Our Connection Matters offers a toolkit which includes a wealth of resources focusing on a different theme to resource your local church in nurture, outreach, witness and advocacy ministries.

 

 

Where did 2018 go? Time flies when you are having fun in ministry, and we are quickly approaching a new year! A new year often ushers people into churches for a brand new start. What a great time to prepare for those searching for something meaningful. We have just the answer! For those of us who are leaders in our church, we find ourselves looking towards a new year to see where we want to go and what we need to do to get there. Connectional Ministries is here to help!

 

Connectional Ministries is sponsoring a 2019 Leadership Tour. Each stop on the tour will have a variety of workshops to equip leaders whether "new" to their role or a seasoned leader looking for "new" ideas. This training is a great way to start off the year in ministry together! There are four locations to choose from:

January 6 - Americus First UMC 
January 13 - Pine Forest UMC, Dublin 
January 20 - Tifton First UMC
January 27 - Springfield UMC

 

Check out the great line-up and register today.

 

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New Year - New Beginnings

We hope the resources provided in this edition will help jumpstart your planning and give you new ideas for the start of a new year in ministry together!  

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N  U  R  T  U  R  E

The Watch Night, or Covenant Renewal Service, has been a part of Methodism since John Wesley first used it in 1755. Wesley found it meaningful and "a time of remarkable blessing." He made frequent use of it when visiting the early Methodist Societies. The Watch Night service is today most often held on New Year's Eve, sometimes concluding at midnight or on New Year's Day.  

The New Year brings special opportunities for children's ministry. Check out these New Year's Ideas from Ministry to Children. 

New Years "Revolution" for Youth challenges young people to make a commitment for the year and explore why we should follow God.

Youth Ministry Unleashed offers 9 Ways to Start Off the New Year Right in Youth Ministry.

Check out these 10 Tips for Christmas and New Year Planning.

What's your ministry resolution? New Year's Resolutions to Equip New Leaders will give you some great ideas!

Find ways to celebrate Epiphany Sunday on January 6:

• Chuck Know Church: Episode 59: Chuck shares his insight while having an epiphany of his own!
• Worship Resources for this "Three Kings Sunday" 
• Children's Message & Family Devotions

For more resources, visit Discipleship Ministries. 

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O  U  T  R  E  A  C  H

Here are some great ideas to reach out to your community and beyond to see the needs around us with fresh eyes and in new ways! 

• Strategic ideas for outreach at the start of a new year
• New Year's "From Everywhere To Everywhere"
• Best New Year's Resolutions for Connection with Your Community

Have you taken advantage of MissionInsite to see the demographics around your church? It's free through the South Georgia Annual Conference. Click here for more information. 

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W  I  T  N  E  S  S

The Wesleyan tradition holds that faith and good works belong together. “We offer our lives back to God through a life of service.” Learn how to look beyond New Year's Resolutions to making faithful intentions.

Explore this timeless resource for a multicultural expression for worship - Midnight to A New Year - from Global Ministries (printed in 2014).

Share a message of love with memes based on the Gospel readings for Watch Night (New Year's Eve) and Epiphany: Lectionary Art for New Years and Epiphany from United Methodist Communications.

How do you set goals as a church for the New Year? Help your congregation pursue its Godly mission with even more enthusiasm and direction. Goals are vital in helping congregations to grow.

Ready. Set. Go. Learn how to set aside A Time for Brainstorming and Goal Setting.

Share a message of hope and new beginning with these social media graphics - New Year, New Beginnings - from United Methodist Communications.

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A  D  V  O  C  A  C  Y

Do you have a desire to be more engaged in Advocacy work through The United Methodist Church in 2019? Here is what you can do.

God's vision for transformation is rooted in justice, peace and liberation. We can change the world through collective action against unjust policies, practices, and systems and organizing. Learn more about grassroots organizing for justice, peace & liberation.

For more Advocacy resources, visit Church & Society and Discipleship Ministries.

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T E L L   U S   W H A T   Y O U   
W A N T   T O   K N O W

Connectional Ministries is here to help resource you in all areas of ministry and programming. Contact Allison Lindsey if you would like to share ideas and connect with other churches successful in specific areas of ministry. It's through our connection that we can learn best practices and help each other bear fruit for discipleship and be Alive Together In The World!  We would like your input on future topics and resources to highlight. Please take a moment to share your ideas: click here.

 

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