Responding to Tornados: Oklahoma Conference asks for Collaborative Response

OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) —“I know you are seeing and hearing news reports about the devastation and want to assist. … Do not self-deploy. Best practices in times of crises call for a collaborative response, so people who can help are directed to where that help and those skills are most needed and will be most effective,” wrote the Rev. Richard Norman, disaster response coordinator for the Oklahoma Conference.  The Oklahoma Conference Disaster Response Team sent...

Nashville UMC's basketball ministry 'assists' young men

By Kara Witherow, Editor Treshaad Williams had always dreamed of playing college basketball. The 19-year-old, a standout football, basketball and track star at Berrien County High School, even tried out for South Georgia Technical College’s team. But when he didn’t make it, Williams returned to his full-time job as a Hardee’s cook. His mentor and friend, Buster Montgomery, a member of Nashville United Methodist Church, didn’t let Williams let go of his dream....

Montezuma UMC gives gift of water

By Kara Witherow, Editor Al Johnson knows all too well the pressing need for clean water in the bateys of the Dominican Republic. Despite precautions, a couple of years ago during one of his five mission trips to the small villages on the edges of the country’s sugarcane fields, Johnson somehow contracted Giardiasis, or “Beaver Fever.” Sick for weeks after he returned home, the Montezuma United Methodist Church member knew he had to do something more to help improve the...

S3 small group applications available online

S3 is a collaborative, small group, action learning experience for clergy that help sustain and promote excellence in ordained ministry. Participants develop and implement a two-year long small group learning experience focused on three areas: Sabbath, Study, and Service. S3 groups are self-selected and self-directed: participants choose the members of their group and develop their group’s S3 learning project (with direction from the S3 project committee). The deadline for submitting...

Where is the finish line?

LIVING THE VISION BRAD BRADY This is the last in a series of articles about the book of Nehemiah. Bishop King is inviting all South Georgia United Methodists to join him in studying this book. To view all of Dr. Brady’s Nehemiah articles, visit www.sgaumc.org/nehemiah.    It all started with Nehemiah hearing about the distress of his spiritual family back in Jerusalem.  He prayed about their plight and God gave Nehemiah a vision of restoration. God opened the...

UMR Communications, publisher of South Georgia Advocate, to close May 31

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ReCharge offers youth pastors opportunity to learn, be renewed

By Kara Witherow, Editor The average tenure for youth pastors is 18 to 24 months. Less than two years. The men and women who are entrusted with nurturing the church’s youth don’t always have mentors who pour into their lives, or the time and resources to get training or further education. The lack of guidance and support often leads to short stints. In an effort to help connect, equip and support youth pastors, the Office of Connectional Ministries has developed ReCharge, a...

On the heart of your Bishop - May 2013

FROM THE BISHOP JAMES R. KING, JR. Hello, beautiful people of South Georgia!   We need help. No human being grows well without help! Who does not need God? Who does not need Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, a coach, mentor, guide, friend, or consultant? A new role for District Superintendents The District Superintendent’s role is changing. The change is due in part to our concentrated effort on making disciples as well as our young history of having the Resident Bishop live in...

Magnolia Manor is 50 and still growing

The Mother’s Day Offering for The League of the Good Samaritan will be received in the month of May. Magnolia Manor is especially excited because we are celebrating 50 years of serving older adults in South Georgia. The following article tells of the growth and expansion we have seen and what is yet to be. Over the past 50 years, Magnolia Manor has become an icon in senior retirement living. Over 1,000 employees provide care for more than 1,300 residents on eight Magnolia Manor campuses...

What if...?

GROWING IN GRACE BEN GOSDEN  It was a hot, June day in South Georgia. The word “hot” doesn't even seem sufficient. After all, June in South Georgia can bring days when the heat sits on you like a 50 pound backpack. It was the sort of day when you couldn't keep water cold for long. But you don't care because you'd settle for tepid water if it means rehydrating after just a few minutes in the oppressive heat of the day. It was the sort of day when any indoor space became a...

2013 Annual Conference set for June 2-4

More than 1,000 United Methodists – from Midway to Moultrie, Ludowici to Leesburg and Waycross to Whigham – will descend on Macon June 2 through June 4 for the 2013 South Georgia Annual Conference Session.  With a theme of “The Least of These,” this year’s Annual Conference session will give attendees the opportunity to serve, fellowship, and worship together. Two main business items are on the agenda – voting on four constitutional amendments and...

UMs will vote on constitutional amendments

United Methodists in South Georgia and around the world will vote on four proposed constitutional amendments during their Annual Conference sessions. Proposed Amendment I would change Division One, Article VI of the constitution to add the word “pray” to the list of actions the denomination will take in relationship to other Methodist and non-Methodist denominations around the world in its ecumenical efforts. Proposed Amendment II would change Division Two, Section II, Article II...

Shepherding young lives through scouting ministry

By Kara Witherow, Editor The Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared.” But Cathy and Travis Shepherd weren’t quite prepared for the new path God took them down nearly 20 years ago. When their son Bobby, then a first grader, brought home a slip of paper inviting him to join a new Cub Scout pack, Travis accompanied him to an informational meeting. Of the adults in attendance, only two had ever been involved in scouting. Travis was one. He volunteered to help and ended up becoming...

Celebrating Steve Rumford's 29 years of ministry at The Children's Home

Reprinted courtesy of Gateway and The Methodist Home After 29 years of serving as Chief Executive Officer and President of The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, Dr. Steve Rumford is retiring. As a leader and innovator, Dr. Rumford, who came to The Methodist Home in June of 1984, has had an impact on the lives of countless children and communities in Georgia. He has left a legacy of new traditions, innovative programs, and new and renovated buildings, in addition to a host of Regional...

Clergy and lay members have the opportunity to serve at conference

United Methodists from across the South Georgia Conference have an opportunity to put their faith into action during the 2013 Annual Conference session. As part of the Conference’s focus on justice ministries and in the spirit of the Annual Conference theme, “The Least of These,” the Office of Connectional Ministries has organized various mission opportunities for clergy and lay members to Annual Conference.   “It’s always exciting to see the connection...

The Connection at work

By Kara Witherow, Editor  Connectionalism. It’s a concept that sets The United Methodist Church apart from other Protestant denominations. It’s often talked about when trying to describe the structure and organization of the Church, but how often is it put into practice and, when it is, what does it look like? Two groups in South Georgia, one in the Dublin District and one in Glynn County, are living examples of connectionalism, joining together and collaborating to...

South Georgia churches take holistic approach to health

By Kara Witherow, Editor Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, Brenda Douce laces up her shoes and heads to church. She’s not on staff and isn’t there to answer phones or fold bulletins. Douce, a member of Tifton First United Methodist Church, goes for fellowship, fun and fitness. She’s a member of the Ladies’ Fitness Class, a group of about a dozen women who meet regularly to exercise, socialize and grow deeper in their faith. Douce has been a part of the...

On the heart of your Bishop - April 2013

FROM THE BISHOP JAMES R. KING, JR. Hello, beautiful people of South Georgia! Make the vision plain In the spring of 2001, as a new member of the Council of Bishops, I asked the rhetorical question, “Where is the vision located in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church?” as a part of my sermon. In November 2004, the Council, while meeting at Epworth By The Sea, crafted a mission statement with a vision component: The mission of the Church is to make disciples of...

Fear Factor

WORDS OF WITNESS From the Conference Witness Team Do you remember your first time attending your church? It is easy to forget, or maybe you have grown up in your church and did not experience a “first time.” Regardless of how you became involved in your church – it is now “home.” It’s all too familiar. Experiencing something for the very first time can be scary. Understand that visitors can be fearful and they often fear the unknown. “Will I know...

John Wesley's Letters

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON John Wesley was a prodigious letter-writer. For much of his life he spent hours each day writing letters. Many of these letters were to his mother, his father, his brothers and sisters, and to fellow Christians and church leaders.  Many more letters were sent in response to people who wrote to him asking for advice and guidance in their Christian walk. Wesley saved letters he received and people saved his letters.  These letters have been...