Vol. 4 • No. 4  
February 3, 2005
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South Georgia giving to UMCOR tsunami relief reaches $261,000
Contributions from South Georgia United Methodists to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for Asian tsunami relief through the month of January reached $261,917.48. Thank you to all who generously gave and continue to give.

February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month.  And a Texas church has found a unique way to teach kids about African-American history and the civil rights movement. The lessons shine through 53 stained glass windows. Click here to view the video.

Asbury UMC dance team to perform in Super Bowl half time show
Asbury United Methodist Church's liturgical dance team will be performing in the half time show during this year's Super Bowl. They will dance with the Savannah State University dance team under Prof. Loris Boyd. Boyd is also a member of Asbury UMC.

We are proud of this dance team and wish them the best. We'll be watching!!

Super Bowl XXXIX will be held in Jacksonville, Florida Sunday, February 6 at Alltel Stadium The game will be featured on Fox at 6:30 p.m.

South and Southeast Asia: UMCOR Focuses on the Future
UMCOR is allocating $100,000 apiece to start-up operations in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The agency will also request approval for a $1.5 million project in each country from directors of the Board of Global Ministries when they meet in April.

David Sadoo, field staff for UMCOR's emergency services, will arrive in Sri Lanka on Feb. 4 to set up an office, do assessments, act as a liaison between the agency and local Methodists, and meet with donors and government officials. A second person, yet to be named, will be deployed to Indonesia.

In his role, Mr. Sadoo will coordinate UMCOR's long-range plans with community and government representatives and local Methodist churches. Top priority of UMCOR's long-term recovery efforts will be the reclamation of livelihoods. UMCOR and its Methodist partners selected the region around the coastal town of Verugal because local leadership trusts the Methodist Church and the area is underserved. The potential for peace building is high because of the mix of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian populations.

UMCOR is at work in India as well. Another grant to Christian Medical Association of India assures the continued delivery of emergency health care there. More than $6 million in gifts (received as of Jan. 25) will help to underwrite rebuilding programs in the region-- but more can be done. You can assist in UMCOR's long-term effort in a meaningful way with a contribution to Advance #274305, South Asia Emergency.

UMCOR sends $10,000 grant for Indiana flood relief
The United Methodist Committee on Relief has sent an initial $10,000 grant for emergency flood relief to the denomination's South Indiana Annual (regional) Conference. The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, UMCOR's U.S. disaster coordinator, said in a Jan. 31 interview that he expects to receive a grant request for the North Indiana Annual Conference as well. More>>

Church leaders focus on building healthy congregations
Faith formation, disciple making and social witness are the foundations of healthy congregations, speakers told United Methodist leaders at a conference on building strong churches.

About 1,300 local church and conference leaders from across the United States met Jan. 27-30 to learn more about creating and maintaining healthy congregations. More>>

Among this 1,300 were eight South Georgia United Methodists: Mark Addington, Bill Bagwell, Brad Brady, Gerald Goodman, Marty McLeod, Kelly Roberson, Jay Tucker, and Denise Walton.

February 20th is Andrew College Day
(A note from William Griffin, Executive Director of the Georgia Commission on Higher Education)
February 20th is Andrew College Day in the South Georgia Conference. Across the years, Andrew College has had a transforming impact on the lives of those who have been students there, and continues to make that kind of difference in the lives of students today.  There is no adequate way to tell the story of the love, sacrifice, and dedication demonstrated by the faculty and staff at Andrew across the years.  The great American statesman Daniel Webster when speaking of the college from which he graduated, said that although it was small it was surely well loved by some. Andrew is well loved, and investing in the future.  It deserves your support.  Thank you for remembering Andrew College on February 20th - Andrew College Day.

Forgiveness: A Lenten Study
(UMC.org) Forgiveness is at the heart of Christian discipleship. Of all of Jesus' teachings, forgiving others is, for many of us, the most difficult. But it's essential that we grant forgiveness to others and to ourselves, as well as accept forgiveness from others and from God. Make forgiveness part of your focus this Lent. Throughout the season, UMC.org will be posting stories, resources and interactive features. More>>

Society of St. Andrew offers Lenten programs
In keeping with Lenten traditions, the Society of St. Andrew invites individuals and congregations to participate in a program of spiritual reflection, prayer and giving. Free sample starter kits are available online at www.endhunger.org/lent.htm.

Church's media outreach campaign announces new ads, resources
The United Methodist Church will expand its campaign to reach those seeking spiritual meaning in their lives with new commercials, training and resources for local churches this fall. More>>

Grenada: Children Love Their School Kits-- and More Are Needed!
Another 4,500 school kits are on their way to Grenadan children from UMCOR Sager Brown, the Louisiana depot and mission center that maintains emergency supplies. This week, at least as many children received an earlier shipment of UMCOR kits. Distributing the kits are UMCOR's partners, the Grenada Methodist Church and the Grenada Community Development Agency. UMCOR can use every school kit and health kit your congregation can make! Already, for 2005, they have received requests for nearly 78,000 school kits and 193,000 health kits. Completed kits-- or bulk supplies of kit items-- are high on their priority list. Please visit their web site at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/kits.cfm to find out more. Thank you for your generous support of the ministry to Grenadan school children through UMCOR Advance #982410, Hurricanes 2004.

Korean United Methodist council sets vision for 2005-2008
TheKorean church is a “gifted community with much to offer the whole church,” a bishop told leaders at the organizational meeting of the United Methodist Council on Korean American Ministries. “We actively serve God's people through our collective gifts and wish to join continually for glorious transformation and God's miraculous expectation for the United Methodist Church ,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, who leads the denomination's Chicago Area.

In setting a vision for the council, he said members of the Korean-American United Methodist community are not just consumers but contributors toward a “future-oriented, gifted community of faith.” Thirty-one lay and clergy members from around the country attended the council's meeting, Jan. 27-29, in Houston. More>>

Clarification of Hymnal Lyrics from the General Board of Discipleship
Why does The Faith We Sing pew edition (and the United Methodist Hymnal) contain some hymns and songs that do not have all of the lyrics that are included in other editions? This is a question that has been asked since the release of The Faith We Sing. In a brief article Dean McIntyre, Director of Music Resources at the General Board of Discipleship, explains. More>>

Valentine Marriage Retreat
Interested in developing a "A Lasting Promise?" Then you won't want to miss this valentine marriage retreat February 11-13 at Epworth By The Sea. Rev. Dave and Kay Hanson will lead the retreat. Topics for the weekend include: fighting for your marriage, creative communication, dealing with your differences, and identifying root issuesd. Come learn how to make a good marriage better! Cost for the weekend retreat is $250 (includes 2 nights stay and 6 meals). Commuting couples packages are available. If you are interested or would like more information, contact Rev. Jay Hanson, pastor of The Chapel in Brunswick, at 912-262-1331. This event is being sponsored by The Chapel.