News, notes and anecdotes from across the conference

 McEachern UMC: Co-author to speak

          Unite/Cobb and McEachern Memorial UMC will join to host award-winning co-author Dr. Brian Fikkert as he presents from his book When Helping Hurts - How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself on January 24, 2012. The book combines sound theology, solid research, foundational principles and proved strategies for transformational ministry among the poor, both locally and abroad. When Helping Hurts addresses the assumption that ministry strategies may cause considerable harm to poor people as they try to help and offers principles and strategies for poverty alleviation, including the distinction between relief, rehabilitation, and development, the difference between asset-based and needs-based strategies, and the advantages of participatory over blueprint approaches.

          The event is is open to the community and includes a luncheon for pastors, church and ministry leaders. It will be held at McEachern Memorial UMC. Registration is open athwhunitecobb2012.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Renee Abernathy at (770) 943-3008 ext 6044 or by e-mail at ourmissions@mceachernumc.org.

   Harmony Grove UMC: Nativity, breakfast with Santa

 Seminars required for pastors seeking reappointment

      Over the next 18 months, the North Georgia Conference will be offering a number of Sexual Ethics Seminars to be held in each of the 12 districts.  Every clergy person in North Georgia, full time and part time, must complete one of these seminars in order to be reappointed. 

·        January 26, 2012- Rome Carrolton- Moore’s Chapel UMC, 120 North Park Street, Carrollton

·        March 1, 2012- Athens Elberton- Bogart UMC, 1201 Atlanta Highway, Bogart

·        March 15, 2012- Atlanta College Park- East Point First Mallalieu UMC, 2651 Church Street,  East Point

·        July 23, 2012- Epworth by the Sea before Pastors’ School- (9:30-2:30 only)

·        August 23, 2012- LaGrange- Cornerstone UMC-Newnan, 2956 Highway 154, Newnan

·        October 2, 2012- Atlanta Marietta and Northwest- Sam Jones Memorial, 100 West Church Street, Cartersville

·        October 18, 2012- Augusta- Wesley UMC Evans, 825 North Belair Rd, Evans

·        November 1, 2012- Atlanta Emory and Atlanta Decatur Oxford- Oak Grove UMC Decatur,  1722 Oak Grove Rd, NE, Decatur

·        January 24, 2013- Gainesville – Gainesville First UMC, 2780 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville

·        March 9, 2013 (Saturday) – Atlanta Roswell, place, address TBA – (9:30-2:30 only)

 Cumming FUMC: Community choirs join church

     The service of Lessons and Carols at 8:45 and 11 a.m. Dec. 18, will feature the church’s Chancel Choir, Forsyth Central Chamber Chorus, Vickery Creek Middle School Choir, Next Generation Choir and an outstanding orchestra, all under the direction of John Hutchinson. The church is at 770 Canton Hwy. in Cumming. 770-887-2900. www.cfumcga.com.

 St. Andrew UMC: Candy Cane Lane a success

      “We thank everyone who helped to make Candy Cane Lane such a great night for our church and all the children who joined us for the festivities,” said Marcie Millholland, St. Andrew’s director of children’s ministries and the organizer of the event. “We fed more than 310 people in slightly less than one and a half hours. Ed Resendez and the volunteers in the kitchen did all of that and baked dozens of cookies for the youth bake sale on Sunday.”

      Tuscany Italian Restaurant supplied the main dinner course and Santa and event photographers David and Kathy Barfield photographed more than 125 children. 

 Ousley UMC: Spirit of Christmas in music

     The Mass Choir at the Lithonia church will present “The Spirit of Christmas” at 6 p.m. Dec. 18, a musical extravaganza to celebrate the world's greatest gift, Jesus Christ. The church is at 3261 Panola Rd. www.ousleyumc.org.

 Bethlehem FUMC: Fun run, 5K set for Saturday

      The church is hosting a Wiseman 5K – Follow the Christmas Star to Bethlehem (Georgia) on Dec. 18. The Fun Run/Walk begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 4 p.m. Registration cost is $20 per person, $45 family rate. To register online, visit www.active.com. For more information, contact George Roberson at 678-548-4879 or Carol Black, at classicraceservices@gmail.com or 706-680-7223. T-shirts will be given to those who pre-register. The church is at 709 Christmas Ave. (Hwy. 11).  Office number is 770-867-3727 and e-mail is office@bigwhitechurch.com.

  Park UMC: Members to help refugee family

     Through “The RRISA Tree” Project, the Inman Park church will furnish a new apartment for a refugee family supported by Refugee Resettlement Services of Atlanta. Church members will provide all the supplies for a simple, new apartment home in time for the new year. A RRISA tree will be set up in the church lobby, where members and visitors can pick up a tag on which is written a basic need, such as bathroom towels, sheets, soap, food storage containers, etc. Donations should be delivered by Christmas eve. For more information, visit www.inmanparkumc.org.

 Covington FUMC: New spaces expand ministry

        A service of music and prayer was held in November to dedicate a sanctuary purchased for the church in 2009, consecrating it as the Covington First United Methodist Sanctuary Annex. A fellowship hall bought along with the sanctuary provides extra meeting space for church and community groups.

       At the service, a new altar table and cross handcrafted by Ben Hendricks, a member of Covington First and master woodcrafter, was dedicated. Mr. Hendricks’ Sunday School Class, The Josie Goode Class, furnished the materials needed for the table and cross.

 United Methodists to participate in nationwide event

    For more information, go to www.sundaysupperumc.org or email sundaysupper@umcom.org.