The North Georgia Conference has entered into contracts with Gwinnett County and the City of Peachtree Corners for a total of $16 million for the sale of the Simpsonwood property to Gwinnett County for use as a passive park.
Simpsonwood has been a sacred and beautiful place for the North Georgia Conference to work and serve others for more than 40 years. It will now be a pleasant place for the enjoyment of the Peachtree Corners and Gwinnett community for many years to come.
The North Georgia Conference relocation committee is charged with making a proposal to the Board of Trustees recommending a new location for the United Methodist Center. Our priorities for a permanent location include affordability, accessibility, and visibility, as well as functionality and sustainability.
“We are confident that these priorities will be met and that the sale will benefit our mission, enhance the community, and honor the legacy of Ms. Ludie Simpson,” said Dr. John Simmons, chair of the Conference Board of Trustees.
A special service of celebration and thanksgiving will be planned in the future as we give thanks for our time at Simpsonwood and move our headquarters from the property.
Since the North Georgia Conference will soon be without their own retreat center, Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island has extended an invitation to North Georgia United Methodists to “Come To The Coast” for retreats, conferences, reunions and family vacations.
"The Epworth staff is determined and driven to create programs that provide spiritual growth and offer Christian fellowship," said Dr. Charles Adams, superintendent of Epworth By The Sea. "We want to share all our ministry has to offer with every person in Georgia and beyond."