Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church
TheCircuitRider Quarterly Newsletter
O u t
T h e
P O W E R
o f
W e
HAPPY
Thanksgiving from the Swansons
2019 Annual Conference Session
The
POWER that
Photo from Ash Wednesday 2018 courtesy of Millsaps College Communications
UM-related Millsaps College Receives $1 million Grant for Center for Ministry
makes us
Millsaps College has received a grant of $1 million to establish a new, ecumenical program to support clergywomen as part of the Center for Ministry. The Mississippi Conference’s Center for Ministry is housed at Millsaps and offers continuing education and spiritual formation for both clergy and lay throughout the conference via retreats, course of study, licensing [Read More]
IN THIS ISSUE:
One John 17:20-23
LOVE | GENEROSITY | JUSTICE | APPRENTICESHIP
The Swansons Share the Joy of Giving Thanks As we enter this Thanksgiving Season, Bishop James Swanson Sr. and Mrs. Delphine Swanson discuss the joy of cooking as well as reflect on three ways we can all be thankful. Watch their Thanksgiving message to the Mississippi Conference here.
Introducing the 2019 AC Session Theme Save the date for the 2019 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference happening Wednesday June 5 through Saturday, June 8 at the Jackson Convention Complex (JCC). The JCC is located at 105 E. Pascagoula St. in Jackson, Mississippi. This year’s theme is “The POWER that makes us One.”
The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they’ll be as unified and together as we are – I in them and you in me... The theme is based on Jesus’ prayer for unity among all believers found in John 17:20-23. *More information about annual conference session will be forthcoming as details are finalized.
Miss. Children’s Homes,“One of the Top Non-Profits in Miss.” page 2 | Recovery Volunteers Still Needed page 2 Route 122 One-Day Pass Now Available page 3 | Cares and Concerns page 4
Nov. | Dec. 2018
L i v i n g
Connection News Mississippi Conference Partners with Fresh Expressions The Fresh Expressions movement is dedicated to discovering what it means to be the Church in new and creative ways, and how to renew existing congregations through fresh expressions of church. This call to build on our core identity is part of the reason why the over 900 churches that make up the Mississippi Conference are becoming partners with Fresh Expressions US. Click here to read more about what this joint venture could mean for local churches here in Mississippi.
Help Fund Programs for Foster Children and Families, Give to Methodist Children’s Homes Through Jesus Christ, Methodist Children’s Homes brings hope and healing to hurting children in Mississippi. MCH believes every child deserves to grow up in a place where they are safe and nurtured with compassion. You can make the difference in the life of a child by getting your church involved in the 2018 Little Light of Mine Special Offering Sunday, December 9. Go to mchms.org to learn how you can change a child’s life for Christmas!
Miss. Children’s Homes, “One of the Top Non-Profits in Miss.” The Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi was selected by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of this year’s Top Non-Profits in Mississippi. The Mississippi Business Journal will be honoring the Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi and other winners during a special breakfast and awards ceremony, to be held at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson Thursday, November 29.
Spinal Cord Injury Patient Progresses at Methodist Rehab As a hospital that also does research through its Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehab is home to the kind of high-tech equipment rarely available in traditional rehabilitation settings. Learn about a Delta rice broker’s quest to walk again, and how it leads him to seek the expertise of Methodist Rehab. [Read More]
Recovery Volunteers Still Needed The Mississippi Conference Disaster Team continues to assess damages from the recent severe weather. Damages are widespread across the state and in other regions. Learn more about what areas still need recovery, and volunteer for one of our upcoming disaster mission trips. If you are ready to join us in this important work, complete the form here. Mississippi Conference early response teams (ERT) recently provided aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael—which made landfall October 10—at five sites in Lynn Haven and one site in Panama City, Florida. [Read More]
Edward Street Fellowship Center Opens Community Pharmacy Congratulations to Edwards Street Fellowship Center (ESFC) in Hattiesburg on their opening of the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy. Prescriptions that are not considered to be controlled substances will now be filled in Hattiesburg at ESFC! Pictured from left to right are Anne McCullen, executive director of ESFC; Father Tommy Conway (St. Fabian Catholic Church); Rev. Cynthia Cross, Hattiesburg District Superintendent and Sam Burke, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy.
2 The Circuit Rider Quarterly Newsletter Nov. | Dec. 2018
Mississippi Conference News Thanksgiving Conference Office Hours Grace and peace be unto you. The conference office will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23. We will re-open on Monday, November 26, 2018 at normal business hours. Happy Thanksgiving from the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church!
Thanksgivng Give thanks to the God in heaven.
For His loving kindness endures forever. – PSALM 136:26
One-day Pass Option Now Available for Route 122 Conference
ROUTE ›››››››122 CONFERENCE
New Conference Offering: A One-day pass is now being offered for those who may only be available to attend Thursday, November 29 to glean wisdom from Dr. Bolsinger’s keynote message and Q&A sessions. Gain momentum for change by joining conference, congregational and church leaders at this year’s Route 122 Conference, November 28-30, 2018. Hosted by the Mississippi United Methodist Conference, Route 122 will be held at Christ United Methodist Church located at 6000 Old Canton Road in Jackson. The keynote speaker for this event is Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.
Matthew 14:22-33
Momentum for Change ‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹
November 28-30, 2018
For more information and how to register, click here.
Imagine No Malaria Watch hundreds of lives being saved through Imagine No Malaria in the Mississippi Conference. Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. set the goal for the Mississippi Conference to provide 100,000 lifesaving mosquito nets for Imagine No Malaria. In Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria kills a child every two minutes. Find more information on how your faith community can help beat malaria here.
As of 11/12/18
57,449 LIVES SAVED!
2017-2018 Mission Focus
Protecting our Churches: Minimizing Thunderstorm Damage It is best to perform as many precautions that can be taken before storm season as possible. Taking safety steps in advance will save your organization time and hassle in the quick moments before a storm. Click here to read more.
Year-end Giving Reminder from the Miss. UM Foundation MISSISSIPPI UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION
The end of the year brings a close to giving for 2018. Do you have the resources you need to end the year strong? Don’t forget, the Mississippi United Methodist Foundation has a resources page for end of year templates as well as ideas for year around giving.
Last Chance to Attend Administry Training in 2018: Dec. 8 Sign up now for Administry training Saturday, December 8 at Williamsburg United Methodist Church in Collins, Miss. This financial leadership training provides counsel and guidance to strengthen the administrative and financial abilities of the local church treasurer, financial secretary, finance committee members and church business administrators. [Read More]
Conference Office Closing for Christmas and New Year’s The episcopal office and Mississippi Conference staff wish you a joyous celebration of the birth of Christ and a prosperous New Year! The conference office will be closed in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays beginning Friday, December 21 at 4:30 p.m. and will re-open on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at normal business hours.
MerryChristmas S
he will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. – Matthew 1:21
Nov. | Dec. 2018 The Circuit Rider Quarterly Newsletter 3
Your HQ for General Conference 2019 Information and Updates Conference communications is committed to providing you transparent and accurate information. Find the Advance Edition of the General Conference Daily Christian Advocate here. As more details THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH are finalized and more information released on the 2019 Called Session of General Conference, you can find updates on the conference website here. If you’re not already receiving conference e-blasts, you can sign up at the bottom of the homepage and opt in to various conference communications. Also, have news delivered right to you Facebook feed by liking the conference’s Facebook page.
2019 Special Session
SAVE THE DATES Celebrate United Methodist Student Day – November 25 Gifts to the United Methodist Student Day offering help deserving United Methodist students continue their education and their faith journeys as they strive to make a difference in the world. [Resources Here]
#GivingTuesday is November 27 Save the date and join the movement to boost support for Advance projects and missionaries on this special day of giving. Read more about Mississippi United Methodist-related entities encouraging your support on #GivingTuesday.
Upcoming Disaster Response Training – January 19 The next ERT/ Connecting Neighbors Training will be held Saturday, January 19, 2019 in the Brookhaven District. Those who feel called to providing a caring Christian presence in the
aftermath of a disaster, are not only welcome but encouraged to attend an early response team (ERT) training. [Read More]
Clergy Leadership Conference 2019 – February 4-6 Mark your calendars for this year’s Clergy Leadership Conference hosted by the Center of Ministry at St. Mark’s UMC in Brandon. [More Information Here]
Black Methodists for Church Renewal General Meeting – April 3-6, 2019 Themed “RESET for the Future,” this year’s BMCR General Meeting’s aim is to empower Black Methodists for effective witness and service, involve them in the struggle for economic justice and expose racism at all levels in the Church, its agencies and related institutions. [More Details Here]
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES As a courtesy to the Mississippi Annual Conference, job announcements from across the United Methodist connection are featured in The Circuit Rider. To submit an employment notice, send an email to news@mississipppi-umc.org. Postings are not guaranteed to appear more than once in Mississippi Conference publications. To read a description of job opening(s) listed below as well as other listings, click here. • Society of St. Andrews- Miss. Program Coordinator • Director of Student Ministries (Hoover, Alabama)
4 The Circuit Rider Quarterly Newsletter Nov. | Dec. 2018
CARES AND CONCERNS As you pause to pray this week, take time to ask for strength, peace and comfort for the families and friends of those listed below who have joined the Church Triumphant: • Your prayers are requested for Rev. Aaron Lamb and family at the death of his wife, Charlotte Lamb, who passed away November 11, 2018. • With heavy hearts, we extend our sympathy and love to the family of Rev. William Vance Kemp, 92, who died in Holly Springs November 2, 2018. We give thanks to God for his witness. • Rev. Donald L. Sampley, 75, entered fully into the presence of our Lord and Savior October 22, 2018. Sampley served as a United Methodist minister and as state chaplain for Mississippi Disabled American Veterans. • It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Rev. James McRee, 99, the morning of October 20, 2018. McRee served a number of positions in his long tenure as an elder. • Your prayers are requested for Rev. Hank Winstead and family at the death of his wife, Ann Winstead who passed away on September 29, 2018. • We extend our love and sympathy to the family of retired elder, Rev. Paul Linton, who passed away September 18, 2018. • Your prayers are requested for Rev. Robert L. Howard and family at the death of his wife, Juanita Howard, who passed away September 7, 2018.