Staff Parish Relations Committee Updates:

Effective January 1, 2021, the following staff changes occurred:

Reverend Willie Vincent became the Interim Director of Music

Dr. Anthony Alford's status changed from temporary to permanent as the Director of Operations
Did you miss the virtual MLK Community Program? Reverend Dr. David Hooker, Associate Professor of the Practice of Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding, was the guest speaker and spoke on the subject “Agape Love", the key to building a beloved community.

In keeping with this theme, Ben Hill honored and celebrated the contributions of its outstanding 2020 ministries that worked beyond the walls to serve Ben Hill families and the community. Watch the replay by clicking the button below or click the photo above to see the award recipients.
This past year we have learned to worship, serve one another, and meet the needs of our community in all kinds of new ways. Many of us have felt the loss of being physically present together. Some of us may have found some unexpected benefits to our new ways of gathering. But we are reminded that the church has always been bigger than a building. 

Recently, we launched a new way to make our online worship and fellowship even better, more engaging! It’s easy to use -- if you’ve already mastered videoconferencing, you’ll find this about the same level. The platform is called Altar Live. If you are able, please try watching the service on Sunday here or join us after service for fellowship by using the link below and just take a look around. You may want to get dressed just in case you sit down with someone but feel free to let others know and let me know your experience. We'll be working to introduce the platform to our ministries and plan on how we use it for discipleship and fellowship for our members. 
Registration for Confirmation 2021 is now open!
Calling at students, grades 6th through 10th, that have not yet gone through Confirmation...join us! Classes will begin Sunday, January 31st, and will meet every 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sunday of the month. Participants must register by Sunday, January 24th. To register, please click the link below. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Elizabeth Pollard at [email protected].
The Ben Hill Pictorial Directory is here! Directories are only available to members that took a photo for the directory through Life Touch last year. Only one directory is available per family. If we have additional directories at the end of the distribution, we will announce in an e-blast and they will be available for only $5.00.

When picking up a directory, please enter off of Austin Road and drive through the Staff Parking Lot. Stop at the end of the ramp underneath the awning. Please do not get out of your car. A volunteer will ask for your name and bring the directory to your car. We are here to serve! Please contact Jean Brown at 404.344.0618 x 1104 or [email protected], if you have any questions and/or concerns.
****Please note: the food bank will be closed until Sunday, January 24.

We are experiencing unusual pickup hours during the holidays for the Atlanta Community Food BankIn an effort to support the growing need for food assistance during this difficult 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
  • Breakfast food- cereal, grits, oatmeal
  • Boxed or canned milk 
  • Canned Vegetables/peas/beans/corn
  • Canned Fruits 
  • Canned Meat
  • Rice/mashed potatoes
  • Pasta
  • Tomato sauce
  • Loaves of Bread 
  • Peanut butter and jelly
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
Make your contribution at benhillumc.org/giving. Click "Food Bank" under the Select a Fund options.


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].
Are you missing the faces of your Ben Hill family and friends? Do you know how to access Zoom but could use another round of training? Are you ready to dig deeper into what Zoom offers? No matter where you are with Zoom, we want to help!

Everyone is welcome to join and learn the basics of security, meeting setup, and other features of Zoom. We will offer several dates, time options for small group training on Zoom. All sessions will be offered virtually and will give you an opportunity to get your questions answered. Click the link below and register for one of the final classes for January. Select the course level that best describes where you are. We look forward to seeing you.
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.
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.
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.
Sympathy
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief.
Please accept our sincere condolences.

Ted Sparks, Sr. (M) on the loss of his brother and Ted Sparks, Jr. (M) on the loss of his uncle
Willie Sparks, Jr. (R) 

Pearl Logan (M) on the loss of her husband
Ben Logan, Sr. (R)
Community Events and Resources
Senior Food Assistance Program
vegetable_basket.jpg
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.

Health Resources
Ask a Black Doctor: Keeping it Real...Should I get this Vaccine?
Fulton County is working closely with the State of Georgia, the federal government, our 15 cities and our two school systems, and many other partners. Learn more here about the vaccine and resources to assist people and businesses affected by COVID-19 in our community. Please check regularly for updates.
Connect With Us
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:
  1. Try a different Web browser. Most browsers should work but if your web browser is not showing the stream, try a different one. 
  2. Try going to the Ben Hill UMC Facebook Page and view the Live Stream there.
  3. 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.
  4. Access StreamingFaith.com as another option to view the live stream.
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: