At The Crossroads
July 2018 Newsletter from Crossroads UMC
Annual Conference 2018 Report
Crossroads UMC is connected to 960 other churches in what is called "the North Georgia Annual Conference". The North Georgia Annual Conference meets together each year to decide on budgets, discuss changes in church policies, and receive reports from ministry areas around the North Georgia area. Nancy Crissman, along with Emma Moon and Sadie Moon, attended conference this year. Here is Nancy's "newsletter version" of her report. Her full report is available in the church office. Enjoy!
North Georgia Annual Conference 2018 The 152nd session of the North Georgia Annual Conference opened on June 12-June14. This year also marked the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church was officially formed on April 23, 1968 with the unification of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, along with the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction, a segregated group of African American congregations.
The Theme of the Conference this year was “Moving Toward Perfection in Love” and the focus of the Conference was on spiritual disciplines. Bishop Sue said she chose this theme and focus because, “the foundation of our lives individually and as a community must be grounded in prayer and disciplined spiritual practices. The Holy Spirit moves through us when we listen”. The practice of spiritual disciplines include prayer, the study of scripture, fasting, worship, and molding our souls in Christian community.
This year’s logo featured the simple outline of a person in prayer representing each of us as we bow our heads humbly before God. Our prayers and our openness to follow the Holy Spirit enable us to put our faith and love into action as disciples of Jesus Christ and as United Methodists.
The Opening Worship Service was filled with song and praise of all the languages within our North Georgia Conference, as we learned that “God Speaks All Languages”. We heard Spanish, Swahili, Korean, English and even saw sign language. We heard prayers led in the Korean tradition. The music was led by musicians from the Chapel Roswell Band and the choir was made up of members of the Conference Youth and our own Sadie and Emma Moon joined the choir. Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, presided over the Conference marking her second Annual Conference as resident bishop in North Georgia. As she led the opening worship service she reminded us to “Go, be good Methodists!” She preached from Luke 18:9-14 and called the North Georgia Conference to “cross any boundary, go anywhere, desperate to love people”.
When we took our youth group to Camp Glisson this past spring, Bishop Sue was there to lead the Sunday service. She told a story of a friend of hers who asked if she could explain what the “method” was in “Methodism”. She said that John Wesley had a “method” to bring us closer to God. She said his “method” was: prayer, reflection, time together in small groups and worship. These were the Spiritual Disciplines that we reflected on this week at Annual Conference. Bishop Sue said, “we know the method, we just have to reclaim it”.
Wednesday began early with the Annual 5K run/walk starting at 6:30 a.m. Leigh and Zack were participants once again this year and ran the race well! The 5K run/walk was sponsored by the Conference Council on Youth Ministries. Proceeds went to the Youth Service eFund, a fund raised by youth, administered by youth, to support youth-led mission projects in our Conference.
Wednesday also was a full day of being about the business of the conference. We listened to reports of all the ways that our apportionment dollars are serving throughout the conference and the world. We heard from agencies including the United Methodist Children’s Home, Murphy-Harpst, Wesley Woods, Aldersgate Homes, Housing and Homeless Council, Camp and Retreat Ministries, the Georgia United Methodist Connectional Federal Credit Union, and Georgia’s UM Commission on Higher Education.
The Special Offering for Annual Conference this year was for the Ministerial Education Fund which helps thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in the United Methodist Church.
- Gifts to our Annual Conference special offering for the Ministerial Education Fund totaled more than $74,000, with donations still incoming.
- More than 4,000 UMCOR Kits were donated primarily by local UMW units in the Conference.
- The Annual Conference Red Cross Blood Drive had 71 donors.
- The total amount given for Special Sundays, General Advance Specials, World Service Specials, and other forms of directed benevolence (charitable giving) in 2017 was $9.37 Million, up from 2016.
- The North Georgia Conference ordained 8 elders in full connection, 2 deacons in full connection and commissioned 15 provisional members.
- Keith Cox, Conference Treasurer/Director Administrative Services shared that in 2017, North Georgia United Methodist churches had paid 94.7 of the apportionment budget, the highest percentage of apportionments paid in 16 years.
- The Annual Conference passed a budget of $21,920,651 for 2019
- Membership for 2017 stands at: 357,015, a 1% decline from 2016. (Though we celebrate that seven of our twelve districts had increases in their membership in 2017)
- Worship attendance for 2017: 107,000. Professions or reaffirmations of faith: 4,627 Both of these numbers were down slightly from 2016
- 10 churches were closed and transferred to the Conference Board of Trustees. 3 of those churches have been identified for future use and will stay in the control of the local districts.
In the United Methodist Church, clergy and laity have equal voice in leadership and direction of the church. Youth throughout the Conference are also representatives of our churches and districts. This year over 60 youth served as members of the Annual Conference. Of those 60 youth there were 10 youth representing the ADOX district. I was excited to have two of our youth from Crossroads join me this year as youth representatives. Emma and Sadie Moon represented Crossroads well. They were very active is the service of the conference as they helped usher, acolyte and joined in the Youth Conference Choir. They learned about the business of the conference and had equal voting rights with the rest of those in attendance. Thank you to Emma and Sadie for their service.
The Conference heard several times about the Special Session of General Conference. Delegation chair Matthew Pinson shared that our delegation has been diligently preparing for the 2019 Special General Conference. Pinson’s prayer is for unity. “I pray for the unity of the church. Not unity for unity’s sake, but for Christ’s sake. Because I pray for the unity of Christ’s body in the world.”
Members of the Annual Conference took a poll to guage the feelings of the body as we look toward the special General Conference next year. The results show both hope and concern about the future of the church, but a desire for unity from a majority. Bishop Sue said, “we know that the church is not of one mind on the matter of human sexuality, and there is not a clear answer to this challenge. “But,” she continued, “There’s too much at stake to draw battle lines. I urge every church to be in conversation.”
The 2018 Annual Conference was an exciting place to be and I urge you to go the UMC website and read the full report. It was, as always, an honor to represent Crossroads United Methodist Church as your Annual Conference Delegate. It is an honor to serve a Church where the motto of that church is: “Every Member a Minister”.
Thank you,
Nancy Crissman Lay Delegate to Annual Conference
Thanks from the Missions Committee and Trinity Table
The Missions Committee and the Trinity Team would like to thank everyone who came and helped us put together 225 lunches for Fathers Day. They were very thankful for the extra meals to be able to serve the guests as they left. Bonnie Selleck, Trinity Table Volunteer Manager, sent a message saying:
"Just a quick note to say thank you to the folks from Crossroads who provided the to-go meals for our guests. Most were taken by people who came to eat, but there were some who choose not to come inside and we are so glad to have the extra few so we can share a meal with them as well. Staci reported that the meals were generous - and we so appreciate it! We look forward to the next time Crossroads comes to Trinity to serve.
Blessings,"
Bonnie Selleck
Trinity Table Volunteer Manager
Thank you!
Crossroads' Gift to UMCOR
Atlanta Decatur Oxford NGUMC
We welcome the following people to the district who will serve in a new capacity beginning on July 1.
Agnes Harvey, Lithonia First
Sheila Crowe, Ebenezer
Cassie Rapko, St. Paul
Tariq Cummings, Ousley
Joel Wiggins, Stone Mountain, Assistant
Kevin Days, Redan
Gil Gainer, Lovejoy
Roger Cato, Julia A Porter
Alex McGinnis, Philadelphia
Norman Cox, Covington Mill
Thank You from Alexis Nation
Thank you again.
Love, Alexis Nation
UPCOMING EVENTS
School Supply Drive
The first Day of School for 2018 is just around the corner. Our Missions Committee will be collecting school supplies through the month of July for Hightower Trail Elementary School again this year. As you are out shopping for your children’s supplies, please pick up an extra box of crayons, pencils, erasers, glue, scissors, notebooks, and even a backpack or lunchbox, to bless children who need extra help. You may leave your donations on the table in the Narthex.
CLEO's
“CLEO" (Christian Ladies Eating Out) meets the first Tuesday of every month. We will meet on July 3rd at 12:00pm at Outback.
Happy Hearts
Retired and inspired members of the church normally gather the 1st Friday of every month at O'Charley's. Join us Friday, July 6th at 11:30am.
Crossroads Music Camp
Music Camp 2018 at Crossroads will feature “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!” The dates are July 15th through July 22nd. The cost is $50 per camper and $25 for each additional sibling. Get your registration forms from Mary Lynn Luke or Susan Smith or click here to print a registration form:
Teenagers, college students and adults of all ages are needed to fill acting roles, teach crafts, lead games, and prepare snacks, sets, and costumes. Please see Mary Lynn Luke or Susan Smith to volunteer for this exciting week of Musical Theater Ministry! You can also volunteer by calling the church office at 770-388-7438 and leaving a message with our secretary, Carol Turner.
Ladies Bible Study coming soon!
ONGOING MINISTRIES
Crossroads Men's Club Breakfast
Our Men's Club meets the first Sunday of each month at 7:00am for breakfast and fellowship.
Rockdale Emergency Relief
We collect food donations for Rockdale Emergency Relief on the first Sunday of each month. On Sunday, July 1st, you may leave your donations on the cart in the Narthex. Items needed this month are:
Grits
Elbow Macaroni
Spaghetti Sauce
Hamburger/Tuna Helper
Canned Pasta
The Walton Gang Breakfast
The Piecemakers
Promise Keepers Breakfast
July Worship Volunteers
July 1st
8:45am Scripture: Brandon Thomas
Holy Communion: Joel & Nancy Crissman, Artis Spencer
11:00am Scripture: Jennifer Edwards
Acolytes: Evan Boyd, Lily Moon
Holy Communion: Steve & Susan Brinson, Sherry Wheeler
Audio: Theresa Jones
Video: Sandra Rodrick
8:45am Scripture: Artis Spencer
11:00am Scripture: Susan Brinson
Acolytes: Sadie Moon, Caylee Compton
Audio: Susan Smith
Video: Fred Watson
July 15th
8:45am Scripture: Pat Harwell
11:00am Scripture: Brenda Edwards
Acolytes: Shi Walker, Ben Helton
Audio: Kathy Edwards
Video: Reggie Charles
July 22nd
8:45am Scripture: Bruce Carey
11:00am Scripture: Brenda Hutson
Acolytes: Savannah Martin, Evan Boyd
Audio: Debbie Carney
Video: Jennifer Edwards
July 29th
8:45am Scripture: David Copple
11:00am Scripture: Julian Harwell
Acolytes: Lily Moon, Sadie Moon
Audio: Theresa Jones
Video: Michelle Sinclair
August 5th
8:45am Scripture: Joel Crissman
Holy Communion: David & Cheryl Copple, Artis Spencer
11:00am Scripture: Pat Harwell
Acolytes: Caylee Compton, Shi Walker
Holy Communion: Bobby & Sally Barfield, Paul Wine
Audio: Kathy Edwards
Video: Theresa Jones
Crossroads Shut-In List
Many of you have asked about our church members and friends who can no longer make it to Sunday Services and other fellowship events. Below is a current list with contact information if you would like to reach out to them. We ask that you keep them all in your prayers and thoughts. If you would like to add someone to the list, please contact the church office.
Barbara Finlayson
Remington House Apt. 8a
1504 Renaissance Drive
Conyers, GA 30012
678-562-4068
Ruby Straley
1611 Pratt Rd
Covington, Ga 30014
770-786-2599
Nora Pelowski
1358 Manchester Dr
Bristol Village - Room 230
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-8269
Effe Ashong
1500 Callaway Loop
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-1075
Donna Peek
131 Vickery Dr.
Central, SC 29631
Happy Birthday! July 2018
July Birthdays
Chloe Boyd 07/01
Kelly Parks 07/01
Betty Hanson 07/04
Hencie DeGive 07/05
Adam Nation 07/09
Madelyn Hanson 07/10
Russell Parks 07/10
Robert Barfield 07/11
Allan McDonald 07/14
Keeli Coble 07/15
Lita Smith 07/15
Sherry Wheeler 07/16
Shawn McCalmon 07/19
Deborah Head 07/21
Edna Broadnax 07/22
Peggy Rowe 07/23
Sandra Alliston 07/24
Rebekah Carroll 07/24
Sara Strain 07/24
Leslie Weaver 07/24
Shelby Anne Watts 07/25
Eva Fuhrey 07/26
Matt Alliston 07/29
Rev. Zack Martin 07/29
Susan Smith 07/29
Pam Askew 07/31
Frank Clair 07/31
Linda Huhn 07/31
August 2018 Newsletter Deadline
The deadline to get information into the August 2018 Newsletter is Monday, July 30th. Submit all articles, information, and pictures to secretary@crossroadsumc.net or call 770-388-7438. If you wish to receive a mailed copy of the church's monthly newsletter, please contact the church office at secretary@crossroadsumc.net or
770-388-7438.
Crossroads United Methodist Church
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Email: secretary@crossroadsumc.net
Website: www.crossroadsumc.net
Location: 2460 State Highway 138, Conyers, GA, United States
Phone: 770-388-7438
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Crossroads-UMC-Conyers/227593134052091