The Circuit Rider January 2023

The Circuit Rider

Bishop Lewis Cordially Invites You...

BISHOP SHARMA D. LEWIS has extended several invitations for the Mississippi Conference to partake in opportunities ranging from meet and greets to unity in spiritual disciplines. In her less than one month tenure as resident bishop, Lewis has welcomed the conference to attend a service of worship celebrating her assignment and planned several “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis” in order to worship and converse with clergy and laity across the conference. Additionally, Bishop Lewis has encouraged everyone to pray for our state leaders during the 2023 Mississippi Legislative Prayer Breakfast and called everyone to commit to a daily spiritual practice of reading Scripture. Learn more about these invitations and how you can participate. [Read More]

Beds for Kids Ministry Provides Rest for Children

What Works is a series featuring ministries across the conference and throughout the connection 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.

Click here to read more about the Beds For Kids Ministry at Tupelo First UMC.

The Dickson Order Honors Impactful Clergy

Jennifer Allen, Methodist Foundation of Mississippi, Communications Specialist

The story behind the inspiration for the Dickson Order is an accounting of how being the hands and feet of Christ for one person can have an effect on others for generations to come. Click here to learn how one man’s devout servitude and love for all led to the success of an impoverished young man.

United Methodist Higher Education Scholarships

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, UMHEF, is offering scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic school year for students hoping to attend United Methodist-related colleges, universities and seminaries. Applications will be accepted until March 1. The UMHEF has been a leader in providing scholarships to United Methodist students since 1965, and in 2022 provided more that $2 million in scholarship aid. Click here for more information on scholarships and how to apply.

Recycle for Rehab Provides Needed Equipment

Methodist Rehabilitation Center, MRC, in Jackson, a benevolence of the Mississippi Conference, is accepting durable medical equipment through their Recycle for Rehab program. This program provides equipment to patients facing financial challenges. MRC is accepting donations that are in good to very good condition to help our patients return home safely. Click here for a list of needed items. Those wishing to donate can call Kimberly Aguebor at 601.364.3374 or email Kathleen Dobbs at kdobbs@mmrcrehab.org.

Is The United Methodist Church Really…?

[PART FOUR]

The fourth entry in this series of articles answers questions about whether disaffiliated churches can retain their appointed clergy, does UMC membership end for members of disaffiliated churches and whether 10% of professing members can sidestep a church council or leadership body and request a charge conference. Click here to read the article. Click here to read previous installments of the series. Your questions and feedback are always welcome. Email them to AskTheUMC@umc.org.

Communications Tool Kit: Create Connections this Easter

As you celebrate the light and new beginnings that Easter brings, it’s a perfect time to welcome those in your community to join in. Customizable outreach resources, including banners, signs, postcards, invitation cards, posters and more, will help your congregation stand out and reach people who need to hear the good news. Resources are available in a wide variety of designs, languages and message types. Get up to $200 off these resources by using code UMCEA23. Discounts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once funds are depleted, the code will expire. Click here to order now.

Take up the Challenge

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis is inviting the Mississippi Conference to seek God’s word together though the 2023 Bible Challenge. This year, join us in reading from Genesis to Revelation with questions for daily reflection. Bishop Lewis expands on the challenge in this video. Find shareable graphics for your church publications and social media, daily scriptures for January and February and more at the headquarters for all things on the 2023 Bible Challenge here.

Attendees greet each other during the passing of peace.

Simple Governance Resource Guide

Merging Churches, Dismantling Racism

“Eleven o’clock on Sunday mornings is one of the most segregated hours, if not the most segregated hour, in Christian America,” is a quote often attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Two Mississippi Gulf Coast United Methodist congregations, Christ United Methodist Church in Long Beach and St. Paul United Methodist Church in Pass Christian, are taking on the challenge to dismantle this unfortunate, yet undeniable reality. Click here to read the full story and click here to see pictures from this momentous occasion.

The Simple Governance Resource Guide is a webpage composed of articles, videos and blogs detailing successful methods United Methodist churches have used for more effective administrative structures. Click here for the guide, and click here to watch a video on Simple Church Governance training. Contact your district superintendent for guidance.

2023 The Gathering Q&A with Mike Howington

The Gathering 2023 will be an “Out of This World” experience for youth and youth leaders. This year’s event takes place February 24-26 at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson. Click here to read questions and answers from youth and family ministry coordinator, Mike Howington.

SAVE THE DATES

Bishop Lewis’ Celebration of Assignment Service – Jan. 22

You are cordially invited to attend a service of worship celebrating the assignment of Bishop Sharma D. Lewis to the Mississippi Episcopal Area. The celebration will be Sunday, January 22, at 3:30 p.m. at Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson. The service will be livestreamed on the conference YouTube channel here, and will also be available on the conference website and social media at the time of the event.

Festival of Preaching – Feb. 16-17

Spiritual leadership will host the 2023 Festival of Preaching February 16-17 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Brandon. The theme for the event is “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning.” The keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Jody Hill, president of Memphis Theological Seminary. Click here, for more information and to register.

Statewide Wesley – 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

Spiritual Wellness Retreat –Mar. 9-10

Registration is now open for the office of spiritual leadership’s Spiritual Wellness Retreat. This time of rest and fellowship takes place on Thursday and Friday, March 9 and 10, at Camp Lake Stephens in Oxford and is open to all clergy. There is a $100 registration fee for the event that covers room and meals. Those interested in participating can click here to register.

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

Mark your calendars and join in on a centennial celebration you don’t want to miss.

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

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:

• With deep sorrow we inform you of the death of Georgia Miller, wife of the late Rev. Claudell Miller. Mrs. Miller passed away January 6.

Jan. Appointments/Status Changes

Church/District

New Pastor Start Date

• Wesley Chapel (HAT) Willie Gore 11/28/22

• Wesleyanna (EJA) Stephen Cook (DS oversight) 11/14/22

• Braxton (EJA) Stephen Cook (DS oversight) 11/14/22

• Hebron (HAT) Lindsey Robinson (DS oversight) 11/14/22

• Unique Ministries (NAL) James Dye 12/05/22

• Noxapater/Mt. Pisgah (STA) Suzanne Cain 11/06/22

• Couparle (WJA) Kenneth Wayne Rogers 12/01/22

• Dixie (HAT) Larry Hilliard (DS oversight) 12/02/22

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.

• Minister of Music, Saltillo First UMC (Saltillo, MS)

• Director, Public Information, United Methodist Communications (Nashville, TN)

• Please remember the family of Rev. James Smith in your prayers. Rev. Smith passed away January 5.

• It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Rev. Hobson Toney passed away December 16.

• With great sympathy we inform you that Rev. Columbus Barron passed away on December 13.

• We regret to inform you that Rev. Murray “Glenn” Martin passed away December 12.

• With deep sympathy we inform you that Martha Roberts, spouse of Rev. James Roberts, joined the Church Triumphant on December 12.

• We extend love and sympathy to the family of Rev. Joseph Herbert Cothen III who passed away December 2.

• Please join us in prayer for Mrs. Vivian Holyfield, spouse of Rev. Orrey Curtiss Holyfield, Sr. Mrs. Holyfield passed away November 17.