Comfortability and familiarity are the keys to most relationships. We listen to our quiet inner voice when it sends us a message about the person to whom we are speaking: either “Danger - retreat!” or “Welcome them in - everything is OK.” Or how many of us go to the same restaurants because they know us and we are familiar with the atmosphere (and menu)?
How blessed am I to witness both of these traits in the parents who utilize MBUMC “God’s Zoo” or nursery. Moms and Dads rest easy when they come to their child’s room and see the same familiar faces there to love on the children. Moms and Dads are also comfortable with the atmosphere knowing the check-in system and number of team members in each room help keep their child safe in their absence.
The children experience the same sort of comfortablility with the same people caring for them. However, sometimes it takes them a little longer to come around - that is where our new COLORING Book comes in.
The nursery, with the help of Linda and Adam Cole, has created a MBUMC God’s Zoo coloring book which features pictures of the animals in the nursery. The more they are exposed to the MBUMC ministry that was created just for them, the more familiar and comfortable they will feel. The increase in these should help reduce the anxiety, for some at, drop off. Other ministries that children can participate in are also highlighted - so older siblings can enjoy the book also.
In addition to being used for specific events in our ministry, the books will be sold in the MBUMC Bookstore for $3.99. Come by and see some of the fun that is coming from God’s Zoo.
Be Blessed In Him,
Cindy Stafford
Nursery Director
What are you doing right now? GET UP, drive to Mt. Bethel bookstore, Borders or Sweet Spirit and get a copy of THE SHACK. You will not be sorry!
In this story you will come face to face with heartache, reeling anger and pain and how one father, Mack, embraces a myriad of questions loss causes us all to face. The transforming power of this book should not be missed.
My hope is that the author, William P. Young, will sweep you along in his fictitious story and absolutely cause you to call out for the presence of GOD as He did for me.
Gaylyn
Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples…” Any questions? To me it’s a simple directive. We who have sat at the feet of Jesus, allowing Him to fill our brains, senses, spirits… we who have sat and have been made full are then to do this… “GO, and NOW MAKE DISCIPLES.” Our responses? Which ones identify you?
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, I have these kids to raise…
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, I have this job that keeps me busy 24/7
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, wouldn’t it be better to send someone else?
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, I’m not good when it comes to talking about faith.
Gee, Jesus, I’d like to but, go ahead, fill in the blank…
To me it’s simple. Any questions? None? Then why aren’t we going?
Rev. Diane Parrish
The search feature our main website has always been pretty solid, but it was a separate tool from the blog search engine. This week, those tools have been combined into one big search engine that can help you find whatever you’re looking for. You can use either the search box in the top right corner of the main site, or use the search box at the top of the blog — they’ll both pull up the same results.
The search engine now searches over 500 pages of content to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. The numbers change a little bit from day to day, but as of today it breaks down as:
- 76 upcoming events
- 333 content pages
- 94 staff members
- 86 blog entries
The search engine will dig through all of those areas, then put the most relevant results at the top of the list. If you see anything come up that seems out of place, let us know in the comment section below and we’ll make the necessary tweaks.
Happy searching!
As a long time member of Mt. Bethel UMC, I’d like to share information about a very important event coming up for our family.
As stated on the AVVBA website, “Each year the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association erects a permanent memorial in various locations in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area in honor of one of the many area servicemen who made the supreme sacrifice in Vietnam. The official purpose of the AVVBA is to promote patriotism and sponsor activities of a patriotic nature among the business community; to recognize those who served and honor those who gave their lives in the Vietnam War; to promote a positive image of the Vietnam Veteran, their dependents and to bring closure for the widows and orphans of deceased Vietnam Veterans.” With that said, some months ago we were informed that the AVVBA had selected my dad as the Veteran to be honored this year.
My father, Major James C. Wise, Jr., was a fighter pilot who actually volunteered to serve in Vietnam in 1965. He served with the personal Squadron of General Ky with the South Vietnamese Air Force. That same General later became the President of South Vietnam. My father’s plane was shot down on December 23 of the same year and he was killed on impact.
When we heard that dad was selected as the veteran to be honored this year we were thrilled and are so grateful that finally we’ll have the closure needed after all these years. It’s all happening on Thursday, May 22 and this year’s location is The East Cobb Park on Roswell Road. Preservice music provided by a military band will begin at 10:15 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m. with much planned for the hour long service. There will be high dignitaries in attendance, a special speaker, a fly over, a 21 gun salute & more. Immediately following the ceremony the group will provide a complimentary luncheon for all attendees at the Cobb YMCA on East Piedmont Road in Marietta.
I wanted to share this information with our church family since many of you not only know my immediate family (Steve, Kelly & Greg) but also know my mother, Lucille Wilcox, and sister, Vicki Corum, who are also members of Mt. Bethel.
We hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Jamie Allen
Children’s Ministry has adopted a mission that’s easy to remember, fun for kids, and directed to help us be good Disciples. SPLAT stands for Serve, Pray, Love and Teach. We want to be like Jesus.
We have a growing number of opportunities to learn about SPLAT such as SPLAT University on Wednesday nights (during the school year) and Camp SPLAT (summer group learning for elementary kids on Sundays at 11). We teach about SPLAT in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. And during our recent CHARGE retreat, we initiated SPLATitude. We want to inspire our kids, parents, volunteers, and all of Mt. Bethel to have an attitude to Serve, Pray, Love and Teach. At CHARGE, we gave out SPLATitude buttons to kids who displayed SPLATitude. It’s catching on. We’re spreading the word, we’re noticing acts of SPLATitude, and we are learning to make it part of our daily life.
How do you show SPLATitude? Have you seen SPLATitude in others? Tell us about it in a comment below.
What an amazing night! The Porter Academy Art show and sale opened with a flurry of excitement over the young student’s art pieces. Parents, grandparents, Porter Academy Staff and Mt Bethel members enjoyed refreshments as they viewed the gallery in the B hall.
Barbara Ramer, principal of Porter Academy, was very grateful to Mt Bethel for hosting their first art show and sale that benefited the Matthew C. Roberts scholarship fund. “The art looks great, and the children are so proud to see their pieces displayed,” stated Ramer. To date, the art show has raised $1200 dollars for the scholarship fund.
The show generated a lot of excitement and a greater awareness of Mt Bethel’s Special Needs Ministry, while spotlighting a great school that provides a wonderfully supportive learning environment, Porter Academy. What a blessing to work with the staff at Porter, and to have the opportunity to meet some of the artists and their families at the gallery opening. I am grateful that God got us altogether for this wonderful event.
Note cards of the children prints will be available in the bookstore until the end of May. You may special order prints of the children’s art until the end of May by contacting me.
Thanks to everyone who made this show and sale possible!
Rev. Kim McGarr
In June, Mt Bethel’s Foster Care Ministry will be one year old. Seventeen families have been trained and are serving as foster parents; and 35 children have spent time in the homes of these foster parents. Mt Bethel families, by turning their Compassion into Action, have significantly changed the lives and destinies of these children.
The Mt. Bethel Foster Care Ministry has the mission to recruit, train, and support foster families. Through our partnership with Cornerstone Family Services, a Christian foster family ministry, families will receive all necessary training, and ongoing support and supervision as they host foster children in their homes.
If you are interested in learning more about this important mission and how you may participate in our foster care ministry, please attend an informational meeting on Saturday June 14, from 9:30 am until noon at Mt. Bethel. For questions or to reserve a spot at the Orientation meeting, please call Wayne Stolz, a Mt. Bethel Foster Care Ministry volunteer at 770-565-7521, or send a note to westolz@bellsouth.net.
Every four years, representatives from each Annual Conference (we are in the North Georgia Conference) meet to chart the course of the denomination for the next four years. Social stances taken by the church are revisited and debated during each General Conference.
The 2008 General Conference met in Fort Worth, Texas in the spring for ten days. The Conference reaffirmed the church’s position on human sexuality stating that: “Sexual relations are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.” The phrase, “We do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching” was also reaffirmed as the church’s official position regarding homosexuality.
Another very important issue debated had to do with the question of church membership. The issue was whether the pastor has authority in determining readiness for church membership, or whether the pastor is to “faithfully receive all persons willing to take membership vows” (suggesting the final authority is the person taking the vows). Does the pastor have discretion in matters of membership, or not? Behind the argument is the matter where one pastor denied membership to a practicing homosexual and that pastor was relieved of his pulpit and the case went all the way to the Judicial Council. The argument is that this matter is not about practicing homosexuals but about standards in general.
The issue was decided that the local pastor does have the authority to determine a person’s readiness for church membership.
In other action, the Conference retained the position that United Methodist ministers are not to perform same-sex marriages and self-avowed, practicing homosexuals shall not be ordained or appointed to a church. Also, no apportionment funds will be used to promote the cause of homosexuality.
Regarding the issue of abortion, the church retained the position that the life of the unborn child is to be protected at all costs, the only exception is if the well-being of the mother is threatened.
The General Conference is attended by the worldwide United Methodist Church. It was evident that the vote of the African Conferences was crucial. One African delegate was heard to remark, “Today we saved the church.” Another said, “This is why we are here.” The liberal elements of the church promptly proposed the exclusion of the worldwide United Methodists in future General Conferences. This issue will be debated by local Annual Conferences in the years to come.
An interesting observation regarding the media, not one word has been reported as to the General Conference’s decisions. Perhaps the reasoning on the part of the media is that by not reporting the decisions of the second-largest Protestant Church, no one will see the obvious contradiction of the Episcopal Church’s official position regarding homosexuality.
Randy Mickler
A quick look at the recent CHARGE retreat through the eyes of a nine year old:
How was the bus ride?
The buses are great! They were very comfortable! It was loud on the way to camp but it was quiet on the way home. I think it was because we were tired.
How was the cabin?
Some of the tiles on the floor in the cabin were loose but the bathrooms were great!
Did you like the food?
They need more! The girls got to eat first so there wasn’t enough for the boys when it was their turn. They gave us different food. I think the food was healthy and I liked what I had. I even tried Tea (sweet). It was good!
How were the adult counselors?
They were GREAT!
What about worship?
Worship was good - Loud, fun and funny! The juggler was fantastic! So was the magician (Lanny Moody)!
Did you have music?
Yes! the band was awesome and amazing!
Did you take a shower?
No! But I did brush my teeth.
Comfortability and familiarity are the keys to most relationships. We listen to our quiet inner voice when it sends us a message about the person to whom we are speaking: either “Danger - retreat!” or “Welcome them in - everything is OK.” Or how many of us go to the same restaurants because they know us and we are familiar with the atmosphere (and menu)?
