New Zion UMC Hosts Marker Dedication
Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist
New Zion United Methodist Church in Columbia hosted a dedication for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) marker that honors the legacy and contributions of the Mississippi Rural Center. The center was created to provide opportunities for African American families who had little to no access to community center experiences due to racial segregation. Read More
Photo, right: Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) marker that honors the legacy and contributions of the Mississippi Rural Center at New Zion UMC in Columbia. Photo courtesy of the Historical Marker Database
Hub City Wesley Takes Collaborative Approach to Campus Ministry
The three Hub City Wesley colleges take a photo together during 2025 Statewide Wesley.
Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant
Wesley Foundations on the campuses of the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), Jones County Community College and Pearl River Community College have teamed up to form Hub City Wesley. This new combined effort has built a strong and consistent campus network for students to grow in their faith, fellowship and mission. Read More
Reviving Miss. Conference United Methodist Men
Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant
The Mississippi Conference
United Methodist Men (UMM) are reorganizing from the ground up. The group has recently elected a new generation of leadership that will bring fresh ideas for men’s ministry. Working together, they hope to create a new and vibrant ministry that will help men grow as disciples as they carry the light of Christ into the world Read More
Inset photo: Mississippi Conference United Methodist Men’s president, Cedrick Hull.
Worship Resources for Black History Month and Lent
Discipleship Ministries has worship resources available for Black History Month and Lent that you can use in your congregation. Click here for Black History Month worship resources including hymns, liturgies and worship series. Click here for Discipleship Ministries’ Lenten playlist. Where you can find a song for each worship moment in the series from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
Attend ‘Gulfside Story’ Viewing
Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson is hosting a viewing of “The Gulfside Assembly Story,” an awardwinning documentary that captures the profound legacy of Gulfside Assembly, which was established by black leaders within the Methodist Church in 1923. Located at 6205 Hanging Moss Road, Anderson will show the documentary on Tuesday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Room. Bring a donation of at least $20. All students have free admission. For more information email info@andersonumc.org Click here for more information on private viewings.
Methodist Rehab Expands to Meet Needs across Miss.
Physical therapist Neil Davidson makes small talk while working with Kate Frost at Methodist’s new outpatient therapy clinic in Gluckstadt.
Over the last six months, Mississippi Conference benevolence, Methodist Rehabilitation Center has grown exponentially, intentionally and strategically. With the opening of their Gluckstadt outpatient therapy clinic and their ninth orthotics and prosthetics clinic in Tupelo, MRC is working hard to bring the highest caliber of patient care to the areas where it is most needed. Read More
Apply Now for United Methodist Scholarships
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry scholarships is offering financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, an average of $4 million is awarded to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education. The deadline for scholarship applications is March 31 Click here for more information and scholarship application.
Photo courtesy
Image courtesy Gulfside Assembly
Save the Date for the Pray Mississippi Conference
Clergy and laity are invited to attend the Pray Mississippi Conference taking place Saturday, March 29 at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. This collaborative leadership event will be led by Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan. The theme for the event is “Teach us to Pray.” The cost to attend includes materials and lunch and is $75 for clergy and $35 for laity. Clergy who attend will receive .5 CEUs. Click here for more information and to register.
Report From the 2025 SEJ Disaster Academy
Watch Conference Financial Panel Discussion
Click here to watch the conference finance panel answer your questions about the financial standing of the Mississippi Conference. The panel provides clarity on the decisions being made to operate in an abundance mindset, as well as plan for effective ministry in the future. Click here to find documents and resources mentioned during the panel discussion.
Update on Judicial Council Impact on Miss. Conference
Due to recent occurrences, the planned panel discussion featuring answers to your questions concerning Judicial Council Decision No. 1512 and its implications for the Mississippi Conference hasn’t happened. Instead, Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan, photo, right, recorded a video to provide an update on the timeline of the 2549.3a process for church closures and the latest developments. Click here to see the video. Episcopal and finance leaders answer questions from the conference on church money matters.
In January, more than 140 disaster response representatives gathered in Fruitland Park, Florida for the 2025 Southeastern Jurisdiction Disaster Academy. While there they learned from subject matter experts on how to equip both individuals and communities for the phases of disaster response. Click here to read a full report on the 2025 SEJ Disaster Academy from the Mississippi Conference Associate Director of UMCOR and UMVIM, Rev. Frank Newell.
Photo
Rev. Frank Newell (center) with conference disaster response coordinators during the 2025 SEJ Disaster Academy. Photo courtesy Rev. Frank Newell.
2025 Bible Challenge
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis Logan invites the Mississippi Conference to seek God’s word together though the 2025 Bible Challenge. This year, we will be reading the Thematic Reading Plan with daily scripture readings from the Old and New Testament and questions for daily reflection. Click here for all things 2025 Bible Challenge.
SAVE THE DATES
UMCOR Sunday – Mar. 30
Sunday, March 30 is the special Sunday dedicated to raising support and awareness for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday support The United Methodist Church’s global humanitarian response and helps UMCOR effectively respond to crises and provide assistance where it’s needed most. Click here for the UMCOR Sunday pastor and leader kit where you can find resources you can use in your congregations.
Easter Office Closure – Apr. 18-21
The conference and episcopal offices will be closed Friday, April 18 through Monday, April 21 as we celebrate the risen Savior. Offices will reopen Tuesday, April 22 at normal business hours.
Pop-up Preaching – May 1
The next Pop-up Preaching event takes place on Zoom May 1. Rev. Nance Hixon will focus on preparing sermons for the summer slump. Click here for more information and Zoom link.
Methodist Senior Services Sunday Fund – May
11
The Methodist Senior Services special Sunday offering is May 11. 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.
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.
• Conference Human Resource and Benefits Coordinator (Jackson, MS)
• Children’s Center Director, Galloway UMC (Jackson, MS)
• Director of Children’s Ministry, Galloway UMC (Jackson, MS)
• Youth Minister, Riverchase UMC (Birmingham, AL)
• Campus Minister/Director, ICC Wesley Foundation (Belden, Fulton and Tupelo)
• Director of Youth Ministry, First UMC (Ocala, FL)
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:
• Velma Rucker, wife of Rev. Dr. Israel Rucker, transitioned to her heavenly home January 24.
• Rev. Dr. Roy Ryan passed away January 19.
• Rev. Tommy Greer Sr. went to be with the Lord on December 28.
• Sally Beam, wife of Rev. Jerry Beam went to her eternal home December 19.
• Rev. Freeman Jones Sr. took his heavenly rest on December 7.
• Rev. Harold White joined the Church Triumphant on December 5.
• Rev. Milford Bayliss took his rest on November 19.
• Mississippi native and retired resident bishop of the Holston Conference, Bishop Clay Lee passed away November 11.
• Carolyn McRaney, widow of Rev. Sam McRaney Jr. finished her earthly mission October 29.