The Circuit Rider October 2023 by Cindy Clark

Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

Faith Community Formation Takes Jesus to the Mississippi State Fair Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

The Mississippi Conference office of

From left to right Rev. Dr. Jason Zebert, FCF associate director, Rev. Tim Thompson, FCF director and Bishop Sharma D. Lewis.

Faith Community Formation, FCF, took advantage of an excellent outreach opportunity. Setting up a booth inside the Trade Mart, during the 165th Mississippi State Fair, FCF staff and volunteers informed fairgoers of the missions and ministries of the Mississippi United Methodist Conference.

This year, in addition to family-friendly attractions, fairgoers were able to visit the FCF booth and learn about Mississippi Conference ministries like Wesley Foundations, receive informational brochures about Mississippi Conference benevolences and receive information on Lighthouse Congregations for people seeking to remain Methodist or looking for a new church home. Read More

For two weeks, the annual Mississippi State Fair makes the city of Jackson its home offering rides, shows, food and fun for the whole family.

Honoring Clergy by Providing Rest October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and during this month, we honor the men and women who give so much of themselves to lead congregations. While congregants are thankful for their dedicated

and selfless service, they must also realize that their leaders are people too and can suffer from fatigue and burnout. A great way to show clergy appreciation and recognize their tireless dedication is by giving them an opportunity to rest and recharge. Read More

Churches Choose Different Methods to Celebrate Laity Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

St. Paul pastor, Rev. Paul Luckett, left, speaks with laity as they enjoy brunch.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Laity Sunday is the denomination-wide celebration of the ministry of all Christians and Mississippi local churches celebrate this laity-focused day in many ways. Usually observed on the third Sunday in October each year, according to The United Methodist Church’s Discipleship Ministries Website, Laity Sunday is the day we express the core Christian conviction that all are called to participate in God’s mission to create healthy, flourishing life in the world. Based on 2 Timothy 1:13, the theme for this year’s Laity Sunday was “Rise Up and Remain Committed to Love’s Teachings.” Read More

October 2023

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

Connection News A cemetery association and a maintenance fund are great places to start planning for the future of your church’s cemetery.

All Saints Sunday Resources A ll Saints Day is observed on November 1, but most churches

celebrate it on the first Sunday in November. On this day, we take time to remember and honor those who influenced and helped form our faith. Click here for resources from Discipleship Ministries that will help your congregation honor these heroes of the faith.

Methodist Foundation Offers Lasting Gift Through Cemetery Endowment Often considered part of a church’s ministry, cemeteries are maintained by church members and staff, but what happens if the church closes? The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi is here to help by assisting churches with setting up cemetery associations and maintenance funds to ensure a loved one’s grave is perpetually cared for. Click here to learn more.

Is The United Methodist Church Really…? [PART NINE] The ninth entry in a series of articles from Ask The UMC offers factual responses to questions about the future of Paragraph 2553, prohibitions to congregations disaffiliating under Paragraph 2553 and will clergy from disaffiliating congregations have new appointments. Click here to read the article and click here to read the entire series.

Communications Tool Kit: Advent The Advent season is just around the corner. To help churches prepare for Advent outreach United Methodist Communications is offering banners, signs, postcards and more for use in your congregation. Use promo code UMCA23 to get $300 off your order. Click here to see the available Advent outreach tools.

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Mississippi Conference News United Women in Faith Hold Annual Conference at Rust College On October 6 and 7, the Mississippi Conference chapter of United Women in Faith hosted their annual meeting on the campus of Rust College in Holly Springs. The conference’s mission giving supported the “world renown” Rust College A ‘Capella Choir, and the event concluded with a sermon from Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. Click here to read highlights from the two-day event.

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis conducts the instillation service for the 2024 UWF officers.

Mission Grant Application Now Open Apply now for the 2023 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 through November 6. Click here to apply. Only applications submitted online will be considered.

Conference Treasurer’s Notes

The Gathering 2024 is Cancelled Recently we shared that Mississippi Conference youth and family ministries director, Mike Howington, left his position at the conference office. We

In his latest notes, conference

wish him well in the future, and in

treasurer, David Stotts, outlines end

lieu of his departure The Gathering

of the year business for churches.

2024 has been cancelled. Youth and

These include mission share

family ministries are a priority in the

information, obtaining property

Mississippi Conference. Updates

insurance coverage, medical open

on future youth and family ministry

enrollment and a special note to

plans will be shared via conference

disaffiliating congregations. Click

communications in the near future.

here to read the latest conference treasurer notes.

October 2023 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

Approaching the Finish Line: 2023 Bible Challenge We are two months away from completing the 2023 Bible Challenge and we hope your Scripture reading has been a powerful and inspiring reminder of God’s grace and mercy towards us. Remember, you can go to the headquarters of all things 2023 Bible Challenge here and download

Share your Bible Challenge experiences at news@ mississippiumc.org!

graphics and monthly Scripture plans. Click here to watch Bishop Lewis’ October check-in video and don’t forget to take the quiz at the end.

SAVE THE DATES

emotional, mental, creative, physical and

Collaborative Leadership Event – Oct. 21

and to register, click here.

The Collaborative Leadership Event 2023 will be Saturday, October 21 at Crossgates UMC in Brandon and will begin at 8:00 a.m. The event serves as an opportunity to explore creative ways for faith communities to engage in evangelism and discipleship. Dr. Phil Maynard will be the keynote speaker. The cost to register is $75 for clergy and $25 for

relational wellbeing. For more information

Sabbath Day Away – Nov. 17 The office of spiritual leadership is hosting Camp Lake Stephens in Oxford. The cost of the one-day retreat is $20 and .2 CEUs are available for clergy who attend. Click here for more information and to register.

attend. Click here for more information and to register.

The conference and episcopal offices will be

Art of WellBeing Fall Collective – Nov. 2, 16 and 30 The Art of WellBeing Fall Collective continues November 2, 16 and 30. Lead by Revs. Bruce Case and Susannah Grubbs Carr, the online collective guides clergy to generate selfawareness and clarity about their spiritual,

The 2023 Called Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference will be Saturday, December 9 at Anderson UMC in Jackson. Click here for more information on the special call session.

Sabbath Day Away Friday, November 17 at

Thanksgiving Office Closure – Nov. 23-24

laity and .8 CEUs are available to clergy who

The 2023 Called AC Session – Dec. 9

closed Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24 as we take time to fellowship with friends and family in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Offices will reopen Monday, November 27 at normal business hours. “Give thanks to the God in heaven. For His loving kindness endures forever.” – Psalm 136:26

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 listings, click here. • Intersection Worship Leader (Part Time) St. Matthew’s UMC (Madison, MS) • Student Life Teaching Pastor, Mt. Pisgah UMC (St. John’s Creek, GA)

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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: • Please remember the family of Rev. Bill Cornett in your prayers. Rev. Cornett passed away October 5. • We regret to inform you Rev. Thomas Price died September 20. • Join us in prayer for the family of Rev. Charles Luke. Rev. Luke went home to be with the Lord September 8. • With great sadness we report that Todd Eman, husband of Rev. Sally Bevill departed this life September 7. • Rev. Don Harrison joined the Church Triumphant September 4. • It is with great sadness that we report Rev. Joe Crawford died August 26. • Our hearts are saddened to share that Marjorie Napier, wife of Rev. Denson Napier, passed away August 21.