Andrew College to dedicate Sarah Anne Staples Biology Lab

Andrew College President Dr. David Seyle recently announced plans for the dedication of the Sarah Anne Staples Biology Lab in Andrew College’s Rhodes Science Center.  The dedication will be held during Andrew’s Spring Alumni Rally, April 13 to 15.  From 1957 to 1998, except for one year teaching at Georgia State College for Women, Sarah Anne Staples served as Professor of Biological Sciences teaching courses in Biology, Vertebrate Zoology, Microbiology, and Anatomy and...

Headed in the right direction

Hello, beautiful people of South Georgia! Have you ever been lost? While traveling this summer during my renewal leave I was following the directions of the little voice inside my GPS. When the voice said, “you have reached your destination” I was sitting beside a corn field with a dead end sign staring me in the face. When I asked a man and woman working in the field for directions they said that I was on the wrong mountain, and then gave me excellent directions. Once I started...

United Methodist Women's annual retreat set for March 23-25

The United Methodist Women of the South Georgia Conference will host their annual Spiritual Growth Retreat March 23-25 at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island.  Coming together under the theme of “My Joy Cometh in the Morning,” from Psalm 30:5, retreat participants will hear speaker Cindy Ricker challenge and urge participants to examine their relationship with Christ.  They will also have opportunities on Saturday to participate in two interest groups. “The...

Amateur artisans create glass masterpieces

By Kara Witherow, Editor Every Sunday for nearly 10 years, Louis Keene sat in his seat in the back corner of Woodbine United Methodist Church’s sanctuary and stared at the church’s four unfinished windows. Five beautifully crafted stained glass windows graced the sanctuary’s south side. Plain, uncolored glass filled the four windows on the worship center’s north side. After the sanctuary was built in the mid-1990s, church member Chris Fisette volunteered to make 10...

Young adult follows God's call on her life

By Kara Witherow, Editor Thea Ramirez has been an advocate for as long as she can remember. As an 11-year-old camper, Ramirez learned of a friend’s horrific abuse and helped campaign for her safety. Serving as a summer intern at an orphanage in Juarez, Mexico, the 17-year-old rising high school senior fought for abused orphans and was instrumental in stopping their physical and sexual abuse. As an adult, Ramirez has advocated for neglected, developmentally disabled adults, which...

United Methodists score high in survey

A UMNS Report by Joey Butler* United Methodists rank highest in favorability among five different faith groups in a new survey conducted by the Southern Baptist Convention’s research arm. The research shows United Methodists are held in more favorable regard by the U.S. public than Catholics, Southern Baptists, Mormons or Muslims, according to LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. “(United) Methodists are well liked — and there is great opportunity...

Five new studies for Lent 2012

By Rev. Kathy Noble, editor, Interpreter* New studies from popular authors will be available for Lent 2012. “Final Words: From the Cross” [Cokesbury, www.Cokesbury.com, (800) 672-1789] by Adam Hamilton looks at Christ's dying hours and his final words. A study DVD with seven teaching sessions is also available. “Mosaic” (Cokesbury) is a seven-week study in which Shane Stanford looks at how God transforms brokenness and discarded hopes and dreams into something...

North Alabama continues to work towards recovery following Jan. tornadoes

North Alabama continues to work towards recovery after an outbreak of tornadoes ripped through the conference April 27, 2011. Since that day, the affected communities have worked steadily towards rebuilding and redefining their new normal with UMCOR’s help and support. UMCOR has issued a $1 million grant to the North Alabama Conference as they enter into long-term recovery, which will last until at least December 2013. The funds will support volunteer coordination for...

Trinity UMC takes an advent journey

By Kara Witherow, Editor Just as Mary and Joseph took a journey more than 2,000 years ago, last month members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Warner Robins took their own Advent journey. While Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was fraught with discomforts and dangers, Trinity UMC’s modern-day journey was one of faith. From Nov. 27 through Christmas Eve, more than 100 members of Trinity UMC embarked on their own “Journey to Bethlehem.” While...

Beginner, novice, apprentice and then...

By Dr. Brad Brady It will not surprise those of you who know me to read this confession:  I am not a plumber or electrician or mechanically inclined in any way!  I have several hilarious stories about previous attempts of trying the most routine projects only to end up with extra parts and non-functioning equipment. Recently, I tried another project.  This time, I went to YouTube and searched for a video intended to guide a first-time “self-helper” to do a basic...

Living up to the Sacred Trust

By Brad Brady When you stop and think about it, every local church is the steward of an awesome sacred trust. On one-hand, God entrusts every congregation with the high calling of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a hurting world.  Consider this tremendous truth: We are part of long-line of salvation history where God chooses to use people just like us to tell the salvation story and invite others into the life that is really Life.  What a sacred trust! On the other hand,...

Safe Sanctuaries training video available Feb. 1

The Office of Connectional Ministries continues its support of local churches by releasing a new Safe Sanctuaries training video designed to be used as a key part of the volunteer orientation held in each congregation. “This is a project we have been discussing for several years,” said Dr. Brad Brady, Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries. “We are delighted that everything has come together so that we can now make this resource available.” This...

Epworth's Winter Camp Meeting to study "The Greatest Story Ever Told"

Churches of all denominations from the Golden Isles and across the state are cordially invited to attend Winter Camp Meeting at Epworth By The Sea, St. Simons Island, January 29 through February 1.  Outstanding preachers, Bible teachers and area choirs and musicians will examine the theme “The Greatest Story Ever Told” in new and creative ways. Winter Camp Meetings have been a mainstay of many Christian denominations in America since the frontier days.  Because people did...

High expectations will surround Tampa gathering

By J. Richard Peck Delegates study a petition printed in the Daily Christian Advocate during the 2008 General Conference. MAILE BRADFIELD/UMNS Every four years United Methodists develop high expectations that delegates to the top legislative body of the denomination will set policies and pass resolutions that address specific challenges in the church and...

South Georgia United Methodists shed pounds, focus on health

By Kara Witherow, Editor In early 2010, Rev. Ashley Randall was at his heaviest. What had once been an easy activity – taking a quick walk around the block with his wife – had become a struggle.  His wife, Laine, had her own health issues, and began to look at their diet for possible solutions. About the same time, they learned of the Virgin HealthMiles physical activity program sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits. Rev. Randall, eager to...

Summer camp counselors needed for 2012

Even though it’s the middle of winter and summer is still months away, plans are already underway for the South Georgia Conference Summer Camps at Epworth By The Sea. College students interested in a summer serving in ministry are invited to apply to be counselors at Camp Connect on St. Simons Island. As a camp counselor, students will minister to hundreds of youth and children throughout the summer while making lifelong friendships with other staff members.  As a paid position,...

Open Door Community House helps spread Christmas cheer

By Kara Witherow, Editor Each of Lugenia Brown’s five children believes in Santa Claus. Like every other child, they hoped that Santa would bring them gifts to open on Christmas morning. Kyree, 7, wanted a bike and toy cars while his brother, Evan, also 7, asked for a bike and a laptop. Kaylan, 12, enjoys dolls, and Nija, 14, wants to start wearing makeup. Christian, 3, likes toys. Thanks to Open Door Community House’s Sharing Christmas ministry, this year each of Brown’s...

2011 church restructure plan headed to vote

A UMNS Report by Heather Hahn* When General Conference meets in 2012, the denomination’s top lawmaking body will consider legislation to consolidate nine of the denomination's 13 general agencies into a new United Methodist Center for Connectional Mission and Ministry. A 15-member board of directors would govern the center. That board would be accountable to a 45-member advisory board called the General Council for Strategy and Oversight, which would replace the Connectional Table that...

A stranger appeared in our midst...

Submitted by Mulkey McMichael, member Buena Vista UMC It was a typical Sunday morning at Buena Vista United Methodist Church. As usual, Carolyn Moye was unlocking outside doors throughout the church. It was 9:25 a.m. as she unlocked the church’s front doors. On the church’s front porch, under the columns, a stranger had slept. No one knew that the scriptural verse of Hebrews 13:1, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels...

Epworth By The Sea employees receive high honors

John Caldwell has been named the 2011 Employee of The Year at Epworth By The Sea.  A member of the Maintenance Department for 27 years, Caldwell assists with ongoing maintenance of buildings and grounds.  “This high honor has been given to John for his outstanding performance of the countless duties he performs every day,” said Joel Willis, executive vice president and chief operating officer.  “Not only can John fix anything, but he does it with a great...