:: Gleanings

 
God is Making All
Things New

I gathered with the leaders of a church named Bethany.  As a conversation starter I asked them about their name.  No one in the group was present at the naming. No one recalled giving much thought to it.  We explored the scripture together, looking for Bethany.  In time, someone commented, "Bethany appears to be the place where Jesus felt at home."

Then, someone else mused, "It would be wonderful if our church were a place where Jesus feels at home?"

Jesus' love for this family -- Mary and Martha and Lazarus -- is obvious.  Their home in Bethany is a place of retreat, of companionship, of refreshment.  In this place, we see how God acts to make all things new.

Tears flow and perfume is poured out.  Both are acts of love and devotion.  Jesus weeps by Lazarus' tomb.  Mary pours out costly perfume and anoints the feet of Jesus.  As Jesus weeps, death and grief is palpable.  The smell of the perfume fills the air and Jesus' own death is foreshadowed.

The stories are woven together artfully.  Mary is identified in the second verse of the preceding chapter (John 11:2) as "the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair."  By intent, the stories intertwine and enrich one another:  the stories explore love and grief, devotion and resistance, death and resurrection.

Some of the religious leaders are distressed by the raising of Lazarus.  They resist, afraid of losing their own power and influence:  "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him..." (John 11:48).  Those who see Mary's extravagant act of devotion are immediately critical:  "Why did she not sell the perfume and give it to the poor?"

The foreboding of the suffering and death of Jesus are vividly present.  The sense of danger heightens.  Mary is treated as Jesus is treated.  Those who love Jesus will share in his suffering.  New life will not come easily.

As we approach this Fifth Sunday in Lent, let us own with Paul our greatest desire:  "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings..." In any place of your own suffering, may Christ be with you in your place at the foot of the Cross.

With gratitude for your ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Help Haiti

:: Announcements

Register Now for the 5th Annual Bicycle -- We Have Heart

Calling all UM Bikers to grease the chains and pull out the helmets. It's time for the 5th UM Bike Ride Saturday, May 8 with a 10 a.m. start time. This year's theme is We Have Heart and the course will take a southerly direction -- from Prentiss on Longleaf Trace. Cost to register is $12 per biker and includes a tee shirt if you register ahead of time. 

The ride is open to all from beginners to the most experienced. You decide how far you will ride and rest stations will be provided along the way.

For more information and to register call 601.738.8013 or 662.404.4671 or email karenjones8803@bellsouth.net.

Pratt Memorial UMC Hosts Women's Day --
March 21

Louise Jackson will be the featured guest speaker for Women's Day at Pratt Memorial UMC. The theme is The Stewardship of Christian Women -- Get it From the Master, Give it to His Children. The event takes place Sunday, March 21 at the 11 a.m. worship service and will include inspirational readings and performances by Pratt Memorial Inspirational Choir and Praise Dancers. Janis Smith serves as the Women's Day event chair.  Pratt Memorial is located at 1057 W. Pascagoula Street, Jackson.

For more information call 601.352.5685. 

An Invitation to Youth Minister's Retreat from Seashore Assembly

• On Site Lodging:  FREE to Youth Ministers ($35 for families)
• On Site Meals:  FREE to Youth Ministers ($30/family for non-registered family members)

We all love Jesus and we all love teens. We are doing the hard job of building believers within the body of Christ. If you want to have a ministry that leaves a mark, and changes lives, you must tend to your soul!  Come join us; tend to your soul; leave energized!

For more information contact Ginger at 228.806.9853 or email at ginger.suma@gmail.com.

Ellison UMC Holds Dedication

Ellison UMC, near Vaughan in Yazoo County, is going to have a special day of celebration and dedication of the new Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March 21.  Reverend Henderson Raspberry, West Jackson District Superintendent, will be the guest preacher at the 11 a.m. worship service, with the Service of Dedication to follow.  A covered dish lunch will follow with Open House and tour of the new facilities from 1:30-2:30 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to attend all, or part, of our special day as Ellison UMC seeks to give God the glory for His special blessings on the church family and also express appreciation to all those who have supported our efforts through prayer, encouragement and financial contributions.  Ellison UMC is located on Vaughan Road approximately 4 miles west of I-55 Exit #133.

Heritage UMW and Seashore District Youth Join to Change the World

The community is invited to join Heritage UMC, D'Iberville on April 24, 2010 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. as the United Methodist Women and the Seashore District Youth build community locally and globally as they host a different kind of Baby Shower. The groups will be assembling UMCOR layette kits to sent to countries like Sudan, Republic of Georgia, Kenya, and Haiti and the US when disaster strikes.  The morning will include refreshments, games, and information booths.

Many women do not have swaddling clothes to welcome their newborn child into the world. Layette kits provide basic supplies for the baby's needs. Please bring any of the following items that are included in each kit: 6 cloth diapers, 2 shirts or 2 on-piece body suits, 2 baby washcloths, 2 gowns or sleepers, 2 diaper pins, 1 sweater open in the front, 2 receiving blankets. All clothing should be newborn size. Financial donations are also being accepted to help purchase the items for the kits.

For more information email heritageumc2@cableone.net.

National Task Force on Disability Ministries has New Web Page

United Methodist National Task Force on Disability Ministries is a group of Christians devoted to making every place of worship a welcoming place for individuals with all disabilities,  realizing that each person has unique gifts and graces.

The group offers assistance to United Methodist and other congregations by providing resources for education, support, and advocacy for disability ministry.  For information visit there new web page at www.umdisabilityministries.org.

The Task Force is sponsored by General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and operates through the United Methodist Committee on Relief  (UMCOR) as part of its Health Concerns office.

:: Cares and Concerns

Rev. Arthur Roebuck, retired pastor of the East Jackson District, 80, died March 10, 2010, at St. Dominic Hospital.  Please keep Rosemarie and the Roebuck family in your prayers.

Mrs. Judy Curtis, wife of Rev. Jim Curtis (Trinity UMC - Gulfport) passed away March 11, 2010. Please keep the Curtis family in your prayers. 

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.