John Wesley UM Heritage with a Taste of Paula Deen
1.5 CEU
Led by Rev. Jan Durham
March 1-5, 2010
Cost $642 per person, double occupancy
Deadline for registration is December 2, 2009 with $150 per person down payment

Get out of the classroom & visit the sites in Savannah & St. Simons, Ga. where Methodism started in the United States. John Wesley came filled with conviction and dedication to spread the gospel in a new land, he left less than two years later disillusioned and disconsolate. Come stand where he stood and hear in his own words the experiences that led to a change in his understanding of the mission God intended for him.

Your guide will be Rev. Jan Durham, author, speaker, & United Methodist clergy. Jan is a native of the marshes of coastal Georgia with an avid love of Wesleyan history. Her ministry focuses on women’s studies, issues of aging, and congregational care. Among other notable accomplishments, Jan has been selected to participate in the preparation of a new ecumenical Bible translation for use in small groups sponsored by the Christian Resources Development Corp., a subsidiary funded by the United Methodist Publishing House. She has served several congregations in both the North & South Georgia Conferences and was the director of program at Simpsonwood Conference Center.

Using excerpts from “The Journal of John Wesley”, Jan will lead us to Cockspur Island where John & Charles first stepped onto American soil. We will walk through the historic district of Savannah where James Oglethorpe first pitched his tent to establish a settlement and enlisted John & Charles as chaplain & missionary. Our tour will take us to the Factors’ Walk where – during Wesley’s tenure in Georgia – was a major port of entry for the slavery business and the cotton exchange. As we visit Reynold’s Square, we will view the statue of John Wesley that was erected in 1969 by Ga. United Methodist,  the site of the wooden parsonage in which he lived from 1736-37 & where he held meetings of the members of his Christ Church congregation. At Johnson Square, we will stand on the site where John preached his first sermon and later defended his actions before the magistrate.

One full day will be spent on St. Simons Island visiting the Methodist Museum & Library of Epworth by the Sea that serves as the historical depository for the UM South Georgia Conference. Displays include handwritten letters of John along with other archival records. We will visit Fort Frederica where John visited his brother Charles who was secretary for Indian affairs & a chaplain for General James Oglethorpe.

Tour Includes:

Round-trip motorcoach transportation:

Corbin, KY to Savannah & St. Simons, GA (other departure cities can be arranged by calling JFF Tours, Inc.)

4-nights lodging in the heart of the Savannah Historic District

Daily cooked to order breakfast

3-lunches including Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House (owned by Paula Deen’s brother), & Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House (the oldest boarding house in the south)

All entrances, as listed per itinerary

Secured reservation at Paula Deen’s Lady & Sons Restaurant can be arranged.

Cost:  $642 per person, dbl occupancy

For more information or to register for this event contact Terrie Stuart, JFF Tours, Inc. toll-free 877/680-5016 or email terrie@jfftours.com

For more information about the event leader, please click here.