The Circuit Rider March 2023

The Circuit Rider

Reach Out to Your Community this Easter

Easter, the most important day of the Christian calendar, offers an opportunity to tell the most important story ever told: the story of the Resurrection of Christ, the defeat of death, the victory over sin and the promise of new life for people everywhere. Easter also presents the largest attendance weekend of the year for U.S. churches and an opportunity to reach new people in the community. Resource UMC offers 15 outreach ideas to introduce your community to your church, so they may come and hear the story of the risen Christ. [Read More]

Bishop Lewis Engages Pan-Methodist Gathering

Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis (pictured second from the right), along with other UMC bishops, took part in the Pan-Methodist Commission and Consultation of Methodist Bishops that took place March 10-14, 2023, in Atlanta, Ga. The Pan-Methodist Commission’s purpose is to define, plan and execute activities that foster meaningful cooperation among member denominations. Ecumenical Staff Officer for the Council of Bishops, Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst has the story. [Read More]

UMCOR Grant Expands Miss. Disaster Response

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

Miss. Conference Disaster Response is growing to better suit the needs of Mississippians in the aftermath of disaster. The first installment of the UMCOR grant to the Mississippi Conference is $1.5 million and will go towards improving access to disaster resources. Read more about how the funds will resource disaster efforts here.

Wesley Foundations Assist UMCOR in Responding to Disaster

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

Wesley Foundation students from two Mississippi colleges are offering their time, talent and energy to assist the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, in their efforts to be a healing presence in the aftermath of disaster. Volunteering with UMCOR allowed these students to operate as the hands and feet of Christ for those in need. [Read More]

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Women’s Suffrage

In recognition of Women’s History Month, United Methodist News Service is highlighting six Methodist women who worked and sacrificed so that all Americans can have the freedom to vote. In America’s earliest days this was no easy task because voting was limited to land-owning males. Click here to read the stories of these six brave women’s dedication to God and country that opened the opportunity to choose your representation to all Americans.

Harry Denman Evangelism Award Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for the Foundation for Evangelism’s Harry Denman Evangelism Award. The award is named in honor of lay evangelist and Christian leader Harry Denman who believed that each person must live their call to make disciples of Jesus Christ through relationship, mission and faith-sharing. The award named in his honor recognizes lay, clergy and youth whose exceptional ministry of evangelism brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Click here for more information, the award nomination form and checklist for annual conferences.

Is The United Methodist Church Really…?

[PART SIX]

Ask The UMC is continuing to answer questions from congregations concerned about the future of The United Methodist Church. The sixth series of articles answers: can churches in multi-point charges retain their property, including parsonages if the local church that owns the parsonage disaffiliates, restricting local churches from seeking legal counsel, preventing disaffiliated churches and individuals from retaining assets in UM foundations and credit unions and ending scholarships for members of churches who disaffiliate. Find answers to these questions here. To read the complete series click here

Apply by April 1 for Methodist Foundation of Mississippi Scholarships

Click here to read about the Rev. Phillip W. Heidelberg, Memorial Scholarship Endowment. Established in 2020, the endowment honors Heidelberg’s dedication to education and ministry in The United Methodist Church by providing scholarships to persons attending Gammon Theological Seminary, Memphis Theological Seminary and Rust College. To see the complete list of available scholarships and to apply for aid, click here.

Mississippi Conference News

After Hurricanes, Gulfside Ministry Marches On

In 2023, Mississippi Conference-related entity, Gulfside Assembly in Waveland celebrates its 100-year anniversary. Gulfside started as the only place for African Americans on the Gulf Coast to find relaxation and spiritual renewal during the Jim Crow era. Due to destruction caused by multiple hurricanes, much of Gulfside has been demolished, but with the help of generous donors, Gulfside looks to return to its former glory. Click here to read about the plans for Gulfside’s revitalization during the celebration of its 100-year anniversary.

Annual Conference Session Booths Now Available

The 2023 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference offers conference-related agencies and other organizations a place to showcase their ministries and services to the clergy, laity and visitors who attend annual conference. Display booths at the 2023 session provide a space where you may showcase materials and discuss your ministries and services one-on-one with interested individuals. The conference will be held from Tuesday, June 27 through Friday, June 30 at the Cadence Bank Arena (formerly BancorpSouth Arena) in Tupelo. Click here for more information, guidelines and to apply for limited available booth space. Booth space is limited to 45 spaces this year.

Sign up for a Lead Like Jesus Encounter

The Lead Like Jesus Encounter is a 10-hour encounter that introduces Jesus as the greatest leadership role model and a unique formula for leadership development. Discover the difference between power-based and love-based leadership by clicking here. Contact Rev. Jason Zebert in the faith community formation office at jzebert@mississippi-umc.org or 769.243.7073 to schedule a Lead Like Jesus Encounter for your group or church.

Purchase an Ad in the 2023 Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal

The Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal will serve as a go-to guide for the 2023 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference. Churches, colleges, small groups, businesses and organizations are welcome to purchase ads in the Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal. We also welcome congratulations for ordinands and retirees, and honorable recognitions for laity, clergy, district superintendents and Bishop Lewis. Click here to view ad options and to purchase.

Photo right: Dorothy Booker walks along the incomplete outdoor prayer pavilion at Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Miss., in 2015. Hurricane Katrina destroyed all of the buildings in 2005. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

SAVE THE DATES

Upcoming “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis” – Mar. 25 and 29

Clergy and laity in the Greenwood and Starkville Districts are invited to fellowship with Mississippi’s new episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. On Saturday, March 25 you can attend “Chat and Chew with Bishop Lewis” at Cleveland First United Methodist Church in Cleveland, and on Wednesday, March 29 the event will be held at Griffin Memorial United Methodist Church in Starkville. Clergy and laity who plan on attending must RSVP with the district office. All clergy are required to attend one of the “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis.” Click here to view the full “Chat and Chew with Bishop Lewis” schedule.

Social Ministry Media Workshop –Mar. 29

The Seashore District is hosting Social Media Ministry Workshop on Wednesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. A panel of social media

Feb. Appointments/Status Changes

experts will share tips on how to advance your church’s social media reach through diagnostics and analytics. All clergy are invited to attend and will receive .3 CEUs. For more information and Zoom link email seashore@ mississippi-umc.org.

End Racism for Good, Racial Reconciliation Task Force Event –Apr. 6

End Racism for Good is teaming with the Racial Reconciliation Task Force for the Diocese of Miss. the first Thursday of each month for an online series of discussions on racial healing. April’s discussion will be led by Rev. Valerie Mayo, a dismantling racism trainer and director of the Beloved Community Initiatives, at the Seminary of the Southwest. All are welcome to attend. For more information email Rev. Bruce Case at jbrucecase@gmail.com or Rev. Domini Henry at domini@andersonumc.org.

Methodist Senior Service Sunday Fund – May 14

The Sunday Fund was created to meet the financial burdens of elders who live in one of

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

• Graduate Resident Youth or Children’s Minister

• Contemporary Service Worship Leader, First Broad Street UMC (Kingsport, TN)

• Director of Ministry Innovation and Congregational Vitality, California-Nevada Conference

• Directors of Young People’s Ministries, East Ohio Conference

• Part-time Director of Ministries for Youth and Families

• Associate Minister with Youth and Their Families, Pulaski Heights UMC (Little Rock, AR)

the 12 Methodist Senior Services communities. These are elderly people who can no longer afford the cost of housing or care. To date, because of the generosity of United Methodist Churches, a Methodist Senior Services elder has never had to leave. The Sunday Fund is not an apportioned item and 100% of the donations are used to support these elders You can also donate here.

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 regret to inform you that Rev. John Cochran passed away March 9.

• Please be in prayer for the family of Virginia Entrekin, widow of Rev. Rod Entrekin. Virginia passed away February 12.

April and May Scriptures Available

At the beginning of the year, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis challenged members of the Mississippi Conference to seek God’s word together through the reading of scripture. Click here for the 2023 Bible Challenge headquarters where you’ll find upcoming monthly scripture reading plans and all things Bible Challenge.