News

2/20/2018

(Photo collage courtesy of Wesley UMC, Augusta)  We checked in with our partners in Lumberton, NC, where work is still underway from Hurricane Matthew. Since late 2016 a number of North Georgia Conference teams, including Conference staff, cabinet members, and Bishop Sue, have traveled to this community that greatly needs our help. "Wesley UMC from Augusta is here again being led by team leader Dan Armstrong," said Ann Wade, site manager for the North Carolina Conference in Lumberton. "They ...

1/16/2018

Rev. Scott Parrish shares the following important mission updates for your church. From preparation to training to dreaming, these are timely topics to be sure your congregation considers.  Church of Excellence Church of Excellence offers any size church, with any level of mission experience, a guide to create a strong United Methodist-approach to mission for their congregation. Find the criteria, with an accompanying link with more details, at https://www.ngumc.org/churchofexcellenceinoutreach....

1/4/2018

As our neighbors near and far recover from a particularly destructive hurricane season, we in North Georgia can prepare to help now and into the future by getting trained and badged as UMCOR Early Response Teams and Spiritual and Emotional Care team members.  The North Georgia Conference will offer a slate of UMCOR ERT and Spiritual and Emotional Care trainings between Jan. 20 and March 10 in locations across the Conference. Each training will be held from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Additional ...

11/16/2017

Praying over UMCOR relief supplies bound for Puerto Rico From Rev. Scott Parrish UMCOR staff, consultants, and the disaster response coordinators from annual conferences across the United States gathered at the Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana this week. It was a time to hear updates on the numerous natural disasters ranging from hurricanes to fires that occured over the last year. The group also participated in continuing education and strategizing as evaluate the past year and plan ...

11/13/2017

North Georgia United Methodists have shown an abundance of generosity in response to this fall's hurricanes and tropical storms. Combined September and October giving to UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) through the North Georgia Conference totals $691,263.45. In September $346,812 was given to UMCOR through the North Georgia Conference. The total given in October was $344,450.62. That's not including the gifts sent from North Georgia United Methodists to UMCOR directly.  In ...

10/11/2017

North Georgia has received requests for ERTs (Early Response Teams) and mission teams from Annual Conferences affected by recent storms. Coastal communities in Texas, Florida, and South Georgia can all use our help, as can communities affected by Hurricane Matthew last year. Remember that when you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer as a mission team, each requesting Annual Conference controls the process and coordinates the United Methodist response.   Want to Serve in Florida? We ...

10/5/2017

Photo: Volunteers from Headland Heights UMC and Roswell UMC are among the first to drop off at the Conference Disaster Response Warehouse at Impact. Today marks the launch of an exciting partnership between Impact UMC in East Point, the North Georgia Conference, and UMCOR, as Impact has made available its warehouse space to enable North Georgia churches to better respond in disaster. North Georgia United Methodists have shown an abundance of generosity in response to this season's hurricanes ...

9/28/2017

Photo: Mount Pisgah UMC ERTs at work recently in the South Georgia Conference.  With a class of 34 newly trained UMCOR Early Response Team members, the North Georgia Conference grows its number of badged ERTs to 108.  ERTs fill a specific need in the days soon after a natural disaster. ERTs remove debris, clean out flood-damaged homes, listen to survivors and otherwise help to prevent further property damage while providing a caring Christian presence. ERT volunteers are different from general...

9/20/2017

Many United Methodists across North Georgia have been inspired to delve deeper into disaster response ministry as neighbors to the west, south, and east have experienced devastation. We checked in with Disaster Response ministry pros and asked what should we do (and what should we not do) to be most helpful.  What To Do To Do: Contact your local Red Cross and the local emergency management for your county or region. Ask how your church members or your church facility can be a resource or ...

9/18/2017

Photo: Stained glass from Trinity on the Hill UMC, Augusta, which served as a Red Cross shelter for Hurricane Irma evacuees.   Updated September 21 Our Conference Disaster Response Team is working with the Red Cross, GEMA, FEMA, our neighboring Annual Conferences, other faith partners and non-profits following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to ensure our efforts are coordinated and effective. In our Conference, two North Georgia Conference church buildings had tree damage and one church ...

9/10/2017

We are praying for our neighbors as Hurricane Irma comes on shore in South Florida. Bishop Ken Carter has been updating his conference on preparations that are underway and plans in place. Read on to see how the Florida Annual Conference is serving even as it faces the storm.  9/6 (Wednesday) The Florida Conference has strong teams and clear processes in place as we anticipate the coming of Hurricane Irma. A call center will be functional and superintendents have plans of action for their ...

9/8/2017

With some areas of North Georgia anticipating severe weather as Hurricane Irma comes inland, it's a good time to familiarize yourself with protocols for what to do when disaster strikes your church building or church property. The pastor and trustee chair each have calls to make.  Immediately following a disaster, the pastor of a local church inspects damage to any/all church property and makes phone calls to (1) the District Superintendent and (2) the Trustee Chair for their local church.  ...

9/7/2017

  “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home."   As Hurricane Irma churns toward my home state of Florida, I find myself praying on several fronts, and I invite you to join me in prayer:   I pray for our brothers and sisters in the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos, Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Tortola and the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, and the ...

9/7/2017

Updated September 8, 3 p.m. NOTE: We have received requests for badged ERT Teams in Texas and Louisiana. Currently certified UMCOR Emergency Response Team members can find details under "ERT Teams" below.  Over the past week the people of the North Georgia Conference have rallied to the aid of our neighbors hit by Hurricane Harvey. They continue even as they begin preparation to give aid to those impacted by Hurricane Irma. Humble servants are volunteering many hours to coordinate our ...

8/31/2017

North Georgia United Methodists have access to a free resources for coping after a storm or flooding. Wespath has offered the services of Optum, the Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) provider for HealthFlex. Optum has put together resources for natural disasters and makes them available to our Annual Conferences free of charge. You do not need to be covered by HealthFlex to use these services. Optum is also offering a free emotional support help line for people impacted by Hurricane Irma. This...

8/29/2017

As we get Disaster Response questions we'll run them past our Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Rev. Scott Parrish. Here's a good one! Question: With so many response organizations out there, why give to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)? Answer: United Methodist churches, through what we once called One Great Hour of Sharing and now call UMCOR Sunday, plus undesignated gifts to UMCOR, provide the funding for UMCOR's slim staff and administrative overhead. That allows 100% ...

7/21/2017

Here’s an opportunity for office volunteers that could be fun for individuals or “friend groups” of 2 or 3 people from a church. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED UMCOR is seeking willing volunteers to help make badges for dedicated early response team members and others who respond to humanitarian need following disasters. An UMCOR badge reassures survivors and officials alike of the wearer’s connection to UMCOR and the people of the United Methodist Church. Volunteers for badge-making will receive training,...

1/23/2017

Zoar UMC in Baxley sustained major damage to their sanctuary during Saturday night's storms. Photo: SGAUMC As our neighbors in South Georgia begin the recovery process following the weekend's deadly storms, North Georgia United Methodists are encouraged to hold the affected communities in prayer. To donate to local disaster response efforts, please use Fund Number 3743. UMCOR Early Response Teams and interested individuals should contact Luis Morales, South Georgia Conference Disaster ...

12/8/2016

North Georgia's bishop recently traveled to disaster response sites in South Carolina and North Carolina to visit with residents, talk with Conference leaders, and to offer a hand from our Annual Conference to theirs.  She spent time in both Nichols, SC, and Lumberton, NC -- two of the towns where Hurricane Matthew's landfall in October caused the most destruction. Flooding wasn't predicted in either location and the damage was unexpected, devastating, and wide-spread. In Nichols, 85 percent ...

10/21/2016

Updated November 1 There are a staggering number of Disaster Response and mission team needs between the recent Hurricane Matthew impact and all the disasters of the last year. Because we in North Georgia are uniquely positioned and mostly unaffected by the disasters, we can make big a difference in our neighbor's recovery -- particularly in the 6 weeks to 6 months. Please consider giving, going, and praying.  If your team is deployed, please share your plans with the North Georgia Conference ...