The LaGrange Link. A monthly publication of The LaGrange District of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Carol Cook, District Superintendent June, 2017

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1 The LaGrange Link A monthly publication of The LaGrange District of the United Methodist Church Rev. Carol Cook, District Superintendent June, 2017 Words of Thanks Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve as your District Superintendent for the past seven years. It has been seven very busy, life-changing years and I am grateful to have shared them with all of you. There are some special thanks that I want to share. First, thank you Denise. Our District is so blessed to have Denise as our District Administrative Assistant. Denise, it has been a joy to work with you. Thank you for taking care of so many details, for how you care for the churches in our District, and for keeping me straight. I could not have functioned without you. I would also like to thank those who have served on our District Leadership Teams. Your vision, planning, and help have brought us closer as a district. Thank you for being willing to step out in faith and do new things. Thank you also to our Connection Group Leaders for your leadership in helping our congregations be more connected. Thank you to all of the clergy who have served in the District. You have inspired me with your spiritual leadership and taught me much about ministry in the local church. And to the churches of the LaGrange District, thank you for your ministry to your communities, for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for taking care of Scott and me. I encourage you to continue to work together and grow in your love of Jesus Christ. Thank you to Bishops Watson and Haupert-Johnson for giving me the opportunity to serve in this very special ministry and for your guidance and confidence in me. I leave you in the very capable hands of Rev. Susan Landry. Susan is very excited about moving to LaGrange and I hope that you will take care of her as you have me. She will quickly learn that the LaGrange District is the best district in the Annual Conference!

Thank You and Best Wishes to the following pastors who will be leaving appointments in the LaGrange District due to retirement or reassignment: John Alexander Scott Ballentine Quincy Brown David

2 Thank You and Best Wishes to the following pastors who will be leaving appointments in the LaGrange District due to retirement or reassignment: John Alexander Scott Ballentine Quincy Brown David Campbell Carolyn Clifton Dan Dixon Vincent Dominique Martha Dye Jessica Foster Lynn Glassbrook Stuart Greene Jim Hanna Chad Hill Erik Mays Earnestine Mitchell Randy Nix Jan Oglesbee Aubrey Thompson The following pastors are moving to new appointments within the District: Richard Gilbert Joe Harrington Tommy Holder Yolanda Jones-Colton Shannon Karafanda Michael Phillips Ira Tigner John Tomlin You are invited to a Farewell Reception Honoring Carol & Scott Cook as we thank them for their 7 years of ministry in the LaGrange District Sunday, June 4, 2:00-4:00pm Cornerstone UMC 2956 Highway 154, Newnan LaGrange District Pre-Conference Briefing Sunday, June 4:00pm Cornerstone UMC All clergy and lay delegate should attend to receive your delegate handbook and other important information

Annual Conference June 13, 15, 2017 Athens, GA All delegates are reminded to register online at the conference website (www.ngumc.org, click on the Registration tab at the top of the page) by June 5.

The Bishop s Special Offering for Annual Conference will go to the Ministerial Education Fund. This fund has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in The United Methodist Church.

3 Annual Conference June 13, 15, 2017 Athens, GA All delegates are reminded to register online at the conference website ( click on the Registration tab at the top of the page) by June 5. There is a $30 registration fee. You will also be able to make reservations and pay for various meals and special events when you register. The Bishop s Special Offering for Annual Conference will go to the Ministerial Education Fund. This fund has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in The United Methodist Church. 100% of your offering will go to UM seminary and Course of Study students in North GA. All churches are asked to take a special offering and have your delegate bring it to the Service of Remembrance being held on June 14 at 2:00pm. If you have attended a Fresh Expressions training event, it's time for your next step. Michael Beck, the South Atlantic Coordinator for Fresh Expressions, will be conducting two round table sessions prior to the North Georgia Annual Conference to delve more fully into what is involved in creating a Fresh Expression. Two three-hour sessions are available to choose from: 1 p.m. 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. 9 p.m. Both sessions will be held on Monday, June 12, at the Classic Center s Grand Hall 1-4 (across from the Atrium). You will also receive the most recent book by Bishop Carter, Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church For People Not In Church. Specifics for the day are: Date: June 12, the Monday prior to Annual Conference Location: Classic Center Grand Hall 1-4 Time: Two sessions to choose from: 1 p.m. 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. 9 p.m.. The link to register is:

The LaGrange District and the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en El Salvador (Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador) celebrated their 6th year of missions, relationships, and love together in the

Tentative dates for district mission trips in 2018 are February 17-24 and April 7-14. If you wish to participate in one of the district mission trips, please contact Rev.

4 The LaGrange District and the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en El Salvador (Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador) celebrated their 6th year of missions, relationships, and love together in the name of Jesus Christ! You are invited to become a part of this wonderful connection next year by supporting the Bridge with your prayers, your participation, and your financial gifts. Tentative dates for district mission trips in 2018 are February and April If you wish to participate in one of the district mission trips, please contact Rev. Tommy Holder, district missions coordinator, tom.holder@ngumc.net and let him know which date you wish to go. A $100 deposit made out to the LaGrange District with "2018 El Salvador" will reserve your place on the team. Team size is limited to 15 missioners, so get your deposit in early. Total cost per person is estimated at $1,500. Individual churches are encouraged to plan and send their own teams as well. If you want assistance in creating/planning your own mission team, you can contact Rev. Holder. Team sizes and length of the mission trip are flexible and can be tailored to the churches needs. Attention Pastors! The District Office is beginning to work on the District Calendar for the conference year including the setting of Charge Conference dates. Pastors, please let Denise know of special activities (homecoming, fall festivals, etc.) that might interfere with your Charge Conference. Most conferences will be scheduled for Sunday afternoons in Ocotber and November. We will do our best to work around these events, but please understand that it may not be possible. Also, if you are willing to host a district event at your church (minister s meeting, lay servant class, committee meeting, etc.) please let Denise know that.

Upcoming Events: Saturday, August 5, 11:30am District Set Up meeting for all pastors and their families, Newnan First Tuesday, August 15, 5:00pm New Pastor Orientation for all pastors serving in

5 Upcoming Events: Saturday, August 5, 11:30am District Set Up meeting for all pastors and their families, Newnan First Tuesday, August 15, 5:00pm New Pastor Orientation for all pastors serving in their first appointment, District Office Sunday, August 27 Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson will be preaching at Newnan Chapel UMC, 10am. She will then participate in the Installation Service for new DS, Rev. Susan Landry, 3:00pm at LaGrange First; Reception to follow More details on each of these events will be provided in the coming weeks. Please mark your calendar now! 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.

Happy Birthday to the following ministers celebrating birthdays in the month of June: 4 Oliver Wood 13 Lenton Snow Maria Bowers 15 Elaine Gilbert 11 Ira Tigner 18 Randy Nix John Mattox 24 Joe Geter

6 Happy Birthday to the following ministers celebrating birthdays in the month of June: 4 Oliver Wood 13 Lenton Snow Maria Bowers 15 Elaine Gilbert 11 Ira Tigner 18 Randy Nix John Mattox 24 Joe Geter Please visit our district website at where you will find even more information about district and conference activities. And Like us on Facebook! (The LaGrange District) You are welcome to post videos or information about events at your church on our Facebook page.

The LaGrange Link. A monthly publication of The LaGrange District of the United Methodist Church

The LaGrange Link. A monthly publication of The LaGrange District of the United Methodist Church The LaGrange Link A monthly publication of The LaGrange District of the United Methodist Church Rev. Carol Cook, District Superintendent January 2017 Happy New Year, 2017 As we begin a new year, I once