PROSPECT UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH
84 Barnes Mountain Road
Monticello GA 31064

Reverend Chuck Nave
Church Phone (706)468-8348

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Continued From Previous Page

Holding Forth The Word Of Life - 1997

Historical reports are prepared for each charge conference, not only to inform the District Superintendent of what God has done in and through the church for the past year, but also to serve as a reminder to the local congregation. As always, there is much to relate from this past year because Prospect united Methodist Church is an extremely active church, and God has accomplished great things once again in the life of His church.

The last charge conference was held in the afternoon of November 10, 1996. Later in the evening, a county-wide service and covered dish dinner were hosted by Monticello Methodist Church with thirteen members from Prospect attending. That particular day seemed to serve as a kick off for the gatherings that usually highlight the holiday season along with some new activities. The ladies of the church held their first prayer breakfast in the church library that morning while the men were enjoying their monthly breakfast together.

The annual pilgrim dinner and a candlelight worship service were held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Just a few days later, fellowship and food provided the background for the Hanging of the Greens, decorating the church and fellowship hall for Christmas. Debbie and Randy Martin hosted a church-wide Christmas party. There was also Christmas visitation, caroling, and delivering fruit baskets to shut-ins and residents of the Retreat. Several of those who were visited last year have since gone home to be with the Lord. Several children participated and were a blessing to those who were visited. They enjoyed the trip out for pizza afterwards.

The adult choir presented a Christmas cantata entitled "The First Noel." Observance of Advent was also a highlight of the Christmas season with different families lighting the candles each week. The end of the year was celebrated at Randall and Ann Chancey’s home at Jackson Lake.

Elton Lawson announced in early January that he was resigning as pastor of Prospect effective in June. In a church bulletin, he expressed his thanks to God for giving him the opportunity to preach the gospel. He also said, "I thank each one of you who has recognized my disability and my inability to be as active as I want to be...I wish and pray for your continued growth in ministry.

E. G. Hutchings, Jr., beloved former pastor, died January 15. Several members attended his service in Decatur and the memorial service at his home church in Deep Step, Georgia.

Church officer training was held in January with a representative from the District Office conducting the workshop. It was determined that a different format was needed for our size church. A called charge conference on February 16 approved the new structure.

Special offerings were received for the annual Souper Bowl Sunday with $117 going to the local Care Corp. The annual Workday offering for the united Methodist Children’s Home was promoted as well as the United Methodist Homeless special offering.

The church honored Elton’s birthday with a covered dish luncheon on March 16. He noted that Prospect was the first church to ever celebrate his birthday. The children’s annual Easter Party was held March 22, which included a Bible lesson, egg hunt, and entertainment by Molli, the rabbit. Palm Sunday followed with the children marching through the sanctuary with palm branches. The Pruetts once again hosted a "Sonrise" service at their lake. Breakfast was then enjoyed in the fellowship hall.

Spring was marked with a children’s trip to Discovery Zone in Atlanta, a Vacation Bible School Workshop in Atlanta, and the beginning of another ministry outlet for the women. The ladies held the first of several salad luncheons on April 30. Flo Hutchings was invited to come and share with the ladies.

Additional work was accomplished at the parsonage. Flo and Hutch had given money for trees to be planted in honor of their daughter Florence and in memory of their son, E. G. Hutchings, III. Those were planted along with the flower garden. The mortgage on the parsonage was also paid in full. It is significant to note that in ten years, Prospect has built and paid for a fellowship hall, a pavilion, and a parsonage.

Cornelia Lewis’ home was completely destroyed by fire on June 4. The church and community rallied around her with substantial monetary gifts, a shower that helped to replenish many lost items, and much physical work that enabled her to get into a new house as quickly as possible. One church member provided interest-free loans that made it possible to finance her new home before the insurance company could settle the claim. Cornelia was established in her new home in less than three weeks after the fire. God is still in the miracle business!

Dr. John Sorrow and his wife Helen came to Prospect in June. John retired from Gordon’s Chapel in Athens and asked to be appointed to a part-time pastorate in the Griffin district. He has a Master of Theology degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Candler School of Theology. He began pastoral work in the United Methodist Church in 1964. John said he appreciated "the heritage of Prospect and the opportunity to be a part of it." A picnic was held at J. R. and Bert Cobb’s June 29 in order to welcome the Sorrows to our church.

A VBS kick-off swim party and cookout were held at hunter Pope Country Club in Monticello. A successful Vacation Bible School followed the next week. Once again the entire family was involved. Randy Martin had recently volunteered to work with the youth; therefore, he taught the youth class. Larry Bowers from Red Oak UMC returned to teach the adults a series of lessons on evangelism. The children’s theme was "Proclaim Christ Around the World, Around the Corner." Many volunteers were involved with the children’s program. In a planning session several weeks before, the VBS committee was discussing how to use the children’s missionary offering when a missionary appeared at the door, heard the word "missionary" and said he was a missionary looking for support. He was Terry Smith with Light for Living Missions. The committee later unanimously decided that God was directing them to donate the week’s offering to his mission. Terry attended Sunday School and worship service two weeks before VBS, then preached in the morning service the Sunday before VBS and again to the children on Thursday night during VBS. It was an exciting time as most of the children that night indicated that they would like to become missionaries and others prayed for the first time to receive Jesus as their Savior. The children and teens donated a total of $184.24, which was given to a children’s home in India. Adults contributed another $100 for India national missionaries. Later, Terry wrote about his experience with Prospect in the Light for Living newsletter. He said, " Everyone was aware of God’s Spirit moving in many areas of the church. They prayed and worked very hard. It is a privilege to have had a part in the work of such dedicated saints. Thank God for seasons of blessings." A cookout and commencement program, which were well attended by parents, were also held that last night.

A group from the church attended a Friday evening service at Indian Springs Camp Meeting. Pat and Jerry Harris hosted a fish fry at their lake home on Lake Oconee on August 23. The ladies continued their monthly salad luncheons and also made trips to Lane’s Peach Packing Plant in Fort Valley, the Georgia National Fair at Perry, and Juliette. Friendship Bible Coffees were held at the church, at Bert Cobb’s home, and more recently at Judy Robert’s home. The men’s breakfast resumed along with the ladies’ prayer breakfast.

The Prospect Players were invited to perform "Sam Jones, the Wonder of the Ages," for the Chattahoochee Valley Historical Society in Lanett, Alabama, on September 21, in celebration of Sam P. Jones’ 150^th birthday. He was born in nearby Oak Bowery and many people in the area are familiar with his ministry. Since the play had not been presented in a while, the Players gave a repeat, "dress-rehearsal" performance on September 14 for Prospect. On October 23, the Players performed again at nearby Bethlehem Baptist Church. Schedules are being worked out for additional performances next year.

Prospect continues to support several different missionaries on a regular basis as stated in the financial report. The church had the opportunity this summer to lend support to Andrea Fann, a former member, who made a short-term missionary trip to Estonia and Poland with Operation Mobilization. The adult Sunday School class has made a contribution toward another missionary trip that Andrea and June Dalton are making to Romania in December with Leadership Training International in order to minister to the children in orphanages in Romania.

Ministry plans are continuing at Prospect with Thanksgiving services, Christmas celebrations, and plans for the New Year. Ellen Boyd and Lisa Harper are working with the children and youth on a special Christmas musical to be presented December 14.

Physical needs of the church are still being met. A handicap ramp was designed and built under the supervision of Randall Chancey at the cost of $2,901.03. Randall and Ann did much of the work themselves. The most pressing need at this time seems to be a new roof for the sanctuary. Several estimates have been obtained, and the average estimate is approximately $14,000. It was decided that the church would try to raise that amount through pledges and donations before work is actually begun. The building fund had a reserve of $4,000 toward that goal and an additional $6,014.40 has been donated.

I never fail to be amazed at the lists of accomplishments and new goals and visions that arise during the course of a brief year. May Prospect continue to be a church "Holding forth the Word of Life." (Philippians 2:16)

The Year 1998

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