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Juneteenth
Father's Day
9:15 am Confirmation Sunday
12 pm Reception on the Brown Lot for Rev. Tillman
9:15 am Baccalaureate Sunday
3 pm Reception on the Lawn for Dr. Thomas
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Ben Hill Family: We will continue celebrating our current Clergy Team in the month of June. Please mark your calendar for the following Special Events.
Cards and love offerings celebrate Minister Brenda Bennefield may be mailed to:
ATT: Minister Brenda Bennefield, Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30331 DO NOT SEND AFTER June 30, 2021.
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Farewell Reception for Rev. and Mrs. Brian Tillman and Family
12:00p.m. -1:30p.m. –Drive-by Reception on the BROWN Lot (Austin Road)
2099 Fairburn Road SW
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Farewell and Congratulations Reception for Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Byron E. Thomas and family. 3:00-5:00p.m. Walk-Up Reception on the FRONT LAWN (Fairburn Road)
2099 Fairburn Road SW
Share your love and appreciation via a Wishing Well!!
Thank you,
SPRC
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We are appreciative of Reverend Tillman’s four years of tireless devotion and dedication to the Ben Hill United Methodist Church Family.
He has led us with preaching and teaching, as well as directing the Ben Hill Training Institute (BHTI), Baptism, New Disciples Ministry, Sunday School and Stephen Ministry. He has undoubtedly contributed greatly to the training and making of Disciples inside and outside the walls of Ben Hill.
He has also written a popular series of articles for Rethink Church (UM Communications) called “Racial Reconciliation: No Handholding Kumbaya” and has had other writings and sermons published, including one sermon titled “Breathe.” He has copyrighted his Racial Healing Framework that is used to dismantle racist systems, structures, policies, and practices in North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Florida.
While we will miss him, we recognize the calling on his life and wish him a fond farewell as he leaves us to assume his appointment as Associate Director of Center for Excellence with emphasis on Black and Multi-Ethnic Church Development & Community Advocacy.
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The Ben Hill United Methodist Church family wishes to thank Rev. Dr. Bryon E. Thomas for eight years of pastoral service to our church and community. Pastor Thomas' spiritual demeanor and proclamation of God’s Holy Word has touched many souls and warmed many hearts. His knowledge, preaching, and comparisons of biblical history to modern-day parallels cannot be replicated.
Due to a steadfast faith in God, Pastor Thomas has guided our congregation with calmness, compassion and courage. He has shared the importance of placing an emphasis on discipleship as opposed to membership. He has taught the Six Marks of Discipleship as foundational principles that support the vision and mission of the church. He encourages believers to participate in weekly worship, engage in daily Bible study, engage in daily prayer, serve others, give and develop spiritual friendships.
During the pandemic and under Pastor Thomas' spiritual guidance, the ministry efforts of Ben Hill UMC continued, including virtual Sunday Worship Services and Bible Study experiences, on-site COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, weekly food distribution, and financial assistance payments to members of the church and community. Pastor Thomas continued to lovingly serve our members by conducting lawn visits with the elderly and shut-in and praying for, comforting and servicing bereaved families during their time of need.
Pastor Thomas has led members, community partners and friends on several pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He has diligently served in various leadership capacities within the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. The members of the North Georgia Conference Delegation endorsed Pastor Thomas as Episcopal Nominee at the 2020 Jurisdictional Conference (rescheduled for Nov. 2021). Additionally, Pastor Thomas has served as President of the North Georgia Black Methodists for Church Renewal (NGBMCR) and Coordinator for the Southeastern Jurisdiction-Black Methodists for Church Renewal (SEJBMCR).
We thank God for Pastor Thomas’ keen insight, steadfast leadership and heartfelt kindness. We wish Pastor and Mrs. Thomas abundant blessings, as he begins a new journey as the Superintendent of the Central South District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. We will truly miss Pastor Thomas, Mrs. DuWanna Thomas and their wonderful family.
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It's time to pay tribute to the special men in our lives. Please visit the Ben Hill website and share photos of you, your father, sons, and father figures in your life and a message to celebrate Father's Day. Let's celebrate and acknowledge all fathers- no matter their background or stage in life. Please submit your photos and messages on the Ben Hill UMC website by visiting the link below. We look forward to celebrating with you.
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A Special Tribute to Our Clergy
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Do you have a favorite photo of one of our departing clergy members or their families? Submit your photo here for a special tribute to our clergy. Please submit your photo by June 23rd, 2021. All photos can be submitted by clicking the link below.
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Call to Service 2022 Informational Session
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Want to learn more about servant leadership, and what the ministries and committees of our church do? Have questions about what it means to be a chairperson? If you are interested in applying for servant leadership as a chairperson of a ministry or committee or as a committee member, please:
If you are currently serving in an elected position and would like to continue serving in 2022, please also complete the above 3 steps. We are looking for nominations in all ministry areas. Thanks for your willingness to serve and live out the Vision of Ben Hill!
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Ben Hill UMC Children's Ministry is
excited to announce the events of VBS 2021!
Virtual VBS Kickoff Event for the whole family
Sunday, July 11, 2021
11am-12pm
on Zoom
Virtual VBS Week of Bible stories, music, and so much more!
Monday-Wednesday, July 12 – July 14, 2021
Premieres 5pm daily
Ben Hill UMC YouTube and Facebook
All VBS events and kits are FREE but you must PREREGISTER
Join us in person for an end-of-VBS party for VBS kids, their families, and VBS leaders and volunteers on Thursday, July 15 at 5pm
(You will need to fill out a separate form for each child.)
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In an effort to support the growing need for food assistance during this challenging and unprecedented time, the Ben Hill Food Bank is reaching out to our church ministries. If your ministry budget permits, please consider purchasing items in the food donation list below. The highlighted items are needed most.
The Food Bank is in URGENT need of canned goods and plastic bag donations.
FOOD DONATION LIST
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-
Breakfast food- cereal, grits, oatmeal
- Boxed or canned milk
- Canned Vegetables/peas/beans/corn
- Canned Fruits
- Canned Meat
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- Rice/mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Tomato sauce
- Loaves of Bread
- Peanut butter and jelly
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Ministries should bring the food items to the Food Bank Drive-Up on Wed. (10:30am-12:30pm) or Saturday (10:30am-12:30pm). Donating is simple: 1) Place the food in the trunk of your car. 2) When you arrive, call the Food Bank at (404) 344-0618 X 1115 or (404) 314-2241, and someone will meet you to take the food from your car. All donations are touchless--keeping our donors and volunteers safe.
OTHER WAYS TO DONATE:
PLASTIC GROCERY STORE BAGS
Also, we need (lots of ) plastic bags, the type used at grocery stores.
MONETARY DONATION
In lieu of donating food items, please consider making a monetary donation by check or online as follows:
CHECK
Make payable to Ben Hill UMC and specify "Food Bank" in note area. Mail to
Ben Hill UMC, ATTN: Food Bank, 2099 Fairburn Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
ONLINE
We are thankful and grateful to ALL BHUMC Ministries, Families and Friends for your support. Your generosity and steadfast support of the Food Bank and the families who depend on the essential services it provides are appreciated. Please let us know if you are able to help by contacting Vicki Callaway at (404) 314-2241 or [email protected].
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The Prison Ministry would like to send cards, words of encouragement, to those who are currently incarcerated. Perhaps you have a loved one or know of someone who would appreciate receiving a card. The Prison Ministry offers a safe nonjudgmental space to seek prayers and support. Please contact Gloria Parker, [email protected] or Cynthia Holland at [email protected] with the name and mailing information of your loved one.
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The Prayer Ministry will host Corporate Prayer every Wednesday from 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm. Weekly Corporate Prayer will feature a prayer of thanksgiving, a reading from the Upper Room Daily Devotional, and intercessory prayer. We will be inviting Clergy and Laity to pray the intercessory prayer.
To attend Corporate Prayer, please call: (712) 770- 4936, Access Code: 627746. When calling in, please mute your cell phones. If you call in on a landline please turn the volume down on televisions, radios, etc. We look forward to everyone calling in and praying together. To submit Prayer Requests, please visit: benhillumc.org.
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During this season, we want to remind you of the benefits of Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministry is a collection of specially trained lay people who are trained to listen and provide Christian care for people during the most challenging parts of their lives. It is confidential, one on one, and gender specific. Stephen Ministers are assigned to an individual for about an hour a week. This is especially meaningful for individuals who may be alone during the pandemic, who are grieving, who have a challenging health diagnosis, and who are finding it hard to deal with the challenges in their life.
If this sounds like you, please contact us via email: [email protected] and we will be happy to walk along side you. You can also call the church office and ask to speak with Beverly Register or Rev. Tillman.
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Sympathy
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Daniel C. and Angela Brown Gillis (M) on the loss of his father and her father-in-law
Daniel Hugh Gillis (R)
Dorothy Kendall (M) on the loss of her sister
Dr. Ioma Kendall Glover (R)
Angela Mathews (M) on the loss of her cousin
Deon Mathews (R)
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Community Events and Resources
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FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, the mission is to help people before, during and after disasters and they are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020, up to $7,000.00.
FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through our dedicated call center. More information will be available on their page soon.
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Senior Food Assistance Program
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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms launched the City of Atlanta Senior Food Assistance Program to support seniors with food insecurity during COVID-19 by partnering with meal and grocery delivery organizations. Seniors who reside in the City of Atlanta and are struggling to receive access to food during this time may apply to be a part of this program by completing this survey found here. You may also contact ATL311 for information or help with filling out the survey by dialing 311 within the city limits or (404) 546-0311.
Specific program eligibility requirements are listed below:
- Reside in the City of Atlanta;
- Age 60 or older;
- Low income (household income at or below 80% of the AMI);
- Not participating in any other senior food assistance program and meet one of the following criteria:
- Unable to leave home;
- Unable to prepare meals for themselves; or
- Unable to procure or utilize commercial home delivery services.
* Completion of the survey does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
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The Differently Abled Ministry of BHUMC invites us all to support our caregivers and those living with Alzheimer's on the Longest Day of the Year. Join thousands of people across the world in fighting the darkness of Alzheimer’s on the day with the most light, the summer solstice on June 20. Together, the strength of our light will outshine the darkness of Alzheimer's. Please consider making a generous donation through our church to the Alzheimer's Association via the donation link below.
Please hear a short appeal from one of our Ben Hill Caregivers:
Greetings My Ben Hill United Methodist Church family,
Taking action in the fight against Alzheimer's is very personal to me. My husband suffers from Alzheimer's and I am his primary caregiver. We are taking this journey together but I am so grateful for God’s amazing grace and the prayers and support of my family and friends.
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. On June 20 – the longest day of the year – people from across the world will fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through fundraising activities. Please join me and Donate today to the AMERICAN ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION so that critical research and 24/7 support can continue to be offered to those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Thank You,
Ginger
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The Pfizer vaccine will be available for ages 12 and up on June 19, July 10, and July 31. The J&J vaccine will also be available (ages 18 and up) for those who only want 1 shot. Neither an identification card nor proof of medical insurance is required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a CORE mobile site, and all vaccines are free of charge.
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What to Expect After Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine
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COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.
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What to do if you cannot view the stream
Here are some helpful tips if you should encounter any issues with accessing Ben Hill's Live Stream:
- Try a different Web browser. Most browsers should work but if your web browser is not showing the stream, try a different one.
- Try going to the Ben Hill UMC Facebook Page and view the Live Stream there.
- Try the phone app. If you do not have the Ben Hill app, download it from your app store and view the steam from there.
- Access StreamingFaith.com as another option to view the live stream.
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On Sunday mornings, live chat is available on the Ben Hill website if you should encounter issues and need additional help.
New! Tune into the sermon by using Sermon by Phone.
The Sunday service will be made available at 9:15am on Sundays by dialing in at:
Links to Connect on Sunday Mornings:
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