The Circuit Rider April 2024

Mississippi

The Circuit Rider

Key Pieces of General Conference Legislation

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church meets April 23 through May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Conference delegates from around the world will discuss legislation that will impact The United Methodist Church for the next quadrennium.

This article will feature a look at four important areas of legislation:

• Regionalization - Click here to learn more.

• Human Sexuality - Click here to learn more.

• U.S. Clergy Benefits - Click here to learn more.

• Revised Social Principles - Click here to learn more.

Additionally, you can read about other legislative priorities here.

Help Prepare for General Conference

General Conference begins Tuesday at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina. General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, which meets once every four years. Although most of you won’t be attending in person, there are some ways you can help prepare for this global gathering of holy conferencing. Watch this video from Bishop Sharma D. Lewis to learn more about General Conference. Additionally, click here to find trustworthy information through Mississippi Conference Communications.

Rolling Fork UMC Celebrates Recovery on Anniversary of Tornadoes

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

On Palm Sunday, congregants of Rolling Fork United Methodist Church, photo right, celebrated the recovery of the church and the community one-year after tornadoes left a trail of major destruction in the area. The Mississippi Delta congregation and Mississippi Conference Disaster Response took an active role in restoring the community after the tragedy. Now celebration is in order as signs of restoration spread across the community.

On year ago, the congregation at Rolling Fork United Methodist Church had service on the steps of the church because of damage to the church structure. Read More

Photo of the 2016 General Conference plenary floor.

Connection News

General Conference FAQs

Every four years General Conference brings together United Methodist clergy and lay delegates from around the world. These delegates’ votes will determine the denomination’s future for the next quadrennium. Many may have questions about how this process works. United Methodist News is providing answers to your most frequently asked questions about General Conference. Click here to find answers to the most frequently asked questions about General Conference.

UWF SEJ Quadrennial Meeting

Southeast Jurisdiction circles of United Women in Faith will gather at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee April 19 through 21 for their quadrennial meeting. The meeting will explore what it means to answer the call to “love one another.” The keynote speaker for the event will be Rev. Janet Wolf. For more information, click here

Delegate speaks on the floor of 2019 Called General Conference.

Carolinas Black Leadership Retreat to be held May 20-24

The Carolinas Black Leadership Retreat will be May 20-24 at the Kingston Plantation Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The theme, “What’s Next,” comes from Jeremiah 29:11. The cost to attend in-person is $150 and $75 to attend virtually. For more information and to register, click here.

2024 Marketing Coaching Community

Join a cohort of other church leaders and marketing professionals to learn best practices and ways to improve your church marketing to reach new people. The 2024 Marketing Coaching Community will meet virtually May 3, 10 and 17. There is a $50 registration fee that will cover all sessions. Click here for more information and to register.

Photo courtesy of resourceumc.org

Mississippi Conference News

2024 Session of Annual Conference

The 2024 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference will be held June 20 through 22 on the campus of Millsaps College. This year’s theme is “Reigniting Our Identity,” and the theme scripture is taken from 2 Corinthians 5:17. Access the annual conference app on your smart device, or by clicking here for all annual conference resources and information. There also is still time and space for exhibitors to purchase booths. For more information on booths, click here.

Miss. Conference-wide General Conference Prayer Service

All Mississippi United Methodists are invited to gather in prayer for the upcoming General Conference and the Mississippi Conference leadership and delegation. The prayer service takes place Saturday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Durr-Wise Retreat Center at Camp Wesley Pines. The service will also be streamed on YouTube for those who can’t attend in person. Click here for more information on the prayer service.

Bishop Lewis to Give Sermon at General Conference

Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, will be delivering the sermon during General Conference morning worship on Friday, April 26 The worship service begins at 7:00 a.m. central time. You can tune in and watch General Conference sessions and worship services via livestream on the Mississippi Conference website and Facebook page.

Methodist Senior Services Sunday Fund

The Methodist Senior Services Special Sunday offering is May 12. Observed annually on Mother’s Day, the Senior Services Sunday Fund meets the financial needs of elderly people who have outlived their resources and can no longer afford the cost of housing or care. The Sunday fund is not an apportioned item and 100% of donations are used to support elders. For more information on donating to Methodist Senior Services, click here, and click here for the Sunday Fund video.

SAVE THE DATES

Upcoming Freedom Trail Revival Dates – May 4 & June 15

St. Paul United Methodist Church, in Hattiesburg, will host the next Freedom Trail Revival worship service Saturday, May 4. Rev. Johniel Henry, pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg will be the special guest speaker. The final Freedom Trail Revival worship service will be June 15 at Gulfside Assembly. Worship will feature a sermon from Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. Click here for more information about the Freedom Trail Revival.

Purchase an Ad in the Souvenir Journal

There is still time to showcase your business, ministry and appreciation in the Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal. The Souvenir Journal is the go-to guide for the 2024 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference reaching around 75,000 Mississippi United Methodists. Click here for more information and to purchase an ad.

Memorial Day Office Closure –May 27

The conference and episcopal offices will be closed Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, as we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Offices will reopen Tuesday, May 28 at normal business hours.

Harry Denman Evangelism Award Deadline – May 30

Connectional Ministries is now receiving nominations for the Harry Denman Evangelism awards. The award program honors United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry 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 listings, click here.

• Construction Coordinator MS United Methodist Disaster Response

• Administrative and Financial Assistant Starkville First UMC (Starkville, MS)

• Director of Youth Ministry Starkville First UMC (Starkville, MS)

• Media Director Starkville First UMC (Starkville, MS)

• Director of Children’s Ministry Canterbury UMC (Birmingham, AL)

• Director of Congregational Development Northern Illinois Conference (Chicago, IL)

• Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Chief Academic Officer Gammon Theological Seminary (Atlanta, GA)

• Secretary/Office Administrator FUMC (Columbia, MS)

• Associate Director of Outreach & Worship Southern Miss Wesley Foundation (Hattiesburg, MS)

evangelism expressed in word, sign and deed brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. The deadline for nominations is May 30. Click here for more information and here for the nomination form.

New Thing Sunday – June 30

Sunday, June 30 is New Thing Sunday. All Mississippi Conference clergy whether they are transitioning to new appointments or preparing for a new year in their current appointment, are encouraged to take a Sabbath on this Sunday while congregations and laity find new and innovative ways to conduct service.

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:

• Bishop Timothy Whitaker passed away March 28.

• Rev. Ethel Parker went to be with the Lord March 24.

• Mrs. Ruth Greer wife of Rev. Tommy Greer died March 24.

• Joan Holliday, widow of Rev. Harold Holliday Sr. took her earthly rest March 22.

• Rev. Lewis Hunter joined the Church Triumphant on February 29.