News from the Hill

Coming Up on the Hill

News on the Hill

Ben Hill UMC Outreach and Food Bank Ministries invites all individuals, families and ministries to participate in the 2021 Back to School Event.

This year, we will have a contactless donation and distribution Back to School Event. We are soliciting support for book bags and supplies. We are unable to accept individual school supplies. We need the book bag donations to be pre-assembled with the requested school supplies to ensure that this process will be as safe and as contactless as possible. We are requesting that each book bag include the following:

ELEMENTARY

Pencil Box
10-Pack of Pencils
Crayon Box
Glue Sticks
Kids Blunt scissors
6-2 pocket folders
2-Composition books
2 packs of loose-leaf wide ruled
Paper
2-spiral notebooks
Pocket size Kleenex
1-bottle of a hand sanitizer

MIDDLE/HIGH

10-Pack of Pencils
10-Pack of Blue/Black Pens
1-pack of highlighters
1-Ruler
1-Scientific Calculator
3-Composition Books
3-Packs of Loose-Leaf College Ruled Paper
3-Spiral Notebooks
6-2 pocket folders
Pocket size Kleenex
1 bottle of hand sanitizer

Outreach Ministry will supply face masks and additional PPE supplies for each book bag assembled to ensure that every child returns to school safe for the next school year.

Recommendations for Individual and Family Donations:

At least 1 elementary and 1 Middle/High School Book Bag per household

Recommendations for Adult Ministry Donations:

At least 10 Elementary School Book Bags

Recommendations for Children Ministry Donations:

At least 1 Elementary School Book Bag per household

Recommendations for Youth Ministry Donations:

At least 1 Middle/High Book Bag per household

You can drop off your pre-assembled book bags on the following days:

Wednesdays July 21st and July 28th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Saturdays July 17th, July 24th, and July 31st

We will distribute all bookbags on Saturday, August 7, 2021, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.

If you would like more information or would like to volunteer for this event, please contact Kimberli Smith at 678-634-1826/kimberlismith@starsincga.org or Vicki Callaway at vcallaway@aol.com .

The Monthy Prayer Focus is a simple meditation to bring Ben Hill UMC together in prayer while encouraging prayer as a daily spiritual discipline. The Prayer Ministry is focusing on the Prayers of Jesus Christ. The monthly theme, provided by the Prayer Ministry, will be the prayer focus showing us the power of what a congregation praying together can do.

July's Prayer Theme

Model Prayer

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The Prayer Ministry would like to thank everyone that attended the Prayer Breakfast in the spring. If you were a lucky prize winner and have not yet claimed your prize, please contact Gail Stafford (gailws@yahoo.com) or Johnnie Follins (jrfollins@outlook.com) with your email address and home address to receive your prize.

Marilyn Carter

Gladys Chester

Chanel Harrison

Sonya Walthall

Jakim Williams

Mission Study

July 24th & 31st, 2021

10:00AM - 12:00 PM

ZOOM Link: Forthcoming

* You do NOT have to read/finish book to attend*

This engaging session focuses on Jesus' own words as he came to bring the good news to the poor, release the captives, restore sight to the blind, and set the oppressed free.

This study will help to determine our personal responsibility, discern our call for action, and bear witness to the will of God for a more just world.

For more information, please contact:

Carolyn Cartwright cmarch10@aol.com

UMW "Mission U" 2021

Learn More Here

$10 / class

At our upcoming Mission U, we will examine anxiety, the culture of violence that impacts children in and out of schools, and how we as God's people can deepen our moral witness and respond faithfully.

Download the PDF Registration Form Here. 

Or register above online. You can register several people at the same time. Please note the different registration deadlines for each class.

In an effort to support the growing need for food assistance during this challenging 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 vcallaway@aol.com.

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.

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 laypeople 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 alongside you. You can also call the church office and ask to speak with Beverly Register.

Sympathy

May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief.

Please accept our sincere condolences.

Henry Brown (M) on the loss of his mother

Mercedese C. Brown (R)

Kathy Thrasher (R) on the loss of her mother, and Gary White (M) on the loss of his sister

Gloria Gwen Evans (M)

Glenn and Carolyn Randall (M) on the loss of their niece

Angela T. Clark (R)

Community Events and Resources

FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, the mission is to help people before, during and after disasters and they are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020, up to $7,000.00.

FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through our dedicated call center. More information will be available on their page soon.

Learn More

Senior Food Assistance Program

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.

Complete the Survey

Health Resources

The Pfizer vaccine will be available for ages 12 and up on July 10, and July 31. The J&J vaccine will also be available (ages 18 and up) for those who only want 1 shot. Neither an identification card nor proof of medical insurance is required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a CORE mobile site, and all vaccines are free of charge.

What to Expect After Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

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:

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.

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:

404-767-0796

Links to Connect on Sunday Mornings:

Ben Hill Website

Facebook Live

Streaming Faith