News from Athens First United Methodist Church

(8:30) Jim Belger, Ann Brown, Paul Brown, Don Crews, Larry Deal, Jim Lyons, Candler Meadors, Olan Moore, Bob Noble, Grace Rabek, Ken Reece, Keith Wilson

(9:45) Chris Bostdorff, David and Jane Disney, Mark Ellison, Tom Milton, Sharon Milton, Marvin Reynolds, Al Rogers, Bill Trigleth, Dave Matthews

(11:00) Al Hawley, Charles Grimes, Henry Folsom, Tom Henson, Fred Blake, Henry Garrard, Matt Hawley, Nat Belger.

Offering Stewards
Bob Booth & Charlie Grimes, co-chairman; Nat Belger, Charles Braucher, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III.

Samaritan Counseling Center has been ministering to the spiritual, psychological and relationship needs of people in our northeast Georgia community for twenty-five years. Our church has been a Sponsoring Congregation of Samaritan from the very beginning, providing financial assistance to the Counseling Assistance Fund, praying for the ministry of the center, using the Center's services in our program and ministry, using Center personnel for clergy consultation, and referring people in need to the Center for its services.
During these twenty-five years, the Samaritan Counseling Center clinicians have

· Provided more than 100,000 hours of counseling with over 15,000 individuals, couples and families from throughout northeast Georgia and beyond
· Educated more than 4,000 clergypersons in sexual ethics issues
· Facilitated twenty-one congregations on transition during difficult times
· Taught Centering Prayer and Spiritual Formation to more than 500 individuals
· Helped individuals, families, congregations and businesses through traumatic experiences
· Provided a variety of educational experiences in spiritual growth, family life, mental health, communication, handling conflict, and marriage preparation and enrichment
· Provided advanced clinical internships for graduate students in clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, and professional counseling
· Provided more than $1,000,000 in fee assistance through the Counseling Assistance Fund to persons who needed counseling but could not afford professional fees

Samaritan Counseling Center is established in our community to provide a place of healing where the focus is on a spiritual presence that embodies all-inclusive love. We call this "spiritually integrated psychotherapy." We learn from our relationship with God to love with caring, respect, confidence, and compassion. This divinely-inspired love, combined with professional psychotherapy skills, enhances, broadens and deepens the healing process and promotes spiritual growth.
People come to Samaritan for a variety of healing

· To reduce distress in life
· To enhance and improve relationships (couples, parents, teams)
· To employ spiritual and psychological practices to enhance physical health and healing
· To restore abundant life after traumatic or abusive experiences
· To open our eyes and ears to see God's call to transcend the "cares of the world" and to experience God's presence in all of life

The Board of Directors, the professional staff members, and the recipients of care have expressed to us deep gratitude for our support and prayers.

Member News

In Memoriam
Frank Sinkwich, Jr.
APRIL 17, 2010

In Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:
Marilyn Sinkwich on the loss of her husband, Frank Sinkwich, Jr., on April 17 in Athens, Georgia. Also to Frank and Lacy Sinkwich and children, Frankie and Adeline, on the loss of Frank's father, and to Scott Sinkwich on the loss of his father.

Baptism

Samuel Joseph and Lauren Olivia Rothman received the Sacrament of Baptism on April 18 in our Sanctuary. They are the children of Jeffrey and Jacquelyn Rothman.

Shepard Thomas Ashley Dillard received the Sacrament of Baptism on April 18 in our Sanctuary. Shepard is the son of Ashley and Kasey Dillard.

Wells Eleanor Johnson received the Sacrament of Baptism on April 18 in our Sanctuary. Wells is the daughter of Spence and Cress Johnson.

New Members
We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
Jacquelyn Rothman, 1491 Crystal Hills Drive, Athens, Georgia 30606. 706-546-1411. Children, Sam and Lauren, join as baptized members.

Wedding Bells
Congratulations to:
Paige Holland and Christopher Strahan who were married on April 17 in our Sanctuary. Paige is the daughter of Nelson and Pat Holland.

Altar Flowers

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. Spurgeon McAdams by Mrs. Spurgeon McAdams and their children.

Fellowship Announcements