Snapshots of South Georgia

We had a Statesboro District-wide worship service in January at Waynesboro First United Methodist Church.  An ensemble from Paine College blessed us with their music.

I had the honor of serving alongside volunteers at Macon Outreach as they hosted a special community Thanksgiving worship service and turkey dinner meal for their neighbors.  More than 300 meals were served during the event, which was held at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church.  Read the South Georgia Advocate article here:  http://www.sgaumc.org/news/detail/96.

All of the General Church Secretaries along with the bishops who serve as presidents of the general agencies met together at the end of last year.  I serve as the president for the General Commission on United Methodist Men.

I traveled to Beersheba Springs Assembly in the Tennessee Annual Conference – my home conference.  Various rooms throughout the assembly were furnished in honor of Bishops who were elected from the Tennesse Conference:  Bishops Pennel, Clark, Spain, King, and Morris.  Brentwood UMC, the church I served prior to becoming a bishop, graciously furnished one of the conference rooms in my honor.

I was priveledged to be a part of the 2009 United Methodist Women Annual Meeting in Columbus back in October.

I was in the Thomasville District for the Bishop’s Hour on Sunday, November 22 at Porterfield UMC in Albany.

I was in the Americus District for the Bishop’s Hour on Sunday, November 1 at Americus First UMC. 

To the Beautiful People of the South Georgia Annual Conference

Thank You!

Your response through the 2009 apportionments was very generous and caring.

Once again, the laity and clergy of South Georgia have demonstrated faithful support of the covenant between you and God made through the church.

You have declared that people of faith are greater than seasons of challenge.

Our God is awesome and your witness is powerful.

The world is becoming more Christlike because of you.

Remember, God’s will for us is good. We must do the rest.

With love,

Your Bishop

James King 

Below is a note I sent out to South Georgian United Methodists last week in an e-mail.  Haiti is still very heavy on my heart, as I’m sure it is with us all.  Visit www.umc.org/haiti for all the latest information on how you can help.  As of yesterday, Tuesday, January 27 South Georgia United Methodists have given over $77,000 to UMCOR for the Haiti relief efforts.  I can’t tell you how thankful I am to be surrounded by such loving and generous people.  Thank you.

To the beautiful people of South Georgia, 

All of us have been touched in deep places by the suffering of our Haitian brothers and sisters caused by the recent earthquake.   The photographs and video images reporting the scope of the destruction and the extent of human suffering are too much to grasp.  We pray for God’s grace, in all its abundance, to fall upon all who are in pain.

Many of you have sought ways to express Christlike compassion and offer tangible assistance.  Your ceaseless prayers, generous gifts and selfless offers to volunteer are all deeply appreciated.  Thank you for desiring to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

Many governmental agencies and faith-based organizations are responding quickly and with great humanitarian efforts.  Rescuing the trapped, relieving the suffering, and rebuilding homes and communities will be a long process. We pray continually for those who suffer and for those who are offering direct and indirect aid.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already at work in Haiti.  In two United Methodist Board of Global Missions staffers died from injuries related to  the collapse of the Hotel Montana during the earthquake.   Sam Dixon, UMCOR Executive, and Clint Rabb, GBGM Mission Volunteer Coordinator, were in Haiti working to offer long-term aid for the poor and marginalized Haitian people when the earthquake hit.  We pray for Sam and Clint’s family and the Global Ministries family as they come to grips with his death.

UMCOR is actively engaged in this initial response of relief and aid.  UMCOR will be involved for many years as the rebuilding process begins.  Right now, the best way to offer assistance is through monetary gifts.  Each congregation is encouraged to receive an offering that can be designated for the Haiti Emergency, Advance Number: 418325.  You may remit your gifts through our Conference Treasurer’s Office using this Advance number and those funds will be sent immediately to UMCOR.

Additionally, I encourage you to find ways to participate in the global response to this horrific disaster.   Monitoring our Conference website, www.sgaumc.org, will be the best way for you to find the most current requests for assistance and the best way to respond. 

God is using people just like us from all over the world as instruments of grace and healing for the Haitian people.  Together, we are seeing our neighbor’s need and working to alleviate suffering.  I am proud of South Georgia United Methodists for joining in this outpouring of love, for in so doing, we are partners in growing a Christlike world.

In God’s grace,

James R. King, Jr.
Resident Bishop

It was a joy to be with the people of Wesley at Frederica UMC on St. Simons Island Sunday morning, October 11.