:: Gleanings

 
Top 10 Reasons to Register Today for February Clergy Conference focusing on Healthy Clergy and Congregations

1. 1.5 CEU's
2. See and be seen by all the best District Superintendents in Mississippi -- all 10 of them.
3. We have a great pension program.  You want to live long enough to get every cent out of it.
4. You'll be amazed to learn of the cutting-edge ministry of the Center for Ministry in Faith and Health and Methodist Health Systems in Memphis.
5. Healthy clergy will help keep apportionments and direct bill down.
6. The absence of your presence will be missed.
7. Healthy and vital retired clergy are the new hot item. Every church wants one.
8. The winter clergy conference always has the best appointment gossip, some of which is actually true.
9. Did we mention that you really need those CEU's?
10. Where else are you going to see your best friends from the other side of the conference and have a night out in one of Mississippi's liveliest cities?!

The February Clergy Conference is one that you will not want to miss!  See you there! Click here to view brochure.

Hope Morgan Ward

:: Knock on 9

 
Families at Starkville First Opens Doors by Sharing Advent Season

Starkville First UMC has encouraged the entire congregation to be involved with the "Knock on Nine" program. On the first Sunday in Advent every family in the congregation was given 10 colorful door hangers and asked to knock on nine doors in their neighborhood and leave a brochure and keep one for themselves.  One side of the brochure was a collage of pictures showing people of all ages participating in various events from past Advent and Christmas celebrations at the church. The backside gave a schedule of the events going on at the church this Advent and Christmas. Dr. Danny Rowland, Senior Pastor, encouraged each family to take the time and visit nine homes in their neighborhood and invite the families to the upcoming activities. If no one was at home, they were instructed to leave the door hanger on the door.

Update from St. Paul Ocean Springs   
 
Rebecca Stevens, Youth Director at St. Paul, Ocean Springs shares that the youth group set out to go well beyond the challenge of Knock on 9 and knocked on 1,000 doors. Groups went out on a Wednesday and Saturday afternoon and all day on a Sunday. By 6 p.m. on Sunday evening they had knocked on almost 1,000 doors inviting people to church and passing out information about upcoming events. Over the next few days the remaining few door hangers were passed out in the Ocean Springs community. "This was an amazing opportunity for the youth to share Christ's love throughout the community," says Stevens. "We look forward to continuing the task of spreading His message to one and all."

:: Announcements

 
Moore Community House to Celebrate Dedication of New Buildings

Moore Community House cordially invites you to attend the Celebration of our Katrina Recovery and Renewal, Friday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. The dedication ceremony of the newly completed buildings will be held at 684 Walker St., Biloxi. Hurricane Katrina almost completely destroyed the buildings in 2005. Seven structures were razed and the Epworth Church building had to be gutted to the studs and rafters. With all this destruction the stained glass windows of the church remained intact. Tours of the new facilities located at 406 Davis St. and 345 Nichols St. will be offered with shuttles running between the two.

 
Moore Community House, located in the heart of East Biloxi, is a local mission agency of the United Methodist Church related to the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries.  Founded in 1924 to serve the children of immigrant workers in the seasonal fishing industry, today it serves low-income families in east Biloxi with quality child care, education and programs for community development, leadership, and comprehensive family services. For more information visit www.moorecommunityhouse.org.

Share Your Story of Reconciliation
:: Deadline Extended

The Communications office is currently seeking devotionals for the 2010 Lenten Devotional Guide.  The theme for this year's study guide is: Growing the Beloved Community...Stories from the Garden of Reconciliation. Deadline for submission is Dec. 31, 2009.

Devotions should fit within the theme of reconciliation as shown above -- becoming reconciled to growing old, to chronic illness, to memories, to others, to missed opportunities. It will include a scripture reference, a devotion of approximately 500 words, and a prayer, the name of the author and who they represent, i.e. Jane Smith is a member of First United Methodist Church, Jackson.
 
The booklets will be available in January through the conference office and can be used as a personal devotional guide or as a group study. The cost will be $3 per booklet or $2 each for orders of 10 or more. Persons submitting a devotion will receive a free copy.

The devotions must be received in the conference office no later than Dec. 31.  They can be emailed to lisacm@mississippi-umc.org.  

McLaurin Heights UMC to Celebrate 50 Years

The time of celebration is fast approaching for McLaurin Heights UMC in the East Jackson District. The congregation, was formed on December 13, 1959 under the leadership of District Superintendent  Dr. J.W. Leggett and now invites everyone to join them on Dec. 13, 2009 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. "On that day we will remember the wonderful ways God has blessed us as a congregation," says Rev. Mitch Cochran, pastor. "We will be welcoming many former members and ministers who have served McLaurin Heights."

The schedule of events includes:
9:30 a.m. - Gathering in Fellowship Hall (coffee,  juice, and refreshments)
10:45 a.m. - Morning Worship, sanctuary (Rev. John Case, preaching)
12:30 p.m. - Lunch, George Wynn Building at Hinds Community College, Hwy 80 in Pearl

On Dec. 10-12 one hundred live actors and dozens of animals are will be used to tell the story of the Birth of Jesus as drivers pass by 11 scenes from that tell the story at Johnston Chapel UMC in the Brookhaven District. The event, now in its seventh year, runs from 6-8 p.m. each night. Along the way you can listen to the scriptures for each scene on your car CD player and at the end you are invited to stop and have refreshments with in the Fellowship Hall. Johnston Chapel is located at 2093 Chapel Dr. in Summit. To go through the scenes in order of the story, turn off Highway 98 West on to Johnston Chapel Drive and the scenes will start about one mile down the road. The event is free.
 
Johnston Chapel will also host Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 12,  8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Tickets are required for  this fundraiser for the church's Brazil Mission Team 2010.  Each family will get a picture with Santa and also a picture with Baby Jesus in the Nativity Scene. Breakfast will consist of pancakes, sausage, milk and juice.  Extra pictures can be ordered at the time along with Christmas cards that can be delivered in three days. Tickets are $8 each and can be ordered by calling 601.276.6327.

Baker's Chapel in the Senatobia District will once again present a Living Nativity with live camels, sheep and other animals on December 19 and 20 beginning at 5:30 p.m. and running until 9 p.m. each night. Refreshments will be served and everyone is invited to come and enjoy a great time of fellowship and to be blessed by the reminder of what God has done through his Son. Baker's Chapel is located at 1965 Johnston Rd. Hernando. 

Mission Year founder and author Bart Campolo will serve as keynote speaker for the Jan. 9 Rethink Missions conference to be held at Galloway UMC, Jackson. The Mississippi Conference sponsored event is a one-day opportunity to rediscover your passion for serving God's people, God's way. Everyone is welcome. Youth leaders, pastors, mission-minded lay members are encouraged to come share and experience what following God's call to serve truly means. Cost per attendee is $20 at the door and includes lunch ($15 pre-registration). CEU credit is available. Click Here to register online. 

Clergy, lay leaders, chairpersons of Administrative Boards, Finance Committees, Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations, Missions and youth coordinators are invited to participate in a one-day workshop offered by the Senatobia District called Works that Work! The event will be held Jan. 23 at Sardis UMC. The day will include resources and training sessions, hands-on mission opportunity, a time to share local church success stories and exciting and uplifting worship. The day begins at 9 a.m. and end with closing worship at 2:15 p.m. Registration is $5 per person. Deadline for registration is Jan. 12.

For more information call the Senatobia District office at 662.562.0130. Click here to download brochure.

Wesley Ministry Network's acclaimed adult education courses bring Christian scholarship to people in local churches, both laity and clergy. Starting in January 2010, courses will be available online through a partnership with The Institute for Discipleship, affiliated with Bishop Richard Wilke, founder of DISCIPLE Bible Study.

Courses include Journey Through the Psalms, Serious Answers to Hard Questions, Simply Christian, Women Speak of God, Devotion to Jesus and Religion and Science: Pathways to Truth.

Each course features streaming video segments and online discussions with other students and experienced Wesley Ministry Network teachers. Courses are open to everyone, and CEUs are available for pastors. For more information go to http://www.beadisciple.com/wesleyministrynetwork.html.

The United Methodist Women (UMW) from St. Matthew's UMC are selling a very special cookbook this holiday season, with the proceeds being used toward retiring the debt associated with the renovation of Hart Hall, the church's multipurpose facility.
The cookbook, entitled Circle of Faith, features more than 600 recipes compiled from current and former church members and is divided into eight categories: appetizers and beverages, soups and salads, vegetables and side dishes, main dishes, breads and rolls, desserts, cookies and candies, and this and that.

The cookbook has been well received by the congregation and community. During the first two weeks of sales, the UMW was able to recover the cost of printing and shipping the cookbook, thus allowing the remainder of the sales to go directly toward eliminating the Hart Hall debt.

Many of the recipes included in Circle of Faith are those that have been sampled at church events over the years. Favorites include Walterine's caramel cake, coffee punch and the Methodist men's biscuits.

"The cookbook is full of good, simple, tried-and-true recipes," said Gloria Weathers, cookbook committee chair. "It really represents St. Matthew's and features so many well-known recipes our congregation has enjoyed at potlucks throughout the years. It will make the perfect Christmas present for anyone who loves to cook."

Cookbooks are $20, plus $6 for shipping and handling per book. Gift-wrapping is an additional $3. To purchase, mail a check or money order, along with shipping instructions, to:  St. Matthew's UMW, ATTN Gloria Weathers, 7427 Old Canton Road, Madison, MS 39110.

For more information, please call the church office at 601.856.9581.

Recipe from Circle of Faith Cookbook

Mama's Easy Eye of Round Roast                 
Submitted by Kaye Schloemer
 
1 (5-lb.) eye of round roast
Garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Coarsely cracked black pepper
Onion powder

Preheat oven to 500º. Mix together garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Rub the roast with seasonings, covering well; then place it in an open roasting pan, fat side up. Roast for 10 minutes per pound for rare meat, 15 minutes per pound for medium and 20 minutes per pound for well-done. Turn oven off when meat has reached desired cooking stage. Do not open oven door for 2 hours. Remove meat from oven. This roast slices easily for buffet dining. 

:: Celebrations

Central UMW Gathers to Share
Thanksgiving on Farish Street 


On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the women of Central UMC in the West Jackson District hosted a free meal for the community members of the Historic Farish Street District  in the Central UMC Family Life Center. Approximately 48 community residents gathered for fellowship, food and a time to reflect on blessings.  Faye Stokes delivered opening remarks followed by singing of hymns led by Frances Bartee and Mary Poindexter. Rev. Stephen T. Cook, pastor, spoke briefly from Luke 17:11-19. Rev. Cook provided words of gratitude and reminded those who had assembled that we had so much to be thankful for. "If we were to write down the things we are most grateful for, the list would be endless," says Cook. "God keeps on blessing us over and over again."  

Central's UMW provides a free luncheon to the community every fourth Wednesday of each month. This is one of the ways they display servanthood. To become involved or participate in this special ministry, please contact Mrs. Eartha Briggs, president, Central UMC, 500 North Farish Street, Jackson, MS 39202. She may also be reached by calling 601.355.7854 or 601.355.7858.

Mentoring and More Contribute to Rise in Young Elders  

By Vicki Brown

At a time when the number of young people entering ministry is not keeping pace with clergy reaching retirement age, the Mississippi Annual Conference has 41 elders under the age of 35 in 2009, or 11.11 percent of 369 total.

Nationally, there are 906 provisional and ordained elders under the age of 35 or 5.25 percent, according to the annual young clergy trends study by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary.

Mississippi clergy, annual conference officials, and youth and young adults attending EXPLORATION 2009, a recent national event for youth and young adults considering a call to ordained ministry, pointed to several factors that have boosted the number of young clergy in the conference.

They said contributing factors in Mississippi include:

• Committing resources to campus ministry
• Annual calling events in the conference
• Regular statewide youth events
• Churches adopting seminarians
• Supporting the Ministerial Education Fund - the churchwide apportionment fund that supports the 13 United Methodist seminaries and scholarships for seminarians.
• Continually reminding clergy that identifying those with the gifts and graces for ministry is part of their job.

"Our bishop [Hope Morgan Ward] has a real heart for youth," said Kevin Murriel of Brandon, Miss., and a student at Candler School of Theology. "There's been an emphasis placed on youth involvement throughout the conference."

Bishop Ward said Mississippi has 27 campus ministry units across the state -- one on every college campus, including community colleges -- although some are part-time. All are Wesley Foundations, and she said many of the campus ministry boards and alumni are active in supporting those ministries -- even raising money for new buildings.

"The Wesley Foundation at Mississippi State has more than 400 students and Wesley at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston gathers hundreds of students each week," Ward said.

Ward said United Methodists in Mississippi are conscious of supporting and staying in touch with seminarians, too, since there is not a UM seminary in the state.

"When we make appointments, the young people are appointed first, and that may be helpful in keeping our seminarians in the conference," Ward said. "Many of them want to be associate pastors so they can have mentoring by a senior pastor, but if they want their own church, we try to appoint them to one that won't be so isolated."

The Rev. Meg Lassiat, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's director of Student Ministries, Vocation, and Enlistment, said the annual conferences with the highest percentages of young clergy are those that, like Mississippi, have developed a multi-faceted program to invite, train, and retain youth and young adult candidates and clergy.

"Whether a candidate is involved in national programs, campus ministry, or a local church, we know that the district Committee on Ministry and the annual conference Board of Ordained Ministry makes the biggest impact on the experience of candidates for ministry," said Lassiat, who organizes EXPLORATION. "Annual conferences committed to making the process welcoming, understandable, and focused on candidates' needs are the most successful in engaging young people."

Ward hopes to place more emphasis on youth programs and said the conference works on MP3 -- more people, younger people, more diverse people. The new conference lay leader was 34 when he agreed to serve for this quadrennium, and United Methodist Men recently named a 26-year-old as the new president, she said. And, the conference is trying to bring down the average age of lay members to annual conference by a decade.

The Rev. Lisa Garvin, director of Ministerial Services for the conference, said campus ministry is now the third largest item in the conference budget. "I think it's paying off," she said.

Garvin said she joined the conference staff shortly after the publication of The Crisis of Younger Clergy, a book by Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michael that highlighted the need for more young clergy.

She credited the doctoral work of a young elder, Karen Koons Hayden, who was a campus minister and a doctoral student at Wesley Theological Seminary in 2002 with raising awareness in the conference. Hayden's thesis was on nurturing the call.

Hayden, now pastor at Centenary United Methodist Church in McComb, Miss., said the things the annual conference has done are not rocket science but simply a continued focus on the issue.
"Get your Ministerial Education Fund money in, sponsor a student to an event like EXPLORATION or a statewide calling event, adopt a seminary student, have a calling service in your local church every year," Hayden said.

"Personally, I think it all comes back to mentoring and how seriously a church and pastor take their role in stewardship of the person," Hayden said. "We do keep reminding pastors that it is part of their job."

Sticking with what you start is important, too, Hayden said. "We have had some little churches that have adopted a seminarian and kept in touch with them, praying for them, writing them," she said.

Those connections may be one reason Mississippi does not lose seminary graduates to other conferences, Hayden said. She said there are a lot of hoops to jump through in the candidacy process and that "if you've got someone loving you, and supporting you, praying for you, and listening to you, it's easier."

Ryan Parker, a Duke Divinity School student from Hattiesburg, said his pastors and district superintendent always took the time to talk to him as he was thinking about vocation.

"They would call and e-mail. They see it as a process of helping you to see what you couldn't see," Parker said.

Brown is associate editor and writer, Office of Interpretation, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Anderson UMC Choir Performs in D.C.  

This September the sanctuary choir from Anderson UMC, Jackson was invited to perform during the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington D.C.

The invitation came from Mississippi's Second Congressional District Congressman and United Methodist Bennie G. Thompson and was part of the Gospel Extravaganza. Other choirs from the Southern Districts invited to perform were from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The choir also took the opportunity to visit the White House and other historic sights in D.C. The highlight of the trip was an evening reception hosted by Congressman Thompson and featuring entertainment by Jackson State University professor and saxophonist Dr Russell Thomas and Friends. "The choir was truly blessed by the experience," says Sondra Bell, Anderson's minister of music.  

Mississippi Stop Hunger Now
has Great Beginning  

In its first 5 months of operation the Mississippi Stop Hunger Now warehouse has reached their projected 390,000 meals packaged by Dec. 2009. In fact they have exceeded that goal and are just 20,000 meals short of packaging 500,000.  "We were projected to do 390,000 by December of this year," says Matt Casteel SHN Sharehouse Coordinator. "We crushed it!" Casteel also says 80 percent of those meals were packaged by UMC congregations.  

According to Allen Renquist, director of SHN Meal Packaging Program the past three months have been the most productive months in Stop Hunger Now's history. Here are a few statistics:

• In the last 3 months, 3,330,355 meals have been packaged! This does not include November, when they confidently crush 1 million meals (for the third time this year)
• In the last 3 months we have shipped 3,152,460 meals!
• This adds up to 14 shipments shipped to 9 different countries including El Salvador, Haiti, Kenya, Liberia, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Vietnam, and Zambia. These meals will reach close to 50,000 children.
• All four UMMW shipments have arrived in their destination countries.  Three have cleared customs and are in storage/distribution, and the Kenya shipment has just arrived in customs and will be cleared shortly.
• Goldsboro cleared 1,000,000 meals for the first time. This month, both Charlotte and Lynchburg will also clear 1,000,000 meals. Next month, Richmond will clear 1,000,000 meals.
• The Mississippi Sharehouse, despite opening only 5 months ago has already shipped more than 427,000 meals to Haiti.
• Now packaging meals in South Africa!  Over 50,000 meals have been packaged so far and hand delivered to South Africans
• So far this year 7,572,229 meals have been packaged making the total meals packaged since program inception: 18,819,983 meals

According to Casteel the Mississippi Sharehouse is projected to pack 1.1 million meals in 2010.  If your church or organization would like to help Mississippi SHN package meals contact Matt Casteel at mcasteel@stophungernow.org.  Maybe you would like to help reach 500,000 by hosting a Christmas packaging this year.  All you need is at least 40 people with 3 hours of time and 25 cents per meal packaged. For more information on Stop Hunger Now go to www.stophungernow.org.

:: Year End Treasurer's Notes

Contribution Documentation: Credit for cash gifts physically received thru 12-31-09 should be included on giving records.  If the checks are dated 12-31-09 and physically received after the first of the year, they must go on the 2010 Giving Records.

W-2 and 1099 Forms:  Be sure to file all 1099's and W-2 forms by January 31, 2010.  Remember, your pastor MUST receive a W-2 form.

Conference Books Closing:  The 2009 Conference apportionment books will be closed on Friday January 8, 2010.  Please be sure to have those gracious gifts to your conference ministry by that date.  Thank you to all 100% churches. If your church was not a 100% church, did you increase your giving % this year?

Year End Statistical Reports:  The statistical reporting format is similar to last year.  Go to the conference website and log in to the Eagle System using your GCFA number and your conference local church number.  Please be certain to complete Table 3 this year.

The web site for stats will open January 1, 2010 and close January 29, 2010.  Watch for your district announcement about stats.

:: Cares and Concerns

Robert Wilson, brother of Rev. David Wilson of Petal UMC, passed away Nov. 18.  Memorial services were held on Friday, November 20, in Hattiesburg.  Please remember the Wilson family in your prayers.

Rev. Steve Tillman, pastor at Gitano UMC, had shoulder replacement surgery Nov. 23, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.  Please remember the surgeon, Steve, Marion and Stephen in your prayers.

Miriam Roberts, wife of Rev. Eddie Roberts, fell recently and broke her arm near the shoulder.  She has had surgery and is now at home mending.  Rev. Roberts serves as Pastor Emeritus of Greenwood First UMC.  Please remember both of them in your prayers.

Will McLaurin, pastor of Grandview UMC in Hattiesburg and Soules Chapel UMC in Moselle, is in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Jackson with pneumonia. Please remember Will in your prayers.

Rev. Dr. Edwin Graham (retired) had surgery recently for a serious blockage of his carotid artery.  Due to complications following the surgery, he will have to return to Memorial Hospital this week for additional surgery.

Rev. Ginger Holland (TUP-Pontotoc: Fairview) broke a wrist in a fall while ice-skating over the Thanksgiving holiday. Surgery may be needed. Please keep the Hollands in your prayers.

Jim and Chellie Ormon are celebrating the birth of their eighth grandchild.  Logan Thomas Humphreys was born on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 and weighed 6 pounds.  He is the second son of Matt and Katie Ormon Humphreys. Both baby and mom are at home and doing well and the grandparents are happy and blessed.

Mrs. Minnie Mae Lowery, mother of Rev. David Lowery (Picayune FUMC) passed away this morning. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Retired pastor Rev. J. Q. C. James died Nov. 27.  Services for Rev. James were held Dec. 2, at Wesley UMC in Greenwood.  

Mrs. Camille Brooks, mother of Rev. David Brooks (TUP-Nettleton First) died on Nov. 21. Please remember the Brooks family as they pass through these difficult days.

The Rev. Davis and Cathy Carothers of Greenville, Trinity are first-time grandparents of James Christian Sharp (Christian), son of daughter and son-in-law, Melody and James Sharp of Water Valley. He arrived Thanksgiving, Nov.26, weighing 7 lbs., 15 oz., and was 20-3/4 inches long. Christian is currently in NICU at Women's Health Center, North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo, due to blood chemistry and blood gases problems. Please pray for him and for the family.

Rev. Garry Ruff, Cedar Lake UMC in Seashore District is recovering well from bypass surgery this week. "I am doing great!  Doing my breathing exercises, coughing, and walking.  The pain is highly manageable," says Ruff.  "The doctor expects to release me Saturday with a slight chance that it will be tomorrow.  Thanks for all your notes of concern and encouragement.  Looks like God has more work for me to do in this world!"

Sandy Jenkins, the spouse of Rev. Marshall Jenkins, pastor of Richland First UMC of the EJD, was taken to the Baptist Hospital in Jackson this week. Please be in prayer for Sandy.

YOUTH MINISTER - Iuka First UMC is seeking a full-time Minister of Youth and Program. In addition to leading the small but growing youth group, this person would also work with volunteers to coordinate other areas of ministry. Iuka is a small town located in northeast Mississippi close the Tennessee River. Known for its warm hospitality Iuka has excellent schools and is one of the few areas in which employment opportunities are expanding especially in industrial and technical specialties. Please send resumes to iuka_c@bellsouth.net. For more information call 662.423.6097.

2012 GENERAL CONFERENCE WORSHIP AND MUSIC DIRECTOR - The Worship and Music Director, an individual with a high level of organizational and communication skills, is responsible for the overall worship and music program management at General Conference. The Director is responsible to the Commission on the General Conference functioning as a part of the staff coordinated by the Business Manager. The Worship and Music Director receives a modest honorarium with transportation, housing, and food paid through the submission of expense reports to the Business Manager of the General Conference. Applicants should send a brief resume outlining their background and professional references with a brief audition video highlighting music leadership abilities in a variety of settings by February 1, 2010 to: Rev. Alan J. Morrison, Business Manager of General Conference, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville TN 37203 - 0029 or email: amorrison@gcfa.org. The position description provides technical requirements for the audition video.