Dr. Rick Lanford, NCD Superintendent January 2019 Newsletter Bishop Lawson Bryan-Episcopal Leader P.O. Box 18169, Macon 31209 P.O. Box 7227, Macon 31209

Phone: 478-254-6023 Fax: 478-254-6230 Phone: 478-475-9286 Fax: 478-475-9248

Email: rick@sgaumc.com

The Covenant or Watch Night Service

The Covenant Service is most commonly held on New Year’s Eve or Day and therefore is sometimes called a Watch Night

Service. I invite you to participate in this prayer as we begin this New Year:

Let me be your servant, under your command. I will no longer be my own. I will give up myself to your will in all things. Lord, make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands: put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal.

Christ will be the Savior of none but his servants. He is the source of all salvation to those who obey. Christ will have no servants except by consent; Christ will not accept anything except full consent to all that he requires. Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing. Confirm this by a holy covenant. To make this covenant a reality in your life, listen to these admonitions:

First, set apart some time, more than once, to be spent alone before the Lord; in seeking earnestly God's special

assistance and gracious acceptance of you; in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant; in searching your hearts whether you have already freely given your life to Christ. Consider what your sins are. Consider the laws of Christ, how holy, strict, and spiritual they are, and whether you, after having carefully considered them, are willing to choose them all. Be sure you are clear in these matters, see that you do not lie to God.

Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.

Third, claim God's covenant, rely upon God's promise of giving grace and strength, so you can keep your promise. Trust not your own strength and power.

Fourth, resolve to be faithful. You have given to the Lord your hearts, you have opened your mouths to the Lord, and you have dedicated yourself to God. May God Bless you and your ministry as we are “Alive Together in the World”! Happy New Year, Rick

Dr. Rick Lanford

Riverside UMC, Wesley Glen Residents and Staff help tell the Christmas Story

Did you know that Wesley Glen residents are great actors too? On Friday, Dec. 7, Wesley Glen residents and staff helped Riverside United Methodist Church share the story of the birth of Jesus in the church's annual drive-through nativity.

DISTRICT MEETINGS

2018-2019

DATE: LOCATION: Dec. 19 – Jan 1 NCD Office Christmas Break

January Superintendent meets with SPRC Chairs/Committees

January 13, 2019 2:00 – 5:30 pm Connectional Ministries Leadership Training @ Pine Forest, Dublin

January 21 MLK, Jr. Birthday – Office Closed

Jan. 18th & 19th Lay Speaking Academy @ Centerville UMC

Jan. 29 – Feb. 1 Winter Conference @ Epworth By The Sea

February 6 10:00am-12:30pm Mentor Training @ Forest Hills UMC

February 11-15 Appointment Making Session #1

February 21 11:30am – 1:00 pm Leadership Team Meeting @ Riverside UMC

February 21 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sexual Ethics @ Pittman Park UMC – Statesboro, GA

Feb. 21 – Feb. 28 Special Session – General Conference

February 28 11:30am – 1:00 pm NCD Trustees Meeting @ The Methodist Home

March 6-8 Appointment Making Session #2

March 9 12:30-3:30 pm Bishop’s Day Apart with clergy & laity @ UGA Conference Center,

Tifton, GA

March 11-15 Appointment Making Session #3

March 15-17 Spouses Retreat @ Epworth By The Sea

March 18-22 Appointment Making Session #4

March 24 Wesley Glen Ministries Cherry Blossom Road Race

March 31 4:00-5:30 pm District Conference @ Sandersville UMC

April 1-5 Appointment Making Session #5

April 7 Anticipated release of appointments

April 8 8:30 – 10:00 am Clergy Women Breakfast w/Bishop @ The Methodist Home

April 9 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sexual Ethics @ Vineville UMC, Macon, GA

April 27 Wesley Glen Ministries Fish Fry

April 27 Disaster Academy

May 22 10:00am – 2:00 pm Moving Pastors Seminar @ Riverside UMC

June 2 – 5 Annual Conference – Columbus, GA

June 9 Lay Supply Sunday

June 12 Moving Day

June 24 5:00 pm District Set-Up Meeting @ The Methodist Home

June 25-27 Cabinet Summer Retreat

July 15-18 Pastor’s School @ Epworth By The Sea

July 21-24 North Central District Camp Meeting

NCD Missions Grant Highlight

The NCD Board of Missions provides over $100,000 of grant money to NCD churches and sponsored

ministries. This money comes from the district apportionments each church pays each month. This is one way

that we are a connectional church specifically across our district. Because of the combined resources from each

NCD church’s giving of district apportionments, many churches throughout our district receive help to carry out

various types of mission work in their local setting. Without this money, this would not be possible. Thank you

for your giving! Please share this with your churches.

November Grant Highlight: Crossroads Christian Counseling Center

Crossroads Christian Counseling Center is located in Macon, GA. The North Central District Board of Missions

awarded them a grant that will be added to their Benevolent Fund to be used to help clients who are unable to

pay for counseling.

Crossroads has a range of services for those seeking Christian Counseling. They provide counseling for

individuals, couples, families and groups. Additional services available include spiritual guidance, short-term

crisis intervention, play therapy for children, adolescent counseling, pre-marital, and marital counseling. This is

a great resource for pastors to have at their disposal in Middle Georgia.

Crossroads focuses on the wholeness of its clients. Assisting our members of the NCD to focus on their spiritual

and emotional wellbeing with such resources as Crossroads would not be possible without each church giving

their apportionments. Thank you for giving!

MISSION HIGHLIGHT

Did you know…

New Video Series to Explore UM Faith, Traditions

The Office of Connectional Ministries is in January launching an online video series that will explore the foundations of the Methodist faith and traditions.

The six-part series, called “Come to the Table,” will feature South Georgia clergy and laity teaching about topics such as Methodist history, grace, works of mercy, works of piety, and more. Read more

Connectional Ministries Launches Leadership Tour

The Office of Connectional Ministries will in January launch a leadership tour aimed at equipping and empowering local church leaders.

The 2019 Leadership Tour, which kicks off Sunday, Jan. 6 at Americus First UMC, will offer practical teaching and resources to inspire and help local church leaders lead with confidence. Similar to the Pathways training event, participants will choose two paths, or classes, to take to enrich their ministry. This free event is sponsored by the Office of Connectional Ministries.

The other three stops on the leadership tour will be in Dublin, Tifton, and Springfield. Click here for more information. Download a flyer to promote this event in your local church.

Updated History of the South Georgia Conference Book Now Available

Anne Packard, curator of the Moore Methodist Museum, recently presented Bishop R. Lawson Bryan with a copy of "History of the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church: 1866 - 2018." The book is an updated history of the conference compiled by Packard and historians from each local South Georgia church.

Click here for ordering information, or call 912-638-4050 with questions or to order by phone.

Annual Conference 2019: Hotel room blocks now open

We are busy preparing for the 2019 Annual Conference Session, which will be held at The Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center set for June 2-5, 2019.

Last year, Bishop Bryan led us in celebrating all the ways we are “Alive Together in Worship.” We also prepared for a year-long emphasis on being “Alive Together in the World” and will continue that celebration at the 2019 Annual Conference Session. I pray that you are finding many ways to reach out to the world in word and deed as you share the gospel of Jesus Christ through your witness and your work.

Our host District Superintendent, Dr. Buddy Cooper, the Local Arrangements Coordinator, Dr. James Crosse, and the area

volunteers are already planning for our time in Columbus.

Hotel room blocks are now open. Valley Hospitality in Columbus has secured over 600 rooms for our event. All of the hotels on the list will be providing shuttle service to the Convention & Trade Center. Rooms must be booked by May 1 to receive the discounted price.

Valley Hospitality has created a website just for South Georgia Conference United Methodists to make booking your hotel easy and streamlined. For those who prefer to make reservations over the phone, they have provided the phone number for each hotel on the website. Click here to view the list of hotels. Read more

Conference to Offer Certified Lay Minister Training

“The Certified Lay Minister program is designed to offer anyone who wants to be a stronger leader in their

church a good foundation,” said Dr. Nita Crump, Director of Connectional Ministries. “We encourage

everyone who is assigned to a church as Lay Supply to participate in this program, and we also encourage all

other church leaders to consider it.” Participating in the CLM program will make any lay person a stronger

leader in their church, she said.

During the training, which runs October 13, 2018 through March 3, 2019, participants will develop a team of

leaders and supporters within their current congregation who will encourage them throughout the course and

beyond. Through the 11 classes, held at The Chapel’s Brunswick campus, they’ll build relationships with other

South Georgia lay leaders and learn, practice, implement, share, and be inspired to take what they’ve learned

and put it into action.

The cost for the class is $300 per person, which includes lunch, snacks, books, and supplies for the entire

course. Scholarship opportunities are available

Contact Dr. Nita Crump at nita@sgaumc.com for more information

Campus Crawl: A United Methodist College Tour for High School Students

Campus Crawl is a bus tour designed to introduce 9th through 12th grade students to United Methodist campus ministries featuring our Georgia United Methodist Colleges and Universities.

In one weekend, February 28 - March 3, 2019, high school students will meet representatives from our United Methodist Colleges and Universities in Georgia as well as meet several Wesley Foundations on public university campuses. Stops on this year's tour include: Oxford College, Young Harris College, Reinhardt University, Kennesaw State Wesley, Clark Atlanta, Georgia Tech Wesley, Emory University, LaGrange College, Andrew College, Wesleyan College, Mercer University Wesley, Augusta Wesley, Paine College, UGA Wesley, and more (subject to change)!

The cost of $75 per student includes a tour bus, meals, lodging, and a t-shirt.

Click here to reserve your seat on the bus

For more information, contact Suzanne Akins at the Office of Connectional Ministries at suzanne@sgaumc.com or (912) 638-8626 ext.107. j

Pastors Due for Sexual Ethics by Annual Conference 2019

North Central District

Grant Abernathy Jerry Akin Jimmy Asbell Stan Ballew

Michael Bland Jon Brown Nick Campbell Grady Carter

Kevin Clotfelter Leland Collins Jim Cowart Judd Drake

Grace Guyton Greg Harrison Nick Hazelton Craig Hutto

Michael Jones Tommy Martin Michael McCord Bill Neely

Barbara Nelson Keith Smith Brandon Tolle Wes Webb

For all disaster response related information, including ERT protocols and cleaning

bucket drop-off locations, visit

www.sgaumc.org/disasterresponse.

Disaster Response Update

Hurricane season is not yet over, and we are closely watching a vigorous tropical wave in the western tropical Atlantic Ocean. Stay tuned to the Conference's disaster response page for up-to-date information.

There are continuing needs in southwest Georgia as we transition from relief work into the next stage, recovery, and look toward long-term recovery. The United Methodist Church is committed to being in the affected communities for the long haul.

Ed Haggerty, a lay person from Avalon UMC, is serving as UMCOR's representative in Albany and also as the financial chair of Albany Relief and Recovery, which will serve Albany and surrounding areas in this next phase of response.

Other impacted communities are currently organizing to respond to recovery needs. We will be looking for case managers to work in several areas across the South Georgia Conference and plans are being made to host a case manager training for the southwest Georgia areas. If you or someone you know would be interested in Disaster Response Case Management work, please contact Allison Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com.

Needs right now: Clean-up teams - Register your team here Financial giving - Click here for ways to give

DATES TO REMEMBER

January 29-Feb. 1, 2019 Winter Conference

Join Bishops Sue Haupert-Johnson (North Georgia), Ken Carter (Florida), James Swanson (Mississippi)

and Lawson Bryan (South Georgia) for Winter Conference 2019. Dr. Todd Bolsinger, VP 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 as we believe demand will be high. Further information about faculty, preachers and

curriculum will be announced shortly.

Winter Conference Schedule

Biographies

**Winter Conference Housing is NOW FULL. You may register as a commuter at the link below.**

Commuter Registration Only

February 8-10, 2019 Marriage Enrichment Retreat

Manage the mess so you can release the passion and Enjoy the Adventure.

Agenda

General Housing Registration Commuters

February 16-18, 2019 The 4th Annual St. Simons Island Storytelling Festival

Learn More

March 1-3, 2019 Join the Journey (17th Annual So. GA Conference Confirmation Retreat)

Designed for students in the fifth grade and above, the “Join the Journey” Confirmation Retreat will

provide churches of all sizes an opportunity to connect with others through worship, study, and

fellowship. The event will also 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 Holy

Clubs throughout the weekend.

Not meant to be the only confirmation youth go through, the Confirmation Retreat should be

complementary to what a church is or will be doing.

For more information, please contact Event Coordinator Suzanne Akins at suzanne@sgaumc.com or

912-638-8626 ext. 107.

Registration Information and Schedule:

2018 Conference Journal Ready for Orders and Download

Journal includes conference business, directories, reports, appointments, and statistical tablesError! Filename not specified.

The 2018 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 2018 Journal of the South Georgia Annual Conference.*

The Journal is also available as a free PDF download at www.sgaumc.org/conferencejournal. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download the file(s). The ability to download just the sections needed is also available. Read more

Lake Junaluska to offer Marriage Enrichment Retreats

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Beginning this fall, Lake Junaluska will offer three-day marriage enrichment retreats.

The faith-based retreats will teach couples how to forge stronger relationships through meaningful conversation. Ned Martin, an expert in marriage counseling, will lead the retreats.

“There is real value in taking time, going on retreat, having no distractions and being able to focus solely on that person to whom you’ve committed your life,” said Martin, who has both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Counseling. “You can open up to them and receive them in a way that’s so hard to do in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life.”

By using emotionally focused therapy for couples, Martin will explain the psychology of successful relationships and guide couples through a series of conversations designed to help them connect.

According to Martin, not only will couples experiencing marital stress learn from the retreats, but couples who are stable but seeking to strengthen their bond will also benefit.

Currently, four different sessions are available, starting in September 2018 with the last scheduled retreat in September 2019. Couples will receive lodging, meals, counseling sessions and plenty of peace and quiet to reconnect with each, surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains at Lake Junaluska.

“Our setting provides a perfect place to step away from the busy-ness of life and focus on strengthening relationships with loved ones,” said Mitzi Johnson, Lake Junaluska director of programming. “Our staff take care of all the little things so that couples can spend their energy learning to communicate well.”

Pricing for each couple combined is $699, including two nights of lodging, access to Lake Junaluska recreation and five meals. Registration and more information is available at www.lakejunaluska.com/marriage or by calling 800-222-4930.

Lake Junaluska is a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. For more information about Lake Junaluska programs and events, visit www.lakejunaluska.com.

Retreat Dates

- September 30 - October 2, 2018 March 10-12, 2019 August 18-20, 2019 September 29-Oct. 1, 2019

Learn More:

Registration Now Open for Winter Youth Retreats at Lake Junaluska

Winter Youth Retreats at Lake Junaluska Come to a youth group retreat at Lake Junaluska this winter for adventure, spiritual growth and worship in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Energized worship with great bands is built into every program weekend, and groups can choose to ski, do a mission project or participate in other activities during the day. Find more information at www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth.

Dates: December 29 – January 1 New Year’s Weekend: Andy Lambert (Speaker) & Jimmy Atkins (Worship

Band)

January 18-21 Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend: Lowell McNaney (Speaker), The Advice (Worship

Band)

January 25-27: Charlie Conder (Speaker) and The Advice (Worship Band)

February 8-10: Stephanie Hand (Speaker) and Zachariah Suggs (Worship Band)

February 15-18: Presidents Day Weekend: Mark Oestreicher (Speaker) and Cameron Moore

(Worship Band)

Speakers and bands from across the Southeast will explore the theme in their messages. Mark Oestreicher, author and contributor to more than 60 books including “Youth Ministry 3.0,” will speak during the Presidents Day event. Oestreicher, who launched the Youth Cartel in 2010, provides coaching and consulting to adults who minister to youth. He worked for Youth Specialties for 11 years and for eight of those years he served as president. Lowell McNaney, the founding pastor of Crossroads Church in Concord, North Carolina and recipient of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award debuts at Lake Junaluska Youth Retreats in January. Returning speakers and bands include Andy Lambert, Jimmy Atkins, Charlie Conder, The Advice and Stephanie Hand. The three-night events over New Year’s Eve weekend, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and Presidents Day weekend include special entertainment such as comedian John Felts and illusionist Joshua Lozoff. Two night events begin at just $186/person and three-night events start at $249/person. More information about speakers, bands and entertainers is available online at www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth. Groups that register before October 30 will receive free sling bags for their youth groups. To register, call 800-222-4930 or visit www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth. Groups are also welcome to come to Lake Junaluska for a ski package, which includes lodging at Lake Junaluska and skiing at Cataloochee or Wolf Ridge Ski Area. For more information about ski packages, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/ski-groups.

JANUARY

2 Glenda Dominey 3 Marcus Tripp 2 Rick & Kim Lanford 7 Emmie Johnson 7 Tommy Martin 3 Kirk & Robin Hagan 8 Gary Starrett 15 Michael Bland 5 Josh & Brittany Gale 15 Merle Collins 15 Sam Collins 11 Loran & Leta Smith 16 Teresa Edwards 18 Steve Rumford 13 Paul & Linda Elder 21 Jere Cater 21 Billy Wicker 16 Bob & Judy Herrington 24 Billie Parrish 24 Rozelle Rumford 24 Stan & Suzanne Ballew 24 Debbie Wallace 24 Joe Dunagan 25 Ron & Cheryl Dixon 25 Frank Harris 27 Sharon Wolfe 30 John & Lynn Mitchell 28 Joan Stevens 29 Elisha Plaxico 30 Julieta Medina 31 Susan Bagwell

Children’s Birthdays

Grayson Gale Josh & Brittany Gale January 2

Caleb Middleton Jared & Robin Middleton January 6

Joshua Asbell Jimmy & Vanda Asbell January 7

Sarah Wood David & Hope Wood January 19

Justin Jones Michael & Wendy Jones January 22

Mr. Jere Cater, husband of Rev. Nancylee Cater (Warner Robins First)

recovering from multiple surgeries.

Rev. Jackie Thomas (Assoc. Pastor Trinity UMC – Warner Robins, GA)

diagnosed with lung cancer. She is facing possible surgery in the near future.

Mrs. Vanda Asbell, wife of Dr. Jimmy Asbell, Jr. after the loss of her grandmother on December 12,

2018.

EVANGELISM REPORT November 2018

CHURCH

NAME BEGINNING

MEMBERSHIP AVG.

COMBINED ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS ADDED

MEMBERS REMOVED

AVG. SMALL GROUP

ATTENDANCE ABBEVILLE 141 32 0 0 18 LIBERTY HILL 20 16 0 0 10 ALLENTOWN 64 23 0 0 13 DANVILLE 5 7 0 0 5 WESLEY CHAPEL 67 23 0 0 13 ANDREW 239 71 0 2 70 BETHEL LINTON PLEASANT GROVE

BONAIRE 495 291 0 2 201 BREWTON 17 28 0 0 5 BOILING SPRINGS

48 30 0 0 42 LOVETT 14 29 0 0 0 THOMAS CHAPEL 6 25 0 0 0 BUCKHORN 187 109 5 0 86 CARTER’S CHAPEL

5 7 0 0 0 CENTENARY 301 241 0 1 54 CENTERVILLE 318 148 0 5 11 BENEVOLENCE 4 8 0 0 8 OAK GROVE 29 15 0 0 0 CHRIST 284 115 2 0 53 COCHRAN FIRST 238 75 0 0 14 LONGSTREET 11 11 0 1 7 CORINTH 85 44 0 0 21 CROSSROADS 322 169 4 0 125 DAVISBORO NEW HOPE DEEPSTEP DEXTER

DUBLIN FIRST 984 216 0 0 130 DUDLEY 75 44 0 0 8 EASTMAN FIRST 356 125 0 0 86 ELKO 5 17 0 0 0 SNOW 29 18 0 0 8 GROVANIA 13 26 0 0 0 EVERGREEN 89 26 0 0 20 FOREST HILLS 766 536 5 0 338 GETHSEMANE GORDON 201 78 0 1 34 GRACE CORNER 80 77 0 0 40

CHURCH NAME

BEGINNING MEMBERSHIP

AVG. COMBINED

ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS ADDED

MEMBERS REMOVED

AVG. SMALL GROUP

ATTENDANCE GRAY 881 319 0 3 300 CLINTON 152 50 0 1 8 HADDOCK 35 16 0 1 0 SUNSHINE 71 41 0 0 15 HARVEST 987 1928 4 0 1173 HAWKINSVILLE FIRST

360 114 `0 1 263 HERITAGE AT HOUSTON

94 77 0 0 25 HERITAGE 357 60 0 0 61 BASS 34 7 0 0 4 HOWARD CHAPEL

143 61 0 0 11 IRWINTON-TOOMSBORO

55 19 0 0 4 SALEM 12 11 0 0 0 JEFFERSONVILLE ASBURY JOYCLIFF 56 30 0 0 8 SMITH CHAPEL 26 24 0 0 12 LAUREL BRANCH LIBERTY 492 168 0 0 155 LIZELLA 303 117 0 1 75 MARTHA BOWMAN

929 369 2 3 44 MONTROSE 9 9 0 0 0 MOORE’S CHAPEL 12 6 5 0 5 BETHEL 36 18 0 0 17 MULBERRY STREET

1237 250 0 1 100 NUEVA VIDA NORTHVIEW 65 20 0 0 12 PARK MEMORIAL 97 39 0 0 14

PERRY 1449 327 0 1 208 PINE FOREST 813 263 3 1 365 PINE HILL 60 22 0 1 11 PINEY MOUNT 174 58 0 0 34 PITTS CHAPEL RIVERSIDE 452 163 4 1 232 ROCHELLE 70 24 0 0 15 PITTS ROCKLEDGE 32 15 0 0 4 MIDWAY ROGERS 57 20 0 0 10 SANDERSVILLE 436 160 0 0 95 SHURLINGTON 37 23 0 0 30 SWIFT CREEK TABERNACLE TENNILLE TRINITY LUCY CHAPEL 17 5 0 0 0

CHURCH NAME

BEGINNING MEMBERSHIP

AVG. COMBINED

ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS ADDED

MEMBERS REMOVED

AVG. SMALL GROUP

ATTENDANCE PROSPECT 50 28 0 0 8 VINEVILLE 1281 453 0 9 722 WARNER ROBINS FIRST

654 248 1 0 167 WESLEY 232 100 0 1 81 ARLINE-BETHEL MAPLE SPRINGS WESLEY CHAPEL PINEY MOUNT WRIGHTSVILLE FIRST

133 69 0 0 29