ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 2015

The church's Annual Conference will be held in Athens June 16-19 and our church will be well represented. In the sessions Tuesday through Friday, we will hear the reports Sam's Picture of the various agencies and ministries of the North Georgia Conference; set new goals, agendas and budgets; and attend to the task of electing our delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 2016.

Annual Conferences, obviously, are held each year in the various parts of the country and the world. Once every four years the worldwide United Methodist Church meets in General Conference and the various jurisdictions do the same. The General Conference is the official policy-making body of the United Methodist Church, and while a number of groups of various sizes express their opinions on issues, only the General Conference speaks for the entire church. The Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, of which we are a part, will meet later in 2016 and in those meetings, new Bishops will be elected. All the delegates for those important sessions are being chosen this year.

Our church is being represented by its four ministers (Dr. Matthews, Revs. Wilder, Smith, and Ethridge) and by a number of lay people: Ben and Joyce Hines, Buddy and Lillian Darden, Robbie and Joyce Robertson, Ann and Lawson Thigpen, Linda Newiger, Nancy Hodges, and Sara Worden.

Of course, a highlight of the Conference is the "fixing" of appointments on Friday. At that time Bishop Watson officially assigns the ministers to their appointments for the following year (United Methodist ministers are appointed for one year at a time). Rev. Smith will return to us for the second year, Rev. Wilder for the sixth year, and I will return for my thirteenth year. Rev. Lori Ethridge will be officially appointed for her first year.

I speak for our entire delegation when I ask for your prayers and when I say that it is an honor to represent you. And I speak for the ministers when I say that we are honored to serve with you in this wonderful church. Pray for your church and its leaders.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

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News

Help children get ready for the school year! MFUMC will again host the annual Back to School event with MUST Ministries. Click here to find out more information, including school supply lists. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Join our Patriotic Worship Service Sunday, June 28. We invite all of our veterans to meet in the Family Life Hall Lobby prior to both Worship services to be recognized during the service.

Join us for Jazz on the Lawn with singer and musician Joe Gransden at Callanwolde on Friday, June 26. The group will leave the church at 4:30 p.m. and return at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include entrance to the Callanwolde art gallery. (Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835)

Plan now for the Great American Family Picnic on July 4th in the Park on Polk. Hosted by the Phileo Sunday School class, this is your chance for the best seats for Marietta's fireworks show and to support MUST Ministries. To register for the event, visit www.greatamericanfamilypicnic.com. Volunteers receive free admission and dinner. Send an e-mail to forrestcate@mariettafumc.org to volunteer. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Don't let boredom creep in this summer! In June and July, preschool and elementary age children have a variety of camps such as "I Spy," "A Bug's Life," cooking, martial arts, dance, and tumbling. Older children enjoy fellowship and community service on Mission Mondays. Parent's Day Out is available for nursery age children, so they can have fun with friends too! Click here for more information or contact kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org.

Epworth Mid-High Mission Trip. Rising 7th-9th graders are invited to join us for mission projects, worship and fun at the beach from July 19-22. Early Bird Registration is $150 and ends May 31. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

The College Sunday School Class meets in the Parlor throughout the Summer. All are welcome. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Website, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about how to donate or make your pledge.

This Week

All men of the church are invited to a cookout at the home of Brian McNair, 20 Adair Drive Marietta 30066, this Thursday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy food and fellowship and learn about upcoming events for Men of the Church. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Young Professionals Night at the Braves: Join other young professionals for a Braves game on Friday, June 19. Tickets are $20. Click here to reserve your spot. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

One Rehearsal Family Choir. Sing with the choir on Father's Day and/or Patriotic Sunday (June 21 and 28). Simply come to the Choir Room at 8:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. for a quick rehearsal and then sing for morning worship. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Three of our Adult Sunday School classes will move to new locations this Sunday: