News

2/10/2024

More than 30 laity and clergy from the North Georgia Conference joined hundreds of innovative and inspiring United Methodists from across the country at the first Fresh Expressions UM National Gathering this week. The event, held in North Carolina and sponsored by our UMC General Board of Discipleship, was organized to bring United Methodist leaders together to fellowship, learn together, be energized by fresh imagination and hope, and to curate the best practices from the field.  PHOTO ALBUM "...

11/7/2023

The Lighthouse Congregation movement is well underway in North Georgia!  To date 265 people have completed Lighthouse Congregation training in our Conference representing 65 congregations. And 11 of those congregations have officially completed the process and are now designated Lighthouse Churches! See a map, expanding each week, at https://www.ngumc.org/lighthousecongregationsmap.  Our Designated Lighthouse Congregations as of November 7, 2023 are: Liberty Hill UMC (NW) Dalton First UMC (NW)...

11/7/2023

Native American identity and experience is the focus of the Atlanta Airport Exhibit This week at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, our UMC General Board of Global Ministries (Global Ministries)  and Native American Comprehensive Plan celebrated the unveiling of "This Land Calls Us Home," an exhibit featuring the work of 26 contemporary Native American artists and designers. The November 6 event included representatives from the airport, the City of Atlanta Government, Global ...

9/21/2023

The Lighthouse Congregation movement is well underway in the North Georgia Conference! More than 100 people from 28 churches have gone through Lighthouse Training this summer and five more sessions are scheduled for the fall (and additional to come).  "Lighthouse Congregation" is a designation for churches devoted to Christian hospitality and the welcome and care of people who've been displaced from their church home by disruption, disaffiliation, or closure. Lighthouse Congregations will be ...

5/10/2023

On April 29, the North Georgia Committee on Native American Ministries hosted its annual Native American Gathering at the Pine Log UMC Campground. This year’s guest speaker was Rev Larry Jent, pastor at Grace Hartwood UMC in Hartwood, Virginia. Rev. Jent is a teacher, musician, storyteller, and Native American advocate.  The event included a message from recipients of the North Georgia United Methodist Native American Scholarship. This year's recipients were Samantha Kent who is graduating ...

3/20/2023

Pictured: Some “Joyristas,” friends of Java Joy and ESP (Extra Special People), in the SERVE ROME kitchen at Rome First UMC. They use the kitchen 7 days a week for Java Joy — a mobile coffee cart that goes all over Rome and Northwest Georgia! By Rebecca Wallace In 2020, the North Georgia Conference established the Barnes Evaluation and Administrative Team (BEAT) to oversee a new process to grant funds to churches for innovative mission and ministry. As of March, BEAT has granted nearly $3 ...

2/22/2023

VIEW PHOTO ALBUM This week a new journey began in the North Georgia Conference with The Harbor UMC, the Conference's first online-only new church start. An Ash Wednesday Service marked the beginning of a three-phase launch plan. "We are beginning by establishing an online presence," said Rev. Jessica Blackwood of the design team. "This phase is the equivalent of knocking on doors. We are letting people know who we are, what we’re about, how to contact us, and where to find us." The design ...

3/18/2021

Each year the Conference Nominations Committee identifies servant leaders to make up its Boards and Committees including the Conference Board of Trustees, Board of Church Development, Episcopacy Committee, Council on Finance and Administration, and more (see the list here). These committees are made up of faithful laity and clergy who volunteer their time for a season to serve our connection at the Conference level.  In 2021, a Quality Improvement Team thoroughly reviewed the nominations ...

2/2/2017

February is Black History Month and there are a number of stories and resources available from United Methodist Communications, Global Ministries, and Discipleship Ministries. Center Honors Black Methodists' History  The History of Black History Month  First United Methodist Church of Lewisville's Litany for MLK Day Global Ministries' Black History Month resources Worship Resources from the African American Lectionary Timeline: Methodism in Black and White  Black History Month Stories from ...

11/23/2015

Fun Fact About Jasmine Smothers:  Photography was one of my favorite hobbies in high school and college. I’m now trying to relearn the art of photography in an effort to lift up my heart, mind and soul to see what God would have me see in the world.  What services does your position offer to local Churches? My main priority is church consultation through leadership and visioning training. The most impactful and wide-reaching way we are doing this work is through the Next Faithful ...

10/20/2015

Fun Fact:  I love backpacking and hiking. What services does your position offer to local Churches? I’m responsible for the camp and retreat ministries in The North Georgia Conference. This includes Glisson Camp and Retreat Center, and our emerging ministries, Grow and Experiential Leadership Institute. Our task is partnering with churches to nurture faith and discipleship, and to develop Christian servant leaders. We offer summer and year-round programming and also host retreats year-round. ...

7/22/2015

  Fun Fact About Sybil Davidson I consider myself a good editor, but have made some typos on occasion. Once, as graphic designer at the Wesleyan Christian Advocate, I typed “Headline Goes Here” over a story by a respected South Georgia pastor. Unfortunately, I never got around to writing a real headline and that’s how it went to press. Another time, I wrote about someone’s “believed wife.” Thank goodness the “beloved wife” was gracious and kind. She got a laugh out of that mistake. ...

5/8/2015

What are the commonalities shared among our neighbors to the south in the Caribbean, Central and South America?  What is the responsibility and opportunity  of the church to people with disabilities?  What does it mean to be happy in the Lord? These questions will be explored at Mission u, the mission education event of the North Georgia Conference, which will be held July 17-18 at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church.  For those who can come a day early, an optional, hands-on mission ...

5/8/2015

Join the churches that have benefited from your gifts  The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church is announcing today that a special offering is planned for Sunday May 31, 2015. This offering is to be taken up at each local church that Sunday. Tell your congregation to place the donation in the offering plate with a note to designate it to the Peace with Justice Fund. Why should you give on this day?  Ask the following churches who have benefited by your gracious offering and ...

4/27/2015

Fun Fact about Ansley Brackin I was deemed an “old soul” in high school with the purchase of my first car, a 1966 Mustang. I enjoy finding and using analogue cameras, and I’m slowly growing my vinyl collection.   What services does your position offer to local Churches?  My biggest role is to write stories on the great things going on in our churches and ministries! People across the conference come up with some highly innovative ideas to better engage with their congregations and ...

4/27/2015

  “Something new and different happens here when we empower the world.” – Scott Parrish By Ansley Brackin Communications Specialist Rev. Scott Parrish, our North Georgia Conference Missions Specialists, wants everyone to know that mission trips are made up of more than just handy work. United Methodists across the world need conversation and comradery as much as they need able bodies who know their way around a hammer and nails. Each of our Conference’s seven international Bridge connections ...

3/20/2015

  Fun Facts About Scott Parrish He grows heirloom vegetables- “the old timey, non-hybrid, great tasting, but finicky items”. He enjoys eating local cuisine no matter where he is in the world, and occasionally cooks based on these interests.   What services does the Missions Specialist offer to local Churches? I am in a new position as a mission strategist as I serve North Georgia churches and work with the UMC’s Global Ministries. The emphasis in both capacities is to help congregations ...

2/23/2015

Fun Fact About Sam Halverson  I love to cook for my family and friends and love eating in local places almost as much. Many would call me a “coffee snob” (but only before 1 p.m.).   What services does your position offer to local Churches? As one of the Associate Directors of Connectional Ministries I serve as a resource for congregations. As a person who has had over 30 years of experience in leading youth ministry in local churches I focus most of my work on youth and young adult ...

1/13/2015

Fun Fact About Debby Fox I was a centerfold!  No, not that kind! A national magazine for teachers featured my class and me as their centerfold poster, “A Day in the Life of a Teacher.”  What services does your position offer to local Churches?   I am delighted to offer training, consulting and coaching to clergy and laity in local churches in the areas of Christian Education, faith formation, Children’s Ministry, Safe Sanctuaries, leadership and ministry program development. I can ...

1/5/2015

Is training leadership in your church on the agenda in 2015? Here are five great Connectional Cafe workshops to consider scheduling to get your year off to a great start. These are especially good options to plan in partnership with other churches in your community or in your district!    Starting and Sustaining Small Groups  Chairperson Bootcamp  Hospitality in the Church  Building Bridges in Mission - How to Get Started  Process Based Stewardship Planning  Find hundreds of workshops offered...