:: Gleanings

 
Poor, and Yet Making
Many Rich

We are treated as impostors,
and yet are true;
As unknown, and yet are well known;
As dying, and see -- we are alive;
As punished, and yet not killed;
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
As poor, yet making many rich;
As having nothing, and yet possessing everything.  -- II Corinthians 6:8-10 
 

Wearing our mortality with ashes upon our foreheads, we begin our Lenten journey.

 

• February 23: Path 1 Discovery Event, "Cast Wide the Net," Camp Wesley Pines
• March 3: Episcopal-United Methodist Covenant of Life Celebration, Meridian
• March 6: "Growth in Generosity," Heritage UMC, Hattiesburg
• April 10: "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations," Christ UMC, Jackson

With gratitude for your ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Help Haiti

:: Announcements

 
Baker's Chapel UMC to Host
Friday Night Lenten Suppers

Cast Wide the Net --
New Church Discovery Gathering


Camp Wesley Pines will be the gathering place for a day of renewal, learning, teaching, and dreaming this Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Rev. Gary Shockley, newly appointed executive officer for New Congregational Development in the U.S. for the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), and Candace Lewis will guide participants in discovering the opportunities for church growth in our Conference.

Everyone is invite to attend, especially former church planters, charter members of new churches, those called to plant new churches, college students, and churches who hope to foster a new church.

The event is free -- a donation for lunch and refreshments are welcomed. For more information contact Embra Jackson at 601.354.0510 or embra@mississippi-umc.org.

Collinsville UMC to Host Quartet

Southern Image Quartet will be in concert at Collinsville UMC on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. The church is located at 9126 Church Rd., Collinsville. 

For more information, contact Rev. Alan Randall, 601.626.8881.

Quitman First to Offer
A Night at the Opera

A Night at the Opera, a free concert featuring mezzo-soprano Heather Clancy and pianist Rose Longwitz will be presented Friday, March 5, 6:30 p.m. at Quitman First UMC. 

Described as an effervescent take on the usually solemn world of opera this program will take you from the ridiculous to the sublime with selections from Bizet's Carmen, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte as well as selections by Verdi, Puccini and many more. In the comedic tradition of Anna Russell and Victor Borge this evening is filled with majestic melodies and pure fun.

The recipient of two honors by the Metropolitan Opera National Council (MONCA), American mezzo-soprano Heather Clancy has earned critical acclaim all over the globe with performances in twenty-nine countries. Ms. Clancy has recently returned to the United States with her husband, German chef Mike Römhild.

There is no admission charge for this event but attendees are encouraged to donate to Haiti Relief through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. 100-percent of all proceeds will go directly to Haiti Relief.

Photo above: Heather Clancy (right) and her mother Marcia Stanley.

Arts Under the Dome Features Gospel Choir

Concert series Arts Under The Dome hosts the Bethune-Cookman University Inspirational Gospel Choir on Friday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. The 30-member choir will perform a wide range of music including traditional and blues gospel, contemporary R & B and jazz gospel, Negro spirituals and a cappella gospel renditions.
 
Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black university in Daytona Beach, FL, was founded in 1904.  The choir itself was founded by Bethune-Cookman students in 1966.  The choir tours annually throughout the country during Spring Break and including their Florida performances averages 50 to 70 engagements per year.
 
The venue is Gulfport First UMC on 15th St. and 24th Ave. in downtown Gulfport.  Tickets are $10 adults and $7 students and may be purchased at the door.  For more information, call 228-863-0392 or 229-6851, or go to www.fumc-gulfport.org.  The internationally touring brass ensemble Proteus 7 follows the next weekend on March 14.

Camp Lake Stephens Now Enrolling
for Summer Camp

Camp Lake Stephens is now enrolling students for summer camp.  For a preview of the site and what's available a Summer Camp Open House will be held on Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m.  You're invited to come tour the grounds, meet summer staff and enjoy refreshments.
 
Opportunities for campers include swimming, rappelling, archery, canoeing, kayaking, arts and crafts, ultimate Frisbee, and high ropes.  Campers also enjoy hiking, playing in the creek, campfires, outdoor cooking, family group activities, total group games and the new ZIP LINE! 
 
Adventure Camp takes place in the tree houses by the lake. Besides a week of tree house camp for Elementary and Junior High, the camp also host rafting trips to the Ocoee River, a canoe trip, and a caving trip.  All Adventure Camps have a limited amount of space, so be sure to register early!
 
For more information visit the website at www.camplakestephens.com or call the camp office at 662.234.3350 or email Russell@camplakestephens.com for a brochure. 

All camps have an available early bird rate, which offers a lower rate for camps if registered by APRIL 9, 2010.

:: Celebrations

MRLC to Honor Investigative
Reporter Jerry Mitchell

The Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference (MRLC) will honor Clarion-Ledger investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell at its annual banquet on February 23, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church. Mitchell, recipient of a 2009 "Genius Grant" from the MacArthur Foundation, has worked tirelessly and successfully have cold cases from the Civil Rights Era reopened.

MRLC is an interfaith, interracial faith based organization that has its roots in the Civil Rights Movement when religious leaders across racial lines came together to address the rash of bombings on houses of worship in Mississippi.

The theme for the banquet will be Pursuing Justice with the Pen. Mitchell will be the keynote speaker for the banquet and will talk on his work and the current cases in which he is involved.

The Founders' Memorial Award is given in commemoration of and in the spirit of the founders of MRLC for significant interfaith contribution to denomination, community and state. It was first presented at the 1988 MRLC banquet.

"Because of his work in pursuing justice for so many families that have suffered for so long, we wanted to honor Jerry Mitchell for his indefatigable efforts to bring light, truth and peace to those brutally wronged in the past and to bring some sense of healing to our State," said Mary Woodward MRLC banquet coordinator.

"Mr. Mitchell's work has unearthed some painful memories, but until we bring justice and healing to these sinister events of our past, we cannot truly and honestly remove the cloud that hangs over our state because of that past. We have come a long way in improving our image racially, but we still have a lot of hurts that need to be healed," Woodward added.

Tickets for the banquet are $25 and must be purchased in advance. Reservation deadline is Feb. 19. Tickets will be held at the door. For more information or to make a reservation contact Ms. Woodward at 601.960.8475.

Shockley to Head New Church
Development in the U.S.

The Rev. Gary Shockley has been named executive officer for New Congregational Development in the U.S. for the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), where he will be leading the Path 1 Team, effective July 1, 2010. 
 
Bishop Lindsey Davis, chair of the Path 1 Team; Bishop Charlene Kammerer, president of GBOD's board of directors; and Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, General Secretary of GBOD, made the announcement.
 
Shockley, currently New Church Systems Strategist for Path 1, will succeed the Rev. Tom Butcher, who is taking an appointment in the Desert Southwest Conference beginning July 1, 2010. Butcher, who was appointed the first executive officer in 2007, will continue in the role through the end of June.
 
Shockley will lead the Path 1 staff, based at GBOD headquarters in Nashville, and will continue to work with Path 1 steering committee and the Council of Bishops toward the goal of building and implementing the denomination's collaborative effort to train 1,000 new church planters who will start 650 new churches by 2013.
 
"Gary has shown strong leadership in working toward this goal with Tom and the others on the Path 1 Team," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for GBOD.
 
"While we will miss Tom greatly as he moves to a new role in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference, we know that Gary will build on the success already demonstrated by the Path 1 Team."
 
Shockley, who has served as a New Church Systems Strategist since February of 2009, began his service as a pastor in the United Methodist Church when he was 18.
 
In addition to more than 30 years of ministry, he has more than 12 years of experience in New Church Starts.
 
An elder in the Florida Annual Conference, he has a master's of divinity degree, has an M.A., and lacks only his dissertation toward his doctorate in spiritual formation.  A published author, he is also a strong verbal communicator.  He also has experience as a leader in the annual School of Congregational Development.
 
"Gary brings specialized knowledge to the executive officer position with his extensive training and expertise in church consulting focusing on new church development, extensive fund development experience, visioning and strategic planning, new church design experience, team building with supervision experience and conflict resolution," said Greenwaldt.
 
In making the announcement, Davis, Kammerer and Greenwaldt all pointed to the fact that as a New Church Systems Strategist, Shockley has been developing a nationwide coaching network, assessment resources, funding strategy workshops, annual conference contextualized consulting and numerous other resources.
 
They also note the work he's doing to implement a coaching and training system for deploying 100 trained and endorsed Path 1 coaches to work with church planters. As New Church Systems Strategist, Shockley worked to organize the inaugural three-day Path 1 Coaching Forum held in January in Nashville.
 
Approximately 80 men and women from throughout the United States attended the forum that was conducted by 18 mentor-coaches, a diverse leadership group linked by their dedication to planting new United Methodist Churches throughout the United States.
 
The reason for initiating this event was that "planting new churches  now is vital," Shockley said at the time.
 
"We are doing a parallel thing at the School of Congregational Development each summer where we will focus on the other two key components of our coaching model -- consultation and facilitation," he said.
 
The plan is for coach training to be carried out at both annual gatherings.
 
Shockley has played a key role in church growth as a pastor, consultant and coach and has been active in revitalizing existing congregations and planting new churches in Pennsylvania and in Florida.
 
His wife, Kim Shockley, is a consultant and facilitator who coaches pastors and mentors coaches in the Florida Annual Conference. They have two sons, Aaron and Jake.

:: Special Events


Todd Agnew in Concert Featuring
Dathan Thigpen the Holy Nation Feb. 26

Tickets for the Todd Agnew Concert are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at Lifeway Bookstore, 601.977.9676.  A group discount is available for youth ministry groups at $10 per person. This discount to youth ministry groups is available only through the MS Conference office. To get the group ministry rate call Frank Haynes at 601.354.0515 ext. 28 or email frank@mississippi-umc.org.

:: Register NOW!


Mississippi Youth Annual Conference 2010

Register now for Mississippi Youth Annual Conference. Early registration fee of $150 is available through April 30. 100 students are needed to continue the conference, so get your registration in soon. Scholarships are available. For more information visit www.mississippi-umc.org or  contact at 601.354.0515 ext. 28
or email frank@mississippi-umc.org.

DIRECTOR - Edwards Street Board of Directors in Hattiesburg is seeking resumes for the newly created position of Director. Requirements for consideration should have a college degree, preferably in social work, experience in management, budget preparation, with strong communication and community relations skills.  The position will pay 30K or higher depending on qualifications. Please send resumes to:  Bill Youngblood, Personnel Committee Chair at youngbloodw@bellsouth.net.
 
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES - Corinth First UMC is seeking a part time Director of Music Ministries. Person will be primarily responsible for coordinating the chancel, youth, children's, handbell choirs, and related aspects of music ministry. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.  For further information, or to send resume, please contact:  Staff-Parish Relations Committee at First United Methodist Church, 901 N. Fillmore St, Corinth, MS 38834. Deadline for receiving applications is March 19, 2010.
 
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRIES - Corinth First UMC is seeking a part time/full-time position in Children and Family Ministries. Person will be primarily responsible for coordinating all aspects of children's and family ministries, including Sunday school classes, Wednesday night programs, and Vacation Bible School.  Salary is commensurate with education and experience. For further information, or to send resume, please contact:  Staff-Parish Relations Committee at First United Methodist Church, 901 N. Fillmore St, Corinth, MS 38834.  Deadline for receiving application is March 19, 2010.

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.