November 27, 2019
Spotlight on Local Shu
PASTOR'S CORNER by Rev.
Pam Johnston
Where you stand often
determines what you see
“Contemplation goes beyond concepts
and apprehends God not as a separate
object but as the Reality within our real—
ity, the Being our being, the life of
our life.”
——Thomas Merton, The New Man
on won’t find an
adult who likes
parades more than '
I do. No matter
what season, the buzz along
the sidewalk as families wait,
children craning their necks
in search of what might be
coming, excites me every time.
Maybe it’s the vendors push—
ing their overloaded carts of
toys and popcorn along, or the
deep, quick rhythm of the bass
drum pounding from some-
where far off around the block
But mostly, I think what draws me is the
permission to set aside a busy schedule, sit
with people I love and wait for something
good to happen. Parents will go to great
lengths so their children can see, worming
through the crowd ahead of tall people for
a good spot on the corner, dads hoisting
their little ones up on their shoulders as the
baton twirlers or firetrucks arrive. A good
vantage spot makes all the difference.
My first year serving as a minister in
MOnroe County brought the welcome
surprise that Forsyth has an annual Christ-
mas parade on the square and our church
would be building a float for it._As we gath-
ered'in the evenings painting and stringing
lights, I worked beside someone who told
me‘ about her neighbor, a cynical person
who had faced adversity during the past
year and failed to see how God.could help
his family. It’s all a bunch of false advertis—
ing, he claimed, that this God of yours
makes things great if you only believe in
him. My congregant did not know how to
respond to the person, a non-believer and
yet a friend who wondered why a loving
God would allow people to suffer.
I had no answer for her. The fact is that
sometimes even ministers struggle to un-
derstand how God’s universe works, and
why both good and bad, joy and pain visit
all people. Often the only way to speak into
Rev. Pamela Johnston
sorrow or difficulty when others feel over-
whelmed is to offer our presence: an abid—
ing promise that we are there for the long
haul, just as God is with us. Knowing that
promise first-hand—ethat we are made by
a divine creator who loves us individually
and offers us grace—has been the greatest
gift of my life. But it does not
take away all the challenges of
life on this earth!
I am reminded of the story -
of two people walking on the
road to Emmaus in Luke 24.
Jesus joins them on the road,
and they have a great discus—
sion as they walk along. The
pair had heard of Jesus and
knew of all the events leading
up to his crucifixion. They
had even heard that he was
somehow alive now, three
days after his death. Could it be true? Like
many of us, they know, and yet they do not
know. The events in Jerusalem make a cool
story, yes. But what relevance does it have
for them? Later in the day when they share
a meal with Jesus, their eyes are opened
to the truth. His presence with them, his
blessing over the bread, the beginnings of a
relationship: these are the things that allow
them to see differently
Viewing through a lens of faith does not
shield us from horrible things in the world.
Disease, violence and broken relationships
are results of our humanity. But just like
the child at a parade who moves to the
front of the crowd, we have a different per—
spective. We are assured of a benevolence
that is greater than anything human, and it
fills us with hope. We can’t help but share
that loVe with other people, even when
the best is still far away, or the light is hard
to find. The truth is simple and yet life-
changing: where you stand makes all the
difference. And there’s room for everyone
to see.
Rev. Pamela Johnston is pastor of Ebenezer
United Methodist Church, 1671 Dames
Ferry Road, Forsyth. The Pastor’s Corner is
sponsored by the Monroe County Ministerial
Association, which meets the second
Thursday of each month at 8:30 am. at
Christ United Methodist Church, 417 N.
Frontage Road, Forsyth.
Tomlinson
Continued from J C
campaign, including reducing the $1 bil-
lion deficit, and has engineered devas-
tating tariff wars on Georgia farmers. He
failed in getting emergency assistance
to Georgia farmers after Hurricane
Michael, and a year later many have still
not been able to re—build.
' Larry Evans asked Tomlinson her
position on privatizing Veterans Ad-
ministration services. She said she is ‘
against privatization because it opens up
profiteering. She said partnerships with
private industry can be good, but there
are some where government must take
the lead and one of those is insuring a
continuum of care for ’service members
and veterans. “It doesn’t end with the
mission or the service to honor veterans.
We have to pay for it on the backside,
too,” she said.
“You can’t love our veterans and hate
the government they stand for,” she said.
“Perdue has failed us.”
Another question was whether she
supported investigating immigration
detention centers in Georgia. Tomlinson
said she supports inspecting all centers,
but it is more important to get a handle
on immigration, which would reduce
the need for detention centers.
“We’ve cut aid to South and Central
America. People always run to hope and
light. We need a system that adjudicates
fairly and quickly,” she said. “It’s never
been illegal to seek asylum. The Presi-
dent is changing the system daily.”
Eddie Shepherd asked Tomlinson her
opinion on Medicare for all. She said
she does not support Medicare for all
but supports reimbursements to doctors
becoming realistic, to 100 percent of
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‘ costs, and supports expanding the 1990’s
program to pay off doctors’ educational
debts if they will locate in underserved
areas. She said her policy paper. on
health care is available for anyone to
read.
Evans 'asked about the current ad-
ministration’s efforts to phase out the
Workforce Development Act, which he ‘
said benefits the community. Tomlinson
said Central and South Georgia workers
depend on training to get jobs.
“You can point to people who have
had their lives changed,” she said. “Even
if you don’t want to be compassionate,
do it in your own best interest [for eco-
nomic development] .”
Marilyn Langford thanked Tomlinson
for coming to Forsyth. She said Tomlin-
son was asked to be at a fundraiser on
her behalf in Athens at the same time
but said that she had already committed
to speak in Forsyth.
“She said her word is her bond, and
now we know what we can expect from
her,” said Langford.
The Blue Bridge Society recognized
some of the outstanding veterans in
Monroe County:
Glover Stuart served in the US. Army
in the Korean War, earning a Purple
Heart. He is retired from IBEW and has
worked for people in Monroe County
in Habitat for Humanity, Meals on
Wheels, Lions Club, American Legion
Post and many other groups, including
chairing the Monroe County Democrat-
ic Party from 1955 until'about 2017.
Bud Queen, George Langford, Billy
Powell, Larry Evans, Truett Goodwin,
Martin Presley, Rhett McMurray and
others were honored for their service in
various military branches and at differ-
ent times of need in the US.
Lee Smith
994-1666
Mon Fri 10 to 7
...Unless Playing Golf
ee s Haircutting
VB
Reporter
Page 3C
munch CALENDAR. ,
Email church calendar news to Diane Glidewell at neWs@myrncr.net by Monday
at
10 am. Church information is published free of charge as space permits.
Nov. 28 ’
Forsyth UMC 27th
Annual manksgiving
Meal
For the 27th year Forsyth
United Methodist Church
will host those in need in the
community for a Thanksgiving
meal on Thursday, Nov. 28
at T2 noon. Special guests
will be children from the
Methodist Children's Home in
Macon. Volunteers will also
deliver meals to the home
bound, disabled and those
who are otherwise unable to
provide for themselves. Many
volunteers are needed both
in the days betore and on
Thanksgiving Day to make it
happen, including cooks, serve
ers, delivery drivers and those
’who will pray. Call Forsyth
UMC at 478-994-5706 to
volunteer. Those in need may
sign up at Forsyth UMC or
Circle of Core.
St. Peter’s Rock Baptist
Thanksgth service
St. Peter‘s Rock aptist
Church, 10496 Hwy. 87,
Juliette invites everyone to
its Thanksgiving Day worship
service on Thursday, Nov. 28
at 8 am. The guest speaker
will be Rev. John Corner of
Springhill Baptist Church in
luliette. For more information
contact Ruth Middlebrook at
478-986-5269. '
Nov. 30
Eastluliette Baptist '
holds’Raisethe Roof’
Festival
East Juliette Baptist Church,
l83 JH Aldridge Dn, Juliette,
will hold a “Raise the Roof"
Festival on Saturday, Nov.
30 tram ll am. to 5 pm, Ac-
tivities will include a bounce
house, games for children,
Cake Walk, bonfire, silent
auction, face painting and T-
shirt sale. There will be a gos-
pel singing, and there will be
a special guest minister (ll-5
pm.) There will be barbecue,
Brunswick stew, hamburgers
and hot dogs available. Bring
a lawn chair and enioy a
tun day helping East Juliette
Baptist's root fund.
Dec. 1 ‘
StPaulAMEhas. ,
Annual momma
Saint Paul AME. Church,
57l Rumble Road, Smarr
invites everyone to its An—
nual Choir Anniversary on
Sunday, Dec. l at 2:30 pm.
to tellowship and celebrate
another year of God’s Grace
and Mercy, Church chairs
are invited to render an A&B
selection.
Dec. 8
St. James Baptist has
Family &’Friends Day
St. James Baptist Church,
llO James Street, Forsyth will
have Family Friends Day on
9 Sunday, Dec, 8 at ll am. The
theme is “Restoration through
Christ". Rev. Antonio Proctor
Sr. is pastor; Dyssie High will
deliver the message.
Rocky Mount UMC has
134th anniversary
Rocky Mount United eth-
odist Church,l387 Highway
All South, Barnesville will
celebrate its l34th Church
Anniversary on Sunday, Dec.
l at 2 pm. The guest speaker
will be Rev. Antonio Proctor
of St. James Baptist Church at
Forsyth.
Birthdays Anniversaries
Nov. 27 Caroline ling Dec.2 Dec.4
Julie Stuart Ernie Strickland Brooke Hadden
Mr. 8. Mrs. Benny NOV. Mr. Mrs. William Hannah Wheeler
Bosiick Armaya Smith F. Merritt David J. Dunn
Malachi Ham David Kristal
Nov. Anita Mathis Dec. 3 Dunn
Kim Davis TFYSTY“ H°VeY Kyle Daniel
John Ham
- This week's birthdays and anniversaries are courtesy of Forsyth Lions
Club calendar. To have your name
' added to the calendar, contact Virginia Remick at 994-5426. '
CALENDAR
Continued from T C
presentation at the Indian
Springs Amphitheater and the
seasonal Lighting ol the Village
at Indian Springs at 5:30 pm,
These events are free. For
tickets or more inlormation,
contact DianeGlidewell at
478-993-1104.
Dec. 8
Tour of Forsyth’s
Historical Bladr Churches
The Classic Social Club lnc.
Forsyth will host a Tour of
Historical Black Churches of
Forsyth on Sunday, Dec. 8 at
2 pm. The tour will include St.
Luke AME, St. James Baptist
Church, Union Hill Baptist and V
Kynette United Methodist
with The Older American
Council as the final stop lor
refreshments and more history.
Experience the birth of Christ
through history, dance, and
speech. A $l5 donation/pro-
ceeds will benefit the Classic
Scholarship Fund. Tickets are
available at the door or
see members Barbara King,
Angela Banks, Juanita Hogan,
Angela Chambliss, Mildred
O'Neal, Cassandra Ogle-
tree, Wanda Freeman or Lisa
Walker.
Pictured, left to right, are Debra Moore, MCRTA President Eula Brown, Mayor
Eric Wilson,
MCRTA Vice President Leila Bass, Roberta Hogan. (Photo/Diane Glidewell)
City proclaims Retired
Educators Day Nov. 3
Mayor Eric Wilson presented a proc—
lamation to the members of Monroe
County Retired Educators Association
(MCRTA) at their November meeting
declaring Nov. 3 to be ‘Retired Educators
Day’ in Forsyth. The proclamation on
behalf of mayor. and council said that it
was following the lead of Georgia’s gov-
ernor in honoring the more than 130,000
retired educators in Georgia, over 29,000
of whom are members of the Georgia
Retired Educators Association.
, The proclamation notes the countless
hours of volunteer service retired educa-
tors give to their communities and the
ment.
contributions “for the betterment of hu-
CHUICH PAGE MADE POSSIBLE BY THESE SPONSORS:
I FREEMAN FUNERAL HOME
A name that can be trusted for funeral and burial arrangements
26 Brentwood Place - Forsyth
994’6483 ' 994—6576
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Dr. Brandon Pinson
60 5. Jackson St. - Forsyth. GA - 478-994-4986
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man lives and for society” that they have
made both before and after their retire-
Wilson said that he taught 7th—12th
graders in a private school for a year and
the experience gave him a great respect
for teachers. He said he has fond memo-
ries of some of his teachers, as much or
more for the life lessons they taught him
as well as academic lessons.
“Thank you for what you’ve done for
the community,” said Wilson. “You laid
the foundation to make our [Monroe
County] education system what it is. How
many lives you’ve touched!”
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