Vol. 4 • No. 8  
March 4, 2005
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One Great Hour of Sharing: Be There This Sunday!
Electronic Resources Can Interpret This Offering
A print-friendly worship service and an "e-poster" from UMCOR's web site can quickly become your centerpiece for receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing offering this Sunday, March 6. Remember, UMCOR receives no World Service funds. All our administrative expenses are covered by this annual offering. That's why the offering is so critical - it enables us to dedicate 100 percent of your "second-mile" gifts to the Advance project you select. So act now! Download and print the online resources here. And then be sure to receive the offering. Your gifts answer Jesus' call to "be there" for others.

Attention Retired Clergy: Two Wood Homes Available!
Two James A. & Virginia Willingham Wood Homes in Epworth Acres on St. Simons Island, GA will become available June 1, 2005. This is an excellent opportunity for retired (or soon to be retired!) clergy to live on beautiful St. Simons Island. Qualifications to live in these homes include:
--Ministers who have served full time in the itinerant system as an appointed minister for at least 15 years of active service in the South Georgia Annual Conference.
--Assignment is for lifetime of minister. Surviving spouse must have been married to a minister for 15 years of active service.
--$12,000 due at time of occupancy

If you are interested please contact Joel Willis, Chairman of the Wood Homes Fund, at 912-638-8688. These homes are held by the Board of Trustees of the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Inc. in trust for the Annual Conference.

Magnolia Manor of St. Simons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Consecrated
Residents, employees and friends of Magnolia Manor came out on a windy afternoon to be a part of the Consecration Ceremony Tuesday, March 1, 2005 for the Magnolia Manor of St. Simons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Participating in the service were Bishop Mike Watson, Episcopal Leader of the South Georgia Area, Mr. Mark Todd, President and CEO of Magnolia Manor, Rev. Willie Beasley, Waycross District Superintendent, Rev. Tim Steffen, pastor of Wesley at Frederica UMC, and Rev. Jim Smith, pastor of St. Simons UMC.

UMCOR receives $15 million for tsunami aid
(UMNS) - A total of $15 million has been contributed to the United Methodist Committee on Relief for post-tsunami recovery work in the Indian Ocean region. On Dec. 26, massive tidal waves, set off by an underwater earthquake, devastated large land areas around the Indian Ocean. The nations of Sri Lanka and Indonesia were hit hardest. Contributions began arriving at UMCOR the next day and have not stopped. The $15 million figure, as of Feb. 23, includes donations from all sources-credit cards, checks sent directly to the agency and money channeled through annual (regional) conferences of the denomination. Contributions for tsunami relief are still needed. Drop a check in the offering plate this week marked for "Advance #274305, South Asia Emergency." Bishop Watson to serve as UM representative at 2006 WCC assembly
How the world's churches deal with the issues that both unite and divide them will be a focus of the World Council of Churches' ninth assembly in 2006. More than 3,000 people, including a United Methodist delegation, are expected to attend the Feb. 14-23, 2006 meeting at the Pontifical Catholic University in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The theme is "God in your grace, transform the world." Bishop Mike Watson, South Georgia Area Episcopal Leader, will serve on the UM delegation. More>>

Comprehensive School to Focus on Small Groups
"Purpose Driven Small Group Conference: A Small Groups Survival Guide" will be the focus of the spring Comprehensive School for Clergy Leadership. This two day event is scheduled for April 25-26 at Epworth By The Sea. Pastor Steve Gladen, minister of small groups at Saddleback Church in California, will be the featured speaker.

Earn 1 CEU for attending all sessions or earn 2 CEUs for attending all sessions, reading the required book, Building a Church of Small Groups by Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson, and writing a paper.

Due to the generosity of Epworth By The Sea there will be no charge for rooms and meals to the first 100 appointed UM pastors to register. Registration for UM Pastors must be made through the Comprehensive School. Tuition is $50. Pastors are encouraged to bring their "teams" to participate. Team members tuition will be at a discounted rate or $35, but they will have to make their own housing and meal arrangements. 

Download brochure and registration information here.

'Disciple' Training to be held in Macon in June
Cokesbury is offering one-day and two-day training seminars at Vineville UMC in Macon on June 23-34, 2005. One-day training seminar options include Disciple 1: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study (June 24), Disciple 4: Under the Tree of Life (June 23), and Jesus in the Gospels (June 24). Clergy and laypersons interested in leading one of these programs at their church will want to attend.

A two-day training seminar option for Disciple 1 is also available (June 23-24). This longer training is designed for those who have never participated in the Disciple program or who would like more hands-on training experience.

Each one-day seminar is $100 and the two-day Disciple 1 seminar is $150. All seminars include lunch and training materials. To register for training or for more information, call toll free 800-251-8591 or visit www.disciple.cokesbury.com.

Bishop Edwards to Host Conference at LaGrange College
Bishop Marion Edwards, Bishop-in-Residence at LaGrange College, is hosting a one day lay/clergy conference on Wednesday, March 30 in the LaGrange College Student Center. Dr. James Fleming, Founder and Director of Biblical Resources Study Center, will lead five group presentations around the theme "Post Easter to Pentecost--and Beyond." The cost of the conference is $60, including a workbook. Lunch will be served in the dining hall for $4.75. To download the brochure, click here. For more information, contact Robin Hurst at 706-880-8206 or rhurst@lagrange.edu.

Georgia, Florida Credit Unions Merge
As of March 1, 2005 the Georgia Methodist Federal Credit Union and the Florida United Methodist Credit Union have partnered to form the Georgia Florida United Methodist Federal Credit Union. For more information visit www.gamethfcu.org.

Study guide looks at Christian themes in 'The Lord of the Rings'
(UMNS)—A new six-week study guide from United Methodist Communications explores the biblical themes running through J.R.R. Tolkien's epic, The Lord of the Rings, and Peter Jackson's award-winning films of the books.

From Frodo's lush beloved Shire to the terrifying land of Mordor, The Lord of the Rings takes the viewer on a spiritual adventure of good versus evil. The study guide examines the themes and characters of the complex trilogy and relates them to the Christian tradition. More>>

The guide is being distributed through EcuFilm, (888) 346-3862. It can be ordered online here.

Resources for Women's History Month
March is designated as Women's History Month in The United Methodist Church. One way to observe Women's History Month is to sing hymns that were written by women. The General Board of Discipleship worship-preaching-music website has made available a list of selections in The United Methodist Hymnal and in The Faith We Sing that were composed, authored, arranged, translated, or otherwise contributed to by women.

Resurrection Resource from Lumicon
Lumicon's "Touch and Remember" Easter worship experience, based on Luke 24:1-12, has just been released as a stand-alone worship experience for Easter. Click here to check out this resource Lumicon is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping churches bring the light of Christ into the lives of people who live in digital culture. While you're looking, you may want to preview their other Easter experiences, too: "A Promise Remembered" (Luke 24:1-8) • "Don't Hold On to Me" (John 20:1-18) • "Feel the Earth Move" (Matthew 28:1-10) • "Mystery of the Tomb" (Mark 16:1-8).