We are appreciative of Reverend Tillman’s four years of tireless devotion and dedication to the Ben Hill United Methodist Church Family.

He has led us with preaching and teaching, as well as directing the Ben Hill Training Institute (BHTI), Baptism, New Disciples Ministry, Sunday School and Stephen Ministry. He has undoubtedly contributed greatly to the training and making of Disciples inside and outside the walls of Ben Hill.

He has also written a popular series of articles for Rethink Church (UM Communications) called “Racial Reconciliation: No Handholding Kumbaya” and has had other writings and sermons published, including one sermon titled “Breathe.” He has copyrighted his Racial Healing Framework that is used to dismantle racist systems, structures, policies, and practices in North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Florida.

While we will miss him, we recognize the calling on his life and wish him a fond farewell as he leaves us to assume his appointment as Associate Director of Center for Excellence with emphasis on Black and Multi-Ethnic Church Development & Community Advocacy.

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.

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

THANK YOU Ben Hill! Your generosity helped Coins of Hope (COH) reach its $5,000 goal thus enabling a mission team of five professionals to undertake a community training program in Congo this July. The team will also take solar cookers and water disinfectants to Mpoyi, a rural community there. We are indebted to Mr. Samuel Dumas who built solar cooking prototypes which were successfully tested by the COH team in Atlanta, resulting in delicious food cooked with energy from the sun. This type of cooking replaces cooking by the open fire and is free from harmful smoke and carcinogens which affect the health of many women in the village.

Your donations will enable a few families the opportunity for their children to attend school this academic year by helping with school uniforms. Additionally, you helped with repairs of the guesthouse, pavement of the floor, construction of an outdoor kitchen, and construction of toilets and showers. It is not too late to make an even greater impact as there are additional needs for bedding, sheets, blankets, furniture, and cooking utensils. Your sacrificial donations to Ben Hill for Coins of Hope can still be accepted online or by check. If you have questions, contact T. L. Mukenge at 404-767-2028, drtlmukenge@aol.com.

The Food Bank is in URGENT need of canned goods and plastic bag donations.

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.

Make your contribution at benhillumc.org/giving. Click "Food Bank" under the Select a Fund options.

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.

Revs. Dargenae' and Andre Patterson (M)  on the loss of her father and his father-in-law

Gladys McBride (M) on the loss of her niece

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.

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.

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.

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: