The details of educating each child are important. In fact, I believe that it is the details that separate a great school from an excellent one. Right now, our public schools are digging deeper into the details of what makes up their total educational costs in order to figure out which ones to cut. Taxpayers are expressing frustration and disappointment that some programs such as the arts and music will be cut to bare bones or even removed from Lower and Middle Schools. Interestingly, we believe that these very ―details‖ are the ones that enable many children to reach their full potential in core subjects such as math and science. Other details separating our school from other alternative choices include a defined starting time for all students, appropriate lunch times, and dress codes that empower our students to focus on academic success. We further implement safety systems whereby students are re-leased to parents and guardians, keeping them from wandering up and down busy streets and into area restaurants. Most importantly, the detail that separates our school is having Christ at the helm of all our academics, cocurriculars, and faculty-student relationships.

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Majoring in the Minors

We arrive Saturday morning by 9:30AM and hit the ground running, free from our city life distractions. We get back to nature! As we arrive at camp we hear the peaceful flowing clear water of Moss Creek, then run across the covered bridge to find our rustic cabin and claim our bunk. Then we are off to worship in the Barn where we seek God’s presence by opening our hearts, minds and our souls. Afternoon brings games, swimming, hiking, crafts and fellowship. After worship Saturday evening we gather around the camp fire to make s’mores and sing camp songs.

Sunday morning we arise to the wonderful North Georgia mountain air, birds singing and water flowing freely. As we close our weekend in worship and head back to the rushed city live we lead, we are grateful for a refreshing inspirational time with each other.

Join us this year May 15 and 16 at Camp Evergreen for a life changing experience.
Dianne Hylton, Director of Children’s Ministries at Mt Bethel UMC

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Charge! Retreat

Pastor Seven, the pastor of “Seven Bridges to Recovery Ministry” and founder of “The Garden,” had been praying for some time that God would provide the resources (financial as well as people) for bringing everything up to code as well as renovating the basement to allow for additional women and children who currently don’t have a place to stay.

It has been amazing to watch so many people give so selflessly of their gifts and resources and to witness the joy that they have experienced by allowing God to work through them. It has also been wonderful for many of them to work alongside the very ones they came to help and to see a picture of the body of Christ (young and old, rich and poor) serve together to assure that these women and children would have a warm place to stay and a hope for the future. Much construction is underway, but we have just begun as we continue to work on needed improvements and, more importantly, deep relationships with the people of Seven Bridges and The Garden.

Here is an update of the construction to date:

Permits were approved, the new roof is complete, which should last twenty years or more (no more leaks), and the sprinkler and fire alarm construction have been started. The basement is being cleaned out and will be renovated and partitioned to house 20+ single moms and their children. Plans are being completed for the chapel renovation. It is amazing what God’s people can do. Through your donations, time, and service, this ministry is opening new doors to serve the least and the lost.

If you would like to lend a hand in any way, please contact Ben Hornsby.

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Update on “The Garden” with Seven Bridges to Recovery

“It was such a healing opportunity for these kids, they were all very aware of the devastation and their hearts were heavy with the images that they have seen on the news. It was an excellent opportunity for the kids and their parents to put their compassion into action and eventhough it seemed like such a small token in the midst of such need, somehow it brought joy to their hearts to know that they were actually active in doing something to reach out. It was a hands on way to put their prayers, heart, and love in a box knowing God would take care of it for them. What a witness to see hearts of children being nurtured in their faith, put it in motion, and see the power of servant leadership. It was a privilege and blessing.”

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4th & 5th Grade Life Groups Help Haiti

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Children’s Consignment and Baked Goods Sale

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Father-Child Campout

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Camp S.P.L.A.T.

Each week children are challenged to take the lesson beyond the classroom and worship on Sunday out into their community and live it every day of the week. Here’s how you can help…look for opportunities to teach your children what it means to serve. Discuss opportunities, foster conversations, and share time in prayer seeking areas that you and your entire family can shine the light of Jesus through service and love!

Here’s the challenge! Each elementary-aged grade (Kindergarten-5th grade) will have a bulletin board with the outline of a tree in the Education Building (F). Each child will be given the opportunity to trace their hand (during Sunday School) and share how they “served” during the week. Each grade will post their handprints on their grade level tree and watch the tree transform from a bare outline to a tree filled with serving hands and hearts that share the love of Jesus Christ!

Putting God first and “serving” up a summer of fun, fellowship, and learning about a mighty God that wants us to join him everyday! Join us on Sunday mornings where we will be “serving” up S.P.L.A.T.itude!

Kids learn what it means to Serve like Jesus served (John 13:12-17)
Pray like Jesus taught his disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9-13)
Love God and others (Luke 10:27)
And
Share the gift they have received by Teaching others about the power and love of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)

See you Sunday morning!
Your Children’s Ministry Team
Dianne, Sherri, Janis and Susan

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This summer at Mt. Bethel our elementary children will be “serving” it up for Jesus!

Brandon Rushin outdid himself as the DJ and his hula hoop contest was one for the ages. A loud and boisterous thank you to Dave and Christie DeDona for organizing this event and the Men’s Leadership Group for a thousand laughs around the helium machine as they built the balloons arch.

Check out tons of pictures from the event here!

Mike Boyce

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Father Daught Sock Hop

Mt. Bethel’s four pillars of excellence, regarding ministry, are Worship, Children, Students, and Missions. To strengthen these pillars of ministry we are “shifting” some things about each ministry. Our Encounter and Live It Live worship services will share the same space beginning this fall. We will shift Live It Live to the 9:30 hour, allowing the K through 3rd grade to go to Sunday School at 11:00. Our 4th & 5th graders will experience their own worship and Sunday School. Beginning this Sunday, our traditional service will be “blended,” less formal (no robes), and will have Rev. Robert McMichael as our worship leader. We will also use the screens during hymns, allowing us to sing some of our old favorites and new favorites not in the current hymnal.

Mt. Bethel’s Missions ministry will receive ten (10%) percent of the pledged operating budget, totaling $679,235 for domestic and international ministries. Additionally, the Conference Missions is $400,000.

Our Children’s and Student’s ministries will remain as strong as ever, thanks to generous specified givings by some of our members.

There will be a shift away from our traditional focus on older adults with special needs to that of active older adults. This ministry will no longer employ a staff and will depend upon volunteers.

Mt. Bethel’s Communications and TV ministries will experience limited use because staff has been reduced.

Mt. Bethel’s Ministerial staff and key leaders voluntarily reduced salaries by 10%. Additionally, Ministerial staff will be reduced by one (Rev. Lance will be on disability) and our part-time ministers will experience a reduction in salaries.

Please understand this will not be the final publication or discussion of changes. This is simply where we stand today. Our Staff-Parish, Finance, Executive Committees, and Administrative Council deserve our appreciation and support for their hard work and long hours during this challenging time. Thank you for your cooperation in advance of some changes that will probably affect everyone’s comfort zone. We are God’s children, bonded in love, seeking to strengthen the Cause of Christ, advancing the Kingdom of God. May His grace and guidance comfort and strengthen us as we together serve our Lord.

Randy Mickler
Senior Pastor

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Change