Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging

For the last few years we've always had mission service days at annual conference, but with one day less the schedule is a little more compressed. Thankfully we still had a great quality, "hands on" mission option that has a tremendous impact.

More than 200,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now were packaged Thursday. The meals are going to school children in Nicaragua. The mission project was made possible by an anonymous donation of $50,000.

The prepackaged meals of rice, vegetables, soy protein and chicken flavoring include 21 essential vitamins and minerals chosen especially for malnourished people.
Each reusable plastic bag provides servings for six people, has a shelf life of three to five years and costs about 25 cents to make.

There was a great mix of children, youth, and adults of all ages and stages working on this assembly project.



Learn more about Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging Program

Mission Education Event

The 2010 Co-operative Christian Mission Education Event (CCMEE) will be held at Simpsonwood Retreat Center, July 15-16-17. The three mission studies to be taught are:

Geographical Study–The Beauty & Courage of Sudan: Why a Dream of Peace is Possible
Spiritual Growth–For the Love of God: John’s Letters
Social Issues–Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity

School Dean: Barbara Rankin 404-294-6795


Mission Education

North GA UMC Annual Conference Begins

I can't think of any better way to start a few days of church meetings than with a reunion!

Yesterday afternoon I took the pleasant 90 minute drive from Augusta to Athens for Annual Conference. The deacons of the conference always have a gathering the evening before conference, and enjoy a meal, a meeting, and of course, the best part is the reunion and fellowship as "old" deacons and new gather together. We had almost 60 deacons of the conference make their way to Winterville, just east of Athens, for the event. The last 3 years a church in the Athens area has hosted our meal, and we've found it to be a great way to "connect" with different churches and clergy, plus it's always fun to learn more about a church we may not have experienced. Of course, many congregations (even in "deacon rich" North Georgia) don't know about United Methodist deacons, so it's a good opportunity all the way around.

Deacon Ministry

The deacons in my conference are an interesting, diverse order of clergy who range the gamut of specialized ministries in the Church and World. As we gathered we welcomed new clergy to the gathering, and celebrated with some who are retiring. We swapped stories and ate some incredible "home cooked" turkey, sweet potatoes, and more especially prepared for us by the pastor and his church. And then as we left the church to travel back to Athens, as day was giving way to night around 8:30, found ourselves driving in a torrential downpour complete with stoplights out & street flooding!

Let Annual Conference begin!!

Love Unlimited Tours Spain

Love Unlimited, the senior high youth choir at Trinity on the Hill UMC, departs for Spain today. This exciting 75 voice choir and band have an exciting sound and witness. Check out their schedule, keep them in your prayers, and follow their adventures with the updates that will be posted on their website.

Senior High Youth Choir Tours Spain

Are Mission Trips Worth It?

There is an ongoing conversation in some circles about whether mission trips are worth the time, expense, and if they truly have a positive impact. I actually enjoy the conversation, and think there have been some problems with mission experiences, so I don't discount the conversation. But, when it comes down to it, for me what is too often missing in Christian and church witness is the powerful combination of Word AND Deed. Check out the conversation below that made the front page of the Sunday paper. It was interesting that this carried over into many of the discussions at my church on Sunday morning.

Are Mission Trips Worth It?

Senior High Youth Choir

Our senior high youth choir heads out each June for a summer tour. They are typically a group of 75 or more singers plus a very talented band. Over the last few years they've toured DC, NYC, Texas, & the midwest. But every 4 years they do a big European tour. This year Love Unlimited is headed to Spain. Keep up with their adventure by internet or Facebook. This ministry always has a profound effect on those involved and we expect that tradition will continue once again in the next couple of weeks.

Love Unlimited

In the next few weeks I'll enjoy a United Methodist Annual Conference in Athens, a mission team in Detroit, and more summer excitement.