Dear Elberton First Family,

I hope this evening finds you well, your family has been cared for and looking back on your day, you can give thanks for all the wonderful things you and God accomplished together.

On Sunday, we made the following announcement:

The following letter was sent to me, Rev. Jim McCollough, on Monday afternoon by Rev. Greg Porterfield, District Superintendent and Rev. Dr. Dana Everhart, Mission Specialist. The information in this letter is regarding our church conference. Please see below.

Pursuant to the Order Granting Interlocutory Injunction entered in the Cobb County Superior Court on May 19, 2023, I call a church conference for Elberton First United Methodist Church (hereinafter “Church”) for the purpose of voting on disaffiliation under paragraph 2553 of The Book of Discipline. The church conference for Elberton First United Methodist Church shall take place on June 19, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., EST at Elberton First United Methodist Church.

The vote shall take place by secret ballot. On the date of the church conference, the Church Conference will elect a recording secretary and a sufficient number of tellers from members of the church for the purposes of counting and, thereafter, recording the ballots. Ballots will be printed by the district office and provided at the church conference. All completed ballots will be returned to the distric office with me at the conclusion of the conference.

Only professing church members may vote at a church conference. You will need to provide the church membership roll to the District Office no later than May, 26, 2023. This will verify the eligibility to vote for each person receiving a ballot.

Rev Greg Porterfield, District Superintendent 

Rev. Dr. Dana Everhart, Mission Specialist

Message from Pastor Jim,

Tonight, as you read over, pray, think, and reflect on all that is before us, I offer a Scripture for your consideration. It is from Paul’s most influential letter—his letter to the Romans.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8.28

I believe that.

I believe that in all things God works for good, especially in these strange and difficult times for the church. I say this because, as your pastor, I don’t want you to be discouraged that God is somehow absent or chosen sides in these disagreements. He’s here—look to Him.

Disagreements were the hallmark of the first century Christians. One of the things that we learn,  if we allow that disagreements are part of our life together, is that they provide opportunities to grow in grace, understanding, tolerance, patience, love, and forgiveness and help lead us, as the body of Christ with Jesus as our head, proclaim the gospel to all the world.

Elberton First Family, though we are many and with varied gifts in this one body, there is but One Lord.

Lord Jesus, may this process honor you. We thank you for your love and call on each and every single life in our congregation.

In all things…Christ!  Amen

I love you,

Pastor Jim

Below is the letter sent to Rev. Jim McCollough from Rev. Greg Porterfield, District Superintendent, and Rev. Dr. Dana Everhart, Mission Specialist.