2009 Annual Conference Session Columbus, Georgia June 7-10, 2009

Annual Conference 2010 will be held in Tifton, Ga. June 6-9.

2009-2010 Appointments
Click here to view the 2009-2010 South Georgia Annual Conference Appointments.

Annual Conference Wrap-up
Click here to read a wrap-up of the 2009 Annual Conference Session.

Thoughts on Annual Conference
Click here to hear Bishop King's thoughts on the 2009 Annual Conference Session.

Wrap-up Bulletin Insert
Click here to download a bulletin insert for use in your local church to help you tell the story of Annual Conference.

Constitutional Amendment Results
Click here to view the results of the balloting of the Constitutional Amendments.

Annual Conference Session Daily Highlights
--Sunday, June 7
--Monday, June 8
--Tuesday, June 9
--Wednesday, June 10

Annual Conference Session Offerings
--Central Conference Pension Initiative Special Offering: $32,100.66.
--Ordination Service Offering for the Ministerial Education Fund: $1,939.00
--Memorial Service Offering for the Fund for Special Relief: $3,352.45.

Annual Conference Session Photos
--Sunday, June 7
--Monday, June 8 (page 1)
--Monday, June 8 (page 2)
--Monday, June 8 (page 3)
--Day of Service (page 1)
--Day of Service (page 2)
--Day of Service (page 3)
--Day of Service (page 4)
--Tuesday, June 9
--Wednesday, June 10

2009 Conference Journal
Click here to pre-order the 2009 Conference Journal.

DVD's, CD's and/or mp3's Available for Purchase
Order DVD's, CD's and/or mp3's of the 2009 Annual Conference Session worship service s or Bible studies through the GNTV website.  Visit their online store anytime at www.gntv.info.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SOUTH GEORGIA ADVOCATE

Take a sneak peak at the following Annual Conference articles that will appear in the next issue of the South Georgia Advocate. Make sure you are a subscriber. Mail your check, payable to "South Georgia Advocate," P.O. Box 660275 / Dallas, TX 75266-0275.  Pay by credit card by calling 1.877.465.1685.  A one year subscription is $25 (or $23 for subscribers 65 and older). Share your news by e-mailing advocate@sgaumc.com.

Bishop King presides over his first Annual Conference session in South Georgia
By Kara Witherow, Editor
They came from Brunswick and Buena Vista, from Macon and Moultrie, from Albany and Americus.  More than 1,200 South Georgia United Methodist clergy and laity gathered together June 7 10 at the Columbus Civic Center to worship God, conference in the Wesleyan tradition, vote on proposed constitutional amendments and fellowship together. 

Benevolent benefactor donates $500,000 to CCPI; challenges Georgians to match
By Kara Witherow, Editor
South Georgia United Methodists recently had the opportunity to help meet the needs of retirees in the Central Conferences (outside the U.S.) through a conference-wide special offering that was received at the 2009 Annual Conference session to support the Central Conference Pension Initiative..  This opportunity has been made even more significant by a $500,000 donation by an anonymous donor in Georgia.  This donor has challenged United Methodists in both the South and North Georgia Annual Conferences to respond with donations of their own.  There is potential for an additional gift later in the year depending on the level of support generated among Georgia United Methodists.  The donor is challenging every local United Methodist Church to participate significantly in the campaign so that together the original gift of $500,000 can be matched or exceeded. Read entire article>>

Will You?
By Kara Witherow, Editor
When a young suitor asks his intended, Will you marry me, they celebrate with joy and embark together to begin to join their new lives. And when two people come together in marriage, they rejoice in their union as one.

In the gospel of John, the second chapter, in the story of the wedding in Cana, readers are given a glimpse into a wedding celebration and bear witness to Jesus' first miracle. In this opening miracle, Jesus celebrates the joining of lives together in marriage.  In much the same way, those who attended the Tuesday night Service of Worship during Annual Conference celebrated the church's union with Christ as they shared how God is working in and through the lives of South Georgia United Methodists. 

The night's worship experience, a wedding feast inspired by the story of the wedding in Cana, was an experiential service that piqued all senses. Tables were elaborately outfitted with vases of multi-colored roses and candles, goblets of juice, and plates of bread and oil, evocative of what the guests at the Cana wedding may have dined upon. Guests were invited to break bread together and fellowship with one another during the evening's service. More>>

There are so many great things happening in the South Georgia Conference. Make sure you stay in the know with these great tools and resources!

Conference Website Check out www.sgaumc.org for the most up to date news and information of the South Georgia Conference. Searching for clergy contact information or trying to find a church? Make sure to visit the church & clergy locator on the website.

South Georgia Advocate A new and exciting venture for South Georgia, the conference will now be printing its own newspaper in partnership with the United Methodist Reporter. Make sure you are a subscriber. Mail your check, payable to "South Georgia Advocate," P.O. Box 660275 / Dallas, TX 75266-0275.  Pay by credit card by calling 1.877.465.1685.  A one year subscription is $25 (or $23 for subscribers 65 and older). Be sure to share your news at advocate@sgaumc.com.

Bishop's Blog Bishop James King has a blog Snapshots of South Georgia. Visit www.bishopking.com to see who the bishop has snapped a shot of this week!

InFocus Video Portal Share your video with the world through the South Georgia Conference's version of YouTube but without the nonsense! Upload your video to the portal and then grab the code and embed it into your church website or just link straight to the portal. See videos of Bishop King and check out what other churches are posting as well at www.ourchurchvideo.com/sgaumc.

Conference E-mails Stay connected and informed right in your in-box! To sign up send an e-mail to kelly@sgaumc.com.
--Concerns and Celebrations - daily prayer requests and praises
--The Link bi-weekly e-newsletter from the Office of Communications
--Bishop's Newsletter periodic communications from Bishop King
--Disaster Link updates on disaster response

CONFERENCE EVENTS

School of Christian Mission - July 16-19
The South Georgia Conference United Methodist Women will be hosting the annual School of Christian Mission July 16-19, 2009, at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island.  Meeting under the theme "Together at the Table," the school will provide a mission experience for all ages, including classes for adults, youth, and children. Click here to download the brochure and registration form. Click here to download the housing form. Click here to download a flyer to promote the School of Christian Mission in your local church.

Georgia Pastors' School - July 27-30
The brochure for the Georgia Pastors' School, meeting July 27-30th at Epworth By The Sea, is now available for download. The focus this year will be on the facets of worship. Guest preacher will be Dr. Tom Long, and the exceptional faculty includes: Dr. Don Saliers, Dr. Lisa Allen, Rev. David Wood, and Mrs. Ginger Wyrick.  Click here to download the brochure.  Click here to make your housing reservation online with Epworth By The Sea.  Click here to download the Book List.

Georgia PAUMCS - August 13-16
The Georgia Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) invites you to a weekend of continued education, learning and networking August 13-16, 2009, at Epworth By The Sea. Meeting under the theme Georgia PAUMCS Goes Green! the conference and retreat is open to all Secretaries, Administrative Assistants, Finance Administrators and other office personnel paid/volunteer, full or part-time in the United Methodist Church. For more details on how to register for this retreat, contact JoAnn Bloodworth, Vice-President, at 478-272-3371 or by email at joannkb@bellsouth.net.

Pathways to a Healthy Church - August 15
The annual Pathways to a Healthy Church is designed to equip local churches with practical, quality training that will help you fulfill the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.  Set for August 15 at Trinity UMC in Warner Robins, this training will offer over 40 workshops and 2 all day workshops designed to help congregations become more healthy.  Make plans now to attend. Click here to download the brochure to view all of the workshops.

2009 Sexual Ethics Workshops for Clergy - September 10
The remaining Sexual Ethics Workshop for 2009 is set for September 10, 2009, at Valdosta First UMC. The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. This workshop is required every three years for person serving under appointment by the bishop (clergy, local pastors, extension ministers, appointed lay speakers). Cost is $5 for lunch (collected at the door). To register, please e-mail cpcassistant@sgaumc.com.

ELEMENTARY CAMPS - 2009 Elem. Camp 1: June 22-26 Elem. Camp 2: July 6-10 Elem. Camp 3: July 13-17 Epworth By The Sea For those entering 4th-6th grades Counselors provided Cost: $225

ALL UPCOMING EVENTS
--UMW Conference School of Mission - July 16-19
--Wesley Glen Day - June 21
--Georgia Pastors' School - July 27-30
--Golden Cross Sunday - July 5
--Pathways to a Healthy Church - August 15
--Christian Education Sunday - August 16
--Sexual Ethics Workshop for Clergy - September 10
--Methodist Children's Home Day - September 20
--KidzQuest Retreat 1 - September 25-27
--KidzQuest Retreat 2 - October 2-4
--World Communion Day - October 4
--Vashti Day - October 18
--Wesleyan College Day - November 8
--November Youth Celebration - November 20-22
--United Methodist Student Day - November 29
--United Methodist Global AIDS Fund - December 6