The Rome-Carrollton Newsletter

Transcription

1 The Rome-Carrollton Newsletter A Quarterly Publication Rev. Dr. David S. Naglee District Superintendent _ May 31, 2017 Annual Conference On Monday, June 25, 1744 John Wesley convened the very first Methodist Conference. He wrote in his journal: Monday 25 and on the five following days, we spent in conference with many of our brethren, (come from several parts) who desire nothing but to save their own souls, and those that hear them. And surely, as long as they continue thus minded, their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. The conference included Communion, Preaching, Prayer, Debate, and Decisions on the order of the movement and how to carry on the work of God (Wesley s reason for having the conference to begin with). 273 years later, on June 12, 2017 in Athens Georgia, The North Georgia Annual Conference will convene. It will be the first time a woman bishop has ever presided over our conference and some of the format and schedule of the conference will be different than years past. However, true to the very first conference, we will gather from several parts. We will commune together, worship together, pray together, debate and discuss on how best to carry on the work of God. Almost 3,000 persons will attend, lay and clergy, representing the local United Methodist Churches throughout the North Georgia area. We will be reminded of our work individually as congregations seeking to be faithful witnesses to Christ in our communities, but also of our connectedness, our connectionalism that makes it possible for us to make a difference in the world together that could not happen were we apart. We will renew friendships from across the conference and make new friends. We will celebrate what we ve done, pledge and prepare to do more for our Lord, and hopefully draw strength and courage to try new things in our home settings of ministry. When it is all said and done however, it is up to every single Methodist, whether they attend the Annual Conference or not, to heed Wesley s word in response to noting the early Methodists desired nothing but to save their own souls, and those that hear them. If we do that, then surely, as long as they/we continue thus minded, their/our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord.

2 ROCA District Says Good-Bye. Rev. Beverly Casstevens Rev. Warren Causey Rev. John Freeland Rev. Gary Lawrence Rev. Dr. Harvey Palmer (Retiring) Rev. Carl Ratliff (Retiring) Rev. Elly Tilk, Bethel, Hiram Rev. William Burch, Hope Rev. Allen Carmichael Rev. Jeanette Dickens Rev. Warren Huddleston Rev. Valerie Loner Rev. Derek Porter Rev. Michael Stinson (Retiring) ROCA District Says Hello... Rev. Thomas Compton, Old Camp Rev. William Dickens, Kresge Rev. Michael Brinson, Cave Spring Circuit Rev. Karen Compton, Tallapoosa First Rev. Sam Dawkins, New Ministry West GA Rev. Martha Dye, Rockmart First Rev. Nicholas Georgian, Rush Chapel Rev. Laurie Klingenberg, Mt. Pleasant Rev. Erik Mays, Villa Rica First Rev. Mark Nugent, Dallas First Rev. John Shelkop, Oostanaula Rev. Marlin Miller, Stripling Chapel Rev. Wendy Owens, Shady Grove Rev. Matt Treherne, Mizpah Circuit ROCA Welcomes Back.. Rev. Douglas Aultman, Whitesburg Rev. Mattylin Hubbard, Bremen Parish Rev. Brett McLaughlin, New Hope, Bowdon Rev. Sonny Moon, Lindsey Chapel Rev. Jimmy Bryan, Pleasant Grove Rev. Sargent Nelson, Griffin Chapel ROCA Welcomes Our Newest Church Whitesburg United Methodist Church

3 Special Offering 2017: Ministerial Education Fund Please give generously to the the 2017 Annual Conference Special Offering: The Ministerial Education Fund. About the Offering Churches are invited to collect the offering any time before Annual Conference 2017, but many choose the first Sunday in June, June 4, One person from each local church will present a check from their church during the Service of Remembrance on Wednesday, June 14, at 2 p.m. Make checks payable to the North Georgia Conference and note Fund # Annual Conference Special Offering, Ministerial Education Fund. About MEF The Ministerial Education Fund has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in The United Methodist Church. Chances are seminary students from your congregation or the pastor of your church was a recipient of MEF. It is nurtured and funded by United Methodists to provide scholarships to seminary and undergraduate students, course-of-study for local pastors, and license to preach school. Aligning with the theme of the 2017 Annual Conference, "Show Your Work: Worship That Inspires Action," this fund is one way United Methodists can show our support to those called to serve as clergy. Together we can help minimize debt of North Georgia United Methodists beginning in ministry. MEF is a general church apportioned fund of which 25 percent is retained by our conference. But 100 percent of the giving to the Annual Conference Special Offering will go to United Methodist seminary and course of study students in the North Georgia Conference. There is a video on the Conference Website under Bishops Special Offering that you may access to share with your congregation. IT Updates for Churches and Clergy North GA. Churches and Clergy should take note of several Information/Technology Updates. Updated Charge Conference Reports: Reports have been updated for the new quadrennium. Sample pdf copies are posted at Churches Can Now Grant Individual User Accounts in Data Services: Churches can now grant individual user accounts access up to 6 permission levels. New Paperless Compensation Report: All clergy who are appointed in the North Georgia Conference will be required to enter their Compensation Report online. The new Clergy Financial Support Worksheets are submitted online through Data Services at The forms are submitted by clergy and approved by an authorized lay person. The District Office will then review and approve.

4 Rome Carrollton District United Methodist Women Ubuntu Mission Day United Methodist Disaster Relief Warehouse, Decatur, AL We hope you are planning to join us on June 16-17, 2017 for our mission trip to Decatur to work at the Disaster Relief Warehouse. We are planning a social event on Friday evening, June 16 and then will work at the warehouse on Saturday. There are jobs available for all ability levels. Schedule details will be available upon arrival at the hotel. The rate is $134 per room and each room has two queen beds (up to 4 guests) and includes breakfast. Third and fourth guests in the same room incur an additional $5 charge. The final date to reserve a room in the block is June 2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites 2407 Beltline Rd SW Decatur, Al If you need to stay more than the night of June 16, please contact the hotel directly. Once you have booked your room, please let Lisa Bauer know how many are attending. If you plan to attend and prefer to stay elsewhere, please let Lisa know that as well so we have an accurate number of attendees for the warehouse staff. Lbauer1979@msn.com If there are ladies in your unit who would like to participate, but the hotel is cost prohibitive, we have several room scholarships available. Room scholarships will be minimum 2 persons per room. Please contact Cindi Hicks at CindiLeeHicks@gmail.com regarding availability. Transportation should be arranged at the unit level. However, if you are taking a vehicle such as a church van and have room for more travelers or you would like to go but need transportation, please contact Lisa Bauer. She will try and match those needing a ride with available transportation.

5 Mark Your Calendar Pre-Conference Briefing Thursday, June 1, :30-7:30 pm Bremen First United Methodist Church We will have our Briefing Session for the 2017 North Georgia Conference on Thursday, June 1st at Bremen First UMC (321 Hamilton Avenue, Bremen, GA 30110) beginning at 6:30 pm. It is important that all Lay Members and Clergy attend this meeting because you will be voting on the budget and District Committees. Be sure to bring a binder for your handbook. Annual Conference will be at the Athens Classic Center from Tuesday, June 13th through Thursday, June 15th. Clergy Set up Meeting Sunday, August 6, 2017 AT Buchanan United Methodist Church 3:00-4:00 pm Our District Clergy Set Up Meeting will be held at Buchanan United Methodist Church (3623 Highway 27, Buchanan, GA 30113) on Sunday, August 6th at 3:00 pm. All Clergy (Full and Part Time) are expected to be in attendance. If you have any questions before this meeting please contact the district office. All Clergy Spouses are encourage to attend. After the gathering the spouses meet separately.

6 ROCA DISTRICT CALENDAR The Calendar on the Website is updated regularly. JUNE 1 Pre-Conference Bremen First UMC 6:30 pm North GA. Annual Conference in Athens, GA 18 Father s Day 22 Moving Pastor s Day 25 Moving Pastor s First Sunday JULY 3-4 District Office Closed-Independence Day Pastor s School at Epworth By The Sea 16 Murphy Harpst Special Offering AUGUST 1 District Connectional Group Petro s 12:00 pm 3 District Board of Ordained Ministry at District Office 1:00 pm 6 District Clergy SET UP Buchanan UMC 3:00 pm. 9 ROCA Retired Clergy and Spouse TBA 11:30 pm 10 Carrollton Area Adm. Assistants Lunch at Olive Garden in Carrollton, GA School of Congregational Development at Peachtree Rd. UMC 31 Charge Conference District Office 7:00 pm SEPTEMBER 7 District Office Closed for Labor Day 17 United Methodist Children s Home Offering 19 Strategic Mission Bremen First 6:00 pm 19 District Bd. of Ordained Ministry place TBA 20 District Bd. of Ordained Ministry place TBA OCTOBER 24 Cluster 1 (Rome Area) Charge Rome First 7:00 pm (this includes Connectional Groups 1,2, and 3) 26 Cluster 3 (Douglasville Area) Charge TBA 7:00 pm (this includes Connectional Groups 8 and 9) 29 Cluster 2 (Carrollton Area) Charge TBA 4:00 pm (this includes Connectional Groups 5,6, and 7) Needed Used Set In Good Condition: "The United Methodist Hymnal on Compact Disc with Accompaniment Edition." If your church has a set it would like to sell (or donate) please contact: Rev. Skip Mitchell - cell/text or call Trion UMC

7 Clergy Tuition* Active Clergy $90 Early Bird ~ $125 Regular ~ $160 Walk-in (Retired Clergy $25) Scholarship Opportunities: Housing Scholarships for First Time Attendees ($100) Request via (david@gntv.info) Need- Based Tuition Scholarships ($90) - up to 3 scholarships are awarded by District Superintendents to local pastors, student pastors, and other clergy in their district who need financial aid to attend *Lodging & meals are booked and paid separately with Epworth by the Sea. (See link on school website.) Please note: PK program fees are separate. Presenters: FACULTY: James A. Harnish is a retired United Methodist pastor who most recently served Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida. He has authored numerous books, Bible studies, and articles including A Disciple s Path, Strength for the Broken Places, Simple Rules for Money, and You Only Have to Die. Jim and his wife Marsha have two grown daughters. FACULTY: A recognized visionary leader in church revitalization, the Rev. Junius B. Dotson is the General Secretary (chief executive officer) of Discipleship Ministries, an international agency of The United Methodist Church. Prior to his present position, Rev. Dotson was pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, where he was instrumental in transforming the church into a 3,500- member multi-campus congregation. PREACHER: Telley Lynnette Gadson is an elder in full connection in The United Methodist Church, and President of the Black Clergy Women of the UMC. Rev. Gadson has bucked the trends by successfully leading small churches to new life and growth during her service in the South Carolina Conference. A graduate of the University of South Carolina and Candler School of Theology at Emory University, she has spoken and preached at events and worship services throughout the country.