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JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON Near the end of his life John Wesley said that 50 years earlier a good man gave him advice for which he had ever since had reason to bless God. The “good man” was the Archbishop of Canterbury. The advice was: “If you desire to be extremely useful, do not spend your time and strength in contesting for or against things as are of a disputable nature, but in testifying against open and notorious vice, and promoting real spiritual holiness.” Wesley thought that was ...

Program funding opportunities The South Georgia Conference Peace with Justice grant fund provides seed money for the United Methodist local church, district, conference, and agency ministries that have a desire to work and support mercy and justice efforts. Peace with Justice grant opportunities are now being offered for groups that are interested in seeking peaceful solutions through Christian discipleship and living out the love and grace of God. What is its purpose? Assists United ...

Past United Methodist Women gathered at the annual meeting. Pictured, left to right, are Mary Exley, Sara Bankhead, Margaret Creech, Eugenia Yawn, Gloria Morgan, and Charlene Black. After plans for a 2016 annual meeting were thwarted by Hurricane Matthew, the South Georgia United Methodist Women gathered Saturday, Oct. 21 for their 45th annual meeting. “What a wonderful day God has made for us to gather,” South Georgia United Methodist Women president Mary Exley said to the women and handful ...

Today is All Saints Day, when Christians the world over remember and thank God for those faithful servants of Christ who have entered the Church Triumphant. In many local churches this Sunday is a time when those who died in the past year will be recognized and remembered with thanksgiving. In 2 Timothy the Apostle Paul writes to the young pastor, Timothy, whom Paul has appointed to serve the infant church in the pagan city of Ephesus. Paul is in prison and is struggling for a way to encourage ...

The Commission on a Way Forward, which is working to find unity for The United Methodist Church regarding human sexuality, began its sixth meeting on October 30, 2017, with a devotion that challenged the members to be as one in the body of Christ and to see each person as a reflection of God. The Rev. Dr. Tom Salsgiver, of the Susquehanna Annual Conference in the U.S., sharing on Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, told his fellow Commission members: “I must be the reflection of the one who created ...

Meeting at Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Ala. for their fall meeting, the Commission on General Conference announced the America’s Center Convention Complex will be the venue for the 2019 special session of the General Conference, to be held February 23-26 in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Sara Hotchkiss, General Conference business manager, reported that hospitality for the 2019 event will be provided by the two annual conferences in the surrounding Greater St. Louis area -- the Missouri Annual ...

The Commission on General Conference announced that the number of delegates for the 2020 General Conference will be roughly the same as the last. There were 864 delegates in 2016, compared to 988 in 2012.  According to the Constitution of The United Methodist Church, the General Conference may have between 600-1,000 delegates. A formula prescribed in the Book of Discipline (¶511.5) determines the number of delegates; however, if the result is above 1,000, then the formula is applied ...

Click on the link below to download the Sunday Advocate. Sunday, October 29 The Sunday Advocate is a weekly printable bulletin insert and supplement to the South Georgia Advocate online newspaper. Loaded with South Georgia Conference and UMC news, event information, tips and more, the Sunday Advocate is a printable PDF that can be printed and distributed through local church communication pieces. It will be published and available for download each Monday afternoon. The Sunday Advocate is ...

Journal includes conference business, directories, reports, appointments, and statistical tables The 2017 Journal of the South Georgia Annual Conference is now available for purchase. As has been our process in recent years, those wishing to purchase a Conference Journal will order their copy(ies) online directly from the printer. The cost of the Journal is $20 each plus tax and shipping. Click here to order your copy of the 2017 Journal of the South Georgia Annual Conference.*  The ...

At a recent meeting, the Annual Conference Program Committee decided to shorten the length of the 2018 Annual Conference session by one day. It is now set for June 3-5, 2018, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on Jekyll Island. “After last year, some delegates expressed concern over the cost of hotel rooms and meals on the island,” said Dr. Jay Harris, Conference secretary. “We listened and have therefore modified our schedule so that delegates may choose to head home on Tuesday if they ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Colorful carousel horses, balloons, and men in masks are more often associated with Broadway stages instead of church chancels, but on Sunday, Oct. 8 worshipers at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church were treated to a vibrant and powerful musical display during a special worship service. It’s become an October tradition for the Savannah church to incorporate well-known Broadway numbers into its services. Liturgy, scripture, and a sermon are woven among harmonies ...

By Kara Witherow, Editor It’s sometimes challenging for young adults with disabilities to find meaningful work and live independently after graduating high school, but a unique partnership between a Richmond Hill church and school is helping give students the life skills and confidence they need to tackle adult life. For the past two years, Richmond Hill United Methodist Church has partnered with Richmond Hill High School’s special education class to help students increase their capabilities ...

PATHWAY TO HIS PRESENCE B.J. FUNK Four days after the Las Vegas massacre, I sat in a filled civic center in Tallahassee, Fla., listening to a teaching by David Jeremiah. He was, as expected, wonderful. But what happened at the end had just as great an impact. One of his gifted vocalists sang “God Bless America,” and as she did, I asked myself, “Do we even have the right to ask God to bless America?” With division sweeping our great nation, angry voices accompanied by violence filling our ...

Click on the link below to download the Sunday Advocate. Sunday, October 22 The Sunday Advocate is a weekly printable bulletin insert and supplement to the South Georgia Advocate online newspaper. Loaded with South Georgia Conference and UMC news, event information, tips and more, the Sunday Advocate is a printable PDF that can be printed and distributed through local church communication pieces. It will be published and available for download each Monday afternoon. The Sunday Advocate ...

In the Heart of the Connection Rev. Dr. Matt Woodbery, Director of Connectional Ministries Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (New Revised Standard Version) For anyone paying attention to what’s happening to The United ...

  Luis Morales, South Georgia Conference Disaster Coordinator Luis Morales, Disaster Coordinator for the South Georgia Conference, is traveling to Puerto Rico today, Friday, Oct. 13, as a consultant for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). He is representing UMCOR and meeting with Bishop Hector Ortiz, bishop of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, to assess how The United Methodist Church and UMCOR can best support and help Puerto Ricans in the wake of Hurricane Maria. “This is ...

The following is an email sent by Dr. Jay Harris, Conference Secretary, to clergy and lay members of Annual Conference. Please note that the dates for the 2018 Annual Conference Session are June 3-5. Dear Lay and Clergy Members of the Annual Conference and Conference Leaders, We are busy preparing for the 2018 Annual Conference Session which will once again be held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on Jekyll Island. You will want to make note of the date of next year’s conference, which is...

Click on the link below to download the Sunday Advocate. Sunday, October 15 The Sunday Advocate is a weekly printable bulletin insert and supplement to the South Georgia Advocate online newspaper. Loaded with South Georgia Conference and UMC news, event information, tips and more, the Sunday Advocate is a printable PDF that can be printed and distributed through local church communication pieces. It will be published and available for download each Monday afternoon. The Sunday Advocate is ...

United Methodist bishops are urging the United States Congress to pass a Clean Dream Act that would allow undocumented young people the opportunity to work, receive an education and serve in the U.S. military. In a statement released last week, the bishops said they are praying and urging action for the young people affected by the U.S. government’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The young immigrants, also known as Dreamers, had an October 5 deadline ...

(UMCOR) The 2017 hurricane season caused Puerto Rico unprecedented levels of destruction, devastating the lives of millions of people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless and displaced. The initial response has been slow for Puerto Rico as its food, fuel, and supplies are dependent on shipments from its air and sea ports, most of which have been severely damaged. The island’s ports and airports are slowly reopening though, allowing much-needed aid to make its way into Puerto Rico. The ...

United Methodist Women Annual Meeting 2017 Written and submitted by United Methodist Women United Methodist Women in South Georgia has been “Building Community” all year long. It’s is nothing new for this organization because it is what and who we are – a community. The conference Annual Meeting being held at Statesboro First United Methodist Church Oct. 21 will highlight this theme and will accent the job our Bishop give us at Annual Conference, “being alive in Christ.” “Statesboro First is...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON Did you know that the Wesley family had a very active ghost in the Epworth parsonage? While John Wesley was off at Oxford strange things began to happen back at Epworth. Footsteps were heard in the night coming up the stairs. Loud banging occurred. A noise like a chain being dragged startled everybody in the house. When this would happen their dog, “Jack” would crawl under the bed. Jack was a large Mastiff who was usually fearless. These noises seemed to get ...

LEADERSHIP REALLY MATTERS ANNE BOSARGE REV. JAY HANSON It’s officially fall and that means football season – kids are playing on fields at the local Rec. Department, middle schools, and high schools. College football games determine our schedules on the weekends and NFL football fans come to life on Monday nights. No matter what sideline you find yourself on or which set of bleachers you’re cheering from, at some point, you’re either calling for more offense or defense. Along with the offense ...

Click on the link below to download the Sunday Advocate. Sunday, October 8 The Sunday Advocate is a weekly printable bulletin insert and supplement to the South Georgia Advocate online newspaper. Loaded with South Georgia Conference and UMC news, event information, tips and more, the Sunday Advocate is a printable PDF that can be printed and distributed through local church communication pieces. It will be published and available for download each Monday afternoon. The Sunday Advocate is ...

Taylor Bush is pictured with her UMCom co-workers in their Nashville, Tenn. office. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are: Kathy Noble, editor of Interpreter Magazine; Fran Coode Walsh, Director, Member Communication; Taylor Bush; Chris Fenoglio, Manager, Web Content. Pictured in the back row left to right, are: Joe Iovino, Manager, Member Content Development, and Tony Cook, Freelance Video Editor. Photo courtesy of Fran Walsh, UMCom By Kara Witherow, Editor This summer, more than 400...

FROM THE BISHOP R. LAWSON BRYAN Our four-year theme is Alive Together in Christ, based on Ephesians 2:5. Each year we will focus on one specific area in which we want to live out this theme. The first of these is worship. This area is so important that in 2016 our annual conference enthusiastically approved a goal of increasing average worship attendance by 10 percent. At our 2017 annual conference session we launched the emphasis of “Alive Together in Worship” by reading Lovett Weems’ book "...

Our hearts go out to the victims of last night’s shooting at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas. Early reports indicate that at least 50 people have died and hundreds more are injured. The police are at work to learn all they can about the shooter and his background. Right now there is so much we want to know, yet we want real information and not misinformation. What we do know for certain is that we must pray: for the hundreds of wounded victims, that their injuries would heal and that they will ...

Click on the link below to download the Sunday Advocate. Sunday, October 1 The Sunday Advocate is a weekly printable bulletin insert and supplement to the South Georgia Advocate online newspaper. Loaded with South Georgia Conference and UMC news, event information, tips and more, the Sunday Advocate is a printable PDF that can be printed and distributed through local church communication pieces. It will be published and available for download each Monday afternoon. The Sunday Advocate is ...

BERLIN, Germany – The Commission on a Way Forward has started sketching models to share with the Council of Bishops as options for finding a way forward for The United Methodist Church (UMC) regarding human sexuality.   During the meeting in Berlin, Germany (Sept. 18-20), members of the Commission expressed the need for the unity of the UMC, yet recognizing the different theological understandings and expressions on human sexuality.   From spirit-led devotions through heartfelt discussions to ...

We are Alive Together in Christ … like a mighty army! For several weeks we have been inundated with disasters: Hurricane Harvey, wildfires in the west, a deadly landslide in Sierra Leone, Hurricane Irma, two major earthquakes in Mexico, and now Hurricane Maria. We remain in constant prayer that the God of all mercy will comfort, protect, and provide. Here in South Georgia many  – some of you, even – have suffered as a result of Hurricane Irma. Close to home I am thinking of farms and farmers ...

The Conference Disaster Response Team is currently assessing how we as South Georgia United Methodists can be of assistance, both in our own conference and the Florida Conference, following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. We were fortunate as we witnessed a significant downgrade in Irma before reaching South Georgia. We will be gathering damage assessments and mobilizing resources as needed throughout South Georgia in the days to come. Thank you for the many ways the connection continues to ...

Stay Calm, Stay Connected, and Stay the Course ADVOCATE: It’s hard to believe more than a year has passed since you were appointed and installed to the South Georgia Conference! How has being a bishop differed from being a local church pastor? BISHOP BRYAN: Some of the differences would include expanding my parish area from a local community to an annual conference covering 61 percent of the state of Georgia. Another difference would be the shift in focus from one local church to working with ...

Rev. Andy Lamon, campus pastor of The Chapel Effingham, and several members of the congregation helped clean a Tybee Island home that was flooded by Hurricane Irma. By Kara Witherow, Editor Tricia Lewis carried sodden pillows to a growing pile of debris Friday afternoon, days after Hurricane Irma flooded her home with 18 inches of water. “It’s just stuff,” said Lewis, whose house on Lewis Street on Tybee Island was also flooded just 11 months ago during Hurricane Matthew. “We’re a lot better...

By Kara Witherow, Editor Hurricane Irma, which was downgraded to Tropical Storm Irma before it struck South Georgia Monday, Sept. 11, downed power lines, felled trees, flooded neighborhoods, and taxed local utilities throughout the region. One week after the storm, hundreds are still without power and full restoration will take months, officials say. United Methodists across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina are still assessing the damage and cleaning up after the deadly storm that left at...

Over the past year - through Hurricane Matthew, the Albany tornadoes, and most recently Tropical Storm Irma - United Methodists across South Georgia have stepped up and shown what it means to be “Alive Together In Christ.” Local churches and individuals have been involved in their communities, offering feeding ministries and sheltering programs to providing comfort and early response teams and much more. Stories continue to bubble up of creative ways neighbors are helping neighbors and examples...

By Brittany Grier, Marketing Coordinator, The Methodist Home The Methodist Home was blessed with the opportunity to serve others during Hurricane Irma. It was truly an incredible week of service! Roughly 120 kids and staff from The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, along with seven dogs, arrived at The Methodist Home in Macon on Thursday, September 7 as they evacuated from Enterprise, Fla. ahead of Hurricane Irma. The following day Bishop Lawson Bryan, along with his wife, Sherrill, ...

Dr. Hal Brady With most of our attention riveted on Hurricane Irma, the 16th anniversary of 9/11 quietly passed by. Oh, to be sure, there were some observances and rightly so. And it was also appropriate and necessary that we focused on the monstrous Hurricane Irma. However, Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, will live forever in our memories. That was the day of the unthinkable. Who will ever forget the terrorist attack on our nation – those planes crashing into the World Trade Center and ...

Click on the link below to download the Sunday Advocate. Sunday, September 24 The Sunday Advocate is a weekly printable bulletin insert and supplement to the South Georgia Advocate online newspaper. Loaded with South Georgia Conference and UMC news, event information, tips and more, the Sunday Advocate is a printable PDF that can be printed and distributed through local church communication pieces. It will be published and available for download each Monday afternoon. The Sunday Advocate is ...

After a week long evacuation due to Hurricane Irma, Glynn County residents were allowed to return on Thursday, September 14. Initial assessments have been made to the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum and Epworth By The Sea, both located on St. Simons Island. Mrs. Ann Packard, director of the museum, said that after an initial tour of the Museum & Archives there appeared to only be a bit of water that leaked under the doors. The staff is currently handling this to avoid any mold or mildew ...

While United Methodists across Florida began to take stock as Hurricane Irma left the state, church members in Georgia and South Carolina were dealing with flash flooding, downed trees and power outages as the storm headed north. Reports also began to emerge from Hispanic-Latino churches in the Caribbean, where Irma began its path of destruction on Sept. 5 in the Leeward Islands. The hurricane killed 36 people in the Caribbean before making landfall on the U.S. mainland. On Sept. 12, evacuees ...

The Conference Disaster Response Team is currently assessing how we as South Georgia United Methodists can be of assistance, both in our own conference and the Florida Conference, following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. We were fortunate as we witnessed a significant downgrade in Irma before reaching South Georgia. We ask pastors who have been impacted to contact their District Superintendent to let he or she know the condition of their community, church, and any immediate needs. The District...

By Linda Bloom and Vicki Brown Sept. 8, 2017 | UMNS Experiences with last year’s U.S. hurricanes and coverage of the devastation wrought by Harvey in Texas and Louisiana have put United Methodists in the Southeast on high alert as Hurricane Irma approaches. Pam Garrison, disaster response coordinator for the Florida Conference, said the conference is still working on both coasts to repair damage from Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew. Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties, where Matthew ...

Based on the most recent forecasts from the National Weather Service, it looks like our conference will be heavily impacted. At 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency in six coastal Georgia counties: Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh. Today he expanded his emergency declaration to include 24 additional counties, with a total of 30 counties now included in a state of emergency. Gov. Deal also issued a mandatory evacuation order for all areas ...

Hurricane Irma Update: September 6 In the most recent projections, the path of Hurricane Irma has shifted slightly to the east putting South Georgia under alert for potential impact. At 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency in six coastal Georgia counties: Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh. This morning the South Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama West-Florida Conferences were brought together on a conference call with UMCOR (United ...

Lena Sumner, a fifth-grade student in Christy Yates' Park Avenue UMC Sunday school class, paints a scripture verse on a rock. By Kara Witherow, Editor A little acrylic paint and a few rocks are helping spread hope and love across South Georgia communities. From Bainbridge to Brunswick, individuals and groups are painting rocks and brightening people’s days, one rock at a time. At Park Avenue United Methodist Church, Christy Yates’ fifth-grade Sunday school class is learning about the Bible ...

United Methodist Council of Bishops FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, September 1, 2017 WASHINGTON – Council of Bishops President Bishop Bruce R. Ough is urging all United Methodists to pray and offer support to the victims of the flooding in the Gulf Coast and the mudslides in Sierra Leone. In his letter, Bishop Ough said the heart-rending images from the floods in Texas and the mudslides in Sierra Leone should move all Christians into helping fellow brothers and sisters in the disaster areas. “...

By Christy Odum, member of the Advocacy Team and chair of the Ministry with People with Disabilities subcommittee Hello, South Georgia, I had the privilege of traveling to Atlanta Sunday, Aug. 13 to attend a worship service and meeting for the Disability Ministries Committee. The worship service was filled with God’s presence and grace. My friend Mark Crenshaw of the North Georgia Conference brought the message and others with disabilities were involved with every aspect of the service. I ...

September 1, 2017 To the South Georgia Conference: I have said before that it is times like these that we see just how very "Alive Together in Christ" we are! Thank you for the outpouring of prayer and support for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We are seeing a tremendous response across South Georgia in very tangible ways. The Bishop has encouraged local churches to take up a special offering, which will be sent to the Texas conferences experiencing this devastation. The following inserts ...

JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS DAVE HANSON John Wesley tried a two-day experiment in sharing his faith. He decided that for two days he would only speak to others about godly things if the Holy Spirit directly prompted him to do so. At the end of this two-day experiment he concluded: 1) That he spoke to none at all, even when he rode many miles with them in a coach except for a few words when setting out. 2) That he had no cross to bear and soon went to sleep. 3) That he had much respect shown to him and...

By Sybil Davidson As college students begin a new school year, United Methodist churches are partnering in new ways with the Georgia UMCommission to launch and champion new campus ministries. Three notable new ministries are in the works thanks to our United Methodist connection: Georgia Gwinnett Wesley, West Georgia Wesley, and Augusta Wesley.   Georgia Gwinnett Wesley Most people don't think of Lawrenceville as a "college town," but when Lawrenceville First UMC went through a ...