From the Pastor’s DeskDear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

With the end of July, many summer vacations are

wrapping up and our thoughts turn to the back-to-school

season. Whether we are far removed from our school

days or in the middle of them, our experiences when we

are in school can powerfully shape who we will become

as adults.

Now, as throughout history, children and parents

need the support of a loving Christian community as

they navigate the sometimes difficult waters of the school years. You are probably familiar

with the often-quoted line that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Parents know well that we

cannot be everything our child needs at all times. In fact, one of the best things we can do for

our children is to provide a loving, safe, Christ-centered community for them where they can

learn, have fun, and grow.

Colbert UMC is just such a place. From my very first week here at Vacation Bible School I

was impressed with the quality of care and teaching that so many of you came together to

provide for the children of our community. Thank you. And while many of you continue to love

and serve our children tirelessly, we cannot forget both how important children and families

are for our church, and how vital it is that we are there for them.

Jesus highlighted the importance of children in a way that was uncommon for the time

period when he said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to

such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14). While we would not

consciously stop children from coming to the Lord, we may at times hinder their learning

about the Lord if we do not have enough committed Sunday School teachers, chaperones, or

events for younger families. Children (and adults) are influenced by so many forces: friends,

television, music, teachers—may we continue to be a church that provides a safe, positive

influence, with the potential to impact lives for years to come.

With much gratitude,

Pastor Megan

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

A U G U S S T 2 0 1 6 • V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 8

Bible Study Resumes Sept. 14

Bible Study starts back September 14at Comer UMC at 6pm. We will be studying together from A Disciple’s Path by James A. Harnish. See page 3 for details.

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TrusteesThere are a number of areas in our church and FLC which need maintenance, such as pressure washing the porches of the FLC; spraying to eliminate grass & weeds from the cracks in the sidewalks and parking area; painting doors and window trim in the church hallways; and painting the wood trim (as needed), after the pressure washing of the FLC porches. If you or a group would like to take on a project or know of another area you can be of service, please call Dave English, (706) 788-9712. Thank you.

Church CouncilThe Church Council will meet Monday, August 8, at 6pm in the FLC. We will review the church finances for the first half of the year; hear committee reports and recommendations, and finish the Church Policy Statement.

Welcoming Tip of the MonthDon’t be embarrassed if you’re greeting a member and don’t know that person’s name or be offended if someone doesn’t remember yours. We need to offer grace to one another, just as we would to new people.

Thank you so much for the beautiful baby shower that you gave for us and for all of the amazing gifts that we received. We feel so special and so loved by your church family. Baby Jaxon is supposed to arrive on August 22. We are very excited and happy that you are a part of his life. Sincerely, Sabrina Free & Justin Scott

G E N E R A L N E W S

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intheMIDDLEmeals DonationsIf you would like to make a donation to intheMiddleMeals in memory or honor of someone, here’s what you do:1. Make your check out to intheMiddleMeals 2. Write in the “For:” line of the check “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” the person(s) in whose name you are making the donation. 3. Give your check to Judy Craig; she will send a card either to your designee or to you in recognition of your donation. Your check will then go to Jerrie Teet for deposit into the iMm account.

Your donation is tax-deductible and supports an amazing grass-roots food program started right here at Colbert UMC. Thank you for helping feed the middle and high schoolers in our county who might otherwise go without food during the school year.

Soup Kitchen Our Daily Bread at Athens First Baptist Church

On July 28 we served 163 plates of green beans, macaroni and cheese, bread, ham/sausage (which they really enjoy) and fruit, including fresh bananas. Many thanks is ex-tended to our faithful volunteers, Cleo Ward, Wanda Coley, Dave English, Bill McClure, Greg Palmer and Brenda Abdel-Hafez. We serve on the fourth Thursday of each month at Athens First Baptist Church. We always receive such a blessing to be able to serve. If you wish to join in this ministry, contact Brenda Abdel-Hafez at (706) 247-5412.

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G E N E R A L N E W S

Drivers, Chaperones and a Few Good Men NeededWe have been blessed with a growing youth group, but with that comes growing pains... mostly in the form of limited transportation and male volunteers. Our van only holds 15 people, and beginning in August this means we are potentially about 3-4 seats shy of accomodating our entire youth group anytime we have an outing.

We are looking for volunteers to call upon as needed to drive youth in their own vehicle (large enough to carry 3 or 4 passengers) in our van caravan. We also are in need of a few good men who are willing to peridocially volunteer their time and be Christian role models to our male youth members (we already have a number of female volunteers, so males are in short supply). We will gladly welcome couples to the mix, young or old, as long as you are young at heart and have lots of love and a little bit of energy to give our kids. If you have the time and a large vehicle, we would like you to prayerfully consider your service to this wonderful group of kids. You will have the time of your life and will definitely be blessed by your service! Just let Tracy know if you want to be added to either the driver or chaperone list at colbertumyf@gmail.com or 706-318-1543.

Aluminum CansWe have a new location for you to deposit your bags of aluminum cans. There is a structure behind the red shed in back of the church that has a door and is open at the top. You may recognize it from Vacation Bible School as being the “Barn” in the Barnyard setting.

Bible Study Resumes Sept. 14

Bible Study starts back September 14th at Comer UMC at 6:00 pm. We will be studying together from A Disciple’s Path by James A. Harnish. Each participant will need to purchase a daily workbook available from Cokesbury or Amazon. Contact the pastor for more information.

Summary from Abingdon Press:A Disciple’s Path is an engaging approach

to discipleship from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective. Whether used as an introduction for new members or a renewal course for existing members, the program guides individuals to take the next step in discipleship and become dynamic, engaged followers of Jesus Christ.

The study combines a Wesleyan understanding of our growth in God’s love and grace with the time-tested practices of spiritual discipline expressed in the membership vows to uphold the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Participants will develop spiritual practices, discover their unique gifts, and become engaged in ministry that brings transformation in their own lives, the lives of others, and the world.

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Hampton ClassWhew!! Have you had enough of that weather? We all know that

living in Georgia that this is what we get. WE do have a nice cool Sunday school and church building, so come get cool and worship with us.

Did you know that our Sunday school class was named after a former Madison Elementary School teacher and teacher of this class? Mrs. Annie Laurie Bray Hampton and her husband, Dr. H. H. Hampton, lived in the house that is now the Hampton House. The photo of her at right is copied from “Memories of Our Town,” 1976.

Congratulations to our own Joe Morris who was the citizen of the year for the Fourth of July Parade. He deserves this honor, and we are proud of him.

Our Sunday school class is always open for new members... great lessons, great fellowship. Georgia Burns once said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” That’s us. We are young at heart—not old.

Here’s a math test: Bob has 36 candy bars. He ate 29. What does he have now? Diabetes.

Shalom, Ruth Johnson

S U N D AY S C H O O L N E W S

Brookshire ClassOur lessons this quarter have guided us “Toward a New Creation” in which we will be reconciled with God in right living. Our final series of lessons deal with “Life on God’s Terms” which lead us to finding God’s will so that our living will be pleasing to Him. Come join us to discover the joy that comes from a life focused on God.

Ready for those Dawg days of SummerBarry Clack fell a couple of weeks ago while on a

job and broke his leg. At first doctors thought that it was a bad sprain, but it is more. Please pray for Barry as he is not a person that can stay off his leg. He is always busy. Jim Haralson will have another laser surgery for a kidney stone. Chris Haralson had some tests done last week and will hear from the biopsy soon. James Needham, Kaye Lane’s nephew, has cancer in several places in his body. He is in his late thirties and has a wife and children. His ad-dress is James & Spring Needham, 7218 Etheld Reda Drive, Knoxville, TN 37931. Barbara Tuggle has been very sick the month of July. She was in ICU a couple of times. Her address is Bennie & Barbara Tuggle, 1857 Cambridge Square, Watkinsville 30677. Eliana,

Pastor Megan’s daughter, was sick recently with fever, but is now doing much better. Pastor Megan is such a treasure and we are blessed by her ministry. Jessie Bohannon tore her ACL and will have surgery soon. We pray for healing for all of these precious friends.

In our Brookshire Class we continue to study and pray together in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

We invite you to be a part of our Sunday School Class. Come join us as we study God’s word. You will be blessed and we will be blessed by your presence.

Rules for Good AgingIt’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it

and enjoy it. Don’t just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It’s easy to become sick. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, do tests even when you’re feeling well. Stay informed.

—Brenda Abdel-Hafez

Colbert UMW enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Shane’s on Monday, August 1 and and took care of a lot of businessat the monthly meeting. We decided to have our 2nd Annual Advent Market on Saturday, November 19, 9am-1pm. Applications for table space will be available soon; the deadline for application submission is November 1. Tracy, Jerrie and Rose are the committee for the Advent Market, so if you have any questions or suggestions, please speak with one of them. We also decided to coordinate the annual yard sale, but that we would organize this for the spring since we are already coordinating the Advent Market this fall. So, when cleaning out this fall or winter, keep the yard sale in mind and donate your gently used items to the church! Our next meeting will be September 12 (due to Labor Day) at 6pm. Our hostesses will be Sue English and Jerrie Teet and the program will be presented by Patty Hughes. Please make plans to join us for a wonderful time of fellowship. We miss you when you are not there!! There will be a breakfast meeting of the United Methodist Men on Saturday, August 13, at 8am in the FLC. Eggs, pancakes, bacon, and fruit are on the menu. Please bring $5 to cover the cost. After the meal, devotion, and meeting, we will trim the hedges at the church and parsonage. Please bring your tools and be prepared to experience a blessing as we work to build the kingdom of God. Call Dave English at (706) 788-9712 with questions.

There will be no KFC on Aug. 24 or Aug. 31 because of Mrs. Jessie’s knee surgery.

UMYF enjoyed a night of bowling and Menchie’s in Athens in June. We welcomed new UMYF members Megan, Colin and Ryan Davis into our group this summer, and we welcomed back some other familiar faces as well! While we were disappointed that our July trip to Mrs. Jerrie’s lake house was cancelled because of weather, we made up for it with a pool party at the Davis’ grandparents house. We’ll be back on a regular schedule in August and are looking forward to welcoming several new members with a pool party at the Wards’ house on Aug. 7 from 5-7:30pm!

We are pleased to announce that our youth group is bursting at the seams with membership! We are up to 14 youth with some new rising 6th graders coming into the group this month. In response to the growth, we have created a Youth Leadership Team that includes Molli McGinnis, Isaac Parham and Trudy Ward as our youth leaders; in addition, we welcome aboard in official capacity Emily Parham and Ally Ward as our Young Adult Advisors and Volunteers. We are grateful for the time, energy and heart each of these young people are dedicating to our program. We praise God for all the blessings this group continues to provide in our church and community. Check out upcoming events at www.colbert-umc.org/youth.

Supper Club will be out and about again beginning this month as we venture to Pepino’s in Athens on Friday, August 19. Meet at the FLC by 6pm to join us for some great Italian food. (Tracy will have to let us know if it is as good as Italy’s!! Hopefully we will get to hear of some of her adventures.) So mark your calendar and be ready to enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship. Until we “eat” again!!!

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

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G O D ’ S S U N D AY S E R V A N T S

UMW September Hostesses: Sue English and Jerrie TeetUMW July Program: Patty Hughes

UMW October Hostesses: Nellie Allen and Crystal HolcombUMW October Program: Wanda Coley

Official Church CalendarNeed to reserve church spaces or van for an event? The Official Church Calendar is maintained by Pastor Megan. 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 Megan for more information.

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

3. Fill out a Reservation Form located online or in the church office, and return it to Pastor Megan.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 Megan will confirm your reservation and write your

reservation on the Official Church Calendar.

This policy was adopted by the Church Council on Jan. 9, 2011.

8/7 8/14 8/21 8/28USHERS Terri  Christian Judy  Craig Linda  Gaulding Swayne  Grissom

Cleo  Ward Wayne  Craig Jerrie  Teet Bennie  TuggleACOLYTE Kaylee  Phelps Lee  Aaron Clay  Saxon Olivia  WootenLITURGIST Gina  Ward Dave  English Brenda  Abdel-­‐H Jim  HarlsonNURSERY Brenda  Abdel-­‐Hafez Mariann  Branson Patty  Hughes Nancy  Goss

Trudy  Ward Ally  Ward Kaylee  Phelps Katherine  PhelpsFLOWERS Communion Rita  Whitehead Janet  Ashley Judy  CraigCOMMUNION  ASST. Jim  Haralson

9/7USHERS Cindy  Rhodes

Mike  RhodesACOLYTE Kendall  DanielLITURGIST Tracy  ColeyNURSERY Brenda  Abdel-­‐Hafez

Trudy  WardFLOWERS CommunionCOMMUNION  ASST. Cleo  Ward

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 Megan Hallford Gomez(706) 788-3372 (office)megan.gomez@ngumc.net

www.colbert-umc.org ColbertUMC@windstream.net

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

Colbert United Methodist Church 68 North Second Street • Colbert, Ga. 30628

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change

the world.”— Nelson Mandela

HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!