Vol. 4 • No. 9  
March 16, 2005
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Easter Tips and Helps from Igniting Ministry
Looking for free Easter worship and web graphics, sermon outlines and other helps like these? Click here to check out Igniting Ministry resource helps for Easter.

And, here are three simple ways to welcome those who seek to connect with God through your church this Easter:

Circle of Ten.  Make a special effort to welcome everyone – members and guests alike. Try the “Circle of 10” as a tool. Give extra time for the “Passing of the Peace” so members and guests alike can greet everyone within 10 feet of them without feeling rushed.

48 Hours. Do a special follow-up with people who attend on Easter Sunday. With Easter guests, send a letter with information about the church or make follow-up phone calls to answer their questions. Do the follow-up within 48 hours of the visit.

Newcomer Lunch.  Offer a “newcomer lunch” or similar gathering a week or two after Easter. Mention the lunch during “Joys and Concerns” and in the Easter bulletin. Send a reminder in the follow-up letters to guests.

Check out Lent and Easter articles and resources from the General Board of Discipleship

South Georgia Tsunami Relief Efforts Reach $400,000
As of Feb. 28th, South Georgia United Methodists have given a total of $402,855 to the tsunami relief effort. Your generosity to help those in need is something to be celebrated!

Bishop's Listening Session: In Search of Security
Bishop Watson would like to invite all clergy and laity of the South Georgia Annual Conference to join him for an open discussion on how United Methodists should live and respond to events based on fear, terrorism, and security. This meeting will provide our Bishop with helpful information that he will take to the Council of Bishops. This listening session will be Wednesday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Vineville UMC in Macon. For questions, please contact Rev. Shane Green at Vienna UMC, 229-268-4207.

Let's Celebrate Missions!
Mark your calendar now as the South Georgia Conference plans to celebrate its mission ministries on May 21st at the Rumford Center at the Methodist Children's home in Macon.

Robert Sajjabi, the overseer of Humble Place School in Uganda, East Africa will be the keynote speaker. Caliste Anne Waddy, Macon area harpist, will provide music. A number of awards will be presented during the luncheon, including the Carruth Mission Award, Three Star Church awards, Golden Hammer, Families First, T J Wilkes, and others.

Local church mission teams are invited to set up displays. Contact Charles Cravey (drrev@alltel.net ) if you are interested. Reservations are $10 per person or $80 per table. The deadline to register is May 14th. Download the reservation form here or contact Brenda Iglehart at 888-266-7642 or brenda@sgaumc.com.

Nearly 800 Attended Confirmation Events
Nearly 800 South Georgia confirmands and leaders attended one of two Join the Journey Confirmation Retreats hosted at Epworth By The Sea during February and March.  Focusing on the seasons of the church year, the 5 general sessions throughout each weekend contained high-energy music, relevant messages from conference clergy, drama, videos, elaborate sets, and small group church time.  Eight different workshops and “Holy Clubs” were offered with over 20 different leaders from around the conference teaching to small groups of 30 or less.  Check out photos from the events here.

Evangelism Award Nominations Still Being Accepted
Know a pastor or lay person in the South Georgia Annual Conference who has distinguished themselves in the area of evangelism? If so then you are encouraged to submit his or her name to be nominated for the Denman Evangelism Award or the Carl and Ruth Looney Evangelism Award.

The Denman Evangelism Award recognizes both a pastor and a lay person who are effective in developing true disciples of Jesus Christ in keeping with United Methodist history and tradition. The Carl and Ruth Looney Evangelism Award recognizes a clergy person who has completed their educational requirements, are serving in a full time ministry position, and have the gifts, graces and passion for evangelism and outreach. This award includes a scholarship for continuing their education in evangelism.

To read more about these awards or to download a nominations form, click here. For questions, contact Rev. Mark Addington, Witness Team Chair, at 478-781-0332.

Hurricane Recovery Seeks Volunteers
If you are planning a mission trip this spring or summer, consider helping to speed roof replacement all over Florida and other regions devastated by last year's multiple hurricanes. Thousands of volunteers are needed to do the "heavy lifting" of rebuilding roofs, walls, and interiors for homes in the Southeast. Much work remains in areas of Alabama as well. UMCOR's volunteer hotline will act as a clearinghouse for the many sites that need volunteers.

To find out where the needs are greatest and obtain a local contact, please call toll free, 1-800-918-3100. Or let your generous contributions go for you - please give to UMCOR Advance #982410, Hurricanes 2004.

Sudan: First Report of UMCOR Team
UMCOR's Sudan field team will make its headquarters in Al Daein, about 100 miles from South Darfur's regional capital of Nyala. The area hosts more than 14 camps for displaced persons. Fresh water, sanitation, and emergency supplies are critical needs, the team says. The worst drought in 50 years there could impair peaceful distribution of water and other supplies. The team is designing distribution logistics to avoid differences. Access to equipment is via airlift. Please pray for these newest UMCOR team members and offer support in your gifts to UMCOR Advance #184385, Sudan Emergency.

News from Cokesbury.com
Music Resources Sale: More great savings throughout the month of March at Cokesbury. Popular songbooks are discounted by 10%, denominational hymnals by 15%, and choral music folders are 30% off during March. Visit their music resources sale page for more information and a listing of sale products. Sale ends March 31, 2005.

Choir Robe Sale: Save 10% on all custom choir robes and choir robe accessories; plus receive a free robe bag for each choir robe purchased! Sale ends March 31, 2005. Choir robes add reverence and beauty to any worship service. To find out more, visit your local Cokesbury store or call their robe department at 1-800-237-7511.

Lenten and Easter Resources: Alleluia! Christ is Risen! As we celebrate the Lent and Easter seasons, Cokesbury has added special links to their website to assist you in locating materials appropriate for this joyous time of the Christian year. Note: Cokesbury's bookstore chain and call center will be closed on March 25th for Good Friday.

Committee works to celebrate, recognize older adult ministries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)—Society and the United Methodist Church are “graying,” and the church cannot afford to abandon or under serve older adults, according to an expert on aging and older adult ministries. By 2020, the number of people in the United States over 50 will grow by 74 percent, while the number of people under 50 will grow by only 1 percent. In the United Methodist Church, about 62 percent of the members are 50 or older, said the Rev. Richard H. Gentzler Jr., director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. More>>

For information on the South Georgia Conference Older Adult Retreat April 4-7 click here.

UMTV.org Special Features
Video Story--Toys to Iraq: We all have heard about dangers soldiers are facing in Iraq.  But some troops are carrying more than bullets in their uniforms.  One National Guardsman from Louisiana is reaching out to children, with the help of his friends back home and a community that was willing to try a new path to peace. Kim Riemland has the story.

Video Story--Crosses Across America: A successful businessman turned lay minister spent millions placing crosses along the highways in nearly 30 states.  After he died, the inspirational symbols were destined to deteriorate and be forgotten.  A group of volunteers based in Mississippi has reenergized the cause with a lofty goal to line the nation coast-to-coast with crosses. Kim Riemland reports.

Mission Moment
Swift Creek UMC in Macon recently took a prayerful look at its mission involvement and decided that it needed to become more involved. The Council of Stewards voted to use  the first 10% of the undesignated contributions to the church to support mission projects.  This new mission funding is in addition to the church's payment of 100% of apportionments and support of six lane and three star giving.  January's giving went to send a student from the UGA Wesley Foundation on a mission trip to Romania and to support the Georgia Council on Moral & Civic Concerns.

Igniting Ministry Introduces "Expression Packages"
Each of Igniting Ministry's TV commercials is a unique expression of a biblical, emotional and strategic theme, relevant to seekers and motivating to church leaders and members.  To assist local churches to understand and implement these themes, Igniting Ministry is introducing “Expression Packages.”  

“Expression Packages” are a series of advertising and welcoming resources available to order starting April 1st (shipping begins June 2005) in either DVD or VHS formats. In addition to the DVD, each package includes a Compact Disc.  

Click here to view an Expression Package. Look for more information coming to your church after Easter.

Free Igniting Ministry DVD Coming Your Way after Easter
Check your mailbox at your local church after Easter for a free DVD from Igniting Ministry.  This DVD will help you learn more about Igniting Ministry and the new official advertising resources called "Expression Packages" – and how to keep your hearts, minds and doors always open.

Since 2001, "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors." has offered an unprecedented invitation to more than 100 million people seeking greater meaning and purpose in their lives. And thousands of church leaders have been trained to sharpen their welcoming skills and extend personal invitations to those we are called to serve in Christ's name. Now, it's time for another kind of invitation. One to ourselves.

The baton has now been passed to your church. You have the opportunity to live the promise of "Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors." in exciting new ways. And Igniting Ministry has new tools to help.  Look for your free DVD after Easter. 

Online Registration Now Available for Summer Camps!