The LaGrange Link A monthly publication of

The LaGrange District of the United Methodist Church

Rev. Susan Landry District Superintendent February 2018

February: The Month of Love

Last week, in late January, your Appointive Cabinet of North Georgia spent several days at

Epworth by the Sea for the Cabinet Consultation—an annual event for the Cabinets of the

Southeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.

Our own Bishop Sue preached the first night, where she shared her passion and perspective on

the direction of the Church Universal, and more specifically the direction of the UMC. She

acknowledged that we are walking in times that can bring about anxiety. However, we are a

people of faith, called to stand tall in our trust in God, in all things, with no need of fear.

I won’t try to write her sermon here, but wanted to share what I believe was the ‘heart’ of her

message, the root of her call to us as United Methodists in North Georgia. Bishop Sue said, it all

comes down to this: Perfection in love. It isn’t about being right or wrong—and who has time for

squabbling about non-central issues anyway? It is about all of us growing toward Perfection in

Love.

So in February, the month of Love, it seems the perfect time for all of us to ask ourselves… “Am

I moving toward Perfection in love?”

In less than perfect love,

Susan

Colossians 3:14 “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together

in perfect harmony.”

Sunday, February 25 Homeless Offering

If your church has not received your material for this special offering, please contact the District Office

Many Thanks from the District Office

for the following:

A BIG thank you to all of the 96 churches in the LaGrange District for paying 100% of your 2017 District Work Fund! Another big thank you to the following churches that also paid 100% of their Conference Apportionments. The LaGrange District collected 95.73% of their apportionments. Allen Lee, Andrews Chapel, Arbor Chapel, Ayres Memorial, Bethel, Big Springs, Burks Chapel, Burns, Caney Head, Carmel, Clark, Cokes Chapel, Corinth, Cornerstone, Dunson, Ebenezer, Emory Chapel, Fayetteville First, Freeman Memorial, Grantville, Greenville, Haralson, Harmony - Franklin, Harmony – LaGrange, Hartford, Heard Wesley, Hillcrest, Hogansville, Hopewell – Tyrone, Hopewell – Whitesville, Inman, John Wesley, Jones Hill, Keeney Memorial, Korean Church of Newnan, LaGrange First, Leete Hill, Long Cane, Louise, Lovejoy Memorial, Luthersville, Manchester, Midway, Moreland, Mountville, Mt. Airy, Mt. Carmel, Mt Gilead – Grantville, Mt. Gilead – Sharpsburg, Mt. Olive, Mt. Zion, New Hope, Newnan Chapel, Newnan First, Odessadale, Peachtree City, Pine Mountain, Pleasant Grove, Powell, Providence, Raleigh, Roe’s Chapel, Roopville, Rust Chapel, Salem, Senoia, Smith Chapel – Pine Mountain, Smith – Newnan, St. James – Hogansville, St. Mary, St. Paul, Trinity on the Hill, Trinity – Durand, Turin, Union Chapel, Union Springs, Warm Springs, Welcome, Wesley, West Point First, White Plains, Whitesville, Wilson Chapel, and Woodbury. Thank you to all members of the LaGrange District who supported our recent training event. We had the largest crowd we have had in a number of years, with over 310 participating! We are grateful for all who led workshops, including: Rev. Scott Parrish, Rev. John Mattox, Rev. Debby Fox, Rev. Susan Landry, Rev. Jairo Gay, Rev. Renee Clark, Rev. Kim Evans, Mrs. Denise Wilson, Mr. Jim Davison, Mr. Derrick Wilson, and Dr. Winston Worrell. On behalf of The United Methodist Children’s Home, thank you to all the churches who participated in the “Baby Shower for Jesus” and brought diapers and wipes to the training. We collected over 5000 diapers and over 8000 wipes, as well as 100 hand crocheted hats for newborns! Thank you to the LaGrange First UMC for hosting the training event and for their excellent hospitality. Thank you to the Fayetteville First UMC for hosting the recent Clergy Ethics training and all their help in organizing that event.

¡que el Señor sonrisa sobre ti y traerle paz y gozo! "May the Lord bless you with peace and joy!" The Bridge to El Salvador is growing because of God's blessing and your support! Because of the growing interest and involvement of the people of the LaGrange District with the people of El Salvador and the bond of fellowship we have formed with the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en El Salvador "the Evangelical Methodist Church in El Salvador", we are offering a third district mission trip to El Salvador this year! Please pray about your personal involvement in Bridge #3 scheduled for August 18 - 25, 2018, whether it be as a mission team member or as a donor/sponsor for the team. If you are interested but have questions, please contact the District Office to request a team to come to your church to talk with you about the mission trip. Individual cost for one mission team member is approximately $1,500 for an 8-day trip, including everything but your souvenirs and recreation expenses. There are seats available for the first 15 people to respond. A deposit check of $100 to the District Office will reserve your seat on the trip. Get your deposits in soon! Make your check payable to the LaGrange District Office. Enter "Bridge #3 deposit" on the Memo Line. Provide your email address and phone number along with the deposit so we can connect with you concerning team meetings and information. Send to: LaGrange District Office, 200 Church Street, LaGrange GA 30240.

Neither age nor physical limitations should discourage you from being a mission team member. There is a place for everyone who feels called to engage in this ministry. You will be blessed and be the vessel of many blessings! Dios te bendiga. "God bless you." The LaGrange District Bridge to El Salvador was created as a part of the North Georgia UMC Conference's Bridges Initiative in 2012. The development of

the LaGrange District Bridge began with the vision of offering international mission opportunities to smaller churches in the district. This vision quickly grew into an active ministry that has blessed many individuals and churches in the LaGrange District and in El Salvador. There are many ways you and your church can support the LaGrange District Bridge to El Salvador: - Pray for the Bridge, the mission team members, the churches involved, and the people of El Salvador. - Volunteer to serve as a mission team member. - Include the Bridge to El Salvador in your church and individual giving plan.

- Give to the District Bridge general fund which helps offset costs of mission trips. - Provide a financial scholarship to a mission team volunteer. - Financially support the Volunteers in Missions coordinator Brian Dubberly. - Financially support the General Board of Global Ministries missionary to El Salvador Ellyn Dubberly. - Sponsor a child in El Salvador with a school scholarship to the Methodist School. - Contribute to the new Methodist School building project. - Contribute to special ministry opportunities of the Methodist Church in El Salvador. - Financially support a local pastor in the Methodist Church in El Salvador. - Provide materials and supplies for mission team projects. Opportunities are limitless as are God's blessings for your faithful partnership with the LaGrange District Bridge to El Salvador! Teams are ready to respond to an invitation to speak to your churches, mission committees, and connection groups about the life-changing experiences found in international missions and specifically the Bridge to El Salvador. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Tommy Holder, district missions coordinator, at 678-633-0259 or tom.holder@ngumc.net.

Thank you to Rev. Scott Pickering and the District Statistician Team for all their work with churches on End of Year Reports. They are currently finishing up the reviews of all the reports and getting final updates completed. All churches are encouraged to go back and print a final copy of their reports once the conference has input 2017 apportionment figures. These reports will be available on the “End of Year” page of the conference website within the next day or so. Team Members assisting Scott were Rev. Maria Bowers, Rev. Angie Crummie, Rev. Joe Harrington, Rev. Beverly Casstevens and Rev. Deborah Holloway. Black Methodists for Church Renewal North Georgia Lenten Revival Sunday, Feb. 18 at Ben Hill UMC, 7pm – Rev. Brian Tillman, Revivalist Sunday, Feb. 25 at Warren Temple UMC, LaGrange, 7pm – Rev. Susan Landry, Revivalist Sunday, March 4 at Ben Hill UMC, 7pm – Rev. Carolyn Stephens, Revivalist Sunday, March 11 at Ben Hill UMC, 7pm – Rev. Byron Thomas, Revivalist Youth Worker Lunch Gathering All those working with youth in the LaGrange District are invited to join together for lunch at LaParilla in Newnan at 12 noon on Thursday, February 22. Lay Servant Classes The LaGrange District Board of Laity is sponsoring 3 lay servant classes on Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15 & 22 (6-9pm) at St. Mary UMC in Hogansville. Courses being offered included the Basic Course, and advanced courses “Leading Worship” and “Leading in Prayer”. Registration deadline is February 16. More information is available on the Lay Servant page of the district website or by calling the district office. Early Response Team Training Saturday, March 3 at Cornerstone UMC For more information, contact Rev. Scott Pickering at sdp2011@icloud.com

District Committee on Ordained Ministry Meeting at Cornerstone UMC on Tuesday, February 27

Meeting with local pastors and new candidates for ministry

Detailed schedules have been emailed to participants

Spiritual Life Retreats Upcoming SLR weekends focus on the I Am Third as the

theme for 2018

Wouldn't it be great to have a quality weekend retreat where you could trust the content, spend time with your youth (instead of worrying about the setup of the next session), and come back with a group of youth and adults who are stronger and more capable than when they left?

This year's Spiritual Life Retreats will strengthen your youth ministry and allow you and your adult leaders some much-needed quality time with your youth while our staff takes on the responsibility of the setup, take down, and running of the weekend.

The theme of this year's Spiritual Life Retreats at Glisson Camping and Retreat Center is I Am Third - helping your youth recognize that in all decisions and service, God comes first, others are second, and... "I am third." It's necessary, if we are to follow Christ, that we have a heart of service. Jesus taught those closest to him to serve one another; he declared that he came, not to be served, but to serve others. In living that example as our teacher, we also must serve if we are to be like him.

Spiritual Life Retreats happen every spring in North Georgia on three different weekends. Each year these

retreats attract more than 1000 youth and adult leaders from all over the North Georgia Conference. The three weekends in 2018 (March 2-4, March 9-11, and March 16-18) are identical in content, though the bands and speakers change each weekend. Groups can register for any weekend and be assured of a quality retreat designed with the purpose of enriching the opportunities of spiritual growth for its participants and making your church ministry thrive. The retreats are designed and led by other youth and adult leaders in the conference, offering another level of leadership development to youth in the conference.

Cost for a weekend is $145 per person, but if you register and pay by January 15, 2018, you can save $20 per person. That covers four meals, lodging for two nights, all program costs, a t-shirt, some training opportunities for your team of adults, and an amazing time with your group. We'll also send you a copy of the curriculum early so you can see what your youth will be discussing this year in their small groups.

Two weekends are already full, but you can get information below on the only available weekend:

March 9-11 Weekend 2 (Speaker: Nathan Dickens, Director of University of North Georgia Wesley Foundation; Band: UNG Wesley Band)

Questions about SLR? Contact Sam Halverson at 678-533-1445 or Hannah Stubblefield at 770-974-3312

What do I need to know?

What to Bring Retreat Cancellation Policy Important Paperwork Directions Schedule

Retired Clergy Invited to Spring Day Apart with Bishop Sue

North Georgia Conference retired clergy are invited to a Spring Day Apart with Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. The event will be March 27 at Glisson Camp and Retreat Center. This will be time for retirees to see spring come to life at our camp and retreat center in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Cost is $15 per person and includes activities, lunch in the new dining hall, and bus transportation for those who would like to travel together. Busses will depart from the following areas: Decatur - Oak Grove UMC Griffin - McDonough First UMC LaGrange/South Atlanta - Jonesboro First UMC Athens - Athens First UMC Covington/Augusta - Covington First UMC The Day Apart begins at 10:30 a.m. and concludes with transportation departing at 3:15 p.m. Spouses or friends are welcome. Retirees and their guests must register and pay online to attend. Register at https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=290390&

Clergy Day Apart With Bishop Sue

Tuesday, April 10 @ Impact UMC, 2323 Sylvan Road, East Point Tuesday, April 17 @ Dunwoody UMC, 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody

North Georgia Conference clergy are invited to a day apart with Bishop Sue. Choose between

Tuesday, April 10 or Tuesday, April 17.

To prepare clergy should read and study two books:

The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict Author: Arbinger Institute Publisher: Ingram Publisher Services

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High Author: Ron McMillan, Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny Publisher: McGraw Hill Book Co.

Cost is $10 per person.

Register Here

Bishop’s Scouting Lunch Saturday, April 28 at 11:30am at Peachtree Road UMC For pastors and key leaders of churches (Church Council Chair, UMM President, Youth Minister, Scouting Coordinator) RSVP to jcarsonccc@aol.com with names of all attending by April 13 There is no charge for this event.

Purpose: to help participants learn more about the scouting programs (which includes Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters) and how they can be used beneficially by our churches to serve the children, youth and families in our communities.

VBS - Kids Helping Kids

Consider The United Methodist Children's Home as your church prepares for Vacation

Bible School (VBS) this summer. We offer two free and fun ways to teach children about

The Children's Home and about being the hands and feet of Christ:

1. The Kids Helping Kids VBS Mission Kit works with any VBS theme and gives your

children a hands on way to help other children from right here in North Georgia. Simply

incorporate it into the Mission Moment or Mission Room at VBS.

2. The Kids Helping Kids Lesson Guide can be used for any gathering of children and/or

youth. It includes a Bible lesson, stories from The Children’s Home, some hands-on

activities and ways to get involved.

Visit http://bit.ly/UMCHVBS for more details and to obtain the Kids Helping Kids VBS

Mission Kit and Lesson Guide.

Job Opportunities:

Part-Time Warehouse Coordinator

North Georgia Conference seeks a part-time warehouse coordinator for our disaster response efforts. The Impact warehouse at 2323 Sylvan Road, Atlanta, will be open Tuesday and Thursday of most weeks from 10am-3pm and one Saturday per month. The warehouse coordinator will be responsible for effective temporary warehousing of UMCOR supplies, coordinating with churches for drop off, directing volunteers, & working with UMCOR for transport. The position requires experience in effective and safe warehouse procedures. Also, strong communication skills will be necessary for the coordinator in working with the conference disaster response team, North Georgia churches and conference leaders, and UMCOR in order to create an efficient collection and distribution system. Please send cover letter and resume to Rev. Scott Parrish at scott.parrish@ngumc.net along with the application linked as an "Attached File" below.

Contact: Rev. Scott Parrish

Address: Atlanta GA

Email: scott.parrish@ngumc.net

Attached file(s): view file

The O. Wayne Rollins, Director of Pastoral Care Wesley Woods is seeking applications for the O. Wayne Rollins Director of Pastoral Care. Below are details about Wesley Woods and the position we wish to fill. Since 1954, Wesley Woods has provided housing and services to older adults. Annually, Wesley Woods serves over 1,800 older adults in 10 communities across North Georgia to a broad spectrum of individuals. We support and empower older adults to age with grace. The O. Wayne Rollins Director of Pastoral Care will report to the President and CEO of Wesley Woods Senior Living and be a part of the executive leadership team. Managing an initial staff of 2.5 full time Chaplains that will expand to fill the need within each of our communities, the Director of Pastoral Care will develop and implement a robust program that consistently delivers quality pastoral care, critical to our resident’s well-being and spiritual health, to each of our Wesley Woods’ communities. The development of this program will require creativity to ensure the most effective delivery models of care, strategic cultivation of church partners and volunteers, and a passion for older adults. This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial, creative leader to build a first of its kind program in Georgia while impacting the lives of those in need.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Terry Barcroft President & CEO, Wesley Woods Senior Living terry.barcroft@wesleywoods.org | (404)

728-6232 Traci Montgomery

Director of Human Resources, Wesley Woods Senior Living traci.montgomery@wesleywoods.org | (404) 728-6858

Feb. 17-24 – District Mission Team in El Salvador Feb. 19 – District Office Closed for President’s Day Feb. 19-20 – Cabinet Meeting Feb. 22 – Youth Worker Lunch, LaParilla, Newnan, 12 noon Feb. 24 – District UMW Lenten Day Apart, Greenville UMC Feb. 25 – BMCR Lenten Revival, Warren Temple, 7:00pm Feb. 27 – DCOM meeting with local pastors, Cornerstone UMC, 3:30-7:30 Mar. 1 – District Strategic Growth Committee meeting, Peachtree City UMC, 10am

Please visit our district website at www.ngumc.org/lagr where you will find even more

information about district and conference activities. And “Like” us on Facebook! (The

LaGrange District)

You are welcome to post videos or information about events at your church on our

Facebook page.

Happy Birthday to the following ministers in the district who are celebrating birthdays in February: 2 - Melanie Reeves 9 - Shannon Karafanda 3 - Alpheia Murray 19 – Joshua Daniel 8 - Bob Tobias 24 – Ashley Jenkins