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. Windows typically uses Internet Explorer or Edge. Macs typically use Safari. You can try to download and install either Firefox or Google Chrome.
  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.

How to Connect on Sunday Mornings:
Let's Stay Connected
It's time for VBS! Join us this summer for a virtual vacation bible school beginning June 22nd through June 26th . We are excited to bring new activities geared towards families and children alike. We are looking for volunteers to help with teaching, demonstrating activities, and VBS packet distribution. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the link below.

Register TODAY to participate
We cannot wait to see you and try something new! Follow the link below for registration. Please e-mail Kristan Jones-Scales with questions at kjonesscales@benhillumc.org. Participation is free for all.
There are a few weeks left in the spring Bible Study class series. Feel free to join a class during the week.
Wednesday Bible Study Class- Pastor Byron Thomas
Wednesday at 11:45 am
We invite all participants to join the call early beginning at 11:30am
Dial (712)432-3900
Access code: 575450#

Corporate Bible Study- Rev. Anthony Alford
Thursday evening Bible Study at 5:45pm.
We invite all participants to join the call early beginning at 5:30pm.
Dial (701)802-5043
Access code: 885690#

Once you join the conference call, please MUTE your phone by pressing *6 or press your mute button. We look forward to you joining us.
The Food Bank will be closed this Saturday in observation of Memorial Day. Donations can be made on Wednesday, May 27.
In 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.
FOOD DONATION LIST
  • Breakfast Food -- Cereal, Grits, Oatmeal 
  • Boxed or canned Milk 
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Canned Fruits 
  • Canned Meat
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Loafs of Bread 
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.


Relatedly, we would like to thank the Wedding Ministry for their recent donation of $150 worth of groceries and the Red Hat Society for their recent donation of $100 worth of groceries. They both would like to challenge other ministries and church support groups to do the same or more, or whatever they can. ALL donations are greatly appreciated!

We are grateful for your generosity and steadfast support of the Food Bank and the families who depend on the essential services it provides. Please let us know if you are able to help by contacting Vicki Callaway at (404) 314-2241 or  vcallaway@aol.com .
Thank You for Participating
Thank you to all of our hosts, the Health and Wellness ministry, Differently Abled Ministry,and participants for making our first virtual Health and Fitness Week a success. Replays of this week's events are posted on the Ben Hill website. Join us for the final days with live self-care tips at 12pm on Saturday and as always, virtual worship at 9:15am on Sunday.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
Do you want to recognize a special Ben Hill UMC volunteer or medical professional? We will feature those serving our communities on our social media pages each week. If you would like to highlight someone, please e-mail Kristan Jones-Scales at KJonesScales@benhillumc.org. Include a brief description of the volunteer and a photo.
Visit the Prayer Wall
God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, health threats, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances, our Heavenly Father is not caught unaware. Through prayer, we are able to tap into His wisdom, strength, protection, and peace. Follow us on social media to see a daily prayer focus to bring us together in prayer. You can also add your prayer requests to the the live prayer wall on the Ben Hill website. Pray God's glory across the earth.
Calling All Children and Youth
We want to send some cheer to the residents of  Arbor Terrace at Cascade . They have been impacted significantly by the virus and could use some of our kind words and artwork to spread some cheer. Please create art, write letters, or create a video that we can share with the residents. All pieces can be e-mailed to Kristan Jones-Scales at kjonesscales@benhillumc.org and will be hosted on our website. We can't wait to see your creations.
Sympathy
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
 
Camellia Flanigan (M) on the loss of her son and Gloria and John Sparks (M) on the loss of their nephew
Jesse Flanigan, IV (R)
Health Resources and Community Events
Approximately 40 Election Day polling places will change for voters in Fulton County for the June 9 Presidential Preference Primary, General Primary, and Special Election. A full list of precinct changes is available for download here .

Fulton County is encouraging all voters to cast their ballots through absentee ballot by mail due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing rules. Some polling locations changed due to date conflicts after the Election Day changes. Other sites, particularly senior centers and assisted living facilities expressed concerns about members of the public visiting those locations due to coronavirus concerns.
Join the North Georgia Conference United Methodist Women and Project Transformation North Georgia for a FREE live webinar about how you can help children succeed by interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline on Saturday, June 6, 2020 from 10:00 - 11:15 AM EDT. To learn more and to register, click the link below.
On Monday, April 27, 2020, Mayor Keisha Bottoms announced the implementation of the City of Atlanta Senior Food Assistance Program. This program will support city residents who are experiencing a food shortage due to COVID-19. Residents who qualify for assistance will receive grocery deliveries to their residence. 

If you or someone you know is interested, please call  404-546-0311,  choose the prompt for general inquiries, and provide the necessary information. After this initial step, your information will be sent to the COVID-19 Task Force for further review.

Please apply via phone or via the online application. For further information, you may also refer to the above flyer.
Brain Talk Live
Thank you to each participant who attended the Older Americans Month webinar on May 20. Make plans to join us for  BrainTalk Live on Tuesday . To view the May 20th broadcast,  click here.  

Pre-register for the upcoming BrainTalk Live that is scheduled for  Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 2pm E ST .  This virtual informational session is hosted by the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Emory University.

For more information and to register visit www.alzheimers.emory.edu or call/text Shanita to register at 678-215-1961
 
Coronavirus Testing Basics
You’ve probably heard a lot about coronavirus testing recently. There are two different types of tests –diagnostic tests and antibody tests. A diagnostic test can show if you have an active coronavirus infection and should take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others. An antibody test looks for antibodies that are made by the immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus.

Learn more  about the different types of tests and the steps involved.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Lupus Awareness Month
May is Lupus Awareness Month. Please join me and the Hallelujah Walkers as we continue to help the search for a cure. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic: The Walk to End Lupus 2020 has been postponed with no specific date at this time. But, online donations can be made on my Lupus Page by using the link below. Our goal for this year is $3,000. This continued effort is in Memory of Curtis Edward Byther, my "Uncle Curtis".