September 2023 Newsletter
A Note from Dr. Paula Lewis, South Central District Superintendent
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2
Thankfully, hurricane Idalia had less of an impact on the North Central District. Many in the South Central District have been incredibly impacted by hurricane Idalia. Some of us were lucky with on branches and debris or shutters down. Others lost their home. Thank the Lord that we only had one who lost their life in our area, though that was one too many. Now the storm is over but the damage remains; and we still have people in Lowndes county who are out of power and for some that means water as well.
On that note Emergency Relief Teams are at Camp Tygart and begin deploying Monday to help out with removal of trees and storm cleanup. We as Methodist may not always be the first in to a disaster but we are usually the last to leave as we help people put the pieces of their lives back together. Right now the South Central area could use as many helping hands as they can get. If your church has an ERT team or you are certified and would like to be apart of one to help out in the South Central area please contact Luis Morales, Kelly Crane, or Glenn Martin. Their contact information is in the article below. Consider being the hands and feet of Christ and helping the South Central area pick the pieces up and put it back together again.
A huge thank you to Luis Morales for organizing our teams, the team leaders and all the groups and churches coming so far to help!
I thank God that we have all weathered this storm safely and for God’s hand of protection even in the midst of destruction. May God bless and keep you always!
In Christ,
Paula
Disaster Relief
Responding to Hurricane Idalia: ERTs needed
An ERT from Columbus worked at Community UMC in Nashville on Sunday.
Idalia made landfall along the coast of Florida's Big Bend around 8 am August 30, 2023, and continued its way across Florida and into Georgia throughout the day Wednesday.
At this time, the South Georgia Conference disaster response team, under the direction of Luis Morales, is communicating with local Georgia officials and pastors in affected communities.
"I am thankful that Hurricane Idalia came and went," said Morales. "In its path we now have neighbors with no electricity, debris in their property, and even damage from flooding. I pray for continued safety to survivors, first responders and volunteers."
He is now encouraging trained early responders to look at their calendars and find time to volunteer and apply the skills they were trained for.
Early Response Teams
Right now there is an immediate need in the Lowndes County and surrounding areas for work teams. Trained ERT are already on the ground this week from South Georgia, North Georgia, and South Carolina.
We are thankful to Camp Tygart in Ray City for offering lodging to our teams and to the North Georgia Conference for bringing down a solar power trailer from Footprint Project. Also, thanks to South Georgia United Methodists, cleaning buckets and hygiene kits were delivered to Valdosta over the weekend.
Please contact Kelly Crane (kelcrane@gmail.com), Glenn Martin (gmartin0704@gmail.com), or Luis Morales (ert@sgaumc.com) to schedule your ERT team or yourself to be part of a team. As always, don’t self-deploy to a disaster area. Our disaster response team is working with local officials in affected areas to coordinate with their local disaster response efforts.
Financial Gifts
Your financial gift to UMCOR is especially appreciated as our giving is flexible in application and offers high impact. Monetary donations can be given to our disaster Conference Advance Special #6796 - South Georgia Storm Relief by sending to PO Box 7227, Macon, GA 31209 or click here to give online. You can also give directly to UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery Advance #901670.
Our United Methodist connectional system is at its best when we come together to help those around us.
District Information
Final Apportionments: Final apportionments have now been sent out. The Administrative Services Office appreciates each church’s careful review of their preliminary statements. If you need to make changes, you can contact the Administrative Services Office at (478) 738-0048.
Church Information Update Request: It is important that you sign into your church dashboard for each church you serve and verify the correct CHURCH EMAIL address. Many times we find that church email addresses may be tied to a previous pastor or staff member.
Additionally we ask all local church pastors and local church secretaries to log in to the church dashboard and make sure the correct email address is inputted for all local church leaders (SPRC chair, Trustees, chair, etc) but especially for your financial/treasurer.
Helpful reminder from the Georgia United Methodist Foundation: Fall and the charge conference season is a great time for church leadership to do an annual audit of who can sign documents and authorize financial transactions on behalf of the church. When church officers and committee chairs change, or when there are staff changes, it is good stewardship to confirm your church authorizations are up to date! Click here to read the Georgia United Methodist Foundation’s latest newsletter.
Boy Scouts: A UMC Relationship Committee has been working with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to develop paths to serve the needs of both the local church and the BSA troop. The two path options are: 1 - an Affiliation Agreement or 2 - a Facilities Use Agreement. The latest, approved agreements can be found here: methodistscouter.org/conference-resource-page/. These agreements have been updated with the new insurance levels for the 2023 policy year.
Charge Conference Forms
Charge conference forms are now live. An email was sent out with information regarding the forms.
Local Church Highlights
The South Central District-South Georgia UMC Camp Meeting returns to Camp Tygart this year! The three-day event will feature worship and preaching from Dr. Paula Lewis, Dr. Rick Lanford, and Bishop David Graves will close the Camp Meeting out. Look for more info coming soon.
Happy Birthday!
Connect with the South Central District
District Website: www.sgaumc.org/southcentral
District Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sgasouthcentralumc
Upcoming Events
Workshop for Clergy
Care to the Caregiver: The Cost of Caring in Your Calling
The South Georgia Conference Clergy Mental Health Task Force is sponsoring a one day workshop for clergy focused on “Care to the Caregiver: The Cost of Caring in Your Calling.” Led by Rev. Thomas Waynick, LMFT, the workshop is set for October 12, 2023, from 10am – 2pm at the Pastoral Institute in Columbus, Ga.
Galatians 6:2 reminds us to carry each other’s burdens and in this way, you fulfill the law of Christ. This workshop, sponsored by the Conference Clergy Mental Health Task Force, will address the following:
- Effects of prolonged exposure to suffering and on-going demands
- Understanding and providing protection regarding risks
- The symptoms of carrying others burdens for a prolonged time
God commands that we love our neighbor as ourselves but we cannot give what we do not have. We invite you to this workshop to learn to give yourselves the same grace and compassion that you so often give to others in your ministries.
The cost for this event is $25 (lunch is included). Click here to register.
KidzQuest
KidzQuest, the annual children’s fall retreat sponsored by South Georgia’s Connectional Ministries, is for students in 3rd-6th grades. Children and adult leaders from all around South Georgia come together with dozens of other church groups, learning how to worship, study God's Word, and understand what a relationship with Jesus really means. Amidst beautiful coastal scenery, amazing adult leaders (that's you!) and time away from home - these children are given an opportunity to experience Christ in brand new ways! This year's weekend retreat is set for September 22-24, 2023, at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, Ga. Visit www.sgaumc.org/kidzquest for more information and to register.
Rural Church Rising conference focuses on rural context
Rural Church Rising is a two-day conference - October 27-28, 2023 - for lay and clergy people serving in rural contexts across the country. This conference takes place at the Warren Willis Camp and Conference Center (4990 Picciola Rd, Fruitland Park, FL 3473) in the North Central District of the Florida Annual Conference, one of the most established rural districts participating in Fresh Expressions of church.
For more Information about the two day event, visit www.freshexpressionsfl.org/rural-church-rising-2023. The South Georgia Conference is offering scholarships for lay and clergy to attend making the cost to the participant $50 per person (mileage and meals on your own).
Register here. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Anne Bosarge at abosarge@sgaumc.com.
2023 prayer emphasis: September 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
