SNAPSHOT: October 2007

NEWS

News (and Events, Mission Opportunities, and Resources) You Can Use
Snapshot has expanded to include news, resources, events and mission opportunities from all the North Georgia Conference offices. Churches are welcome (and encouraged) to copy and paste the text included in this newsletter and use it for your church bulletin, newsletter or website. This is truly "news you can use!"

Aldersgate Homes/Collinswood Special Offering
The Conference-wide Special Offering for Aldersgate Homes and Collinswood is Sunday, October 28. This offering provides approximately 60% of the operating budget for these two important ministries to persons with developmental disabilities. For more information on Aldersgate Homes and Collinswood, visit www.ngumc.org, choose "Connectional Ministries" then "Related Agencies".

Join Bishop Davis on a Trip to the Holy Land
North Georgia Bishop Lindsey Davis will host a 10-day Holy Land trip departing Atlanta February 13, 2008. You are invited to join him and others from the North Georgia Conference to experience the sites, sounds, and aromas of the amazing land of Israel. The theme of this journey is "Jesus: His Life, His Time, His Land, His Hebrew Faith."  For more information, visit "Latest News" at www.ngumc.org.

HealthFlex Participants: Have You Taken Your Annual Health Assessment?
If you are enrolled in HealthFlex, it’s time to complete your annual WebMD Health Quotient Assessment. Just log on at www.gbophb.org and click “HealthFlex/WebMD.” Remember, if your spouse is also covered, he or she must log in separately and also complete the Assessment.

psst ... Help Spread the Word About Our Georgia Florida UM Credit Union
Help spread the word about the Georgia Florida United Methodist Federal Credit Union and you'll receive an additional bonus. Now until December 31, you'll receive a $10 deposit in your credit union savings account for referring a new member to us. Just think how appreciative they'll be when you introduce them to the credit union and all of our affordable financial services! Visit the Credit Union website, www.unitedmethodistcu.com, for details.

LaGrange College Launches Fundraising Campaign
There are moments that forever alter the course of future events, moments that reveal the essential character of a person or place. They are defining moments, and LaGrange College has arrived at such a time. The UM-related college has announced the launch of a $65 million comprehensive campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the school’s 176-year history. For more information, visit www.lagrange.edu/definingmoment/.

MISSION PROJECTS and OPPORTUNITIES

UMVIM Teams Needed in Dulac, Louisiana
Mission teams are desperately needed in Dulac, Louisiana, in November and December. The Disaster Response Ministry in Dulac (part of the Louisiana Conference, UMC) has received a grant of $250,000 that must be spent on the purchase of materials for client homes prior to December 31, 2007, and all projects must be completed by February 15, 2008. All of the work involves hurricane reconstruction. For more information, contact Dulac Station Manager J.P. McGuire at 985.201.1356 or johnpaulmcguire(at)bellsouth.net. You may register a team online at www.laumcstormrelief.com and request "Dulac." 

Pack Offering Material for the Housing and Homeless Council
The Housing & Homeless Council will be packing the Homeless Offering materials on Monday, November 13, and Tuesday, November 14, at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur. We have shifts set up Monday from 9:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 3:30 and Tuesday from 9:30 to 1:30. Volunteers are especially needed Tuesday. Lunch will be provided for volunteers. Please contact Virginia Tinsley at 678.533.1379 or director(at)nghhc.org.

Consider Partnering With a Church in Eastern Europe or Balkans
The fourth annual Eastern Europe and Balkans Consultation will be held at Cherokee UMC in Johnson City, Tenn. November 1-3. Come learn about the exciting partnerships between churches here in the United States and those behind the former Iron Curtain. The event is sponsored by "In Mission Together" (GBGM partnership program) and "Connecting Congregations" (Word Methodist Evangelism partnership program). For more information or to register, visit www.eebc4.com. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Emory University Presents a Free Public Talk with Dalai Lama
Emory University is presenting a free (no ticket required) public talk in downtown Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park on Monday afternoon, October 22, by the XIV Dalai Lama. The event also will include special musical guests and activities. For complete, updated information, go to www.dalailama.emory.edu.

Celebrate 25 Years of "Giving Feet to the Faith of the Church"
Plan now to participate in the the Wesley Walk for Others and celebrate 25 years of  “giving feet to the faith of the church!” The walk will be Saturday, October 27, at 7:30 a.m. starting at Stone Mountain First UMC. All funds raised will support Wesley Community Centers' ministries: Camp Wesley, Bethlehem Senior Center and Project Extend.  For more information, please contact Sue Raymond at sueraymond(at)bellsouth.net or Joy Magnus at joy(at)wesleycenters.org or call 404.872.0086.

Adult "Call from God" Retreat
You are invited to the "Call from God" retreat November 2-3 to listen for God's voice, and to refine your sense of calling.  You'll learn great information about ordained ministry, have inspirational worship, prayerful reflection, and find practical answers to many of those questions on how best to fulfill God's purpose for your life.   Cost is $95 based on double occupancy.  There is still time to register. For more information, visit www.ngumc.org/ministerial_services/culture_of_call/.

College Fair Featuring UM-related Colleges in the Southeast
St. Andrew UMC in Marietta is holding a College Fair featuring the United Methodist-related colleges in the southeast. The College Fair is on Saturday, November 10, from 3 - 5 p.m. in the Keheley Center. The following colleges will be in attendance with representatives to answer questions: Brevard College, North Carolina; LaGrange College, Georgia; Lambuth University, Tennessee; Pfeiffer University, North Carolina; Reinhardt College, Georgia; Wesleyan College, Georgia; Tennessee Wesleyan, Tennessee; Young Harris College, Georgia. The Georgia-Florida United Methodist Federal Credit Union will also be on hand to discuss student loan options. For more information, visit www.thepumpkinchurch.org.

Youth Ministry Institute Information Session
Join the YMI class of 2008 on November 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roswell UMC and get a glimpse into the Youth Ministry Institute. YMI is a year-long training class for folks committed to youth ministry in their local church--paid or volunteer!  The class touches on topics ranging from practices and procedures to models of discipleship.   Cost for the information session is $30, but if you decide to join the class after attending November 10, the $30 will roll off your registration fee for the year.  To find out more about YMI visit www.yminstitute.org. Let Shari Hickom know if you have any questions at shari(at)ngumc.org or 706.867.3101.

Preparation Workshop for Full Connection and Probationary Board Interviews
Aone-day Preparation Workshop for Full Connection and Probationary Board Interviews will be held Monday, November 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop will provide three 90-minute presentations to help prepare persons for their interviews with the Board of Ordained Ministry in the Spring of 2008.  Registration is limited to Probationary Members who are eligible for Full Connection membership next year, and candidates recommended for probationary membership by their district committees on ministry.  Cost is $15, register online at www.ngumc.org/ministerial_services/.

Conference: Transforming Lives By Embracing God's Diversity
The Southeastern Jurisdiction and Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center are pleased to present an "Transforming Lives by Embracing God's Diversity," December 13-15 at Lake Junaluska. This innovate conference is designed to inspire and equip you to build a more diverse congregation. Visit www.sejumc.org for more information.

Is God Calling Me?
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said “Here am I, send me!” The Board of Ordained Ministry is sponsoring a retreat for high school juniors through age 20 who want to better understand God’s call for their lives. It’s a weekend full of powerful worship, an exciting and festive atmosphere, small group relationships, with a diverse group of pastors and church leaders, representatives from seminaries, hang out time, and a deeper understanding of God’s divine and distinct plan for your life! Join us February 1-3, 2008 at Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center. The event cost is $79 and you can register online. Please contact Joe McKechnie at 706.367.8294 or jmckechnie1@aol.com w ith questions or for information on limited scholarships.

Wesleyan Studies Seminar
Wesleyan scholars Dr. Steve Seamands of Asbury Theological Seminary and Dr. Paul Rader, retired president of Asbury College, will lead a Wesleyan Studies Seminar on March 3-5, 2008 in Hiawassee. Cost is $100 plus room. For information, call 706.896.8124 or contact Ken Fuller at P.O. Box 372, Hiawassee, GA 30546.

RESOURCES

Print the Prayer Calendar
The November Prayer Calendar “Prayers for My Community” is available download in a PDF format at www.ngumc.org under the "Resources" tab. Print it for yourself, for your Sunday school class, or for church-wide distribution. Or include the link in your church newsletter or on your website.

Invite Me In: Read Bishop Davis' Sermon from the Annual Latino Celebration Download Bishop Lindsey Davis’ sermon, “Invite Me In,” which he preached at the Annual Latino Bilingual Celebration September 22 at St. Paul UMC in Gainesville. Visit the Hispanic/Latino Ministries webpage.

Create a Culture of Call in Your Church
For sermon resources, Sunday School material, and more, visit the Conference Ministerial Services webpage.

Suggestions for Observing Veterans Day
This year Veterans' Day falls on November 11, a Sunday. In most years and most times, Veterans' Day passes in our churches with little or no mention because historically and traditionally it is more a civic than a sacred observance. As with New Year’s Day, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and others, some local churches might like to observe Veterans' Day in congregational worship. For more information, visit www.gbod.org.

2008 UMCOR Calendar
Order your 2008 United Methodist Committee on Relief “Hands of Hope” Calendar at www.umcor.org.