|
|
|
Just Thinking ...
February is Black History Month, and I hope you will take the time to reflect on the power and influence of our black sisters and brothers which they have imparted to us as a nation but also to us as The United Methodist Church.
Do you recognize the names of Henry McNeil Turner, Lucius Holsey, or Donald Hollowell? Bishops, pastors, and attorneys that help Methodism in the state of Georiga to bloom and grow, but in their early days, they were simply men who had a passion for Christ and His people.
Do you recognize the names of Martin Luther King and Joseph Lowery? Brothers and colleagues who paid the price during the Civil Rights era. Not only for the Methodist but for people of all faiths. They put their lives on the line so that others might have a life.
Do you recognize the names of Leontine T. O. Kelly, Charlotte Ann Nichols, or maybe Joethel Jeannette Cooper Dicks? These women are trailblazers for black women but also for all women.
We must never forget the influence nor the impact these and others have had on the Methodist Church, and especially the United Methodist Church. I hope you will celebrate Black History Month, because these are our sisters and brothers; we need to know and understand their heritage and their dreams and their hopes because they are our heritage, our dreams, and our hope today. Start celebrating by Googling these names and seeing what they did for Christ and His Church and our family. Celebrate by spending time in prayer, praying that the hate that survives in any heart be eradicated and replaced with love and understanding. Celebrate, not only the past, but God's glorious future as we become one in God and change the face of the world.
You see the dream lives on in others,
Dana
|
|
|
FEBRUARY
2016
2/8 to 2/9 - District Clergy Retreat @ Salem Campground
2/9 - District Church Development (Building & Location) @ Harmony Grove UMC of the Way @ 7:00 pm
2/11 - DS @ BOM Executive Board @ 9:00 am
2/16 - DS @ Candler for Visits with Students
2/16 - District Finance Team Mtg
@5:30 PM
2/18 - DS @ Cabinet Meeting @ 9:30 am
2/20 - DS @ Connectional Ministries Mtg @ 8:00 am
2/21 - Gathering Session for Final Project @ John Wesley UMC @ 12:00 noon
2/23 - DS @ Kindle the Fire @ Glission @ 8:30 am
2/23 - GREEN Cell Group Luncheon @ Newks @ 12
2/23 - Emory Wesley Advisory Board Mtg @ 5:30 pm @ Glenn Memorial
2/24 - District Prayer Services @
12 Noon - Candler
5:00 - Oak Grove
7:00 - St. Mark
2/25 - Trustees @ District Parsonage
@ 3:00 pm
2/27 - Conference Nominations Work @ UMC Center @ 9:00 am
-------
DS in class each Monday and Wednesday, 3 PM to 4 PM
|
|
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
March 21, 2016 at 9:45 to 11:45 - Rock Springs UMC
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YOUTH MEMBERS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE - JUNE 7-9, 2016
Caitlin
Santos from Duluth First UMC
Angel King from Suwanee Worship Center UMC
Ray Copeland from Prospect UMC
Gary Martin from Dacula UMC
Stewart Voegtlin, Chaperone from Glenn Memorial UMC
These youth were selected from a large number who applied. The District Lay Leader and Associates in conjunction with the Team help to select these students to represent our district.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
Our church is at its best when we reach out to sisters and brothers in need. Our generous gifts through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering support the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief around the world. UMCOR provides immediate assistance in the wake of disasters and participates in ongoing ministries of food, shelter, health and peace. On March 6, our congregations will receive this special offering, which ensures that when a crisis happens, 100 percent of giving for that disaster goes to those in need.
in the U.S. and around the world.
ANOTHER SOURCE FOR SUPPORT
Last week I shared with you the resources of Care and Counseling Center of Georgia and of Dr. Melissa Sexton. I was reminded by Dr. Joe Whitwell that we also have within our area the Covenant Counseling Center in Snellville. This, too, is a fine center for supporting clergy and for handling referrals for mental health.
We are blessed to serve in an area with such great support for the body and the spirit. Please take advantage of these blessings.
CONNECTING NEIGHBORS
Organizing the Local Church for Disaster Ministries
"Is
thy heart right towards thy neighbor?"
John Wesley
What if a tornado hit your community? Is your church prepared to come to the aid of those in need? Are you, yourself, prepared to deal with the aftermath of such a disaster? Will you be able to protect your family and assist your neighbors? The time to prepare for disaster is before disaster strikes. Are you and your church prepared?
These are all questions we will answer at our Connecting Neighbors conference on February 25th at Headland Heights UMC. At this conference we will explain how you can prepare to protect yourself and your family, and prepare your church to act in the aftermath of a disaster. We will discuss how the United Methodist Church enhances the local church's capabilities for disaster readiness and response.
At the completion of the conference you will be able to:
1. Identify the steps to take to prevent harm to people in your congregation and your community,
2. Identify the steps to take to mitigate against disaster-caused damage,
3. Assess and plan for the utilization of church resources in disaster relief,
4. Identify a long term disaster ministry within your local church,
5. Initiate a plan to engage your church and to cooperate with other households of faith and the community at large to be prepared in the event of a disaster.
Disasters can take many forms: tornados, floods, hurricanes, fires, snow and ice storms. The resulting effects on life and property can be devastating to your community. How you respond, both individually and as a church, will make a huge difference in limiting those effects. Please plan to join us on February 25th at Headland Heights UMC and learn how you can prepare and help your church be prepared for disaster response. The doors will be open at 8:30 to gather and meet with coffee and light snacks. The conference begins at 9:00am and will close at 3:30pm.
Please register for this event on the North Georgia Conference web site. Cost for the conference is $10 to cover the expense of lunch and snacks payable at the door.
Headland Heights UMC is located at: 2
147 Dodson Road
East Point, GA
Mark your calendars now for Lawrenceville Camp Meeting, June 19 - 23, 2016 at the Camp Ground in Lawrenceville. The preachers for the week
are:Sharma Lewis
, Royeese Stowe, and Mike Long.
What's REPEATED (but important):
SERVANT LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS EXTENDED (for one week):
On the District website is a link for the 2016/2017 Servant Leadership Application. I encourage you to invite key lay people and for you yourself to consider filling out the application and returning it to the District Office before the deadline. We are looking for people with a passion to serve the larger Church and who are willing continue to help the Atlanta Emory District to be the best district in North Georgia. Please share this with your congregation, and let's build a great team.
PRAYER VIGIL - FEBRUARY 24
Have you signed up for the General Conference 24 hour Prayer Vigil yet? You may do so by going online at
www.ngumc.org/24hoursofprayerforGC2016 and signing up for a 30-minute time slot. Every pastor and every lay person in North Georgia
is
encouraged to pray for the upcoming General Conference. Please sign up, and please share this with your congregation.
Plan to join us at one of the many services throughout the district:
- 12 Noon at Candler School of Theology in the Wesley Preaching Chapel for a 30-minute Prayer Service on Wednesday, February 24th.
- The District UMW will hold a 30-minute Prayer Service at 7 PM at St. Mark United Methodist in Midtown, also on the 24th
- Oak Grove UMC invites all to join in their Prayer and Communion Service at 5:00 in the sanctuary, also on the 24th
Consider signing up today, and then joining us for one of the Prayer Services throughout the district on February 24th as well. Please also share this information with your congregations.
|
|
 All IN THE FAMILY
Birthdays:
Anniversaries:
None
Prayer Celebrations & Concern
Those of our district traveling on the Wesley Heritage Tour through February 16, 2016.
For the family of Rev. Terry A. Hunter (Rome Carrolton District) who died suddenly on Thursday evening. Pray for his wife Laura and daughter Anna.
Funeral arrangements are Tuesday at 1 pm at the Griffin First UMC. All clergy are asked to attend and be in robe and white stole.
Continued prayer for:
Those expecting in 2016
Prayer Focus for the Week:
Church: Druid Hills United Methodist Church
Retired - Charles Reeve
1191 Hickory Thickett Drive
Benton, AR 72019
678-925-1461
PKs - Bethany and Katie Zant,
will.zant@ngumc.net
blair.zant@ngumc.net
The emails or phone numbers are provided so that you might write a personal note to all
those celebrating special events or those in need of prayer,or call. Please take a moment and share your love with your District Family.
|
|
 LEARNING ABOUT EACH OTHER
...this week's congregation
Druid Hills United Methodist Church
1200 Ponce de Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30306
404.377.6481
Sunday Worship
11:00
"Merger approved with Epworth UMC; New Church UMC to be birthed near Easter"
Rev. Dave Allen Grady
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Contacts
Dana Everhart, Superintendent
770.446.7506
Teresa Lilja, Administrative Assistant
770.446.7506
amryoffice@ngumc.net
|
Atlanta Emory District Vision & Mission
Proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ through
our Unity
our Celebrations
our Sharing
and thereby
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.
2015 - 2016 Theme:
Risk-Taking Missions & Service
|
|
| |
|
