News, notes and anecdotes from across the conference
3/4/2012
Hunger Walk/Run 2012 set for March 11
Action Ministries, Inc. is partnering with the Atlanta Community Food Bank for Hunger Walk/Run 2012 on March 11. The goal is to raise awareness and support initiatives that fight hunger here in Georgia. Action Ministries leads communities and volunteers in serving their neighbors in need by providing hunger, housing and education solutions. The organization was founded originally by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church to help congregations engage “the least of these.” A majority of the funds raised through your participation will support Action Ministries while the balance goes to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, an AMI food supply partner.
Churches are encouraged to enter teams, and to set a goal of raising $1,000 from family, friends and neighbors. For example, 10 participants would raise $100 each. If you cannot run or walk in the event, you may participate as a virtual team that simply collects donations, which are due by March 11. To register yourself or a team, visit the Hunger Walk/Run website and click on the Action Ministries, Inc. link: http://www.hungerwalkrun.org/ For more information, contact Laura Lowery at llowery@actionministries.net or 706-202-0519.
Workshop: Five Practices for Fruitful Congregations
Join Bishop Robert Schnase, author of Five Practices for Fruitful Congregations, and Bishop in Residence for the Missouri area, as he presents a workshop 1:30-4:30 p.m. March 15 at LaGrange College. Topics include: Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations; How Does Your Church Work; and What Do I Have To Do with the Mission of the Church. There is no fee for this event. For more information or to register your attendance, please contact Laura Faulkner via phone at 706.880.8340 or via email at lfaulkner@lagrange.edu.
Faith in Action: Mission of God Conference
On March 16-17 at Snellville UMC, participants will be offered all-day classes to two and three hour classes. This event is open to everyone who is willing to serve in ministry to others. Classes include UMCOR Early Response Team; UMVIM Mission Team Leader; Red Cross Shelter Worker; Chainsaw Basic Operation; Damage Assessment Training; Mission Team Essentials; Men's Ministry; Church Preparedness for Disaster Response; and Children’s Disaster Services. This event is a collaborative ministry brought to you by the United Methodist Men, the Connectional Ministries Office and Snellville UMC. For a list of the many workshops offered, and to register, please visit http://www.ngumc.org/events/detail/5166.
Sacred Praise UMC: Celebrating Black History Month
Walk Together Children was the theme of the celebration service for Black History Month at Sacred Praise UMC, Lovejoy. The facility was adorned with figurines representing historically famous Black Americans and the pulpit area was abound with oil lamp, quilt, chairs and cradle as a reminder of times long ago. The youth dressed in garments representing past leaders during their youth and spoke to the crowd of parents and friends about their trials and tribulations back in the day. After the skit, Minister Pam Perkins tied it all together with "Order My Steps" as her topic for presentation. The morning was not over until prizes for the most authentic, most historic, most beautiful and most ethnic costume were chosen. "Down Home" food was enjoyed after the service along with great fellowship and praises.
Consignment sales for spring, summer clothing
9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 17 at McKendree UMC, 1570 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd., Lawrenceville 30043. 770-339-9801. Also includes baby equipment, shoes, toys and books. Proceds benefit local missions, such as the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry and the
United Methodist Children’s Home and worldwide missions from Mexico to Africa.
9 a.m.-8 p.m. March 9 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 10 at
St. Andrew UMC, 3455 Canton Rd., Marietta 30066. 770-926-3488.
www.thepumpkinchurch.org. Featuring junior and maternity clothes, games and puzzles, toys, books, DVDs, CDs, bikes, baby equipment and children’s furniture.
Special request from Athens Elberton district
Shirley Alcorn, assistant director of Lay Speaking Utilization in the Athens Elberton District, is asking for donations of hymnals to use in services held at the Arbor Terrace Assisted Living in Athens. Lay speakers will be delivering messages and songs on Sunday afternoons and need hymnals for their worshippers. Please contact Alcorn shirleyalcorn@att.net or 678-963-9831 if you’d like to make a donation.
Special day of activities for seniors
Seniors from all denominations are invited to a noon meal March 20, the 18th annual XYZ (Extra Year of Zest) Day at Snellville UMC. Keynote speaker will be Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter, who will talk about law enforcement. Participants can choose from 10 interest groups. Fee is $10. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by a time of singing and a brief devotional and interest groups, lunch and speaker. Activities take place in the easily accessible Christian Life Center. Event ends at 2 p.m. Seniors from Tucker, Mountain Park, Harmony Grove and Snellville UMC have planned the event. For more information, call
Linda Sallee (770-364-5007), Jane McCombs (770-939-0083), Gailya Raines (770-266-0209) or Aggie Calder (770-921-8631).
Dunwoody UMC: Caregiver support, women’s issues
An Alzheimer's Support Group for Caregivers meets 10-11:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month in room 254. For more information, call JoAnn Akers at 678-352-8334 or email
jrakers@bellsouth.net.
Women's Health: Menopause - Robin Gordon, author of "Hot Flashes: Marriage and Motherhood in the Menopausal Years" - a humorous, mid-life health guide featuring common menopausal symptoms and the seven greatest health risks for mid-life women, will speak at 7 p.m. March 8 in the twenty30somethings suite.
Hillside UMC: Registration open for women’s event
A Breakaway for a Day conference for women, with singer, songwriter, worship leader and author Gwen Smith (www.gwensmith.net), will be held March 3. The $35 ticket includes lunch. Register and pay online for any of the events or sessions through the online Bulletin Board at www.hillsideumc.org. The church is at 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. 770-924-4777.
Cokesbury announces new children’s curriculum for fall
In Fall 2012, Cokesbury will release Grow, Proclaim, Serve!, which incorporates Bible stories, activities, crafts, media, and games into a full faith experience for children birth through tweens. With
Grow, Proclaim, Serve! children will develop the skills to unlock the Bible and grow their faith by leaps and bounds. For more information, visit
www.growproclaimserve.com.
Seminars required for pastors seeking reappointment
The North Georgia Conference is 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.
The date for the LaGrange District seminar is August 23, 2012. However, you do not have to attend the seminar in your district. Below is a list of dates and locations where seminars are being held. Unless otherwise indicated, each date and location will have two sessions, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Choose the one that is most convenient for you. Cost is $10 and includes a meal. All registration is done online through the conference website. Clergy should check this list and be sure to register for one of the seminars.
· 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)
Lake Junaluska: Site for retreats, youth camps
“Innovative Ideas for Planting and Accelerating Church Growth” is the 2012 African-American Clergy Leadership Retreat April 16-18 designed to introduce pastors to key church development and redevelopment principles from members of Impact's lead team, based on Impact's book, “Zero to 80: Innovative Ideas for Planting and Accelerating Church Growth.” www.lakejunaluska.com/african-american-clergy.
www.lakejunaluska.com/surge-into-missions to register. Groups that register by March 12 receive one free leader registration. Limit one free leader per group.SURGE into Missions youth summer camps, weeks and weekends will take place between June 14 – July 22. The theme, Galatians 6:9-10, will help youth explore how serving others impacts their relationships with others. Visit
Korean Church of Atlanta: Women’s event in March
The United Methodist Women invites women to attend a “20-30-40 Something Event”on March 10 to make a “U Turn to GOD” through workshops that will bless all women. A light lunch will be served. The registration fee is $10 and the deadline is Feb. 29. The registration form is on the NGC UMW website (www.ngumw.org) or contact the Registrar, Irene Davis, 3651 Tree Bark Trail, Decatur, GA 30034. Her e-mail address is miltonijr@bellsouth.net and phone 404-286-8188.
Dunwoody UMC: Paint recycling event helps nonprofit
On March 24, Kappa Delta Sorority will sponsor a paint can recycling event to benefit Wellspring Living, an organization that fights human trafficking by taking in women who have been sexually abused as children and wound up in prostitution, sex slavery, or strip joints. Wellspring helps them reclaim their lives and return to life as healthy functioning women. The event will be held in the parking lot. Only latex paint will be accepted. $1 per each quart or gallon size can, $5 per 5-gallon size and there is a $10 minimum charge. Contact cathy.wright@dunwoodyumc.org. with questions. www.dunwoodyumc.org.
St. Andrew UMC: Celebrating 50th anniversary in 2012
St. Andrew United Methodist Church of Marietta began celebrating more than the arrival of a new year on January 1, 2012. The Canton Road congregation also began celebrating 50 years of doing the Lord’s work, which will culminate with Homecoming for its 50th anniversary on April 29.
“On Sunday, April 29, 2012, 50 years will have passed since a small group of dedicated Methodists first gathered at Blackwell School to begin their new church,” said Rev. Mack Riley, senior pastor. “We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with Homecoming services on April 29 and a variety of other special events during the first four months of 2012.”
Church founders chose the name St. Andrew because the apostle Andrew is considered a “do-er,” doing the work of the Lord. The first sanctuary, completed in 1964, is now the Community Room. The Education Building opened in 1973, the present sanctuary was built in 1978, and the Keheley Center opened in 1999.
The church family has grown to include more than 350 families dedicated to doing the work of the Lord. Church members accomplish this through various ministries in which we hope all members of our congregation will become involved. These ministries include Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives, wellness ministries, the Appalachia Service Project, the Andrew Christian School in Haiti, and ministries for men, women, children, youth, and seniors.
Event to help caregivers, interaction with older adults
The North Georgia Older Adult Nurture Team is offering an event 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29 at Simpsonwood Retreat Center. For caregivers, people over age 56, those who work with or advise older adults or even have older parents. Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Rick Gentzler, Director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship of the UM Church. Three afternoon workshops will be offered. Breakfast and lunch included in the $35 registration fee, due by March 16. For more information, call Louise Adams at 770-446-2411 or e-mail louisechuck@comast.net.
Listening sessions in preparation for General Conference
The North Georgia delegation will hold two sessions to listen to the voices of North Georgia United Methodists concerning the General Conference in April.
The first session will be held at Gainesville First UMC 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 3. The second session will be at Griffin First UMC 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 24. Persons wishing to speak to the delegation will be assigned a time slot of five minutes and are requested to submit a copy of their presentation to the moderator on the day of the session.
Please register your request to speak to the delegation with Lyn Powell at lynpowell@comcast.net, including your contact info (name, email, phone, church, district), topic and preferred session date. Speakers will be notified of their assigned time.
McKendree UMC: Children’s clothing consignment sale
A sale featuring spring and summer clothing and shoes, baby equipment, toys and books is planned for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 17. All profits benefit local missions such as the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry and the United Methodist Children’s Home and world-wide missions from Mexico to Africa. The church is in Lawrenceville at 1570 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd. 770-339-9801.
North Georgia Older Adults team plans special event
Aging is A Changin’ is the theme for the 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29 event featuring keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. Rick Gentzler, director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.
The session is open to anyone age 56 and older, caregivers, people who work with or advise older adults or have older parents. The $35 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, and snack. Register by March 16. For more info, email louisechurck@comcast.net or call 770-446-2411 or 770-441-0330.
Lawrenceville Road UMC: 50th anniversary around the corner
Preparations are being made for the Tucker church’s March 18 celebration that begins at 9:30 a.m. with a brief rehearsal of former and present choir members who will sing for the 11 a.m. celebration service. Guests are invited for a “re-meet and re-greet” in the education building, breezeway and fellowship hall. During the 11 a.m. service, former pastors Rev. Leland Bagwell and Rev. Bob Gillespie will deliver sermonettes on the theme “50 Years of Witness – 50 Years of Service.” All former pastors in attendance will be recognized. Martha Farr Baker, widow of former pastor Rev. Zack Farr, will serve as Liturgist. A covered dish luncheon will follow the service. Guests will participate in a traditional hymn-singing after lunch.
For more information, contact Jack Sartain at jbs5951@aol.com or 770-856-1377.
Harmony Grove UMC: Dinner, auction benefit preschool
A Preschool Art and Sciences Dinner and Silent Auction will be held 5-7 p.m. March 3. The preschoolers will present their art, and participants will have a chance to purchase works of art. Silent auction items will be donated by local artists. The dinner menu includes salad with apples and pear/balsamic dressing, parmesan crusted chicken with angel hair pasta and grape tomatoes, fresh asparagus bundles and cheesecake bar. The church is in Lilburn at 50 Harmony Grove Rd..
Tickets are $20. Proceeds will be used to promote the preschool’s Art and Science programs. Dinner will be provided downstairs for the participating children at no cost.
For more information, call 770-564-0135. Tickets will be sold at the church or preschool offices.
Roswell UMC: ‘Seven Last Words’ Good Friday service
Holy Week and Easter services include Palm Sunday services April 1 at 8:30 a.m. (Communion service in the Chapel), at 9:30 a.m. (contemporary worship in the Sanctuary), and at 11 a.m. (traditional worship in the sanctuary); a Lenten Lunch Lift at noon April 4 in the fellowship hall with lunch and a devotional message; Maundy Thursday drop-in Communion between 5 and 7 p.m. April 5 in the Chapel; and the “Seven Last Words” Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. April 6 in the Sanctuary. Easter worship services begin with a 7 a.m. sunrise with candlelight and Communion, a 9 a.m. contemporary worship with praise band, and 11 a.m. traditional worship with sanctuary choir and organ. See www.rumc.com/Easter for details.