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322 West Main Street (P.O. Box 85), Blue Ridge, GA P: (706) 632-2327 | F: (706) 632-7442 | E: brumc@brumc.org

www.brumc.org

“...be generous and share... this will lay a solid foundation for the future” -I Timothy 6:18-19

Blue RidgeUnited Methodist Church

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At Blue Ridge United Methodist Church we have inherited the fruit of the faith and vision of those who preceded us in this place. Those souls who built this congregation sacrificed to leave us a legacy of faith and a spiritual home. Mindful of that gift, we who are here today believe we have a “divine calling” to hand off a gift of faith to future generations that will follow us here.

In that spirit we are entering a capital campaign. Our theme is the same as our purpose, to lay a solid foundation on which the future work of this congregation can be built. “Laying the Foundation for Tomorrow” is a first step in securing a sound financial footing for the future of Blue Ridge United Methodist Church.

This Capital Campaign has as its goal to raise $600,000 for the purpose of purchasing property on which the church may choose to build on or may choose to hold and in the future sell at an appreciated price. In the meantime, up to ten percent of the money raised in the campaign could be used for improvements to our present facilities to improve accessibility. We have no intentions of neglecting the facilities we have and any money spent for improvements will come at the recommendation of the Trustees and Church Council.

We have to take the initiative in preparing for the future. We have been blessed with a long period of no debts and we are financially debt free today. However, we have a greater legacy to leave than simply being debt free. We want to leave an example of faithfulness and a legacy of spiritual vitality. Please join me in pledging your support for this campaign. That way, we can continue to share the love of Jesus Christ for all of those who will follow us.

Kevin PanterChair of the Capital Campaign Committee

" Laying the Foundat ion for the Tomorrow.

"“Laying the Foundation

for Tomorrow” 2013 - 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS:• Kick Off Sunday: April

14, 10 AM Brunch• Advance Commitment

Total Announced: April 21

• Commitment Sunday: May 5, Worship

• Celebration Sunday: May 19, Worship

• Celebration Supper May 19, 5:30 PM

• Capital Campaign Goal: $600,000

Each Gift is Important!

Our Campaign Prayer: God, enable us to use the gifts we have received to serve others, faithfully administering your grace. - 1 Pet. 4:10

The difference between a healthy, vital congregation and a sick and lifeless one is this: Vital, healthy congregations have and exercise their “Holy Imagination.”

It takes Holy Imagination to see into a place you’ve never been. It takes even more to set out to go there. The Christian Faith Tradition is filled with characters and stories of our spiritual ancestors who had and exercised a Holy Imagination. They include Abraham & Sarah, Miriam & Moses, Mary & Joseph, David, Ruth, Esther, Rahab, Peter, Mary & Martha, John, Stephen and Paul, just to name a few. Each of these received and exercised the gift of Holy Imagination. In other words, they were each and all, people who lived by faith.

Simply stated, this campaign of “Laying the Foundation for Tomorrow” is an exercise in Holy Imagination. It is a venture of Faith to live in to an unknown future, not for our sake, but for Christ’s sake and for the benefit of those who will follow. As the Pastor of this congregation, I can think of nothing more Christian that a congregation can do. In fact, it is simply one more way of doing what Christ calls us to do.

I ask each of you to take your place among those here at BRUMC who will exercise our Holy Imaginations in this campaign. Prayerfully ask God to give you eyes of faith to see what human eyes alone cannot see. Ask God to help us all to have eyes of faith that can “imagine” how God will use us to contribute to this effort.

Being a part of this congregation is a great joy. You are touching so many lives and we together are a vital influence in this community. I want to make sure the spirit and blessing of this congregation will have a continuing, lasting presence and influence here that will outlive all of us. Please join me in making a commitment.

-DougDoug Burrell " Laying the

Foundat ion for the Tomorrow.

"

For 135 Years Methodists Have Been a Witness for Christ in Blue Ridge

• In 1877 a Methodist Church for Blue Ridge was organized out of the Dahlonega District of the of the North Georgia Conference, which was part of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Its church building was located just south of the intersection of Church Street and East Main Street.

• October 15, 1920 another Methodist Church was begun in Blue Ridge. It was called the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. It located its Sanctuary and parsonage on West Main Street. The cornerstone, which resides near the present day entrance to our Fellowship Hall, was set and reads “1920.”

• In 1939, the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and the Blue Ridge Methodist Church South united to become the Blue Ridge Methodist Church. This was the same year as the unification of the Methodist Episcopal Church with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Blue Ridge Methodist Church became a “Full Station Charge” with preaching and Sunday school every Sunday. The congregation met in the former Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church building on West Main Street. Rev. Charles Allen was the first Appointed Minister to this new congregation.

• In 1947 a committee was formed to build a new Sanctuary. The new Sanctuary was completed by 1952 at a cost of $50,000. The new Sanctuary was dedicated with Bishop Arthur Moore, presiding. Rev. Floyd Walden was the minister at that time.

• In 1955 the Sanctuary burned, but the damage was repaired and the Sanctuary was restored.

• In 1968 with the Union of the Methodist Church with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and the Evangelical Association, Blue Ridge Methodist Church became Blue Ridge United Methodist Church.

• In the mid 1990’s the “Touching Tomorrow Today” campaign leads to the purchase of the Administrative Building as well as expanded parking and renovation of the Fellowship Hall.

• In 2010-11, Kitchen Facilities undergo renovation.

• In February of 2012 a Leadership Visioning Retreat results in plans to be intentional to secure the congregation’s future. That work is culminating with the “Laying the Foundation for Tomorrow” campaign.

" For 135 Years Methodis ts have been a witness for Chris t

in Blue Ridge.

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The world we live in is changing so rapidly. There are so many uncertainties about our work our security and our future. The world around us seems more disconnected and impersonal, even while we are awash in ways to stay connected. One thing however, is not changing. People here in our community and communities all over the world need to experience of the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

As members of Blue Ridge UMC, we are uniquely positioned to share the love of Jesus Christ with a spiritually hungry world. We have been spreading his word for over 135 years and we want to continue our work for generations to come.

Being in ministry that can reach out to a spiritually hungry world requires facilities that are safe, accessible and welcoming. Our church must be able to meet health and safety codes, be wired and plumbed properly, be accessible to persons who use wheel chairs or other forms of mobility assistance. Our facilities must allow for persons who cannot negotiate steps and persons who are sight and hearing impaired.

Fresh ways of gathering and worshiping calls for more flexible meeting spaces. New ways of communicating and learning demand equipment and lighting suitable to meet the needs. Adequate parking space, up to date bathrooms, changing rooms, nursery facilities and recreation facilities and equipment will be needed to meet the challenges of the next twenty five to fifty years.

Simply stated, we need better facilities, more accessible facilities and more inviting facilities to be effective as a church. Providing for those needs will require commitment and sacrifice from all of us. Our “Laying the Foundation for Tomorrow” campaign will help us begin our preparations to meet the challenge before us. We cannot wait any longer. The needs are before us now. We must prepare for the future today.

There comes a time in our lives and in the life of a church when we know that now is the time. This is the conclusion reached by our church

leadership who’ve been in prayer and consultation over the future of our church for the past year and a half. Here are some of the reasons

that has led them to this conclusion.

• We don’t have any debt which is constraining us and we are blessed.

• The problems and challenges with our facilities have grown to the point that we cannot ignore them.

• Land has come available which would meet our needs for property to relocate, if we decide to do that in the future.

• Land prices are at historic lows, giving the church the opportunity to purchase property which has previously been out of reach for us financially.

• Property purchased now will be a valuable investment for the future to build on or sell at appreciated prices in the future.

• Our church has a great spirit of togetherness, love and cooperation that engenders a desire to extend that for others to experience.

• We are growing. New members are joining us who want to see us grow and bless others. That infusion of enthusiasm is renewing all of our membership.

"Laying the Foundat ion

for the Tomorrow.

"

• Pray for the future of our congregation - for God to lead us and bless us to do His will.

• Pray for this “Laying the Foundation” capital campaign.

• Pray that God will stir each of us to give as we are able, generously and sacrificially.

• Pray for God to use this campaign to increase our faith and to draw us into a closer walk with Christ.

• Make a commitment of what you will do over the next three years with God’s help.

• Tell others about what we are doing at our church and ask them to pray for us during this campaign.

• Be present for the Kickoff Sunday and the special brunch (4/14), Commitment Sunday (5/5) and for Celebration Sunday & supper (5/19)

• Give with a glad and generous heart.

• Watch for us to meet our goal! "Laying the Foundat ion for the Tomorrow.

"“Laying the Foundation

for Tomorrow” 2013 - 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS:• Kick Off Sunday: April

14, 10 AM Brunch• Advance Commitment

Total Announced: April 21

• Commitment Sunday: May 5, Worship

• Celebration Sunday: May 19, Worship

• Celebration Supper May 19, 5:30 PM

• Capital Campaign Goal: $600,000

Each Gift is Important!

Our Campaign Prayer: God, enable us to use the gifts we have received to serve others, faithfully administering your grace. - 1 Pet. 4:10

Top Nine Ways to Make a Gift to a Capital Campaign

1. OUTRIGHT GIFT - A single gift of cash and/or appreciated stock.

2. TRANSFER OF SECURITIES - Many people find that donating appreciated stocks, bonds or shares in mutual funds can lead to a gift much larger than they thought they could give. An added benefit of this type gift is that the income tax deduction is generally the market value of the security at the time of the gift, without any gain being recognized. Such transfers can be initiated by contacting: Randy Brown (706) 946-1107.

3. CAMPAIGN PLEDGE - Pledges may be paid over a three year term. This allows a much larger contribution than a one-time gift. For instance, a $25,000 pledge equates to $8,333 a year for three years.

4. REAL ESTATE - Getting tired of that rental property or upkeep on property holdings? Members may wish to give the title of a home, farm, apartment building, shopping center or other industrial property to the church. You receive tax benefits based upon the market value of the property, and the church receives a substantial gift.

5. INSURANCE POLICIES - You may have purchased life insurance policies years ago that are no longer needed to provide for children or other family members. If so, please consider donating the policy to the church. You may claim a charitable deduction for the policy’s cash surrender value at the time of the gift, and the proceeds are completely removed from your estate.

6. RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS - Many individuals today have large qualified retirement plans such as an IRA, 401(k), or Keogh plans. These assets have been growing tax-free for years. Once you begin to receive payment from the qualified plans, the distributions are taxed. The plans are also included in your taxable estate. A retirement plan may be an excellent source of funds for making a gift to the church.

7. TESTAMENTARY BEQUEST - Many members make charitable gifts by naming the church as a beneficiary in their will, or by merely adding a properly executed codicil. Such bequests help sustain the church for years to come, while allowing you to retain control (and access) to those assets during your lifetime.

8. CHARITABLE REMAINDER OR CHARITABLE LEAD TRUSTS – One way to make a gift of your retirement plan is to create a charitable remainder trust through your will. Your IRA assets can be transferred to a charitable remainder trust tax-free. The trust will provide life income to your named beneficiary with an eventual gift to the church. The beneficiary will pay income tax on the distributions from the trust. Your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of the church’s right to eventually receive the trust assets.

9. CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES - In exchange for your gift of cash or marketable securities, you (and a survivor or other beneficiary) would be paid a fixed amount annually for your lifetime. The transfer is part gift and part purchase of an annuity. A charitable deduction can be claimed based on IRS provided actuarial tables. Using this approach, you can designate and receive an attractive rate of return on your assets for the remainder of your life, allowing the church to receive any balances remaining.

*Please note that the service of legal and financial advisors is recommended as you consider gift options to ensure that you make fully informed decisions, and remain in compliance with IRS requirements as

you claim the resulting income tax benefits

“...be generous and share... will lay a solid foundation for the future” -I

Timothy 6:18-19

" God, enable us to use the gifts we have

received to serve others, faithfully administering

your grace.

- 1 Peter 4:10

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322 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GAMail to: P.O. Box 85, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

P: (706) 632-2327 | F: (706) 632-7442 | E: brumc@brumc.org w w w. b r u m c . o r g

Blue RidgeUnited Methodist Church

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