Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church
TheCircuitRider Quarterly Newsletter
Students Begin Second Academic Year in Coronavirus Pandemic Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant
For youth and parents, returning to school has always
been a time of excitement and new beginnings. In the second year of the Coronavirus Pandemic, there is unease for parents who want to keep their children safe, and youth who have grown weary of the pandemic lock down life. Youth ministers have the responsibility to adhere to coronavirus precautions that will keep their members safe while also creating discipleship and community for youth in their care. Two youth ministers share insight into parent and student perspectives. [Read More]
Photo above: A picture of the youth from Sylvester UMC before The Gathering pre-COVID. Photo courtesy of Tony Williams. Photo above right: Galloway UMC youth geographic life group gather at the Reservoir. Photo courtesy of Walter Roberts.
Pastor Singing His Troubles Away Goes Viral Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant With more than 8,000 views on YouTube, Rev. Haywood Hannah, senior pastor at Greer Chapel United Methodist Church, is a hot new viral Gospel sensation. All due to his fun and catchy new video, “I Can Sing My Troubles Away.” Read how the Holy Spirit moved Rev. Hannah through his music. [Click Here] Photo far left: Rev. Haywood Hannah preparing to shoot his part in the video. Photo left: The cast of “I Can Sing My Troubles Away” pose for a photo in front of the house in the video. Photos courtesy of Rev. Haywood Hannah.
By Heather Hahn, UM News United Methodists are reaching out with their prayers and pocketbooks as Haiti faces a devastating earthquake and major storms. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is collecting financial donations through its International Disaster Response and Recovery Advance fund. The relief arm, part of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, also is in conversation with partners on the ground about next steps. [Read More] Photo far right: A view of a collapsed building following an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, in this still image taken from a video obtained by Reuters on August 14, 2021.
IN THIS ISSUE:
MCH Celebrate 125 years page 2 | Pastor Receives Governor’s Appointment page 2 | Bishop to Speak at Convocation page 3 | Cares and Concerns page 4
AUGUST 2021
Stand with UMCOR Efforts to Aid Haiti
Connection News Rust College Hires New Multicultural Admissions and Marketing Communications Manager HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. – Rust College President Ivy R. Taylor, Ed.D. has announced the appointment of Talia Palacio as the college’s first manager of multicultural admissions and marketing communications. Talia Palacio comes to Rust College with over 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Latinx and Hispanic culture, education and teaching, project management and bilingual communications. Read more here.
Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi to Celebrate 125th anniversary Methodist Children’s Homes is celebrating 125 years of bringing hope and healing to hurting children in Mississippi. It all began in 1871 when the Methodist Conference appointed a committee composed of three ministers to look into developing a home for orphans. Thanks to contributions from United Methodist churches throughout the Mississippi Annual Conference, MCH continues to serve children and families. Tichina Wilson has details on MCH’s history and ways you can contribute to its future. Read more here.
Foundation News: New Executive Director and Short-term Fund Increase The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi has named Rev. John Branning as executive director. Branning has served as an elder in the Mississippi Conference for 27 years and as a Chaplain in the United States Army for the past 14 years. As executive director, he is dedicated to nurturing our existing relationships and creating new ones that will continue our Methodist legacy in the future. In the foundation’s dedication to serving you, we are pleased to share that the foundation board Rev. John Branning, new exec. dir. at Methodist Foundation of Miss. Photo courtesy of Methodist Foundation of Miss.
has implemented an increase in the Short-Term Fund interest rate from 1.75 percent to 2.0 percent effective October 1, 2021. For more information, contact Melissa Blakely at melissa@ methodistfm.org.
New Webinar Series! A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness: Reigniting Lay Leadership for a Post-Pandemic Church This two-session webinar series with leadership coach Kay Kotan and Rev. Blake Bradford looks at how simplified, accountable leadership structure (often called the “one-board” model) can empower, equip and set laity and clergy free to focus on the mission of making disciples of Jesus who change the world. Learn more and watch the video archive of this webinar here.
UM Pastor Appointed to Governor’s Corrections and Criminal Justice Task Force United Methodist pastor, Rev. Eddie Spencer has been appointed to the Corrections and Criminal Justice Task Force by Gov. Tate Reeves. The nonpartisan group is charged with developing policies to improve public safety, ensure clarity in sentencing, control corrections costs and assist former prisoners after their release to reduce recidivism. Matthew Johnson shares details from the Rev. Spencer interview here.
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Mississippi Conference News Bishop Swanson Slated to Speak at Future Church Convocation This November 5 and 6, Fresh Expressions is hosting The Future Church Convocation: Energizing Mission through the Lens of the Black Church. The Convocation is a missionoriented online event for teams that is designed to propel the Church into the future. It will not only celebrate the Black Church, but also its place in history and highlight its influence in the Universal Church. Bishop Swanson is leading the session on “Where Do We Go from Here.” The convocation will also include notable speakers like faith-based social media expert, Nona Jones and more. The team price for registration is $249. Attendees can acquire 1 CEU.
Reflections: Seasons Part 2 Picking up on Bishop Swanson’s last conversation in Seasons Part 1, nature goes through physical seasons. Additionally, God places us in spiritual seasons to grow us. As we look at Ecclesiastes
It's time to stop reacting and start reflecting.
3:1-8 in the English Standard Version (ESV), in all these “times,” or seasons, we need to remind ourselves of God’s sovereign promises and His commandment to us to make disciples and Live Out The POWER of We through our core values. Watch this video and join Bishop Swanson in reserving some quiet time to reflect on what insights and direction God’s word can offer us.
Faith Communities, Take ‘Charge!’ “The primary responsibilities of the charge conference in the annual meeting shall be to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church, receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the church council that are in keeping with the objectives of The United Methodist Church,” - The 2016 Book of Discipline, paragraph 247.3. Find your official charge conference headquarters here.
ICE Raids Aftermath: Two Years Later Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided several work sites in Mississippi in August 2019. Jasmine Haynes talks with Rev. Sheila Cumbest about how United Methodists have responded over the last two years to children and families impacted by the largest single-state immigration enforcement action in U.S. history. Watch the video and witness Rev. Sheila Cumbest’s account of mission sustainability, progress, additional challenges caused by COVID-19 and heartfelt generosity from across the connection.
Sign Up for Online Basic Lay Servant Course The Mississippi Conference Office of Spiritual Leadership is making available to you an online Basic Lay Ministry Course Saturday, October 2. However, the deadline to register is Friday, September 24. This course is an introduction to lay ministry, and it is foundational for all courses in lay servant ministries. Discover and employ your personal spiritual gifts as God intended and consider the importance of exercising servant leadership and developing future leaders. For more information, contact Angela Griffin at agriffin@mississippi-umc.org. To register and learn more, click here.
August 2021 | The Circuit Rider Quarterly Newsletter 3
SAVE THE DATES All The Gathering Fall Tour Dates Have Been Cancelled Due to COVID Sept. 19 | Sept. 26 | Oct. 17 | Nov. 7 Due to the rising number of COVID cases and high hospitalizations in our state, we have decided to cancel The Gathering Fall Tour. We
Labor Day – Sept. 6 Please be advised that the conference and episcopal offices will be closed in observation of Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2021. The office will reopen the following Tuesday at regular business hours. We hope you relax this Labor Day!
Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15 - October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month in The United Methodist Church is designated as a time to give local congregations the opportunity to celebrate the importance and contributions of the Hispanic culture in worship. The celebration began as an official weeklong observance in 1968 and was expanded to one month in 1988. Click here to find resources as you celebrate this month and beyond.
are sad to abandon our fall plans but after speaking with the pandemic task team we feel that we don’t want to take the chance of spreading the virus. Future Gathering updates, events or cancellations can be found here.
Mission Grants Application Deadline – October 31
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: • Jeff Swenson, husband of retired Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, died August 22, 2021, at home of cancer. Bishop Swenson is a Mississippi native and former member of the
Need to strengthen or start a ministry for
now closed, Capitol Street United
which you have a vision but limited resources?
Methodist Church, located in Jackson,
Consider applying for the 2021 Connectional
Mississippi.
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. Look for an
• With great sadness we announce the death of Rev. Dr. Johnnie Lampkin. She passed away August 8, 2021. • We extend our love and sympathy to the family of Mrs. Nayoka Buzek Givens, wife of Rev. Roy Givens, Jr. She departed this life on July 6, 2021. • Please keep the family of Ora Grace
announcement including the mission grant
Ashmore in your thoughts and
application in the near future.
prayers. She was the surviving spouse of Rev. Charles Edward Ashmore and she passed away June 17, 2021.
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. • Seeking a part-time Youth Minister (Magee First UMC) • Director of Children’s Ministry (Suntree United Methodist Church) • Children and Youth Pastor(United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches) • Assistant Director of Adult Ministry and Outreach • Saltillo First United Methodist Church is searching for a Children’s Minister • Saltillo FUMC is searching for a Minister of Music
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• Your prayers are requested for the family of Carolyn Webb Pigott Ray who passed away June 16, 2021. She was the wife of the late Rev. Franklin Wilson Ray. • With heavy hearts we announce that Rev. Alan “Al” Gutterman passed away June 12, 2021. • Pray for the friends and family of Rev. Ellis Blackwell. He passed June 12, 2021, after a lengthy illness. Remember his loved ones in this time of mourning.