Way Forward Report Conversations with Bishop Bryan, Northwest District – Aug. 16Bishop Bryan invites laity and clergy in the Northwest District to join him to discuss the

Way Forward report from 6:30 pm until 8 pm at St. Luke UMC in Columbus.

A note from Bishop Bryan: How to prepare for District Way Forward Meetings August 07, 2018

Now that the full report of the Commission on a Way Forward has been released to the public, I am looking forward to discussing it with laity and clergy of each district. Here is the schedule for the six district meetings:

August 16 – Northwest District | 6:30 pm – 8 pm at St. Luke UMC, Columbus August 20 – Northeast District | 6:30 pm – 8 pm at Pittman Park UMC, Statesboro

August 27 – South Central District | 6:30 pm – 8 pm at Valdosta FUMC September 6 – Coastal District | 6:30 pm – 8 pm at Hinesville FUMC

September 9 – North Central District | 6 pm – 7:30 pm at Riverside UMC, Macon September 18 – Southwest District | 6:30 pm – 8 pm at Avalon UMC, Albany

In preparation for the meeting in your district, please read the report describing the three plans being offered for consideration as a Way Forward for The United Methodist Church. The Way Forward report has been released in all four official languages of General Conference: English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/council-of-bishops/news_and_statements/documents/Way_Forward_Report_-_Final_-_ENGLISH.pdf

In addition, I invite all South Georgia clergy and laity to join me in the worldwide prayer movement for General Conference and I ask for daily prayers from 2:23 to 2:26 as delegates prepare for General Conference 2019.

Format for Way Forward District Meetings The meeting will begin with a time of spiritual reflection and centering. A video will then highlight the specifics of each of the three proposed plans, taking them in the order listed in the report of the Commission on a Way Forward. This will be followed by a question and answer time, moderated by the host district superintendent , during which I will lead those present in a discussion of the implications of each plan. I will then offer ways the South Georgia Conference might helpfully respond to each of the three plans. The meetings will conclude with a time of prayer following the Praying Our Way Forward guide which is currently being used by United Methodist All over the world. The three proposed plans will be presented to the laity and clergy delegates of the called General Conference at their session in February of 2019 in St. Louis, MO. General Conference could approve one of these plans, approve an amended plan, create a new plan, or affirm the current language of the 2016 Book of Discipline without making any changes to our current language. I hope to see you at the Way Forward meeting in your district. My challenge before us remains: Stay Calm. Stay Connected. Stay the Course.

Alive Together in the World, R. Lawson Bryan

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Northwest District OfficeThe United Methodist Church

1022 B - Second Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31901

Phone 706-561-4541Edwin M.(Buddy) Cooper, Jr.

District SuperintendentR. Lawson Bryan, Bishop

Dooly Camp MeetingSunday, September 23 - Thursday, September 27, 2018

Join us for Old Time Religion Camp Meeting 2017in a historic tabernacle on Dooly Campground

Located at 21 Parsonage Road in Vienna, GA 31092Preaching: George Mathison, Pastor Emeritus, Auburn United Methodist Church

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George Mathison

2018-2019 Sexual Ethics WorkshopsSeptember 13, 2018- Thursday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, St. Luke, Columbus

February 21, 2019- Thursday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Pitman Park UMC, StatesboroApril 9, 2019- Tuesday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Vineville UMC, Macon

The Sexual Ethics Workshop is sponsored by the South Georgia Conference Pastoral Counselor Office. It is required every three years for any person serving under appointment by the bishop (clergy, local pastors, extension ministers, appointed lay speakers). Register online at www.sgaumc.org/ pastoralcounselor. The cost for the workshop is $35.00 and will be collected at the door. Lunch and materials are included in the workshop cost. Checks can be made payable to the South Georgia Conference. For questions, email Kate Tyler at cpcassistant@sgaumc.com Those needing to take the workshop before 2019 Annual Conference are: James Aycock, Jr., Alan Barrett, J. Robert Beckum, Jonathan Beckum, Susan Beverly, Stephen Brinkman, Daryl Brown, Stephanie Caldwell, Thomas W. Carruth, David Carter, Dwight Dunn, Cindy Garrard, Hall Grimmett, Wesley Kaylor, Linda Laye, Brett Maddocks, Lynn Martin, Donald Mathis, Guy Mathis, Jr., Kent Miller, Joyce Moncrief, Wayne Morrow, Jr., L.K. Pendleton, Rodney Porter, Cindy Reichard, Leanette Roberson, Rickey Rushing, Vicki Scott, Tillford Thomas, John Allen Walker, Duane Whittaker, Don Wolfgang, and Chris Wooden.

2018 GA-PAUMCS* Annual ConferenceAugust 23-26, 2018

Christ UMC611 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA

Deadline for Discounted Hotel Reservations: August 8, 2018 Deadline for Conference Registration: August 3, 2018

Hotel accommodations will be at Country Inn & Suites, 220 Margie Drive, Warner Robins, GA. To reserve your room, please call (478)971-1664. We have negotiated a rate under “PAUMCS” of $93+tax per night for 1-bed King room and $98+tax per night for 2-bed Queen room. If you plan to room with someone, please let reservations know. Room rates include a continental breakfast at the hotel. www.ga-paumcs.org

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P R E S E N T E D B Y

MercyMed • Open Door Community House • Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church • Truth Spring

Thursday, September 6, 201811:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Columbus Convention and Trade Center801 Front Avenue • Columbus, GA 31901

F E A T U R I N G A U T H O RRobert Lupton

“Toxic Charity” and “Charity Detox”

Tickets are $10 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.

CHARITY REIMAGINED: Working Together for Transformation

Bob has invested over 40 years of his life in inner-city Atlanta. In response to a call that he fi rst felt while serving in Vietnam, he left a budding business career to work with delinquent urban youth. Bob and his wife moved into the inner-city where they have lived and served as neighbors among those in need. Their life’s work has been the rebuilding of urban neighborhoods where families can fl ourish and children can grow into healthy adults. Bob is a Christian community developer, an entrepreneur who brings together communities of resource with communities of need. Through his non-profi t Focused Community Strategies, he has developed two mixed income subdivisions, organized a multi-racial congregation, started a number of businesses, created housing for hundreds of families and initiated a wide range of human services in his community. Bob has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Georgia. He serves as speaker, strategist, and inspirer with those throughout the nation who seek to establish God’s Shalom in the city.

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District Superintendent’s Calendar 2018 July 1 Buddy preaching at Christ UMC Warner Robins 10:00 a.m. 6 lunch with Chris Tyra in Columbus 8 Worship with Midland UMC Bob Hereford 13 AC planning meeting at St. Luke with James Crosse, Robert Beckum, and Kelly Roberson 10:00 15-20 Buddy at Cabinet meeting/Pastor's School/Sexual Ethics workshop (July 20-August 10 Bishop Bryan's vacation) July 22-August 4 Buddy's vacation

August 14 Cabinet meeting Macon Children's Home 9:00 19-22 Buddy preaching Homecoming and Revival at Hopewell UMC 25 Pathways, Trinity UMC in Warner Robins 28 Nita Crump and Allison Lindsey meeting, my office, 11:00

September 10 Cabinet meeting Wesley Glen 9:00 11 Cluster 1, SPRCs meeting with Buddy at Pierce Chapel (Clergy Coor. Will have sign up) 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments. 13 Cluster 2 SPRCs meeting with Buddy at Fort Valley UMC. (Clergy Coor. Will have sign up) 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments. 16 Cluster 1 and 2 Charge Conference at 4:00 at the Ridge UMC, Columbus 18 Cluster 3 SPRCs meeting with Buddy at Buena Vista UMC (Clergy Coor. Set up times) 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments 20 Cluster 4 SPRCs meeting with Buddy at Vienna UMC (Clergy Coor. Set up times) 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments. 23-27 Dooly Campmeeting Dr. George Mathison preaching 11:00 Sunday 7:00 each evening 30 11:00 Buddy preaching for Rodney Porter, Striplin Terrace UMC 30 Cluster 3,4 Charge Conferences at Ellaville UMC 4:00

October 2 Cluster 5 SPRCs meeting with Buddy at Americus UMC (Clergy Coor. Will set up times) 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments. 4 Cluster 6 SPRCs meeting with Buddy at Cuthbert UMC (Clergy Coor. Will set up times) 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments 7 Cluster 5,6 Charge Conferences at Lee Street UMC 4:00 9 Cabinet meeting at Magnolia Manor, Americus 9:00 10 Cluster 7 SPRCs meeting with Buddy at Upatoi UMC (Clergy Coor. Will set up times) 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments THIS WAS ORIGINALLY THE 9TH!!!!! 11 Cluster 8 SPRCs meeting with Buddy at South Columbus UMC (Clergy Coor. Set up times 8:30-5:00 30 minute increments 12-13 Wedding of Marianna and Patrick, St. Paul UMC Buddy officiating 14 160th Anniversary of Ellaville UMC Buddy Preaching at 11:00 20 UMW Anual Meeting at Trinity, Warner Robins. 10:00 21 Cluster 7,8 Charge Conferences at South Columbus UMC 4:00 23 Conference Day apart for General Conference 2019 ( to be announced)

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November 13 Cabinet Meeting at Riverside UMC 9:00 14 Leadership Forum at Children's Home Macon 19-22 office closed for Thanksgiving 29 Cabinet Christmas Party.

December 1 Northwest District Christmas Party (to be announced) 12/17/2018-1/2/2019 office will be closed (Year end reporting being done)

2019 January 3-25 Buddy's consultations with Northwest Ministers (to be set up) 28-Feb. 1 Winter Series.

February 1 SPRC and Minister reports due in to DS 11-15 Appointive Cabinet meeting 19 1:00 Nominations Meeting in Macon, Riverside UMC 23-28 General Conference, St. Louis

March 6-8 Appointive Cabinet Meeting 9 Delegation and Bishop Bryan report to pre-conference meeting Tifton, GA 11-15 Appointive Cabinet meeting 25-27 Appointive Cabinet Meeting Retreat 29-30 Jed Harris wedding St. Paul Buddy officiating

April 1-5 Appointive Cabinet 7 Release of appointments 15-21 Holy Week/Easter 28 Northwest District Conferences

May 22 Moving Pastors” workshop Riverside UMC 10:30-2:00 June 2-5 AC at Trade Center Columbus, GA

Registration is now open for Pathways 2018, to be held at Trinity UMC in Warner Robins, Saturday, August 25. Download the brochure for a list of workshops and gather a group from your church to "divide and conquer" the many great offerings. After the event, come together to learn from each other. You will find something for everyone to equip, encourage, and empower both clergy and laity in ministry! For questions, contact Allison Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com.

Winter ConferenceJanuary 29 - February 1, 2019

Epworth By The SeaJoin Bishops Sue Hampert-Johnson (North Georgia), Ken Carter (Florida), James Swanson (Mississippi) and Lawson Bryan (South Georgia) for Winter Conference 2019 at Epworth By The Sea. Dr. Tod Bolsinger, Vice President for Vocation and Formation and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Canoeing the Mountains, Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, will be the keynote speaker. Register Early. Further information about faculty, preachers, and curriculum will bear announced short.

Staff Parish Relations Committees Consultations With the District SuperintendentThe D.S. has set aside dates and times for consultations with the local church SPRCs during September and October. Local pastors have been or will be contacted by their Cluster Leaders to contact their SPRC Chair and choose a time that is convenient for the committee to meet with the D.S. The Cluster Leaders in turn will send their completed Cluster appointment lists to the district office.

Cluster 1, September 11 at Pierce Chapel UMC Cluster 5, October 2 at Americus 1st UMC Cluster 2, September 13 at Fort Valley UMC Cluster 6, October 4 at Cuthbert UMC Cluster 3, September 18 at Buena Vista UMC Cluster 7, October 10 at Upatoi UMC Cluster 4, September 20 at Vienna UMC Cluster 8, October 11 at South Columbus UMC August 2018 �6

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