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North Georgia Annual Conference
June 13 ? 16, Athens, Ga.
Under the theme “We Are Called to Act with Justice,” Bishop Lindsey Davis gaveled the North Georgia Annual Conference to order at the Classic Center in Athens.
The 285 clergywomen who have served in the conference were remembered and honored as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women. Guest preachers were Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor of the Columbia (S.C.) Area and the Rev. John Ed Mathison, pastor of Frazer Memorial, Montgomery, Ala.
More than 1,600 delegates participated in a Great Day of Service which included:
- Visits to 24 shut-ins and to numerous residents of 12 nursing homes;
- Assembly of gift baskets for 100 hospice patients;
- Gathering 500 layette kits for needy newborns;
- Making 50 comfort pillows for oncology patients;
- Distributing six tons of food to benefit over 200 households;
- Holding 4 worship services for prison inmates;
- Collecting more than 100 pints of blood through the Red Cross;
- Repairs to dozens of homes for individuals who are disabled; and
- Painting, cleaning, and landscaping a new church serving a Hispanic community;
Together, 92 different organizations and countless individuals benefited from the day’s work.
Twenty-eight clergypersons who served a total of 737 years retired. There were 24 elders and three deacons ordained and admitted into full connection. Another 23 probationary elders and eight probationary deacons were commissioned.
In conjunction with the Board of Ordained Ministry’s report, a bishop’s decision of law was requested concerning the appointed local pastor’s right to vote on clergy delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 2007.
The statistical report indicated that North Georgia has become the largest annual conference in United Methodism. Since the 1970’s, growth has been consistent.
Gifts of more than $2 million were received for hurricane relief and more than $1 million for tsunami victims. General Church apportionments of $5.9 million (also the largest in the denomination) were paid. A budget of $24,340,000 was adopted. It signified a 1.3 percent increase (which was the smallest in 30 years).
The Rev. Joseph Lowery, former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was presented the Eleanor Richardson Award for Social Justice. The Denman Awards went to the Rev. Allen Stewart, pastor at Hartwell Church, and to Joseph Slife, lay leader at Gateway Church in Athens. The Rev. Jim Lowry, pastor at Norcross First Church, was the recipient of the Ross Freeman Award for significant contributions to the United Methodist Men. COSROW Leadership Awards were given to Beth LaRocca-Pitts, Louise Elmore, Diane Parrish, Cindy Little, Becky Griffin, Barbara Rankin, and June Glenn. Receiving the Advocacy and Self-Determination Award were Woodrow Williams and Wesley Chapel in McDonough and Kelly Barge and the Sandy Springs Church.
Bishop L. Bevel Jones, retired, was made an honorary member of the annual conference as appreciation was expressed for his untiring service to the churches of the conference, its several organizations, and the larger community. Mayor Heidi Davison of Athens joined the conference in proclaiming June 14, 2006, as “Bev Jones Day”.
Seven new church starts are anticipated in the coming year. An additional church plant will be in Las Vegas in partnership with the Desert Southwest Conference. The pastor of the new congregation, Candace Lansberry (from the Desert Southwest), was presented to the conference. Along with financial assistance, other resources and church development experience will be shared.
The Board of Laity carried out an intensive leadership development training that graduated 160. Also, lay teams were formed to help churches analyze their communities and develop plans for effective ministries.
Resolutions passed included:
- A study of hunger and its effects;
- The formation of a task force to increase participation of young adults in the life of the annual conference;
- Encouragement of the denomination’s boards and agencies to be proactive in supporting the Book of Discipline’s definition of marriage; and
- The intentionality to elect an inclusive and diverse delegation to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
Membership stands at 342,045, up 4,410 from the previous year. Worship attendance is 133,741, down 849. Church school attendance registers at 61,645, down 5.7%.
-- Ed Tomlinson
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