Northwest District Office The United Methodist Church 1022B - Second Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31901 Phone 706-561-4541 James R. King, Jr. Bishop Edwin M. (Buddy) Cooper, Jr. Superintendent Volume 1 October 2014 Number 4 OCTOBER 16, 2014 NORTHWEST DISTRICT CLUSTER MEET 6:30-8:00 P.M. MEETING SITE TO BE ANNOUNCED BY CLERGY COORDINATORS It is time for our cluster groups to meet again. The first meetings were a good beginning of this communication/fellowship model of ministry. The agenda will be as follows: 6:30-7:00 gathering, welcome, worship/devotional/communion. 7:00-7:40 meeting in the twelve cluster groups to share and to be informed. 7:40-8:00 light refreshments and fellowship (Some have asked about light refreshments. OK.) This time the clergy coordinators will have a handout for each group to guide your time of interaction around your ministry. If there are questions, resourcing, or expertise needed to help in your local ministries, this is the time to register those needs with the facilitator (small group's secretary) so it can be passed on to the district Leadership Team before they meet on 1 st Thursday in November. *Whoever takes the minutes is responsible for getting them to their District Facilitator listed below. It is vital that these minutes get into the right hands. Clergy Coordinators in some clusters have given the 11 small group facilitators an addressed, stamped envelope for mailing the minutes. Do what is necessary to get our district this vital information. Ministry Area Facilitator Contact Information Clergy/SPRC Rev. Robert Beckum P O Box 867, Columbus 31901, 706-327-4343 Trustee Mr. Chris Tyra 2807 Averett Drive, Columbus 31906, 706-257-1587 Finance Mr Mark Renner 2602 Lynda Lane, Columbus 31906, 706-327-0353 Disciple Plan Rev. Lynn Meadows-White 5122 Pierce Chapel Road, Midland 31820, 706-327-9807 Evangelism Ms. Mary Claire Reeves 161 South Forty, Americus 31709, 229-924-9306 Mission Ms. Sue Cheney 858 St. Murphy s Drive, Columbus 31904, 706-668-8899 Laity Mr. Robert Anderson 1201 Front Avenue Unit 224, Columbus 31901, 706-507-5677 Children Mrs. Connie Haugabook 616 Rawls Street, Montezuma 31063, 478-472-7202 Youth Mr. Gary Turner 1550 Truluck Road, Vienna 31092, 339-433-3390 Women Ms. Becky Britton 199 Lee Road 467, Smiths, AL 36877 Men Mr. Kenny Thompson 1820 Thompson Road, Pinehurst 31071 IMPORTANT: The Clergy Coordinators will decide in consultation with their cluster churches where the cluster will meet and get this word out to their cluster churches by Sunday, October 5 for announcements in the local churches. God bless you in your ministry and administration is my prayer. Thank you for all you do to lift up Christ Jesus in His world. Buddy.
Page 2 October 2014 The Methodist Home Our House at Carpenter s Way & Arabella Our House Give Thanks Luncheon Wednesday November 5, 2014 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. St. Luke Ministry Center 301 11th Street, Columbus, GA 31901 www.themethodisthome.org Keynote Speaker: Barbara Dooley- Recognized as one of the wittiest, most entertaining women, both on stage and off. A storyteller of unmatched proportions, she rivets a crowd with stories of her decades spent as a football coach's wife. Her tales of mischief and mayhem will have an audience rolling with laughter and begging for more. Below are levels of sponsorship along with individual ticket costs. 1. Leadership Sponsor - $5,000 14 guests, dine w/ Barbara Dooley, logo & event recognition 2. Visionary Sponsor - $2,500 14 guests, dine with Our House youth, logo & event recognition 3. Advocate Sponsor - $1,000 Table of 8, logo & event recognition 4. Business Sponsor - $500 - Table of 8, logo recognition 5. Individual Ticket - $40 Over the past 30 years, Carpenter's Way Ranch, Our House & Arabella have joined together to serve at-risk children in the Columbus community. We invite you to join us on Nov. 5th as we honor the young boys and girls we serve! For more information contact: Julia Plonk Special Events Manager 478-751-2898 julia.plonk@themethodisthome.org
October 2014 Page 3 The Northwest District Website The Northwest District has launched a new district website. The domain name is www.northwestumcdistrict.org. You are invited to visit the website for district news, the district calendar, charge conference dates and the new Discipleship Form. New Discipleship Form Due 5 th of Each Month In previous years, each district had an evangelism form and clergy were required to complete this form as instructed by their district office. As we move through transition, all six districts collaborated to develop a form that included the 20.1.5 discipleship reporting and evangelism information. This new form is known as the Discipleship Form. All clergy under appointment are now required to complete a Discipleship Form each month. Here are some important details: To complete the Discipleship Form go to your district website. Instructions for completing the Discipleship Form have been sent to each minister. The Discipleship Form is due on the 5 th of each month. Your first reporting month will be September 2014 which you will go online to your district website and complete by October 5. You will not need a username or password to complete the Discipleship Form. For questions, please contact your district office. 2014 CHARGE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OCTOBER 1-Vienna, Shiloh-6:30 p.m. 5-Leslie/DeSota-9:00 a.m. 5-County Line-11:00 a.m. 5-Concord/Hopewell-3:00 p.m. 8-Americus First-6:30 p.m. 12-Concord-9:00 a.m. 12-Dawson/Graves-11:00 a.m. 12-Lee Street/Morningside-3:00 p.m. 12-Plains/Preston-5:00 a.m. 13-Reynolds/Crowell-6:00 p.m. 15-St. Mary s Road-6:30 p.m. 19-Parrott-9:00 a.m. 19-Salem (Americus)-11:00 a.m. 19-Sasser-3:00 p.m. 19-Cusseta Charge-5:00 p.m. 22-Wynnton-6:30 p.m. 26-Living Grace-9:00 a.m. 26-Midway-3:00 p.m. 26-Rose Hill-5:00 p.m. 27-Pierce Chapel-7:00 p.m. 29-South Columbus-6:30 p.m. 30-M.L.Harris-6:30 p.m. NOVEMBER 2-East Highland-9:00 a.m. 2-Upatoi/Box Springs-11:00 a.m. 2-Woodland Charge-3:00 p.m. 2-Midland-5:00 p.m. 5-Epworth-6:30 p.m. 9-Cuthbert-9:00 a.m. 9-Shellman-11:00 a.m. 9-Georgetown/Sharon/Union-3:00 p.m. 9-Lumpkin/Sardis/Wesley Chapel-5:00 p.m. 12-St. Paul-6:30 p.m. 16-Stephens Chapel-9:00 a.m. 16-Richland-11:00 a.m. 16-Mt. Olive-3:00 p.m. 16-Asbury-5:00 p.m. 17-Bethel/Walkers Chapel-.6:30 p.m. 19-St. Luke-7:00 p.m. 20-Bronwood/Smithville-7:00 p.m. 30-The Ridge-10:30 a.m. Give a verbal Minister s Report, verbal Lay Report, and Verbal setting of the clergy salary. All other reports can be handed in Agenda Forms Convene Call to Order Charge Conference Minutes Hymn (optional) Pastor's Report Business Narrative/Membership Pastor's Report/Celebration Deacon or Diaconal Reports Review of Membership Data Committee on Lay Leadership Committee on Lay Leadership Lay Speaker Lay Speakers Candidacy Candidates (New or Continued) Other items Requiring a Vote Compensation Forms (worksheet and final report*) Setting Clergy Salary Housing Allowance Resolution* Account Reimbursement Accountable Reimbursement* Housing Resolution Retirees and Extension Clergy Reports Insurance Coverage Financial Report Devotional Dr. Cooper ( Knowing and Growing ) Trustees Report Adjournment with Prayer Parsonage Review Continuing Education Report Higher Education
Page 4 October 2014 10:00 a.m. The Farm Hands Bluegrass Gospel Quartet Mt. Olive UMC, Parrot, GA (Highway 520) Homecoming October 5, 2014 11:00 am along with another local gospel quartet. É Richland UMC October 5, 2014 6:00 pm These are love offering concerts For any questions contact Hall Grimmett or Stan Ballew In 2014 the Farm Hands were nominated for 14 music awards including Band of the Year, Gospel Band of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Their album In a Country Town was named bluegrass Album of the Year. All 4 musicians are award winning singers, musicians and songwriters. Two are longtime veterans of the Grand Ole Opry. Part-Time Youth Minister Needed Byron UMC is looking for a Part-time Youth Minister. Please contact Geri Harker, Byron UMC, 103 West Heritage Boulevard, Byron, GA 31008, Byronumch@windstrea.net, 478-956-5717 Northwest District Cares and Concerns Our sympathy to Stan and Suzanne Ballew on the death of his brother, George Ballew, Jr., who passed away September 4, 2014. Our sympathy to Kim and Rodney Porter on the death of her mother, Mrs. Barbara Weller. The funeral was September 21 in Stockbridge, GA. Our sympathy to the family of William Langdon Peed, on his death on September 21, 2014. Funeral service was held September 27, in Butler at Union United Methodist Church. ` William Langdon Peed 1918-2014 Nothing Gets You Back On Track Like a Good Map The road to financial freedom is nearly impossible to navigate without clear goals and a plan for achieving them. The Journey to Financial Freedom Seminar provides practical advice to help your finances intersect with God s plan. One-day Event October 18, 2014 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Pierce Chapel UMC Worship Center 5122 Pierce Chapel Road, Midland Presenter: Jan Horton Spence Cost: Under age 25 - $10.00 Singles - $20.00 Couples - $30.00 Lunch and loving childcare are provided Pre-registration is required. Reserve your seat. To register, e-mail Katie@piercechapel.com
October 2014 Page 5 Northwest District Ministers Christmas Celebration December 11, 2014 6:00 pm St. Mark United Methodist Church Epworth By The Sea Winter Camp Meeting February 8-11, 2015 Theme: The Teaching Star Slogan: Know & Grow Scripture Lesson: Acts 2:42 Translation: Revised English Bible WHAT THEY DID They met constantly to hear the apostles teach to share the common life to break bread and to pray. WHAT HAPPENED Acts 2:43-47 A sense of awe was felt by everyone, All the believers agreed to hold everything in common One and all they kept up their daily attendance at the Temple breaking bread in their homes, they shared their meals with unaffected joy they praised God and enjoyed the favor of the whole people. WHAT RESULTED Day by day the Lord added new converts to their number Sermon Series HOW ARE KNOWING AND GROWING CONNECTED? Sermon One Do We Know? What We Know for Sure? Sermon Two Do We Know? Who shares the Common Life with Us? Sermon Three Do We Know? What the Rules Are for Being at Table with Others? Sermon Four Do We Know? What Prayer and Praising God Have to Do with Our Growing? Sermon Five Do We Know? What Prayer and Praising God Have to Do with Our Growing? Sermon Six Will We Grow? Do Our Hearts Long for Jesus to Add to Us Daily?
Page 6 October 2014. Save the Date! Webinars The Connectional Webinar Series is the newest opportunity in training using enhanced technology through the Office of Connectional Ministries. You can enter this virtual, informative, educational, interactive experience from your home or office! All you need is a computer and the Internet. For more information or if you have an idea for a webinar contact Allison Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com. Please note: Registration will close the day before the webinar. If it is the day of one of the webinars and you would like the information to join the webinar, please email allison@sgaumc.com. Upcoming Webinars Effective Communication October 14, 2014 at 10 a.m. Revs. Scott Hagan and Jonathan Smith will be sharing best practices and ideas for effective communication in working with group ministries. Communication is the key for successful ministries and this webinar will give you a variety of tools to help your group get off to a great start and keep everyone "plugged in." Register now. É Conducting a Productive Meeting October 28, 2014 at 10 a.m. There are good meetings and there are bad meetings. Bad meetings seem to last forever and you leave wondering why you were even present. Effective ones leave you energized and feeling that you've really accomplished something. So what makes a meeting effective? Debbie Hudgins will share key components in running an effective meeting and have you on your way to leading a meeting where ministry is shaped. Register now. Come Away... A Time to Find Comfort, A Time to Find Joy A Three Day Retreat for Mothers Who Have Lost Children November 7-9, 2014 Epworth By The Sea Details: www.epworthbythesea.org or call 912-638-8688 World Communion Sunday October 5, 2014 2015 Open Door Classic Walk and 5k Run Saturday, March 7, 2015 Seedtime and Harvest: Growing in the Spirit The Evelyn Laycock Bible Study Series Epworth By The Sea St. Simons Island, GA October 12-16 2014 Preaching: Bishop Ivan M. Abrahams General Secretary of the World Methodist Council Rev Canon Gina Gilland Campbell Canon Precentor of the Washington National Cathedral Bible Study Leader: Bishop Richard C. Looney Retired Bishop who served SGA area from 1988 until 2000 Online registration at www.epworthbythesea.org/events Eagles s Fall Retreat October 27-29 Epworth By The Sea Leader: Dr. Bob Bone Retired NGC minister Fred Foster will lead silent and live auctions For info: Rev. Eugene Barlow at 475-953-3422 or cunwr10@yahoo.com. Lodging reservations: EBTS, 912-638-8688. Rates are per person and include lodging for two nights and six meals (beginning Monday evening). Rates for Pitts/Booth:Single $200.42; Double $132.54; Triple $116.70 (taxes included) Full payment with registration is due Oct. 15. More housing info can be obtained from Epworth By The Sea.