MessengerTHEC O L B E R T U N I T E DM E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 1 w w w. c o l b e r t - u m c . o r g

From the Pastor’s Desk

Wow, it’s 2019. What happened to 2018? It’s

time to start writing 2019 on all of your checks, if you still use those! Last year was full of ups and downs; maybe that’s why it went by so fast. I hope that everyone has a safe and happy 2019. What will happen this year? I have an idea on some things, I have no idea on others, and I’m sure that there will be some unexpected things along the way.

The other day, a friend of mine—I'll admit that I didn’t come up with it—told me about the story of "The Dash" (as in "–"). When you look at someone’s dates on a headstone, you see the dash between their birth and death dates. While we have no control over our date of birth, and very little control over the day we leave, it's up to us to decide what happens in between the “–.” Will we make that count? Will we make what is in the middle of our dash meaningful and fulfill the purpose for which God has sent us?

How will your 2019 be? What will you make of this upcoming year? Set real goals and make sure to reach them by 2020! Maybe you or someone you know has something big coming this year like a graduation or a wedding—congratulations! If you're facing some kind of uncertainty in 2019, lift that to God so that He may bring you comfort and peace. If you’re thinking that this will be just another year on the calendar, realize that next year is 2020, the start of a new decade, and this year better count!!

This year will be a busy and important year for our church. More on that soon, but let me encourage you to be a part of two upcoming events. On Sunday, January 6, we will have a Church Business Meeting after worship, where we will discuss the upcoming Special General Conference and the Way Forward. This will be an important meeting, and I encourage you to attend.

On Sunday January 13, we will have our Blessing of the Committees/Leadership Nexus. This meeting is for all chairs and members of committees, and is open to any other members who might be looking to serve in 2019. This will be a time of sharing information and goals for the next year, as well as a time for encouraging each other. I hope to see you there!

Whatever happens in 2019, make sure to have God in it! Stay in the word and read scripture every day. Pray early and pray often, and that doesn’t mean just the dinner blessing! Praise God for all of His blessings and all that He has given you.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! Michael

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G E N E R A L N E W S

Upcoming Meetings & Events(All meetings take place in the Family Life Center.)Church-wide Informational Meeting - Jan. 6, immediately following worship in the SanctuaryUMW - Mon., Jan. 7, 6pm Wednesday Night Recharge Resumes - Wed., Jan. 9, 5:30pmSupper Club - Sat., Jan. 12, 5:30pmSoup Kitchen Fundraiser Lunch - Sun., Jan. 13, 12pmBlessing of 2019 Committee Members - Sun., Jan. 13 after lunchVBS Pre-Planning - Tues., Jan. 15, 6pm Food Bank - Thurs., Jan. 17, 10am-noonTrustees - Tues., Jan. 22, 6pmSoup Kitchen - Thurs., Jan. 24, 10:30am-1pmWorship Committee - Mon., Jan 28, 6pm

TrusteesThank you for helping in keeping our church and FLC safe and attractive. The next meeting is sched-uled for Tues., Jan. 22, at 6pm to elect officers and plan for the new year.

Wednesday Night RechargeWednesday Night Recharge will resume Jan. 9 at 5:30pm. We're adjusting the time schedule slightly, as follows:

5:30-6:15 Meal 6:15-6:30 Clean-up 6:30-7:30 Bible Study, KFC and UMYF 7:30-8 Choir Practice

Make plans to join us for a wonderful time of fellowship & Bible study.

Soup Kitchen Our Daily Bread at Athens FBC

Our wonderful volunteers served 115 plates of food to our appreciative guests on Dec. 27 at Athens First Baptist Church. Greg Palm-er, Shirley McClure, Brenda Abdel-Hafez, Dave English, Rose and Mariann Branson, and Roger and Kaye Suddeth prepared and served delicious green beans, yams, sausage, ham, bread, canned fruit and fresh banan-as. We were very happy to have Roger Suddeth for his first time.

Our volunteers make this ministry so special because they are happy to serve. There were lots of people who came back to tell us how good the food was and thanked us for doing it. There were a lot of guests who came back for seconds.

We took donations of socks, stocking hats, and two hygiene kits. If you have clean blankets and/or gently used coats, they will be gladly accepted. To make hygiene kits, you need bottle of body wash or shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, new washcloth to place in a gallon Ziploc bag. You can also add hand lotion, bar of soap and chapstick.

If you would like to participate in this ministry see Brenda Abdel-Hafez. We will serve again Jan. 24. We arrive at 10:30am to prepare and serve food. We leave promptly at 1pm. We do not have to clean up.

Food BankFor the month of December, our Colbert UMC Food Bank served 61 families, which included 152 people. Many thanks to the faithful and tireless efforts of Greg Palm-er, Georgia Phillips, Shirley McClure, Wanda Coley, Dave English, Bill and Janet Ashley, Allen and Faye Harris, Pastor Michael and Natalie Ferguson. And thanks to Rose, Chuck, & Mariann Branson, Danielle & Olivia Wooten & Natalie Ferguson who prepared 65 bags. Our next Food Bank is Jan. 17.

Church CouncilMinutes from Dec. 17, 2018 meeting:• Michael Hughes, finance chair, presented the

2019 budget for approval. After a couple of changes were made, council voted to accept budget.

• Chuck Branson reported that our finances are in good standing. As of the meeting date, we have a balance of $78,625.68 in the bank.

• Dave English reported that back deck has been installed at parsonage, and the nursery ceiling was repaired and painted, as well as walls painted. New drain was installed outside Sunday School door on side of church. Stone border was added, playset repaired. Waste Pro Recycle will stop as of Jan. 1, 2019. Trustees and youth will decide how to handle recycle.

• Rhonda Shedd, worship chair, noted that since our last meeting, we have had a healing service, family and friend service, church family night, Christmas Eve service, and Christmas caroling. New Year’s Eve Family Fun Night is being planned.

• Keri McGinnis, education chair, reported that the fall festival went well. Committee members are currently reading “Radical” by David Platt. Another adult is needed in KFC.

• Neal McGinnis, chair of SPR, reported that yearly reviews for paid staff have been conducted and Pastor Preference forms are finished and handed in to District.

• Leslie Bacastow, our youth director, reported that youth attended the Christmas Pageant in Commerce. There is an average attendance at youth of 10. Everything seems to be going well.

• Pastor Michael, nominations chair, reported that there are many new members added to committees in 2019. More youth are involved. The Missions/Evangelism committees have combined into one committee: MOE – Missions, Outreach, Evangelism.

• Pastor Michael reports: » In the Middle Meals – Gina is retiring in May – end of school year.

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G E N E R A L N E W S

» Investigating the idea of “Karen” people looking at use of building to worship.

» Jan. 6 – short worship service and then information on Special General Conference.

» Jan. 13 - there will be a Blessing of the Committees with a meal served like meals we prepare at Soup Kitchen. This will allow people to see how soup kitchen is done monthly.

Next meeting planned for March 18 at 6pm.

Fundraiser LunchPlease join us on Sun., Jan. 13, for a fellowship lunch fundraiser for the soup kitchen ministry. We will serve green beans, mac and cheese, sausage links, sliced ham, bread, and fresh and canned fruit, like the meals we serve at Athens First Bap-tist Church on fourth Thursdays. Donations will be accepted.

Looking AheadOur 2019 committee members are invited to a blessing of your work for the next year on Sunday, Jan. 13, immediately following the morning wor-ship service and the fundraiser fellowship lunch. This will be a time to review our committee's goals for doing the work of the church and how we can reach out to those in our community. A list of the 2019 committees will be posted on the bulletin boards and in the January Messenger.

Christmas Shoebox MinistryWe have received word from Samaritan's Purse that our 14 shoes boxes arrived in Mali (Africa) and The Central African Republic. Both countries have a young population and are growing in the number of converts to the Christian faith.

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Church CouncilChair: Brenda Abdel-HafezPastorLay Leader: Rose BransonSPR chair: Neal McGinnisFinance Chair: Mike HughesTreasurer: Chuck BransonTrustees Chair: Allen HarrisWorship Chair: Children’s Chair: Keri McGinnisMOE Co-Chairs: Brenda Abdel-Hafez Nancy GossNominations Chair: PastorMember at Large: Tracy ColeyMember at Large: Jack Scaffe

TrusteesPastorLay LeaderAllen Harris – 2020-ChairGreg Palmer – 2020Travis Phillips – 2020Jerrie Teet – 2021Barbara Dixon – 2021Mitchell Goss - 2021

FinancePastorLay LeaderMike Hughes – ChairChuck Branson – TreasurerBrenda Abdel-Hafez- 2020Judy Martin – 2019Sue English – 2021Jim Escoe – 2021Mark Davis - 2021

2 0 1 9 C H U R C H L E A D E R S H I P

WorshipPastorLay LeaderNancy GossJudy Martin Neal McGinnisRhonda SheddCleo WardDebbie RogersEmily ElrodAlly Ward

Youth CouncilPastorLay LeaderLesley Bacastow – DirectorGeorgia PhillipsLauren WatsonWill ParhamDanielle Wooten

Children's MinistryPastor Lay LeaderKeri McGinnis - ChairCodi ParhamMariann BransonGeorgia PhillipsDelores Kennedy

SPRPastorLay LeaderFaye Harris – 2020Mike Hughes – 2019Judy Martin – 2020Neal McGinnis – 2019 - ChairDavid Rutledge – 2020Dave English – 2021Wanda Coley - 2021

M.O.E. ( Missions/Outreach/Evangelism)PastorLay LeaderNancy Goss – Co-chair Brenda Abdel-Hafez – Co-chairGina WardGreg PalmerKatherine PhelpsAmanda FergusonNatalie FergusonLorali HardegreeKaylee PhelpsMariann BransonShirley McClure

NominationsPastor - ChairLay LeaderSue English – 2020Nancy Goss – 2020Faye Harris – 2020Judy Martin – 2020Mike Kennedy – 2021Linda Gaulding - 2021

S M A L L G R O U P N E W S

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UMWUnited Methodist Women delivered 30 fruit bowls to our shut-ins and special friends of Colbert UMC on Dec. 15. UMW will meet on Mon., Jan. 7, 6pm in the FLC. All women in the church are invited to join this lively group! Refreshments will be provided.

UMYFThe Christmas season of 2018 has been my favorite of my 37 years alive so far because of all the events and outings done with youth. No-vember was wonderful too, Hallow-een was incredible in particular. Christmas takes the cake, though. Let me begin 2019 by telling you all how much you mean to me, how amazing you are, and how much I thrive on our constant laughter. We’ve really bonded and have become a cohesive group. This church is most definitely a place I call home. Since we did not meet one time in November, I decided to hold onto the Bible study on prayer until a different month because it is a four-week long study. Now that it is 2019, I figured this month would be the perfect month to delve into a study on prayer because of all of the New Year Resolutions made. I pray everyone had a blessed Christmas. – Leslie

Craft GroupsAre you a crafter? Like to knit or make jewelry? Want the opportunity to fellowship with others while using your God-given gifts? Drop in and join us at the FLC each Tuesday, 10am-12pm or on the second Saturday of each month at 6pm and share your talent and have a whole lot of fun!

Prayer GroupJoin us each Tuesday, 9:30-10am, for a meaningful and fulfilling time of prayer for our church, fami-lies, and community. All are welcome.

Supper ClubSupper Club will venture out for the first outing of the new year on Jan. 12. Be at the FLC by 5:30 to help decide where we will go. We hope you will be able to join us for a wonderful time of fellow-ship. You may learn something new about some-one you thought you knew. Until we eat again!!!

Brookshire Class"This is the command that you have heard from the beginning: live in love." ( 2 John 6) The title for our lesson series for January is "Loving God by Trusting Christ." We are reading and studying Paul's letters to the new Christian churches. Paul is an excellent teacher and lived by example. Come join us as we learn how to love God and grow in our faith.

GAP ClassWe have been studying the book of 1 Samuel. Hannah, wife of Elkanah, could not have children. She prayed to God to please give her a son. God granted her plea, and Samuel was born. When he was old enough to leave his mother, Hannah took him to the temple to Eli the priest and dedicat-ed him to God. She left him with Eli to serve the Lord. Samuel became prophet and judge over the people of Israel. We will beginstudying the New Testament in January.

We have great discussions and learn new things every week. We hope you will join us on Sundays and add your insight also. We meet at 10am in FLC.

Thank you to my church,Thank you so much for the prayers and love

shown me during this Christmas season. The fruit basket from the United Methodist Women and the large group of carolers stopping by my house gave me peace. The vacuum in my heart has been made easier with these kind deeds from the church that means so much to me.

Be Blessed, Ruth Johnson

JAN. 6 JAN. 13 JAN. 20 JAN. 27USHERS Sue English Larry Goss Barbara Clack Suzanne Sack

Dave English Mitchell Goss Barry Clack Rita WhiteheadACOLYTE Natalie Ferguson Olivia Wooten Gabriel Parham Danielle WootenLITURGIST Jerrie Teet Leslie Bacastow Gina Ward Trudy WardNURSERY Delores Kennedy Mariann Branson Katherine Phelps Codi Parham

Lorali Hardegree Kaylee Phelps Danielle Wooten Keri McGinnisFLOWERS Communion Linda Gaulding Jim EscoeCOMMUNION ASST. Brenda Abdel-Hafez

FEB. 3USHERS Georgia Phillips

Travis PhillipsACOLYTE Mary Grace WatsonLITURGIST Dave EnglishNURSERY Brenda Abdel-Hafez

Trudy WardFLOWERS CommunionCOMMUNION ASST. Cleo Ward

UMW January Hostesses:Brenda Abdel-Hafez and Judy CraigProgram/Devotion: Jerrie Teet

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G O D ’ S S U N D AY S E R V A N T S

Official Church CalendarNeed to reserve church spaces or van for an event? The Official Church Calendar is maintained by Pastor Michael. If you need to use the old fellowship hall, Family Life Center, Sunday School rooms, sanctuary, or church van, please follow these easy steps:

1. Check the Official Church Calendar (located in the church office in the FLC) to see if the room(s) or van is available for the day(s) you want to reserve and use them. Please note that the church main-tains a list of approved drivers; please see Pastor Michael for more information.

2. Read the building usage policy located on the bulletin board outside the church office and on the bulletin board in the back hall of the church.

3. Fill out a Reservation Form located on the bulletin boards in the church hallway and next to the church office in the FLC. Return completed forms to Pastor Michael.

4. Pay any necessary deposit or usage fee (preferably by check) to the church. Trustees will determine and assess any damage fees as necessary.

5. After receipt of payment (if necessary), Pastor Michael will confirm your reservation and write your reservation on the Official Church Calendar.

This policy was adopted by the Church Council April 2017.

If you are unable to be there for your scheduled Sunday, please try to switch with someone or call Rose Branson @ 706-227-2571.

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68 North Second StreetP.O. Box 317

Colbert, Georgia 30628

Pastor Michael Ferguson(706) 788-3372 (office)michael.ferguson@ngumc.net

www.colbert-umc.org Colbert United Methodist Church

Our Mission: Colbert United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!