Unlimited generosity
You asked for my hands that you might use them for your purposes.
I gave them for a moment then withdrew them for the work was hard.
 
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
 
You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them for I did not want to see.
 
You asked for my life that you might work through me.
I gave you a small part that I might not get "too involved."
 
Lord, forgive me for calculated efforts to serve you only when it is convenient for me to do so, and only in those places where it is safe to do so, and only with those who make it easy to do so.
 
Lord,
forgive me
renew me
send me out as a usable instrument,
that I may take seriously the meaning of your cross.
 

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"Tide"ings from Around the District

God's Ambassadors

 

God's Ambassadors are everywhere.  They are in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospices, jails, fast-food restaurants, quick-stops and even in a name-brand department store.  I am so glad they are.

 

During the past few weeks, there have been several people in hospitals facing various surgeries and procedures.  It is so wonderful to see doctors and nurses and staff personnel that are not only Christians, but who actively display their love and concern for people.  I have watched doctors and nurses "minister" to someone who was slowly losing someone very dear to her.   I cannot count the times I heard someone say, "we are praying for you."  I saw the love and care given to an eight year old child who had a procedure done to her heart.  No one said they were a Christian, but I saw the love in their eye and the cross on their shirt or around their neck.  There was even one nurse holding the cross on her necklace in her hand as she walked with the patient being taken to surgery.  God's people are even serving as jailers and correctional officers.  They are praying daily for those placed in their care.  And then there are the nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  There is one in particular where owners state that God called them to care for the elderly.  What a difference that makes.  The love that is expressed continually all day long makes all the difference.

 

In traveling to and from various hospitals and other places, I usually have to stop and get a cup of coffee or something to eat.  I do not mind waiting for a fresh pot of coffee to be made or for someone in a bigger hurry to go ahead of me.  I get to hear some interesting conversations that quite often include a statement concerning what God is doing in the midst of a very difficult situation.  It is wonderful to see a clerk respond with a smile when a customer speaks to them harshly.  It is really a blessing to hear an employee tell another employee who was just cussed out by an unhappy customer, "don't worry - just pray for them."  And I must not leave out the cashier at that well known department store who spoke to several people in her line, as well as several who passed by.  She seemed to know something about each one and said she was praying for them and hoped things would work out well for them real soon.

 

God's ambassadors are everywhere.  I am so glad.  It makes my heart rest a little more easily.  For I cannot be everywhere.  And quite often I really do not want to leave a person's bed-side or depart from a person that is grieving.  But God's people are everywhere.  And so is God.  He watches out for us day and night.  And he sends us out into all of the world.  To the lost and the saved, the healthy and the sick, the nice and not so nice, the rich and the poor, to anyone who needs help - to be the hands and feet of Jesus, the Body of Christ.

 

Thanks for being one of God's ambassadors wherever you go!

 

Statistical Training/Direct Bill Meeting

November 5

Cedar Lake UMC

Statistical Training - 6:30p (Rev. David Greer)

Direct Bill Meeting - 7:00p (Mr. David Stotts)

 

 

Find-A-Church

 

Please log on to the www.Find-A-Church.org website and take the time to complete your church page.  Consultants are available to offer assistance if needed at 800-251-8140.

Moore Community House

You are cordially invited to the commencement ceremonies for the Sixth Graduating Class of Moore Community House's "Women in Construction Program." 

 

Join with them as they celebrate the accomplishments of this fun and inspiring group of women on November 14, 2009 at 2 p.m.  Ceremonies will be held at the Sea Coast Wedding Chapel (983 Howard Avenue, Biloxi).

 

For more info, contact Julie Kuklinski, Program Director, at 228-297-0965 or julie.womeninconstruction@gmail.com. 

 

Check out the website at www.moorecommunityhouse.org.

Connecting with Home

U. S. servicemen and servicewomen serving overseas are in need of phone cards to keep in touch with loved ones at home.  A donation of $4.95 buys one 120-minute card.

 

The United Methodist Endorsing Agency of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry collects the money, buys the cards and sends the cards directly to United Methodist Chaplains serving in areas of conflict to distribute to service members as needed.  All the money goes to purchasing the cards; the agency keeps nothing for administering the program. 

 

Each card carries the message, "The people of The United Methodist Church are praying for your safety and sense of peace.  Our hearts, our minds and our doors are always open to you." 

 

Transformation Day at 2010 Annual Conference

The Spiritual Leadership Table met in Jackson last week and commissioned a lead task committee to plan Transformation Day at 2010 Annual Conference around the theme of Arise Shine, Arise Grow, focusing on Evangelism.

 

If you (clergy or laity) have a passion around the transformation theme and would like to serve with the Task Committee to plan the event, please contact:

 

Rev. Oscar McGough

601-825-8677 (w)

601-259-3239 (c)

Nothing But Nets Update

Opportunities outside the District

  

 

The "new" Dare to Lead is a retreat for Youth Ministers, adult volunteers and youth group leaders.  It is an opportunity for youth across the conference to get together and celebrate their common love in Christ and learn how to expand their youth groups in new ways. 

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The Sm. Membership Church: Keys to Effective Ministry Registration Fee:  $125

Executive Secretary of Rural/Urban Networks of GBGM

 

A vital workshop for pastors and laity.  Topics include understanding and pastoring the small membership church, marriage and family and leading the smaller membership church to a new future. 

Wesley News "Breakers"

 

JD & USM Gulf Coast Wesley Foundations will be busy in November.  In addition to their Five Minute Messages which are provided by local United Methodist Churches, the students will be assembling shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, serving supper and taking donations of needed items to Project SafeSpace in Biloxi, and joining the Perk Wesley Campus Foundation in their Thanksgiving Unity Service on November 17.  The group will also be cooking and serving a Thanksgiving meal to the North Gulfport Boys & Girls Club.

 

To assist with this campus ministry, contact Janis Slade at 228-209-5268 or wesley4jd@aol.com.

 

The Wesley Mission Team at The Barn, Home of Perk Campus Wesley is off to a good start raising monies for their future Stop Hunger Now packing event.  Quarter donations were accepted at Club Night "Thriller" on October 22 and will be accepted at the Club Night Costume Party on October 29.  

 

A Thanksgiving Unity Worship Service will also be held on November 17 in the Chapel at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. in The Barn.    

 

To find out how you can be a part of the campus ministries at Perk, contact Susan Vuyovich at 601-928-6009.

"Surf"ing the District

Gautier FUMC will celebrate their 60th Anniversary/Homecoming on November 15 during the morning worship service.  Rev. M. L. McCormick will be the guest preacher for the celebration.

 

The Arts Under the Dome series kicks off its 17th season at Gulfport FUMC on November 14 at 7 p.m. with guitarist Pat Donohue, who you might know from Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion radio program.  Pat is a grammy-winning prolific guitarist, playing swing, jazz, blues, folk, ragtime and boogie-woogie.  Tickets are $10 adults and $7 students, available at the door.  Season tickets for five concerts are a bargain $40 for individuals and $80 for families.  For more info, call 228-863-0047.

 

Handsboro UMC children took a trip to the Maze in Lucedale on October 17, where they enjoyed hayrides, pig races, pony rides and goat roping.  On October 31, they will be treated to "trunk or treat" from 4-5 p.m.  Lots of fun and candy is in store.

 

Heritage UMC hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness class on October 27 at 6:30 p.m.  Cheryl Hontz, RN and breast cancer survivor, was the guest speaker. 

 

Lucedale FUMC Children's Ministry is sponsoring "Brown Bag Sunday" on November 8.  Decorated grocery bags will be given out for members to fill for the church's local missions food bank.  All bags of food will be returned and placed on the altar on November 15.

 

Mississippi City UMC will have a Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service, with supper following, on November 25 at 6 p.m.  All are invited to join in this fellowship.

 

Mt. Pleasant UMC (Gulfport) will celebrate their 129th Anniversary on November 22.

 

Children had a safe and fun time "trunk-or-treating" at Picayune FUMC on October 28.

 

Poplar Head UMC wil host the staff of Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters (SWO) on Sunday, November 1 from 6:05 p.m. to 9:05 p.m. at the Palmer Creek Methodist Campground in Saucier.  Food, fun and fellowship will begin with burgers at 6 p.m. and SWO will be in the tabernacle to lead worship.

 

Poplarville UMC will have a potluck dinner on November 1 in the Fellowship Hall. Reverend Galina Kolesnikova, pastor of Revival UMC from Latnaya, Russia, will give an update on the their facility at a worship service following the dinner.

 

Tickets go on sale for The Dinner Theatre at Roberts Chapel UMC on November 1 ($15 each).  Performances will be at 6:30 p.m. nightly, December 3, 4 & 5.  Reserve your seat soon, as seating is limited!  For more info contact Rev. Pete Herndon at 601-807-1877.

 

Saucier UMC is making plans for their Thanksgiving Service and meal which will be held on November 22.  Their UMW is also ringing bells for the Salvation Army this year at K-Mart.

 

St. Mark UMC (Gulfport) will host a Gospel Extravaganza at the MS Gulf Coast Coliseum on November 27 at 7 p.m.  Stellar Award winners, Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's, along with the United Male Chorus of Gulfport, will be performing.  Make plans to purchase your tickets while supplies last.  Tickets are $32 in advance and $40 at the door.  For tickets and information, contact the church office at 228-864-3927.

 

The Trinity Trotters at Trinity UMC (Picayune) are collecting items for the Toys for Tots drive during October and November.  Collection boxes are in place in the foyers for toys for ages infant to 12 years (no wrapping please). 

 

Children at Vancleave UMC/Mt. Pleasant UMC are selling 2010 God's Creation Calendars for $6.00.  Proceeds help support their KIDZ ministry programs.  Call the church office at 228-826-5968 for more info.

 

Wesley UMC (Ocean Springs) will celebrate their new Worship Center with a "Dedication Service" on Sunday, December 6 at 4 p.m.  This is an exciting time for Wesley and all are invited to join in their celebration.  

 

Wiggins FUMC will host Reverend Galina Kolesnikova of  Latnaya, Russia, on Sunday night, November 8.  A special offering will be taken to assist with the building project at Revival UMC.  All are invited to attend.