I have a confession to make.
Lately, I’ve been using Page 10A of this newspaper for free promotional purposes.
I know, I know. I get plenty of space in The Nugget each week.
From front page stories to this column to my mug shot in the staff line-up, I’m all over the place.
But that’s not enough.
I’ve now moved on to The Sunday Snapshot.
There you will find me alongside some of my fellow church-goers of New United Methodist Church of Dahlonega.
See we’re new. And we’re small. And we’re scrappy. And we need to spread the word of our existence any way we can.
Enter the Sunday Snapshot.
It was invented a few years ago with the idea that we would set aside a weekly spot for submitted pics from local churches doing church-related things. We got some good photos at first. It was mostly pastors taking pics of their congregations from the pulpit. But eventually the submissions dried up and the Sunday Snapshot became a steady rotation of pleasant but kind of boring photos of local church buildings. That’s where we at New United Methodist Church of Dahlonega saw an opening. We just keep sending in the pics and The Nugget just keeps running them.
It’s all part of my plan for Nugget domination that won’t stop until I’m on each and every page of the paper! Um, I mean, sorry about that. Not really. The Snapshot is open to everyone.
If you’re interested in getting your church in on this page, don’t worry. We’ll save you a spot.
And all are welcome.
As for my church, well, for the past year we have been a church without an actual church. After Dahlonega Methodist voted to leave the United Methodist Church some of us wanted to keep the UMC tradition going locally. The old motto is “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. ” And that’s the vibe we aim for.
Over the last year we’ve met everywhere around town, from Hancock Park to Yahoola Creek Park to Camp Glisson to the city playground to 52 West Brewery. (That last one was just for official business meetings.)
Now the nice folks at Pleasant Grove have graciously opened up their sanctuary to us for services. That picture you see this week on Page 10A is after the first service we’ve had in a real church.
It’s nothing fancy, but it’s fun. We have a rotation of guest pastors and really good acoustic music.
It turns out some of my fellow church-goers are handy with the guitar and piano.
Their singalong mashup of Amazing Grace and Peaceful Easy Feeling by The Eagles should really be on Spotify. But there might be copyright issues.
At a recent “visioning” session we talked about what we wanted from this new church. And here’s what some of them said:
“We need to be a space for people who don’t know where they fit in,” said Ellen.
“We are a community of people who are just people. You don’t have to check anything at the door,” said Stephen.
“I wanted to be a part of a church where anybody can be a part of that church and not feel like an outsider,” said Audrey.
These people didn’t know they were being quoted at the time, but really they should have since I’m a reporter and can’t help it. And I concur with all that.
I now have a second confession to make.
I’m also using this column for free promotional purposes. You probably already figured that out by now. But if you’re interested, please feel free to stop by at Pleasant Grove UMC, near the roundabout on Highway 52, at 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Because if you want to join in, don’t worry.
We’ll save you a spot.
And all are welcome.