General Conference Lay Elections Deadline ... (new)
Laity who wish to be candidates for election to the 2008 General Conference Session will find election information at the Board of Laity section of the conference web site. Please note that the application to be included in the laity candidate handbook must be received by the Methodist Center postmarked no later than January 31st.

IRS Announces 2007 Standard Mileage Rates ... (new)
The IRS has issued the 2007 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning January 1st, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 48.5 cents per mile driven for business; 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization.

End of Church Reports Due ... (new)
Churches can begin to input their end-of-year report information online through the data services web page on January 14th. Please note that the deadline to enter this year-end data is January 31st! You will need your church number and password. District Statisticians and/or District Secretaries can help supply you with this information. For contact information, forms, etc., please visit the conference web site.

Local Church Apportionment Deadline ...
The final day for 2006 apportionment collection is Tuesday, January 9th at 5:00 pm. Payments may be mailed or hand delivered to the Conference Treasurer's Office. Local church payment status can be viewed on the conference web site. For additional information, please contact the Treasurer's Office by phone at 678.533.1399 or via email.

Apportionment Remittance Forms ...
2007 remittance forms for apportionments and other benevolent givings are available for download via the conference web site.

New Church Launch ... (new)
Congratulations to Impact Church 1.0, which will launch in the West End community of Atlanta this Sunday, January 7th. Worship will be held at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of Brown Middle School. Visit Impact's Web site for more information and directions.

Pre-Retirement Seminar Registration Deadline Fast Approaching ... (new)
The next Pre-Retirement Seminar will be January 10th at Wesley Wood's Budd Terrace. Representatives from Social Security, the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and many others will be there to present vital information. A time of fellowship will begin at 9:30 a.m. with presentations beginning at 10 a.m. Lunch is provided. Please note, we must have your reservation before noon Monday, January 8th. Space is limited! To reserve your space, please contact Val Bligh via email or via phone at 678.533.1391.

Disaster Response Team Meeting ... (new)
The Disaster Response Team will host speakers Tom Hazelwood, Executive Secretary for disaster response in the United States for the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR), and Chris Bowers, the resource and volunteer coordinator for the Mississippi Conference Katrina Response, January 23rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center. Hazelwood will speak about being prepared to do early response disaster work in the most efficient way, and Bowers will speak on how we can work to meet the needs of those still coping with disaster on the Gulf Coast . Email Mike Yoder to make a reservation or for more information.

A Conference on Prison Ministry ...
Working closely with Metro State Prison, a maximum security prison for women in the state of Georgia, this Candler School of Theology sponsored regional conference focuses on the local church's opportunities in prison ministry, prison reform, advocacy, and criminal justice. "When I Was In Prison," a free conference open to the public, will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at Cascade Church. The keynote speaker will be Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald. For more information, contact Holley Butkovich at 404.727.4178.  Online registration is also available.

2007 Clergy Days Apart Workshops ...
In 2006, a study measuring the general morale of the North Georgia Conference membership was performed. A major finding was that our Conference has grown so rapidly that many of the members no longer know one another at a meaningful level. Thus, the 2007 Clergy Days Apart will provide participants the opportunity for in-depth dialogue to promote deeper, more meaningful relationships. Dates for this event will be February 6th at Peachtree City Church, March 22nd at Duluth First Church, April 24th at Greensboro First Church, and April 26th at Sam Jones Memorial Church. All clergy under full-time appointment are expected to attend one of these events. Clergy should attend the seminar designated for their district; however, attendance at any location is acceptable. It is recommended that you register with your district office for this event. For more information, visit the Office Ministerial Services website, or call 678.533.1369.

Ethnic Young Adult Internship Program ...
This Summer internship program, sponsored by the General Board of Church and Society, is designed for young adults, ages 18 to 22, who represent the five ethnic caucuses of the United Methodist Church. Applicants must have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice, advocacy, and social change. For more information about this exciting opportunity, contact Neal Christie via email, or by phone at 202.488.5611. Application deadline is February 1st.