Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church
TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter
BACK TO SCHOOL:
Serving the Community Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant
As the summer draws to a close, many churches take the time to celebrate
the beginning of a new school year. Glenfield United Methodist Church in New Albany, led by Rev. Marta Bolen hosted their Community Resource Fair. Back to school celebrations give churches an opportunity to bless the scholars in their congregations and provide resources for students and families in the communities they serve. [Read More]
Mississippian Elected President of Global Conference Lay Leaders
:
JUSTICE-SEEKING
Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist
AC Wrap Up & Resources:
LaToya Redd Thompson, Mississippi Conference Lay Leader and newly-elected AACLL president. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, Inc.
2022 Annual Conference Session Report | Annual Conference Videos | Photos from Annual Conference | Annual Conference Resources | Bishop Swanson Celebration
August 2022
There was a moment when each of us chose to #BeUMC. Our story joined with others and became part of a global connection. Celebrate with us what it means to #BeUMC here in Mississippi and to look forward to seeing stories and posts sharing our core values and their alignment with our United Methodist Connection. Within the focus of Mississippi’s core value of justice and the #BeUMC values of belonging and inclusion, this month’s #BeUMC feature spotlights how here in Mississippi, we are ‘Justice-seeking People of God.’ Rev. Lydia Michelle Dailey, former senior pastor of the Philadelphia Parish in Philadelphia shares about how justice is essential in the process of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Click here to read why she continues to #BeUMC. Also explore the #BeUMC Discussion Guide resource for individuals and groups.
Members of the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders (AACLL) recently elected Mississippi Conference Lay Leader, LaToya Redd Thompson to lead the global organization. Read about what she shared that she brings to the office, her goals and her thoughts about how this new role can impact lay leadership locally in Mississippi as well as throughout the denomination. [Read More]
Connection News Creating a Narrative Budget Discipleship Ministries is relaunching a popular online course for local church leaders. Creating a Narrative Budget-The Story Behind the Numbers provides eight self-paced sessions for participants to learn the practical nuts and bolts of constructing a narrative budget. This online course is written and hosted by the Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity, who will introduce the course and set up each of the sessions in videos. There are two versions of the course on free and one for $25. To register for the course, click here.
Endowments Available through Methodist Foundation Endowments are an opportunity to create a lasting legacy and support ministries important to you. Willard and Jedidah Jones shared a strong faith and a passion to see young people educated. Wanting to support a ministry for children that matched their values, the Joneses contacted the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi about funding a modest endowment. Click here, to read more about the Joneses and how starting an endowment through The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi supports ministries.
Society of St. Andrew Hunger Action Month September is Hunger Action month, and the Society of St. Andrew wants to partner with congregations in their fight to end hunger in communities and across the United States. More than 40 million people in the United Stated suffer from hunger or food insecurity, and with your help the Society of St. Andrew is ready to do something about it. Plan now to make September a time for your congregation to stand together against hunger, joining with the Society of St. Andrew to see that each person in this country has healthy, nourishing food to eat. Click here for more information.
Scholarships Available for Chaplaincy Candidates The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is accepting applications for its Chaplain Samuel Grover Powell Scholarship which supports seminary students preparing for chaplaincy in a branch of the U.S. military. The scholarship, established in 1980 in honor of Rev. Samuel Grover Powell a United States Air Force Chaplain for 28 years, is open to students in their middle or senior year at an accredited theological seminary and involved in a Chaplain Candidacy program or serving a military reserve component after active duty in one of the United States armed forces. For more information and to apply, click here.
UM Presence in Ukraine As the war in Ukraine rages on, The United Methodist Church’s global community is continuing to be a blessing to those impacted. The generosity of Methodists across the world has been instrumental in providing food, clothing and peaceful places for people to live. Click here for a picture essay of Ukraine refugee support efforts from Mike Dubose of United Methodist News. Click here for a story from Joey Butler from United Methodist News explaining how Russian speaking Methodist congregations in nearby countries are offering support.
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Mississippi Conference News Conference Treasurer’s Notes Annual conference session is over, summer is coming to an end and now is the time to prepare for managing the church’s business for fall. In this month’s notes, you’ll find helpful tips for church audits, mission shares and church budget compensation packages. If you missed the information on employee retention tax credit available to churches, that okay, we’ve got you covered. Conference treasurer, David Stotts has updates on Scouting, conference per diems and more. Click here to read his notes.
Collaborative Leadership Evangelism Summit The Collaborative Leadership Evangelism Summit, happening Saturday, October 15, 2022, is an opportunity to explore creative ways for faith communities to engage in evangelism and discipleship. This one-day summit will be held at Crossgates United Methodist Church in Brandon and begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. The cost will be $75 for clergy and $25 for laity and there will be .8 CEUs available to clergy who attend. Based on his best-selling book “Shift 2.0,” the keynote speaker, Dr. Phil Maynard, will be sharing how evangelism is not so much a plan as it is a way of life for Christians. To register click here.
Upcoming End Racism for Good Series The End Racism for Good Task Force is holding a three-day event featuring Dr. Robert P. Jones, photo right, author of White Too Long. All sessions will be on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi Sunday, September 18, through Tuesday, September 20. Events include dinner, a questions and answer session with Dr. Jones and a lecture. For more information on End Racism for Good, click here.
2022 Mission Grants Update This fall the office of connectional ministries is once again providing opportunities for you and your church to dream new and creative ways to be involved in missions in your community. The Mississippi Annual Conference Board of Global Ministries is excited to provide seed grants and partner with churches providing funds that churches will match dollar for dollar. Emails with application information will be sent out in September, and the completed applications will be due to the office of connectional ministries on October 31. So, start now listening to where God is leading your congregation during this season, and think about how your church can be in mission in a new way and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Miss. Conf. United Women in Faith Annual Meeting The Mississippi Conference United Women in Faith are gathering for their 34th annual meeting Friday and Saturday, September 30 and October 1 at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Madison. Illka Vega, National United Women in Faith executive for economic and environmental justice will be the keynote speaker. There is a $30 registration fee that includes lunch, and a $20 registration fee with no lunch. There will be no onsite registration. To register click here.
August 2022 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3
SAVE THE DATES
• Pleasant Grove (4550) • Sand Hill (4591)
The Gathering Fall Tour Stops – Sept. 13 and Oct. 2
New Albany District • New Albany: Bethlehem (6330)
The Gathering Fall Tour is coming to a city near you. Upcoming stops include Indianola First United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport. Enjoy worship and music from Big Al and a foam party. All youth are invited to attend. For more information on The Gathering, click here.
UAMN 50th Anniversary Assembly – Oct. 5-7 The United Methodist Appalachian Network invites you to celebrate, worship and learn about ministries that have been working to eradicate poverty in the Appalachia region for the past 50 years. The event will be held at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. To register, click here.
AUGUST APPOINTMENT CHANGES DISAFFILIATIONS (Effective 7/31/22) East Jackson District • Harrisville (2270) • Mendenhall (2420) • Pelahatchie: Little Zion (2490) Greenwood District • Grenada Grace (3280) • Vaiden (3530) Hattiesburg District • Hattiesburg: Heritage (4180) • Heidelburg (4240) • Beaumont (4481)
Starkville District • Ethel (9170) Tupelo District • Hamilton (10180) APPOINTMENT/STATUS CHANGES Greenwood District • Rickey Haynes (FE) Greenwood First (3240) End date: 8/1/22 • Stephen Hales (OE) Greenwood First (3240) Effective date: 8/2/22 • Rickey Haynes (FE) Valley Hill (3241) End date: 8/1/22 • Stephen Hales (OE) Valley Hill (3241) Effective date: 8/2/22 Hattiesburg District • Joey Shelton (FE) Cedar Grove (4629) Effective date: 8/1/22 • Keith Branham (FL) Mt. Zion (4470), Fairfield (4471) End date: 7/16/22 • Connie Shelton (FE) Mt. Zion (4470), Fairfield (4471) Effective date: 7/17/22 New Albany District • Herman Flemons (PL) Ailesville Beverly (6020), Salem (6022) End date: 7/3/22 • Raigan Miskelly (FE) Ailesville Beverly (6020, Salem (6022) Effective date: 7/4/22 • Raigan Miskelly (FE) Ailesville Beverly (6020, Salem (6022) End date: 7/23/22 • Mary Lesure (SY) Ailesville Beverly (6020, Salem (6022) Effective date: 7/24/22
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 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. • Director/Campus Minister JSU Wesley Foundation (Jackson, MS) • Associate Director of Music/Organist, Pulaski Heights UMC (Little Rock. AR) • Graduate Resident Youth or Children’s Minister • Part-Time Choir Director, Memorial UMC (Bolton, MS) • Part-Time Student Minister, Memorial UMC (Bolton, MS) 4 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | August 2022
Senatobia District • Buster Holton (FL) Marks (8310), Lambert (8311) End date: 8/1/22 • Rickey Haynes (FE) Marks (8310), Lambert (8311) Effective date: 8/2/22 West Jackson District • Kevin Kosh (FE) Couparle (11030) End date: 7/31/22 • Stephen Cook (FE) Couparle (11030) Effective date: 8/1/22 • Kevin Kosh (FE) JSU Wesley Foundation (344.1d) End date: 7/31/22 • Kevin Kosh (FE) National Network of Young People (344.1d) Effective date: 8/1/22
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: • We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Rev. Howard Tucker who passed away July 30. • Our hearts are deeply saddened to report the death of Rev. Hiram Jack Coker Jr. who passed away July 13. • We are sad to report that Rev. George Todd Currey passed away July 3. • We would like to extend our deepest sympathy and love to the family of Rev. Percy Rankin who passed away June 30. • We extend love and sympathy to the family of Mrs. Sammie Louise Smith, wife of the late Rev. Charles Smith, who passes away June 12. • It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that Rev. Dr. Eldridge E. Fleming entered glory June 10. • Please be in prayer for the family of Jo Ann Hankins, wife of Rev. Bobby Hankins, who passed away May 12.