist Churches since 1951. He currently serves as Retired Supply Pastor for Glenwood Hills United Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia.

Watson began leading singing in Camp Meetings and Revivals across Georgia Methodism at sixteen years of age in order to work his way through College and Seminary. As a pastor he continued to lead singing for three to six weeks annually. During all these Revivals and Preaching Missions he would be teamed with outstanding preachers and storytellers.

The stories in this book reflect not only the gleaning from many of these giants of the faith, but the good fortune of having come from a family and having married into a family where stories were told, enjoyed and cherished. When stories from his rural, small town and urban pastorates are added to some that were specifically requested from colleagues, the mix is varied and interesting. Most people will want to read and tell these stories purely for enjoyment. Some will want to use them for development of a devotional or a sermon. All will discover that nearly every Little Story will lead to a Big Idea. More>>

Magnolia Manor Hosts Nursing Home Revival
Over 75 residents of the Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in Americus took part in a week-long revival that the Rev. Dennis Stalvey, Assistant Vice President of Spiritual Care at Magnolia Manor, described as “glorious.” The services began at 10:30 a.m. and lasted about 30 minutes. A different guest preacher gave a sermon each morning, and the Minister of Music at Magnolia Manor led the congregational singing. Having grown up in a revival era, residents were excited about singing old songs they had sung since childhood. The revival was very meaningful to the residents as well as the staff. Almost every faith community has some kind of nursing home or retirement facility for Older Adults where revival services could be held. You might consider asking your local nursing home if your church could sponsor a Nursing Home Revival.

IRS increases mileage rate
The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department announced last month an increase to the optional standard mileage rates for the final four months of 2005. The rate increased to 48.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2005. This is an increase of 8 cents from the 40.5 cent rate in effect for the first eight months of 2005. More>>

The Church's Brave New Worship World
(GBOD) What happens when a church goes wireless? What will be the impact on worship, choirs, congregational singing, Sunday School, the church budget? Will hymnals disappear from the pews? Find out what happens when satellite-delivered Internet comes to your sanctuary. More>>

Survey focuses on United Methodist Men
(UMNS) Do most men in the United Methodist Church believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God, or do they believe it is the word of God to be interpreted in the light of its historical context and the church's teachings? How much time do men spend in private devotional activities? What type of music does a man prefer in worship? How much does a man give to his congregation? These and other questions are included in an online questionnaire developed by the churchwide Commission on United Methodist Men. The commission is inviting all men who are members of the United Methodist Church to visit http://www.gcumm.org/ and click on "UMC Men's Study - Individual" to answer 45 questions about their congregation, faith, involvement, history, family and theology.

United Methodist Church Lay Retirement Benefits
Many of our church workers - musicians, education directors, secretaries, custodians, and others - serve the church without benefits. The local church may pay them a salary, but all too often does not offer retirement benefits. The 2004 General Conference passed legislation directing Pastor-Parish
(Staff-Parish) Relations Committees to recommend to the church council a retirement benefit for lay employees. Here are answers to frequently asked questions as well as contacts for additional information. More>>

Advance Ships New DVD to Every Pastor
The Advance for Christ and His Church (The Advance) has shipped a new DVD, “Here I Am, Lord,” to every pastor in the United States. The DVD, included in a bright red “Partnership in Missions” box with several other new resources, features the witness and ministries of 32 United Methodist missionaries serving in 12 countries.

The Advance, established by the 1948 Methodist General Conference, is an official program of The United Methodist Church. It offers donors an opportunity to support a project or missionary of their choice, and assures them that 100% of their gift will go to the ministry they select. The Advance includes projects and missionaries in more than 80 countries.

Noticias de octubre: boletín #1  ESPECIAL KATRINA
La Iglesia Metodista Unida El Mesías ayuda a damnificados
Metodistas unidos abren centro de auxilio en Louisiana

NOTICIAS NACIONALES
Se nombra nueva directora de la División de Mujeres
Celebración en honor a Yolanda Pupo-Ortíz

NOTICIAS INTERNACIONALES
CIEMAL expresa indignación por las palabras de Pat Robertson
Vargas Llosa declaró que los seres humanos necesitan religión
Se discute la revisión de leyes que castigan el aborto
Diócesis anglicana depone clérigos

ANUNCIOS
MARCHA lanza su página Web por Internet

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!
 --Sexual Ethics Workshop - October 11
--UMW Annual Meeting - October 22
--Blueprint for the House of Prayer - October 22
--Sexual Ethics Workshop - November 3
--Eagles Fall Retreat - November 7-9
--Holy Spirit Conference - November 11-13
--Wesleyan College Sunday - November 13
--Discover God's Call Retreat - November 18-20
-- 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