August 2023 Newsletter

A Note from Dr. Paula Lewis, South Central District Superintendent

The past four years of my service as a district superintendent have been wrought with the difficulty of our denominational issues. As I begin my fifth year in this role, I sense God calling me, calling us, back to what is most important: the Great Commission. To “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” That is what our call is as the church. 
 
In 2019, Bishop Looney stated at Annual Conference that only half of our churches ever see a profession of faith during the year. The most up to date numbers we have are from 2021 and that was still true. With 475 churches that year, the whole Annual Conference only had 240 professions of faith. This is where our focus should be as we live into being the church that God desires us to be. 

It is my deepest desire that you will join me in crying out to God to revive us and renew our passion to be witnesses for and the hands and feet of Christ in the world so that the world may know the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. God can add new believers to our numbers daily (Act 2:47, Acts 5:14, Acts 6:7, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:21 & 24, Acts 16:5). But to do that we must keep our eyes on Christ, deepen our own walk with God and share the Gospel with everyone God sends our way. 

I want to acknowledge that we might experience growing pains as we live into our new structure, and I seek to figure out how to be present for two districts with two different sets of leadership teams. Please be patient and bear with me. One of my greatest responsibilities as your district superintendent is to resource both clergy and the laity in the churches with what you need to fully live out the Great Commission that Christ gave the church. I want nothing more than to help you thrive in doing so and I will strive to do just that.
 
Final thought, I want the clergy to know that I know you are tired. How? Because I am tired too. I have been reminded recently that we can’t help others if we don’t attend to ourselves first. I encourage you to take all your vacation, use up all of your continuing education resources. Take time to renew; and laity, encourage them to do so that they may be at their best.
 
In Christ,
Paula
 

District Contact Update

We are beginning new systems this month. Click here for a letter from Dr. Jay Harris where he explains our new systems in greater detail. Below are a few of the changes you should be aware of. 

District Office Changes: The district office is officially closed. This district administrator's email and district phone number are being shut down. I would like to welcome our new District Administrator, Mrs. Cindy Rollins. She will be the Administrator for all of the districts. I look forward to working with Cindy, and I know that you all will find her very helpful.

The new contact information for help and questions is below:
Mrs. Cindy Rollins
Email: cindy@sgaumc.com
Phone number: (229) 201-9998
Mailing address: PO Box 5326, Cordele, GA 31010

It is important to note that the new district address is the above address. The parsonage, where the district office was located, will be vacated soon.
 

South Central District Camp Meeting - October 1-3

Highlights from PRC - Practical Resources for Churches

The South Central District Office has partnered with PRC, a nonprofit, non-denominational, education-based service organization, providing consultants, educational webinars, workshops and resources to local churches. Click here to see the latest newsletter with resources tailored just for churches in our district for Fall Stewardship campaigns.
 

Charge Conference Forms

Charge conference forms are now live. An email was sent out with information regarding the forms. 
 

A Note about 2024 Apportionments

2024 Preliminary Apportionments will go out by email to the pastor and treasurer, if the emails are on file, for each church by August 11, 2023.  The final apportionment letters are targeted to go out by August 31, 2023. The final apportionments will also be sent out electronically to the extent possible.  For questions, please contact the Administrative Services Office at 478-738-0048.
 

Local Church Highlights

District Conference ~ Rise Against Hunger

District Set-up Meeting ~ Backpacks for The Methodist Home 

Backpacks were filled to overflowing for the girls at The Methodist Children's home in Valdosta. Thanks to all who came to set-up meeting the girls have their school supplies ready to start them off for a great year ahead!  

River of Life hosted by Tifton First UMC

River of Life is a community-wide mission’s project hosted by Tifton First United Methodist Church.  Tifton First youth welcomed friends from eight churches from around South Georgia to assist local residents with small home improvement and landscaping projects. Following the day’s work, the youth gathered each night for meals, worship and small group Bible study as friendships are formed. 
 

Happy Birthday!

(And a Happy Belated birthday to our July birthdays!)

Connect with the South Central District

District Website: www.sgaumc.org/southcentral

District Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sgasouthcentralumc
 

Resources & News

Renfro Grant Applications now being accepted

Connectional Ministries is accepting applications for the Southeastern Jurisdiction Renfro Trust Grant. This grant is a brick-and-mortar grant specifically for small, rural churches. Guidelines, requirements, and applications can be found here. Completed applications must be submitted to Rev. Garth Duke-Barton, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries (revgarth0810@gmail.com) by our conference deadline: Monday, August 21, 2023. (Note: application will say August 1)
 

7-part video resource for local churches: discerning mission and values

Is your local church starting something new and needing to solidify the foundation of your ministry or congregation before you get started? Has your local church experienced mission drift and find you are in need of a way to get your leadership team refocused and back on mission?  If your local church finds itself in either of these places, the Office of Connectional Ministries has developed a 7-part video series to guide you through the process of determining your mission statement and values and aligning your church for maximum effectiveness. Learn more.
 

Disaster Response

When a need arises, Luis Morales, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, wants South Georgia United Methodists ready to respond. Both Morales and the conference’s district disaster response coordinators are actively engaged in training, preparing, and responding. As part of the conference reorganization, two districts are now paired under one superintendent. Our district disaster response coordinators will also align themselves under the same construct: Coastal and Northeast Districts - Kelly Crane, North Central and South Central Districts - Luis Morales, and Northwest and Southwest Districts - Glenn Martin. The disaster response team is asking anyone who has already been trained in early response to complete a quick 2-minute survey. This survey will help the team map out their current capabilities as the team moves forward. For more information about the work of the disaster response team and how you can be involved, read this full article or contact Luis Morales at ert@sgaumc.com. 
 

Upcoming Events

One-day clergy retreat to focus on metal health - August 24 

Secondary trauma, the kind that comes from living life in the midst of other people's trauma, is emotionally devastating if not cared for and processed through. South Georgia clergy are invited to participate in a one-day event led by Cameron Bishop that will focus on learning how to recognize the trauma you have experienced personally or through caring for others. This one day workshop, sponsored by the Clergy Mental Health Task Force, is set for August 24 from 10am-4pm at Dooly Campground. The cost for this event is $25 (lunch is included). Click here to register. Spots are limited, so be sure to register today! Have questions? Contact Anne Bosarge at abosarge@sgaumc.com. 
 

2023 prayer emphasis: August Prayer Guide

The South Georgia Conference is centering itself around prayer in 2023. This month’s prayer guide is now available at www.sgaumc.org/year-of-prayer.
 

2023 Lay Servant Ministries & Certified Lay Ministry

Check out the dates & registration for the 2023 classes.
 

Reset Cohorts - 2023-2024

Do you remember how church used to be?  Do you talk about going back to the way things were before the pandemic? Or do your “good old days” go even further back than that? Maybe you’d rather go back to what church was like 40 years ago when you regularly added new members and your Wednesday night dinners were the talk of the town. It’s good to remember what was, but only if that reflection leads you toward resetting your energy and resources toward your mission. The Office of Connectional Ministries is gearing up for year 2 of its "Reset Cohort." In this 7-month cohort, clergy and laity will spend time refocusing on the mission to which we’ve been called, “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  If you’re longing for more than a return to the “good old days” and are ready to reset your church for missional engagement, Gospel energy, and a passion for people, this cohort is for you!  Learn more and register
 

Lay Planter’s Training - Fall 2023

Here in South Georgia, we are seizing the opportunity to start new things for new people in new places. We are seeing a resurgence of grassroots efforts among our laity to dive deeply into disciple-making using new models for church planting like home churches, fresh expressions and more. Can you imagine what it will be like in a few years when laity across the conference will be engaged in leading discipleship efforts across the conference? These discipleship groups and home churches will be able to meet in all kinds of places, made up of all kinds of people. Learn more
 

Annual Eagles Retreat - Oct. 16-18

The Eagles, the retired ministers and spouses of South Georgia, have set their annual retreat for October 16-18, 2023, at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons. This year’s program and presentations will focus on World War II. Participants will hear interesting and informative presentations about the beginning and the end of the war in the Pacific from a guest speaker traveling from Orlando, FL. Registration and room check-in begins on Monday, October 16 at 4:00 pm. Dinner will be served between 5:30-7:00 pm. The retreat will conclude on Wednesday, October 18 with lunch. Register by calling Epworth at (912) 638-8688 (ask to speak to Trice Roberts). Invite a friend or family member to come with you for this retreat for good food, fellowship, and fun. If you have questions, please contact David Tart at (229) 300-8805 or revdtart@bellsouth.net. 
 

Helpful Links & Contact Information