Dr. Rick Lanford, NCD Superintendent April 2020 Newsletter Bishop Lawson Bryan-Episcopal Leader P.O. Box 18169, Macon 31209 P.O. Box 7227, Macon 31209

Phone: 478-254-6023 Fax: 478-254-6230 Phone: 478-475-9286 Fax: 478-475-9248

Email: rick@sgaumc.com

QUIETLY COURAGEOUS Dear clergy colleagues,

Before we even saw the effects of COVID-19 here in Georgia, I recorded a Palm Sunday message.

Little did I know how timely the words “quietly courageous” would be today, nearly one year after Dr.

Gil Rendle introduced them to us at last year’s Annual Conference session.

Today, maybe more than ever before, let us ask the questions, “How do we develop quietly

courageous leadership? What does it look like to be a quietly courageous leader in today's world?” I

invite us to use Holy Week as a great teaching moment and to look to Jesus as the teacher. His

witness gives us the opportunity to learn from the most quietly courageous leader the world has ever

known. (Watch video)

Worship Services

Last week I said it would be unlikely that in-person worship services and other gatherings would

resume during the month of April. That was confirmed Sunday evening when President Trump

announced the extension of social distancing and the voluntary national shut down through April 30.

The Cabinet and I ask that you please extend your contingency planning to include the remainder of

April since we will not be meeting in person during that time.

It’s hard for any of us to fathom not being together with our church family to observe Palm Sunday,

Holy Week, and Easter, but I continue to be encouraged by the creative ways our congregations are

being the church while scattered.

Our Connectional Ministries team has put together resources specifically for Palm Sunday, Holy

Week, and Easter, and I will lead a 10 a.m. worship service for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday for

churches that are unable to stream their own service.

Communion/Love Feast

Many of you have asked for guidance around communion during this time. If John Wesley were with

us today, I am confident he would say: use this time to offer your congregation a resource from the

early Christian Church - the Love Feast, also known as the Agape Meal.

This ancient Christian practice is well-suited for use with online worship. It unites Christians in table

fellowship using bread, cup, scripture, and prayer for encouragement and support—the very things we

need most right now. It recalls the meals Jesus shared with the disciples during his ministry.

The New Testament letter of Jude, verse 12, contains a reference to the early Christian practice of a

love feast. And who can read Acts 2:42, 46-47 without longing to experience this kind of

connectedness among believers?

The Moravians, a group of German Christians, introduced the Love Feast/Agape Meal to John

Wesley in Savannah, Georgia in 1737. Under Wesley’s influence it became a significant part of early

Methodism. His diary notes state: “After evening prayers, we joined with the Germans in one of their

love–feasts. It was begun and ended with thanksgiving and prayer, and celebrated in so decent and

solemn a manner as a Christian of the apostolic age would have allowed to be worthy of Christ.”

The Love Feast can be celebrated during online worship. It does not require an ordained person to

officiate; any Christian may conduct it. Historically it has often been used in situations where a service

of Holy Communion was not feasible. Although its origins in the early church are closely

interconnected with the origins of the Lord's Supper, the two services became quite distinct and

should not be confused with each other. The Love Feast has its own uniqueness and can be a “fresh

expression” of the Christian faith for our church members.

In addition to the order for a Love Feast found in The Book of Worship, here are links to two additional

services that are well-adapted for use in online worship. These services are not lengthy and can

follow the sermon as a response to the Word.

Link: A Liturgy for When We Cannot Meet

Link: Comfort Food: A Feast of Love

At a time when we are looking for ways to remain connected to each other, let us use this powerful

resource from our own history. South Georgia is where John Wesley first experienced the Love Feast.

In lieu of Communion, let us enthusiastically offer this to our congregation during this season in which

we are not having in-person worship.

The Appointment-Making Process

The Cabinet and I have been meeting each week for both appointment making and for ongoing

assessment of the coronavirus situation. Our appointment process has certainly been impacted by the

virus and has altered our process for consultation with churches and pastors. It is our goal to publicly

release appointments on Sunday, April 19. Thank you for your prayers for this discernment process.

Annual Conference/Moving Day

The Annual Conference planning team and I are looking at alternatives, and we anticipate making an

announcement before the end of April. If the Annual Conference session is moved to a later date,

moving day will still be June 17 unless the coronavirus situation necessitates further change.

Sexual Ethics Workshop Deadline Extension

Due to the suspension of in-person gatherings during April, the Sexual Ethics Workshop set for April

21 will not be held. To accommodate this change, the Cabinet and I, in consultation with our

Conference Pastoral Counselor, will extend the deadline by one year for all clergy mandated to attend

future workshops. For example, if you were originally due for a workshop during the 2020-21

conference year and did not attend the workshop last September, you will now have an additional

year to complete this requirement. The next Sexual Ethics Workshop is scheduled for Thursday,

September 17, 2020.

Together We Pray - 12:19

The Cabinet and I ask you to join us in the COVID-19 Prayer Movement as we pray daily at 12:19

p.m. We are praying for a vaccine, for medical workers, for those with the virus, for grieving families,

and for the Holy Spirit to continue stimulating the amazing creativity of our South Georgia

congregations.

As we look toward the cross, may we pray these words together: Come, Lord Jesus, enable us to ride

with you into Jerusalem. Enable us to sit with you at the table. Enable us to learn from your witness

on the cross so that we can be who our communities and our world most need: quietly courageous

leaders. Come, Lord Jesus, and make it be so for us. Amen.

Alive Together in Christ,

Lawson Bryan

Clergy colleagues,

Naturally, we will not cease to be humbled and inspired by a broad category of medical professionals on the “front lines” of COVID-19.

As most of you mentioned in your Sunday written and online worship offerings, these countless cogs in the wheel of our medical

machine remain steadfastly in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers. My own daughter-in-law is an ICU nurse at Children’s Hospital of

Atlanta, Scottish Rite. When I pray, it feels personal and daunting.

There are some others I know who are on the front lines these days. These professionals are YOU, our clergy – those who often go

through days, weeks, and even months feeling far from being noticed and less than appreciated. Increasingly, you get news of those in

your congregation or close to your flock being diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. Some of you stand stymied and indignant outside of

hospitals that will not allow you in to see your sick and dying parishioners, even those not impacted by the virus. You are wisely

forbidden from gathering in person for worship services, funerals, weddings, etc., yet you are trained in the “ministry of presence.”

Family members and friends call, email, post on Facebook or twitter their own expressions of pain, heartache, and fear. Touch is a

potential danger - offering a hug? Poor judgment.

If truth be known, there is one malady most clergy suffer from that is much more prevalent among us than the Coronavirus –

HELPLESSNESS. Pastors do not do helplessness well or sometimes at all. Today I am urging you to make sure you have someone

other than your spouse or immediate family member or even your best friend to talk to. Consider talking to someone who is

somewhat neutral: a colleague, a therapist, coach, or spiritual director. Feel free to contact me. First text my cell phone and we

will schedule a call as soon as possible. Reach out at (478) 397-9800.

Trained and experienced listeners NEED a trained and experienced listener. Christ becomes embodied in an unbiased, supportive,

knowledgeable, and trustworthy resource. Please have that option on standby. If you do not know who to turn to and do not feel

comfortable talking to me, email me at deborah@sgaumc.com or Kate Tyler at cpcassistant@sgaumc.com and simply ask for a referral.

We have trained resources standing by and eager to assist. Additionally, you will be hearing from me regularly through the online

edition of the South Georgia Advocate.

I’m fairly certain that Bishop Bryan was not aware of how prophetic he was being when he adopted his South Georgia vision almost four

years ago: “Alive Together in Christ.” Ironically, as the season of Lent reminds us, sometimes it is literally through suffering and death

that we experience life and the fact that we are ALL in this together. That, my friends, must surely be the mystery of God’s constant

revelation to all the world.

Prayers for the journey…together,

Deborah

deborah@sgaumc.com

(478) 397-9800

A Service of Word and Table incarnate:

Rev. Nick Hazelton has a unique way of handing out money to the homeless community. Nick has always wanted to give more

than just a few dollars. Nick uses a small New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs that includes the plan of salvation along

with highlighting two passages, John 3:16-18 which speaks of God’s love and Jesus’ mission, and Romans 8:38-39 which

speaks of God’s unconditional and enduring love. He believes these passages are crucial toward understanding that regardless of

life situations or brokenness there is hope for salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ.

In the Bible he places $2.00 at each reference ($4.00 total). He chose this amount because it is enough to buy a hamburger and

fries from a fast-food restaurant, but not quite enough to buy drugs.

By giving out these Bibles he has experienced touching moments as people thanked him for the Bibles and challenging

moments as people rejected (at least temporarily) the Bible.

So, with this little Bible and a few dollars, he has been able to reach out in Jesus’ name to offer a little love, relief, and hope into

the darkness of human brokenness. What a wonderful example of charitable giving unto the least of His. Thank you, Rev. Nick

Hazelton, for showing us an incredible way of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Senior Staff Changes at GUMF

Bishop R. Lawson Bryan, episcopal leader of the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, and Rev. Keith

E. Lawder, president and CEO of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation, announce the following changes to the senior staff

at GUMF. Rev. Stephen A. Waldorf, regional vice president of GUMF, will begin a medical leave on May 1, 2020. Steve is an ordained

elder in the South Georgia Conference and has served faithfully in pastoral ministry for 34 years. Lawder said, “Steve has served admirably as the face and voice of GUMF for the past five years in South Georgia. We have

worked closely together, and he has accomplished a great deal. Even more than that, Steve is a good friend. I know he will

continue to be a wonderful ambassador for the Foundation.” Steve noted, “It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the Foundation while serving United Methodist churches in

South Georgia.” Steve and his wife, Sally, look forward to spending more time with their five adult children and 12 grandchildren. The Board of

Trustees of GUMF will celebrate and honor Steve at the May board meeting. Bishop Bryan and Lawder also announce the election and appointment of Dr. Laudis H. “Rick” Lanford as regional vice

president of GUMF beginning July 1, 2020.

Rick is a graduate of Oxford College and Emory University, the Candler School of Theology, and McCormick Theological

Seminary. An ordained elder in the South Georgia Conference, he currently serves as the North Central District Superintendent

and Dean of the Cabinet. Before Rick’s appointment as district superintendent, he served several churches in Macon and as vice

president of development and then president and CEO of the Foundation of the Methodist Home for Children and Youth.

Lawder said of Dr. Lanford, “GUMF is truly blessed to have someone with Rick’s experience, gifts, and energy to step into this

key position. He has long been an enthusiastic supporter of GUMF missions in South Georgia!”

“It has been an honor to serve on the Cabinet with Bishop Bryan representing the churches of the North Central District. I look

forward to this new season of ministry with the Georgia United Methodist Foundation. It brings me great joy to partner once

again with individuals, local churches, and agencies, sharing with them an array of stewardship opportunities that will enhance

their ministries,” Rick said. When he's not working, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, their three daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

Perry UMC Youth Make Blankets for Children in Foster Care

Youth from Perry UMC made 20 blankets to give to children entering the foster care system.

On a wet, rainy Wednesday evening a few weeks ago, youth at Perry United Methodist Church spent the evening inside, serving others.

They cut, tied, worked, and worshiped, but above all, they shared the love of Christ as they made 20 blankets to give children who will be entering the foster care system.

Measuring about a yard and a half long, each no-sew fleece blanket takes four people about half an hour to make. Two youth cut fringe and another two tied knots. Soon, colorful blankets with mermaids, Disney characters, flowers, and animals were complete. Read more

Conference to Unite in Prayer, Fasting

Regional Prayer Gatherings Clergy and laity are invited to participate in one of eight regional prayer gatherings. These gatherings will include times of prayer, worship, and reflection and will be focused on hearing God’s voice, praying for others, and being rooted in God. Tuesday, March 10th Macon @ Vineville UMC 10:00-11:30AM Statesboro @ Pittman Park UMC 10:00-11:30AM Columbus @ St. Mark UMC 6:30-8:00PM Vidalia @ Vidalia First UMC 6:30-8:00PM Thursday, March 12th Savannah @ White Bluff UMC 10:00-11:30AM Camilla @ Camilla UMC 10:00-11:30AM Brunswick @ The Chapel 6:30-8:00PM Valdosta @ Park Avenue 6:30-8:00PM

24-hour Day of Prayer and Fasting The 24-hour day of prayer and fasting will be held May 4-5 at The Chapel in Brunswick. It will include hourly prayer experiences from 1 p.m. May 4 until 1 p.m. May 5. A celebration lunch will end the fast. Cost is $20. Register now for the 24-hour Day of Prayer and Fasting

Church Security: Compensation for Church Security Guards

We are very grateful for all the men and women of The North Central

District who serve on church security teams in our local churches. Many

of our churches hire off duty officers to serve as security guards for

worship services and other church events. We want to make sure we are

appropriately compensating those who serve in this capacity. In Bibb

County, the going rate for off duty officers working security is now $40.00

per hour for a minimum of three hours. You are encouraged to check with

your local law enforcement to determine the going rate in your area. The

safety of our worshiping communities should be a top priority for every

church. Let’s appropriately compensate those who help insure our safety

so that they know how much we appreciate their willingness to serve our

local churches. If you have any questions regarding church security,

Rev. Jeff Cook is the Church Security representative on the North Central

District Leadership Team. You can reach him at 229-886-7032

or jcook@mulberrymethodist.org.

Lay Servant Trainings

2020 Class Dates Vidalia First UMC, Vidalia College Place UMC, Brunswick

Oct. 9 - 10 (Basic) Register here Oct. 16 - 17 (Basic) Register here

Oct. 23 - 24 (Advanced) Register here Nov. 6 - 7 (Advanced) Register here

DATES TO REMEMBER

May 18-21, 2020 Springtime By The Sea (Experiencing History, Cultures and People)

Learn about cultures from the Native American Timucuan tribe to the Gilded Age of millionaire cottages.

Visit the Wanderer Exhibit detailing the site where over 400 enslaved Africans wereee rowed ashore on the

last slave ship to reach the US without repercussions. Experience all this on the islands of Jekyll, Amelia

and St. Simons as well as Jackksonville, FL.

Details and registration: www.epworthbythesea.org or call 912-638-8688

2020 UMC FCU

Annual College Scholarship

Students 17-35 years old within the United Methodist Florids,

South Georgia, North Georgia, and Alabama-West Florida UM

Conferences (Church Members, Church Staff, UMC Organization

Staff, Family Members of Current UMC FCU Members, UMC

Camps qualify to apply for this $1,000.00 scholarship. There will

be a winner from each conference.

Apply here

Conversations, a new book by Dr. William W. Oliver, is now available! All proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Wesley Glen Ministries, Inc.

A “Must Have” Book

Do you like a good story? Not the kind we see all over television or social media these days, but perhaps a personal account of a memorable or influential event in your life that will leave a smile on your face, a tear in your eye, or a warm feeling in your heart. Dr. William Oliver shares a collection of his life experiences that lead us away from the hustle-bustle of our fast-paced world, and toward the wisdom we can gain from life experiences that mold our lives and teach us to enjoy whatever life provides us on that particular day.

— Dr. Bill Argo

Order your copy today!

Pick up your copy at Wesley Glen, or mail the order form to: Vanda Asbell

Wesley Glen Ministries

4580 N Mumford Rd

Macon, GA 31210

Questions? Call Vanda at 478-471-3711

ORDER FORM FOR CONVERSATIONS:

Name: ___________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________ St:_____ Zip: ____________

Phone: __________________________

email: ___________________________________________________

Total Number of Books ____ x $29.00 = $___________

Total Amount Enclosed $___________

Pick up your copy at Wesley Glen, or mail form to:

Vanda Asbell

Wesley Glen Ministries

4580 N. Mumford Rd.

Macon, GA 31210

New Wesleyan Partnership Offers College Credit to Pastors in Training

A new partnership between Wesleyan College in Macon and the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) will offer college credit for women who are enrolled in GBHEM’s pastoral training program, the Course of Study. The Course of Study is designed for those who wish to serve as local pastors in The United Methodist Church and possibly pursue ordination as elders without taking the traditional seminary route.

Women who are enrolled in one of Wesleyan College’s online degree programs (Business Administration, Accounting, or Applied Psychology) and who are enrolled in the Course of Study program may earn 36 credits toward their Wesleyan degree (120 credits total) upon successful completion of the entire Course of Study. All Wesleyan College courses required for graduation will be taught in an online format.

“To be able to get a college degree online through Wesleyan College and get 36 hours credit toward that degree from the Course of Study is a good deal for licensed clergywomen in our conference,” said Dr. Jay Harris, Assistant to the Bishop for Ministerial Services for the South Georgia Conference. Read more

Please be in prayer for the family of Rev. Ted Bass (Gayle) who

passed away in March.

Please be in prayer for the family of Rev. Dwight Irons (Suzanne)

who passed away in March.

APRIL

5 Dale Seeley(S) 5 Kay Stanaland 15 Sandra &

Russell Wilson

7 Laurie Clotfelter(S) 7 Jim Hamlin 27 Don & Beverly

King

9 Keith Smith 9 Donald Welch

10 Jan Moye(S) 12 Tim Bagwell

12 Craig Hutto 16 Nick Hazelton

16 Barbara Nelson 29 Hope Wood(S)

30 Don Kea

Children’s Birthdays

Blake Wilson Jeremy & Rennata Wilson April 4 Delia Perkins Tommy & Caroline Perkins April 7 Rebecca Harris Jay & Kay Harris April 15 Alyssa Cowart Jim & Jennifer Cowart April 20 Sarah Alligood Jeff & Juliann Alligood April 21 Ellie Knight Deborah Wight-Knight April 21 Audrey Cook Jeff & Sandra Cook April 24

EVANGELISM REPORT

February 2020

CHURCH NAME BEGINNING

MEMBERSHIP AVG.

COMBINED

ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS

ADDED

MEMBERS

REMOVED

AVG. SMALL

GROUP

ATTENDANCE

ABBEVILLE 142 30 0 0 35

LIBERTY HILL 18 12 0 0 10

ALLENTOWN

DANVILLE

WESLEY CHAPEL

ANDREW 274 70 0 0 71

BETHEL

LINTON

PLEASANT GROVE

BONAIRE 505 271 0 1 205

BREWTON 17 28 0 0 5

BOILING SPRINGS 48 30 0 0 42

LOVETT 14 29 0 0 0

THOMAS CHAPEL 6 25 0 0 0

BUCKHORN 189 99 0 0 70

CARTER’S

CHAPEL

CENTENARY 309 227 0 0 65

CENTERVILLE 311 161 1 0 12

BENEVOLENCE 4 4 0 0 4

OAK GROVE 29 10 0 0 0

CHRIST 180 156 2 0 37

COCHRAN FIRST 240 78 0 0 12

LONGSTREET 12 15 0 0 6

CORINTH 87 33 0 0 22

CROSSROADS 358 153 2 1 55

DAVISBORO

NEW HOPE

DEEPSTEP

DEXTER 45 14 0 0 8

DUBLIN FIRST

DUDLEY 74 47 0 0 8

EASTMAN FIRST 352 119 2 1 121

ELKO 5 23 0 0 0

SNOW 28 26 0 0 7

GROVANIA 13 22 0 0 0

EVERGREEN 87 19 0 0 18

FOREST HILLS

GETHSEMANE

GORDON 185 62 0 1 27

GRAY 871 372 0 1 212

CLINTON 144 40 0 1 0

HADDOCK 31 17 0 0 0

SUNSHINE 71 42 0 0 15

HARVEST 911 2302 0 68 922

HAWKINSVILLE

FIRST

363 129 1 0 202

CHURCH NAME BEGINNING

MEMBERSHIP AVG.

COMBINED

ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS

ADDED

MEMBERS

REMOVED

AVG. SMALL

GROUP

ATTENDANCE

HERITAGE AT

HOUSTON

103 54 9 0 23

HERITAGE 394 66 0 0 68

HOWARD CHAPEL

IRWINTON-

TOOMSBORO

52 21 0 0 6

SALEM 12 15 0 0 0

JEFFERSONVILLE

ASBURY

JOYCLIFF

SMITH CHAPEL

LAUREL BRANCH

LIBERTY 488 228 2 0 163

LIZELLA 299 86 0 2 65

MARTHA BOWMAN 930 440 0 0 511

MONTROSE

MOORE’S CHAPEL 6 6 0 0 6

BETHEL 36 19 0 0 14

MULBERRY

STREET

1174 241 2 4 100

NUEVA VIDA

NORTHVIEW 63 16 0 0 12

PARK MEMORIAL 97 35 0 0 15

PERRY 1157 390 0 5 196

PINE FOREST 818 320 0 1 374

PINE HILL 57 26 0 0 7

PINEY MOUNT 168 56 1 0 106

PITTS CHAPEL

RIVERSIDE

ROCHELLE 69 18 0 1 15

PITTS

ROCKLEDGE

MIDWAY

ROGERS

SANDERSVILLE

SHURLINGTON 36 26 0 0 25

SWIFT CREEK

TABERNACLE

TENNILLE

TRINITY 1150 197 1 2 148

LUCY CHAPEL 16 9 0 0 0

PROSPECT 48 0 1 18

VINEVILLE 1268 411 0 5 1008

WARNER ROBINS

FIRST

602 196 1 29 156

WESLEY 232 67 0 0 50

ARLINE-BETHEL

MAPLE SPRINGS

WESLEY CHAPEL

PINEY MOUNT

WRIGHTSVILLE

FIRST

132 81 0 0 38