We are currently seeking Individuals, Families and Ministries to adopt families for the holidays. We will not purchase gifts as we normally do, due to space, limited staffing and limits with the number of people that can be at the church at one time. Instead, we are requesting that you purchase a $50.00 gift card for all children 0-12 and a $100.00 gift card for all youth 13 and older.
If you would like to participate or for more information, please contact Kimberli Smith at 678-634-1826 or email at kimberlismith@starsincga.org .
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It is with a heart full of love and emotions that we are not able to host our yearly Angel Tree event due to Covid-19, but we trust God to restore all that has been lost during this season of unprecedented times. However, we will still be able to make a great impact. Ben Hill UMC has selected to join Fellowship of Prison Ministries and offer a Virtual Angel Tree. (VAT). When Christmas comes, prisoners' children often wonder.... does my mommy or daddy still love me? Do they even remember me anymore? Your generosity today will give a prisoner child a Christmas to remember.
And this year with a matching grant, $22 will be DOUBLED to serve TWO children this Christmas!
The link below allows you to select a gift option starting with $22. Angel Tree will deliver each child a selected "gift package" which will include a gift card this year. The gift package will include a greeting card with the incarcerated parent's message, and a coupon the child can return to receive a free Children's bible.
After Christmas, Fellowship of Prison Ministries will provide a list of the children Ben Hill UMC helped to serve. We thank you in advance for your support of Angel Tree and making the lives of children merrier and joyous during this Christmas season. Continue to be hopeful and spread the love you have to someone else, especially during such a season as this. If you have any questions, please contact Eden Mabry at edenjkz@yahoo.com.
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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, gloriaparker3790@comcast.net or Cynthia Holland at cythinam@msn.com with the name and mailing information of your loved one.
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The BHUMC Food Bank will be CLOSED in observance of Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 25th through Saturday, November 28th for distribution of food and donations.
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We are so excited to continue Sunday School for our children and youth. Classes meet via Zoom at 10:30am each Sunday. Register so you can join in on the fun! We explore lively, age-appropriate activities—including games, crafts, and creative play—accommodating various ways kids learn. Please complete registration at the link below to sign up and receive the link. Invite a friend to join in the fun too!
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The Prayer Ministry will host Corporate Prayer every Wednesday from 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm. 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: annex@benhillumc.org 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.
Kimberly Browne (M) on the loss of her grandmother
Grace Humphrey Cutts (R)
at the age of 108 years old
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Community Events and Resources |
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The January 5th runoff elections for both of Georgia's U.S. Senate seats are fast approaching. If you would like to use a paper ballot to vote by mail or by putting it in an Elections Dropbox, request your absentee ballot now at https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov
If your child is away at college and coming home for the Christmas holidays, consider doing Early In-Person Voting with your child from December 14, 2020, through December 31, 2020 for Georgia's January 5th U.S. Senate Elections. These elections will decide the balance of the U.S. Senate
Friends or love-ones who reside in Georgia but who serve in the U.S. Military outside of Georgia (even if stateside), can still vote. It is important for our military men and women to vote in Georgia's January 5th U.S. Senate elections. For more information how those serving in the U.S. military can vote, visit www.fvap.gov
You must VERIFY your voter registration BEFORE the January 5th election. Thousands of Georgians have been purged from Georgia's voting rolls and don't discover it until it is too late. Verify your voter registration status at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
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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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You’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, and you’re not alone. In fact, 34 million Americans have diabetes and need to manage it for the rest of their lives. Plus, about 1 in 3 has pre-diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). While there is more than one type of diabetes, all have one thing in common-they have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood. This makes them more likely than people without diabetes to develop medical problems over the years, especially heart and kidney disease, neuropathy (nerve disease) and eye damage. But, there is HOPE…because people with diabetes don’t have to develop these problems. There’s a lot you can do to help reduce your risk of developing complications and medical conditions as a result of diabetes. By taking care of yourself daily, you can help prevent or delay the onset of long-term problems. 3 John 1:2
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Management
Monitor Glucose Level – The first part of this series in the previous newsletter explained diabetes and pre-diabetes. In both cases, you should be aware of your glucose levels (high and low). Monitoring these levels and discussing with your healthcare provider(s) will control and prevent/lessen the risk of long term problems.
A1C – This test gives you an idea of your levels over a long period of time (2-3 mos.) The A1C test values are recommended to be below 7; however, your healthcare provider can more appropriately suggest the number for you. This test is also valuable for the provider when prescribing or changing your medication(s).
Regular Check Ups – Visits to your healthcare provider(s) to monitor other areas which affect your diabetes are necessary. Medical advice and medication(s) will be provided to assist with controlling high cholesterol and high blood pressure; which can put you at risk of heart attacks, strokes or vascular disease. Routine visits for your eyes, feet and kidney function are important as well. Hosea 4:6
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Lifestyle Changes
Meal Plan – Eating the right foods and planning your meals are integral parts of managing your diabetes. A dietician can help you develop a meal plan that’s right for you. There are foods that more directly increase your glucose level than you are aware. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Exercise – There is nothing bad about exercise…..it can be especially beneficial if you have diabetes. Always discuss your exercise program with your healthcare provider BEFORE you start; considering low blood sugars, adjustment of medications, etc. which could affect your blood levels. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Spiritual and Mental Health
These should really have been first, but when you are being diagnosed with any illness, it may be hard to put things in the right order! Always seek mental health counseling if necessary. There will be different levels of emotions and possibly depression if you feel defeated and nothing seems to make you healthier. It can affect your well-being, as well as your loved ones. And there are support groups for your care givers, so they will understand some of the issues you are having. Finally, God is always the answer to any and everything! Pray daily for your guidance and healing. Isiah 53:5 Jeremiah 17:14 Psalm 103:5
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November is National Family Caregivers Month and Ben Hill's Differently Abled Ministry will be covering weekly topics for caregivers. This year's theme is “Caregiving Around the Clock”. We hope that the topics and activities will provide resources and tools to help you in your continued care for your love one(s).
November is also a time for us to recognize and praise you. We recognize that often you receive very little thanks for being the heroes you are. We “thank you” for giving of yourself tirelessly day after day and we praise you for hanging in there.
If you are a caregiver who has not been recognized through our regular Differently Abled Ministry Caregivers initiative, we would love to love on you! Please take the time to leave your information with us on the Ben Hill website by clicking here.
The week's resource includes self-care strategies and techniques presented by Emory University. Click the video below and enjoy!
Exercise Segment
presented by John Lewis
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Family Caregiver Self-Assessment
presented by Kenneth Hepburn, PhD., Emory Roybal Center for Dementia
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Tell Me a Bedtime Story
Bedtime Story Series by Dr. Lori
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Tell Me A Bedtime Story was developed to offer the joy of bedtime stories to senior adults, and adults with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The bedtime stories are read aloud in order to provide a calm, relaxing, and mindfulness atmosphere prior to bedtime. Although this podcast was designed with senior adults in mind, many adults like to have stories read to them. So, there is no age limit on who may enjoy these Bedtime Stories. Many if the stories end with a brief meditation component. Please listen and enjoy.
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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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