Mini-Job Fair planned at Roswell UMC

     A 50-minute Mini-Job Fair will meet on June 11 at Roswell UMC. For more information, contact Katherine Simons at lovingyourneighbor@gmail.com. The meeting will be sponsored by the Roswell Rotary Club. Visit www.rumcjobnetworking.com for the complete program. 

     The Rev. Dr. Davis Chappell, senior pastor of First UMC in Lawrenceville, is the featured preacher June 10 and 17 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally syndicated radio program also accessible online at www.Day1.org.

     Chappell earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology at Martin Methodist College and Lambuth University in Tennessee, and a master of divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Recently he completed a doctorate in the areas of evangelism and church renewal at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Tex.

    The pastor has served churches in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church for the past 29 years, and has been at Lawrenceville First since 2001.

      Chappell’s message for June 10, based on Acts 15:1-31, is entitled “A Good Church Fight.” “I love a good church fight,” he said. “Church fights are not always bad. It depends on what you’re fighting for…. Sometimes a good dispute properly addressed can lead to new insight and understanding.”

      His sermon for June 17, “Street Preaching,” is based on Acts 17:16-34. “You can’t catch fish unless you go where the fish are,” he says. “So Paul went to the Agora [in Athens], the gathering place, the hub, the place where people assembled…. Paul has to find a bridge, a cultural connection whereby he can begin to teach biblical truth. Though he is irked by their idolatry, he actually uses their idolatry as a point of contact.”

     For more information, call toll free 888-411-Day-1 or check the program’s Web site, http://day1.org.

 Urgent need for foster families

     On any given day in Georgia, more than 7,000 children are in foster care.  Last year, more than 13,000 children moved through the foster care system in Georgia and each week the Children's Home turns away children who need a safe place to stay because of a lack of foster family homes. 

     More and more children are entering the foster care system in Georgia every day, and the need is great. These children are escaping abusive or neglectful situations and need a safe place to stay while their future is determined. Could your home be that safe place for children who are hurting and vulnerable?

     If you are interested in becoming a foster family, you are invited to an informational meeting, held at different locations on the first Monday and Tuesday nights of each month at 7 p.m.  To find out locations and RSVP, contact Denise Peacock at 404-327-5864. Gainesville area residents can get more information about becoming foster parents by contacting cgaudinier@umcchildrenshome.org.

 Seeking travelers to Russian, Portugal

      Bridges, the North Georgia Conference mission partnership emphasis, offers two mission exploration opportunities.  The first trip is planned to Moscow Sept. 24-Oct. 1. The second opportunity will take travelers from Atlanta to Lisbon and Porta Oct. 10-16 to establish a mission partnership between the North Georgia Conference and the Methodist churches of Portugal.  The cost of each trip is approximately $2,000. Space is limited.  

     For more information, contact Mike Selleck at 678-533-1442.   

 Boynton UMC: Honored for partnership

     The Ringgold has been named Catoosa County Schools Church/Civic "Partner of the Year" for 2011-2012. The church has long been a partner with its neighboring elementary school and added two middle schools and two high schools this year. The church is ready whenever a need arises, providing everything from peppermints and cough drops for school nurses to financial resources for grants and projects.

     "The thing that excited me was they said we are always just a phone call away," said Rev. Brett DeHart. "My new goal is that we will be in the schools so much that they won't even have to use the phone anymore!"

 Rev. Tribble honored at Reinhardt ceremony

     The late Rev. Willie Mack Tribble, Jr., was honored at Reinhardt University's recent Talon Awards Gala with an Honoree Award in his memory. The Reverend Dr. James Mooneyhan “66, elected to Reinhardt's Board of Trustees in 1992, recommended that Reinhardt's Ministerial Association create a Ministerial Honoree Scholarship Program. The Honoree Award recipients are identified by a selection committee as those persons whom they wish to honor and lift up to their students, faculty and staff - persons whose character epitomizes the “core values” taught at Reinhardt. These awards were presented by Mooneyhan, pastor of Tuckston United Methodist Church.

 Cumming FUMC: Special needs support

        The Cumming church has teamed up with First Redeemer Church to offer a monthly event/support group for special needs adults. Called the Loving Hearts Ministry, this group is for adults with special needs (age 18-55), their families and caregivers. The next event, an afternoon picnic, is scheduled for June XX. Sunday school classes will be offered in the fall. For more information, contact Rev. Kathie Stasko, 770-887-2900 ext. 212 or e-mail  kstasko@cfumcga.com

 Winters Chapel UMC: Parish Life, G.E.M., Connections 18:20

     The Doraville church is holding a 9-11 am. meeting May 19 for all members of Parish Life, and anyone interested in Growing Effective Ministries (G.E.M.), a small membership church initiative, and Connections 18:20, a support group for children and youth workers. The church is at 5105 Winters Chapel Rd., Doraville 30360. For more information, contact Jeaninne Singleton at jroysingleton@hotmail.com

 Bethlehem First UMC: Taking car donations

     The church’s GO Team (Global Outreach) and M. I. A. (Mechanics in Action Ministry) are looking for donated vehicles to be refurbished and given to worthy recipients.  All donations are tax deductible. Please direct all inquires to Stephen Smith at 678-227-3318. Bethlehem FUMC is located in Bethlehem at 709 Christmas Ave. (Hwy. 11).  770-867-3727. www.bigwhitecurch.com.

 June retreat planned for Hinton Center

     “Pathways through Loss” featuring the Rev. Harold (Hal) W. Bruen is set for June 8-10 at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, N.C.  The retreat is open to pastors, laity, or anyone who would like to study the experience of loss. For more information, visitwww.hintoncenter.org.

 Georgia Preachers Golf Association Tournament

      The Golf Tournament is planned for Aug. 27-29 at Callaway Gardens.  For more information, call the Rev. Don Martin, senior pastor at Alpharetta First UMC, at 770-475-4476.

 Beyond These Walls mission conference Oct. 11-13

      Looking for means to transform your congregation and equip them for effective, life-transforming ministry? Moving people from self-centered to Christ-centered is often the result of an effective missions program and this is the purpose of the Beyond These Walls 2012 Mission Conference, Oct 11-13 in Powder Springs. “Best of the best” missions teaching and training will help you and your leadership mobilize, revitalize, and equip your congregation so that they can fulfill their divine calling – making disciples of all the nations.

     Keynote speakers will be Dr. Mark Beeson, Founding Pastor at Granger Community Church (5,500 attending congregation in Indiana), and Dr. Reggie McNeal, author and Missional Leadership Specialist for Leadership Network of Dallas, Texas. As before, you will have the opportunity to tailor your learning time by selecting for multiple workshops. The growing list of offerings, along with other conference details, can be found at www.missionconference.org. Registration opens June 1.

     Attendees requiring overnight accommodations should contact the Holiday Inn & Suites-Austell, 770 349-8000. Be sure to identify yourself as being with BTW.

      Ebenezer UMC has partnered with an area Girl Scout troop in order to start their annual cookie drive.  The EUMC cookie drive is a unique way of taking the church out of the pews and into the streets.  This evangelism project is one of the many ways the church plans to keep itself as a vital congregation.

     “It seemed like a perfect match.  I mean, who doesn’t love Girl Scout cookies?  We were looking for a fresh approach to evangelism, and this way, we can also help a very worthy cause!”  said the Rev. Tim Taylor. The congregation of Ebenezer UMC goes out into the community and gives away boxes of Girl Scout cookies with a smile.  On the boxes, a sticker is placed that states, “We bring cookies, God sent His Son.” and gives the address and contact information for the church. 

      Troop leader Jessica Durham said, “We are thrilled to be working with Ebenezer.  This project has given our girls a great lesson in partnerships and charitable giving.”

       Located in the Jackson Trail Community since 1832, Ebenezer is one of the oldest churches in Jackson County.  “We’ve been around a long time, but we are by no means stale,” said Taylor.  The church has three Sunday services, including a 9:15 a.m. weekly communion service and a traditional service at 11 a.m.  The newest service in the lineup is Foundation, a service at 6:30 p.m. with more contemporary music and Biblical truths presented in a casual, relaxed setting.  Ebenezer UMC currently serves the Spiritual needs of people in over six counties, with the intent to serve wherever people need to hear the Gospel and feel loved. www.EbenezerUMCJefferson.org

 Harmony Grove UMC: A busy summer

      Vacation Bible School June 18-22 and Kids Camps for preschoolers will fill the summer weeks. VBS theme is “Operation Overboard: Dive In!” 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. with art and crafts, snacks, assemblies, recreation and Bible stories. $10 per child.

     Camp themes are: June 11-15, Family Camping; June 25-29, Fables and Folktales; July 9-13, Going GREEN; July 16-29, The Circus. Sessions are 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuition $100 per child. Camp Explore is set for 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. June 25-29, $150 per child, featuring Art/Photography, Fun with Food, Music, Fencing and Recreation. Campers rotate among the sessions.

     Theater Camp is 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. July 9-20 for ages 5-15. The two-week camp will help each camper reach performing goals. Campers participate both on and off-stage aspects of theater, and will audition, rehearse and perform for parents an special guests on the final day of camp. Tuition $175 per child. 

     The church’s preschool is accepting registrations. Open daily 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Online registration at www.harmonygroveumc.com. For more info on the preschool, email hgumc@bellsouth.net or call 770-564-0135. For camps, email stevehgumc@comcast.net or call 770-921-7747. The church is in Lilburn at 50 Harmony Grove Rd. 770-921-7747.

 District flood bucket project planned for summer

     Peachtree City UMC will conduct its annual cleaning bucket drive this summer, June 1-July 12, and invite other churches within the LaGrange District to participate.  Along with the buckets, they will be collecting UMCOR Relief Supply Kits, such as health kits, layette kits, and school kits.  You can donate any of the UMCOR kits or just the buckets or any combination thereof.  To ease the logistical requirements involved, volunteers will deliver the empty buckets to participating churches, and pick up the filled buckets and UMCOR kits at the end of the drive.  A 5-gallon empty bucket (with lid) will cost $1.75 and participating churches will need to submit an order and payment by June 1.  The supplies to fill a cleaning bucket cost approximately $55.  The approximate costs for the other kits are:  health kits - $12; layette kits - $35; school kits - $11; birthing kits - $8; sewing kits - $18.  For details on the lists and how to order them, visit www.lagrangedistrict.com

 New network to gather data from churches

     VitalSigns is a new weekly dashboard ministry of the United Methodist Church, designed to keep track of the following information about UM congregations: total worship attendance; number of new members and baptisms; how many persons actively engaged in small groups; local, national and international missions and outreach; numbers of people served by your congregation; amount given to other charities, and total offerings.

     Each Sunday, churches in the conference will receive invitations to answer these questions. Add filings@trendsendapp.com to your email contacts to prevent the emails from going to a Spam folder.

     Churches are encouraged to create a ministry team to contribute to the VitalSigns network. When you fully participate in the second quarter (April-July), your District superintendent will remove the requirement for your church’s second quarter Evangelism report.

     For more information, contact your district office or the Rev. Jasmine Smothers in the Office of Connectional Ministries (jasmine.smothers@ngumc.net or 678-533-1387) if you have questions or need assistance.

   Salem Campmeeting to feature international preachers 

     Salem Campmeeting, founded in 1828, will convene July 6-13, featuring guest speakers Dr. Winston Worrell, director of World Methodist Evangelism Institute, and Dr. John A. Huffman, minister at large after serving St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in California who has preached on every continent.

      Worrell has served in ministries in 54 countries around the world, and has experience in Billy Graham crusades.

     Dr. Huffman has traveled internationally on more than 80 trips, visiting 100-plus foreign countries on all seven continents. In 1975, he spent two weeks at the Vatican in consultation with Roman Catholic leaders.

      For more details on the schedule and information on each preacher, go to www.salemcampmeeting.org.