The LaGrange Link

A monthly publication of
The LaGrange District of the United Methodist Church

Rev. Susan Landry

District Superintendent April 2019

Changes

“Why does Easter seem to jump around on the calendar?” I hear it every year….

Easter timing does seem to fluctuate quite a bit. It comes in mid March sometimes, forcing
Easter outfits to hide under winter coats, and in late April other times, confusing our social
calendars and wreaking havoc with school events.

Here is how the date is set: Easter is always the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon.
The name "paschal" is derived from "Pascha", a transliteration of the Greek word, which is itself
a transliteration of the Hebrew pesach, both words meaning Passover. This was an attempt in
the early church to assure that Easter would always be in the same season, and that there could
be agreement among the churches. Easter always falls somewhere between March 22 and April
25. So, this year, it is almost as late as it will ever be.

Early or late, Easter centers our lives—not so much because of

when it comes, but because it DOES come. Easter is THE
changing event for all Christians, revealing God’s glory through
the Son, and granting resurrection life to all who believe. Easter
is actually less about time and its changes, and more about
eternity for us all. Time stands still in Christ, who was and is and
is to come. So my prayer this year is that Easter would be more
about letting Christ change us, and less about a particular date
on the calendar.

Yours in Christ,

Susan
Congratulations to the ministers pictured below who recently completed at 16-hour course
on Crisis in Ministry led by Dr. Nancy Long.

From left to right, bottom row: Rev. Julian Warner, Rev. Michael Cain, Rev. Martina Bober and
Rev. Renee Clark. From left to right, top row: Rev. Mary Burth, Rev. Joe Geter, Rev. Frank Dean
and Rev. Oliver Wood.

District Nominating Committee meets April 11

Anyone interested in serving on a district committee should contact their

pastor and request that the pastor submit their name to the district office.
Committees consist of both clergy and laity, so we need interested clergy
as well.

National Administrative Professionals Day, April 24

All church secretaries, administrative assistants, financial

secretaries or any other administrative personnel in the
LaGrange District churches are invited to join DS Susan
Landry and Denise Wilson for breakfast at the Newnan
Cracker Barrel on Tuesday, April 23 at 8am. This will be an
informal time of fellowship as we celebrate you and what
you do for our churches. Please contact Denise to make a
reservation.
The next Bridge to El Salvador mission trip is June 8-15, 2019. Team leaders are Blair and Laura
Harlin. They are still taking volunteers to serve on this team. Projects may include light construction and
food distribution. A $100 deposit made to the LaGrange District Office with "El Salvador June 2019" will
reserve your place on the team. Please contact Blair (blairharlin@gmail.com) or Laura
(mckeeharlin@gmail.com) Harlin for more information. Total cost for the trip is approximately $1,100
per person.

Plans are being made to have two district mission trips to El Salvador in 2020, one in Jan/Feb and the
second in Aug/Sep. We are looking for team leaders and volunteers. Please contact Rev. Tommy Holder
(tom.holder@ngumc.net) to volunteer.

The LaGrange District will host an UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) Team Leader
training on July 13 from 9 am - 12 pm at Turin United Methodist Church (20 Longstreet Ave., Turin, GA
30289) for anyone wanting to become certified or to recertify as a mission team leader. All Bridge to El
Salvador mission trips require UMVIM certified team leaders. Rev. Tommy Holder and Maggie Clarke
will lead the training session. Cost is $20 per person for the Team Leader Handbook and breakfast. Sign
up with Denise Wilson at the District Office by June 30.

If you are interested in having a team come to your church or mission board and make a presentation
about the LaGrange District Bridge to El Salvador, please contact Rev. Tommy Holder
(tom.holder@ngumc.net).

Fayetteville First has about 250 stackable chairs that they are
willing to give to a church that may be able to use them.
There are 2 sizes of chairs available – adult & youth, and 2
colors – blue and burgundy. If your church is interested,
please call them at 770-461-4313.
Board of Laity to Host Lay Candidate Forum April 13
Laity have two opportunities to hear from confirmed lay candidates for the North Georgia
Conference 2020 General Conference Delegation. Candidates will speak briefly at a Lay
Candidate Forum on Saturday, April 13, at 9 am at St. James UMC Atlanta. A second forum will
be held Tuesday, June 11, at 10 am during the Laity Session of Annual Conference in the Grand
Hall of the Classic Center. The Lay Candidate Handbook, including a brief statement from each
candidate, will be available on or before April 10 at www.ngumc.org/2019-lay-candidates.
Scouters Academy: Religious Training for Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders

Date: Saturday, May 4th (8:30 am – 3:30 pm)

Location: Peachtree Rd UMC (3180 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305)
Who’s Invited: Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders of all faiths
Cost: Free
Information: Click Here

Wesley Heritage Tour

with Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson

February 3-13, 2020

Starting at $3998, from Atlanta, GA
For more information, visit www.EO.travel/mytrip
Tour – HE20, Date – 020320, Code – G
$300 Scholarships available for Clergy & $150
Scholarships available for Clergy spouses. Email scholarship@travelwithus.com to apply.

Happy Birthday to the following pastors in the district who

are celebrating birthdays in April:

3 - John Tomlin 14 – Martina Bober

9 - Nelson Furtado 18 – Michael Cain
14 – Daniel Kim 27 – John Beyers
April 11 – District Nominating Committee meets at District Office, 7pm
April 18 – Youth Workers’ Luncheon, Newnan Taco Mac, 12 noon
April 23 – Local Church Administrative Professionals Breakfast, Newnan Cracker Barrel, 8am
April 23 – Conference Retiree Celebration, Oak Grove UMC, 10am