From the Pastor’s DeskDear Friends,

In his letter to the Philippians Paul said, “I thank my God every time I

mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and

it’s always a prayer full of joy.” (Phil. 1:3-4) I am so thankful to be in ministry

with you all and for the opportunity to get to know the wonderful people of

our church. As a church, we are blessed with so many kind, caring, welcoming people with a

passion for service and doing the Lord’s work. I so enjoy getting to see each of you on Sunday

mornings, sharing meals with the UMW and the ladies of our Tuesday craft group, and joining

the youth at least once a month. My only regret is that there is never enough time to spend

with so many wonderful people.

Paul goes on in his letter to say, “I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in

you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6) The longer

I am here, the more certain I become that God is and has been doing wonderful things at

Colbert UMC and has wonderful things in store for us as a church. God has blessed us in many

ways: with a beautiful sanctuary, an inviting Family Life Center, and most of all with devoted

and faithful servants. Each of you reading this newsletter are part of the greatest blessing and

resource that we have as a congregation, and that’s the people of our church. As a church we

need each of you: we need to hear your insights, we need your strengths and gifts. You are

incredibly important to God’s work in this local body of Christ. I encourage you to share your

views, dreams, concerns and hopes with me; I want to hear from you.

It is my hope and prayer that as we work together with God’s leading and in God’s grace

our congregation will continue to grow, continue to reach out to others in the community,

and continue to keep the mission before us of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world. United in Christ, I look forward to discovering together all that

God has in store.

In His Love,

Pastor Megan

MessengerTHEC O L B E R T U N I T E DM E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 • V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1 0

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TrusteesProjects to be completed: Bids to remove two trees from the property of the parsonage; Painting the side porch of the FLC; and Paying off the mortgage of FLC.

Church CouncilThe Church Council will meet on Monday, Oct 17th, at 6:00pm. Please bring a written copy of your report for the secretary.

Missions CommitteeThank you for everyone who made donations to the UMCOR disaster relief buckets last month. We received a letter from UMCOR letting us know that our contributions helped to fully restock the relief buckts. We appreciate your kindness and generosity in helping our brothers in Christ in need.

Bible Study

It’s not too late to join our weekly Bible Study. We are studying together from A Disciple’s Path by James A. Harnish. Each participant will need to purchase a daily workbook available from Cokesbury or Amazon. Contact the pastor for more information.We’ll be meeting October 12, 19 and 26 in the Colbert UMC Family Life Center.

G E N E R A L N E W S

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If you would like to make a donation to intheMiddleMeals in memory or honor of someone, here’s what you do:1. Make your check out to intheMiddleMeals 2. Write in the “For:” line of the check “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” the person(s) in whose name you are making the donation. 3. Give your check to Judy Craig; she will send a card either to your designee or to you in recognition of your donation. Your check will then go to Jerrie Teet for deposit into the iMm account.

Your donation is tax-deductible and supports an amazing grass-roots food program started right here at Colbert UMC. Thank you for helping feed the middle and high schoolers in our county who might otherwise go without food during the year.

Soup Kitchen Our Daily Bread at Athens FBC

We served 174 plates of ham/sausage, green peas, mashed potatoes w/gravy, bread, fruit and bananas on September 22 at Athens First Baptist Church which is the location for “Our Daily Bread.” Our volunteers were Bill & Shirley McClure, Judy Craig, Wanda Coley, Rose Branson, Dave English, Mike Rhodes and Brenda Abdel-Hafez. Our next date to serve is October 27. We are usually there for 1 ½ hours and it is such a joy to participate in this ministry. If you are willing to help, please contact Brenda Abdel-Hafez at 706-247-5412.

Joe Morris and family would like to thank everyone who came to his 100th Celebra-tion, and for all the cards and gifts. You made his day very special!

A big Thank You to all who made our reception a warm and loving occasion. We count it all joy to be part of the church family at Colbert United Methodist. Neal and Keri McGinnis

Bill & I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, calls, cards and visits during our recent illnesses. A special thanks to Pastor Megan for her one-on-one prayers to both of us. They were a blessing! A big thank you to Mitchell Goss, Larry Goss, and Tom Sack for removing the pecan tree that fell in our back yard the day of Bill’s sur-gery. They did a wonderful job cleaning it up! Love in Christ. Bill & Shirley McClure

Thank you to the Brookshire Sunday School Class for the honor of a donation to “in the Middle meals” in my name. That was very humbling. Judy Martin

Join us Sunday, Oct. 9, 3-4:30pm, for a prayer walk at our church. We will be praying for our church and ministries. No praying out loud required!

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G E N E R A L N E W S

November 19 • 9am-1pm • FLC

Reserve a table at the 2nd Annual Colbert UMC Advent Market to sell your handcrafted items! Tables are just $10 each and you keep all the money from the products you sell. Products must be hand-made, not store bought and must not be second-hand or garage sale type merchandise. Registration forms are available at www.colbert-umc.org/advent-market or in the church narthex.

We are also looking for volunteers to make soup, cornbread and baked items to sell at the market. All money collected from table rentals and food sales will go toward the Colbert UMC food ministries. Please contact Rose Branson, 227-2571 | Tracy Coley, 706-318-1543 | Jerrie Teet, 706-788-9712, for more information.

2nd Annual

Fanny Crosby wrote over 8,000 hymns and gos-pel songs, despite being blind. Adults-$20.00; Seniors-$18.00; Students-$5.00; Groups of 8 or more-$15.00. Let’s get a group together! If interested in going, see Rose Branson. Optional Dinner at 6:00 pm, catered by 211 Main Street Restau-rant and Bakery, meal reservations must be received by Nov. 9; Meal prices: $20 adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.

www.savannahriverproductions.org

November 127:30 pm

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Hampton ClassCounting Our Blessings

Recently I have had the song “Count Your Bless-ings” on my heart and thoughts. So I’m listing some of the blessings that impact our church lives today.

Colbert UMC has a beautiful church family who gives us support when we have personal and health problems. We have prayer warriors, tal-ented musicians, those who work with our food ministries, and those who keep our church and grounds looking nice. These are just a few of the blessings we receive by being a part of Colbert UMC and makes it a shining light for Colbert and the surrounding communities.

“Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.”

With the advent of cooler weather, it is time for our Sunday school class to go out to eat. We’ll do it soon.

Our chairs aren’t filling up very fast, so you members out there who NEED to be in Sunday school class, we would welcome you. You who are much younger than us may find that the Hampton Sunday school class is just what you are looking for.

Here’s an excuse: I was on my way to church and was almost there when I looked at my cell phone and it said, “No Service”.... So I turned around and went home.

Lois Scaffe gave me this:“I’ve seen better days, but I’ve also seen worse.

I don’t have everything I want, but I do have all I need. i woke up with some aches and pains, but I woke up. My life may not be perfect, but I AM BLESSED.”

Shalom, Ruth Johnson

S U N D AY S C H O O L N E W S

Brookshire ClassJesus has a lot of titles such as Savior, Lamb of God, Redeemer, etc. Did you ever consider Jesus to be our “High Priest”? We begin study in the Book of Hebrews and our study guide titled “The Sovereignty of Jesus”. We are introduced to the king-priest Melchizedek and what he had in com-mon with Jesus. What to learn more?

We love football and fall leaves. We are glad that Barry Clack’s foot is better. Bill

McClure had surgery to remove part of one of his toes. He is on the mend and walking much better. Shirley McClure had surgery on her tongue and has recovered nicely. Jessie Bohannon is walk-ing much better since her knee surgery. Thelma Morris and Miriam Delk both fell at their respec-tive homes. Thelma has a big knot on the back of her head and Miriam had a bloody nose and badly bruised hand. But they are like the Ener-gizer Bunny, they get up and keep on going. What an inspiration they are to all of us. Cleo Ward and Christine Haralson are recovering at home from their surgeries early in September. We continue

to pray for Chris Fuller, son-in-law of Dave and Sue English. He has serious heart problems. We also continue to remember James Needham, cousin of Codi Parham and nephew of Kaye Lane. James has cancer in several parts of his body and other medical problems. He is mid-thirties, married and has children. We express our sincere sympathy to the families of Mike Hillsman and Buddy Logan.

We celebrated with Joe Morris and his family for his 100th birthday and gave a gift in his honor to the FLC loan. We also donated to iMm food program to honor Cleo Ward, Christine Haralson, Thelma Morris and Judy Martin.

We will be delighted to have you come to our Sunday School class to join with us in prayer and Bible study. May God bless you all.

—Brenda Abdel-Hafez

Colbert United Methodist Women enjoyed a September devotional program by Patty Hughes and a wonderful meal provided by Sue English and Jerrie Teet. We will meet again on Monday, Oct. 3, 6pm for our monthly meeting. Our hostesses will be Nellie Allen and Crystal Holdcomb and our program will be presented by Wanda Coley. We will continue planning for our upcoming Advent Market that will be held on November 19. Speak with Tracy, Jerrie, or Rose if you have any questions. All adult women in the church are invited to join us each month for warm fellowship and laughter. Thank you to our Youth for a great evening of food and games. The men won playing horseshoes but lost the race in cooking the pancakes faster than the Youth could eat them. Next year, we add another griddle.We are checking on the cost of peanuts and hope for a fundraiser beginning in November.

Kids for Christ (KFC) starts back this month after a brief hiatus while Mrs. Jessie recovered

from knee surgery. All children in elementary school are invited to come share in craft, fellowship, snack and fun each Wednesday, 5:30-6:30.

UMYF covered the Groove Relationship Series in September, learning about how to better manage relationships with family, friends, and significant others, and how to resolve conflict. We had a great time with the UMM who provided us with a delicious pancake supper and hosted games of horseshoes, badminton, cornhole and croquet. Everybody had a great time! UMM can host us anytime! In October we’re looking forward to our PokemonGo Party on the 9th and then getting ready to host a spaghetti supper fundraiser on Nov. 5th in the FLC to benefit our summer mission trips.

Supper Club had a slim crowd in September, however a great time and good food was had by all who ventured to Cheddar’s. Our next outing will be on October 21st when we will head to Zeb’s BBQ in Danielsville. Please mark your calendars and plan to meet at the FLC at 6pm to enjoy a great time of fellowship and some good ole BBQ & stew. If you aren’t a BBQ fan, they have a great chicken sandwich!! Until we eat again!!!

The Craft Group is making sleeping mats for the homeless from used plastic

grocery bags. If you have clean, dry bags to donate for this mission, please leave them in the church fellowship hall on the table. If you’d like to participate in making bags, join the Craft Group on Tuesday’s at 10am in the FLC.

S M A L L G R O U P N E W S

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10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30USHERS Rose  Branson Anna  Almond Shirley  McClure Terri  Christian Judy  Craig

Chuck  Branson Kebo  Almond Bill  McClure Cleo  Ward Wayne  CraigACOLYTE Lee  Aaron Clay  Saxon Kendall  Daniel Daneille  Wooten Kaylee  PhelpsLITURGIST Gina  Ward Brenda  Abdel-­‐Hafez Jim  Haralson Tracy  Coley Jerrrie  TeetNURSERY Brenda  Abdel-­‐Hafez Codi  Parham Delores  Kennedy Mariann  Branson Patti  Hughes

Trudy  Ward Will  Parham Clay  Saxon Lorali  Hardegree Braydon  HardegreeFLOWERS Communion Debby  Rogers Donna  Jordan Rhonda  Shedd  & Linda  WickliffeCOMMUNION  ASST. Chuck  Branson Karen  Rutledge

11/6USHERS Linda  Gaulding

Jerrie  TeetACOLYTE Olivia  WootenLITURGIST Trudy  WardNURSERY Katherine  Phelps

Kaylee  PhelpsFLOWERS CommunionCOMMUNION  ASST. Suzanne  Sack

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G O D ’ S S U N D AY S E R V A N T S

UMW October Hostesses: Nellie Allen and Crystal HolcombUMW October Program: Wanda Coley

UMW November Hostesses: Tracy Coley and Wanda ColeyUMW November Program: Christine Haralson

Official Church CalendarNeed to reserve church spaces or van for an event? The Official Church Calendar is maintained by Pastor Megan. If you need to use the old fellowship hall, Family Life Center, Sunday School rooms, sanctuary, or church van, please follow these easy steps:

1. Check the Official Church Calendar (located in the church office in the FLC) to see if the room(s) or van is available for the day(s) you want to reserve and use them. Please note that the church main-tains a list of approved drivers; please see Pastor Megan for more information.

2. Read the building usage policy located in the church office and on the bulletin board in the back hall of the church.

3. Fill out a Reservation Form located online or in the church office, and return it to Pastor Megan.4. Pay any necessary deposit or usage fee (preferably by check) to the church. Trustees will determine

and assess any damage fees as necessary.5. After receipt of payment (if necessary), Pastor Megan will confirm your reservation and write your

reservation on the Official Church Calendar.

This policy was adopted by the Church Council on Jan. 9, 2011.

If you are unable to be there for your scheduled Sunday, please try to switch with someone or call Rose Branson @ 706-227-2571.

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By Jodi Cronic (granddaughter)

Papa was born in a house in Madison County, Georgia. His father, Redden, was a farmer and

lived to be 103. His mother, Annie, was a housewife and mother to 9 children. Papa was in the middle of the pack, which consisted of Lucille, C. B., Betty, Katie, Joe, John, Irene, Clifford, and Marie. While he was growing up there was no TV or indoor plumbing, but they did have a telephone and electricity. They pumped water from a well outside and of course had an outhouse.

He married Agnes Carter in 1937 by Ab Patterson, Justice of the Peace. Agnes was 16 years old and he was 20. They were married while sitting in his car in the middle of the street. Can you imagine, a drive-th-ru wedding? They had five children. Oldest to young-est were Joe Donald Morris, Norma Delores (Dee) (Osborne), Linda (Brown), Carol (Smith), and Debbie (Drake).

Papa and his family lived in an old white house on 2nd Avenue in Colbert, Georgia until it burned in 1966. They rebuilt a brick house in the same spot and he has lived there ever since.

His first job was delivering groceries with the Tal-madge Brothers Wholesale. Soon after, he was drafted into the army during World War II. When he was drafted he only had the two oldest children. He first went to Atlanta, then to training camps in Florida, Virginia, and then was in California for 1 year before heading to the Philippines. He boarded the USS Uruguay and found out that the war had ended on his way over. But he spent the next year as an MP (Military Police) while in the Philippines.

When he returned to the states, he went back to work for Talmadge Brothers but then took a job in a sew-

ing plant toting bundles for a year. For his final job, he spent the next 20 years at Dairy Pak until poison-ing from Mercury and Lead led to his retirement.

Papa always had a fabulous garden every year. I have many great memories of shelling butterbeans on the porch while swinging in the much loved porch swing, not so much of the actual picking of the butterbeans. Although Papa doesn’t keep a garden now, he con-tinues to mow his grass with his ancient riding lawn mower, rakes leaves and picks up twigs. He loves being active.

We celebrated Papa and Granny’s 50th Wed-ding Anniversary in 1987 and then their 60th

in 1997. Granny passed away in 1999. Approximately 5 years ago, papa fell and broke his hip. But that didn’t keep him down long. The physical therapists were amazed at his strength and flexibility. During this time, the family had a meeting and decided that even though he was doing great living alone at 94, it might be time to have someone spend the night with him. Nights were divided up between family members. Then later we added days, some of his

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF

Mr. Joe Dorsey Morris Born Sept. 21, 1916

great-grandchildren were able to take days. How many can say they spend quality time with their great-grandfather? They have made videos of him singing and telling stories from the past. They take him to the grocery store, doctor, pharmacy, and just out riding reminiscing over what has changed in the county. I even managed to have my grandfather at my retirement celebration in 2012 after 30 years in education as well as attending my brother’s retirement the next year. Just in the last few years, he has been able to celebrate 50th anniversaries of two of his daughters and their husbands, Linda/Dwight and Carol/William.

I know I have enjoy spending the night once a week with him. Our favorite things to watch are American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Braves baseball and Fox news. He likes to keep up with what is happening in the world. We spend lots of time discussing issues and whom we think is the best singer or dancer.

Papa turns 100 this September and of course, we will have a huge salute to his life. When given the opportunity to share his favorite memory, he said, “ waking up every morning”, and then he laughed

and said, “it was when he got married”. When asked to give advice to this generation, he said, “Tell them to get out of the rain! I’ll leave it up to you to ascertain the meaning.

He is the only member of the Redden Morris family left but all of his children are living. He has 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren with 2 more on the way.

68 North Second StreetP.O. Box 317

Colbert, Georgia 30628

Pastor Megan Hallford Gomez(706) 788-3372 (office)megan.gomez@ngumc.net

www.colbert-umc.org ColbertUMC@windstream.net

Our Mission: Colbert United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Colbert United Methodist Church 68 North Second Street • Colbert, Ga. 30628

2nd Annual

November 19 • 9am-1pmChristmas Gifts & Decor • Jewelry • Crafts

Handmade Items • Silent AuctionHomemade Soup & Baked Goods

www.colbert-umc.org/advent-market