Volume 2, Number 3

Northwest District Dashboard & Charge Conference Forms

Training Webinar September 14, 2015

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Instructors: Kelly Roberson and Meredyth Earnest

Webinar instructions have been e-mailed to ministers under appointment

District Newsletter�

� 1

All Creatures Great and Small

An Event for Older Adults Come be awed in coastal Georgia September 21-24, 2015

Epworth By The Sea Get up close and personal with HAIRLESS CREATURES, take a DOLPHIN cruise, view WILDLIFE o n J e k y l l I s l a n d , v i s i t OKEFENOKEE SWAMP, learn about SEA TURTLES and OYSTER reefs Details: wwwepworthbythesea.org or call 912-638-8688

❃

Evelyn Laycock Bible Study Series

October 12 - 15, 2015 Epworth By The Sea

“O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” - preaching series by Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr. “Lessons About God From the Land of the Bible” - Bible Study led by Dr. Jim Fleming, founder and CEO of the Explorations in Antiquity Center in LaGrange, GA. Join us as Dr. Fleming helps us understand the history and culture of ancient Biblical world and Bishop Swanson preaches the word of God. Details: wwwepworthbythesea.org or call 912-638-8688

❃ Epworth By The Sea

Ministering To The World Since 1950Located on the banks of the historic Frederica River, EBTS is a ministry owned and operated by the South Georgia Conference. One of the finest Christian Retreat Centers in the Southeast.

Northwest District OfficeThe United Methodist Church

1022 B - Second Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31901

Phone 706-561-4541 James R. King, Jr. Bishop

Edwin M. (Buddy) Cooper, Jr.Superintendent

2015 CHARGE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Location to be announced by the Clergy Coordinator

Cluster 1: September 24, 7:00 p.m. Howard White, Elder

Hamilton Charge, Waverly Hall Charge, Epworth, Pierce Chapel, St. Mark, St. Peter, St. Paul, Striplin Terrace, The Ridge

Cluster 2: October 11, 4:00 p.m. Doug Mays, Elder

Powersville/Wesley Chapel, Oglethorpe Charge, Montezuma, Crawford County Charge, Byron, Roberta/Dixon, Fort Valley, Marshallville

Cluster 3: October 18, 4:00 p.m. Wayne MacDonald, Elder

Marion Circuit, Buena Vista, Butler, Howard Charge, Reynolds/Crowell Cluster 4: October 25, 4:00 p.m.

John Walker, Elder Byromville/Drayton, Byromville/Drayton, Unadilla, Vienna/Shiloh, Andrew Chapel, County Line, Leslie/DeSota, Ellaville/Corinth, Hopewell/Concord

Cluster 5: November 1, 4:00 p.m. Stan Littleton, Elder

Americus 1st, Andersonville, Bronwood/Smithville, Dawson/Graves, Lee Street/Morningside, Parrott, Plains/Preston, Salem (Americus), Sasser

Cluster 6: November 8, 4:00 p.m. Sharon Loyley, Elder

Mt. Olive, Cuthbert, Georgetown/Union/Sharon, Lumpkin Charge, Richlanjd, Shellman, Stephen’s Chapel Cluster 7: November 22, 4:00 p.m.

Rich Wright, Elder Upatoi/Box Springs, Talbotton Charge, Evan’s Chapel/Matthew’s Chapel,

Midland, Wynnton Cluster 8: December 3, 6:30 p.m.

Cusseta Charge, Asbury Living Grace, M. L. Harris, Midway, Rose Hill, South Columbus, St. Luke, St. Mary’s Road, East Highland

Volume 2, Number 3

Become a Test Church For

Disciple Fast Track Disciple Fast Track is looking for 10 churches from

each Annual Conference to join us in our second round of beta testing to make sure the new Fast Track study is of the highest quality. For nearly 30 years, the original Disciple Bible Study has helped millions of people read through the Bible and grow in their faith through a 34-week class. The new Fast Track study leads groups through the Bible in a shortened, 24-week format while maintaining the integrity and principles of the original study. New, easy-to-use print and video materials and an online community give participants the tools to absorb and retain what they learn in this shortened format. Churches that participate in beta 2 testing phase will receive the final, official release materials at no cost. Main features of Disciple Fast Track: Classes meet for a total of 24 weeks Each group session lasts 75 minutes Designed for Small Groups and Large Groups A new, user-friendly Leader Guide 24 new weekly Illustrated Review Videos 24 new Introductory Videos Illustrated Review Flash Cards Leader Online Training and Online Community

Learn more and sign up at www.disciplefasttrack.com.

Connectional Ministries Re-launches The Link Bi-monthly Email The Office of Connectional Ministries has recently re-launched a bi-monthly email blast to keep South Georgia United Methodists informed and connected with what’s happening in South Georgia United Methodism and beyond. Every two weeks, The Link will be delivered to subscriber email inboxes. Full of Conference news, Connectional news, resources, and event information, The Link will keep readers up to date and in the know. Click here to subscribe. “We are continuously looking for ways to enhance our communications efforts within the conference,” said Kelly Roberson, Director of Communications. “We hope this will be another way that keeps South Georgia United Methodists informed and connected to what’s going on, both in our conference and in our denomination.” One new feature to The Link will be an “Around the Conference” section. Pictures and short summaries will showcase various events, meetings, and happenings on the district and conference levels. If you host or attend an event please send a photo and description to kelly@sgaumc.com or kara@sgaumc.com. The Link will supplement the Conference’s ongoing communications efforts, which include the Conference website, www.sgaumc.org; the South Georgia Advocate, the Conference’s online news source; The Advocate email; the Sunday Advocate bulletin insert; Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

District Newsletter�

� 2

Sponsored by SouthGeorgia’s

Connectional Ministries

Worship leader: Jagee Melton Emcee: Brandon Rushin, “Hey Ya” KidzQuest retreat, set for Oct. 2 through Oct. 4 at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, Designed for students in the third through sixth grades, this annual children’s retreat will encourage kids to stay on course and focus on their relationship with Jesus. The theme, “Anchored,” pulled from Hebrews 6:19 which says, “We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure,” will be woven throughout the large group sessions, devotions, and church- time materials. KidzQuest is a Safe Sanctuaries compliant event. All adult chaperones must be Safe Sanctuaries certified. The cost for this event is $130 per person and includes programming, insurance, food, lodging and a t-shirt. Churches will register as a group and payment is required within seven days. For more information, contact event coordinator S u z a n n e A k i n s a t suzanne@sgaumc.com, A l l i son Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com, or visit www.sgaumc.org/kidzquest to r e g i s t e r o n l i n e . D e a d l i n e f o r registration is September 25, 2015.

🎆 District Ministers

Christmas Dinner December 7, 2015, 6:30 p.m.

Volume 2, Number 3

2015 Pension Seminars

September 10, Baxley September 11, Americus September 12, Fitzgerald

Presenters from The General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits and The Social Security Administration Personalized retirement projections and lunch will be available at the meetings for those making reservations.

Reservations may be made by calling the Administrative Services Office at: 478-738-0048 or 1-800-535-4224 or by e-mail to: eleanor@sgaumcadmin.com

Sexual Ethics In Ministry For Clergy

2015-2016 Schedule

●September 10, 2015-ThursdayTifton, GA

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ●January 21, 2016-Thursday

Tifton First UMC 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

●February 25, 2016-ThursdayEpworth By The Sea

Nalls Building St. Simons Island, GA 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

●April 26, 2016-TuesdayVineville UMC

Macon, GA 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

This workshop is required every three years for any person serving under appointment by the bishop (clergy, local pastors, extension ministers appointed lay speakers). Cost: $35.00 collected at the door - lunch included. Make check payable to the South GA Conference. Online registration available through sgaumc.org/Directories/Pastor Counselor. For questions email: cpassistant@sgaumc.com, Deborah Wight-Knight, Conference Pastoral Counselor, 478-929-1032

District Newsletter�

� 3

Mid-career

Nearing Retirement

Just Starting Out in Ministry

New Northwest District Directory The 2015-2016 Northwest District Directory is on the district website

http://www.northwestumcdistrict.org/ The website directory will be updated as corrections, changes, additions, and deletions are received in the district office. You will want to check it from time to time.

Volume 2, Number 3

Lay Servant Training North Central District

Basic and Advanced January 22, 6-9 p.m. - January 23, 9 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Heritage/Bass UMC Macon

Cost $10 per person

Coastal District Advanced

Session 1: Saturday, October 3, 9:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. Session 2: Saturday, October 24, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

College Place UMC Brunswick

South Central District Combined Course

October 10, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Park Avenue UMC

Valdosta

Southwest District Advanced

October 3, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Morningside UMC

Thomasville

PAUMCS GEORGIA CHAPTER Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries

ONE DAY CONFERENCE “From Stressed to Blessed”

Saturday, September 12, 2015 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Macon Children’s Home, Macon Conference: Free Lunch: $10.00

Speakers: Rev. Deborah Wight-Knight Allison Lindsey

For more information contact: Charlene Carr, Vice President, churchsecretary@tiftonfumc.org

District Newsletter�

� 4

District Cares and Concerns

Our sympathy to the family of Rev. Joel Paul Barrett, Jr. who passed away August 20, in Reno, Nevada. He is the brother of Susan Dunn, retired Pierce Chapel UMC secretary and cousin of Rev. Alan Barrett, Asbury UMC.

Our sympathy to the family of Ruthanne Key who passed away August 25. She is the wife of Rev. Jack Key who served Wynnton UMC from 1979-1983. A memorial service was Thursday August 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Dublin UMC.

Congratulations to Emily and Stephen Brinkman on the birth of Zachary Alexander, born August 12, 2015. Zachary weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 21 inches in length. Big sisters are Zoe and Emma Kate.

Volume 2, Number 3

District Newsletter�

� 5