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The Circuit Rider                                                 Nov. 26, 2009
Weekly Update for the Mississippi United Methodist Conference
In This Issue
Gleanings...Consider the Lilies
Count Your Many Blessings, See What God Has Done
Keep on Knocking...
Knock on 9
Let us Know!    Share how your church is accepting the challenge to Knock on Nine. Send your information to the conference office at knockonnine@mississippi-umc.org.

We will share your information with churches across the conference. And, don't forget to report back on the number of doors you've opened.

For information, contact conference Communications Director Lisa Cumbest Michiels at 601.354.0515,
ext. 17.
UMW Holds Annual Meeting

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UMW Holds Annual Meeting

Dates to Remember

Dare to Lead
Dec. 5 - 6, 2009
 Camp Lake Stephens
 www.camplakestephens.com 

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Conference Trustees
Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.
 UM Foundation 

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Overflow
Dec. 30 - Jan. 1
 Camp Lake Stephens
 www.camplakestephens.com

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  Clergy Spouse Retreat
(For spouses only)
 Jan. 8-9, 2010
 Registration begins at 4 p.m.
Camp Wesley Pines 

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Rethink Mission Conference
(Keynote Speaker - Bart Campolo)
Jan. 9, 2010 at 10 a.m.
 Galloway UMC, Jackson

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SEJ College of Bishops
(Bishop Ward will be attending)
 Jan. 13-15, 2010
 Birmingham, AL 

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Bishop Ward at College Park UMC
(Bishop Ward will present sermon)
 Jan. 17, 2010 at 11 a.m.
 6020 Old 8th St., Meridian 

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Committee on Finance
& Administration
Jan. 19, 2010 at 10 a.m.
 UM Foundation 

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Board of Medical Benefits
Jan. 21, 2010 at 10 a.m.
 UM Foundation

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Bishop Ward at Andrew's Chapel
(Bishop Ward will present sermon)
 Jan. 31, 2010 at 11 a.m.
 Mooreville, MS - Tupelo District 

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Mark Your Calendar
for 2010 District
Lay Speaking Schools

East Jackson/West Districts 
January 30 -- Brandon 1st UMC

  Tupelo District
February 5-6

 New Albany District
 (TENTATIVE)
February 20 -- New Albany 1st or Corinth

 Seashore District
February 26-27

 Meridian District
February 27 -- College Park UMC

 Brookhaven District
February 27 -- Brookhaven 1st UMC

 Starkville District
March 27

Senatobia District
April 10 -- Hernando UMC
(Sponsored by Desoto Cluster)

 Greenwood District
April 17 -- Moore Memorial UMC (Winona)

 New Albany District
April 17 -- New Albany 1st or Corinth

 Hattiesburg District
April 17 -- Laurel 1st
4 classes (Basic, Evangelism, Bible Study, and Grow Spiritually through Daily Discipline)

Seashore District
October 29-30
Save the Dates
Arise! Shine! Grow! Logo

Mississippi Annual Conference
June 11-13, 2010
Jackson Convention Complex

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Trans4mation

June 10, 2010
Jackson Convention Complex
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Greetings!

Welcome to your connection for up-to-the minute news and information from the Mississippi Conference. Your Circuit Rider will arrive weekly with announcements, dates to remember, celebration stories from across the conference and employment opportunities. Our hope is for The Circuit Rider to become a tool for building the connection across the conference, strengthening our districts and local congregations as we go forth to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Please e-mail your news and information for us to share with others around the conference to lisacm@mississippi-umc.org. Deadlines are Tuesday at noon for the following Thursday.
 
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bishop Ward
:: Gleanings
 
Consider the Lilies

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil or spin,
yet, I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothes like one of these... Therefore, do not worry...
   -- Matthew 6:28, 30

My mother read to us from a Bible storybook illustrated with wonderful pictures. I loved the picture of Jesus with people in a field of flowers. "Look at the flowers," she said to us. "God gives them to us. They are not anxious and worried.  Look how beautiful they are. God takes care of them. In the same way, God takes care of us. Therefore, do not worry." It made sense to me, way back then. Faith begins and grows in such simple, profound ways.  
 
This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for that memory. I am thankful for Jesus Christ who stands among us, alive forevermore. I am thankful for this beautiful world in which we have been placed to live out our span of this life. I am thankful for daily reminders, for shining moments, for wise ones along our way.  
 
I count my blessings, giving thanks for life and breath this day, for beauty all around, for those who share the journey of this life, for hope in Christ that beckons into every tomorrow.
 
As you count your blessings, be renewed as you sense again the love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
 
With gratitude for each of you,
Hope Morgan Ward

Giving Thanks
:
Count Your Many Blessings,
See What God Has Done

WE DEDICATE THIS THANKSGIVING DAY ISSUE of The Circuit Rider to the many blessings God has bestowed on us throughout the years. The list below comes from members of the Cabinet and Conference staff.  At the end of this list you will find a place to add your blessing. We hope you will join us in this Thanksgiving celebration.

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I am especially thankful for my family this year. We are all healthy and happy and excited about the future that is before us.
-- Rev. Giles Lindley, West Jackson District Superintendent

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I am so thankful for those who serve in our mission outreach ministries. Their work with the poor and under served is inspirational.  
-- Rev. Steve Casteel, Director of Connectional Ministries

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I am grateful for congregations and pastors who faithfully live out the good news of Jesus Christ in our Wesleyan Heritage.
-- Mike Hicks, Hattiesburg District Superintendent

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How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9

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This Thanksgiving season I am especially grateful for the prayers of brothers and sisters in the faith. I am grateful for the connection of love and grace that is truly a gift of God through the United Methodist Church in Mississippi. During the recent days as grief and sorrow have come our way it is the connection that has shown grace and offered hope in the trying times. Thanks be to God for the United Methodist Church in Mississippi! 
-- Rev. Victoria L. White, Greenwood District Superintendent

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We give thanks for the continuous outpouring of United Methodist support in the ongoing recovery of the Gulf Coast! 
-- Rev. Bill McAlilly, Seashore District Superintendent

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Thanksgiving is going to be a crazy, busy, loud, wonderful day at the Joyner house. Sue and I have already started getting ready for the invasion of three adult children who will bring with them two spouses, one girlfriend, and two very active grandchildren. Our house will be full and our spirits high. We will not have to look far to find blessings. Both grandchildren are very healthy now but had complicated births. I am very aware that had they been born in some parts of the world, it is very unlikely they would have survived. I know that while we sit down to a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, in many places, parents and grandparents can do nothing about the hunger of their children. We will be together and healthy...and well fed. Thank God from whom all blessings flow!     
-- Rev. Geoffrey Joyner, Tupelo District Superintendent

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I am thankful for life, love, and liberty through Christ. 
-- Laura Rollins Receptionist

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You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. 
-- Psalm 30: 11-12 NIV

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Thank God for Mississippi! I am thankful for so much: God, my life, my family, our dog, health, my calling. However, I would also like to thank God for the Mississippi Annual Conference. As an annual conference we are blessed by our diverse churches, our pastors, our laity and our bishop. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
  -- Rev. Embra K. Jackson, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop
 
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I am thankful for my family-my wife, children son-in-laws and grandchildren and all my extended family. I am also especially thankful for finding my adoptive sister and mother this past year. I am very thankful for the opportunity God has given me to serve the Mississippi Conference and the United Methodist Church. 
-- David Stotts, CPA Treasurer/Director of Financial Administration

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I am thankful for family, friends and mentors who allow me to be authentic and call forth the best of who God created me to be...and for that sweet nectar of the gods, Diet Coke! 
-- Rev. Lisa Garvin, Director of Ministerial Services

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Gary and I are grateful for God's many blessings through the years, especially for the love and  close relationships with our children, family and friends. We thank God for another season of calm seas and amazing sunsets over the Sound. 
-- Lisa Cumbest Michiels, Director of Communications

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In my life I have seen many ups and downs, from losing my faith and hitting rock bottom, and back to renewing my relationship with God. As cliched as it might sound, I am honestly grateful for my immensely supportive family and for the people in this world that have given me a chance and allowed me to get my life back on track. From having a roof over my head, to just the simple fact that I can support myself. I have been blessed with much, and although I don't feel that I deserve it, I am grateful for everything. Life is good. Amen.
-- Ryan Bardwell, Database and Technology Manager

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Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. -- Colossians 3:15 NIV

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