News

12/18/2024

By Suzanne Akins (Originally published at SGAUMC.org)    From its humble beginnings, the founders of Epworth By The Sea envisioned a place of spiritual renewal along the nearly 100 acres of the Frederica River on St. Simons Island. Epworth has since grown into a treasured conference, retreat, and vacation center in ways the founders could have never dreamed.   This October marked a milestone as Epworth celebrated 75 years as a Christian place for worship, study, and fellowship, welcoming ...

12/18/2024

Photo of Toco Hills Community Alliance food pantry, a grant recipient in partnership with Oak Grove UMC The North Georgia Housing and Homeless Council is excited to celebrate its 2024 grant recipients. These grants were awarded to churches of all sizes in communities across the North Georgia Conference that are finding meaningful ways to address poverty and homelessness. Linked below is the list of recipients, their grant amounts, and a summary of the impactful work these funds will enable. ...

12/18/2024

More than 1,000 intricately folded paper doves now soar through the sanctuary of Peachtree Road UMC in Atlanta. This breathtaking installation is the third location in the United States and the seventh location worldwide to present an origami dove installation of this scale.  The installation celebrates the centennial of Peachtree Road UMC and is free for all to experience from November 2024 to June 2025. Officially unveiled on Sunday, November 10, the doves have already enthralled congregants....

12/11/2024

Last week, an ERT team from the Northern Illinois, East Ohio, and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church responded to an ERT (Emergency Response Team) invitation from the South Georgia Conference. They were joined by retired East Ohio clergy couple who moved to Jasper, Georgia, in the North Georgia Conference and attended Jasper UMC, plus another member of the church.  Camp Tygart, a UMC camp in Ray City just outside Valdosta, housed the group. Rev. Steve Court from East Ohio and ...

12/10/2024

This fall the Office of Connectional Ministries invited lay leadership and conference clergy to share feedback via a survey. Hundreds of clergy and laity responded. The survey results reflect the thoughts of highly engaged churchgoers and clergy who care deeply about their local church and the wider conference.  "Conference leaders want to make sure we hear the laity and clergy and respond with resources," said Rev. Laurie Moeller, director of Connectional Ministries. "We have read every survey...

12/5/2024

PHOTO ALBUM By Sybil Davidson This week, a six-person Early Response Team (ERT) led by the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church is serving in Augusta, providing much-needed assistance following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Bishop Robin Dease and Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz traveled to Augusta Tuesday to welcome the team after their first work day.  The team, whose members are from as far away as Buffalo, New York and San Diego, California ...

12/4/2024

PHOTO ALBUM It’s fun to #BeUMC!  The North Georgia Conference 2024 fall retreat season wrapped up after four weekends of children’s, youth, and college retreats. More than 745 young people from 64 local churches participated! At the Faithology children’s retreat in September, our theme was all about rocks. The fun-loving group of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and their adult chaperones filled up the Glisson Chapel while we learned about rock stories in the Bible and how God is our firm ...

12/1/2024

Bishop Robin Dease has announced January full-time appointment changes in the North Georgia Conference. These appointments are effective January 1, 2025. Full-Time January 2025 Projected Appointment Announcements North East District Grace UMC Clarkesville and Cornelia UMC Randy Kanipe, Pastor in Charge St Paul UMC Summit Street Jeffrey O’Neal, Pastor in Charge Suwanee Worship Center UMC Tony Phillips, Pastor in Charge Allens UMC TBD South Central District  Lithonia First UMC Brenda Presha, ...

11/27/2024

This Advent season, the Boards of Laity of the South Georgia and North Georgia Conferences of The United Methodist Church have united in a unique and meaningful way to share the message of Christ: daily Advent devotionals around the theme, “Unity.”   J. Knapp and Kim Powell, Conference Lay Leaders for the South Georgia and North Georgia Conferences respectively, came up with the idea for a collaborative Advent devotional series earlier this Fall. In a year marked by challenges and division, they...

11/22/2024

PHOTO ALBUM   On Thursday, November 21, Bishop Robin Dease along with the cabinet and conference and district staff gathered to give thanks for and consecrate the new United Methodist Center.  In a short service in Wesley Hall led by Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz, staff shared stories of God at work and shared hopes and dreams for the ministry that flows through the United Methodist Center. Rev. Laurie Moeller led the consecration to bless and sanctify the space, praying for the work between the walls...

11/17/2024

New Global Ministries EarthKeepers will launch creation care projects in the U.S. Global Ministries will commission 67 new EarthKeepers in an online service on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. This service will affirm the EarthKeepers in their call to the ministry of creation care and bless their work in their communities. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/GlobalMinistries. Among them is Rev. Jacque Smith, associate pastor of Impact UMC in East Point. Her creation care project is a...

11/16/2024

Young Harris College is proud to announce that Dr. John W. Wells has been chosen to serve as its 24th President by a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees at its meeting on November 8, 2024. Dr. Wells succeeds President Drew Van Horn, who is retiring at the end of the fall semester. Dr. Wells previously served as Provost and Interim President of Young Harris from 2005 to 2009, during the College's transition from junior college to senior college. He most recently served as Provost and then ...

11/15/2024

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:35-37 NIV PHOTO ALBUM By Sybil Davidson This week an Early Response Team (ERT) from the Greater New Jersey and Eastern ...

11/14/2024

Updated November 14 How You Can Help "This historic disaster needs a historic response from our congregations," said Rev. Scott Parrish, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator.    Work Teams, Volunteers, and ERT Needed Scheduling Now UMCOR ERT, work teams, and individual volunteers are needed now in the greater Augusta area. To volunteer as an individual or to bring a team, please contact Rev. Scott Parrish at scott.parrish@ngumc.net.    UMCOR Relief Buckets and Kits Needed (Assemble and ...

11/12/2024

PHOTO ALBUM The Center for Clergy Excellence was thrilled to welcome provisional clergy and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to the new United Methodist Center on November 7 for the first Conference event in "Wesley Hall," the large meeting space that is one of the great assets of the center.  The annual "Fruitfulness in Ministry" Celebration is a time for provisional members to present their fruitfulness project, a part of their ordination requirements. The presentations offer the ...

11/8/2024

Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 27, 2024, leaving a large path of destruction across the south east. The impact of this natural disaster in the greater Augusta area was profound. At United Methodist-related Paine College, the damage to the grounds and facilities is estimated at $4 Million. Neither the insurance provider nor FEMA will cover 100% of the costs to restore the campus. There are repairs that must be addressed immediately or buildings will run the risk of further damage. ...

11/7/2024

  Dear friends, I must be honest that I have struggled this week to write something that I thought would be unifying. Then I realized that I along with the Council of Bishops need to speak as one. That has been our theme this week as we have gathered at Epworth By The Sea. I share our letter with you below. Bishop Robin Dease     A Pastoral Letter from the Council of Bishops on the US Elections “Now faith, hope, and love remain…and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 CEB   ...

11/5/2024

By Sybil Davidson United Methodist layperson Beth Abernathy had a simple but powerful idea earlier this year that has sparked a movement.   Kind30 is a framework that invites people to take part in intentional acts of kindness each day for 30 days. The program was months in the making but officially launched in October to align with World Mental Health Day October 10.    The idea started at Peachtree Road UMC when church member Diane Moffett spoke to Beth’s Sunday School class and referenced a ...

11/4/2024

As the Advent and Christmas season approaches, United Methodists have the opportunity to spread hope, peace, joy, and love to children, families, and caregivers in our communities.  Consider helping Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers fulfill Christmas wishes for vulnerable children, supporting Wellroot Family Services as they care for more than 1,000 youth and families, or lending a hand to The Nett UMC’s annual Toy Shop to bring a special holiday experience to families in Gwinnett County. Here's...

11/4/2024

This month, GCORR - the General Commission on Religion and Race, the UMC commission equipped to challenge and equip leaders towards greater racial equity - is recommending several resources in celebrating Native American Heritage Month. 11 Facts About Native People in Society and the Church (By Bishop David Wilson) Video: Ongoing Acts of Repentance with Indigenous People (By Rev. Chebon Kernell) Land Acknowledgement vs. Welcome by the Original People (By Ragghi Rain, Chairperson, Native ...