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WAVES
July 2009 Newsletter
Seashore District UMC |
 Reflections
The July heat was blistering as our team dispersed in two's for the purpose of discovering prospective members for the Getwell Road United Methodist Church. Our task was simply to knock on doors, ask leading questions about having a church home nearby and determine interest in a new church. Many said no. Ninety-four said yes. By summer's end 1986, we'd gathered enough to worship. Today that group of 94 is over 1200 strong.
I must confess. I haven't done much of that kind of door knocking since. I've wondered, across the years, if I had, whom might I have met? What might I have learned? More importantly, whom might I have introduced to Jesus Christ?
I must confess. I've lived by the old model, "let 'em come to us." Not, "let's go find 'em." In a different time than ours, the old model works. We live in a different time, however. That model works in a "churched" culture. We do not live in a churched culture any more. Ours is a "missional" culture now. We live on the mission field. It's a different time.
Across the Mississippi Annual Conference this year, the theme is 10,000 doors. Perhaps you saw the recent article in The Advocate, inviting us to knock on 9 doors a week. In the coming months it is our desire to invite United Methodists across Mississippi to knock on 9 doors a week in our communities. That is, 9 doors of persons not associated with our congregations. At Charge Conference this year, we will receive a report of the door knocking! We'll invite the stories you will tell because you reached out. We'll listen for the stories of lives that have been changed, the stories of persons you are now serving in mission and ministry.
Some might call it old fashioned; that door knocking is not high tech enough. Some might say that there is an easier way, a quicker way, a more efficient way to share the gospel. Some will say that social networking is the way to go. Facebook is just a click away. Some will call us to tweet on Twitter. Some will say that there is a better way. And there is. It's called the Jesus way. One door, one family at a time.
9 doors a week. 468 doors a year. That's 43,056 doors
in the Seashore District alone. If an average of
three persons live behind each door, that's 129,168
persons reached in the name of Christ. Amazing.
Some of those will respond to the Gospel at your invitation.
I can't wait to hear the stories of what God is doing in our midst with the people called Methodist. One door. One invitation to follow Jesus. One life. One family. One faith. One Baptism. One at a time.
Knocking with you,
Bill
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 "Tide"ings from Around the District
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Ah! The power of all things new--the wonderful smell of a newborn baby, the exciting scent in a brand new car, the refreshing feeling of owning a new home, the joy of finding a new reason to hug the one you love.
Each day that we arise, God graciously gifts us with another opportunity to embrace all things new. Rather than view them as changes we must resist because they are unfamiliar to us, or give in to the temptation of fear because they threaten our ability to control, God invites us to trust this newness, accepting it as another demonstration of God's faithfulness towards us. There is absolutely nothing God calls us to do that God does not equip us to handle by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us. That's the promise that sustains us through all seasons of transition.
It's a new day at Mississippi City UMC. God is doing a new thing in and through each and every one of us. God's presence can be felt through every aspect of our mission and ministry. The light of God is a beacon in this place. Come. See for yourself. Take a deep breath and experience the newness of it all. It will certainly transform your life.
Love, miracles and blessings...
Rev. Dr. Denise Donnell, Mississippi City UMC
The Beacon |
 2009-10 Stewardship Academy
The Cabinet and I are committed to participating in the 2009-10 Stewardship Academy. We will be together with those of you who make the commitment to live toward the abundance God has for us in our life together. The UM Foundation is giving us a good gift in offering this time of teaching and learning in regard to stewardship.
Where there is anxiety about sufficient resources for our ministry, we can be confident and resourceful leaders. The Stewardship Academy is designed for teams from local churches so that we might share in leadership in every place, encouraging vision and inviting generosity for Christ's mission in the world.
The 2009-10 Stewardship Academy will be hosted by Heritage UMC in Hattiesburg on September 18-19, 2009; March 19-20, 2010 and September 17-18, 2010. The cost is $200 per person for all three of the 2-day sessions, all printed materials and resources, lunches and dinners.
Contact the MS United Methodist Foundation at 601-948-8845 for more information. The registration deadline is August 1, 2009, so act now to gather a team from your local church. 200 persons give testimony of the helpfulness of the 2008-09 Stewardship Academy in their ministries. The opportunity is now yours.
I look forward to seeing you there and journeying with you toward the future that God is bringing. With gratitude for your ministry,
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward |
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2009-10 Seashore District Clergy Appointment Changes
The following changes in appointments for the 2009-10 year were made in the district:
- Americus Parish: Crossroads/Refuge - H. B. Miller, Jr.
- Biloxi: First - Eddie Kirby
- Caswell Springs - Brian Scott
- Clermont Harbor - Stan Lowrey
- Gulfport: St. Mark/Riley Chapel - Phillip Heidelberg
- Hurley - Ben Barlow
- Long Beach: First - Rod Dickson-Rishel
- Long Beach: First (Associate) - Anna Fleming
- Lucedale: First - Don Russell
- Merrill Chapel - Charles Evans
- Mississippi City - Denise Donnell
- New Church Start - Nathaniel Barkum
- Newton Chapel - Mark Peters
- Nugent (Associate) - Terry Hilliard
- Ocean Springs: St. James - LaSonya DeBose
- Pass Christian FUMC/Waveland - Robert Gales
- Poplar Head/Saucier - Stacy Douglas
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE...
to join in on the district mission trip to Nicaragua
July 25 - August 2
The Nicaraguan Methodist Church and our district have covenanted to work together in mission to address the spiritual and physical needs of these impoverished, yet "rich in faith" people. Our areas of mission will include medical, working with children, etc.
Contact Rev. David Newton for further details at
228-255-6888 or 228-216-6567 |
 Opportunity for Lay Speakers!
This conference is designed for all Christians who wish to deepen their personal prayer experience, revitalize congregational prayer or develop prayer ministries in their local churches. There will be opportunities to experience various forms of prayer including ethnic traditions and individual and corporate prayer settings.
Brentwood United Methodist Church
September 17-19, 2009
309 Franklin Rd.
Brentwood, TN 37027
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 Project SafeSpace
In the month of June, the Project SafeSpace community found it to be great fun to fellowship together by "jamming" on donated instruments and singing lyrics that took them back to the good ole times. Join them on Sunday afternoons and play a few notes with the group.
A new "creative writing/literacy class has begun at SafeSpace. This is a class that promotes self expression and brushes up on basic reading and writing literacy. It also provides time to journal and participate in exercises from writing letters, reading and discussing news articles, to navigating through a dictionary and thesaurus. They meet each Monday morning from 7:50 to 8:30 a.m.
SafeSpace is excited to announce they will also be hosting their first AA 12 Step Meeting on Wednesday, July 8 at 12 noon. Everyone who is interested is invited to attend. Questions, contact the AA Central Office in d'Iberville.
Chefs NEEDED! A call to the community and volunteers interested in cooking food for breakfast, lunch or dinner and bringing it in already prepared (to serve approximately 60).
Please call 228-436-3968 for details on any of Project SafeSpace's ministries or to volunteer. |
New  Clergy Spouse Website
http://clergyspouse.methodistcorner.net
Check out the new site that's been created so clergy spouses can go and talk with each other. You will need to register your information and then you can go on to the site.
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 District Vacation Bible Schools for July
Heritage UMC
July 5 - July 10
Camp E.D.G.E.
Mississippi City UMC
July 6 - 10
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Wiggins FUMC
July 12 - 16
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Camp E.D.G.E.
Handsboro UMC
July 13 - 17
Camp E.D.G.E.
Trinity UMC (Picayune)
July 13 - 17
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Crocodile Dock
Beauvoir UMC
Saturday, July 18
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
K through 6 grade
Main Street UMC
July 19-22
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
James 1:22
(The children will be "Doing Their Part" by working on special projects for local missions, Habitat for Humanity, Food Pantry, Dunbar Village and Friends of the Animal Shelter) |
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Opportunities Outside the District
 Money Matters for all Churches (August 14-15)
Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville NC
A weekend retreat for pastors and laity focusing on understanding financial statements, building effective budgets and dealing with conflicts in the church family
Registration due August 1. Contact 828-389-3336.
Choir Music Weekend (October 23-25)
Lake Junaluska, NC
For small and medium adult church choirs; choir members, directors, accompanists and bell choir ringers
Deacons' Gathering (October 25-27)
A Native American Emersion for the UM Diaconate...Giving Away Our Hearts; includes worship, fellowship, networking, plenary topics related to the ministry of bridge-building, reconciliation and awareness of the history and contemporary issues of Indigenous people
Exploration 2009 (November 13-15) The Sheraton Hotel, Dallas TX
A three day event for high school seniors through young adults age 24 considering a call to ordained ministry as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church
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 El Pueblo Update
Rev. Sally Bevill and Mary Townsend of El Pueblo attended the Reform Immigration for America Campaign Summit in Washington DC, June 3-5. This was the largest convening of immigration reform advocates and allies of the year and was held at Gallaudet University. The Summit brought together leaders in civil rights, immigrant rights, religious and labor movements. Participants were able to network, share stories, compare tactics and learn new skills from a variety of workshops. The Reform Immigration for America campaign officially lauched during the Summit. This will advocate for reform that offers a path to earned citizenship, protects workers, enhances our nation's security, promotes immigrant integration and keeps families together.
 SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, September 27 is the annual Sabor de las Americas/Flavor of the Americas. It will be held from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the Biloxi Town Green. If you are interested in performing or selling food or arts and crafts, contact Megan Harris at 228-436-3986. A mandatory meeting for everyone selling food at the festival will be held Thursday, July 23 at p.m. Contracts and details of the festival will be discussed. |
 "Surfing" the District
Beauvoir UMC will host a fundraiser for the Bethel Free Health Clinic on August 8. Join them for a night of singing, followed by a smoked chicken dinner ($7 donation) and a dessert auction. Singing will begin at 5 p.m.; Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased prior to July 31. Contact 228-388-1478 for more info.
Biloxi FUMC hosted a spaghetti supper fundraiser for Loaves & Fishes on June 19 to help support their feeding program. The mission team is also collecting canned goods for Back Bay Mission and Loaves & Fishes during Sundays in July to help restock their food pantries.
Each child that came to VBS at Byrd's Chapel UMC received a brand new NIV hard back study Bible and a bag to carry it in. These Bibles were purchased with monies collected during Lent by the children and congregation. The theme for their VBS was Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path."
Caswell Springs UMC held an area revival May 31 - June 3. Rev. Roger Puhr kicked off the revival on Sunday evening and Revs. Pete Herndon, Kevin Bradley and Tom Potter took turns in the pulpit the remaining evenings.
The Busy Bees at Diamondhead UMC are making dresses for children in Nicaragua. Their goal is to make 200.
The American Red Cross is offering a CPR course at Gautier FUMC on July 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please call the church office at 228-497-1698 to register.
Gulfport FUMC will celebrate Camp Meeting Month during August. This year's theme is a "Month of Miracles." The Cokesbury hymnals will be coming out of storage and lots of special old-style gospel music is being planned.
Youth at Handsboro UMC headed to Lake Junaluska on June 25 for a "Surge" weekend retreat for study, worship and fellowship. They enjoyed a safe, fun, interesting and worshipful trip.
Youth at Heritage UMC will be taking a trip to Ship Island on July 27. Plans are also in the works for "Rising 7th Graders" to attend the 3rd Annual Lollapalooza on August 8, which is an annual event that celebrates the bringing up of the 7th graders into the youth group.
Holmes Chapel UMC in Pearlington held a Reconsecration Service on June 28, with Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Rev. Bill McAlilly participating in the program.
Long Beach FUMC will host a mission study on July 7 (9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) entitled, "I Believe in Jesus." The study will be led by Paula Milo-Moultrie and is sponsored by the UMW. Attendees are encouraged to bring a salad that will serve about 10 people. Deadline for registration is July 5. Call Joyce St. John at 228-865-0051 or Janis Slade at 228-863-4296.
On July 18, thirty-one volunteers from Lucedale FUMC will be headed to Costa Rica. The volunteers will be working on the constructions of a Methodist Children's Home and campus in the mornings and will be hosting VBS for about 75 children in the afternoons.
Main Street UMC is looking for someone to work as an Event Coordinator. This will be a paid position to work on an "as needed" basis. A brief description of duties will be unlocking/locking doors before and after events, making sure users leave the building clean and ready for use for church on Sunday (on weekend events), checking thermostats and church grounds, etc. If you're interested, call Rev. Heather Hensarling at 228-467-4538.
Mt. Zion UMC (Delisle) hosted the invocation for the grand opening of the YMCA Starfish Aquatic Center, which opened on June 7.
The Ethel Vaughn Circle at Picayune FUMC hosted a Trunk Show for Julie Hall, who holds the title of "Miss Gulf Coast" on July 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the FLC. Julie will compete for the Miss Mississippi title in Vicksburg and gave everyone a sneak preview of her pending pageant performance. A silent auction was also held, with proceeds going to the March of Dimes. Light refreshments were served.
Poplarville FUMC will be having a back-to-school prayer vigil on August 6. The sanctuary will be open about one hour before the start of school on the first day of class and remain open until one hour after the end of school. People are requested to send in the names of children attending school, locally or away. The community is also encouraged to get involved by coming in and praying in 15 minute time slots throughout the day.
Roberts Chapel UMC hosted a senior citizens luncheon for all area seniors on June 25 at 11 a.m. A Bluegrass Pickin' and Jam Session will be held on July 18 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come and enjoy an evening of good music.
Youth at Saucier UMC attended Snowbird in North Carolina the week of June 29 - July 4. They worked with youth from Poplar Head UMC on fundraisers to be able to attend this year's summer camp.
St. Paul UMC (Ocean Springs) will host a Women's Health Forum & Health Fair, " Strictly Female: Developing a Wellness Mindset," on Saturday, August 8 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. A light and healthy lunch will be provided by Cedar Lake Surgery. Nursery provide also. This event is sponsored by the St. Paul UMW & St. Paul Health and Welfare Ministry. Contact 228-875-5701 for more information.
Trinity UMC (Picayune) hosted Bishop Hope Morgan Ward in attendance at their June 28 worship service.
Vancleave & Mt. Pleasant UMCs received the "Small Membership Church Award" at the MS Annual Conference last month for the activities and ministries the churches are involved in locally and in the district.
Ladies at Wesley UMC (Ocean Springs) will be treated to a pool party as they plan their upcoming "women's ministry" events.
Every Wednesday at noon during July and August, Rev. Larry White will be in the sanctuary at Wiggins FUMC fasting and praying for Revival, Renewal, Awakening and for lost souls. There is no organized prayer service, just prayer. All are invited to take part in this ministry. |
 Wesley News"breakers"
MGCCC-JD & USM-Gulf Coast Wesleys
All pastors in the southern part of Harrison County will be receiving a letter soon telling them how their church is needed to help with these local college campus ministries. If you have students that will be attending these two campuses in Fall 2009, please send their names, addresses, phone numbers and email address to Janis Slade at wesley4jd@aol.com or call her at 228-863-4296. She would like to send information out about the Wesley Foundation to these students.
Additionally, the 2010 Sampling Supper Fundraiser date has been set for Saturday, February 27 at 6 p.m., so keep your calendars open for this fun event.
The Barn Wesley
FISH FRY FRYDAY is an invitational event to all Perk Campus Wesley Alum,  Faculty, Board Members and Friends of Wesley. Fish Fry Fryday will be held August 7 at The Barn, followed by a Karaoke-Draw Down. Fish or shrimp dinners are $11 each or two for $20; dinner & draw down $25 each. Help them reach their goal for the fall semester by supporting the ministry striving to make a positive difference in peoples lives everyday!
The Honorable Gene Taylor, U. S. Congress, will be the guest VIP at the Go Blue BBQ at The Barn on August 20. The Barn Wesley will kickoff the fall semester with BBQ dinner beginning at 6 p.m., followed by Club Night with Johnny Tisdale at 8 p.m. The opening night event is part of Wesley's alcohol awareness focus held each year for MGC students.
For additional information on these events, contact The Barn at 601-928-6009. | |
What's on the Calendar?
July 2 & 3
District Office closed for holiday
July 14
District Clergy & Family Picnic
Safe Harbor UMC (6p.m.)
July 25 - August 2
Mission trip to Nicaragua
August 24
Evangelism Seminar
St. Paul UMC (Ocean Springs)
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 District Prayer Requests
- The family of Mr. Frank Dunnam (Margaret Genesse's father)
- The family of Mr. Ralph Potter (Tom Potter's father)
- Kristy Murden's father
- Patsy Twiner's brother
- Rev. Tom Freeman
- Mrs. Sandra Greer
- Master Ayden Jace "AJ" McKinney (grandson of Rev. Gloria McKinney), born June 4
- Ms. Mary Carter
- Rev. Howard Lips, Sr.
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| Visitors are always welcome at our website,
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