Alive Sightings

In addition to the many churches that are live streaming or recording their Sunday services, churches are getting creative and using technology to stay connected! Be mindful of those in our congregations that may need some help or training in using some of these platforms. In the words of Josh McLemore, Youth Director at Douglas FUMC, "Sometimes loving others looks like hanging out on Zoom." 

• Churches and individuals are offering to pick up groceries and run errands for vulnerable populations in their church and community.
• Churches are providing daily devotions and "check-ins" through Facebook Live. 
• Churches are moving small group ministries and weekly Bible studies online using Facebook groups and Zoom. 
• Josh McLemore, Youth Director at Douglas FUMC, is using Zoom for youth and small group ministry. 
• Annie Paulk, Children's Director at Tifton FUMC, is live on Facebook each night for Bible Story Time. Annie and her children share a story from the Jesus Storybook Bible for peaceful sleep. 
• Ted Goshorn, Eastman UMC Pastor, is offering daily prayers and guided reflection through Facebook.
• Glennville UMC is partnering with Tattnall County Schools to pack lunches for children with food shortages while out of school.
• Caren Dilts, Children's Director at Porterfield Church, goes live on Instagram to offer encouragement and connection with her children.
• Allison Vandenbergh, Children's Director at Albany FUMC, offers their Orange Curriculum with 5 resources for families to use at home and continue to grow in God's Word together.
• Nashville UMC is using the Facebook platform for daily devotions and prayer time. 
• Jeremy Cole, Youth Director- St Mary's UMC, goes Live for youth on Sunday night.
• Pierce Chapel is bringing livestream to the preschoolers & friends. Chapel time with Mrs. Lynn! What a wonderful way to include preschool families of our church's ministry. 
• Pembroke UMC is using this as an opportunity for members to get to know one another better! They are recording video interviews to use during this time when they cannot be together face to face.   
• Leesburg UMC, Friendship UMC (Donalsonville) and Trinity UMC (Warner Robins) have transitioned their food pantry into "curb-side" service.
• Clergy Cluster groups are meeting with technology to share ideas and offer support to each other during this unprecedented time. 
• Avalon UMC and Bonaire UMC are dividing up the list of member/regular attenders and calling to check on each household and determine if there are needs. 
• Jonathan Smith is working individually with churches to walk them through the use of technology for their ministry needs. 

• Trinity Chapel, Tybee Island will be doing "drive-in" church in their parking lot with pre-sealed communion. 

• Jesup UMC churches are renting the drive-in movie theater and offering church to all in the community.

• Wesley Monumental is distributing craft kits loaded with all the children need to participate in Bible lessons and crafts via live stream.

• Porterfield will be hosting a Live Prayer Meeting event tonight.

• Ivy Kratzer, Waycross FUMC shared her Joyful Noise Children’s Choir - Spring 2020 playlist (through Apple Music) with parents adding a short note encouraging them to engage in some praise and worship together since we can’t be together Wednesday nights. Children are also drawing pictures and cards to mail to nursing home and homebound members. 

• Pine Forest UMC is providing Discipleship Kits for children and youth to pair up with several interactive live streaming events throughout each week. 

• Harvest Church, Dublin FUMC and Warwick UMC cast a Facebook challenge to "Love on each other today" by picking up the phone and checking on 3 people who live alone, are quarantined or are over 70 years of age. 

• Metter UMC gathered on Facebook for "Sandwiches & Study" as their Wednesday Night program!

• Ben Gosden, Pastor of Trinity in Savannah, is sending out a few texts of encouragement each week. Members and friends can sign up to receive the texts and be uplifted. 

• Kathy Israel McLeod, Hand Memorial, is mailing out the weekly bulletin to adults who do not use technology- keeping them connected to prayer requests, the service posted to their website and inspirational quotes and scriptures.

• Porterfield UMC & Mission Change partnered to deliver 209 snack bags to the medical staff at Phoebe Putney Health System.

• Scott Stanfill, Colquitt UMC, will be offering drive-thru services over the next few weeks. The first will be drive thru Communion at the parsonage with pre-sealed elements. 

• Richmond Hill and Trinity Chapel on Tybee Island have placed their Easter cross outside the church for people to stop by, add a flower and pray.

• Skidaway Island issued a "Sidewalk Challenge" to brighten up sidewalks and drives with pictures and scripture. 

• Colquitt UMC is provided prayer guides to take and drive to the medical facilities and join in prayer. 

• Clare Akins (Vienna UMC), Martha Bowman Saintly Stichers and several local church sewing ministries sewing masks for medical staff on the front lines in our hospitals. 

• Members at Pierce Chapel are loaning extra "devices" such as IPads and setting up for older adults to stay connected.