— By JoBeth Allen —
I didn’t know this biblical history, recounted in Ezra 6:1-12. “Jerusalem receives reparations when the people return after exile: King Darius uses the royal treasury to fulfill the reparations even though he was not the king who forced them to abandon their homeland. It was not King Darius’ personal wrongdoing that caused … Read the rest
Today is the day when we give to causes that work toward mercy and justice. While good causes abound, here are a few of the efforts that Oconee Street UMC invests in with time and money. We invite you to learn more about them and donate as you are able.
WHAT THEY DO: ARK is an Athens-based organization … Read the rest
Athens-Clarke Commissioner Russell Edwards recently said that he has not heard from citizens who support a proposed Community Police Oversight Office as much as he has heard from those who oppose its creation. As a result, Edwards has questioned the wisdom of moving forward with the proposal which developed in response to 2018 incidents of police officer use of force … Read the rest
David was glad to be out of jail and anxious to get back to his job in a restaurant. However, he was having severe pains in his hands, feet, and back, making it difficult to be on his feet for an entire shift. He went to the energy room to get a diagnosis and treatment but was unsuccessful. Through our … Read the rest
“Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.”
-Assata Shakur
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By John Cole Vodicka
One of the public defenders we observe in our courtrooms told me not long ago that he believed “the legal system is broken beyond repair.” He said this … Read the rest
By John Cole Vodicka
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Tonight, I write with a very heavy heart.
Nancy G. – Nancy Little Gallagher – is dead. She died a horrible death sometime this past week, most likely between Tuesday and Thursday. On Thursday afternoon, her body was discovered at the Walton County (Monroe), Ga., transfer station. That is, the landfill. That is, the garbage … Read the rest
By Gail Hanula
“Aid Worker arrested for giving water to two men who illegally crossed the US/Mexico border.” What, I thought, shouldn’t the crime be NOT giving water to people in need? It took 2 years for this young man to be found not guilty, and the image of someone leaving a jug of water for a thirsty traveler stayed … Read the rest
Oconee Street United Methodist Church has sent a letter to University of Georgia President Jere Morehead encouraging the university to acknowledge its involvement in the destruction of the historically Black Linnentown neighborhood in the 1960s and join in work to address the harm done to residents and their descendants. In a letter drafted by the church’s Reparations Action Committee and … Read the rest
Oconee Street UMC Online Service
March 21, 2021 • Fifth Sunday of Lent
Full Service Stream
Welcome
Prelude: “Misfits”
Discussing “Glory”
Call to Confession
Opening Hymn: “At the Name … Read the rest
Oconee Street UMC Online Service
January 10, 2021
Full Service Stream
Welcome
Prelude: “Shall We Gather At The River?”
Invocation
Opening Hymn: “I Sing Almighty the Power of God”
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1:1-5
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:4-11
Sermon: “Two Spirits”