Partnership links North Ga. church with Moscow
By Alice M. Smith
Wesleyan Christian Advocate
alice@wcadvocate.org

The Rev. Ludmila Garbuzova, pastor of Moscow First UMC and a gifted musician, is a United Methodist by deliberate choice.
"When she decided to become a Christian and enter the ministry, she just wasn't real sure which denomination," related the Rev. Jerry Newsome, pastor of Cumberland UMC in Smyrna which has a partner relationship with Moscow First. Her first contact with United Methodism came on Easter Sunday, 1992, when her choir sang at an Easter service beamed by satellite from Moscow to churches in the U.S. Following the service, she began asking questions and doing some research and discovered she liked Methodism's musical heritage and its emphasis on social ministry, both legacies from Methodism's founder, John Wesley, and his hymn-writing brother, Charles.

Subsequently Garbuzova became one of the first UM pastors in the Russian United Methodist church_which this year is celebrating its 10th anniversary following Methodism's reestablishment in the former Soviet Union after the fall of communism. Partly because of her musical ability_she is a former professor at the Moscow Conservatory of Music_Garbuzova is a frequent visitor to the U.S. She became acquainted with Cumberland UMC when her choir, known as "The Singing Christians," sang at a Sunday service at Cumberland in 1999 while they were in Atlanta attending a United Methodist meeting.

Newsome had learned about the choir from his sister, the late Jean Sahler, whose home church, Broadmeadow UMC in Jackson, Miss., already had a partner relationship with Moscow First.
"She and the choir and everything else just stole our hearts," Newsome related. The next year the church entered into a partner relationship with Moscow First, which not only has benefited the Russian congregation "but also blessed Cumberland beyond measure," Newsome said. "We have a new commitment to mission, and we see that we are participating in a tangible way."

In its "faith promises" program, Cumberland has sent $13,000 to Moscow First. Garbuzova has been back to visit the church twice_most recently preaching June 30. A team from Cumberland also visited the Moscow congregation, taking clothing and eyeglasses.
During Garbuzova's visit last month, the Cumberland church committed itself to an additional $24,000 for the Moscow church, which like the earlier gifts, will be used to help buy an apartment to be used for Bible studies, teenage activities and other programs. It is too expensive in Moscow to buy or construct a large building for the church, Garbuzova explained. So the church rents a classroom and has Sunday use of an auditorium from a technical school.  "If we lose our technical school," she said, "we will meet for worship services in the flat (apartment)."

While the UMC is growing in Russia_about 100 churches_the congregations are small but involved in extensive outreach ministries in their communities. Moscow First, for example, works extensively with the orphaned youth who attend the trade school, offers a weekly soup kitchen for the elderly who live on $15-per-month pensions, and ministers to orphaned children in two nearby "greenhouses," hospitals for children under six years of age with spinal disabilities. What's more, the church has produced seven pastors who are now serving in the Russia conference. They graduated from the newly-established Moscow United Methodist Seminary; next year's North Georgia annual conference offering will go the seminary, while South Georgia collected $52,000 at its annual conference this year for the seminary.

One pressure the Russian UMC faces is from the Orthodox Russian Church, which views all Protestant churches as "sects." "We pray that God opens their hearts and their minds to change the situation, because we are one family of God," Garbuzova said.  While in Georgia, she also preached at Bethany and heard a concert at North Springs by Cantemos, the North Georgia Conference's youth choir. Elsewhere in the U.S., she attended a leadership seminar for Russian clergy in Kansas City sponsored by the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, visited with the Broadmeadow church in Jackson, and met with ST Kimbrough of the Board of Global Ministries about a new Russian hymnal she is helping edit. The hymnal should be published soon, she said.

-To TOP of Page -

North Georgia laity help launch Disciple in Russia

A project of the laity of the North Georgia Conference to translate Disciple I Bible study into Russian is nearing completion with the first training session of Disciple leaders June 25-28 near Moscow.
Joe Whittemore, North Georgia Conference lay leader, his wife, Pat, and Bishop Richard and Julia Wilke, authors of Disciple I, traveled to Moscow for the training session. Under the Disciple system, the 40 people attending the Moscow session are now equipped to lead the Bible study in their local congregations. Those coordinating the training session had previously undergone training in the U.S.

Because Russia is such an enormous country, some Russians traveled 13 hours to attend the Moscow event_longer than it took the Whittemores to travel from North Georgia.  "It was really an interesting time to have been a part of this and to see what we can do when we all come together," Whittemore said on his return. "Disciple has the possibility of having the type of impact in Russia it's had in North Georgia and throughout the U.S."

While excited about their first Bible study in their own language, Russian UMs expressed some of the same apprehensions of church people in the U.S. when Disciple was first introduced, Whittemore said. "Some pastors were concerned about laity teaching Bible studies, while others were concerned about individuals dominating discussions [in study sessions] and about the time commitment [individuals have to make].

"It was deja vu," Whittemore said. Last year the North Georgia Board of Laity committed to raising $50,000 from across the conference to fund the translation project and to provide for training for leaders_a goal that has been surpassed.  The translating and the training have been overseen by the UM Publishing House in Nashville. The translation of the leadership guide is complete, with the study book scheduled to be be finished about the middle of September. "Before the end of the year there will be Disciple groups and studies going on in Russia," Whittemore said.

One of the joys of the trip was connecting with United Methodists across cultural and national lines, Whittemore said. "We attended worship service on Sunday morning at one of the churches ... and they literally just came up to us and hugged us. It was a wonderful occasion to be able to meet fellows Methodists in their church, and they seemed to be so appreciative. They served us the best meal we had the whole time we were over there." During the training session, Whittemore was able to address the group and tell them "about the warmness with which this whole idea has been received in North Georgia. There's just a genuine interest, concern and love for Russian United Methodists by the people in Georgia.

-To TOP of Page -

Palmer named Andrew College head

David A. Palmer, vice president for student life and dean of students at Hanover (Ohio) College, has been named president of United Methodist-related Andrew College.  Andrew's board of trustees approved the recommendation of its 12-member search committee in a special called board meeting June 26. Palmer succeeds the retiring Dr. Kirk Treible, who served as the college's president 13 years.

Emily McAfee of Albany, chairwoman of the Andrew board, said the college has an exceptional president in Palmer and that his credentials will strengthen not only the college but also the community.
"At the heart of an educational institution are the lives of the students. David brings a unique understanding of how to nurture students and develop their talents," she said. "Today we also reaffirm our commitment to South Georgia and to the educational fabric of the area."

Upon accepting the position, Palmer told the board he approaches his new job with a commitment to the values of the United Methodist institution.  "When Nancy and I visited two weeks ago, we were quickly taken by this precious college, surrounded and fortified by warm, welcoming and exceedingly committed faculty, staff and townspeople," he said. "The mission of the college_providing a challenging academic curriculum within a nurturing environment_is the perfect posture for a small, church-related, liberal arts college, one with which I can identify completely."

Kathryn Ray King, Andrew College board member and search committee head, said Palmer's appointment will further the extraordinary strides the college has made in the past few years.
Palmer's first task upon assuming office will be the continuation and extension of the college's many significant ventures. "The servant leadership program, community outreach, an enviable campus residential environment and state-of-the-art technology throughout the campus are all things that Andrew can do well. I see my role as the next level of advancement for Andrew and the community," said Palmer.

The native Ohioan will assume the office of president in early August. "Knowing that southern hospitality is real and genuine, Andrew and Cuthbert had us when they said `hello,'" he said.  Palmer earned a bachelor's degree from Hanover College, a master's degree from Ohio State University, a doctorate from Michigan State University and an Executive M.B.A. from Xavier University. He is the recipient of the Dean Ralph Ross Award, in recognition of "Outstanding Dedication and Contribution to the field of Student Life," bestowed by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Prior to his position at Hanover, Palmer was vice president and dean of students at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. He held two positions at Michigan State University, area director and director of advisory staff selection. He and his wife have three grown children.

-To TOP of Page -

Candler program allows youth to explore theology
By Elaine Justice
Emory University

Teens of faith representing 22 states and multiple denominations have gathered at Emory University through July 27 for a deep exploration of Christian theology and public issues during the 10th annual Youth Theological Initiative's (YTI) Youth Summer Academy. The four-week living-learning program at Emory's Candler School of Theology aims to cultivate what organizers call "public theologians" with the potential to serve as the next leaders for churches and society. The diverse group of 60 rising high school seniors are living, studying and worshiping together at Emory as they explore issues of faith in an increasingly diverse world.

"What began as an experiment 10 years ago has grown into a year-round effort," said Mark Monk Winstanley, former YTI director who has returned to his native England. The new director as of July 1 is Faith Kirkham Hawkins, formerly assistant professor of religion at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. YTI has grown into a center for research and education that examines how youth think theologically, according to Winstanley, and it serves as a resource for educators, churches and those who work with youth on a variety of levels. The YTI experience already is being used to develop materials and strategies to train youth ministers, including a training program for new United Methodist youth ministers in Georgia.

Organizers of YTI are completing a two-year study of the program's long-term impact. One of the study's initial findings is that youth are capable of thinking theologically and putting their theology into practice. YTI will share the results of the study during a conference in September on "Engaging the Prophetic Voices of Youth." The initiative at Emory, begun in 1993 and supported with funds from the Lilly Endowment, is the first of what has blossomed into more than 50 spin-off theological programs for teens at universities and seminaries across the United States and Canada.

-To TOP of Page -

South Ga. UM layman shares wood-carving talent with others
By Anne O'Connor
janda@surfsouth.com

If you want to know what time it is in Webster County, you might visit Doris and Dennis Wills at their home outside Preston. The house is filled with museum-quality clocks of every description, including a dozen grandfather clocks, all hand-made and carved by Mr. Wills. And that's just the beginning. As the couple gives a tour of their home, built on land that has belonged to the Wills family for generations, you begin to realize that nearly every wooden item you see is a Dennis Wills original.
"I got bored one summer, and I've always loved woodworking, so my uncle helped me build my first grandfather clock," he said. From there, Mr. Wills has continued to craft clocks, furniture, and carvings of everything from a boy and his dog to a bust of John Wesley.
Doris and Dennis, long-time members of Preston UMC, have three children and 10 grandchildren. Dennis has made a grandfather clock for each of them.

But he doesn't keep his gifts in wood in the family. He has built and presented tall clocks to the Americus and Columbus District parsonages, and there's also a Wills original in the episcopal residence in Macon. His most recent gift was the clock that holds a place of honor in the home of Americus District superintendent, the Rev. Lowery Brantley and his wife, Diane. "The clock is just beautiful," Brantley said. "We are so happy to have it in our home." He added that the United Methodist "cross and flame" logo at the bottom of the clock was done by the Wills' former pastor, the Rev. Marsha Emery.

This special clock has a bust of John Wesley in the center of the top, complete with Wesley's traditional clerical collar.  Wills has a workshop beside the house where he regularly turns out wooden masterpieces. He creates each clock according to a pattern in his head, and no two are alike. The only component he buys is the clock movement. After the case is done and he installs the movement, he must adjust the pendulum until the clock keeps time correctly.

Among the most appealing creations in the Wills home are a set of four figures of Christ with arms upraised, each carved from a single piece of wood. One sits on the mantel in their den, and the others are placed in various rooms. Each figure has the skin tone of a different race.
"`Red and yellow, black and white,'" Wills said, echoing the song sung by children for generations. "I had to make one of each." The figures are reminiscent of the massive statue of Christ on a hill in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, but done in a folk-art style. Contrasting with the seven-foot tall clocks are tiny treasures like "Boy Fishing with his Dog," a life-like carving that can be held in one hand. The boy wears a straw hat, and over his shoulder is a fishing pole with the day's catch dangling from the line. The ability to put that much detail into a palm-sized carving marks Wills as a master of his craft. His clocks and other wooden creations have been exhibited at museums and national fairs in Perry, Columbus, Dothan, Ala., and Atlanta. He has built a complete bedroom suite for the master bedroom in his home, including a grandfather clock and a small bedside clock to match.
One of his grandsons, he said, wanted a "grandfather" on his grandfather clock. At the center top, Wills carved a bust of a man who is obviously a grandfather.

People ask me who he is, and I just say it's a grandfather," he said with a smile. A retired farmer, Wills has a large garden plot that occupies a lot of his time during the spring and summer. The couple is also active in the Emmaus Walk, and that leads to another form of carving he enjoys. When it's our turn in the kitchen on Emmaus gatherings, Dennis carves vegetables and fruits to decorate the tables," said Mrs. Wills, who is the number-one fan of her husband's art. "He carves lemon and squash birds, artichoke ladies_oh, a lot of things." Some of the more unusual "food carvings" he has done include a John Deere tractor made from cucumbers with citrus slices for wheels, palm trees with carrot trunks topped with bell pepper fronds, and sweet potatoes carved into the likeness of people attending the gatherings. At the end of each meeting, those attending go home with treasures in perishable groceries, as well as memories of the love and care that went into the creation of each one.

Dick and Doris Wills have been married for 59 years; he is trustee chair of Preston UMC, and both have held numerous offices in their church. They are the parents of the Rev. Ronnie Wills, pastor of First UMC in Moultrie, Yvonne Coalson of Camilla and Sherrie Hales of Gainesville.

Anne O'Connor is a free-lance writer in Preston.

-To TOP of Page -

Action Ministries highlights its work

"Help for the Moment and Hope for Tomorrow" was an apt theme for the annual meeting of Action Ministries, the North Georgia Conference's umbrella agency which offers help and hope to people in need across the geographical boundaries of the conference. Over 150 people attended the 39th annual meeting last month at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

Jenny Pruitt, a member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta and president/CEO of Jenny Pruitt and Associates, Realtors, was the inspirational speaker for the evening, sharing how her faith has strengthened her during tough times in her life.  Other program participants included the Rev. Kelly Brisendine, chair of the board of directors; the Rev. Jim Mitchell, superintendent of the Griffin District who presided over the meeting; and Myrna Moore, director of community affairs at Turner Broadcasting System, who shared her faith through music. She is a member of Northeast Community Church and producer of a video in 2001 highlighting Action Ministries' transitional housing programs.

Glen Jackson, owner of Jackson Spalding Inc., a communications firm, received the Frances Sowers Volunteer of the Year Award. A member of Northside UMC in Atlanta, he serves on Action Ministries' advisory council and produced a new Action Ministries brochure introduced at the meeting. Action Ministries' many volunteers were highlighted in a video presentation produced by Jane Romberg, Ben Chance and John Heald. During 2001, some 3,414 volunteers provided over 28,000 hours of volunteer services to Action Ministries' many programs to help people in need.

-To TOP of Page -

Spiritual lessons accompanied Freeman's stroke
After a lifetime of Christian
service, God still has new lessons to teach the willing adherent.
By Joanne Hand

At a Discover God's Call retreat in Norman Park in April, Dr. Ross Freeman transfixed participants as he told about his struggles after a stroke and revealed what God taught him during that wilderness time. A balding gentleman with twinkling, kind eyes, Freeman_retired UM pastor, former Advocate editor, and advisor to many church leaders_turns 79 this month. A stroke stopped him in his tracks, knocking him out of a post-retirement television ministry several years ago. The after effects still slow him down, but he has come a long way. Now he feels an urgent need to share what God taught him during that time. "Voices from the wilderness," he called it.

He began by quoting Psalm 66:16: "Come and hear all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me."

After his "brain attack" put him in the hospital for a month, he said he initially heard two voices. "The first voice was mine_ I was crying out in confusion. I couldn't read a newspaper. The scripture I had memorized for a lifetime was blotted out. My brain circuits wouldn't work. Words came out wrong." Depression set in. He begged God not to leave him useless. He literally clung to his small Witness Bible, representing a lifetime of sharing God's word. It was his "lifeline," he said, even when he couldn't read it. Gradually God enabled him to make out some words as he "stumbled through the Psalms."

The second voice out of the wilderness was God's voice: "Let me take over. Don't dwell on the past. Focus on the future. Trust my promises and trust my heart."  "Gradually my brain cells began to connect. I came to realize that many other people have had the same experience or worse," he said. "I began to have a burning desire to share what I have learned."

Some of these learning lampposts included: "When you can't see [your way out], trust. Believe it's there. When you can't feel, remember what God has done in the past. When you can't know, wait."

"God gave me three lessons from the wilderness," he said. The first lesson was, "Trust the prayers of others."

When the stroke occurred, he was on his way to speak at a men's conference. As soon as they heard the news, about 600 men gathered around and prayed for him for an hour or more. Prayers went up nationwide and internationally. Yet Freeman couldn't pray for himself. His words seemed lost. God reminded him of the time years earlier when doctors told his wife, Bess, she needed surgery to remove one of her kidneys. He couldn't pray then, either.

"God bless-ed, God," told him, "'You don't need to pray. So many others are praying.'" God used those prayers to heal his wife without surgery.
"The prayers of others will hold you steady. Remember, the son of God is praying for you before the throne, and the Holy Spirit intercedes for you when you can only groan," God told him in his mind. Recovering at home, he accepted a speaking engagement without thinking. Then he realized that words eluded him and his speech stumbled. How could he talk to this group?

Yet he felt sure God was saying, "I am not limited just because you are." He posted those words on sticky notes and stuck them all over the house. Months later, God used his talk in a powerful way, halting speech and all. The last lesson: "Use what you have left." The stroke stripped him of his job and many abilities. Still, God seemed to tell him, "'Never focus on what you have lost. Focus on what you have left.'" He listed what he can no longer do. "But I thank God he has not abandoned me. I have so many reasons for gratitude."

God has given him a new ministry, a ministry of affirmation and encouragement, and a ministry of prayer intercession, he said.
Perhaps that is the best ministry yet.

Joanne Hand of Pelham is active in the South Georgia Chapter of Discover God's Call and is a writer for The Pelham Journal and The Camilla Enterprise.

-To TOP of Page -

Hispanic UM presence grows in North Georgia

As the Hispanic population grows in North Georgia, so does the United Methodist Hispanic presence and outreach. In the Atlanta-Roswell District, for example, seven churches are linking together to establish a Bible study and outreach ministry in Cherokee County where no Hispanic United Methodist work currently exists. The seven churches involved in the project are Hickory Flat, Woodstock, Little River, Christ, Big Springs, Northbrook and Ebenezer.

Across the conference, according to Nora Martinez, associate director for Hispanic ministries in the Office of Church Development, there are now two chartered Hispanic churches_First Hispanic UMC in Atlanta and Fountain of Love in Sandy Springs_and 13 other congregations or groups which meet weekly for worship and sponsor outreach programs.
In addition, other churches in the conference provide ministries to the Hispanic populations in their communities, such as English as a Second Language classes.

"Because the Atlanta area has a continually growing Hispanic population, it is the perfect location to begin implementing new programs to expand our Hispanic ministries," said North Georgia Bishop Lindsey Davis. "Expanding Hispanic involvement will not only strengthen the church but also promote social progress and understanding among United Methodists." On Easter Sunday some 502 Hispanic United Methodists from seven districts joined together for a giant celebrative service at Norcross UMC. The districts taking part included Griffin, Atlanta-Roswell, Atlanta-Marietta, Dalton, Gainesville, Atlanta-Emory and Rome-Carrollton.

"With colors, banners, songs, drums, guitar, piano, voices, clapping, children, youth, adults and a lot of enthusiasm, we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus," said Martinez. Young people played a key role in the service, leading a parade of banners to begin the service and singing songs of praise in a combined choir. The North Georgia bishop brought the message, interpreted by the Rev. Daniel Gaetan, associate pastor at Fountain of Love UMC.

The service, Martinez said, was a time of commitment "to continue working for a church that celebrates diversity, that has an open mind and an open heart, whose doors are open to all, and that seeks to be united and to praise God in our diverse languages." The service ended with the congregation holding hands and singing "Unidos," demonstrating the unity believers have in Christ.

One challenge for the Hispanic church is trained leadership, and to help in that regard a program called Latinos On To Serve (LAOS) has been established. Under the program, Hispanic students attend classes at Reinhardt College, serve in a local church, and are actively involved with a mentoring pastor.

-To TOP of Page -

UM educator predicts voucher effect minimal
By Alice M. Smith
Wesleyan Christian Advocate
alice@wcadvocate.org

While people of faith, along with all of American society, debate the landmark Supreme Court ruling allowing parents to use taxpayer-funded vouchers to send their children to private schools, at least one United Methodist educator thinks the impact won't be that great on either public or private education.

"It won't be a wholesale jumping from public into private," said Dr. Tom Redmon, an ordained member of the Western North Carolina Conference and executive director of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) based in Atlanta. "We're sure of that."
For one thing, he believes support for public education will remain strong across the country. For another, he doesn't think private schools will jump at the chance to accept vouchers, since it will require more record keeping and the schools "want to preserve their ability to do the educational programs they're doing without undue regulations."
Another factor limiting private schools' enthusiasm for vouchers, he said, is that the amount of money provided to families by a voucher program is fairly small in comparison to the tuition of many private schools. The one exception, he said, are the Roman Catholic schools which "usually provide quality education at a low cost."

His opinion about the hesitancy of many private schools to accept vouchers was seconded by the Rev. Ferrell Drummond of Carrollton, who retired last month as headmaster of the United Methodist Mt. Pisgah School in Alpharetta, a SAIS member. While the Mt. Pisgah board has not specifically taken a stand on vouchers, Drummond said the school "has a clear position of not getting entangled in governmental matters or receiving government funds that put certain strangleholds on the school. I think the board would want to know a lot more about the implications of receiving these vouchers and what would be the long-term consequences to the school."

He also said he hoped a voucher program, if it is instituted in Georgia, would be earmarked for low-income families in areas "where schools have a long record of failure but parents are motivated to see students rise to a higher academic level." Redmon, who attends Mountain Park UMC in Stone Mountain, said he supports the Supreme Court decision since it "basically indicates we are a nation of choice in education."
The official position of the denomination, however, opposes vouchers, as stated in a General Conference resolution first adopted in 1980 and then amended and readopted in 2000.

The statement entitled "Church-Government Relations" on page 562 in the Book of Resolutions says in part, "We specifically oppose tuition tax credits, school vouchers or any other mechanism that directly or indirectly allows government funds to support religious schools at the primary and secondary levels." While Methodism has always strongly heralded the importance of education, direct involvement in education has taken place mostly at the college level. In Georgia, for example, there are nine UM-related colleges and universities.

Redmond wishes the church was similarly involved in elementary and secondary education and notes that only three of the 240 schools in his association are United Methodist: in addition to Mt. Pisgah, a school in Spartanburg, S.C., and one in Memphis, Tenn. At this point, Redmon pointed out, only Florida of the 11 states that make up SAIS has a voucher program in place. In order for one to be implemented in Georgia, the General Assembly would have to pass the appropriate legislation.

The much-anticipated Supreme Court decision was issued June 27 and involved a program in Cleveland where parents who choose to send their children to a private school receive a maximum of $2,250 per student per year. They sign over a check to the school they select.
In the 5-4 decision, Chief Justice William Rehnquist wrote for the majority, "The Ohio program is entirely neutral with respect to religion. It provides benefits directly to a wide spectrum of individuals, defined only by the financial need and residence in a particular school district. It permits such individuals to exercise genuine choice among options public and private, secular and religious. The program is therefore a program of true private choice."

-To TOP of Page -