News

7/20/2015

By Ansley Brackin Communications Specialist Redemption UMC in College Park wanted to make a difference for the local children participating in their summer camp this year. However, they also made a difference in the lives of a youth group in Sarasota Florida. Redemption UMC has witnessed the needs of their young community. They see children growing up in housing projects, on reduced or free lunch during the school season. Rev. Robert Crawford always had big goals for the church’s summer camp....

7/16/2015

A number of North Georgia United Methodists traveled to Charleston, SC, as a ministry of presence on Friday, June 26, 2015, the day of the funeral of Rev. Clementa Pickney. Rev. Pickney was one of nine tragically killed at a prayer meeting at Emanuel AME, the church where he served as pastor. Jonathan Rikard Brown and Rev. Brian Tilllman, who suggested that a delegation from the North Georgia Conference make the trip, were among the first to commit to attending. Rev. Carol Snype Crawford and ...

7/13/2015

Ansley Brackin Communications Specialist Allie Bourgeois offers a new sense of worship through her free yoga class for cancer patients and care givers, offered at Madison First UMC. This particular yoga class focuses on relaxation, spiritual connection, as well as human touch. While working towards the master level for yoga instructors, Bourgeois took a class on leading yoga sessions for cancer patients, and it ignited a passion to provide the opportunity for patients in her home town of ...

7/9/2015

Murphy-Harpst provides emotional, spiritual and physical safe haven to Georgia’s most viciously abused children. Offering round-the-clock therapeutic care, Murphy-Harpst enables children to heal and recover so that they can re-engage with society and lead productive lives. For nearly a century, Murphy-Harpst has successfully treated thousands of children by building the environment necessary to reverse the cycle of a lifetime of cruelty and neglect. A ministry of the United Methodist Church, ...

6/29/2015

By Ansley Brackin Communications Specialist A pulse shifted across the room as Bishop Mike Watson delivered a tender and influential message, sharing the news of the tragic shooting in South Carolina at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. A heaviness was felt across the entire room, but there also began a strengthening in the United Methodist and Pan Methodist connection. Difficult decisions and voting duties continued in preparation for 2016’s General Conference, but discussions were covered by thick ...

6/29/2015

Every year our annual conference has the honor of selecting three individuals from within the conference who exhibit unusual and outstanding efforts for their work in Christian evangelism. Since 1981 the North Georgia conference has been presenting the Harry Denman Evangelism Award to help draw attention to evangelism at the local church level and honor persons who, in their daily lives, are effective in helping others to experience the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ. The Harry ...

6/23/2015

Cookie drive for U.S. military in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq Alpharetta First United Methodist sets goal of 4 tons for Operation Oreo   Alpharetta First United Methodist Church is collecting four tons of Oreo cookies to send to the U.S. armed forces members serving in the Middle East and is asking for the community’s help. The cookie drive is part of the church’s annual Operation Oreo, which provides service members with a taste of home. It’s a simple way to say thank you to those who stand in ...

6/10/2015

North Georgia United Methodists are invited to participate in LaGrange College Phillippines Mission Trip LaGrange College hosts annual a service trip to the Philippines. The college works closely with the Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation, Inc. (KKFI), a United Methodist related organization that works in outreach to the poorest communities in metro Manila. One target community are the 10,000 men, women, and children who live as squatters in the Manila North Cemetery. Another community is near ...

6/4/2015

The next Bridges trip to the Philippines is scheduled for November 22-30, 2015. This trip will take place over Thanksgiving break to allow for young adults, high school students and even families to travel. The approximate cost will be $1500-$2000 for airfare, lodging, food and ground transportation.  On this trip team members will serve alongside our Philippines Bridges partners in medical/community health, and in homeless ministries both in and beyond metropolitan Manila. All who are ...

6/2/2015

By Ansley Brackin Communications Specialist Flat Shoals UMC of Decatur is not a large church, but they are harvesting big dreams through their new GED Initiative. Its tagline: “Welcome to Success”. The church, led by Rev. Dr. Hubert Brown, held an open house for the congregation and community on Sunday, May 17th. The program, beginning its first semester on June 4th, aims to provide education for those in the county without a high school diploma, and for only $10 a person. “They need a larger...

5/28/2015

Volunteers assemble at First United Methodist Church of San Marcos. Photo by Rev. Todd Salmi The Rio Texas Conference has extended an invitation for trained ERT teams to deploy to areas affected by the flooding in Texas.  They are currently deploying teams in Wimberley and San Marcos but may have additional areas within the week.    Teams should register at http://riotexas.org/flood-updates. They will then be contacted by the Rio Texas Conference ERT team coordinator. They have churches that ...

5/21/2015

Generous Bequest Enables Congregations to Partner with Action Ministries   Leaders of Action Ministries have announced that, starting in June 2015, it will be offering its signature hunger relief, housing and education programs to the people of Newton County.     Thanks to the generous bequest of the late Mrs. Jean Davenport, a long-time Newton County resident who worked at Sears, Roebuck & Co. and later enjoyed a 35-year career at Life of Georgia insurance company, two congregations seeking to ...

5/15/2015

By Laura K. Wise Global Ministries This week, 13 people answered the called to serve as missionaries with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. Following three weeks of intensive training covering spiritual formation, cross-cultural awareness, team building, and conflict resolution, twelve of the thirteen new missionaries received a blessing as they prepared to live out their calling. Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., hosted the blessing service on ...

5/14/2015

Due West UMC hosted their second annual Food Truck Funday on their "green space", hosting five food trucks, a dessert vendor, and a band. The day also included inflatables and face painting for the children. After finding success with their annual picnic, Due West UMC decided two years ago to aim a little higher than the usual potluck style. This year, over a thousand people attended from around the neighborhood, including those driving by after their church service.  As the event continues to...

5/14/2015

Smart Lunch, Smart Kid will return to North Georgia on June 3! This summer thousands of volunteers will donate their time and money to make and deliver lunches to local children in need. The program is an excellent and meaningful way for volunteers to invest in the lives of families in their own communities. Whether your group, congregation or family can help weekly or just a few times this summer, there is a place for you!   Area coordinators have been announced. Churches and individuals can ...

5/12/2015

By Ansley Brackin Communications Specialist Rev. Beth Sanders of Second Avenue UMC in Rome noticed that the church parking lot was becoming popular with those avoiding traffic, turning around, or even eating their lunch. Instead of treating them as trespassers, the congregation installed a drive-up prayer box where visitors can write and submit their prayers. Being a church with a sense of humor, the pastor inaugurated the box with “A Wing & A Prayer” on Saturday, May 2, where passersby could ...

5/11/2015

Will you be part of a mission team this year? Emory University's Global Health Department Needs Research Participants The research team within the Global Health Department at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health are conducting a research study for international travelers, 18 years and older, who are traveling by plane or boat (cruise). The results of this study will be used to develop vaccine recommendations for international travelers.  The research team is working to recruit 538 ...

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 ...

5/7/2015

Bob Bruder-Mattson, president and CEO of The United Methodist Children’s Home, wrote the following open letter to faith communities during National Foster Care Month. Find more on National Foster Care Month at www.umchildrenshome.org/foster-care-month/. Right now, in your community, there are children who need your help. Georgia has more than 10,000 youth in its child welfare system and the number continues to grow. The shortage of foster homes results in children being separated from siblings ...

5/7/2015

The Athens-Elberton District will hold a 3-on-3 basketball tournament fundraiser for Imagine No Malaria on May 30 at Athens First UMC. Team from the District and beyond are invited to register for this fun day for a great cause. Players as young as fifth and sixth graders through adult teams will play in age and gender brackets. Register your team at http://athensfirstumc.org/nothingbutnets/. Details Date and Time: Saturday, May 30, 2015 8:00 a.m. Athens First United Methodist Church   ...