News, notes and anecdotes from across the conference

The 2013 Conference-wide Homeless Offering is set for February 24. Homeless Offering materials are being distributed at district events in January. If your church has not received its materials byJanuary 31, please contact Virginia Tinsley at director@nghhc.org. 

     Dr. Justo L. González, a native of Cuba and retired professor of historical theology, will explore the Gospel of Luke at Rome First UMC’s Wilder center on February 17 and 24. Dr. González has authored numerous book and has been a featured video presenter in such studies as Disciple 1 and Christian Believer. 

      His books, which include The Story of Christianity (2 vols.), A History of Christian Thought (3 vols.), and Acts: The Gospel of the Spirit, have been translated into nine languages. Besides his PhD degree from Yale, he has received five honorary doctorates. All are invited for the opportunity to dig deeper into Luke. This event is being sponsored by Rome First UMC and Trinity UMC.

On Feb. 11, Dr. Lovett Weems Jr. will speak at LaGrange College about his book “Bearing Fruit: Ministry with Real Results.” Some topics that he will specifically address include planning and visioning, how to develop a mission statement and how to have vision to move the church forward.

     Dr. Weems is the Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership and Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He also served as president of St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City and was a local church pastor in Mississippi for many years.

      All clergy in the district are invited to attend this meeting with Dr. Weems and are encouraged to bring laity leaders from your church. The meeting will be held in the Dickson Assembly Room of Turner Hall on the LaGrange College Campus from 6-8pm.  Parking will be available in the Vernon St. parking lot, with a shuttle to campus available at 5:30. Reservations not required.

 For more information, contact Laura Faulkner in the Office of Spiritual Life and Church Relations at LaGrange College at 706-880-8340 or lfaulkner@lagrange.edu.

 Winter retreats for youth at Junaluska

       Ski Lake Junaluska & Ministries with Young People (MYP) at Lake Junaluska presents its annual winter retreats, INFUSE. Save the dates for weekends of skiing, dynamic worship, and fun! Speakers and bands include some new faces, like Jennifer Dake, Forgotten City, and Empire State, as well as favorites like Rev. Olu Borwn, Rev. Andy Lambert, This is Luke, The Wayne Kerr Band, and more! Weekends through February 18. 

For more information, call 800-222-4930.

 Annual Conference 2013: Procedures for submitting a resolution

     The Committee on Resolutions processes all resolutions presented to the annual conference that are not submitted through programmatic committees.

     The Resolutions Committee’s job is to ensure that resolutions presented are in compliance with the Book of Discipline and the Standing Rules of the Annual Conference and are properly before the Annual Conference for a vote as part of the Resolutions Committee Report.

     The committee may take the following actions on resolutions:

1) Accept the resolution as presented with no changes;

2) Accept the resolution after amending it to comply with the Standing Rules or Book of Discipline;

3) Refer the resolution to another Annual Conference committee for inclusion in that committee’s report. (If the committee to which a resolution is referred does not choose to include it in their report, then that resolution is included in the Resolution Committee report.) Members of the Resolutions Committee vote concurrence or non-concurrence on each resolution and the committee’s decision is included along with the resolution in the report to Annual Conference.

    To submit a resolution for consideration by the 2013 Annual Conference, send properly formatted resolutions to Beth LaRocca-Pitts, Chair, Resolutions Committee at beth.larocca-pitts@ngumc.net. The resolution is to be written in the following format:  “whereas, whereas, whereas…therefore be it resolved” structure and submitted in 14 point, Times New Roman font, single spaced, with the following margins: top 1.25”; bottom 1”; left 1”; right 1.25”. The name, title, phone number, and email address of author/originator must be included with the resolution.

        The deadline for submitting resolutions to appear in the annual conference handbook is Feb.1. Resolutions requiring additional research may preclude inclusion in the handbook. Resolutions submitted after Feb. 1 will be processed by the committee; then, upon notification by committee, copied by the author (3,000 copies paid for by the submitter), and delivered to the Secretary of the Annual Conference for inclusion in the delegate packets prior to annual conference. 

       Resolutions submitted after the deadline for assembly of delegate packets can be received no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled report of the Resolutions Committee during Annual Conference. Resolutions submitted at this time will be processed by the committee, copied by the author, and given to the Annual Conference Secretary and properly distributed to the members of annual conference at least 24 hours before the Resolutions Committee report.

       Since the Resolutions Committee must process all resolutions before they are official and properly before the body, copies of late resolutions shall not be produced prior to committee processing and notification.

 Encounter Weekend offered for clergy/spouse couples

      Marriage Encounter United Methodist has seven weekends planned across the United States, with an Atlanta weekend set for April 26-23 at the Atlanta Marriott Norcross, 475 Technology Parkway, Norcross 30092. The goal is to support married clergy and church staff by helping them grow in their marriages. Clergy who attend also can earn 1.5 CEUs. To apply, visit www.encounter.org. 

For more information, contact Dana & Mark Turpin at encounter.umc.ga@att.net or Gary & Lisa Morris at 678-819-8885 or garylisa@comcast.net.

   Christ Church UMC-Birmingham: Hosting conference

      Christ Church will host The Rejuvenate Conference on Feb. 21-23.  This trans-denominational conference is designed to renew disciple-making and holistic missional movement in our cities and beyond through United Methodism and the North American Church at large. Dr. Alan Weatherly and Dr. Tim Tennent will be on the platform for the conference.

     For more information, visit http://rejuvenatethechurch.com , www.christchurchtv.org or contact Sharon Ams at sams@christchurchtv.org.

 Trinity on the Hill UMC: Training event

        A training event featuring top national and international leadership in missions and outreach will be held at Trinity on the Hill UMC on Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Workshops will be facilitated by mission leaders from the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, the Mission Society, the World Methodist Evangelism Institute, Global Praise, and the North Georgia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

        This will be an exceptional training event to assist churches in local and international outreach. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for $10, payable the day of the event at the registration table. Registration is required, as seating may be limited due to interest in the classes.

         Choose one morning session from 10:15-11:45 a.m. and one afternoon session from 1-2:30 p.m.

“Children’s Ministry and Mission,” Mrs. Kim Torres, GBGM Church & Community Worker

“Christ and Culture in Africa,” Rev. Mande Muyombo, GBGM

“Congregational Mission Bridges to the World,” Rev. Mike Selleck, NGUMC

“Developing Strong Mission Partnerships,” Rev. Patrick Friday, GBGM

“Evangelism & Mission,” Dr. Winston Worrell, World Methodist Evangelism Institute

“Mission as Bridge of Church and Community,” and “Building Bridges to Youth and Young Adults in Your Community,” Rev. Jasmine Smothers, NGUMC

“Mission Leader Training: 5 Ps of Missions Done Well in the Local Church,” Mr. Stan Self, The Mission Society

“Missionaries for the 21st Century,” Dr. Thomas Kemper, GBGM

“Multicultural Ministry,” Rev. Nora Martinez, GBGM

“Muslims, Christians, and Jesus,” Rev. Dick McClain, The Mission Society

“Singing God’s Song: From Everywhere to Everywhere,” Rev. Debra Tyree, GBGM Global Praise

       Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., with opening assembly and worship at 9 a.m. led by Rev. Dick McClain and Dr. Thomas Kemper. Workshops begin after worship. The church is in Augusta at 1330 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta GA 30904 (beside Augusta State University). 

Register online at www.trinityonthehill.net or call the missions office 706-738-8822, ext. 57.

As of this month, North Georgians have pledged and/or sent a total of $1,434,216.96 for the Central Conference Pension initiative effort. CCPI provides retirement support for dedicated church leaders and surviving spouses who would otherwise have little or nothing. The total raised so far in this effort from all sources is $24,638,379.

Are you involved in children's ministry? The General Board of Discipleship has several upcoming webinars on Children's Ministry topics. Webinars are a great way to learn more about our work in ministry with children while in the comfort of our own homes or offices. Each webinar features two knowledgeable and experienced guests who take questions at the end of the session. 

Find information at: http://ministrywithchildren.wordpress.com/webinars/. Log-in information is posted here at least 48 hours prior to each webinar.

   Worldwide Marriage Encounter focuses on communication between a husband and wife. It is an opportunity to spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life and to concentrate on each other as a couple. It's not a retreat, nor a marriage clinic, nor group sensitivity. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian marriage. 

      This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together. To rediscover each other, and focus together on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention. Rediscover the spark that was there on your wedding day! Rediscover the best friend you had when you were first married.  Join the millions of couples worldwide who have learned how to keep their marriage vibrant and alive.

     Two weekends are scheduled in 2013. The first weekend is April 26-28, designated for married clergy and church staff. The second weekend on October 11-13 is for all married couples. Weekends are also scheduled for other faiths and they welcome couples who would like to enhance their marriage.

For more information contact: Mark and Dana Turpin Encounter.UMC.GA@att.net. If you have any questions, call 770-993-2236

The United Methodist Men at Peachtree City United Methodist Church are now taking orders for their 34th Annual Fertilizer and Pine Straw Sale. 

      Delivery dates will be on February 23 and March 2. Products are priced comparably to big box retailers in the area and the men deliver to your yard free of charge. For the last 34 years the Peachtree City United Methodist Men have been selling high quality products at reasonable prices that work together to make your lawn more beautiful.  Last year the group sold more than 700 bags of fertilizer, 300 bags of lime and 16,600 bales of pine straw to more than 600 customers. 

      The program began as a bricks-and-mortar fundraiser for the Church’s first facility under the management of charter member Al Messick. Now managed by longtime member Butch Hill, proceeds from the sale are distributed by UMM to many different organizations locally and around the world. 

      Ministries supported include Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, American Legion Boys / Girls State, USO, Methodist Children’s Home, Methodist End Malaria Fund, The Society of St. Andrews End Hunger Campaign and the Army Emergency Relief Fund. What a great opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives simply by purchasing products that you’re going to purchase anyway. 

   You may place your order online at www.ptcumc.org and use the links provided or by calling 770-486-5331.