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Newsletter>
The Wesley Voice 2007, Vol. 2, July Issue
July 12, 2007
Welcome to Wesley, Rev. Sharma Denise Lewis
“Getting to know our new Pastor!”
Rev. Sharma Denise Lewis is a native of Statesboro,
Georgia. She is a 1985 graduate of Mercer University, where
she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and a
1988 graduate of West Georgia College, where she received a
Masters of Science degree in Biology.
Prior to her call to ministry, she was a biologist in the
academic and corporate sectors for several years. After
answering God’s call to ministry, she entered Gammon
Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center
(ITC) in Atlanta. While attending ITC she was inducted into
Theta Phi Honor Society and was the recipient of numerous
honors and awards. In 1999, she became an honor graduate
with a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies. Rev. Lewis
was ordained a Deacon in the UMC in 1999 and Elder in 2002.
She is a sought after preacher and facilitator of numerous
workshops, conferences and revivals. In 2004, Rev. Lewis
was appointed to Powers Ferry UMC as the Senior Pastor, a
cross-racial appointment in the UMC. Previously, she served
at Ben Hill UMC in Atlanta, Ga., for five years as
Associate Pastor of Evangelism, and Senior Associate Pastor
of Christian Training.
She has serve on numerous committees representing the
United Methodist Church.
Rev. Lewis is an alumni of the Academy for the Practice of
Christian Ministry in the North Georgia Conference. She is
the recipient of the 2004 Pinnacle Leadership Award, given
by the East Point– College Park Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
STAFF/PASTOR RELATIONS COMMITTEE
SUBMITTED BY: Jay Wansley
The Staff Parish Relations Committee thanks everyone for
the tremendous support given to our committee and to Pastor
Williams and his family during our recent Pastor’s
Appreciation Program. I heard nothing but positive comments
regarding the program as did others.
SPPR committee member Scott Mahone delivered an inspired
message and planned an extraordinary program. Many thanks
also are extended to the History and Hospitality Committees
for their contributions as well.
As I was reading a recent Griffin District newsletter, I
saw this article and felt it very appropriate for our
congregation as we welcome our new pastor, Rev. Sharma
Lewis.
WELCOME YOUR NEW PASTOR
It’s getting close to that time of the year when pastors
and their families will be packing up to make a move to a
new church and churches will prepare to receive their new
pastor. Tom Pilgrim, who is retiring from Tucker United
Methodist Church, made the following suggestions for how to
receive a new Pastor:
Smile at your new pastor. To do otherwise sends a message
that is received.
Pray for your pastor’s family.
Tell your new pastor your name, but don’t expect it to be
remembered.
Take them a gift of milk, pound cake, cookies, and other
goodies.
Smile at them a lot, and yes, pray.
Be sure to make it known when you go to the hospital. No
little bird will.
Call on your pastor for weddings, funerals, and baptisms. I
will not be coming back for such events.
Attend church every Sunday and give money. Your church
needs it.
Smile, pray, and yes give money.
Write cards, letters, and make calls and assure your new
pastor of your support. Then do it.
Invite other people to your church.
Read the above list everyday, then do it, and yes, smile,
pray, and give money and support, and then just do it.
JOLLY SENIORS
submitted by: Judy Rivers, Chair
The Jolly Seniors would like to thank everyone who helped
to make our May bake sale a success. We also would like to
give special thanks to Deborah
Rudolph who spearheaded this project.
The senior Ministry is tentatively planning an outing in
July, details to follow at a later date.
A SALUTE TO THE VETERANS OF WESLEY
submitted by Scott Mahone
If you haven’t noticed, there is a beautiful new addition
in our sanctuary, the United States Flag, and the Christian
Flag. Our Veteran’s Ministry presented these presents to
the church on May 27, 2007, during our annual Women’s Day
Program, in honor of Memorial Day.
Did you know that the Christian Flag is the only free flag
in the world? It is different from every other flag,
religious or secular, ancient or modern. It is
uncontrolled, independent, and universal. This flag stands
in its own right, shines by its own spiritual light, true,
free, untrammeled, uncompromised. It belongs only to Christ
and the Cross-which symbol it bears.
Please continue to pray for our military men, women and
their families who are serving our nation. They are our
heroes!
Intermediate Bible Study—Grades 3-5
Submitted by : Queen Mahone
Our children are having a grand time learning the books of
the Old & New Testaments through Interactive Bible games as
well as indoor and outdoor activities. Good food, good fun,
and good people make exploring the rich history and power
of the Bible so very special. We love kids, that’s why many
of us dedicate hours preparing lessons and teaching them
about God’s love. It is important for our children to have
a chance to exercise their faith and we must hold them
accountable for good spiritual habits that hopefully, will
last a lifetime. Our studies are every Tuesday evening from
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Come join us and be a part of this
exciting experience.
There is always much work to do in God’s vineyard!
Nursery and Children’s Ministry
submitted by Jennifer Johnson
The Nursery and Children’s Ministry would like to thank
Rev. Williams and the entire Wesley Family for their
prayers and support of our outing and fellowship to
American Adventure. A heartfelt and grateful thank you is
also extended to the parents, children, and especially our
bus driver, Mr. Franklin Cochran.
The above ministry along with the Youth Ministry is
planning a “Back to School Jamboree on August 26, 2007 from
3:00-6:30 PM. This will be a spiritual fellowship with
words of wisdom and encouragement. Our goal is to have
information available with displays, materials and
representatives from Wal-Mart Vision Center, Children’s
Dentistry, Wal-Greens, Health Clinic, as well as a barber
and nail salon. Refreshments and school supplies will be
available. In order to make this fellowship a success, we
are asking the support of the entire Wesley Family to
donate school supplies. Thanking you in advance for your
cooperation and support.
“Remember: A Mind is a terrible thing to lose and our
children are our future.” If we don’t support and help our
children and youth to become successful someone else will
and we may not like the end results. Please feel free to
join our ministries where we do everything with a smile and
the fruit of the spirit.
We nurture children at 8:00 and 11:00 Worship
Services, Tuesday night Bible Study and other services or
whenever needed by Wesley Ministries.
We welcome Rev. Lewis and it is our prayers that the
Lord’s richest blessings are hers forever.
For more information concerning the Nursery and
Children’s Ministry, contact Jennifer Johnson @770-957-5493
or Jennifer Ryan @ 678-432-0801.
Wesley’s Daughters of Imani
submitted by Margaret Rounds
Wesley's Daughters of Imani have been working hard over the
last month in the completion of "My Sister Heritage
Project", which will be displayed in the UMW’s Room once
completed. This a competitive project and the winner will
be rewarded for her hard work. Good job to those who have
worked so diligently throughout the project.
Prayer bracelets were also made by the girls. During this
activity, they were assigned a partner in which they were
asked to pray for their partner's needs for a month. They
were instructed to record the changes in their lives as a
result of this experience in their journals. PRAY FOR
SOMEONE ELSE, is something we all should do!
The Curriculum portion of our program has been suspended
over the Summer due to vacations of the participants, but
will resume in September. However, our Friday Night
Fellowship will continue with fun -filled educational
workshops on Etiquette, Teen Pregnancy, Cooking Classes,
and Quilting.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
News from theUnited Methodist Women
submitted by: Jennifer Ryan
Greetings from the United Methodist Women! This past couple
of months have been very busy. We had an awesome time of
fellowship at our Annual Rainbow Tea, that was held April
28, 2007. It was a great success and we received many
wonderful and positive comments. This years' event has
proven to be the best one yet. I think as time goes on they
will only get better and better. Plans are already being
made for next year’s social event. We would like to thank
our guests, members and friends, who came out to support us
in this event. A special thanks to all who participated in
the program, the ushers, models, speakers, skit
participants, servers, kitchen staff, and the Daughters of
Imani. The theme, souvenirs, and table decorations were
wonderful. Each had a special meaning and purpose. It was
just unbelievable how beautiful everything turned out!
The UMW look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
Come join us in helping to serve and build relationships
with our members, neighbors, church, and communities. We
meet the 4th Sat of every month at 9:30 am. We are in the
process of decorating our meeting room. Please take a
moment to come by and see.
The Daughters of Imani have begun the community project.
The young ladies are making a quilt. Each one brought in a
piece of cloth (which had special meaning to them) to
create a special handmade quilt. The Daughters of Imani
also had a fellowship event on June 15, 2007. The girls had
a great time.
A word from our President
Submitted by Maudi McCord
The United Methodist Women would like to thank all of you
for your support at our Rainbow Tea. We were blessed with
support from our members, visiting friends, and officers
from the district and the conference. Our tea was
coordinated by Ethel Johnson, Nurture and Membership
chairperson and, Jennifer Johnson, Spiritual Growth
chairperson. We thank these ladies for their leadership and
devotion to the UMW.
Our Education and Interpretation committee under Mrs.
Agnes Ponder as chair is diligently working to get our
library in order. We thank each of you who donated books
for our library.
Our Social Action coordinators, Lisa Johnson and
Margaret Rounds, have several events planned for our
Daughters of Imani. These ladies and their committee are
rendering a great service to our young ladies here at
Wesley. We are also looking forward to hosting our annually
UMW meeting here on Oct. 14, 2007.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our
pastor, Rev. Williams and his family for 9 1/2 years of
leadership. Our love and our prayers go with you as you
move forward pressing on making disciples for Jesus Christ.
We welcome Rev. Sharma Lewis the first female Pastor
here at Wesley we look forward with great anticipation of
working with her , “striving to pick up the TORCH and keep
running for Jesus Christ”.
If you are interested in working with the United
Methodist Women, we meet every fourth Saturday 9:30am here
at Wesley.
ALL ARE WELCOME
How Often Should Christians Pray and Read the Bible?
Submitted by: Wylene Adwater
It is imperative for the growth of every believer to spend
time praying and reading the Bible. God provided all of the
tools necessary to live a Christian life and to learn about
Him; it is the responsibility of the individual to utilize
those tools. Going to church and listening to a sermon is a
wonderful addition to a life filled with personal Bible
study and prayer time; it should never be the only source
for a believer’s spiritual growth.
Just as a person’s body will die without proper
nourishment, so will a spiritual life wither without the
nourishment that God provides through the Bible and through
quiet times with Him. You can see examples of how Jesus
lived this truth by making prayer a priority in His own
life. See Mark 1:35; 6:46; and Luke 5:16; 6:12; 22:41,42.
You can begin a prayer life in much the same way. A good
idea is to open your Bible study time with prayer, asking
God to reveal himself to you through the Scriptures you
read that day. Then, when you are finished reading, pray
about what you read, asking God to help you apply it to
your own life. You can then spend some time, even just a
few minutes, praying for other people in your life. Your
prayer time will eventually grow as you become more
intimate and personal with the Lord. “But we will give
ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word.” (Acts:4).
2007 Annual Conference Report/ North Georgia Conference
Submitted by: Barbara Calhoun
Theme: We are called to work Humbly with God
To walk humbly with God, simply means that on our life
journey, we are grounded in the truth, knowing that God is
God and that we are his faithful followers. To walk humbly
with God means that we must journey respectfully, equally,
and authentically with all of our sisters and brothers as
well.
My sincere thanks to the Wesley Chapel family for making
this yearly experience a great part of my life.
Several members of Wesley will be “Walking Humbly with God
through their new assignments announced at the North
Georgia Conference. We should be proud of all of them. They
are; Dr. Wylene Adwater, named to the United Methodist
Children’s Home Board of Trustees, Mr. John Ellis, named to
the Conference Board of Laity and the Committee on
Nominations, District Board, Robby Johnson was named
Associate Lay Leader, Terry McMillian was named to the
District Committee of Finance and last but certainly not
least, our very own pastor, Rev. Sharma D. Lewis was named
to the Class of 2009-10 District Committee on Nominations
as Executive Chair of Church Development, and she was
elected as an Alternate Delegate to Jurisdictional
Conference 2008. Congratulations to all of you. Wesley
Chapel is truly representing in a mighty way!
WOMEN’S DAY 2007 A BLESSING
Submitted by: Dr. Wylene Adwater
If you missed Women’s Day 2007, you missed a true blessing!
Everyone who attended are still rejoicing at the fun
fellowship we had on that special day and the powerful
messages delivered by our speakers. God sent two anointed
women of God with messages from HIM to carry out our chosen
theme, “Christian Women Making Roses From the Thorns of
Life.” Both, Rev. Dr. Sherry Austin our eight o’clock
speaker, and Dr. Anne Wimbush Watts, our eleven o’clock
speaker, delivered the Word with such high energy,
spiritual eloquence, and high praise, that it left all of
us thirsty for more of the WORD from GOD...(to be
continued).
Both messengers brought the word, speaking on the same
theme, but GOD sent the message from two different
perspectives so that at the end of the day, there were no
questions on the true meaning or understanding of just how
Christian Women make ROSES from the THORNS of Life! We were
so truly blessed by these powerful women of GOD. We were
also blessed to have in our presence, recording jazz
artist, Kemba Cofied, at our eight o’clock service. We were
fortunate to hear several selections from her latest gospel
jazz CD entitled Shades of Kemba. Her soothing soulful
sound helped to set the tone and awaken our minds and
spirits, putting us in the right mood for church at 8:00.
Her CD is available on line and at the local music stores.
Our Women’s Day Choir was full of dedicated talented women
of Wesley, directed by Ms. Barbara Broughton. (thanks Sis.
Barbara), who sang their hearts out as they ministered to
us in song. The musicians were wonderful. We thank you!
Thanks to our talented Women’s Day Committee who
entertained and delighted everyone at the eleven o’clock
service with an original skit, modified by yours truly,
especially for this years Women’s Day Program. The skit was
entitled WHAT NOT TO WEAR. A fashion show that dealt with
fashion spirits we wear in our hearts and souls (sometimes
not realizing we wear these fashions to church) and it is
not pleasing in God’s sight. It was funny, entertaining,
and POWERFUL!!! Our models were simply Great! (Thanks
members of the committee for your talent and wit).
Special recognition and honor was given to: Mrs. Albertha
Wesley (Wesley’s Woman of the Year Award), Mrs. Lorena
Williams (Gracious First Lady Award) and a Special
Recognition was given to Ms. Annie Fears for being the
OLDEST Female Member at Wesley. Mrs. Fears is 101 years
old. All women in attendance were given a gift from the
committee sponsored by the United Methodist Women. This
gift was a crystal cross that sits inside of praying hands.
This crystal gift lights up and changes colors symbolizing
the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Reminding
us, as we encounter the thorns of life... “That the Lord is
My Light and My Salvation, Whom shall I fear! “ (We do have
a few left for those of you who did not receive one!) Long
stem PINK roses go to the Women’s Day Committee who worked
untiringly to make it the best Women’s Day ever at Wesley.
Wylene Adwater, chair, Qiana Johnson, co-chair, Barbara
Calhoun, Bernadett Crockett, Mary Thomas, Min. Phyllis
Hatcher, Elaine Wilson, Simone Morton, Kate Mayes, Shelly
Lawyer, Maudi McCord, Linda Brown, Rosa Cochran. Special,
Special thanks to the Women Usher Team who worked very hard
at both services. Thanks to everyone involved who helped to
make our Women’s Day so special. God Bless you all!!
NEWS FROM THE UMM submitted by Tonja Johnson
During the spring and summer months, the United Methodist
Men find themselves very active around their church and
community. We started the spring off with our annual Hands
on Wesley Day with our Youth Ministry. This is a day set
aside to help our Senior members with tasks around their
home, that they’re unable to do. This is also a day to
spruce up our church and parsonage. We had very good
participation on this day and we’re looking forward to the
fall event. The UMM also worked with our youth during
Youth Explosion Week. Our duties consisted mostly of parade
logistics.
The UMM dedicated the month of May to our Mothers. We
kicked the month off with a Mothers’ Day Breakfast with all
men doing the cooking. We even picked fresh fruit for the
occasion. There were about 75 mothers who attended this
wonderful fellowship. After the Mothers finished their
meal, they were presented with fresh cut carnations as a
small token of appreciation for Mothers’ Day. Mothers, we
thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you and we
look forward to doing it again next year.
Our “One Man One Boy” mentoring programs sponsored a
night out with their mentee and his mother at Cabana Joes.
This fellowship was planned to teach our young men
etiquettes on treating women with respect, as well as
honoring their mothers. This fellowship was very well
attended. Thanks to all of the moms who participated with
us. As the summer approaches, we will be working with the
UMW on a campaign for the North Georgia Conference in
supplying backpacks and school supplies for the less
fortunate in our community. Also, we are very excited to
announce our first “Micro to Muscle Car Show” to be held
here at Wesley on Saturday, July 21 at 10:00am. Church
family please come out and fellowship with us on this
day. There will be prizes given away and refreshments will
be available. All proceeds from this event will go towards
our mentoring program for future retreats and educational
field trips. Finally, I would like to take a moment to
thank our former pastor, Rev. Williams for all that was
accomplished during his tenure at Wesley. We appreciate the
leadership and the working relationship that we shared.
To our new pastor, Rev. Lewis, we welcome you in the
name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We look forward
to working with you and serving you as well. We’re praying
that this move is a smooth transition for you, as you take
on your new assignment.
Our meetings are held on 2nd Saturdays at 9:30am and on
4th Sundays after the 11 o’clock service.
Nursing Guild Update submitted by Ethel Johnson
The members of the Nursing Guild will take the
re-certification class for the First Aid, Cardiopulmonary,
Resuscitation & Emergency Cardiovascular Care (CPR) on July
7, 2007. The class will begin at 9:00a.m. CPR OUTLINE
Before Giving Care
Checking an ill or injured person
Breathing Emergencies on Conscious Choking
The Cardiac of Survival and Cardiac Emergency
CPR and Unconscious Choking
Each year the nurses Guild members get re-certified. All
church members are invited to take the classes.
...AND THEN GOD CALLED A WOMAN
TO WESLEY
WRITTEN BY: Dwight Helton
And so it is—Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, for the
first time in its long and blessed history, is welcoming a
woman to its helm as pastor. I have heard the debates
began, as many of us have, on the topic of the legitimacy
of a woman being the shepherd of “the flock.” People are
curious as to the ability of a woman to rightly and
confidently bring forth the gospel as is written. People
are skeptical of a woman being “the pastor” instead of “the
assistant pastor.” People think that Wesley is in
trouble—let them think that while we yet rise. It is time
to for our church to leave the plantation.
While men have quarreled over scarce resources, it is
women who have been the vessel of our most important
resource which is life. We do not have to turn to some
amazing metaphor or symbol of the woman to know that, from
our own collective experiences as Africans in America,
women have been strong, determined, intelligent, daring,
and pivotal. While we were being told that we were stupid,
ape-like, and property, black women assured us that we were
special—that we were God’s children. While we were afraid
of “massa”, a woman slipped away, created an underground
railroad, and returned to free us from our bondage. While
we were loosing our fathers to death and to the world,
women stayed and became the father, the mother, and
everything else we needed for our journey towards glory.
And we had doubts about a woman pastor. How can we have
doubts when she comes from this stock of warriors?
And then God called a woman to preach the gospel and gave
Wesley the treat of listening to it. It is a slave’s
mentality to rebuke that which God has ordained. We are
not “crabs in a barrel” and thus need to lift one another
up instead of pulling each other down. Let us welcome
Reverend Sharma Lewis to our family—a family that has come
from roots of struggle, a family that has endured trials
and tribulations, a family that has seen lightning flash
and thunder roar, a family that prays and stays together, a
family that laughs together, and a family that cries
together. This represents who we are—Reverend Lewis
represents who we will be.
We say welcome Reverend Lewis for God is about to rain
down blessings that Wesley will not have room enough to
receive.
A Message from God to the Wesley Family
Dear Brothers and Sisters, honor those who are your leaders
in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you
against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give
them your wholehearted love because of their work. And
remember to live peaceably with each other.
Brothers and Sisters, we urge you to warn those who are
lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take the tender care
of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back for evil, but always try to do
good to each other and to everyone else. Keep away from
every kind of evil. Now may the God of peace make you holy
in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body
be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ
comes again.
1
Thessalonians 5:12-15,22,23
"May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of
heaven and earth.”
Psalm 115:15 Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church - (770) 957-4728 -- 397 Racetrack Road, McDonough, Georgia 30253
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 1146, McDonough, Georgia 30253-1146
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