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SouthWest News and Updates                                                         View this email in your browser
The Most Glorious Season
Religious easter Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
Today, I lift an offering of prayer for each church in the district, for pastors and laity, for a meaningful Holy Week and a Glorious Resurrection Sunday!
Together, we await the Church united in proclaiming yet again this central and holy tenet of our faith, “Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!” Hallelujah!

Susan

 
Fearless Dialogue: Diving Deeper April 30th

In February we held our first of 4 district events about racial healing entitled “Fearless Dialogues” with Dr. Gregory Ellison. Dr. Ellison and team were in full form, leading us through fun, thought-provoking and hopeful experiences together. How meaningful it was for our team (and participants) that the District dollars sponsored this event. Now it continues, led by your District Racial Trust team, for free!
 
If you are ready to step into the dialogue about racial healing with other fine folk around the district, lay and clergy, please register today (or before April 26)
 

Fearless Dialogue: Diving Deeper
Place: Newnan First UMC
Time: 9:30am – 1:30pm on Saturday, April 30, 2022
Cost: Free Lite morning refreshment and Chick-fil-a lunch
 
I pray your Lenten Season has deepened your spiritual journey, and you are ready to dive deeper with us on April 30th. Sign up now—it’s free—by calling (770-227-1074) or emailing (southwest@ngumc.net) the district office.
Ministry in the SouthWest District

Pound Cakes for Peace

When 9-year-old Senoia UMC member Smith heard about the crisis in Ukraine he wanted to do something to help. Today, with a kitchen (and family) covered in flour, he's sold nearly 50 pound cakes to raise funds to support the humanitarian work of UMCOR. 

"Smith is the youngest of our four sons," said Smith's mom, Emily Wilson. "We have had many dinner discussions about the horror that is taking place in Ukraine. Our pastor [Rev. Ashley Jenkins] has talked about UMCOR in church and how they are helping feed and cloth people who have lost everything. As a church, we have been taking up extra offerings to contribute. Hearing about all the hurting Ukrainians, Smith felt the need to do something to help. His first thought was a lemonade and cookie stand, but then he had the idea to sell his Mimi’s pound cakes.'"

Smith said, "Mom, who can resist Mimi’s cake? It is the best pound cake in the world!” So he called his grandparents and shared his idea with them. “Pound Cakes for Peace” was born! 

He sold 33 cakes in just two days, followed by an order of 13 more cakes. Smith is selling his cakes for $18 and bags of icebox cookies for $10. Both are family recipes that have been passed down through the years.

"We are proud of Smith," said Emily. "As Smith’s Grandpa likes to say, 'Smith weighs 80 lbs and 70lbs of it is his heart.'"

With four boys, it's not unusual for the Wilson family to be in the kitchen and Smith always likes to help. 

"His Mimi and Papa are fantastic cooks and both love to bake," said Emily. "Smith has grown up hanging on all of our apron strings."
 
It's no surprise that the Jenkins Family was proud to support this inspiring 3rd grader. They have already received their cake! 

"I love seeing young people making a difference in the world," said Rev. Jenkins, adding, "This kid can bake!" 
—Sybil Davidson

Madras Lent




Rev. Federico Apecena (New Church, Madras) and his son went to the coffee shop in downtown Newnan and offered prayers and ashes on Ash Wednesday.  According to Fede, "I did not expect random people to come for prayers and ashes, honestly, I thought it would be just Madras people.  Around 30 people came by during the time that I was there!"

Churches in the SouthWest District, please keep sending us pictures that we can use in future newsletters!  We want to see your many ministries and programs.  Send to southwest@ngumc.net.

 


Lay Servant Ministry Classes
         SouthWest District
               Spring 2022

 
Basic * Requires pastor’s approval
Saturdays, April 23, 30, and May 7, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
In-person, Senoia UMC, 229 Bridge Street, Senoia, GA 30276
Instructor: Barb Combs
Book is Lay Servant Ministries: Basic Course, Sandy and Brian Jackson
 
Leading Prayer (advanced core class)
Saturdays, April 23, 30, and May 7, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
In-person, Senoia UMC, 229 Bridge Street, Senoia, GA 30276
Instructor: Jan Sherwood
Book is Shaping the Prayers of the People, Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher
 
Dancing With Words (advanced non-core class)
Saturdays, April 23, 30 and May 7, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
In-person, SW District Office, 430 W Poplar St, Griffin, GA 30224
Instructor: Elaine Childs
Book is Dancing With Words, Ray Buckley
 
Polity: Life Together in the United Methodist Connection (advanced core class)
Mondays, April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 7:00 – 9:00 pm on Zoom
Instructor: Jeanie Enyart
Book is The Method of our Mission, Laceye C. Warner
 
Spiritual Gifts (advanced core class)
Tuesdays, April 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 7:00 – 9:00 pm on Zoom
Instructor: Sue Berg
Book is Each One a Minister, William J. Carter
 
To register, go to the NGUMC website, https://www.ngumc.org/courseschedules. The cost for each class is $42. The participant book is not included in the enrollment fee and is purchased separately. In addition to the classes offered by the eight districts, the North Georgia Conference also offers self-directed online classes via Google Classroom. To enroll in any of those classes, go to https://www.ngumc.org/onlineclasses.

 Questions: Please contact Jeanie Enyart, Director, SW District, NGUMC, Lay Servant Ministries, jeanieenyart@gmail.com, 470-217-2173
Piano Available
The Bethany UMC in Fayetteville has an Acrosonic (Baldwin) upright piano to give away.  If interested, please contact the church at 770-964-6999.
Annual Conference2022

Annual Conference delegates are reminded of the Pre-Conference Briefing to be held virtually on Sunday, May 15, 2:00pm.  You may register at the link below to receive the login information.  Also at the link below you will find additional information about the upcoming conference in Athens, June 2-4.


 
Annual Conference Information

United Methodist Women is now United Women in Faith

 

In the 150 years since we began, our organization has had more than 25 names, each reflecting varying states of the church, society, and women’s lived experiences. We’ve been “Ladies,” “Woman’s” and then “Women’s” societies, associations, guilds, and circles. Now we are again taking a new name to better reflect how we answer our calling to faith and action today: 
United Women in Faith. 
United Methodist Women is now United Women in Faith! The move is part of a refreshing of the organization that includes a new logo and an array of new and improved programs to nurture current members and welcome new women to join to put their love in action on behalf of women, children, and youth.

The new programs are fruits of research conducted over the past five years with more than 24,000 United Methodists and women of other Christian traditions participating in the surveys, focus groups, and interviews. This input informed the prayerful discernment of staff and elected leaders.

The changes are designed to address the different needs and life stages of current members and new women and expand options for membership and engagement. 
 
READ ON
 
Retirement Celebration for Rev. John Pinson
Rev. John Pinson, Dean of the North Georgia Cabinet and former pastor to several churches in the former LaGrange and Griffin Districts, will be retiring at this year's Annual Conference after 40 years of ministry.  The Northwest  District Committee on Superintendency will celebrate John's ministry at a retirement recognition on Sunday, May 1, 4:00-5:30pm. The celebration will be held in the Family Life Center of the Trinity at the Well UMC located at 814 West Ave., Cartersville, GA 30120.  This is a drop-in event, and there will be a book to sign and a place where you can place a letter of appreciation.  If you are unable to attend, you may send a letter for John to Trinity at the Well UMC, P. O. Box 1414, Cartersville, GA 30120 by April 21. All are invited.
Celebration - Balloons Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Image 9401666.

Birthday Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
Happy Birthday to the following appointed pastors in the SouthWest District who are celebrating birthdays in April:

3  -  Erik Mays
5  -  Jan Sherwood
5  -  Colin Dacus
9  -  Nelson Furtado
18 - Michael Cain
27 - John Beyers
28 - Sean Kilpatrick
Southwest District
P. O. Box 13
430 W. Poplar Street
Griffin, GA 30224
770-227-1074
southwest@ngumc.net
www.ngumc.org/southwest
 
Copyright © 2022 The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, All rights reserved.


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