South Georgia Conference UMC

Vol. 6 • No. 4
February 21, 2007
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In This Issue of The Link
Conference News
--Let Us Pray: Day of Prayer for Appointment Making Process
--Older Adult Brochure Now Online
--South Georgia Conference UMW will ‘Shout to the Lord' at spring retreat
--Open Door Community House holds annual Walk Classic
--GA Christian Council to co-host distinguished lecture
--Support UMVIM this Sunday
--Don't forget to register!
Connection News
--Denominational Giving Grows for 2006 in All Jurisdictions
--One Great Hour of Sharing - A Response to God's Love - March 18
-- All Kinds of Volunteers Still Needed in Mississippi
--Next session of UM101 begins today, February 21
--Sunday School Stories Sought
--New 'Serve' feature on UMC.org connects volunteers with needs
--Space Still Available on Pilgrimage to Mark 300th Anniversary of Charles Wesley's Birth
--Fund accepts proposal for young people's ministry
--United Methodist churches, others may qualify for IRS refund
Resources
--Free DVD helps churches with scouting ministries
--New Prayer Resource Available for People Struggling with Serious Illnesses
--Resources for Women's History Month
Mark Your Calendar
--All Upcoming Events

Family Prayer for Ash Wednesday
Dear God, in praying ashes to ashes and dust to dust,
we remember that you created us and all the earth.
We gather as a family to praise you
and to begin this season of Lent.
For the next forty days, we want to grow closer to you
through family prayers.
Bless our family, oh loving Jesus.
We pray for your love to be in our home.
Help us to share love with others.

We pray for your peace to be in our home.
Help us to be peacemakers.
We pray for your forgiveness for each one of us.
Help us forgive one another.
We pray for your Holy spirit to be in our home.
Help us to follow the guidance of your spirit
as we remember all the
events of your crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

--From the General Board of Discipleship

CONFERENCE NEWS

Let Us Pray: Day of Prayer for Appointment Making Process
Today, Wednesday, February 21, is the fifth-annual Day of Prayer for the Appointment Making Process in the South Georgia Conference. Bishop Watson invites every lay person and every pastor to hold the Cabinet in their prayers throughout the whole appointment making process, but specifically today. It is his hope that persons all across South Georgia will intentionally focus their intercessions on this important matter.

Older Adult Brochure Now Available Online
The South Georgia Conference Older Adult Retreat is set for April 16-18, 2007, at Epworth By The Sea.
Meeting under the theme "Celebrating Our Gifts," the 2007 retreat will welcome Rev. V. L. Daughtery as the guest speaker and Bishop Richard C. Looney as the Bible Study Leader. This year's event will continue to offer all of the activities that our participants have come to love. An additional night's stay may be added to your retreat package for those who cannot get enough of beautiful St. Simons Island . For more information please contact Adam Ricker at (888) 266-7642 or by email at adam@sgaumc.com.

South Georgia Conference UMW will ‘Shout to the Lord' at spring retreat
Women from all over the South Georgia Conference will come together March 30 - April 1, 2007 , at Epworth By The Sea for the 2007 Spiritual Growth Retreat. The theme will be “SHOUT TO THE LORD”! Catherine Ritch Guess will be the guest speaker. Ms. Guess is a popular and “all-around talented” inspirational speaker, musician, composer, diaconal minister, and prolific author of books with a positive message in a Christian context—which she terms “reality fiction.” Other retreat features include the popular “First Praise” in the Lovely Lane Chapel and smaller interest groups on such subjects such as liturgical banners, interpretive dance, drama, creative use of flowers, worship/focus centers, and growth through reading, as well as an interest group for teens grade 7 and up. There will also be childcare and planned activities for children. For more information, contact Mary Virginia Cox, South Georgia Conference UMW Spiritual Growth Coordinator at 229-924-2244 or mvrac@sowega.net . Click here to download a registration form.

Open Door Community House to hold annual Walk Classic
Open Door Community House in Columbus would like to invite you to participate in their 20th Annual Walk Classic on Saturday, March 10, 2007. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 9:00 a.m. All proceeds benefit programs to combat the root causes of poverty and homelessness and to care for children, youth, the homeless and the elderly of our area.

Come out and see Heavens' Saints motorcycle club, Chapel Road Christian band, Miss Columbus and Miss CSU. Following the walk, fabulous door prizes will be given and the hotdogs will be served. Wheelchair participants, babies, and dogs are always welcome. Cheerleaders are needed, too. All walkers (and rollers) will receive a free 20th Walk Classic t-shirt.
Open Door is located at 2405 Second Avenue in Columbus, Ga. Parking will be at TSYS with shuttle service provided to Open Door. Pledge forms may be picked up at Open Door or may be downloaded from our website: www.opendoorcommunityhouse.org. Donations may be given on-site or online through Paypal for those not wishing to walk.

Come support YOUR community house on March 10. If you cannot come, please have a mini-Walk at your church support this cause. Be a part of something GREAT! For further information, call 706-323-5518.

GA Christian Council to co-host distinguished lecture
The Turner Ministry Resource Center, in partnership with the Georgia Christian Council, is proud to host Dr. George E. Morris as the speaker for this year's Distinguished Lecture. Focusing on the theme "The Challenge of Sharing Christian Faith in Our Kind of World," the lecture will be held Thursday, March 29, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Dr. Morris received both his Master and Doctor of Divinity from Vanderbilt University and has served churches throughout the United States and 67 countries. For sixteen years, Dr. Morris was the Arthur J. Moore Professor of Evangelism at Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the founding director of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute and currently serves as the Senior Professor of the World Evangelism of the World Methodist Council. Dr. Morris is the author of several books, including Shalom, Imperatives for Evangelism and Rethinking Congregational Development.

Cost for the event is $50, which includes handouts, lunch and refreshments. 0.5 CEU credits are available for this event. Click here to download a brochure and registration information.

Support UMVIM this Sunday
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Sunday is this Sunday, February 25. Click here to download a flyer to promote this special Sunday in your local church.

Don't forget to register!
--Safe Sanctuaries Training - February 24
-- Confirmation Retreat 1 - March 2-4
-- Confirmation Retreat 2 - March 16-18
-- UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat - March 30-April 1
-- Older Adult Retreat - April 16-18
-- Safe Sanctuaries Training - April 28

CONNECTION NEWS

Denominational Giving Grows for 2006 in All Jurisdictions
(Newscope) Seventeen conferences contributed at least 100% of all apportioned funds in 2006, two more than in 2005. As of the end of December, 88.5% of all apportioned amounts had been received. In 2005, the giving was at 87.0%. Every jurisdiction increased its apportionment giving, with the South Central Jurisdiction remaining at the highest percentage level (93.77%) followed by the North Central Jurisdiction (89.78%). The World Service Fund, which is the primary support for general church ministries, received 88.3% of what was asked for in 2006, an increase from 86.9% in 2005.

East Ohio Conference gave the largest dollar increase from 2005 to all funds by contributing more than $711,000 above its previous giving and moving from paying 76.31% of its apportionments to 100%. Central Texas was the other new 100% conference, up from 92.40%. However, 13 conferences paid less apportionment dollars in 2006, though some of these were still able to pay at or above the percentage apportioned amounts that they paid in the prior year.

The Episcopal Fund remains the apportioned fund receiving the highest percentage contribution (92.0%), though all funds received an increase. The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund received the least at 86.3% in 2006. All the special Sunday offerings received more gifts in 2006, with the Peace With Justice Sunday offering increasing the most at 24.2% and the Native American Ministries Sunday offering growing at 2.4%. "Together we are working to affect real change within our denomination," said Sandra Lackore, general secretary of the General Council of Finance and Administration. "This change is subtle, but we can see glimpses of hope and transformation. The performance of the jurisdictions in supporting the apportionment covenant in 2006 is one such hopeful sign."

One Great Hour of Sharing - A Response to God's Love - March 18
(UMCOR) One Great Hour of Sharing is your opportunity to ensure that the United Methodist Committee on Relief can meet its costs of doing business. A generous response to this special offering March 18 means UMCOR can keep their promise that designated donations--gifts that buy so much hope in a troubled world--will go entirely to specific causes. Please give! It's not too late to order materials. Download UMCOR's Church Bulletin Insert for this special offering by clicking here. You can order additional offering materials online by clicking here or call toll free, 1-888-346-3862.

All Kinds of Volunteers Still Needed in Mississippi
(UMCOR) As the hurricane recovery process marches forward in Mississippi, needs are beginning to change. Most of the homes United Methodists are working on have been mucked out and gutted. It's a labor-intensive job that required volunteers to strip homes of everything that was damaged in the hurricane. Now it's time to repair those homes. There's a great need for volunteers with specific construction skills like electrical, plumbing, and carpentry.

This doesn't mean that people without these skills aren’t needed! The Mississippi Annual Conference simply wants to ensure that volunteer teams that come bring at least one skilled volunteer for every four general volunteers. This helps keep projects moving forward when teams bring volunteers with construction experience to help those who do not. Keep coming to help! Every hand is needed in Mississippi, Louisiana and throughout the region. Learn more about volunteering on UMCOR’s Volunteer Page.

Next session of UM101 begins today, February 21
You've still got time to join the next session of UM101 which began today, Feb. 21. UM101 is an online (Internet) interactive, multi-media course about the basics of The United Methodist Church. Registration is $12. Participants can access the class any time between February 21 and March 28. It's never too late to register or start the class. For more information and to register, please go to http://training.umcom.org . UM101 is offered by United Methodist Communications.

Sunday school stories sought
Do you have stories about how Sunday school has touched people's lives and ideas to help Sunday school succeed? The general church would like to hear them for an effort called "Sunday School - It's for Life." Stories are shared on the website http://sundayschool.cokesbury.com as a joint effort by United Methodist Publishing House and the General Board of Discipleship, and may be used for additional placements. Please submit articles approximately 500 words in length to Harriet Olson at the Publishing House, holson@umpublishing.org, and Diane Denton, director of Public Relations at United Methodist Communications, ddenton@umcom.org.

Space Still Available on Pilgrimage to Mark 300th Anniversary of Charles Wesley's Birth
Spaces are still available for the GBOD and Duke Divinity School-sponsored, pilgrimage to England July 31-August 10, 2007 in celebration of the 300 th anniversary of Charles Wesley's birth. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote, professor and Wesleyan scholar at Duke Divinity School and president of The Charles Wesley Society, Dr. Steve Manskar, GBOD's director of accountable discipleship, and Dr. Tim Macquiban, principal of Sarum College in Salisbury, England, will lead the 10-day pilgrimage. The cost of the trip is $2,098, if reservations are made before April 2 and $2,398 after April 2. For more information and to register, visit http://charleswesley300.gbod.org, call Becky Caudill at 877-899-2780, ext. 7059, or email bcaudill@gbod.org.

New 'Serve' feature on UMC.org connects volunteers with needs
"It is therefore expected of all....that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation by doing good, by being in every kind merciful after their power, as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all."—John Wesley

(UMCom) Beginning with our founder, John Wesley, The United Methodist Church has maintained a long history of service and good works. The people of The United Methodist Church continue to make a difference by volunteering both locally and globally. When UMCom began redesigning UMC.org, the Web site of the people of The United Methodist Church, they found that members wanted the site to be a resource for connecting with the United Methodist community. Because one of the most effective ways we build community is through service, United Methodist Communications redeveloped the “Serve” feature on UMC.org to connect volunteers with needs.

Whether you are interested in serving food at a soup kitchen, or being in a mission on another continent, United Methodists from around the world turn to UMC.org to find volunteer opportunities. United Methodist Communications encourages you to take advantage of this resource by posting volunteer opportunities available at your own church or at community nonprofits affiliated with The United Methodist Church.

The volunteer opportunities currently listed include:
--Restoring a historic church in Michigan;
--Caring for AIDS orphans in Kenya;
--Assisting with disaster response and recovery in Louisiana; or
--Visiting the elderly or homebound in California.

Posting an entry is simple. Visit www.UMC.org and select the “Serve” button. From there, click on “Submit a Volunteer Opportunity” and complete the online form. If you have questions, contact volunteers@umc.org.

Fund accepts proposal for young people's ministry
(UMNS) In its mission to support the next generation of leaders for the church, the Fund for Theological Education invites congregations to submit grant proposals for programs intended to support a culture that encourages the call to the ministry. Grants range from $500 to $3,000. Applications must be postmarked by March 15. To apply, go to www.thefund.org.

United Methodist churches, others may qualify for IRS refund
(UMNS) The United Methodist Council on Finance and Administration is providing resources for local churches, annual conferences and general agencies to apply for refunds under a recent Internal Revenue Service guideline. The IRS says tax-exempt organizations may request a refund of certain federal telephone excise taxes. Organizations must file the appropriate forms with the IRS for the 2006 tax year. To learn more, click here. The council coordinates and administers the finances, property and statistical resources of The United Methodist Church and safeguards the church's legal interests and rights.

RESOURCES

Free DVD helps churches with scouting ministries
A free DVD to help churches develop or expand their scouting ministries is available from United Methodist Men or through the Boy Scouts of America. "United Methodist Scouting Ministries: Introductory Training for Church and Scouting Professionals and Volunteers" is a 75-minute video covering topics including how to transform a local church scouting program into a ministry; youth and adult recognition and awards; policies and guidelines for protecting youth; and growing the program through bishop's dinners. The DVD is available from the Nashville office of United Methodist Men or a local BSA council office (BIN number 05-985). To receive a copy by mail, call (866) 297-4312. There is a $10 charge for shipping and handling.

New Prayer Resource Available for People Struggling with Serious Illnesses
(GBOD) Upper Room Ministries and the Center for the Church and Global AIDS have compiled Prayers for Encouragement: Hope for Persons Suffering with HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Serious Diseases. The booklet, which targets persons suffering with AIDS and other life threatening diseases, includes meditations of hope and encouragement written by ordinary women and men who struggle with what it means to live with stigma, discrimination and rejection by family and friends. The booklet will be distributed through Upper Room Ministries' global editorial and distribution network, United Methodist leaders, clergy and lay persons who are in ministry with persons affected by HIV/AIDS, community, national and international health and service organizations. For more information contact, Dale Waymack at dwaymack@gbod.org; 877-899-2780, ext. 7236.

Resources for Women's History Month
(GBOD) March is designated in The United Methodist Church as Women's History Month.
--Hymnal Resources for Women's History Month One way to observe Women's History Month is to select hymns for the congregation to sing that were written by women.
--Women Hymn Writers — The Big Three There are three women living today who are the most important — the big three — female hymn writers at the beginning of the twenty-first century, and among the most important of all living hymn writers: Ruth Duck, Mary Nelson Keithahn, and Shirley Erena Murray.
--Index of Women Hymn Writers in The Faith We Sing (2000)
--Index of Women Hymn Writers in The United Methodist Hymnal (1989)
--Three Women Hymn Writers Women have always written hymns for the church, and Women's History Month is an opportunity to celebrate some of their work. This article looks at three women hymn writers: Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), Karen Lafferty (b. 1948), and Darlene Zschech (b. 1965).
--Sing Praise for Faithful Women from Scripture and Throughout History: A Collection of Hymns by Edith Sinclair Downing (2006) "Sing Praise for Faithful Women from Scripture and Throughout History" is a collection of forty-two hymn texts and recommended tunes by hymn writer Edith Sinclair Downing. The texts recall not only the women of the Bible, but also important women who have struggled for equality and justice throughout history — Joan of Arc, Perpetua, Harriet Tubman, Dorothy Day, Maggie Kuhn, and Corretta Scott King.
--Women's History Month Feature: Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
--Woman Hymns Hymns, not necessarily BY women, but hymns FOR and ABOUT women.
--A Service in Celebration of Women in Ministry This worship service was used during the final week of Women's History Month at the weekly chapel service in The Upper Room Chapel at The General Board of Discipleship in Nashville in March 2006. It was approximately 30 minutes in length. It could be amplified with Scripture, offering, sermon, and so on and could serve as a Sunday morning worship service or as a hymn festival. The service may be adapted and reproduced for your own local setting and may be reproduced without permission required.
--Worship Resources for the 50th Anniversary of Full Clergy Rights for Women May 4, 1956, was the day that the General Conference of the former Methodist Church granted full clergy rights to women. 2006 will be the 50th anniversary of this historic event.
--21st Century Africana Worship Resources — Litany in Honor of Women Here and Around the World
The author of this litany, Stacey Cole Wilson, serves as the Associate Pastor of Linthicum Heights UMC in Linthicum Heights , Maryland , and is a member of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
--Mr. Wesley's Preachers: Sarah Crosby (1769) [from the John Rylands Library]
--Sources for Women's Studies in the Methodist Archives
--Women Preachers in the Methodist and Holiness Traditions (From The General Commission on Archives and History)
--The Moving Word: A Three-Hour Liturgical Dance Workshop from United Methodist Women
--Multimedia and Electronic Resources: Women's History Month March is National Women's History Month. The following links and books represent a small sampling of the many that can be found online or in your favorite bookstore. These are offered as resource materials for worship.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

All Upcoming Events
Keep up with what's going on in the South Georgia Conference!
--UMVIM Sunday - February 25
--Confirmation Retreat 1 - March 2-4
--Confirmation Retreat 2 - March 16-18
--Spouses Retreat - March 16-18
--UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat - March 30-April 1
--Older Adult Retreat - April 16-18
--UMM Retreat - April 20-22
--Safe Sanctuaries Training - April 28