Vol. 4 • No. 27 
October 18, 2005
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November Youth Celebration Only a Month Away!
On November 18-20, the South Georgia Conference will be sponsoring Youth Celebration '05 at Epworth By The Sea. “Dare You To Move” is this year's theme intended for 6th -12th graders. Keith Deltano will be the guest speaker this year. Keith has served and worked with youth as a military police officer, public school teacher, youth leader, private counselor, and Christian comedian and storyteller. He draws on his varied background and first hand experience to reach out and share with youth. With pure energy, squirt guns, slapstick, audience participation, scripture, and sidesplitting humor, Keith's goal is to spread God's word to shed light on society's tough issues. Face2Face will lead worship throughout the weekend. Click here for more information or to register online.

Deadline to apply for Long Term Insurance extended to Nov. 1
Click here for an important message from The General Board of Pensions and John Hancock Life Insurance Co.

Rev. Daniel Wandabula to visit South Georgia
The Rev. Daniel Wandabula, District Superintendent in Uganda and overseer of the Sudan, will be visiting in South Georgia November 11 - 15. Rev. Wandabula is currently in the United States on Study Leave at Asbury Seminary where he is participating in  a six week Beeson International Leaders Doctor in Ministry Degree Program.  The program targets international leaders who cannot leave their ministries for extended study, but who still want to advance in leadership and preaching in order to multiply the church in their home countries. 

"Rev. Daniel"  is familiar name and face to the  many South Georgians who have participated in numerous mission trips to help with the Humble Place School Project.  The school currently has a deficit of over $20,000 in the operating  budget. Recent contributions from a South Georgia medical team provided funds to help buy bricks, sand and timber to be used to construct a pit latrine for the newly build staff quarters at Humble Place. 

Rev. Wandabula will meet with the Outreach Team to review the preliminary ministry plan for a partnership between the United Methodist Church in Uganda/Sudan and the Open Hands Partnership of South Georgia.   "I like the theme and the time you have taken to pay attention to issues that concern God's people in the mission field both within and beyond the confines of the United States, " he said upon previewing the document.  Plans are also underway to host a gathering for supporters and friends during his brief visit.

Ann Beall joins staff of NRCD
Dr. Timothy J. Bagwell along with the Executive Committee of the New and Revitalized Congregational Development (NRCD) Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Conference Office of Finance and Administration announce the hiring of Ann Cody Beall. Ann will serve as the Assistant for Development and Communication for NRCD.

NRCD is delighted to have Ann join the team. Ann worked for the Methodist Home for Children & Youth, until leaving to stay at home with her children. She is working part-time in this exciting new opportunity, while continuing to spend time with her daughters. It is an added blessing that NCRD is able to add this position, funded by a generous grant which allows us to continue focusing our Conference budgeted funds on our mission, at a time when this ministry is growing so rapidly. The stated mission of NRCD is to birth 50 new and revitalized congregations in South Georgia by 2010. Please join NCRD in welcoming Ann! Ann can be reached at acbeall@cox.net.

Church marks 50th Anniversary of full clergy rights for women
On May 4, 1956, in Minneapolis, the General Conference of the Methodist Church approved full clergy rights for women. Half a century later, the fruits of that action are the nearly 12,000 United Methodist clergywomen who serve the church at every level, from bishops to local pastors. A yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary includes worship services, books celebrating the lives of pioneering clergywomen and writings of other clergywomen, special observances at annual conferences, and a banquet and concert on Aug. 15 during the International United Methodist Clergywomen's Consultation in Chicago, Aug. 13-17. More>>

Two General Agencies Work with Louisiana Conference to Link Dispersed Congregations
(GBGM) The General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) is working with United Methodist Communications (UMCOM) and the Louisiana Annual Conference on two initiatives to help United Methodists dispersed by Hurricane Katrina to reconnect to their pastors and with one another. Many of the church members of some 90 congregations in Louisiana have been spread across the United States. United Methodists dispersed can call now INFOSERV, 1-800-251-8140 or email infoserv@umcom.org to obtain contact information for their pastors. This service is being provided by UMCOM. In addition, the two agencies and the conference are working together to make possible “virtual congregations” for United Methodists who are displaced. More>>

Igniting Ministry: Church Advertising at Half the Cost
 United Methodist Communications, through Igniting Ministry, 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. Monies are still available to local United Methodist churches for advertising.  If you are planning to advertise in Lent and Easter 2006, your application for a Matching Grant can be submitted between November 1 and December 1, 2005.  An application can be downloaded from the Igniting Ministry web site at http://www.ignitingministry.org/matching/overview.aspx .

The Igniting Ministry Office wants to help you coordinate your advertising campaign.    Igniting Ministry offers assistance with media estimates, planning and placement.   The Igniting Ministry Office looks forward to serving you.  They can be contacted at IMMediaServices@umcom.org or toll-free 877-281-6535. You can also contact Kelly Roberson at kelly@sgaumc.com or 888-266-7642 for more information.

New UMCOR Bulletin Insert: South Asia and Central America Disasters
Two terrible disasters occurred in our world last week: mudslides in Central America buried entire villages and killed hundreds; and a powerful earthquake rocked Pakistan and neighboring countries killing tens of thousands and displacing millions. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to these events through local partners already operating in the affected areas. The new UMCOR bulletin insert, "A Message of Hope: When the Earth Shakes and the Mountains Give Way," tells just how UMCOR is providing hope in these seemingly hopeless situations. It also explains how you can be a part of this response. Please print and share this bulletin insert with others. Consider a special offering to ensure that your heart and hands can continue to work with vulnerable people in these two devastated locations. The bulletin insert is available here.

Church agencies create picture of young people's programs
(UMNS) More than 30 adults from seven agencies of the United Methodist Church colored, pasted and decorated puzzle pieces, then crawled around on the floor to put together a complete picture of the work the church is doing for and with young people. Staff members across the church who work with young people gathered Oct. 4-5 for an inter-agency consultation to work on ways agencies can collaborate and partner with one another and share the work each is doing as it relates to young people. To illustrate the work each agency does, participants were asked to select and decorate puzzle pieces. One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was "the articulation of a shared mission and vision related to ministries with youth and young adults and identification of opportunities for collaborative ministry," Smith said. More>>

Foundation triples its matching scholarship program
(UMNS) The United Methodist Church's popular matching scholarship program for college students is being expanded to a triple dollars concept next fall. The denomination's "Double Your Dollars for Scholars," administered by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation in Nashville, matches $1,000 for local churches raising $1,000 for a member of their congregation enrolled or planning to enroll in a United Methodist-related college, university or seminary. Beginning with the 2006-07 academic year, the foundation, in cooperation with United Methodist colleges and universities, will expand the program to include a Triple Your Dollars for Scholars concept. The Double Your Dollars program will still exist. More>>

Baby Boomers Rule
(GBOD) Baby Boomers, persons between the ages of 43 and 60 -- some 70 million in the USA -- are now entering their prime years of influence, power, authority, and wealth. They own the companies and businesses, run the governments, control the institutions, and spend the money. In the church, they are the senior pastors, district superintendents, bishops, members of General Conference, committee chairs, general agency heads, and main financial contributors to church offering plates. Baby Boomers are just now at their peak of influence. They will never be more influential than they are today. Who are the Baby Boomers? What do they want and expect from the church in worship and music and continued programming? Read this short article on The General Board of Discipleship worship-preaching-music web site by clicking here.

New Products from Cokesbury
New website for Adult Bible Studies curriculum: Together, Adult Bible Studies and Daily Bible Study are used by almost 500,000 students and teachers each week. They are Bible-based, Christ-focused, United Methodist-approved curriculum for use in adult Sunday school classes, Wednesday evening Bible study, and small-group based studies. Now available at this site are free downloadable materials for each week's lesson.

Faith Explorer home video game. For users of Exploring Faith curriculum.: Faith Explorer is designed to complement what children are learning in Sunday school by featuring a new game each week to go along with the Bible story in Exploring Faith. This reinforces what children are learning each Sunday and allows families to use the game as a tool to spark discussion about the Bible and faith. Just think! Thirteen weekly opportunities to utilize the popularity of video games to help children connect with God's Word and help families in their faith journey.

VBS 2006: “Adventure of the Treasure Seekers”: Adventure of the Treasure Seekers uses the fun and adventure of an archaeology dig to help children discover and experience joy in knowing they are treasures in God's eyes and loved beyond measure. The real digging and discovery happens when the children enter Promise Point. Each day, the children will step into a Bible story that will lead them to one of God's promises. They will actually dig for treasures at the dig site at Promise Point. Every treasure they discover will be a link to one of God's promises and the daily Bible story. Want a sneak peek?

Judicial Council will hear oral arguments on three cases
(UMNS) The United Methodist Judicial Council will conduct oral hearings on three of its docket items Oct. 27 during its session in Houston, including the case of a pastor who has admitted she is a practicing homosexual and the case of a Virginia minister who refused church membership to a gay person. The council's rules of procedure allow parties involved in items under review to request the opportunity to present oral arguments. The nine-member court has 14 items on the docket for its regular fall meeting, which will be Oct. 26-29. More>>

Curriculum helps congregations discuss international relations
(UMNS) “Should the United States be the 21st century version of ancient Rome?” So begins an essay on U.S. Christians and the issue of multilateralism by Jan Love, a longtime professor of international studies and current chief executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Love's essay is part of “For the Peace of the World: A Christian Curriculum on International Relations,” released at the end of September by the National Council of Churches. More>>

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!
 -- 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