3/30/2025

Bishop Robin Dease announces projected full-time appointment changes as of March 30, 2025. These appointments will be set at the South Georgia Annual Conference on June 3 and will be effective June 29. Note that announcements on District Coverage and projected part-time appointment changes will be forthcoming. The 2025 Appointment Making schedule is also listed below.  Coastal District Brantley, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, McIntosh, Wayne Garden City UMC & Conference Director...

3/30/2025

By Stephanie Smith On a Sunday evening in Valdosta, Georgia, a circle of hands stretches wide. Some are calloused from years of work; others are ink-stained from college note-taking. They hold tight as voices rise together in song: “Shalom to you now.” The circle widens, the voices blend, and for a moment, there is only belonging. This is Mosaic United Methodist Church—where pieces become whole. Mosaic is one of South Georgia’s newest church starts, but it didn’t begin with a building or a ...

3/29/2025

This April, the New Creation Toolkit focuses on “New Identity” and offers a variety of resources to help individuals and churches assess where they are in their spiritual journey and take steps to grow deeper in their faith. Whether you’re leading a church community or seeking personal growth, the following tools can guide you toward new opportunities for transformation. There are four elements to each monthly toolkit that coincide with South Georgia’s four missional priorities: resourcing the...

3/29/2025

Resource Lab #2: UMC and Community Identity - April 29 Resource Lab is an opportunity for pastors and laity from the North and South Georgia Conferences to come together for a day of learning around a variety of topics relevant to our churches today. Sessions will begin at 10 am and conclude by 3 pm. Lunch will be provided on-site. Each session will cover a specific topic and will include a time of learning, as well as an interactive practicum piece for participants. A Zoom option will be ...

3/29/2025

By Taylor Cooper  The Brunswick News    Easter is the highest holy day on the Christian calendar, but for Brunswick First United Methodist Church’s pastor, Rev. Chip Strickland, it’s “kind of our Super Bowl.”   “A lot of people think of Christmas as being the highest holy day, that’s the celebration of Jesus’ birth. But Easter is what it was really all about. He was born into this world for his death and resurrection to come so that we may be saved from our sins,” Strickland said. “Every Sunday ...

3/15/2025

MissionInsite Training - March 19 Would you like to learn more about how to have a real impact in your community so you can increase your missional effectiveness? MissionInsite is an excellent tool for exegeting your community and knowing more about how to reach those far from Christ. Join Scott Parish from the North Georgia Conference for an online training to learn how this tool can help you focus on missional outcomes and increase effectiveness right here in South Georgia. Before the zoom ...

3/15/2025

By Kelly Roberson   Irwinton-Toomsboro United Methodist Church has long been a place of generosity and service, with its outreach ministries growing over the years to meet the needs of the community. The church’s Food Bank, Clothing Closet, and Quilting Group are beautiful examples of how a small, close-knit congregation can make a significant difference in the lives of others. What started as a simple clothing rack on the sidewalk, offering free clothing to anyone passing by, has evolved into ...

3/15/2025

The sixth chapter of Matthew is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount we find in Chapter 5 and Chapter 7.  Jesus is looking directly into our hearts and minds as he continues this homily. Because whenever we read scripture, we must be reminded each passage demands a response from you and me. You want to talk about fire and brimstone. This sermon is it! In this sixth chapter, Jesus is giving us a prescription for happy living and how to make a difference in the world around us. He’s giving ...

3/15/2025

The Boards of Laity of the North and South Georgia Conferences of the United Methodist Church invite you to join in a daily devotional this Lenten season. They have invited United Methodist clergy and laity from across Georgia to contribute. This laity-led initiative encourages reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal by slowing down and connecting with God’s Word. This season helps us to remember Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and reflect on how His teachings guide us toward holiness. May...

3/14/2025

The bank of the Ocmulgee River, near the current bridges, was the home of the first recorded religious service in Hawkinsville in 1825. The participants were led by their minister, Brother McCarroll Peurifoy. From there, the Methodist congregation became the first Christian church to be organized in the village of Hawkinsville, Georgia.   This was the beginning of the Hawkinsville First United Methodist Church that is now established on the corner of Dooley and Merritt Streets.     The first ...

3/13/2025

Expanding the church's impact from the local church to the broader conference and also beyond, a member of Irwinton-Toomboro UMC is planning a mission trip to Cuba October 3-13, 2025.  Mike Burgamy has made nearly 30 trips to Cuba since 2008, building deep connections with the Cuban people, as he and others from Irwinton-Toomsboro and around South Georgia support the Cuban Methodist Church.   He has also witnessed the evolving challenges faced by the Cuban people and the church. The power grid ...

3/2/2025

Bishop Robin Dease has announced several cabinet-level appointment changes in the North and South Georgia Conferences effective July 1, 2025.  Having completed their 6-year terms, two District Superintendents will roll off the cabinets in June: Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell in North Georgia and Rev. Dr. Paula Lewis in South Georgia. At that time, the South Georgia Conference will move from three to two District Superintendents. (More on this change will be shared in the coming weeks.)  "I am ...

3/2/2025

By Rev. Stephanie Smith For the people of Grace United Methodist Church in Thomasville, faith isn’t about a building. It’s about belonging. It’s about a movement, a calling—something far greater than four walls and a steeple. Grace UMC wasn’t supposed to exist. The congregation was born from the painful process of disaffiliation, a moment that could have ended in heartbreak but instead became a chance for rebirth. What could have been a story of loss created something new, something powerful. ...

3/1/2025

This March, the New Creation Toolkit focuses on “New Mind” and offers a variety of resources to help individuals and churches assess where they are in their spiritual journey and take steps to grow deeper in their faith. Whether you’re leading a church community or seeking personal growth, the following tools can guide you toward new opportunities for transformation. There are four elements to each monthly toolkit that coincide with South Georgia’s four missional priorities: resourcing the ...

3/1/2025

Confirmation Retreat - March 7-9 The 24th annual South Georgia Conference Confirmation Retreat will take place March 7-9 at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island. Designed for students in the fifth grade and above, the "Join the Journey" Confirmation Retreat will provide churches of ALL sizes an opportunity to connect with others through worship, study, and fellowship. For more information and to register your group, click here.  Resource Lab #1: Grief and Recovery - March 13  Resource Lab is...

3/1/2025

Individuals and congregations are encouraged to support The United Methodist Church’s collective relief work by giving to the UMCOR Sunday offering. Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday, March 30 this year, strengthen the church’s global humanitarian response by underwriting UMCOR’s administrative costs. This allows UMCOR to use 100% of additional funds for specific programs like U.S. disaster response, international disaster response, and global migration.   Learn more and download resources

3/1/2025

The South Georgia Conference invites laity to participate in a variety of training opportunities in 2025 to deepen their leadership skills and enhance their service within the church. These trainings offer tools for those looking to lead, care, and communicate more effectively in their ministry roles. Online Lay Servant Ministries Training Basic Lay Servant Ministries Training introduces participants to foundational faith principles and leadership skills. The training will be held via Zoom on ...

2/17/2025

February is Black History Month, a season to pay tribute to the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans for their role in U.S. history. Organizers chose February for the celebration to coincide with the birth dates of President Lincoln and abolitionist and former enslaved person Frederick Douglass.  The United Methodist Church has benefited enormously from the contributions of African American clergy, laity, and community members.  Here in Georgia, some of the history makers and...

2/16/2025

Commuters in Statesboro are being greeted with uplifting messages of love, community, and openness thanks to a new digital billboard campaign.   Commuters traveling along Northside Drive and Fair Road will notice three new digital billboards near Veterans Memorial Parkway. Throughout February, these billboards will invite passersby to connect with a local United Methodist Church.  "There are countless messages and signs at every busy intersection, each vying for our attention," said the Rev. ...

2/15/2025

The North Georgia and South Georgia Annual Conferences are partnering together for "Normalizing Next," a two-part training series designed to empower African-American church leaders and congregations as they prepare for 2025. Part 2 is set for March 15 at the Methodist Children's Home (304 Pierce Ave., Macon, GA 31204). The cost is $15 (includes lunch and snacks). You can download the flyer or register now. Participants can still be sign up for part 2 of the training even if they were not able ...

2/15/2025

The 2024 Journal of the South Georgia Annual Conference is now available for purchase. The Journal includes conference business, directories, reports, appointments, and statistical tables. Those wishing to purchase a Conference Journal will order their copy(ies) online directly from the printer. The cost of the Journal is $25 each plus tax and shipping.  Order a 2024 Print Journal The Conference is using www.Lulu.com, an online print-on-demand publishing company, to print the 2024 Journal of ...

2/15/2025

Clergy Lenten Study: Lent in Plain Sight The North and South Georgia Conferences are offering a seven-week Lenten study for clergy, running from the first week of March through Holy Week. The Lenten Study will use the book "Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects" by Jill J. Duffield. Leaders for the study are Rev. Melissa Traver, Rev. Dr. Elaine Crawford, Rev. Dr. Craig Rikard, and Rev. Dr. Gary Whetstone. Learn more and register here MissionInsite Training - Feb. 19 or March 19 ...

2/15/2025

The Conference Witness Team is now accepting nominations for the Harry Denman Evangelism Awards. The nomination deadline is April 21, 2025. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award recognizes United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry of evangelism – expressed in Word (what), Sign (why), and Deed (how) – brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.   There are three awards every year - one for clergy, lay people, and youth. Nominations will be ...

2/15/2025

FROM THE BISHOP Bishop Robin Dease   Last Wednesday, I had the honor of serving as chaplain for the day in our State Senate. Here is the message I shared with the senators and my prayer for them. Will you join me in praying for our state's leaders?   **************   There were thirteen siblings in my family. Two parents in the home together raising and nurturing thirteen kids.  And, yet, when my mother was suffering from Leukemia and Alzheimer’s, I came to the realization that 13 children could...

2/13/2025

The North and South Georgia Conferences are offering a seven-week Lenten study for clergy, running from the first week of March through Holy Week. Facilitated by clergy colleagues, the study aims to foster fellowship and spiritual growth. The Lenten Study will use the book "Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects" by Jill J. Duffield. Leaders for the study are Rev. Melissa Traver, Rev. Dr. Elaine Crawford, Rev. Dr. Craig Rikard, and Rev. Dr. Gary Whetstone.  Participants need only ...

2/12/2025

In 2025, the Bishop’s Office, Connectional Ministries, and Clergy Excellence are sponsoring a new initiative called Resource Lab. Resource Lab is an opportunity for pastors and laity from the North and South Georgia Conferences to come together for a day of learning around a variety of topics relevant to our churches today. Labs scheduled include: March 13, 2025: Grief and Recovery April 29, 2025: UMC and Community Identity May 21, 2025: Discipleship September 11, 2025: Finances (Personal and ...

2/10/2025

This month, the South Georgia Conference office in Macon will move to a new, but familiar, home. Conference employees - including the Bishop, episcopal and district personnel, and administrative services -  will share space with Riverside United Methodist Church at 735 Pierce Avenue in Macon, Georgia. The conference had been renting space a mile and a half down the road on Riverside Drive.   “This location for the conference office provides the opportunity to locate the conference office on a ...

2/10/2025

A Word from Alison Evans, CEO, The Methodist Home for Children and Youth Hello Georgia United Methodists!   The Methodist Home for Children and Youth was founded in Macon in 1872.  We serve children from across the state of Georgia on five different campuses. Recently, I received an interesting challenge, and Bishop Dease thought everyone in Georgia would want to know about it.     A gentleman from the coast wrote that he saw our capital needs list of $968,000 in our quarterly Gateway magazine....

2/8/2025

Church constitutional amendments head to vote: When United Methodist annual conferences meet this year, lay and clergy voters will determine whether amendments approved by General Conference become part of the denomination’s constitution. The amendments deal with regionalization, church membership, racism and clergy-delegate elections.    Webinar shares regionalization information: The Council of Bishops, Connectional Table and other United Methodist leaders are presenting a webinar Feb. 20 at ...

2/3/2025

In a recent video, Kelly Roberson from the South Georgia Conference and Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz, Assistant to the Bishop in North and South Georgia Conferences, bring you up to date on everything we know so far as our two Annual Conferences study and pursue unification. You're invited to: Watch and share the video Read the transcript  Listen to the update as a Special Episode of the One Georgia UMC Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean

2/2/2025

By Rev. Stephanie Smith In Columbus, Georgia, something remarkable is happening: a group of people coming together to build a new faith community—a space to worship, serve, and grow. This isn’t about looking back; it’s about embracing the future with hope, guided by a shared purpose to bring Christ’s love into the world. Their journey reflects the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not ...

2/2/2025

Foundation for Evangelism local-church grant applications now open The Foundation for Evangelism has opened the 2025 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. Up to 50 grants of $5,000 or $10,000 are available to small and medium-size churches, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. Learn more   Take an online virtual tour of UM Building  The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, in partnership with the Commission on Archives and History and the ...

2/1/2025

This February, the New Creation Toolkit focuses on “New Growth” and offers a variety of resources to help individuals and churches assess where they are in their spiritual journey and take steps to grow deeper in their faith. Whether you’re leading a church community or seeking personal growth, the following tools can guide you toward new opportunities for transformation.   There are four elements to each monthly toolkit that coincide with South Georgia’s four missional priorities: resourcing ...

2/1/2025

February is Black History Month, and African Americans are—and have always been—an essential and influential part of The United Methodist Church, shaping its history and growth in profound ways. Black History Month has been observed in February in the United States and Canada since 1976. The celebration of Black history was started by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as a weeklong focus to educate American people about African American history.   Black History Month is an opportunity to ...

2/1/2025

Launching Your Church Council Webinar - RECORDINGS Leaders from churches of all sizes came together for the Launching Your Church Council Webinar on Sunday, January 12. This session is designed to equip church councils with the tools they need to lead effectively. Weren't able to be part of the event? The webinar recordings, fact sheets, and slide decks are now available in one place! Head over to www.sgaumc.org/2025-leadership-training to access them. "Normalizing Next" Training – Feb. 15 & ...

1/31/2025

Education is a core value of The United Methodist Church and has been since the 18th Century in England. John Wesley believed education was the key to a fuller, richer life. He believed that everyone should have access to education regardless of gender or class. In 1748, Wesley enlarged Kingswood School, a school he had opened for the children of coal miners. Wesley wanted young people to have a high-quality education so they could go to Cambridge or Oxford. As the Methodist Movement spread in ...

1/21/2025

Hurricane Helene, once a Category 4 storm, roared through the Big Bend area of Florida and into Valdosta, Georgia, on September 26, bringing destruction in the middle of the night. As a Category 2-3 hurricane, its winds reached speeds of 100-111 mph, leaving hundreds of roads impassable, millions without power, and devastating vast swaths of the region’s timberlands. This marked the third hurricane to strike the area in just six months, following Hurricanes Idalia and Debby.   Camp Tygart serves...

1/21/2025

Photo: The Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell (right) stands with the Revs. Martin Luther King Jr. (left) and Virgil Wood on the roof of a Boston public school in 1965. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was the face of the civil rights movement throughout the 1960s until his assassination on April 4, 1968. Many United Methodists joined King in his march toward equality, and in his wake, those United Methodist voices continued to advocate for justice for all, ...

1/20/2025

The North Georgia and South Georgia Annual Conferences are excited to announce "Normalizing Next," a two-part training series designed to empower African-American church leaders and congregations as they prepare for 2025. Event Details Part 1: February 15 Part 2: March 15 Location: Methodist Children's Home, 304 Pierce Ave., Macon, GA 31204 Presenter: Rev. Olu Brown Cost: $15 per event (includes lunch and snacks) Download the flyer | Register Now  Participants will gain practical insights and ...

1/20/2025

Launching Your Church Council Webinar - RECORDINGS Leaders from churches of all sizes came together for the Launching Your Church Council Webinar on Sunday, January 12. This session is designed to equip church councils with the tools they need to lead effectively. Weren't able to be part of the event? The webinar recordings, fact sheets, and slide decks are now available in one place! Head over to www.sgaumc.org/2025-leadership-training to access them. "Normalizing Next" Training – Feb. 15 & ...