Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church
TheCircuitRider Quarterly Newsletter
Connecting with Campus Ministries By Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist for the Mississippi Conference
Children and youth aren’t the only
communities can do to support collegebound students in their congregations is to find out where those students are going to college. Then congregations should ensure they know about the Wesley Foundation on that campus and make a connection.
students headed back to school. Young adults are returning or embarking on a journey of ‘adulting’ and learning what all that entails at colleges and universities around Mississippi and at out-of-state campuses. Now is a great time for faith communities to offer guidance and support to students who belong to their congregations, as well as partner with campus ministries to help those who are a long way from home. According to East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) Wesley Foundation Director Rev. Zac Cox, the first thing faith
“It’s so important for students to have a safe and positive place to go and a Wesley Foundation is that place.” – Rev. Zac Cox
EMCC Wesley Foundation students out bowling. Photo courtesy of Rev. Zac Cox.
“College is a time of growth and selfdiscovery for students that can lead to anxiety about decisions that will impact their futures,” said Cox. [Read More]
Merging Methodist: First UMC, St. Paul’s to Become One By Josh Troy, The Clarksdale Press Register
“There was no deliberate plan,” Vanderburg said. “It was not that I was coming here to do this. I was sent here to continue the process and see where it led. We began doing more joint things together. We started doing joint worship every quarter, things like that.”
IN THIS ISSUE:
A joint service between First United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church filled the pews recently. (Courtesy Photo)
Vanderburg said people enjoyed joint worship and pushed the effort for the churches to come together. He acknowledged there are always some people not happy with change, but felt the merger would be a positive move. [Read More]
Camp Lake Stephens: Children’s Retreat page 2 | Methodist Rehabilitation Center: Meridian Resident Rebounds in Record Time page 2 | Fam Jam: Heirs to the Throne Tour page 3 | Cares and Concerns page 4
FALL 2019
Two Methodist churches in Clarksdale have been coming together for more activities the past five years. First United Methodist Church on East Second Street and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church made the move to have one pastor for the first time with the hiring of John Garrott in 2015. Neville Vanderburg came from Belmont United Methodist Church in Belmont and replaced Garrott as pastor in 2017. The churches took another step in coming together as they agreed to consolidate as of July 1. Most of the services and other major activities will move to First United Methodist Church. Each church voted in favor of consolidation individually on April 21. Then both churches came together to vote for consolidation and it was approved at the Mississippi Methodist church conference in Jackson June 8.
Connection News Camp Lake Stephens: Children’s Retreat – Unashamed Register now for the Camp Lake Stephens’ (CLS) children’s retreat happening October 13-14. This retreat is targeted for children in grades third through sixth. The guest speaker is Haley Lowery, who has spent years working in children’s and family ministry. The worship leader will be Ben Larsen, who has a deep passion for creating a worship experience that leads others to know Jesus. The cost is $90. Consider purchasing a gift that will directly impact the experience of CLS guests. Click here to find out exactly what the needs are.
Methodist Children’s Homes of Miss. Foster Care Informational The MCH Foster Care Informational is a no-commitment, come-and-go event. This is an opportunity to talk with current foster care parents, case workers and therapists about what it truly means to be a foster parent. We hope to see you there! You can RSVP now to the Clinton and Brookhaven Informational.
Methodist Rehabilitation Center: Meridian Resident Rebounds in Record Time Diagnosed with a paralyzing disease she’d never heard of, Dana Kidd’s first instinct was to google the name—Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome. Only she couldn’t grasp her phone or even tap the touchscreen. The news wasn’t good. Doctors said the neurological disorder might leave Kidd unable to walk for nine months or more. Since she couldn’t even raise her eyebrows, Kidd had no reason to doubt Natalie Keyes, at left, a nurse practitioner at MRC, said she couldn’t believe her eyes when Dana Kidd stopped by the hospital to visit the staff.
their diagnosis. Dianna Brantley, on the other hand, thought doctors were underestimating her identical twin. Read more from Susan Christensen about this rebound—one of many success stories from Methodist Rehabilitation Center.
Subscribe to The Voice of the United Methodist Disability Connection The Disability Ministries Committee is dedicated to opening hearts, minds and doors for people of all abilities in The United Methodist Church. The committee draws their mandate from the story in Luke 5:18, which tells how many people displayed through their actions that the man bought in through the roof was part of their community. Click here to read the e-newsletter and subscribe.
Discover Resources from Across the Connection ResourceUMC.org and its accompanying e-newsletter, The Source, are empowering church leaders—both clergy and laypeople—to search for and find beneficial content from across our connection. With helpful articles, denomination-wide resources and 20+ topic areas, the site and e-newsletter are your essential destinations for comprehensive updates and information.
2 The Circuit Rider Quarterly Newsletter | Fall 2019
Mississippi Conference News Local Church Administry Training This financial leadership training provides guidance to strengthen the administrative and financial abilities of the local church treasurer, financial secretary, finance committee members, church business administrators and church trustees. Training dates: September 14, October 12, November 16, and December 14
Collaborative Leadership Conference: Belong – Intentional Discipleship for All Ages Come and learn from churches of all sizes, as well as lay and clergy leaders from around our Mississippi Conference as they share insights and ideas to help us all make disciples of all ages. The keynote speaker is Mark DeVries, found of Youth Ministry Architects and oversees the youth ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference will be Saturday, September 28 at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson.
Fam Jam: Heirs to the Throne Tour Fam Jam is a two-hour family event jam-packed with faith and fun, laughter and learning featuring zany games, crowd participation, friendly competition, team building, high-energy worship and Biblical principles. This event it geared towards children grades Kindergarten through sixth and their parents, but it is guaranteed fun for the whole family. To learn more about dates, times and how to register, click here.
Fresh Expression Learning Community Retreat Fresh Expressions Pioneer Communities are a part-time, learning community designed to create and strengthen a network of fellow practitioners of missional ministry. Pioneers are mission entrepreneurs who have the stirrings to go beyond existing church communities to engage in life and ministry with people, fostering fresh expressions of church that connect with those uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the inherited church. This retreat will take place October 18-19 at Anderson United Methodist Church. For details and how to register, click here.
The Gathering Time Tour Bring youth to The Gathering Time Tour featuring Big Al Cherry, with DJ Blaha and “Youth Guy” Mike Howington. Click here to find dates, how to register and a location coming near you. Also start marking your calendar now for the high-energy weekend conference for Mississippi students grades six through 12 to celebrate Christ and grow in Him at The Gathering, happening February 28 through March 1. Click here for more information and how to register.
Fall 2019 | The Circuit Rider Quarterly Newsletter 3
SAVE THE DATES Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation – September 8-13
World Communion Sunday – October 6
You are invited to experience the grace of
The World Communion Sunday offering funds
forgiveness and peace that is revealed in
graduate racial-ethnic World Communion
scripture, worship and community at the Five-
Scholarships, with at least half of the annual
Day Academy for Spiritual Formation at the
amount reserved for ministries beyond the
Duncan Gray Conference Center in Canton.
United States.
Mississippi UMC Clergy Spouse Retreat – September 27-28
Journey Partners – November 4-7
The Mississippi Clergy Spouse Retreat will be held at the Holiday Inn Trustmark Park Hotel in Pearl. The guest speaker/retreat facilitator is worship leader, humorist and blogger, Beth Green. The cost is $110 per person with double occupancy. Registration deadline is September 14.
United Methodist Women Annual Meeting – October 4-5 This year’s conference-wide UMW annual meeting will be held at Heritage United Methodist Church located at 3 Baracuda Dr. in Hattiesburg. The deadline to register is September 13.
Journey Partners provides a rich Christian context for taking your own faith journey to a deeper level, while studying classic and contemporary spiritual writings and developing your capacity to accompany others. Click here for more information.
2019 SEJ Clergywomen’s Conference – November 18-21 Themed “Uncharted, Adventuring the Wilderness with God,” this year’s conference will take place in Jacksonville, Florida. For more details and how to register, visit unchartedconference2019.com. If you would like to travel together by van or bus, email Rev. Lori Galambos by September 30.
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 listing, click here. • Chaplains for Civil Air Patrol Volunteer • MS Delta Team Project Coordinator • General Secretary • Director of Youth Ministries, Greensboro First UMC • Communication Specialist First United Methodist Church, Clinton • Children’s Minister (Lynn Haven United Methodist Church
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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: • We extend our love and sympathy to Rev. Earle Bryan Carrubba and family. His wife, Deanna Carrubba, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2019. • With heavy hearts, we extend our sympathy and love to the family of Rev. Robert L. King, who died August 11, 2019. We give thanks to God for his witness. • We offer our love and sympathy to the family of Mrs. Bobbye Hart, wife of the late Rev. Luther Hart, who passed away August 2, 2019. •We extend our love and sympathy to the family of Rev. Adam Byrd Hillman. He passed away Friday, July 26, 2019. Hillman served the Mississippi Conference as a pastor, on the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) executive committee and as the conference retiree liaison officer. • It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Rev. Alan Baker Gutterman Monday, July 22, 2019. • Your prayers are requested for Rev. Glenn Freeman and family at the death of his wife, Bettie Randle Freeman, who passed away July 21, 2019. • We extend our love and sympathy to the family of Rev. Stephen E. Tillman, who passed away July 16, 2019. • Your prayers are requested for Rev. Larry White and family at the death of his wife, Debbie White, who passed away July 5, 2019.