South Georgia Conference UMC

Vol. 5 • No. 6
March 22, 2006
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One Great Hour of Sharing helps UMCOR change lives
(UMNS) The house on Little River Road is still on its pad, unmoved by the water that rushed in from two directions in a Bayou La Batre, Ala., neighborhood. The roof had been partially dislodged by the high winds of Hurricane Katrina that blew through this coastal town last August.

Inside, everything Gwen Landry had worked for was lost. Today, thanks to United Methodist action, Landry has a new lavender bedroom, a brilliant yellow kitchen, fresh carpeting and a new roof.

“I never thought there were that many good people left in the world,” Landry said of the United Methodist support.

CONNECTION NEWS

New United Methodist TV Spot for Lent 2006
(Igniting Ministry) A boy carefully writes a note on a piece of paper, then grabs a kite and heads outside. He attaches his handwritten note to the body of the kite and, with great anticipation, he sends it soaring into the sky. This message reminds us all to "believe again" in the power of prayer.

This new UMC television message, entitled "Prayer," will air its "believe again" message during Lent 2006 [view message].

Discover the Prayer Expression Package, a do-it-yourself kit full of ready-to-use graphics, advertising and training for your community and congregation activities.

Tour Contents | Theology PDF

To note: United Methodist television messages will again be carried on cable networks starting the week of March 27. These commercials will follow the traditional times of Lent, Back-to-school and Advent.

Young person or group sought for General Conference address
(UMNS) The United Methodist Division on Ministries with Young People is seeking submissions for a young person or team of young people to address the denomination's 2008 General Conference. The deadline for applying is July 1. The denomination's top legislative assembly, which meets every four years, will gather in Fort Worth, Texas, April 22-May 2, 2008. It will be the first time young people have been added to the agenda to address a General Conference. More>>

Logo for 2008 General Conference keys on theme of hope
(UMNS) United Methodists gathering for their top legislative assembly in 2008 will meet, symbolically, under a tall, green tree representing "A Future with Hope." The green tree and theme of hope are the key elements of the new logo for the next General Conference, which will gather April 23-May 2, 2008, in Fort Worth, Texas. The logo will become a familiar sight between now and the end of General Conference, gracing a wide variety of items - a stamped coin, hymnals, bulletins, T-shirts and sweatshirts, banners. More>>

Mission event to empower people to Connect with God's call
UMVIM, SEJ would like to announce the upcoming event, Connect, that will take place on June 28-30, 2006 at Lake Junaluska, NC. The theme is “Passion and Purpose- how can I Connect my desire to answer God's call with needs around the world.” Connect will feature keynote speakers, Bishop Will Willimon, North Alabama Conference, Bishop Hope Morgan-Ward, Mississippi Conference, and Dr. Wilson Bonfim, Evangemed in Brazil. Workshops will be offered on a variety of mission topics including but not limited to mission experiences for the novice, team leadership, cross-cultural service, volunteering as an individual, and medical teams. International and domestic project leaders will be available to share information about their work and ways volunteers can participate. For more information please visit www.umvim.org. or call 404-377-7424.

Applications Being Accepted for Living Justice Seminar
From June 24 - 28, 2006, a Living Justice Seminar will be held in New York City. Coordinated by the Deaconess Program Office through the support of the Women's Division and Mission Personnel Program Area, the event will bring together a group of young United Methodist women (ages 20 - 39) to explore new directions and social justice issues. The group size is limited to a maximum of twenty with all participant expenses (travel in the United States, lodging, and meals) provided. Applications are due by April 30, 2006. If you are interested in making application for this seminar or would like additional information, please contact Becky Dodson Louter with the Deaconess Program Office at (212) 870-3850. Click here to download an application form.

Midwest Tornado Response
(UMCOR) Approximately 100 tornadoes touched down across the Midwestern section of the US on March 12, causing damage across five states. UMCOR is in contact with the affected annual conferences, offering assistance and emergency funding where needed. UMCOR-trained disaster response coordinators in each annual conference give conference staff an in-house expert when storms like these happen. Following the tornadoes, Tom Hazelwood, director of UMCOR's domestic disaster response, contacted each coordinator to support them in their efforts, ensure they have what they need to respond to their communities, and to offer assistance that can come in the form of funding and additional personnel if they are needed. Your gifts to UMCOR Advance #901670, Domestic Disaster Response, allow UMCOR to respond immediately to the needs of people affected by these tornadoes and other disasters.

World Health Day: Working Together for Health
(UMCOR) World Health Day is Friday, April 7. Each year this day is used to focus on health concerns around the globe. The theme for this year "Working Together for Health" concentrates on the efforts of health workers to bring healing to their communities. Use the latest UMCOR bulletin insert to bring awareness to this important day on or near April 7. You can view and print the insert here.

Wanted: Medicine Boxes
(UMCOR) "This Medicine Box will serve many people who would not be able to get medicine otherwise," said a Medicine Box recipient in Angola. A Medicine Box contains 18 essential drugs and medical supplies-enough to treat illnesses and injuries in a population of 1,000 for three months. Medicine Boxes have proven to be of critical value from urban hospitals to rural and community health centers. UMCOR's stock of Medicine Boxes is running low! You can send a lifesaving gift to UMCOR Advance #982630, Medicine Box. The cost of one medicine box is $425.

UMVIM Mission Trip Opportunities
CUBA TEAM / AUGUST 7-18, 2006: UMVIM, SEJ is sponsoring a ten-day work team to work with the United Methodist Church of Cuba, August 8-18. This will give team members the opportunity to work on construction projects side by side with Cuban Methodists. Opportunities for religious and cultural experiences will abound. Cost is $2,000 from Miami and the team will meet in Miami on August 7 for training and briefing. Only nine spaces are available, so don't wait too late. For an application, please contact Landon Taylor at landon_taylor@umvim.org.

BAHAMAS MISSIONS / June 11-17 or July 31-August 6: UMVIM, SEJ Young Adult staff are leading two trips to work on housing for the people of Eleuthra and they need a team to make the event worthwhile. The team member's cost is $995 inclusive from Atlanta and you will be in service for eight days. There will be opportunities for cultural and religious experiences and occasional time at the beach. Give of yourself, make new friends, make your summer mission trip one you will remember. Only ten spaces are available, so don't wait too late. Please contact Landon Taylor at landon_taylor@umvim.org.

A New Community for Campus Ministers
(Foundation for Evangelism) College Union, a community of United Methodists in Campus Ministry, has launched a new web community at www.collegeunion.org. The site is a web journal and resource place designed “by people involved in campus ministry, for people in campus ministry.” The website is designed for “best practices” in campus ministry. Areas of interest and resources include: small groups, missions, worship, virtues and choices, student leadership, spiritual formation, staff development, emerging trends, videos and chat rooms. The site will be constantly updated with current articles and resources added by an Editorial Board of “experts” in the campus ministry area as well as noted leaders of campus ministry, theologians and church leaders.

Copyright - It's So Unfair!
(GBOD) Our work as planners and leaders of worship and music in the church is important and beneficial. It is ordained and commissioned by God. But copyright is so complicated, so restrictive of that work, and so difficult to follow. COPYRIGHT JUST SEEMS SO UNFAIR. Why is that so? Click here to read the article.

Women's History Month: "Woman Hymns"
(GBOD) March is Women's History Month in The United Methodist Church. It's easy to find and sing hymns written BY women. It's more difficult to find hymns written ABOUT women, the roles they play, and the contributions they have made. This article provides hymns and songs both BY and ABOUT women, as well as links to other resources for celebrating Women's History Month throughout March. Click here to read the article.