Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church
TheCircuitRider Newsletter
Celebrate Children’s Sabbath By Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant
Children’s Sabbath, observed world-
wide the second Sunday in October, allows churches to recognize children’s contributions in the body of Christ and the challenges children face around the world. The day is capped off with a special offering benefiting mission agencies that tailor specifically to the spiritual and educational needs of children.
“We set aside the day to recognize the work of the children and the work of children’s ministry leaders,” said Rev. Domini Henry, associate pastor at Anderson United Methodist Church. “We recognize them as small leaders in the church and raise an offering to send to children’s mission agencies.” The Methodist Children’s Homes in Jackson has been [Read More]
Connecting Communities to Abundant Health: Seashore District Spotlight By Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist
Photo left: Outside vaccination site at H.A. Brown Memorial UMC. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Buckley.
Two Seashore District churches make sure that ‘The Mission Continues’ with outreach and ministry by hosting vaccination sites in their communities. H.A. Brown Memorial United Methodist Church in Wiggins, Miss. and Vancleave United Methodist Church in Vancleave, Miss. both recently partnered
with medical professionals to offer their congregants and their communities access to free vaccines against the coronavirus. Vancleave United Methodist Church partnered with Love’s Pharmacy [Read More]
By Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant
Mississippi was largely spared from the worst of the storm.
Now that the threat of another category 4 hurricane has passed, Mississippians along the Gulf Coast are breathing a sigh of relief. Hurricane Ida landed August 29 leaving significant damage to Louisiana, but
“We dodged the bullet,” explained new conference disaster coordinator, Rev. Brandon Halford. “Ida moved twice as slowly as Katrina and was a category 1 by the time it crossed the Mississippi state line. Mississippi’s damage was largely limited to power outages, trees on houses and flooding.” [Read More]
Photo left: Supplies collected for Louisiana storm victims. Photo courtesy of Brandon Halford.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Resources for celebrating Pastors page 2 | Both/And Workshop Training Webinar page 3 | Mission Grants Applications Open 3 | Cares and Concerns page 4
SEPT. 2021
Disaster Update from New Conference Coordinator Brandon Halford
Connection News Resources for Celebrating Pastor Appreciation Month Pastor Appreciation Month, annually celebrated in October, gives congregations an opportunity to thank clergy for the work they do year-round. This year we must be cautious in our celebration as we continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic. You can view tips on honoring clergy while observing health protocols here.
Foundation News: Sort-term Fund Increase Begins October 1 In the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi’s dedication to serve you, the foundation board has implemented an increase in the short-term fund interest rate from 1.75 percent to 2.0 percent effective October 1, 2021. For more information, contact Melissa Blakely at melissa@ methodistfm.org. Stay up-to-date with foundation offerings and news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Prepare for Advent Outreach Extend warm invitations to Advent and Christmas worship services and events with the help of outreach resources. Choose from banners, signs, postcards, invitation cards, posters and more. A wide variety of designs, messages and languages is available. Get up to $300 off these customizable resources by using code UMCC21. This code is only available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Once funds are depleted, the code will expire. Order Now.
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.
Society of St. Andrew: Your Community Needs Your Help Already this year, SoSA has rescued tens of millions of pounds of good food to share with families in need, but there are many more ways you can help! As a SoSA volunteer, you’re likely eager to glean fields and farmers’ markets but you might also be interested in additional ways to serve in the mission to end hunger. Click here to learn more about programs for a few simple ways you can serve.
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Mississippi Conference News Hybrid Both/And Worship Training Webinar The Mississippi Conference Faith Community Formation Office and Midnight Oil Productions invite you to join Jason Moore’s “Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experience for Online and In-Person Audiences,” Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:00-8:30 p.m. and the follow-up session, scheduled Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m., as he delves into strategies on creating powerful transformative worship where no one feels like they are an afterthought. Sessions will be presented via ZOOM webinar. Click here for more information on the webinar and to register.
Mission Grants Applications Deadline – October 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.
Conference Treasurer’s Notes Greetings Friends! I have a lot to share with you as we enter the last quarter of 2021. The Mississippi Conference Administry Department (Ministry of Administration) has been busy over the summer getting ready to close out one year and move into another one. I hope the following information is helpful to you. Click here for updates on with insurance, pensions, board of trustees and 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, October 2. However, the deadline to register is Friday, September 24. 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.
The Delegation Hub The Delegation Hub—is a place where people can go to find just the highlights and updates for General and jurisdictional conferences, or take a deeper dive and explore the details of how proposals and plans may impact the denomination. Right now, the hub has five areas where you can learn more about the delegation and their legislative committee assignments, General Conference, SEJ Conference, The United Methodist Church’s governing documents, a place to ask questions not featured in the FAQs and submit feedback to the delegation.
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SAVE THE DATES 2022 AC Session Dates – July 13 - July 15
Churchwide Special Sunday: World Communion Sunday – Oct. 3
The 2022 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference will begin Wednesday, July 13 and conclude Friday, July 15, and will be held at the BancorpSouth Arena located at 375 E. Main Street in Tupelo. Saturday, July 16 will include a worship service and a recognition of Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. and the episcopal family, followed by a reception. Ordination will take place July 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the BancorpSouth Arena. The clergy session will be held online on June 9 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Mark your calendars for Sunday October 3, 2021, to celebrate World Communion Sunday. United Methodist congregations around the world will gather to participate in holy communion together and share our gifts to support racial-ethnic students and trainees in their quest to become leaders who embody the mission of The United Methodist Church. Your gifts provide scholarships for ethnic students and trainees from the U.S. and
These plans are subject to change as we continue to monitor the status of the coronavirus pandemic.
United Methodist Women Annual Meeting – Oct. 2 The virtual Mississippi Conference United Methodist Women annual meeting will be Saturday, October 2, 2021, starting at 10:00 a.m. The theme of the event is “God’s Protection During Turbulent Times.” Rev. Maxine Bolden, Tougaloo College Chaplain, will be the guest speaker and the mission offering, collected during the meeting, will be donated to the New Albany District Wesley Foundation. For more information and to register click here.
around the world. Click here for the leader kit.
Hispanic Heritage Month – Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 Hispanic Heritage Month in The United Methodist Church is designated as a time to give local congregations the opportunity to celebrate the importance and contributions of the Hispanic culture in worship. The celebration began as an official weeklong observance in 1968 and was expanded to one month in 1988. Click here to find resources as you celebrate this month and beyond.
Future Church Convocation – Nov. 5 - 6 This November 5 and 6, Fresh Expressions is hosting The Future Church Convocation: Energizing Mission through the Lens of the Black Church. The Convocation is a mission-
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. • Director of Children and Youth Ministries FUMC Madison, Florida • Assistant Director of Student Ministries • Johns Creek United Methodist Church-Director of Children’s Ministry • Graduate Resident Youth or Children’s Minister • Director of Youth Ministries • FUMC Church (Ozark Mountains of North-Central Arkansas) *Children, Student, Nursery, Worship*
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oriented online event for teams that is designed to propel the Church into the future. It will not only celebrate the Black Church, but also its place in history and highlight its influence in the Universal Church. Bishop Swanson is leading the session on “Where Do We Go from Here.” The convocation will also include notable speakers like faith-based social media expert, Nona Jones and more. The team price for registration is $249. Attendees can acquire one CEU. Click here to register.
All Saints Sunday – Nov. 7 All Saints Sunday, the first Sunday in November is a day of remembrance for the saints, with the New Testament meaning of all Christian people of every time and place. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember the dead, both of the Church universal and of our local congregations. For this reason, the names of persons in the congregation who have died during the past year may be solemnly read as a Response to the Word. Click here to find resources to help you recognize this day.
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 request that you pray for the family of Rev. David McIntosh. He passed away on September 16 at the age of 94. Remember his loved ones at this time of mourning. • With great sadness we announce the passing of Rev. James Lockett Jr. He passed away September 10. • Please remember the family and friends of Rev. Rex Wilburn in your prayers. Rev. Wilburn passed away August 26 at King’s Daughter Medical Center after a brief illness.