:: Gleanings

 
Our Ministry in
This Time and Place

Since, then, we have such a hope,
we act with great boldness...
 
This visual depiction of unemployment, by county, for the entire United States, over the past 2.5 years is amazing and sobering to watch.

 

It takes only a minute or two.  Click the link, scroll to center on your screen, look at the legend, and then "play" in the center of the map.  You will see the map change by month.  Like me, your eyes will be focused on Mississippi to see the impact of the recession here: http://cohort11.americanobserver.net/latoyaegwuekwe/multimediafinal.html  

 

Having watched this map change, pause to pray for all who are impacted by job loss in Mississippi.  Pray that darkness will be shattered by God's strong light through God's people, the church.

Sunday we celebrate a moment of transfiguration, high on a mountain.  The transfiguration culminates this season after Epiphany, the time of another beckoning light.  As our journey darkens into Lent, we will remember the dazzling presence of Christ. 

In every community, families are impacted by the fiscal realities of the recession.  Each of our churches are places of comfort, assistance, counsel, help and hope.  Thank you for your witness of strong hope and bold mission in your community.

 

With gratitude for your ministry,

Hope Morgan Ward

:: Announcements

 
It's Not Too Late
to Register
for the UMW's Assembly

You can still register for the United Methodist Women's Assembly which will be in St. Louis, April 30-May 2. 

The registration fee of $250 includes plenary sessions and worship; full access to the Experience Hall; seminars, panels and performances; name tag; limited edition tote bag with Assembly materials; program book; and Assembly 2010 pin.  The registration deadline is April 1. 

Assembly is a marvelous experience.  Don't miss out!
 
For more information go to the Women's Division Website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/  You can also call Jackie Pennington at 662.843.8139 or email her at jackiebill@tecinfo.com.

UMVIM Training for Team Leaders

UMVIM Team Leader Training is scheduled for Friday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ UMC, Jackson. The training is designed to prepare individuals to become UMVIM team leaders taking groups of short-term volunteers to serve God in the world.  

Discussion will include logistics, culture sensitivity, spiritual preparation, and best practices. Resources and lunch will be provided as part of the training 6-hour training.  The team leader manual is $20 each.

A special thanks to Christ UMC for hosting the event and travel for Paulette West, SEJ UMVIM executive director.

For more information contact David Newton, MS UMVIM Coordinator at david.newton@diamondheadumc.org.  

Nominations Being Sought for
Tobias Gibson Award

March 10, 2010. 

1. A living person (able to come to Conference to receive the award) and
2. Have made a significant contribution toward preserving Mississippi Methodist history.

jwillms@bellsouth.net.This information will be shared with the rest of the committee for a decision.

Anderson UMC to Offer Diverse Events in Celebration of Black History Month

• Sunday, Feb. 14: A Taste of Soul Food -- Presenting the Origins of Soul Food at 8 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. church services.      
• Sunday, Feb. 21: Journey through the "Black History Pages of Mississippi"at 9  a.m. The program will highlight famous black artists, educators, politicians, actors, and community leaders born in Mississippi.
• Black Art Exhibit:  Educator and artist Paul Campbell will lead worshippers through the diversity of African and Black Art on a journey of Black Art  Expression during 8 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. worship services. Everyone is invited to view the art exhibit in the church fellowship hall.
• Wednesday, Feb. 24: Anderson Gospel Music Concert -- Anderson's acclaimed choir will present a celebration of  African-American music and song on Wednesday, at 6:30- 7:30 p.m. The theme is "The Message Does Not Change."  Music will focus on slavery/freedom songs throughout history. 
• Sunday,  Feb. 28: Rhythm and Story-Telling -- The Anderson Dance and Mime ministries will present a jubilant expression of story-telling, movement and rhythm in celebration of Black History during 8 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. worship services.

Camp Lake Stephens Holds
3rd Annual Charity Golf Invitational

The 3rd Annual Charity Golf Invitational at Camp Lake Stephens will be held Friday, April 16 at the Ole Miss Golf Club. The event begins at noon with lunch provided.

The goal of this year's event is to raise $30,000 for the camping ministry. All participants are asked to raise funds prior to the event day through personal sponsors.

Golfers will enjoy a fun scramble with contests and prizes and will be joined by a gallery of walkers who will come out to cheer the players on their last nine holes. Gifts and prizes will be available!

To sign up contact Kelli Long Gaillard at 662.234.3350 or email at kelli@camplakestephens.com.

The Man from Aldersgate
at Forest UMC

B.J. Johnston, who portrays John Wesley as "The Man From Aldersgate," in a one-man play, will be performing at Forest UMC, Sunday, March 7, 6 p.m., in the church sanctuary at 100 Timber Lane, Forest. This is a re-scheduled event from January at which time Mr. Johnston underwent emergency surgery.

The event is sponsored by the Forest UMC and the Forest Community Arts.  All churches are invited. Refreshments will follow. For more information call the church at 601.469.2604. 

Heritage UMC, D'Iberville
Offers Class on Vision Awareness

February is Vision Awareness Month. Heritage UMC will be offering a community class series featuring Dr. Christopher Hogan of Hogan's Eye Clinic.

Dr. Hogan will present on the topic of Prevent Blindness America, the nations' oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization support "Don't Lose Sight" -- a movement to educate adults ages 40-69 about their risk for macular degeneration.

The church is located at 4322 Popps Ferry Rd, D'Iberville. For more information call 228.392.4288.

Mount Sequoyah to Host Caring for Creation

The third annual Caring for Creation conference at Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas will bring members of the faith community together to learn how they can become better caretakers of the Earth.
 
The conference, slated for April 16-18, will offer workshops ranging from Sustainability Ethics: Discovering the Holiness of Place to Creating Your Green Team: A Model for Action. Other workshops include The Biblical Basis for Creation, Food Insecurity?, Practice of Political Advocacy and The Kid Connection to Environmental Stewardship.
 
The keynote speaker is the Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, a priest and canon for the environment in the Episcopal Diocese of California. Bingham is the founder and president of The Regeneration Project, which focuses on its Interfaith Power and Light campaign, a religious response to global warming.

As one of the first faith leaders to recognize global warming as a moral issue, Bingham has mobilized thousands of religious people to put their faith into action through energy stewardship and advocacy.
 
Other speakers are John Hill, director for Economic and Environmental Justice of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, the Rev. Pat Watkins, a missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church and Dr. Jay McDaniel, professor of religion and director of the Steel Center for the Study of Religion and Philosophy at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark.
 
Featured presenters include Peter Illyn, founder of Restoring Eden, the Rev. Stephen Copley, Director of Justice for our Neighbors in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Dr. Marty D. Matlock, associate professor and director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability at the University of Arkansas.
 
Optional activities before the first plenary session on Friday include constructing a rain garden at Mount Sequoyah, a hike on the Mount Sequoyah trail, a bicycle ride on city trails and a biodiesel micro-refinery tour.

Participants in past years' events say the fellowship with other concerned Christians is as valuable as the information they receive.
"The weekend retreat is more than just excellent, up-to-date information from outstanding speakers," said Scharmel Roussel of Little Rock, Ark. "It is also a support group that helps us through the tough days when we feel outnumbered by those who doubt and those who don't care."
 
The conference has been the impetus for the Oklahoma Interfaith Power and Light, Arkansas Green Faith Alliance and Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light. Roussel said. "The Natural State owes a debt of gratitude to Mount Sequoyah for spiritual leadership and courage."
 
For information about workshops, schedules, leadership and fees, contact Mount Sequoyah at 800.760.8126, 479.443.4531, programs@mountsequoyah.org  or www.mountsequoyah.org.

Register for the Lewis Center's 2010
Funding Conference.

"Practices that Lead to Greater Giving" is the theme for the Lewis Center's annual Funding Your Congregation's Vision conference on March 20. It will be held at Glen Mar United Methodist Church in Ellicott City, Maryland.

• Moving People from 1st Time Givers to Joyful Generosity
• Your Church's Thank You System
• Resources You Can Use to Offer Personal Financial Planning in Your Church
• Stewardship Education in Worship
• What Laity Wish Their Pastor Knew about Economic Life (a clergy workshop)

:: Celebrations

Mississippi Conference Selected as Pilot Conference for Scouting Ministry

 
Meeting last August, the committee noted that there are some 70 churches in an average district and a volunteer district scouting coordinator cannot effectively work with that many congregations. 
Mississippi Conference has 10 districts with varying numbers of churches. For example, Hattiesburg District has 79 churches and Senatobia District has 56 churches.

 
 
The solution: a "Scouting Ministry Specialist."Patterned similar to the Men's Ministry Specialist, a Scouting Ministry Specialist will help up to three churches understand the importance of scouting and help them launch Cub packs, Girl and Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews. They will:

• Provide information about national awards:
• Introduce churches to the God and Country series;
• Encourage church leaders to attend regional and national training opportunities;

• Provide proof of Youth Protection Training and/or
• Take an online Sexual Ethics and Safe Sanctuaries course
• Show a record of scouting/youth ministry experience
• Submit registration of $10 

The Scouting Ministry Committee is an arm of the Nashville-based General Commission on UM Men.
For further information, contact LaNisha Sayles, at lsayles@gcumm.org or the scouting website, www.umscouting.org

:: Cares and Concerns

Bobbye Johnston Dillard, surviving spouse of the late Rev. J. Harmon Dillard, formerly of Canton, passed away Feb. 6, at the Courtyards Community Living Center.  Graveside services were held Feb. 8 at the Providence Cemetery in Stringer, Please keep the Dillard family in your prayers.
 
Rev. Grady Bailey, pastor of Ellison/Picken UMC, West Jackson District, will be had out-patient surgery on Feb. 9.  Let's keep Rev. Bailey and his family in your prayers.
 
Bonnie Townsend, wife of Rev. James Townsend (retired), of Batesville, died Feb. 5.  Funeral services were held Feb. 8 at the Old Bethel UMC near Golden in Tishomingo County.  Please keep the Townsend family in your prayers. 
 
Rev. Cecil Jones, retired, passed away Feb. 4.  Funeral services were held Feb. 10  at Main Street United Methodist Church,  Hattiesburg. Please keep Jewell and the family in your prayers
 
Don Price, husband of Rev. Kathy Price's, Meridian District, is in Anderson Hospital, Meridian, following an automobile accident. His injuries appear to be non-life threatening. Please keep the Price's in your prayers.

MODULAR BUILDING FOR SALE - United Methodist Disaster Response has for sale a 5,000 sq. ft. modular building at our camp location In Waveland. This building was used for volunteer accommodations it has a large central room and is encircled by smaller meeting type rooms or offices. The building has men and women toilets and a kitchen. Sprinklers and alarm. There is a separate shower facility. all in excellent condition. All wheels and axles are still in place. Asking $50k offers encouraged. Contact Keith Wells at canoso1751@hotmail.com for specifications and pictures or call 228.234.3346.

YOUTH MINISTER - Growing church on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs is looking for a youth minister who can help lead a youth group of 75-100 with great potential for growth.  For more information email sheila@stpaulos.org.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI WESLEY FOUNDATION OPENING - The Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is searching for a campus minister for the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Wesley Foundation beginning July 1, 2010.  The Cabinet, the USM Wesley Board, and the Higher Education and Campus Ministry committee seek a candidate who:

• Is walking in the way of Christian discipleship themselves
• Is passionate about college campus ministry 
• Has some experience and involvement in campus ministry
• Has proven themselves in other ministry settings 
• Understands ministry to college students
• Has strong relationship skills
• Is a gifted communicator
• Has administrative gifts and organizational skills
• Is familiar with the United Methodist Church and willing to adhere to the guidelines found in the Book of Discipline.  A candidate may be lay, deacon, or elder.  The selection committee seeks the best possible candidate regardless of membership.
  

• Build disciples of Jesus Christ
• Create a lasting and sustainable vision for the USM Wesley Foundation
• Stimulate and sustain numerical growth through relationships and programs
• Create and cultivate student ministers and student leaders for the Wesley Foundation
• Provide leadership to and work in cooperation with the Board of Directors
• Work with the USM board in raising funds for the ongoing ministry
• Build relationships with other campus ministries, organizations, and administration.
• Become an impact on campus in a way that most people affiliated with campus are familiar with the Wesley Foundation

All potential candidates need to send in a resume and a cover letter answering two questions.  First, lay out you're your understanding of the essentials to effective, growing, and healthy ministry to college students.  Second, describe how your gifts and personality relate to these essentials.  We ask that this be written in one page maximum and single spaced.  All resumes and cover letters are due by Friday, February 26.  You will be contacted shortly after the due date in regards to interview details.  All interviews will take place some time in March.  The number of candidates that remain after resume reviews will dictate the interview process.  Please email your letter and resume to the address below. For email: frank@mississippi-umc.org.