At The Crossroads
February 2018 Newsletter from Crossroads UMC
Some Homework for You
I just finished submitting our end of year reports to the conference. We have some good news but also some things to work on. Let's look at members, money, and mission.
First, we have held steady with our official membership totals for the year. We lost a few members to death and transfers out, but we gained several members to come close to evening it out. We started with 424 and ended with 423. Our active membership membership is about half of this because of members who drifted away and haven't found a new church home.
Secondly, we continued to be faithful with our offerings and tithes. Our end of year receipts were $342,207 and expenses were $311,844. Before you get too excited about the surplus, remember that we are saving funds in order to pay for coating the roof in 2018 and resurfacing the parking lot. These are huge capital expenses that you will hear more about in the coming months. We also do not have a fully staffed ministry team as in youth leader and/or a program director. SPRC is working on a plan for that.
Lastly, our mission to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world" continued to bear fruit. We supported many agencies that do good work for the poor and suffering in our community and the world (i.e. Phoenix Pass, Refuge Pregnancy Center, Trinity Table, the UMC Children's home, and UMCOR). Our membership involvement in spiritual growth opportunities continues to hold steady with Sunday School and small group Bible and topical studies being offered several times over the year. Also, we celebrated our 25th year of ministry with an all-time high attendance of close to 250 people.
Well done everyone!!!!!!! But...and there is always a but.
While membership, money, and mission numbers look nice, we are plateauing in a way that we ought to be concerned about. Worship attendance is on a downward trend. Our yearly averages are as follows: 2012=151; 2013=156; 2014=165; 2015=159; 2016=157; 2017=146. Worship attendance drives personal spiritual vitality and church life. For most people, it's the only time we intentionally pray, sing, and learn about God's presence in our lives during the week. It also inspires us to grow more in the other areas of our discipleship. If worship is on life support, then the church dies a slow death. We are not there yet, but we need to tune ourselves up.
To address this, I feel it's time for a new vision for Crossroads and of what we want to be in the coming years. I want to develop a vision of our community that is compelling enough to make us feel like we missed something when we are not attending regularly. I need your help to do this. To begin the process, we need to do some homework. Our District Superintendent provided us with a great exercise that starts the conversation about our future. It's a simple matrix that asks us "what we love about our church, what needs to change, what ideas can move us forward, and what are we unsure about at our church. You'll see it around during the month of February, so fill it out and turn it in to help us look forward.
Pray for a faithful and compelling year of ministry here at the Crossroads of faith and real life.
Peace,
Rev. zack martin
UPCOMING EVENTS
Ladies Bible Study
THE PATRIARCHS By Beth Moore will continue part two of the study of Jacob and Joseph, Sunday February 4th and February 11th, 4:00pm-6:00pm. For any questions, please contact Mary Jane Lea at maryjanelea@gmail.com.
Marriage Enrichment Group
Crossroads Marriage Enrichment Group will meet Wednesday, February 7th from 5:30-7:00. We will have focused conversation with our spouses on what we would like to see happen in 2018. There will be an opportunity to design a personalized marriage growth plan for the upcoming year. A light dinner will be provided.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday, February 14th at 6:00pm, come join us for a special worship service to prepare you for the Lenten Season.
High School Students "Campus Crawl"
High School Students "Campus Crawl," February 22-25 is a bus tour for high school students to see 9 United Methodist Colleges and Universities in Georgia, as well as some public Universities through their Wesley foundations (i.e. UGA). Parents are invited to attend the closing informational session at Oxford (on the campus of Emory at Oxford). To register or for any questions, see Rev. Zack Martin or Rev. Leigh Martin.
ONGOING MINISTRIES
HAPPY HEARTS
Retired and inspired members of the church normally gather the 1st Friday of every month at O'Charley's. Join us Friday, February 2nd at 11:30am.
Men's Club Breakfast
Rockdale County Emergency Relief Food Bank.
On the 1st Sunday of each month we collect donations for the Rockdale County Emergency Relief Food Bank. If you would like to donate, please leave your items on the cart in the Narthex Sunday,February 4th. For the month of February, items that are most needed are:
Macaroni and cheese
Grits
Cereal (12 oz or larger)
Canned chili
Spaghetti Noodles
Canned Fruit
Hamburger/Tuna Helper
Saltine Crackers
CLEO's
“CLEO" (Christian Ladies Eating Out) meets the first Tuesday of every month. We will meet next month on February 6th at 12:00pm at Outback.
Exploring Arts
Exploring Arts will meet February 7th at 10:00am-2:00pm in the Youth Room. Learn how to paint a glass vase and bring any recent art you would like to show the group. Lunch and supplies are provided. Everyone is welcome. For questions contact Mary Jane Lea at maryjanelea@gmail.com.
The Walton Gang Breakfast
Children's Choir
Rehersal is every Wednesday at 5:00pm for children ages Kindergarten– 5th grade.
Kids Club
Calling All Kids!
Kindergarten through 5th graders meet every Wednesday at 6:00pm. This is a time of fun, games, refreshments and learning the Bible in a fun way. The kids are earning badges for learning their Bible verses and everyone will get a sash to put their badges on so they can wear them each week.
Youth Group
The Piecemakers
The United Methodist Women
Wednesday Night Supper
Promise Keepers Breakfast
February Worship Volunteers
February 4th
8:45am
Scripture: Brandon Thomas
Holy Communion: Julian & Pat Harwell, Cheryl Copple
11:00am
Scripture: Brenda Edwards
Acolytes: Mayce Page, Caylee Compton
Holy Communion: Steve & Susan Brinson, Paul Wine
Audio: Susan Smith
Video: Reggie Charles
February 11th
8:45am
Scripture: Pat Harwell
11:00am
Scripture: Emma Moon
Acolytes: Ben Helton, Sarah Sinclair
Audio: Theresa Jones
Video: Fred Watson
February 18th
8:45am
Scripture: Bruce Carey
11:00am
Scripture: Julian Harwell
Acolytes: Savannah Martin, Evan Boyd
Audio: Kathy Edwards
Video: Michelle Sinclair
February 25th
8:45am
Scripture: David Copple
11:00am
Scripture: Pat Harwell
Acolytes: Lily Moon, Sadie Moon
Audio: Fred Watson
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! February 2018
February Birthdays
Peggy White, 02/05
Priscilla Howell, 02/06
Katherine Edwards, 02/08
Mallory Hammonds, 02/08
Robbie Mumford, 02/08
Gwen Carroll, 02/09
Cecil Wheeler, 02/09
Melanie Page, 02/11
Nora Pelowski, 02/12
Gaelyn Chadwick, 02/13
Ravi Koil, 02/14
Rachel Blanchette, 02/15
Bill Edwards, 02/19
Charlene Hutson, 02/20
Lois Tillman, 02/20
Barbara Cole, 02/22
Thomas Martin, 02/22
Benny Atkins, 02/24
Larry Compton, 02/25
Brett Edwards, 02/26
Brenda Ellis, 02/27
Dillion Bryant, 02/28
Mary Lynn Luke, 02/28
March 2018 Newsletter Deadline
The deadline to get information into the March 2018 Newsletter is Wednesday, February 28th. 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