:: Gleanings

 
Watch Night

For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven.  -- Ecclesiastes 3:1

Today and tomorrow, of all days, we are most aware of time. The early Methodists observed the transition with worship of the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Almighty.  Worship is the appropriate way to live in this transition from the old year into the new.
 
Without Watch Night, I confess ambivalence about December 31.  The retrospectives and resolutions are sometimes haunting, sometimes helpful. On New Year's Eve, I mostly want to be quiet and watch as the old passes away and the new comes.
 
It fell my lot to preach on New Year's Day, many years ago, in my first year under appointment as an associate in a large suburban church.  The text was Ecclesiastes 3. Not an easy one for a beginner. I struggled with it, wrestling with it until I became physically ill. I still have the notes, the failed attempts at introductions and conclusions. I was inexperienced but the stress, looking back, was in the topic.
 
The preacher in Ecclesiastes says that life is like breath, fragile. He says that there are times for sadness and joy, birth and death, work and rest.  He says that things do not always work out well. He wonders about the meaning of all this. I wondered about it, too, and could think of nothing to say that he had not said!
 
As I put the 2009 Program Calendar of the UMC in the box with all the others since 1974 and open the fresh new one for 2010, I lean into the days to come. Looking at the box, I am thankful for all the days, marked with visits, meetings, lessons, sermons, mission trips, conferences. I have a surge of excitement and energy as I look at that new calendar. It will be a good year!
 
It is a mystery, our life in the midst of the life of God. Our finitude before God's expansive infinity. It is a gift, the life we have this day, the memories we hold, the hopes we bear.
 
Happy New Year to each of you!
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Announcements

 
Rethink Missions Scheduled
for Next Saturday at Galloway

Rethink Missions 2010 is the premiere Conference event for missions this year; a one-day opportunity for clergy and lay persons to rediscover the joy of missions as love of God expressed through love for, and service to, God's people. The conference is designed to:
For pastors, this will be the first conference-wide training and CEU opportunity for the year. For more information on the conference click here.

Mark Your Calendar
Now for MYAC 2010

Details are still being worked out, but the date is set. Make plans now to attend. MYAC, Methodist Youth Annual Conference, is scheduled for June 8-10 in Jackson. For more information click here.

Trinity UMC, Brandon to Hold
Book Signing and Concert

Author Kevin Murriel of Candler Theological Seminary will be at Trinity UMC, Brandon on Jan. 2 to sign his new book, Who's Afraid of the Journey, 8 Steps to Help You Walk in the Confidence of Christ.

Following the book signing will be a concert by Cedric Robinson and Inspired Praise. All events are open to the public. Trinity UMC is located at 649 Luckney Road, Brandon.  For more information you may call the church at 601.825.5563.

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 has been extended to Jan. 8, 2010.

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 should be received in the conference office no later than Jan. 8. They can be emailed to lisacm@mississippi-umc.org. 

Mason to Lead Boundaries Seminar

Rev. Elbrist Mason will lead a seminar entiltled "Boundaries: Live and Learn Like You've Never Done Before," beginning Jan. 26 and running through March 2. The workshop will meet each Tuesday from 6 - 7 p.m. as part of Millsaps' continuing education enrichment program.

The seminar will be a common sense approach to using boundaries to help improve your life at home, work, school and other places. The high-energy workshop will provide practical steps to help you become more focused and action-oriented.

For more information contact Elbrist Mason at 601.813.5597 or email at emnew456@yahoo.com. You may also call Millsaps College's continuing education office at 601.974.1130.  

Forest UMC to Host "John Wesley"

B.J. Johnston as "John Wesley" will be at Forest UMC Sunday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. for a one-man performance of "The Man From Aldersgate."

Everyone is invited to come and experience the life and times of John Wesley, the man who rode over 250,000 miles to bring spiritual renewal to England and America. Refreshments will follow.

For more information you may call 601.469.2604 or e-mail  larry@forestumc.org.  

Arts Under The Dome
to Feature
Classical/Blues Fusion

Concert series Arts Under The Dome resumes at Gulfport First UMC on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. with Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues.

Blues harmonica player and pianist Corky Siegel has been a recognized and award-winning musical pioneer for nearly four decades, as a member of Chicago's legendary Seigel-Schwall Band.

Now he has teamed up with the West End String Quartet and noted world percussionist Frank Donaldson to create the genre-busting Chamber Blues. Walking the line between Beethoven and B.B. King,  they have taken their innovative sound to wildly enthusiastic audiences globally.  You can take a listen at www.chamberblues.com.

Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students and will be available at the door. 

Season tickets are also available for four concerts in Arts Under The Dome's 2010 season which includes the Bethune-Cookman University Inspirational Gospel Choir on March 5, brass ensemble Proteus 7 on March 14, and the Panorama Jazz Band on April 9. 

For more information, go to www.fumc-gulfport.org or call 228.863.0392.

Hispanic/Latino Ministries Table to Meet

The Conference Hispanic/Latino Ministries Table will meet Monday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Mississippi United Methodist Foundation Building, on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland. 

Anyone who has a special interest in Hispanic/Latino ministries is invited to attend, but should notify Rayford Woodrick, table convener, ahead of the meeting, at rayford@stm-umc.org.

Certification Institute for
Church Secretaries Set for July 18-23

The Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries 2010 Certification Institute is being held July 18 - 23, 2010. The registration fee for the 201 Institute is $315*. This includes course materials, a continental breakfast Monday through Friday, a couple of lunches and dinners (Sunday & Thursday). Travel, room, additional meals and any other incidentals are the responsibility of each participant Arrangements have been made with Emory University for air-conditioned dormitory rooms at $38* for singles, per day and $30* per person, per day for doubles.

*These rates are as of November 2009.  Please see the brochure for more details.  If someone needs financial help there are a limited amount of scholarships that cover the cost of the registration fee. A written request explaining the need for the scholarship is required.

For more information contact Cynthia J. Haralson, Director of Records and Statistics, GCFA Staff Representative to PAUMCS Toll Free at 866.367.4232, Ext. 2386; Fax: 615.369.2411 or email to charalson@gcfa.org.

:: Cares and Concerns

Mrs. Virginia D. Rasberry, mother of Rev. Henderson Rasberry, West Jackson District Superintendent, passed away December 25. Funeral services were held Dec. 28, at  First Carthage UMC. Our prayers are with Rev. Rasberry and his family.
 
Please note that Pat Tonkel underwent four hours of brain surgery Dec. 21 at St. Dominic in Jackson. She is doing well. The doctor removed two sections of what he said appeared to be a tumor in the speech control area of the brain. The pathology report won't be available for several days. Please let's stay in prayer for Pat, Pastor Keith and the Tonkel family.

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.

SALTILLO FIRST UMC CHILDREN'S MINISTER ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY - Saltillo First UMC, Tupelo District, is seeking a part-time staff member to lead our growing Children's Ministry program. This person will be responsible to the Senior Pastor and the Pastor-Parish Team. The primary duties of the minister will be to nurture the faith development of children from birth to the sixth grade through educational, fellowship and spiritual growth programs and activities as well as administrative duties.  Qualifications and responsibilities are outlined on the attached document. The applicants must be committed to Christ and The Church, be able to work with the church staff as part of a team, and be motivated to fulfill the Mission and Vision of this church.  Send letter of interest, resume and salary requirements to:  Saltillo First UMC, P.O. Box 146 Saltillo, MS  38866   Telephone: 662.869.2956   Or email to: saltillo1stumc@bellsouth.net.    
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   We see the children's programs of our church as being very specialized and yet a valuable part of the total church. As such, we feel that our children's minister should be just that; a minister to our children, shepherding them as our pastor shepherds the church. First and foremost, our children's minister should have an active, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and be open about it. We also expect the minister to have a secure home life; fresh, new ideas; a vision for the future for our children; to be open-minded to our ideas; family/children ministry minded; open to periodic evaluations; have good leadership skills.