:: Announcements

 
5K Walk and Run to Benefit Katrina Recovery

Recover, Rebuild, Restore South Mississippi (R3SM), The City of Hattiesburg, and the Mississippi Main Street Association will host the 1st Annual Gordon's Creek 5K Walk and 10K Run November 7, 2009.  The purpose of the event is to increase awareness of good health, volunteerism, and bring the community together for a worthwhile cause.  Dollars raised will support the renovation of the R3SM Volunteer House at 301 Buschman St., downtown Hattiesburg. 

R3SM is a regional long term recovery organization located in Hattiesburg and actively serves Hurricane Katrina victims in a 28 county area south of I-20. Since January 2006, the organization has built eight new homes, repaired over 350, and with the assistance of Mississippi United Methodist Katrina Recovery case managers has reviewed and/or case managed over 1,000 cases. Dena Parker, Director of Case Management for R3SM said that the cost of these rebuilds and repairs has been offset by volunteers.  "As Christians, we know that by utilizing volunteers, we fill a void in hearts and homes, leaving vulnerable people in sturdier structures and providing hope for this life and possibly for eternity," said Parker. Parker formerly served as North Region Coordinator for Mississippi United Methodist Katrina Recovery.

In response to the need for volunteer housing in the area, R3SM purchased a permanent volunteer housing facility.  The home was once a boarding house, a home away from home, for the men who maintained the railroad.  Its restoration will make it a home away from home once again, for volunteers who will come to bring the life back to this community.

When fully restored, the over 8,000 square foot facility will house R3SM administrative offices, sleeping accommodations for 50+ volunteers along with communal baths, a kitchen, and dining facilities. The facility will also host volunteers from other agencies and organizations, making room for a spirit of volunteerism and service that could drive the improvement of our entire region.
 
For more information on the R3SM and the 5K Walk - 10K Run contact Dena Parker at 601.544.5115 or email r3smdena@bellsouth.net or you may download the event flyer and sponsorship information here. 

1st Annual Blackbird Run to Benefit Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society

Crossgates UMC, Brandon will honor the memory of Coach Larry (Blackbird) Therrell with the 1st Annual BLACKBIRD Run on Saturday, Nov. 7 on the church grounds at 23 Crossgates Drive, Brandon. Proceeds for the event will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Patient Financial Assistance Program in memory of Coach Therrell (The Blackbird).
 
   "The name "Blackbird" was Coach Larry Therrell's nickname," said Rev. Oscar McGough, pastor at Crossgates. "Coach Therrell passed away earlier this year after a long fight with cancer (75 treatments). During this time Coach was always concerned about those who did not have the means to pay for the treatments they needed. This race in memory of Coach is being established for two purposes 1.To promote a healthy lifestyle  2.To raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Patient Financial Assistance Program.
 
How did he get the nickname? "As a young man growing up there was a sandlot baseball game," said McGough. "During the game a blackbird landed on a fence post. Coach bet his friends that he could catch the bird before it flew away... He did and his name among friends changed from Larry to Blackbird."
 
 For more information go to www.crossgatesumc.org or call the church office at 601.825.8677.

 
Camp Lake Stephens will host its annual holiday program, 'Christmas at Camp' on Sunday evening, December 6th, at 6:00 p.m. This event will include a traditional Christmas dinner and special music by The Gospel Choir of Rust College. Tickets are $25 each and may be obtained by calling the Camp office at 662-234-3350.

St. Luke in Cleveland Burns Note

For St. Luke United Methodist Church, Cleveland, September 20 was a day of celebration. The mortgage note of $283,000.00 on the Sunday School Annex was paid in full in eight years. The congregation held a note burning ceremony to celebrate the occasion. Area pastors in attendance for the event were:  Greenwood District Superintendent, Rev. Vickie White; Rev. Billy Owen, First United Methodist in Cleveland; Rev. Eddie Willis, Wesley Foundation Director; Reverend Ada Williams, Winona; Rev. Hugh Holder-Cummings, Rosedale; Rev. Diane Elliott, Shelby; and Rev. Matthew Pharis, Greenville-Hope Ministries.

Prior to the note-burning service, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward delivered the sermon based on Mark 9:30-37 at the regular worship service.  The children provided special music with a rendition of "The Books of the Bible." After the worship service, approximately 150 people enjoyed a potluck lunch.  After lunch the congreation gathered in the courtyard to "burn the note". Tricia Walker led the congregation in songs. Eddie Willis, Billy Owen and Hugh Holder-Cummings read scripture and led us in prayer.  Vickie White, District Superintendent, and Bishop Ward delivered words of commendation. 

The part that everyone had been waiting for finally arrived when Jim Tims, Lay Leader; Blake McGaughy, Lay Member of Conference; and Rev. Dixie Holder-Cummings set fire to the mortgage note.  Children blew bubbles and the congregation read the Act of Dedication.

Attendees to Conference are Soaring High 

On October 15-17 a group of leaders from the Mississippi Annual Conference attended the Soaring High Conference presented by the Rural Chaplains Association in Huntsville, AL. The conference focused on ways that United Methodist churches can partner together as part of cooperatives. 

As United Methodists, we are a connectional people.  Every congregation, from the smallest church on multi-church charge, to one of our larger congregations, has a shared interest in the well being, the ministry, and the overall health of other congregations.

 Attendees were reminded that partnership and cooperatives should not be founded or based upon institutional goals or survival.  Instead these partnerships must be based upon mission. When the goal is survival, then the mission is subjugated and not the primary focus. When the goal is mission the kingdom is built and the churches involved will see the movement of God in their midst. 

The plenary speakers at this conference were Bishop John Schol of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference and Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference and each spoke not only as Bishops of our church, but also from their experience working with cooperative ministries.

After each plenary session there were break out sessions focused upon both the practical realities of cooperation (technology, raising up leaders, and starting such ministries) to the theological foundations and underpinnings of these ministries.

Rev. Andy Stoddard of Ripley UMC was one of the attendees inspired by the conference. "Within the Mississippi Annual Conference there is a great heritage and present reality of shared ministries," said Stoddard. "As we move forward in this critical time, there has never been a more urgent moment in which we, the people called Methodists, can work together this most important goal -- not saving any institution, but building the kingdom. As we focus on that kingdom, God will make a way and will bless our efforts. Now is the time and place for God do such great things."

Pictured from left to right (above photo): Rev. Embra Jackson, Rev. Galina Kolesnikova; Rev. Arthur Lewis and Rev. Owen Gordon in the background.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR -The deadline has been extended for those interested in applying for the Junaluska Singers Musical Director until November 2. For more information, applicants can visit www.lakejunaluska.com/employment.aspx.

UMM GENERAL SECRETARY - The General Commission on United Methodist Men is seeking a qualified individual to serve as its General Secretary. This person will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission on United Methodist Men. Interested persons should contact Mrs. Martha Davis at 615.620.7266 or email: mdavis@gcumm.org for complete application and job description forms. Forms are also available on the GCUMM website: http://www.gcumm.org.

MUSIC OPENINGS - Ripley First United Methodist Church, a growing church in the heart of downtown Ripley is seeking to fill the position of Organist and Choir Director. For more information please contact the Rev. Andy Stoddard at 662.837.7183.