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WAVES
Newsletter of The Seashore District
of The United Methodist Church |
Reflections
I remembered Thomas Wolfe's often quoted line, "You can't go home again," last weekend when we traveled to Tupelo to check on our grandson, Thomas, who was in the Northeast Mississippi Medical Center. Thomas is home now and doing well. Funny thing is, I was born in the same hospital. So was our son Chris. It's a familiar place, yet it has changed. Another construction project is underway and the face of that healing place is changing. While we were in Tupelo we drove by First Church, where I had been pastor from 2000-2006. The trees we had planted on the church grounds were now towering. Yet the parsonage looked much the same. It was the same, but different.
A few years ago, I returned to First United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Georgia, where I served as Minister with Youth during my seminary experience. We visited Richard and Donna Shaw who took us under their wings and became our Georgia family when we were younger than my children are now. Gainesville First was the church of a seminarian's dream. It was where my real education took place; not in the classroom at Emory, but in the sanctuary and fellowship hall and youth room. It was where I learned most of what I know about ministry from Jim Thompson, who was senior minister, mentor, friend. It is against Gainesville First that I measure myself.
This summer, while on sabbatical, Lynn and I went back to Gainesville for a brief visit. It was, in a way, going home. Not to the home of our roots, but to the first home we shared as a married couple. We drove by our little apartment on Thompson Bridge Road and then the house we rented on Bradford Street. There are some things that over time change little. We saw Ralph and Randy, the Brooks brothers who were solid members of the youth group. Both are forty- something. We saw Margaret Ellen, who teaches English in Mexico City and Jane and Angie and Marsha. We saw their parents, all who were the main supporters of the youth program, and really, of us. Looking back, the carpet in the sanctuary, installed 31 years ago when the new sanctuary was built, is fading a bit. Ralph and Randy are thinning on top, and their parents, Ralph Sr. and Rose, are retired now. So maybe some things have changed. What hasn't changed is the depth of meaning of those heartfelt relationships.
Maybe if Gainesville is one of those places I call home, you can go home again. Not home in the sense of things being as they were, but home to a sense of place and purpose and relationship; home to a deeper part of your best self. We did not have time to tell all that has happened to them or us since these last 30 years. Maybe we will soon. If we do, I suspect what we will discover is that in the telling of our stories, we will begin to sense a deeper abiding Presence whose hand has guided, formed and informed our journeys. I'm grateful our journey took us there. I remembered some things I didn't know I'd forgotten. Namely, that in spite of distance over time and space, some things remains true.
In a way, when we gather for worship, it is a kind of homecoming--a coming home to the place where God meets us; a coming home to that sense of belonging; a coming home where we are loved in spite of how far we've moved away. I hope you will come home this Sunday in whatever way you need to come.
Peace,
Bill
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"Tide"ings from Around the District
Jesus teaches that it is through service...Varied and diverse...that we are able to show our love for God. Jesus understood that God was working in union with him in all that he did. We too must remember that God is working for us and with us and in us. Jesus taught his disciples that the finest quality of greatness was service and that Kingdom service brings joy and Peace. Service is an opportunity and there is a task for every BODY! The Body needs to operate and function properly for ministry to be effective and for  lives to be transformed for Christ. Your seemingly small act of service is part of a big picture God is painting in our church and in our community. We are all part of the whole. Every part of the BODY that you occupy is vital, and without you, the whole is not complete. Your commitment and energy are gifts that God is calling you to share with your church and your community. God has a vision for our church and you are part of the plan. God will lead and show us how to follow. God will provide the tools that we need, but we must be willing to do our part for the future that God has for us. We need to get excited and embrace God's agenda! Let's unite around God's plan with anticipation and courage for the journey! Will you accept the challenge to embrace the call? Remember...The Christian Life is not what we can do for God. It's what God can do in and through us. Peace, Joy & Justice,
Rev. Sally Bevill, The Pastor's Pen
Vancleave / Mt. Pleasant Charge |
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SUMA Board of Directors announces new Facility Administrator
The Seashore United Methodist Assembly Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Susanne Gill as its new Facility Administrator.
A Mississippi Coast native, Susanne has lived and worked for the past 17 years in Nashville, TN in the areas of marketing, human resources and corporate communications for EMI Christian Music Group. She has a history with Seashore as both a camper and bringing youth for retreats when she served as Youth Director at First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula. Her position will embody the traditional duties of the Executive Director, while also championing the future strategic development and growth of Seashore and its ministries.
The Seashore United Methodist Assembly has served as a Christian retreat center for 139 years. As we enter into our 140th year of service, we are excited to continue providing space for retreats, meetings, conferences and group gatherings, while also launching new multi-generational programming and serving our community here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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| Wesley Works!
September 16 - 18
Seashore United Methodist Assembly
$65
Wesley Works! is a weekend retreat designed for college students seeking to give of their time and talents to serve others, while growing closer to each other and God. The weekend will focus on a way of life that both honors God and is totally fulfilling. Saturday will be spent giving back to the community in the following agencies: Hope Community Development Agency, Subs & Suds, Camp SUMA, Hugs and Hotdogs, UMCOR or Project SafeSpace.
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UMVIM Team Leader Training
Biloxi FUMC
(14220 Highway 67 North)
Saturday, October 8
10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
$20 registration for UMVIM training manual, payable to "UMVIM"
To register, email Rev. David Newton at wesleydn@bellsouth.net or call 228-875-8900. |
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 Learning to Use My Bible
Spectacular Overnight Retreat for 3rd & 4th Graders
October 14-15
Retreat Leaders: Rev. Leanne Burris, Holly Mixon
$45 per student (includes meals, lodging & curriculum)
Reservation deadline: October 7
This overnight retreat is a specially designed time to empower children with skill and knowledge to use their Bibles. It offers a fun, hands-on approach with maps, games, activities and music, which will open the Bible message to children for their lifelong faith journey. The activities begin at 4 p.m. on Friday and conclude at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Children should bring their choice of Bible (those without Bibles will be given one). ANY 3rd or 4th grader is invited to attend, so even if a friend goes to another church or no church at all, they are welcome. For more info, call Camp SUMA at 228-436-6767 or visit their website, www.seashoreassembly.org. |
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 District Fall Lay Speaking School
October 28 & 29, 2011
Seashore United Methodist Assembly
- Basic Course - Vera Thomas & Judy Thomas (Class size limited to 20 seats)
- United Methodist Heritage - Rev. Gene Vance (Class size limited to 15 seats)
- 5 Practices of Fruit Congregations - Rev. LaSonya Debose & Rev. Jeff Pruett (Class size limited to 15 seats)
Registration - $50
Deadline for Registration: October 17 |
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2011 Charge Conference Schedule
Connected & Committed to Fruitfulness in Ministry
2011 Charge Conferences will be held as "cluster type" events. A list of participating churches for each host church location has been distributed to district clergy.  October 16 Host Church: Diamondhead UMC (2p) Host Church: Handsboro UMC (6p)
October 23
Host Church: Coalville UMC (2p)
October 30
Host Church: H. A. Brown Memorial UMC (2p)
Host Church: Weems Chapel UMC (6p)
November 6
Host Church: Lucedale FUMC (2p)
Host Church: Eastlawn UMC (6p)
November 13
Host Church: Pleasant Hill UMC (2p)
Host Church: Caswell Springs UMC (6p) |
"Surf"ing the District  Biloxi FUMC, in conjuction with the Seashore District Youth & GC Youth for Christ, will host Anthem Lights in concert on September 23. VIP Meet & Greet reserved tickets are $12 (limited seating). Advanced general admission tickets are $6 and tickets at the door are $8. Doors open at 8:45 p.m. for VIP Meet & Greet ticket holders; general admission doors open at 9 p.m. For more info, visit www.fumcbiloxi.com or RSVP on Facebook. Illuminate Orange Fall kick off will be held September 7 at 6 p.m. and will resume on Wednesday nights through November 16. Married People: Small Groups is a couples study being offered that will discuss the Core 4 Habits of a Great Marriage. There is a new ladies group at Byrd Chapel UMC called Quench Ministry. Quench signifies a thirst for friendship, Christian fellowship, prayer, God's word, praise, thanksgiving, helping others and being God's disciples. They meet the fourth Thursday each month and have chosen to be "missionaries" to the homebound in the community by providing food, friendship, prayer and lots of love to those in need. The Thursday Night Bible Study Group at Cedar Lake UMC resumed meeting on September 1 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The group meets on Thursday evenings and is studying the Gospel of Matthew using a video presentation of the text followed by discussion. Cedar Lake will participate in a fall mission weekend from October 6-9 to assist Mountain TOP Ministries, which serves the people in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. The group will be doing home repair and construction work. Eastlawn UMC will have their 2nd annual Caring & Sharing Festival on Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This year's beneficiaries will be Katy Blake, a Pascagoula High School graduate paralyzed from a diving accident; Aiden Lieb, a two year old undergoing multiple surgeries for tumors; and tornado victims from the spring storms. Activities include an all-day concert headlined by Blues Artist, Lisa Mills, giant bake sale, antique car show, silent art auction, outdoor coffee house, $5 catfish plates and lots of fun stuff for the children to do. All are invited to come out and support these outreach ministries. Gautier FUMC will host a Youth Choir Concert on September 4 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. The group travels annually to Gautier from Trinity UMC in Rome, Georgia. All district youth groups are encouraged to attend. The Mission Team will be heading to Branchville, Alabama (September 19-24) to repair houses that were destroyed or damaged in last spring's tornados. For more info about the trip, contact the church office at 228-497-1698. A short-term Disciple Bible study, The Invitation to the Old Testament, will begin mid to late September at Gulfport FUMC. This nine week study approaches the Hebrew Scriptures by inviting participants to hear the story of God and God's calling of the people of Israel. Love Wins, a book about heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived, is also being offered as an 8-10 week study. Additionally, Broken Rainbow and Divorce & Grief Recovery Workshops will begin September 15 and run for ten weeks. The programs meet at 7 p.m. in the Educational Building. For more info about these opportunities, call the church office at 228-863-0047. H. A. Brown Memorial UMC will host the United Methodist Women's Annual Day on September 11 at 3 p.m. Various outreach groups also meet monthly and all are invited to participate (UMW meets the 1st Tuesday at 6 p.m.; Wiggins Emmaus Reunion Group meets the 2nd Monday at 6 p.m. and the Youth meet the last Wednesday at 6 p.m. for Bible Study). Handsboro UMC celebrated Campmeeting month during August. The celebration concluded with dinner on the grounds on August 28. A Baked Potato fundraiser lunch, sponsored by the UMM, will be held following worship on Sunday, September 25. Long Beach FUMC will have a church-wide fellowship supper/talent show on Sunday, September 11 at 6 p.m. in the CLC. The Tuesday Morning Ladies' Bible Study will begin "Jesus the One and Only" by Beth Moore & Living Proof Ministries, a study based on the book of Luke, on September 13. The group will meet from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in the library. The youth at Lucedale FUMC will continue their monthly service projects by visiting the Sparrow Hills Assisted Living Facility on September 7. Crafts made by the group will be taken to residents. A Girls' and Boys' Night Out event is scheduled separately for September 16 with lots of fun in store for all. Beginning the last week of August, Rev. Heather Hensarling is hosting a series of coffee gatherings in her home for Main Street UMC members. There are several opportunities for groups of 8-10 to join her for fellowship and informal conversation about the state of the church. Mississippi City UMC is partnering with Pass Road Elementary and the Harrison County Emergency Children's Shelter to collect school supplies for teachers and students during the school year. A Grandparents' Day Recognition will also be held September 11. The Pascagoula-Gautier Charge invites you and your congregation to join them for two opportunities. St. Mark UMC will have its Fall Revival September 19-21 beginning at 7 p.m. each evening. The theme is "Quenching Your Spiritual Thirst," taken from the feeling expressed in Psalm 42:1. . St. Stephen UMC will host its Fall Revival from September 26-28 beginning at 7 p.m. each evening. The theme for this occasion seeks to answer the question, "What is Faith?" with the lead scripture from Hebrews 11:1. Guest speaker for both events will be Rev. Paula Milo-Moultrie. Choirs, soloists and musicians are welcome to come and lift their voices and instruments in praise during both revivals. For more info, contact them at 228-471-4725. The Ladies' Monday Night Bible Study at Picayune FUMC will begin a new 16 week study of Max Lucado's book, Fearless. It will begin on Monday, September 12 at 6 p.m. in the 39er's Room. Cost is approximately $18 (covers book & DVD lessons). If you are interested, call the church office at 601-798-4321. Poplarville FUMC will resume offering after school activities in September. Children's Hour and Recorders start on September 12 at 3 & 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary; Beginning Guitar will begin the Monday after Labor Day. Liturgical Dance classes began on August 24 from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. For more info, contact the church office at 601-795-4519. Mark your calendars! Roberts Chapel UMC has set the date for their 2011 Dinner Theatre as December 1st, 2nd & 3rd. They will also host the Melody Boys Quartet on Saturday, January 14.
Sweetwater UMC will host a Revival beginning September 5 and ending September 8. Services will be held at 7 p.m. nightly. Rev. Steven Owens will kick-off the worship event on Monday evening. All are invited to come and participate. The women of the Dell Moffat Circle at Trinity UMC (Picayune) recently delivered school uniforms and school supplies to Lower Southside Elementary School and Picayune High School, as well as several individual children. In October, they will begin a coat/jacket/sweater drive. So, save your items as you clean out your closets or your children outgrow them, and drop them off at the church to be distributed. Youth at Vancleave UMC & Mt. Pleasant UMC participated in a Youth for Christ Lock In at Gulf Islands Waterpark on August 26 & 27. To kick off the new school year, Vancleave UMC will host a cookout and messy games event on Sunday, September 11.
The PASS Group at Wesley UMC (Ocean Springs) will begin a new Bible Study on September 12 at 6:30 p.m. The study is titled, "Not a Fan," and is a six-episode, video driven small group study centered around the calling of every Christian to truly follow Jesus Christ. Anyone is invited and encouraged to participate. Additionally, Wesley will host a Radical Fellowship & Prayer Gathering on September 24 from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The gathering is based on David Platt's books, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream and Radical Together. For more info, contact the church office at 228-875-8900. Wiggins FUMC will observe National Back to Church Sunday on September 18 by encouraging and inviting people in the community who are not active in a local church to come for worship and revist congregational life. A Revival/Spiritual Renewal is also set for September 25-28. Rev. Brian Scott will be the evangelist. |
Friends of the Nicaraguan Methodist Church
 The first national gathering of Friends of the Nicaraguan Methodist Church was held April 2011.
Seashore United Methodist Assembly in Biloxi will host the 2012 gathering of people supportive of the ministry of the Nicaraguan Methodist Church. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, April 12, 2012 (7 p.m.) to noon on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Lodging & meals available at SUMA.
A planning meeting was held at Van Hook Hall on August 22 to discuss the upcoming gathering. If you'd like more information on how to get involved in this ministry, please contact Rev. David Newton at 228-875-8900 or wesleydn@bellsouth.net. |
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"Offshore" Opportunities
Events at Camp Lake Stephens 
Jr. High Spiritual Life Retreat - October 1 & 2 ($75 per person)
Speaker: Corey Truett
Music: Eddie Willis & The Narrow Path
Sr. High Spiritual Life Retreat - October 8 & 9 ($75 per person)
Speaker: Patrick Hutto
Music: Eddie Willis & The Narrow Path
Children's Retreat - October 15 & 16 (3rd - 6th Grade)
$75 per person
Worship Leader: Philip Salter
Session Leader: Russell Casteel
 Learn how to improve your Young Adult Ministry. Attend the Young Adult Summit on Oct. 21-23 in Austin, Texas, and discuss five challenges facing young adult ministry in the United Methodist Church. By sharing experiences and best practices, young adults and adult workers in ministry with young adults will explore ways to address these challenges and discuss how to resource the UMC to better reach and minister with young adults. Find more information or register at http://bit.ly/nK4nsq.
Learn what it means to be Christian and Methodist in the 21st  century. Attend the Wesleyan Leadership Conference 2011, Oct. 13-15 in Nashville. Participants will explore the vision, message and method that helped John Wesley lead a revival among the people called Methodists. Dr. Elaine Health from the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas will discuss her vision for new models of Wesleyan community. Contact Steve Manskar, GBOD's Director of Wesleyan Leadership, for more information at smanskar@gbod.org or register at www.gbod.org/wesleyanleadership. |
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Hurricane Preparedness Reminders
Below is a letter from Rev. Thomas Hazelwood, Assistant General Secretary for UMCOR Disaster Response, U.S., Caribbean, Latin America:
Greetings, friends...Below are a few reminders for the upcoming hurricane season:
SECURE PERSONAL, CONFERENCE AND CHURCH PROPERTY RELIEF SUPPLIES: For relief supplies, please contact/coordinate directly with Kathy Kraiza, Director of Sager-Brown. You will want to know type of supplies and estimated number needed; delivery location that has sufficient space for storage; contact person for coordinating delivery; and a distribution plan. If you are designating someone else to coordinate supplies, please make sure this person knows to tell Kathy that they are the designee on behalf of the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator. Kathy's contact information is: Kathy Kraiza ( director@sagerbrown.org)
EARLY RESPONSE TEAMS: While Early Response Teams are self-sufficient, they do not self-deploy - coordination is still necessary. Please allow the Conference time to make assessments and determine their need. If Early Response Teams are needed outside of the affected Conference, the Conference personnel will notify Paulette West or Greg Forester. Look for information from Paulette or Greg. Contact information is:Paulette West (paulette_west@umvim.org))
CONFERENCE COMMUNICATIONS: Review your Conference plan with key leadership. Get the word out to would-be volunteers about how and when we respond. Consider pre-planning for communications with Conference personnel, clergy and others as to the process for reporting personal safety and damage assessments. Contact clergy in advance of the storm who are located in areas that are most vulnerable to the effects of Irene - be sure they know who to contact after the disaster to check in and report damage. If you have an emergency communications plan, consider if it should be activated, and when. Talk with your Conference communications person to see if you can pre-plan for messaging via the Conference web-site. Communicate in advance of the storm, and post-disaster, with your State VOAD.
READINESS AND RELIEF MINISTRIES: In advance of the storm, and afterwards when safe, check on vulnerable persons associated with your congregations and communities. Consider whether churches on a planned evacuation route can safely serve as hospitality centers for those passing through. Consider what your Conference recommendations are for sheltering. If a church will serve as a shelter, typically it should have an agreement (pre-disaster) with the American Red Cross chapter. When feasible, work in coordination with other voluntary agencies and/or emergency management for relief efforts.
SELF-CARE: Please secure your safety and that of your family first. If evacuation is advised, please comply and relay the same message to congregants. If your family or church is affected, you may need to pass your responsibilities for Conference disaster coordination to someone else so you can meet the needs of those for whom you are directly responsible. Hopefully this is part of your Conference plan. If long term recovery ministries become necessary, you will be needed to provide leadership for an extended period. Pace yourself; ask for help; designate whenever possible.
TRAINING VOLUNTEERS: After a significant disaster, it is not unusual that people want to volunteer and are eager for training. Consider what the response might be and what trainings might best be scheduled. Be ready to train volunteers to serve in a Conference call-center if needed. Think about other "just in time" trainings, such as Care Team and I&R. Interest in Connecting Neighbors for church readiness. UMCOR's training menu and training request form may be found on line. |
 Immediate Need at SafeSpace
SafeSpace is in immediate need of coffee, Gatorade mix and sugar. If you can help with these donations, please contact Rev. Paige Swaim-Presley at paige.swaim@gmail.com, or call 228-436-3986. |
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| What's on the Calendar?
September 5
District Office closed for Labor Day Holiday
September 15
Fall District Day with
Bishop Ward
1 - 3 p.m.
H. A. Brown Memorial UMC
(Wiggins)
October 16
Charge Conference Begins |
| Prayer Requests
The birth of Walker Dane Freeman, great grandson of
Rev. Bernie & Dot Shamp,
born August 3
The birth of James Thomas McAlilly, grandson of Rev. Bill & Lynn McAlilly, born August 5
Rev. Elsie Barnes
Rev. Rich Handy
The family of Mr. Walter Abrams
The family of Mrs. Joyce Pugh
Mrs. Dot Pridmore
Master Thomas McAlilly
Orson
Mr. Fulton Mobley |
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