M i s i s i p i Co n f e r e n c e
of the U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t Ch u r c h
TheCircuitRider Conference Newsletter
End Racism for Good Update Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant
For more than a year, the co-chairs of
“Racism has traumatized persons directly or indirectly and we are working on a way to heal our hearts, minds, communities, state and world.”
the End Racism for Good initiative Rev. Bruce Case, pastor at Parkway Heights in Hattiesburg, and Rev. Domini Henry, associate pastor at Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson, have been embracing the monumental task of dismantling racism in the state of Mississippi. The pastors are witnessing firsthand the healing impact that has taken place as believers come together to fellowship and release the negative effects racism has had on their lives.
– Rev. Domini Henry
Racial healing circles are playing a significant role in ending racism. To date, more than 400 people have participated in a healing circle and have been able to express the
toll racism has taken on their lives or ask questions for better understanding. “The stories we hear are heartbreaking,” said Henry. “ “The circles we form are built in ways to strengthen one another. [Read More]
Laity Sunday: Recognizing Those Who Serve Usually observed the third Sunday in October, Laity Sunday gives churches the opportunity to recognize the hard work of laity and educate congregations on all laity does for the body of Christ. The ministry of the laity is one of the most important roles in The United Methodist Church. The role of laity, as outlined in the Book of Discipline, is a calling for believers who do not want to just be bench members but members who seek actively to be living advocates of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lay members serve in all areas of the Church
UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY
For LaToya Thompson, Mississippi Conference Lay Leader and chair of the board of laity, lay ministry has long been her passion. Growing up in a Methodist Church with parents who were also dedicated to serving their brothers and sisters in Christ emboldened Thompson to dedicate her life in the same form of servant hood. [Read More]
United Methodist Student Day
Your generous gift today enriches ministry and connects students to their faith
“It was so meaningful to know that someone out there, a brother or sister in Christ, supported me,MCH regardless of Celebrates never meeting me face-to-face. That is a godly act to me.”
IN THIS ISSUE:
supporting missions and being the primary evangelistic ministry through which all people will come to know Christ.
One of the major challenges that students face is the lack of financial support to attain a college education. But for United Methodist students, The United Methodist Church is always there to help them accomplish their career goals. For more than 100 years, United Methodists have been supporting their students’ educational needs through the Children’s Fund, which later became United Methodist Student Day. United Methodist Student Day is November 28, 2021. Click here for leader kit. To order pew cards click here.
125 Years page 2 | UMW Hosts Annual Conference page 3 | All Saints Sunday page 4 | Cares and Concerns page 4 | Employment Opportunities page 4
— Emma Storer, Gift of Hope Scholar, Washington University, St. Louis
OCT. 2021
Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant
Connection News Golf Tournament to Benefit Africa University The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi and the Mississippi Methodist Ministers Golf Association are hosting a golf tournament benefiting Africa University. The event will be held Tuesday November 2, at the Dancing Rabbit Golf Course in Philadelphia. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. For more information and to register click here. You do not have to be clergy to participate.
Two Fund Options for Giving Tuesday Giving Tuesday is November 30. This year, we are asking you to partner with us in two ways. You can contribute to our general scholarship fund to assist students for 2022. The second way is to donate to our Leggett Endowment that generates funds to help disabled ministers and their spouses in the Mississippi Annual Conference. These are two great ways to journey with us as your Methodist Foundation of Mississippi.
Methodist Children’s Homes Celebrates Thousands Served Over 125 Years For 125 years, Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi (MCH) has been a home for thousands of Mississippi children who have experienced abuse, neglect and trauma. On November 9, supporters near and far can celebrate this great milestone during a virtual event called the Children First Give-a-thon. The evening will include inspirational alumni stories, a silent auction featuring our youth’s artwork and the opportunity to continue supporting kids throughout the community. Pam Confer, an international, award-winning, bilingual professional speaker and jazz singer will host the event. Guests will also enjoy entertainment by comedian Merc B. Williams as well as singers Calandra Daniels and Andi Cotten. All are invited to register online for what will be an unforgettable evening. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/8t2scm24 or contact Mandy Bufkin atmbufkin@mchms.org.
Little Light of Mine Offering Season Through Jesus Christ, Methodist Children’s Homes brings hope and healing to hurting children in Mississippi. Since 1896, Your Methodist Children’s Homes has served over 11,000 Mississippi children and families. By donating to The Little Light of Mine Special Offering congregations are providing a loving home for children in foster care. Share this video with your faith communities and click here for information on giving and for resources that can be used at your church.
UMAMN is Seeking 85 Builders The United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network (UMAMN) is seeking 85 people to help build their ministries by pledging to donate $25 a month for a year. The funds raised will allow UMAMN to continue to support the ministries that are reaching out in God’s love throughout Appalachia. Click here for more information or to give a donation.
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Mississippi Conference News UMW Moves Mission Forward at Annual Meeting Mississippi United Methodist Women held their second online conference-wide annual assembly Saturday, October 2 and over 110 people participated. In a blend of word, worship and a time of remembrance, conference UMW leadership shared good news about how mission continued over the last year in the pandemic. Click here to read more.
Sign Up for Online Basic Lay Servant Course The Mississippi Conference Office of Spiritual Leadership is making available to you an online Basic Lay Ministry Course Saturday, February 5, 2022. This course is an introduction to lay ministry, and it is foundational for all courses in lay servant ministries. Discover and employ your personal spiritual gifts as God intended and consider the importance of exercising servant leadership and developing future leaders. For more information, contact Angela Griffin at agriffin@mississippi-umc.org. To register and learn more, click here.
Apprenticeship, Coaching and Mentoring The Mississippi United Methodist Conference has worked to create a culture of coaching and mentoring with clergy and laity. Rev. Dr. Jason Zebert explains how coaching, and mentoring creates apprenticeship. Click here to learn more.
Wespath Delivered to You Virtual Event Wespath Benefits and Investments “Delivered to You” will be hosted on Monday and Tuesday, November 8-9, 2021. The event will focus on five dimensions of well-being and provide information that will inspire and encourage clergy of all ages and stages in ministry. To register and learn more click here.
Mission Grants Applications Deadline Oct. 31 Apply now for the 2021 Connectional Ministries Mission Grants. These matching grants are available to United Methodist churches. Grants typically range from $250 to $2,500 per project. Extraordinary applications for up to $5,000 will be considered. The purpose of the grants is to help form spiritual leaders, develop new places for new people, renew existing congregations and/or engage in ministry with the poor. Online applications will be accepted September 20 through October 31, 2021. Click here to apply. Only applications submitted online will be considered.
Mississippi Annual Conference Festival of Preaching Clergy and laity are invited to attend the Mississippi Annual Conference Festival of Preaching. The event will be February 10-11, 2022 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Attendees receive 1.5 CEUs. For more information contact Rev. Trey Harper in the office of spiritual leadership at tharper@mississippi-umc.org.
Oct. 2021 | The Circuit Rider Quarterly Newsletter 3
SAVE THE DATES Do You Want to be Made Well? Webinar – Nov. 15
include notable speakers like faith-based social
held at the BancorpSouth Arena located
media expert, Nona Jones and more. The team
at 375 E. Main Street in Tupelo. Saturday,
All clergy, church staff and volunteers are
price for registration is $249. Use the Promo
July 16 will include a worship service and
Code MISSUMC99 for the discounted price
a recognition of Bishop James E. Swanson
of $150 per team. Attendees can acquire 1
Sr. and the episcopal family, followed by a
CEU. Click here to register.
reception. Ordination will take place July
invited to attend a free Zoom webinar for those who have experienced emotional challenges in dealing with COVID-19 and its effect upon the church. The webinar will be from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and is part one of a series
All Saints Sunday – Nov. 7
13 at 7:00 p.m. at the BancorpSouth Arena. The clergy session will be held online on June
of webinars that will be offered on a variety
All Saints Sunday, the first Sunday in
9 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
of topics. Renee Dillard, EAP, Counselor/
November is a day of remembrance for the
While the 2021 session was all virtual, this
Consultant for Methodist LeBonheur
saints, with the New Testament meaning of
year we are planning an in-person conference
Healthcare EAP will be leading the webinar.
all Christian people of every time and place.
so that the bishop, clergy and lay can come
More information will be forthcoming.
We celebrate the communion of saints as
together to fellowship and conduct the
we remember the dead, both of the Church
business of the conference. These plans are
universal and of our local congregations.
subject to change as we continue to monitor
For this reason, the names of persons in the
the status of the coronavirus pandemic.
congregation who have died during the past the Word. Click here to find resources to help
The Wesley Way Evangelism Training Event – Oct. 14-15, 2022
you recognize this day.
The office of spiritual leadership is
year may be solemnly read as a Response to
Bishop Swanson Slated to Speak at Future Church Convocation – Nov. 5-6
Offices Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving Holiday – Nov. 25-26
This November 5 and 6, Fresh Expressions
The conference and episcopal offices will be
is hosting The Future Church Convocation:
closed Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday Nov. 26 in
Energizing Mission through the Lens of the
observation of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The
Black Church. The Convocation is a mission-
offices will re-open Monday, Nov.29 at regular
oriented online event for teams that is
business hours.
designed to propel the Church into the future. but also its place in history and highlight its
2022 Annual Conference Session Dates – July 13-15
influence in the Universal Church. Bishop
The 2022 Session of the Mississippi Annual
It will not only celebrate the Black Church,
Swanson is leading the session on “Where Do We Go from Here.” The convocation will also
Conference will begin Wednesday, July 13 and conclude Friday, July 15, and will be
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@mississippi-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. • Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administrative Services • Director of Modern Worship (Collierville United Methodist Church)
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offering The Wesley Way 2022: Reclaiming Wesleyan Evangelism. The two-day class is a collaborative leadership conference on evangelism in the Wesleyan tradition. Those who participate will receive 1 CEU. To register contact Rev. Trey Harper in the office of spiritual leadership at tharper@mississippiumc.org.
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: • With great sadness, we announce the passing of Rev. Harry Davis. He passed away Saturday, October 9. Please remember his friends and family in your prayers.