The Circuit Rider February 2023

Candid Conversations at Bishop’s Chat and Chews

Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist

Bishop Lewis shared interesting things about herself and her family to break the ice at the first two chat and chews, and then she welcomed questions from clergy and laity during their respective sessions. Both taking place in early February, the first chat and chew was at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian for the Meridian District, and the second one took place at Wiggins First United Methodist Church in Wiggins for the Hattiesburg and Seashore Districts. Some common threads of discussion that came up in all sessions were race relations, growing churches, the 2023 Bible Challenge and clarity around disaffiliation. Read more about the candid conversations at the Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis.

Seashore Nicaragua Covenant Continues to Improve Lives

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

What Works is a series featuring ministries across the conference that are vital and thriving at serving their communities. Mission and ministry featured in this segment can also be implemented into your faith community’s missional strategies.

Youth are Gearing Up for The Gathering 2023

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

For the past nine years, youth and youth leaders from across the state have been blessed with a fun and immersive Christian experience at the biggest Jesus party of the year. The Gathering 2023 promises to live into its theme and be an “Out of This World’ experience for all who attend. Everyone involved in this year’s event from youth to presenters are excitedly looking forward to the fun and fellowship in store. [Read More]

In December 2006, the Seashore district of the Mississippi Conference and the Nicaraguan Methodist Church established a covenant declaring that both parties would pray for one another, have open communication and respect the priorities of the Nicaraguan Methodist Church. [Read More]

Bishop Lewis illustrates to the crowd at Wiggins First UMC how the body of Christ should love and be compassionate towards one another.

Connection News

Communications Tool Kit: Social Media Services

29 Ways You Can Participate in Black History Month

Black History Month celebrates the unique contributions of African Americans to American history. Whatever your heritage or background, black history is part of everyone’s history. The General Commission on Religion and Race have compiled 29 suggestions to help United Methodists celebrate Black History Month. Click here to see 29 ways you, your family and your congregation can celebrate and participate in Black History Month.

Social media is a powerful ministry tool, allowing churches to connect with people right where they are. If you need help getting started or are looking for strategies to more effectively reach new people online, the Local Church Services Team at United Methodist Communications offers services that can help. The team can provide coaching sessions, suggestions for improvement tailored to your context or even run social ads for you.

Is The United Methodist Church Really…?

[PART FIVE]

United Women in Faith National Scholarship 2023

The United Women in Faith National Scholarship is for lay women in the United States who are pursuing careers in church or social service vocations. Preference will be given to laity working on behalf of women, children and youth. Applications are due on or before Tuesday, April 18 for the fall semester of 2023. Click here for scholarship guidelines and for application instructions.

In the fifth installment of this article series, you will find answers to: if the UMC is asking all local churches to vote on whether to remain in the UMC or join the Global Methodist Church, allowing disaffiliated clergy and lay persons to serve at General or Jurisdictional Conference, if the UMC is failing to punish those who violate The Discipline and if The UMC will force congregations to accept a self-avowed practicing homosexual as a pastor or deacon. Click here to read the article. Click here to read all the installments of the series. Your questions and feedback are always welcome. Email them to AskTheUMC@umc.org

“Dancing for Our Stars” Benefits Baddour Center

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

The stars in North Mississippi are coming out in support of The Baddour Center in Senatobia. The center, a Mississippi Conference benevolence, is a ministry that serves the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities. Media personalities and community leaders will be partnering with professional dancers during the center’s “Dancing for Our Stars” event at the Halloran Centre Theater in Memphis. The sixth annual event will showcase participants and residents of The Baddour Center shaking a leg to the tunes of the popular Broadway musical and film “Grease” to raise funds for the missions and ministries at The Baddour Center. [Read more]

Disaster Response ERT Training – Feb. 25

Oxford University United Methodist Church in Oxford, is hosting an early response team, ERT, training Saturday, February 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The mission of an ERT is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster. This team is neither a first response group of emergency workers nor a recovery rebuild or repair team; rather it fills a specific need in the early days after a disaster to establish the presence of the church. There is a registration fee of $40 which covers a manual, lunch, T-shirt, background check and leader expenses. Clergy who participate can receive .7 CEUs. Click here for more information and to register.

Conference Treasurer’s Notes

Although 2022 ended over a month ago, there is much yearend administry work to complete as we take care of kingdom business at local churches throughout the conference. The recipients of the mission shares are so thankful for your generosity. The report of your church will be in the mail to you soon. Additionally, there have been several inquiries related to disaffiliation such as the use of ‘Methodist’ in the church name, deadlines and mission share giving. Conference treasurer, David Stotts has updates and answers on these timely topics. Click here to read his notes.

Spiritual Wellness Retreat

Registration is now open for the office of spiritual leadership’s Spiritual Wellness Retreat. The retreat takes place Thursday and Friday, March 9 and 10, at Camp Lake Stephens in Oxford. Clergy will have an opportunity for sabbath, fellowship and restoration. There is a $100 registration fee for the event that covers room and meals. Registration closes February 27. Those interested in participating can click here to register.

SAVE THE DATES

Statewide Wesley Retreat –Feb. 24-26

Mississippi Campus Ministries will gather for a weekend of worship, teaching and workshops. The 2023 Statewide Wesley Retreat will be held at the Timber Creek Camp in Morton. For more information, click here

Upcoming “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis” – Mar. 1 and 4

Clergy and laity in the Senatobia and Tupelo/ New Albany areas are invited to fellowship with Mississippi’s new episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. On Wednesday, March 1 you can attend the “Chat and Chew with Bishop Lewis” at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Olive Branch, and Saturday, March 4 the event will be held at Tupelo First United Methodist Church. Clergy and laity who plan on attending must

Feb. Appointments/Status Changes

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.

Spring Mission Volunteer Training –Mar. 27-30

The next Mission Volunteers training will be held March 27-30, at St. Raphaela Retreat Center in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Mission Volunteers are individuals or couples (ages 18 and up) who seek long-term partnerships with communities around the world and fund themselves. Mission Volunteer opportunities are diverse and range from working with refugees, children and youth to serving as a teacher, pastor, camp director or health care professional. The length of service ranges from two months to more than two years. Dates and registration information for all of 2023’s trainings are available here.

Gulfside Assembly’s 100th Anniversary Celebration – Apr. 27-29

This year, Gulfside Assembly is celebrating 100 years of ministry in the community with a weekend of food, fellowship and praise to God that “we’ve come this far by faith.” The theme for this celebration is “Gulfside Assembly – A Legacy of Advocacy and Resilience.” Festivities will include a fundraising golf tournament, a celebration banquet, a mission event for the local community and so much more. Details on the event and how to register are available on the Gulfside Assembly website and Facebook page

Annual Conference – June 27-30

The 2023 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference takes place June 27-30 at the Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo located at 375 E. Main St. in Tupelo. Each year, an equal number of clergy members and laity attend the annual conference session for worship, fellowship and to conduct the business of the conference. Click here for more information.

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

• Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for Multicultural Ministries, Holston Conference (Alcoa, TN)

• Director of Worship Arts Ministries, Galloway UMC (Jackson, MS)

• Director of Youth Ministries, Central UMC (Meridian, MS)

• Director of Music Ministry, Crawford Street UMC (Vicksburg, MS)

• Part-time Organist/Pianist, Crawford Street UMC (Vicksburg, MS)

March 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.