Holy Week Services

March 25, 2018March 28, 2018 / Joe Dennis

(Childcare provided for every worship service, day and night.)

Mid-Day Prayer
12:15-12:45 p.m. each day
A brief song sets the tone for a time of prayer, contemplation, and silence. We will begin and end promptly–mindful of that some may be on their lunch break. Childcare provided for every worship service.

Maundy Thursday
5:30 p.m.
Rebecca and Dave Simpson-Litke will lead us on a Soundwalk starting at 5:30PM. We will take a “listening tour” of the neighborhood with notebooks from the sanctuary in hand and finish with a time of meditation in Dudley Park. The walk will last about 30 minutes.

6:30 p.m.
After returning to the church for a catered meal, we will observe Maundy Thursday in the sanctuary.This day takes its name from the Latin [mandatum novum] for the “new command” which Jesus gave his disciples that they should “love one another.” In this service of candelight we commemorate the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, and dramatize Christ’s descent into darkness as we hear the Passion story from the gospel of John. The ancient practice of stripping the altar following communion symbolizes the abandonment of the long night in Gethsemane and what followed.

Good Friday
6:30 p.m.
The Seven Last Words of Christ
We will take time to meditate on the Seven Last words of Christ. After each scripture reading, we pause for a prayer, a time of silence, and a song.

Easter Sunday
Sunrise Vigil
6:30 a.m. at Dudley Park
We gather while it is still dark to witness the light and life that comes into the world at each new day. We hear again the promises of God to overcome death from the pages of Scripture, and triumph with all things living in the song of creation. (Dudley Park is about a 4-5 minute walk from our church and a 3 minute walk from the ACC parking lot behind Momma’s Boy—the 20 or so spaces which we will of course want to save for our most senior members. Additional details to follow.)

Breakfast
8 a.m.
Come enjoy casserole, piles ‘o bacon, and other favorites in the Fellowship Hall. Food prepared by the Nurture Committee.

Easter Story
8:45 a.m.
While the eggs are being hidden, Julie Gunby will tell a Godly Play story to the kids.

Egg Hunt
9 a.m.
The kids will gather eggs with courtesy and much consideration. 🙂

Cross Decoration
9:30 a.m.
The kids adorn the cross in the sanctuary with flowers. Bring flowers from home, yard or the store. If they catch you plucking from the roadside, don’t blame me.

Sunday School
9:45 a.m.
All classes as regularly scheduled.

Worship
11 a.m.
Lilies & trumpets chorus good news
broad-brimmed hats and seersucker suits,
goldenrod paraments and paschal light,
resurrection logic
like the grammar of good humor …

-Pastor Joe

Godly Play to be offered at Oconee Street

September 3, 2017 / Joe Dennis

Oconee Street UMC will soon be offering “Godly Play,” an interactive church experience for children ages 3 to 6.

Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language-parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action, helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. The program is based on a lifetime of research and practice by theologian, author and educator, The Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman.

At Oconee Street UMC, Godly Play will be offered at 717 during the 11 a.m. service hour. There will be information sessions held for parents and anyone interested in learning more about Godly Play, and anyone interested in helping. The sessions will be held:

Monday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., 717
Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., 717
Sunday, Oct. 15 at 9:45 a.m. (during Adult Sunday School), Conference Room

Childcare is available for these sessions. For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie Gunby at j.d.gunby@gmail.com.

Parking For God

August 20, 2017August 21, 2017 / Joe Dennis

The United Methodist Mens (UMM) are once again hosting “Parking for God” this football season.

Because of the church’s close proximity to Sanford Stadium, the church offers ideal parking spaces for fans attending University of Georgia home football games. A group of volunteers direct parking on the property of the church for $25-$30/each, with all funds going towards a local charity. Last year more than $5,000 was raised for U-Lead, an organization that offers undocumented or under-documented students tutoring, mentoring and opportunities for higher education.

This year, Oconee Street UMC volunteers will direct parking on the following Georgia home games:
-Sept. 2 vs. Appalachian State
-Sept. 16 vs. Samford
-Sept. 23 vs. Mississippi State
-Oct. 14 vs. Missouri
-Nov. 4 vs. South Carolina
-Nov. 18 vs. Kentucky

For more information or to volunteer, email Chase Cook at fccook@hotmail.com.

Community Cookout to be held Saturday

August 13, 2017August 13, 2017 / Joe Dennis

Oconee Street UMC invites its neighbors to the church’s annual Community Cookout, held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 717 Oconee Street.

“This event is a way we can meet our neighbor’s in the surrounding Carr’s Hill Community,” said church member and event organizer Lew Allen.

Hot dogs, burgers (including veggie burgers) and several snacks will be served, while local musicians perform on the porch of 717 Oconee Street — the church’s one-time parsonage, now a meeting place for the church and various community organizations.

In addition to food and music, there will be several games available for children of all ages.

For more information, email Lew Allen.

Memorial Service for The Rev. Albert AsKew

June 10, 2017 / Joe Dennis

More than 200 people attended a memorial service for the late Rev. Albert AsKew, who died on May 25. A member of Oconee Street UMC, AsKew was a retired pastor who spent 46 years in the ministry. Read his obituary here.

The service, held June 10 at Oconee Street UMC, was officiated by current OSUMC pastor Joe Gunby, retired OSUMC pastor Lisa Caine and retired Athens-Elberton District Superintendent Dr. Gary Whetstone.

The full audio of the service is available below. Video of the service is available on the Oconee Street UMC Facebook page.

Albert AsKew memorial service

VBS to be held July 10-14

May 22, 2017 / Joe Dennis

Oconee Street UMC will be helping “children discover the qualities that make them heroic in God” at its annual Vacation Bible School from July 10-14. This year’s theme is “Hero Central: Discover Your Strength in God.”

VBS is open to children ages 3 through rising 5th-grade students. Sessions will be held each day, July 10-14, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Participants are divided into age-specific groups and each day cycle through classes including science, story time, arts and craft, music, and recreation.

Registration is open at http://2017.cokesburyvbs.com/oconeestreetumc.

Volunteers are also needed to teach classes, guide student groups, setup, cleanup and other activities. To volunteer, click on the registration link and select “Volunteer.”

For more information about VBS, email Jamie Clark.

Talents to be on display at OSUMC Coffeehouse

January 15, 2017 / Joe Dennis

Oconee Street UMC is hosting its annual open-mic coffeehouse night on Friday, Feb. 3 from 7-9 in the fellowship hall.

Musical performances, poems and comedy acts will be performed by church members, and desserts and coffee (of course) will be served. The event is open to the public and is being sponsored by the church’s neighborhood outreach committee.

If interested in performing at the event, email <a href=”mailto:lewallen@uga.edu?Subject=Coffeehouse” target=”_top”>Lew Allen</a>

VIDEO: “The Work of Christmas”

December 12, 2016 / Joe Dennis

The Oconee Street UMC Chancel Choir performed “The Work of Christmas” to more than 150 audience members on Dec. 6, 2016 in the sanctuary. The choir performance, directed by Amanda Martin, featured 11 instrumentalists, six actors and a narrator. Click here to see photos from the event.