Located just off the sprawling banks of Lake Oconee, Walker United Methodist Church is a growing congregation in the Tri-County area. The spirit of warmth and friendliness found at Walker creates a sense of home and belonging for all who encounter this community church.
Walker Church began as a small frontier congregation in the 1790's and has since grown to serve the community of the Lake Oconee area. Weekly opportunities for worship and fellowship bring people together, making it a great place for neighbors to meet!
Walker Church offers two dynamic Worship Services each Sunday morning and Sunday School classes for all ages which provide an atmosphere of learning and trust. Walker Church provides an excellent opportunity to share creativity and talent.
Seasonal events include a children's Vacation Bible School each summer, special Advent and Christmas services, Holy Week and Easter Sunrise, and Homecoming followed by "dinner-on-the grounds" each June. Throughout the year Fellowship suppers, Sunday School Class parties and group outings help to foster new relationships. There is always something new and exciting happening at Walker.
Most importantly, Walker Church is a caring family. The people of Walker involve themselves in community outreach to help those in pain and in need. Offerings beyond the local church go to help the hungry, the sick, and those victimized by war and oppression. Our creed is best summed up in the words of Jesus Christ:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you..."
Walker Church is a community Church, growing in every way. It is a place where neighbors meet. We invite you to celebrate life as we worship together. Come be a part of Walker Church!
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2007 Year in Review
Since 2004, beginning with the Vision Committee, through the Implementation Committee and the Building committee, the renovation of the Education and Administration Building has been completed, except for some furnishings which will soon be in place. Amazingly, we accomplished this without borrowing any money! This renovation could not have been accomplished without the hard work of Bob McCurdy, Mike Lowe, Richard McDaniel, Ralph Beasley, and Larry Randall.
Besides being involved with the renovation, the Trustees were busy with the maintenance and up-keep of the other building, cemetery and parsonage.
The Finance Committee does an excellent job of overseeing our finances. The Treasurer records and reports every penny collected and spent. The Financial Secretary keeps track of pledges and contributions and report quarterly to individual members. We have stayed pretty much within budget as members have been faithful in their giving. The Finance committee also collected and expended over $150,000 for our building renovation.
With generous contributions from Walker Church’s congregation, our Mission Committee supports the total Church’s outreach. There are 11 Local, 2 District, 4 Conference, 2 National, and 3 Global ministries included in the budget. There are 5 conference Special Offerings taken. Hands-on ministries include the Senior Center, Nursing Homes, Greene Christian Outreach, and our Food Pantry. For several years, we have helped sponsor two of our members on a mission trip to Honduras.
The Worship Committee worked hard to provide us with meaningful, spirit-led services. The highlights were the Season of Advent and Christmas Eve Services, and the Lenten and Holy week Services. The Tenebrae Service on Good Friday was awe-inspiring, as were the Easter services. We tried something different this year for Revival. It was held for 4 weeks on Wednesday nights after our Fellowship Supper, with a different preacher each time – Revs. Gary Dean, Bob Bone, Rena Salter, and Peggy Little. Attendance was improved over years past.
The Education Committee demonstrated what a hard-working group they are with two outstanding accomplishments: Vacation Bible School and Wednesday night Fellowship programs. VBS was so successful because: (1) it was held entirely in the renovated basement and did not disturb the staff upstairs. (2) because of the excellent leadership of Carmen Martin, Brent Roland, Ashley Funderburke, and Katie Pike. The Walker Youth assisted. The Wednesday night programs provided by the committee were varied, interesting, educational, informative, inspiring, and entertaining. What a great job they did!
In 2007, a full-time pianist, Sally Pike, was employed to enhance the exceptional music program in our church. The Staff-Parrish Committee conducted interviews with all staff members for the purpose of assisting them in their performance versus their work responsibilities and their ministry.
The Evangelism Committee is responsible for reaching out to visitors and encouraging them to return and enjoy the fellowship of Walker church and to experience the love of Christ. Cards are sent and visits are made to share information about what Walker offers. We have 4 new members in 2007. Each year we have a dinner to honor the new members who joined during the year. We have an active prayer chain.
The Membership Care Committee takes care of our home-bound members and others who are ill or suffering a loss. The home-bound and nursing-home-bound are nurtured and cared for and remembered with a birthday cake.
This year began with a new Kitchen Committee and cooks to prepare the Wednesday night meals on the second and third Wednesday nights. A small fee of $4 is charged for the meals. The money is used to reimburse for the meal supplies and to replenish paper supplies. On the first Wednesday night, the meal is covered-dish.
The Communications Committee was very active this year in producing the new Walker Church Family Album (our church directory). It also kept the church web-site updated and maintained. And it advertised church activities with banners, posters, news releases, and the church sign.
Through the Adult Ministries Committee, the members enjoyed 4 great trips throughout Georgia – all sight-seeing, entertaining, educational, informative, and enriching.
Our Endowment earnings year-to-date are $4,963.46, or approximately 7.9%, despite withdrawing $30,000 for the Building Fund. If the market stays favorable, we should exceed a 10% return for 2007.
The UMW had a very successful year- even though we do not meet in the summer. We had a great mission study led by Donna Kicklighter. We participated in the Prayer and Self-Denial offering and the World Thank Offering. This is giving above and beyond our individual pledges to mission. We earned extra money for our mission budget by conducting a church-wide year sale. Two DFACS 18-year-olds were presented with clothes for Christmas.
United Methodist Men work hard! They raise money with the Walker Church annual Barbeque, Fishing Tournament, Golf Tournament, and through donations. They have given away to charities and organization this year a sum of $5,736.27!
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