Northwest District Office

The United Methodist Church

1022B - Second Avenue

Columbus, Georgia 31901

Phone 706-561-4541

James R. King, Jr. Bishop

Edwin M. (Buddy) Cooper, Jr.

Superintendent

Volume 1 November 2014 Number 5

Northwest District Ministers’ Christmas CelebrationDecember 11, 2014

6:00 pmSt. Mark United Methodist Church

Please make reservations by calling Gail Grantham at 706-561-4541 or e-mailing

gailgrantham@aol.com

Leadership Team Meeting

November 13, 2014 6:30 p.m. (meal) - 8:00 p.m.

Americus First United Methodist ChurchAmericus, Georgia

RSVP: gailgrantham@aol.com

706-561-4541Leadership Team Members

Ministry Facilitators:

Robert Beckum, Clergy Ministries/SPRCChris Tyra, Trustee MinistriesMark Renner, Finance MinistriesLynn Meadows-White, Disciple Plan MinistriesMary Claire Reeves, Evangelism MinistriesSue Cheney, Mission MinistriesRobert Anderson, Laity MinistriesConnie Haugabook, Children’s MinistriesGary Turner, Youth MinistriesBecky Britton, Women’s MinistriesKenny Thompson, Men’s Ministries

Cluster Elders:Howard White, Cluster 1Billy Kimbrel, Cluster 2Wes Jones, Cluster 3John Walker, Cluster 4Stan Littleton, Cluster 5Sharon Loyley, Devoted DozenRich Wright, Fall LineReggie Williams, Cluster 8

The Methodist HomeOur House at Carpenter’s Way & Arabella

Our House “Give Thanks” Luncheon Wednesday November 5, 2014, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

St. Luke Ministry CenterBarbara Dooley, Keynote Speaker

For more information and cost contact: Julia Plonk, Special Events Manager, 478-751-2898,

julia.plonk@themethodisthome.org

Peace By The River December 26, 2014 - January 1, 2015

A post-holiday retreat for pastors. No clock. No agenda. Just rest and relaxation at beautiful Epworth By The Sea. Special rate for

pastors. Please call or email Alice Norris for more info and to make a reservation: 912-638-8688 or anorris@epworthbythesea.org.

Page 2 November 2014

The Northwest District WebsiteThe Northwest District has launched a new district website. The domain name is

www.Northwestumcdistrict.org. You are invited to visit the website for district news, the district calendar,

charge conference dates and the new Discipleship Form.

Reminder . . . New Discipleship Form Due 5th of Each MonthIn previous years, each district had an evangelism form and clergy were required to complete this form as instructed by their

district office. As we move through transition, all six districts collaborated to develop a form that included the 20.1.5

discipleship reporting and evangelism information. This new form is known as the Discipleship Form.

All clergy under appointment are now required to complete a Discipleship Form each month. Here are some important

details:

• To complete the Discipleship Form go to your district website.

• Instructions for completing the Discipleship Form have been sent to each minister.

• The Discipleship Form is due on the 5th of each month. Your first reporting month was

September 2014 which was to be complete by October 5.

• You will not need a username or password to complete the Discipleship Form.

• For questions, please contact your district office.

2014 CHARGE CONFERENCE SCHEDULENOVEMBER2-East Highland-9:00 a.m.2-Upatoi/Box Springs-11:00 a.m.2-Woodland Charge-3:00 p.m.2-Midland-5:00 p.m.4-South Columbus-6:00 p.m.5-Epworth-6:30 p.m.9-Cuthbert-9:00 a.m.9-Shellman-11:00 a.m.9-Lumpkin/Georgetown Charge-3:00 p.m.

10-Rose Hill-5:3012-St. Paul-6:30 p.m.16-Stephens Chapel-9:00 a.m.16-Richland-11:00 a.m.16-Mt. Olive-3:00 p.m.16-Asbury-5:00 p.m.17-Bethel/Walkers Chapel-.6:30 p.m.19-St. Luke-7:00 p.m.20-Bronwood/Smithville-7:00 p.m.30-The Ridge-10:30 a.m.

•Give a verbal Minister’s Report, verbal Lay Report, and Verbal setting of the clergy salary. All other reports can behanded in•

AgendaConvene—Call to OrderHymn (optional)BusinessPastor's Report/CelebrationReview of Membership DataCommittee on Lay LeadershipLay Speakers CandidacyOther items Requiring a VoteSetting Clergy SalaryAccount ReimbursementHousing ResolutionInsurance CoverageDevotional—Dr. Cooper (“Knowing and Growing”)Adjournment with Prayer

Forms•Charge Conference Minutes•Pastor's Report•Narrative/Membership•Deacon or Diaconal Reports•Committee on Lay Leadership•Lay Speaker•Candidates (New or Continued)•Compensation Forms (worksheet and final report*)•Housing Allowance Resolution*•Accountable Reimbursement*•Retirees and Extension Clergy Reports•Financial Report•Trustees Report•Parsonage Review•Continuing Education Report•Higher Education

November 2014 Page 3

Northwest District Cares and ConcernsOur sympathy to Paul Best on the deaths of his sister, Aggie

Reed, sister-in-law Audrey Best, and brother, David L. Best in

Iowa.

Our sympathy to Ruth and Rich Wright on the death of

Ruth’s father, Ralph Robinson, on October 25, 2014. The

funeral was at Vance-Brooks Funeral Home on Thursday,

October 30, at 11 am, with committal in Parkhill Cemetery on

Macon Road.

Please keep in your prayers: Jane Kimbrel, Annual

Conference Worship Chair, Director of Music Ministries at

Perry UMC and wife of Rev. Billy Kimbrel, will have surgery

on Tuesday, November 4, at Archbold Hospital in

Thomasville.

Webinars

The Connectional Webinar Series is the newest opportunity

in training using enhanced technology through the Office

of Connectional Ministries. You can enter this virtual,

informative, educational, interactive experience from your home

or office! All you need is a computer and the Internet.

For more information or if you have an idea for a webinar

contact Allison Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com.

Please note: Registration will close the day before the webinar.

If it is the day of one of the webinars and you would like the

information to join the webinar, please email

allison@sgaumc.com.

“Come Away . . . A Time to Find Comfort, A Time to Find Joy”

A Three Day Retreat for Mothers Who Have Lost Children

November 7-9, 2014Epworth By The Sea

Details: www.epworthbythesea.org or call 912-638-8688

UM Mission Agency To Open 3Global Offices with HQ In Atlanta

Within two years, the United Methodist Board of

Global Ministries will permanently vacate its

longtime headquarters at the Interchurch Center

in New York and move south to Atlanta.

That decision was approved in a closed session October 3.

The Board of Global Ministries expects to purchase and

renovate the large Grace United Methodist Church

complex on Ponce de Leon Avenue for its Atlanta

headquarters, with the congregation continuing to worship

there.

In a new configuration for the agency, staff will be

assigned to three new regional offices in Asia, Africa and

Latin America.

SSSS

ave the Date!ave the Date!ave the Date!ave the Date!

2015 Open Door Classic Walkand 5k Run

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Conference Center Task ForceReceives Challenge Gift To Raise$330k In Six Weeks

The South Georgia Conferences Conference Center Task

Force has received a challenge gift of $100,000.

The gift, which is contingent upon the Conference

raising $330,000 by Dec. 15, 2014, will help fund the

Conference’s planned 8,000 square foot Conference Center.

With just six weeks to raise $330,000, Conference Center Task

Force chairman Dr. Hal Brady urges all South Georgia United

Methodists take part in the campaign. To date, nearly $1.3

million in cash and pledges has been collected. “This is a

wonderful opportunity to join together to make this a reality,”

he said. “We need the help of all the Annual Conference to meet

this initial goal.” Before beginning construction, the Conference

Center Task Force plans to raise the $433,000 construction

costs and then ask the Conference for permission to borrow the

remaining $500,000. The loan would be repaid with the

$52,650 currently being spent each year in rent for the

Episcopal and Administrative Services offices. “For the South

Georgia Conference to have a ‘home’ we are asking that

individuals throughout South Georgia join us in digging deeper

to raise $330,000 by December 15, 2014,” Dr. Brady said.

“Thank you and may God bless our efforts.”

Visitwww.sgaumc.org/newconferencecenter for more

information, floor plans, answers to frequently asked questions,

and more. To make a contribution, make checks payable to

“South Georgia Conference Center” and mail to Miriam Hagan,

Director of Administrative Services, PO Box 13145, Macon,

GA 31208, Macon, GA 31208

Page 4 November 2014

Epworth By The Sea Winter Camp MeetingFebruary 8-11, 2015

The Bishop's Hour: Bishop James R. King, Jr.Guest Preacher: Dr. Buddy Cooper

Bible Study Teachers: Dr. Rick Lanford, Dr. Nita Crump and Rev. Chris RamseyOnline Registration is available for this event.

Theme: The Teaching Star

Slogan: Know & Grow

Scripture Lesson: Acts 2:42

Translation: Revised English Bible

WHAT THEY DID

“They met constantly

to hear the apostles teach

to share the common life

to break bread

and to pray.”

WHAT HAPPENED

Acts 2:43-47

“A sense of awe was felt by everyone,

All the believers agreed to hold everything in common

One and all they kept up their daily attendance at the Temple

breaking bread in their homes, they shared their meals with unaffected joy

they praised God and enjoyed the favor of the whole people.”

WHAT RESULTED

“Day by day the Lord added new converts to their number”

Sermon Series“HOW ARE KNOWING AND GROWING CONNECTED?”

Sermon One

Do We Know?“What We Know for Sure?”

Sermon Two

Do We Know?“Who shares the Common Life with Us?

Sermon Three

Do We Know?“What the Rules Are for ‘Being at Table’ with Others?”

Sermon Four

Do We Know?“What Prayer and Praising God Have to Do with Our Growing?”

Sermon Five

Do We Know?“What Prayer and Praising God Have to Do with Our Growing?”

Sermon Six

Will We Grow?“Do Our Hearts Long for Jesus to Add to Us Daily?”

November 2014 Page 5

NEW! East meets West . . .

Confirmation RetreatsThis year, the South Georgia Conference will be offering two Confirmation retreats on either side of theconference to allow for more participants to be involved. Registration (open in January) for each retreat will beseparate and churches may choose one event to participate in.

WEST February 20-21, 2015

St. Mark United Methodist Church Columbus, GA

EASTMarch 13-15, 2015 Epworth By The Sea St. Simons Island, GA

Designed for students in the fifth grade and above, the “Join the Journey” Confirmation Retreat will providechurches of all sizes an opportunity to connect with others through worship, study, and fellowship. The event willalso include large group gatherings around the church seasons and breakout sessions with topics of grace,United Methodist History and United Methodist lingo as well as a "Holy Club" highlight.Not meant to be the only confirmation youth go through, the Confirmation Retreat should be complimentary towhat a church is or will be doing.

For more information, please call 888-266-7642 or email Suzanne (suzanne@sgaumc.com) or Allison(allison@sgaumc.com).

Daylight Saving Time 2014 Ends November 2

Set your clock back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night

Thanksgiving Holiday Office ClosingThe Northwest District Office will be closed Friday, November 21 until Monday,

December 1 for Thanksgiving. In case of an emergency, if you are unable to reach the

district superintendent, please call Gail Grantham. She will usually be able to give you

the information you need or put you in touch with the district superintendent