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This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. The launch was on July 16, 1969, the walk on the moon was July 20, and the crew returned to earth July 24. What a week for the three astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. What a colossal achievement for the United States when you consider that it took 400,000 people working together to make that mission such a success. When he became the first person to set foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong said, “...

Nashville, Tenn.: Petitions for consideration by the 2020 General Conference may be submitted to the Petitions Secretary now through September 18, 2019. According to church law, "Any organization, clergy member, or lay member of The United Methodist Church may petition the General Conference...". Detailed instructions for submitting a petition are available on the General Conference website at umc.org/gcpetition. Petitions must be typed and may be submitted through the General Conference ...

This is the second in a two-part series that will introduce the new District Superintendents ADVOCATE: Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? Have you always lived in South Georgia? REV. PATTON: I was born and raised in Jesup, Georgia, and graduated from Wayne County High School. When I was in middle school we lived in Philadelphia for two years while my dad completed training as an orthodontist. I spent four years in Atlanta for college and three more in Kentucky for ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Nearly 17 years ago, Valdosta First UMC began Solomon’s Porch as the church’s contemporary worship service. By 2019, attendance at Solomon’s Porch’s two services averaged more than 410, with growth exceeding 33 percent in the past few years. The congregation had maxed out its worship space, limiting further growth. Knowing something had to be done in order to continue growing, church leaders met to discuss options. They considered several, including moving to a bigger ...

FROM THE BISHOP R. LAWSON BRYAN You may know that the Washington Monument commemorates the Commander of the Continental Army and first president of the United States, George Washington. And you may have stood beside the 55-foot wide base and lifted your eyes 555 feet to the top of the monument. But do you know what is inscribed on the very top? It is the Latin phrase, “Laus Deo,” which means “Praise be to God.” That’s not all. A Bible was among the items placed in the cornerstone when it was ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Every Tuesday night, folks in Columbus’ Rose Hill neighborhood gather downstairs in the former Rose Hill United Methodist Church for a little bit of food and a whole lot of Jesus. For nearly a decade, volunteers from throughout the community have come together to help feed the city’s homeless. Begun by a former Rose Hill UMC pastor, the ministry is now run by Linda Laye, chaplain of the Fellowship at Rose Hill. Several Columbus-area United Methodist churches are part ...

At the 2017 Annual Conference session, the South Georgia Conference approved two resolutions, statements that represent the position of the conference on a subject. The first, a “Resolution in support of a Coordinated Action on Behalf of Undocumented Neighbors,” called on the presiding bishop to form a task force to develop a strategy to educate clergy and laity about the history of immigration and human and civil rights concerning undocumented members of society and to encourage South Georgia ...

This is the first in a two-part series that will introduce the new District Superintendents ADVOCATE: Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? Have you always lived in South Georgia? REV. LEWIS: My family moved back here from Mississippi when I was in fourth grade. I lived in the Thomasville area from then until I took my first appointment. When we first moved to Thomasville, we lived in a split-house apartment with my grandfather. I spent a lot of time with him, whether it was ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE B.J. FUNK Before leaving for a lengthy trip I went to a crowded gas station. All pumps were filled, so I pulled my car to be second in line. Our two cars were facing head to head because my fuel tank was on the opposite side from hers. No problem. I’ll just wait a bit. A bit turned into several minutes, and I watched as the young woman continued looking down at her lap. She never looked up. “She’s probably waiting for the one in her passenger seat to return from ...

OUR CONNECTION MATTERS NITA CRUMP 18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, The Message) The annual ...

The South Georgia Conference delegation to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences has endorsed the Reverend Robert Beckum as its episcopal nominee (nominee to be elected as a bishop in The United Methodist Church). Rev. Beckum will join nominees from other conferences under consideration for the episcopacy at next summer’s Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference at Lake Junaluska, NC. Rev. Beckum is the senior pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus, appointed there in ...

During the 2019 Annual Conference session, attendees heard five “Alive Together in the World” moments from Connectional Ministries. These “Alive Moments” highlighted the various ways South Georgia United Methodists are reaching out throughout the Conference and beyond. During the Monday, June 3 business session, Allison Lindsey, associate director of Connectional Ministries, interviewed Rev. Jay Hanson, Director of Congregational Ministries; Anne Bosarge, multi-campus director of The Chapel ...

Two policies that focus on churches that want to disaffiliate, or leave The South Georgia Conference and The United Methodist Church, were presented and passed during the 2019 South Georgia Annual Conference session.   A Disaffiliation Policy, created and presented by The Foundations For The Future Task Force and reviewed and approved by Leadership Forum, was passed with two amendments. The policy sets out a framework to be followed when at least two-thirds of a congregation vote to leave the ...

By Rev. Creede Hinshaw, republished with permission from the Albany Herald I returned home from the yearly meeting of South Georgia United Methodists, held this year alongside the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. We Methodists have been meeting like this for centuries, a practice begun by our founder, John Wesley, who used the meeting to inspire his preachers, keep their doctrine pure, their preaching relevant and their behavior above reproach. We’re still doing this, but the way ...

LEADERSHIP REALLY MATTERS ANNE BOSARGE REV. JAY HANSON If you intend to go to Jacksonville, Fla. but take I-95 North from Brunswick, you’ll end up in Savannah, despite how much you want to go to Jacksonville. Your direction – not your intentions – determines your destination. At the church where Anne and I serve, we talk a lot about our spiritual life as a journey. We have people at all points on the path. Many of our people would say they haven’t decided to start their journey yet but are ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON John Wesley lived at Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island for several months. It is not clear just where he lived while on the island. He probably lived with one of the families, perhaps the Hirds. Several times in his diary he mentions work being done in building his house, but we do not know where this house was located or if the building was ever completed. We do know that he was anxious to have the building constructed. One morning he went to the construction ...

FROM THE BISHOP R. LAWSON BRYAN Thanks to the United Methodists of the Columbus area who hosted Annual Conference with radical hospitality and extravagant generosity. The opening worship service, held in the The Columbus Convention & Trade Center overlooking the Chattahoochee River, was alive with spirited music and an inspiring message by Bishop Richard Looney.   In a year that has had more than its share of challenges, the South Georgia Conference demonstrated the spiritual maturity to stay ...

Churches throughout the conference continue to demonstrate the ways they are Alive Together in the World through mission, ministry, and evangelism.  Evangelistically Fruitful Congregations The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. A significant dimension of the disciple-making process is that of leading people to make a commitment to God through baptism and profession of faith in Jesus Christ.   Reaching new persons with the gospel is at the very heart of every church’s ...

Annual Conference is a special time to celebrate ministry milestones and achievements, from those just entering the ministry to those taking the next step of their journey into retirement. On Monday morning the South Georgia Annual Conference celebrated with those clergy who have served in ministry for 50 years and those who are entering into a retired relationship with the Annual Conference. Clergy recognized for having served 50 years in ministry include: Rev. Mira L. Barrett Rev. Thomas W. ...

A Memorial Service for those faithful servants who served in the South Georgia Annual Conference was held Monday afternoon, June 3, at 2 p.m. as conference members gathered at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ga. Rev. Cleo Gilchrist, the outgoing pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Brunswick who retired at this year’s Annual Conference session, reminded those gathered that although they may grieve, God is able. “When grief comes to your home, God’s grace will be sufficient,” ...

During the 2019 annual conference session, held June 2 through June 5, South Georgia United Methodists elected delegates to serve at the 2020 General and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conferences. In all, four clergy and four laity were elected to attend General Conference, the highest legislative body of the denomination, which will meet May 5-15, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition, the conference elected another four clergy and four laity to attend the Southeastern Jurisdictional ...

On Wednesday, June 5, Bishop R. Lawson Bryan fixed the 2019-2020 pastoral appointments for the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. Click here to download and view a list of appointments by district. 

On, Tuesday, June 3, the South Georgia Conference elected four clergy and four lay delegates to General Conference and four clergy and four lay delegates to Jurisdictional Conference as well two clergy and two lay alternates.  Clergy General Conference Delegates (4) Jim Cowart Robert Beckum Doreen Smalls Jay Hanson Jurisdictional Conference Delegates (4) Robert Greene (alternate to General Conference) Scott Hagan (alternate to General Conference) Jimmy Towson David Thompson Alternate ...

ALL ANNUAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION Nearly 1,000 South Georgia United Methodists will gather June 2-5 at The Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center to worship, fellowship, vote for delegates, and discuss the future of the South Georgia Conference. Meeting under the theme, “Alive Together in the World,” the 2019 Annual Conference session will celebrate how South Georgia churches have connected with their communities in creative ways. “We introduced ‘Alive Together in the World’ one year ago ...

Applications are now available for clergy wanting to participate in an S3 group. S3 is a collaborative, small group, action-learning experience for clergy that helps sustain and promote excellence in ordained ministry. Participants develop and implement a two year 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 ...

By Dr. Hal Brady We have a granddaughter who is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks. Joining with her parents, my wife and I are so proud of her and her accomplishments – good grades, skilled musician, sound work ethic, accepts responsibility, fun person, respect for others and meaningful friendships. Of course, we think she is ideal. In a couple of weeks, along with numerous others, she will reach the monumental milestone of becoming a high school graduate. Certainly, she is to ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor When Hurricane Michael struck Southwest Georgia last October, it left a path of destruction and devastation that’s still being felt. But thanks to countless volunteers, case managers, organizations, and others, United Methodists in South Georgia are undertaking recovery efforts for those affected. Sherry Buresh is currently serving as a Disaster Recovery Coordinator working specifically in the Southwest District coordinating long term recovery efforts for those ...

OUR CONNECTION MATTERS NITA CRUMP 34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34-35, The Message) The idea of Christian conferencing has been with Methodists since the early days of John and Charles Wesley. Christian conferencing was considered a means of grace by John. In his book, “Living our Beliefs The ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Two policies will be presented and voted upon during the upcoming 2019 South Georgia Annual Conference session, set for June 2-5 in Columbus. The Foundations For The Future Task Force will present a Disaffiliation Policy outlining a framework to be followed if a congregation votes to leave the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. The Pension Liability Proposal, which was prepared by the Conference Board of Pensions, will outline a church’s ...

FROM THE BISHOP R. LAWSON BRYAN How fortunate for us that Annual Conference falls between Ascension Day (May 30) and Pentecost (May 5). For Christians, that is an extremely important 10-day period. The Apostles’ Creed reminds us that after his resurrection Jesus “ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.” Ten days after his ascension, on the Jewish festival of Pentecost, Jesus sent the promised Holy Spirit...

GROWING IN GRACE BEN GOSDEN I want to tell you about Molly. Molly is in her early 30s and she came to our church two years ago. From the moment I met Molly I sensed a special energy about her. She’s always been willing to help with ministry ideas around the church. The first big project she undertook was redesigning our church logo. She and her husband have a marketing business and special expertise in this area, and, after about a month of meetings and an email thread that grew to about 100 ...

Our Connection Matters offers a toolkit which includes a wealth of resources focusing on a different theme to resource your local church in nurture, outreach, witness and advocacy ministries. ________________________________________ Countdown to Summer What does the countdown to summer include? Planning for so many great things: the end of another school year, graduations, Vacation Bible Schools, moving pastors, family vacations, mission journeys, Pentecost and at the top of the list - SUMMER ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor On warm, sunny days, Wesley Glen’s 40 residents enjoy eating picnic lunches. They’re now able to, thanks to 18-year-old Joshua Asbell, who recently managed the fundraising, design, and production of 10 picnic tables to earn Boy Scouts’ highest rank. Asbell, a senior at Macon’s Howard High School and a member of Vineville United Methodist Church, is the fourth Asbell to earn the Eagle Scout rank. His father, Dr. Jimmy Asbell, older brother Jimmy, and uncle have all ...

April 15 - the Monday of Holy Week - found the whole world watching as smoke and flames rose from the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. What a shock it was to see such an iconic structure being threatened by a roaring fire. The story of Notre Dame can be traced to the 12th century when ground was broken for a place of worship that has now survived for 800 years. I am glad the president of France has announced it will be rebuilt, but I am also reflecting on how things that seem so permanent can ...

The story of The United Methodist Church in Russia is 130 years old and includes Hitler’s invasion of Europe, the dissolution of churches, and heart-breaking accounts of the persecution of Methodist clergy in prisons or labor camps. It also includes the story of Moscow Theological Seminary of The United Methodist Church, founded in 1991. With a main campus in Moscow and three regional centers across 11 time zones, Moscow Theological Seminary is the largest United Methodist student body in ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Just like a dilapidated former crack house in downtown Brunswick has been transformed into a beautiful, bright spot in the neighborhood, a ministry in Brunswick is working to shed light on the growing and pervasive issue of sex trafficking, bring hope and healing to victims, and transform lives. Faithful Love, a ministry founded by United Methodist Carrie Nellis, helps rescue women from sex trafficking by giving them resources, providing a safe place to rest and ...

There are just a few spots left for Elementary Camp 1!! Register TODAY! Don’t miss out on the opportunity for your child to spend a week away from normal everyday life in the beauty of God’s creation with people who seek to share Christ in the everyday. Register today for Camp Connect, the camping ministry of the South Georgia Conference.  With an “Upside Down” theme this summer, a week at Camp Connect will teach campers how to turn the world upside down for Jesus. Diving into scripture and ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Jewell Dabbs is an artist, but she doesn’t use watercolors or acrylics to create her masterpieces. Her canvases are fabric, and brocades, tassels and beads are her brushstrokes. Dabbs creates banners – beautiful, artistic displays that proclaim the majesty and message of Jesus Christ and his love to all who see them. A member of Statesboro First United Methodist Church, Dabbs is a great supporter of music and worship. For years she has spearheaded the effort to ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE BJ FUNK John Wesley wrote a brilliant sermon, preached in England at Oxford, on July 25, 1741. He named it The Almost Christian. Its relevance stretches through the years to 2019, and it is just as meaningful today as it was 278 years ago. Wesley’s challenge is to question those who are not being Christian through and through. Are there those who are coming to church each Sunday to just “show up,” without any real heart change taking place? He describes the Almost ...

Holy Week is a journey to the cross, the center of our faith. Meditating on the crucifix connects us with the wounds of Jesus, “… by his stripes we are healed.” Meditating on the empty cross, the Resurrection Cross, connects us to God’s victory over sin, evil, and death. As we make this journey, please join me in focusing our hearts and minds on Psalm 22. The first verse of Psalm 22 is familiar to us because Jesus prayed it from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Anyone who ...

Every year, the South Georgia Conference honors clergy and laity who exhibit outstanding efforts for the work on Christian Evangelism with the Harry Denman Evangelism Award.  The Harry Denman Evangelism Award program 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. Evangelism happens in many contexts and many settings; ...

LEADERSHIP REALLY MATTERS ANNE BOSARGE REV. JAY HANSON Uncertainty is the world in which leaders live. The world of certainty is the world of managers. Their role is to eliminate the risk and standardize the process to ensure dependable, predictable results. If we do this it will produce that. Leaders are not simply repeating what has already been proven. They are innovators exploring new territories, trying new things. There is no evidence to prove what will happen or if it will work. Leaders...

The South Georgia Conference will elect its delegation to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences during the 2019 Annual Conference Session in Columbus, Ga., June 2-5. Four (4) clergy and four (4) lay delegates to General Conference will be elected. An additional four (4) clergy and four (4) lay delegates will be chosen to complete the Jurisdictional Conference delegation. Alternates will also be elected. Those who are interested in declaring their interest in serving as delegates are ...

FROM THE BISHOP R. LAWSON BRYAN Where are we Alive Together in Christ in South Georgia? Where is God moving?   I want to share with you several specific answers to those questions. God is moving in the lives of those who are sensing a call to ordained ministry and who are responding to that call. For example, at our Annual Conference session in June, 11 people will be ordained or commissioned. That is one of the largest classes to be ordained/commissioned in several years. God is moving in the...

By Kara Witherow, Editor When he’s not preaching from the pulpit on Sunday mornings, one can often find Rev. Mike Davis at the ballfield, on the firing range, practicing jiu-jitsu, or in a patrol car. As a sheriff’s chaplain and reserve deputy sheriff in Lowndes County, Rev. Davis makes time in his week to check in with deputies, stop in the muster room regularly, and support his brothers and sisters in blue. He’s given blessings and benedictions, assisted at death notifications and conducted ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor In the United States, if someone wants a glass of water, all they have to do is walk a few feet to a faucet and turn it on. In much of Africa, people have to walk anywhere from one to five to seven miles or more to an often-contaminated water source. But thanks to the work of Rev. Bobby Gale and his Unto the Least of His ministry, more than 50,000 people are able to drink fresh, clean water. Always concerned with providing basic health and justice solutions, the ...

2019 Annual Conference Session From the Bishop Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Annual Conference, Conference and Agency Leaders, We introduced “Alive Together in the World” one year ago at the conclusion of Annual Conference 2018. When we meet again this June we will have much to celebrate as our churches have been connecting with their communities in creative ways. We will be noting the many ways we are Alive Together in the World. A special thanks to those in Columbus who are doing all ...

At the 2019 Annual Conference Session, Rev. Tyler Plaxico, senior pastor at Dublin First United Methodist Church, will be appointed to serve as the President and CEO of Wesley Glen Ministries. This announcement was made by the Wesley Glen Board, in consultation with Bishop Lawson Bryan and the Cabinet. Wesley Glen Ministries, located in Macon, Ga., is an agency of the South Georgia Conference dedicated to serving adults with developmental disabilities. “We are extremely grateful for the current ...

Our Connection Matters offers a toolkit which includes a wealth of resources focusing on a different theme to resource your local church in nurture, outreach, witness and advocacy ministries. This edition we are taking up our cross and walking through Holy Week and Easter! Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday, beginning with Palm Sunday, that offers many worship experiences for churches to gather to reflect and remember.  Easter for Christians is not just one day, but rather a ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Holy ground. That’s how Wallace Twiggs describes Epworth By The Sea. A teenager in the late 1940s, Twiggs was one of the first youth to visit the future site of South Georgia’s conference and retreat center, which was purchased on Oct. 29, 1949. One Saturday afternoon that fall, Twiggs, then a member of Brunswick First United Methodist Church, and several other youth went with their counselor to what is now Epworth. Stomping through waist-high grass, they chased ...