Blog
Blog
Pastor’s Corner Jan. 29
Friends, There’s no denying it, there is a lot of pain and hurt in our world right now. Sometimes it feels like that’s all we see. From politics, to poverty, to our own personal lives, it can be easy to lose sight of hope. But what if love had the final word about the...
Green Team Annual Report
We are pleased to report many positive effects of the Green Team in 2025. The list of accomplishments includes more than $2,000 in savings, and new community partnerships and publicity.
Pastor’s Corner Jan. 22
Friends, This past week has given us a beautiful picture of who we are as a church, grounded in worship, shaped by mission, and deeply invested in people at every stage of life. I want to begin with heartfelt gratitude to everyone who served at our warming center....
Pastor’s Corner Jan. 15
Our faith was never meant to be lived alone. We grow deeper when we show up, share life, and allow ourselves to be known and to know others. That is why I want to be very intentional in inviting you into a few meaningful ways to connect in this season.
Pastor’s Corner Jan. 8
Pittman Park Leadership Academy: Growing Faithful Leaders Together One of the joys of being your pastor is watching God stir something new in people, sometimes it’s a clear sense of calling and sometimes just a quiet nudge that says, “I want to grow.” If you’ve ever...
Pastor’s Corner New Year’s Day
As we come to the close of this year, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for what God has done in and through Pittman Park. This past year has been marked by faithfulness, generosity, growth, and deepened community. We have worshiped together in meaningful ways,...
Pastor’s Corner Christmas Day
As we celebrate Christmas, my heart is full of gratitude for you and for the gift of Christ among us. In the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that God comes near, bringing light into our darkness, hope into our weariness, and love that renews and restores. Christmas...
Pastor’s Corner Dec. 18
Come, Worship, and Share the Light Christmas Eve is one of the most sacred and meaningful nights of the year. It is a night when we slow down, gather close, and remember the incredible truth at the heart of our faith: God is with us. At Pittman Park, we invite you to...
Pastor’s Corner Dec. 11
As we journey through Advent, we’re reminded that this season is all about expectation. We look for the light that breaks into our darkness. We wait for the Savior who comes close to us. And we open our hearts to the ways God is still moving among us, shaping us into...
Pastor’s Corner Dec. 4
What a joy it was to see our church family come alive this past Sunday evening at Come To Christmas. More than 150 people gathered to kick off the Advent season together, and the night was filled with laughter, creativity, fun, and a whole lot of Christmas...
Pastor’s Corner Nov. 27
Happy Thanksgiving, Pittman Park family! On this day set aside for gratitude, Stephanie and I find ourselves especially thankful for you. Serving at Pittman Park is one of the greatest blessings in our lives. Each week reminds us in big and small ways how deeply God’s...
Pastor’s Corner Nov. 20
One of the greatest joys of this season is remembering that gratitude isn’t just something we feel, it’s something we share. When we tell the stories of how God has met us, carried us, and blessed us, our thanksgiving becomes a witness that encourages everyone around...
Pastor’s Corner Nov. 13
Every year, as the crisp air of November turns to December, our church embraces the Advent season—a time of waiting, watching, and welcoming Christ into our hearts and our community. And what better way to kick off this season of wonder than with a joyous night of...
Pastor’s Corner Nov. 6
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, our hearts turn once again toward gratitude. Not just the kind that comes from a table full of food or a house full of family, but the deeper, sustaining gratitude that comes from knowing the steadfast love and faithfulness of...
Pastor’s Corner Oct. 30
From last fall through this year, God has stirred new life at Pittman Park. Every Sunday, every gathering, every act of service has carried evidence that God remains faithful—and that God’s not finished with us yet!
Pastor’s Corner Oct. 23
This week in our Seen, Known, and Loved series, we are turning our attention to Jesus’ third parable found in Luke 15, the parable of the Prodigal Son. It’s a parable you probably know well, but one that continues to speak directly to our hearts because this story is...
Pastor’s Corner Oct. 16
What an incredible week it has been at the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair! I want to thank every person who showed up to serve; those who cooked and cleaned, greeted and guided, prepped and sold our famous chicken fingers and our newly added corn dogs!! Not only did you serve,...
Pastor’s Corner Oct. 9
Seen, Known, and Loved One of the most beautiful chapters in all of Scripture is Luke 15. In just a few verses, Jesus shares three parables that reveal the very heart of God: the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each story Jesus tells is a...
Pastor’s Corner Oct. 2
Church Family, This past Sunday, we experienced God's generosity powerfully at work among us. As part of our Generous sermon series, we were reminded that Love Gives. So many of you responded to the invitation to give intentionally, proportionally, and sacrificially!...
Pastor’s Corner Sept. 24
Over the past three weeks, we have heard the Apostle Paul’s call in 2 Corinthians 8–9 to “excel in this grace of giving.” Paul reminds the church in Corinth and us that generosity is not an obligation. It is the natural overflow...
Pastor’s Corner Sept. 18
Friends, this month we have been exploring what it really means to live generously. Week by week, we have seen that generosity is not only about money; it is about the posture of our hearts and the way we reflect the character of a generous God. This Sunday, as we...
Pastor’s Corner Sept. 11
It’s September 11, a date that still stirs deep feelings for me. I remember where I was that day when the towers fell and the planes crashed. I remember the sense of unity that followed the attacks and how we learned of the extraordinary courage of so many: passengers...
Pastor’s Corner Aug. 4
This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series called Generous. It’s about more than money — it’s about learning to live with open hands and open hearts, just as God has been generous to us. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will...
Pastor’s Corner Aug. 28
Lately, a simple prayer has been echoing in my heart: “God, Turn It Around.” This plea comes from the worship song of the same name by Church of the City and Jon Reddick. The song starts as a humble prayer and grows into a confident declaration, anchoring our hope "in...
Pastor’s Corner Aug. 21
BUILD Your TEAM Friends, I don’t know if you’ve heard the news, but the work is about to begin. Our new Fellowship Hall air conditioning system is finally moving forward. Before long, we will be trading in our Sunday sauna sessions for cool, refreshing air. Praise God...
Pastor’s Corner Aug. 14
Here we go, friends—new school year, new rhythms, and new opportunities! Leveling Up Our Weekly Rhythms I’ve said it nearly every year since I’ve been in Statesboro, because it’s true every year: Fall gives us a natural chance to reset. Our new calendars, new...
Pastor’s Corner Aug. 7
Church Family, This past Sunday, we pressed start together in our Level Up series. I’ve been reflecting all week on how powerful that moment can be, that moment when we finally move from thinking about faith to living it out. Pressing start is that first, brave...
Get to Know the Church: Sheri and George Sterling
You can find Sheri and George Sterling at Open Table and the Fellowship Sunday School class each week. Those who participate in Sewing For Missions will know Sheri well as a 13-year veteran of that ministry. They attend the Traditional service and are the proud...
Open Table Wednesdays at 5:30
Each Wednesday at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall, a meal is prepared and served by volunteers. There is no charge, and everyone is a guest. It's our way of building community, one plate at a time. Open Table follows the Bulloch County School calendar, taking breaks when...
Pastor’s Corner July 31
This Friday, students across Bulloch County will sharpen their pencils, sling on their backpacks, and walk into a brand new school year. In our house, the first day is a blend of nerves, excitement, and a whole lot of logistics—packed lunches, photo ops, and pep...
Pastor’s Corner July 24
Hey Church, I hope you’ve had a great summer! Around here, we’re getting ready for what’s going to be an incredible fall, and I couldn’t be more excited. We’re calling this season Level Up!—and not just because it sounds cool. It’s a challenge to all of us to take the...
Pastor’s Corner July 17
When Helping Heals “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness…” —Isaiah 58:10 (NIV) There are moments in ministry that mark you forever. This trip to Uganda was one of them. For...
Pastor’s Corner July 10
This past Sunday, we kicked off our Summer Reading sermon series with a message inspired by Will Guidara’s book Unreasonable Hospitality and the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. We talked about the radical welcome Jesus offers—not just to those who expect...
Get to Know the Church: Ryan Heins
As Building Administrator, Ryan Heins is our go-to guy for building maintenance and improvements. He works with the church staff, Board of Trustees, and XYZ volunteer maintenance crew to execute projects large and small. Ryan is married to Megan Heins and his children...
Pastor’s Corner July 3
There’s something about summer that invites a slower pace—and a deeper dive. Whether it’s by the pool, on the porch, or in that sacred hour between errands and evening chores, this season gives us a little more space to reflect, to learn, and to grow. That’s exactly...
Pastor’s Corner June 26
Pastor’s Corner — From the Mountains Greetings from Lake Junaluska! Right now, I’m writing to you from a picnic table overlooking the water, with the mountains rising like a cathedral all around us. It's peaceful. It’s holy. And it's loud—because we brought 13...
Pastor’s Corner June 19
Pastor’s Corner – This Is Where It Gets Personal Church Family, Over the last two Sundays, we’ve stood together and declared: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” And last week, we turned our hearts toward Jesus with these words:...
Pastor’s Corner June 12
Aloha Camp 2025 – “Aloha – Called by God” This week, the halls of Pittman Park echoed with laughter, worship songs, and the unmistakable joy of children discovering just how much God loves them. Aloha Camp wasn’t just a summer event—it was a sacred adventure. Through...
Pastor’s Corner June 5
Dear Friends, What a gift it was to gather with fellow United Methodists from across South Georgia for this year’s Annual Conference! Each year, this time of worship, learning, and holy conferencing reminds me that the Church is alive and moving forward—not just in...
Pastor’s Corner May 29
“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” — Genesis 1:31 (NRSV) This week brings so much to celebrate and pray for—from amazing students chasing big dreams to a meaningful gathering of United Methodists across South Georgia. First...
Pastor’s Corner May 22
Open Doors, Open Hearts Church family, What a season of celebration and generosity we’re living in together! As we look back with joy and ahead with hope, I’m reminded again and again that Pittman Park is a church of open doors and open hearts—ready to pour into the...
Pastor’s Corner May 15
What an incredible journey it has been walking through our We Are Pittman Park series together! Over these past weeks, we’ve explored what it means to live out the values found right in our name: Personal Growth, Abundant Grace, Real Relationships, and Kindhearted...
Pastor’s Corner May 8
“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV) One of the deepest desires in every human heart is to be fully known and fully loved. Yet, so often, we hide behind...
Pastors Corner May 1
At Pittman Park, we believe church is more than just a place you go on Sunday mornings—it’s a community where you can grow, be known, and make a real difference in the world. That’s why, in our current sermon series, we’re highlighting the values that shape who we are...
Pastor’s Corner April 24
Church Family, What an incredible Easter Sunday we shared together! Nearly 500 people joined us for worship across our services, filling our sanctuary and hearts with joy as we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From our sunrise service...
Pastor’s Corner April 17
There is a rhythm to Holy Week—it begins with palms waving and hosannas shouted, but it doesn’t march straight to Easter morning. No, it moves downward first—through the darkness of betrayal, the agony of the cross, and the silence of a sealed tomb. And it is in that...
Pastor’s Corner April 10
Worship is one of the most beautiful things we get to do together. It's not just singing or scripture reading—it’s a posture of the heart. It’s us, as the people of God, choosing to turn our attention away from ourselves and onto the One who saves, heals, and redeems....
Pastor’s Corner April 3
Confession Time I have to confess—I need to practice what I preach. This Lenten season at Pittman Park, we’ve been intentionally making space for God through the spiritual disciplines of meditation, simplicity, fasting, and submission. Each week, we’ve taken a long...
Pastor’s Corner March 27
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 5, as Pittman Park hosts a Rummage Sale in the Fellowship Hall. This community event is not just an opportunity to find great deals — it’s a chance to make a real difference. All proceeds will directly support Pittman Park...
Pastor’s Corner March 20
Making Space This Lent Hello, Pittman Park family! Can you believe we’re almost three weeks into Lent? Whether it’s been a smooth journey or a little bumpy, you’re here—and that’s what matters! This season, we’ve been leaning into what it means to make space for God,...
Pastor’s Corner March 13
Making Space: Fasting — Emptying Distractions to Be Fulfilled With God Hey friends, We’re a couple of weeks into Lent now, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve found myself craving some breathing room. Life is full and fast and noisy—and yet, this season is gently...
Pastor’s Corner March 6
A Season of Reflection: Worship Traditions During Lent As we journey into the season of Lent, you may begin to notice some changes in our worship spaces—both in our Traditional and Contemporary services. These changes are intentional, designed to help us reflect,...
Pastor’s Corner Feb. 27
Pittman Park Family & Friends, As we step into the sacred season of Lent, I want to invite you to two meaningful gatherings that help us transition from feasting to fasting, from celebration to contemplation as we prepare for Easter. First, join us for our Shrove...
Pastor’s Corner Feb. 20
Dear Pittman Park Family, This week, our hearts are heavy with sorrow. We share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our precious Pittman Park Education Center (PPEC) children. Our entire PPEC family is grieving alongside this child’s loved ones during this...
Pastor’s Corner Feb. 13
Honoring Faith in Action Dear Pittman Park Family, This past week, I had the incredible honor of standing at the Georgia State Capitol to receive a special proclamation from Senator Billy Hickman and Representative Lehman Franklin. This recognition was not just for...
Pastor’s Corner Feb. 6
One of my deeply held beliefs is that everyone needs a place to connect and grow. As human beings, we are created for community—to work together, to build relationships, and to support one another. Looking back over my life, I can clearly see the places where I found...
Get to Know the Church: Mike and Karen Riegelman
Mike and Karen Riegelman recently moved to Statesboro from Ringgold in North Georgia near the boarder with Tennessee. You might see them at the Traditional service on Sundays or packing bags for Backpack Buddies on Wednesday afternoons. We asked them a few questions...
Get to Know the Church: Faith and David Cooper
Have you met Faith and David Cooper yet? You might see them at the Nine service or at Open Table on Wednesday nights since David is on the cooking team. Your children might know Faith from her service with Park Kids. They also help lead the Lectionary Sunday School...
Get to Know the Church STAFF: Megan Hopkins
As Director of Children's Ministry, Megan Hopkins can most often be found in the Main Street kids wing where she ministers to our youngest congregants. After 10 years as a parent volunteer in the program, she was asked to take the helm in a transitional capacity...
Get to Know the Church STAFF: Mark Murphree
As Director of Modern Music, Mark Murphree can most-often be found behind a keyboard on stage in the Fellowship Hall. He has been quietly offering his talent to Pittman Park since 1992, most recently mentoring a rotation of musicians in the contemporary service. Over...
Get to Know the Church: Sherrye Grotte
You can find Sherrye Grotte most Sundays in the Fellowship Sunday School Class or worshipping in the sanctuary. She moved to Statesboro from Hawaii and learned about Pittman Park through her neighbor, who happens to be Pittman Park Matriarch Bennie Herring. What do...
Our Hope is Built Campaign Work COMPLETE!
FROM PASTOR JONATHAN: One of my favorite moments in our ministry together was on May 21, 2023. As the Offertory Hymn “My Hope Is Built” was sung, the church came forward to pledge toward the Our Hope Is Built capital campaign (you can watch this powerful moment from...
Get to Know the Church: Pheasants in the Forest
A rustic arrangement featuring ring-necked pheasants among branches and flowers can often be found decorating the Fellowship Hall lobby. The intriguing display was donated in the late 2010s in memory of Gary “Dennis” Edwards, Sr. by his family. His widow, Charlotte...
Our Hope is Built Campaign Updates
It has been six months since the Our Hope is Built campaign kicked off, and our Fellowship Hall has seen drastic improvements. Energy-efficient lighting was installed over the summer, and new carpet was installed in mid-October. Watch a time-lapse video of the floor...
Get to Know the Church: Regina Days-Bryan
You'll find Regina Days-Bryan at the traditional service--usually on stage! She sings in the Chancel Choir, serves as lay liturgist and directs the Wesley Ringers Handbell Choir. But her talents don't stop at music. Did you know she's in the Georgia Southern Athletics...
Grant funds automatic door opener in fellowship hall
People with mobility challenges will now have an easier time accessing Pittman Park UMC's Fellowship Hall thanks to an automatic door opener. The low-energy operator arm engages when users apply pressure to the door, opening the door and holding it open to allow those...
Get to Know the Church STAFF: Lisa Muldrew
Lisa Muldrew has been a part of the Pittman Park staff on and off since 2016. She currently serves as Director of Traditional Music and can be found at the Traditional Service each Sunday, leading the congregational hymns. In her role, she is also the director of the...
Our Hope is Built Campaign Update
Pledge Sunday was May 21, and we now have $101,950 in commitments toward our $110,098 goal! This amount represents many individuals and families, and we are humbled by what God is doing through all of us. Through this campaign, we will equip our building for the...
Join us for communion on Wednesdays at 5
A brief communion service is held in Pittman Park's chapel on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. All are welcome to receive. NOTE: WEDNESDAY COMMUNION PAUSED UNTIL JAN. 14 United Methodists understand the table of Holy Communion as Christ’s table. The table is open to anyone who...
Get to Know the Church: Anita Wiggins
Anita Wiggins and her husband Robert have been members at Pittman Park since 1967. You may see them in the traditional service at 11 or in the Fellowship Sunday School Class. Anita also attends the New Morning Circle UMW group at Pittman Park. If the Wiggins name...
Get to Know the Church: The Nine Communion Table
Pittman Park's Fellowship Hall is many things throughout the week. Often it's a dining hall or meeting space, and sometimes it's used as a party room, blood donation site or even voting precinct, but every Sunday the space becomes a Sanctuary for The Nine contemporary...
Ukraine Keychains Continue to Support Relief Efforts
When Ukraine was invaded by Russia last Spring, Missions Committee Chair, Mickey Martin, organized a fund drive to support UMCOR relief efforts. The drive was unique because Martin made over 1,000 Ukraine-themed keychains to use as thank-you gifts for donors. Now,...
Get to Know the Church: Munholland UMC Thank You Gift
In Pittman Park's main hall, a framed image hangs with the inscription "Munholland UMC Thanks Pittman Park UMC." Pittman Park was connected with Munholland UMC in 2005 after hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast in 2005. Pittman Park members wanted to aid...
Get to Know the Church: Bobbie Trowbridge
If you attend The Nine on Sundays, you might be greeted by Bobbie Trowbridge, one of our mighty Grace Team volunteers. You might also know Bobbie from the Lectionary Sunday School Class where she recently transitioned to a teaching role. She also attends the Disciple...
Get to Know the Church: Kimberly Mitchell
Have you met Kim yet? It has been our pleasure to welcome Kimberly Mitchell to the team at Pittman Park. She has been getting to know our teachers and children as the new director of the Pittman Park Education Center (PPEC). She is herself a mother of three young...
Get to Know the Church: Dave and Sandy Macdonald
You might already know Sandy Macdonald. If you've had the privilege of hearing an oboe performance during a service, that was Sandy. You may have even been to her house if you were a part of the youth group. She and Dave hosted Park Students twice this summer. The...
Green Team Recycles Non-Rechargeable Batteries
Pittman Park's Green Team collects batteries for recycling. Bring your standard batteries to the collection receptacle outside the church office. Please DO NOT put rechargeable batteries in the receptacle. Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at Lowe's.
Get to Know the Church: Gary and Kim Mikell
Gary and Kim Mikell have been members at Pittman Park for 35 years. You might know them from their participation in the Lectionary Sunday School class or through their extended family. Their two sons, Bob and Scott attend with their families, and their daughter-in-law...
GET TO KNOW THE CHURCH: Dan and Miriam Hagan
If you haven't met Dan and Miriam Hagan yet, you probably will soon. They faithfully attend the Lectionary Sunday School Class each week, they hosted a pool party for Park Students earlier this summer, and they are involved in several other ministries and groups. If...
A Letter to the Congregation from Bill and Sue
Dear Church Family, We want to express our gratitude for the beautiful way you said good-bye to us on our last Sunday. We were overwhelmed with the generous love offering, some great beach supplies …and a fishing rod! Most of all we appreciate the many notes of love...
Get to Know the Church: Gwen Yarbrough
If you attend the traditional service, you enjoy the gifts of Gwen Yarbrough most Sundays. She sings in the Chancel Choir. You may also know her from the Lectionary Sunday School class or the Susannah Wesley Circle groups that she attends. To help you get to know Gwen...
Get to Know the Church: Cathedral Windows
We all know Pittman Park's colored, art glass cathedral windows are a pretty feature of the building, but few know they were featured in a Statesboro Herald article in 1979. The article ran in the November 29 edition and told how the church added extra decorative...
Get to Know the Church: Amazing Grace Bags
Amazing Grace Bags are a ministry that supplies local churches and social services agencies with necessities to hand out to people who are in acute need. Volunteers gather items and fill bags for distribution each month. Places that distribute Amazing Grace Bags: the...
GET TO KNOW THE CHURCH: Steve and Denise Lynch
Steve and Denise Lynch have been attending Pittman Park's contemporary service since last fall. They officially joined the church on April 3. To help you get to know them a little better, we asked them a few questions: What is your favorite thing about Pittman...
Get to Know the Church: Russ and Jan Persson
After moving to Statesboro in the fall, Russ and Jan Persson recently joined Pittman Park. Their daughter, Megan Hopkins, is Pittman Park's Children's Director, so you may see them helping out with Park Kids, or you may recognize Jan singing in the choir. We asked...
A Letter from Leadership
Dear Pittman Park community, Over the past few weeks we have had several people ask us how denominational decisions may impact the future of Pittman Park. Most of these questions arise from the announcement on March 3rd that the 2020 UMC General Conference would be...
Get to Know the Church: Woody Powell
Dr. Woodrow "Woody" Powell was certainly special to Pittman Park, Georgia Southern University and the Statesboro community. His residence was rather small, but his giving spirit was so large that memories live on today. ROSES Powell had more than 200 rose bushes...
Get to Know the Church: Larry and Shirley Walton
You'll often see Larry and Shirley Walton together as they attend Sunday services or Wednesday suppers. You may also recognize them from their time on the Grace Team. We asked this couple a few questions to help people get to know them: Q: What is your history with...
Sewing for Missions Throughout the Pandemic
There is a little room on the left before you get to the Fellowship Hall. Inside are the sewing machines, rotary cutters and fabric of the Sewing for Missions group at Pittman Park. The group gathers on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 9:30 a.m. to create...