:: Gleanings

 
That the World
May Believe

I ask...that they may all be one...
As you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have
sent me. -- John 17:21

Kathleen Norris, in Dakota, describes her extended time in a monastic community.  One day she asked a monk, "What is the hardest thing about being a monk?"  He answered quickly, "The other monks."

Jesus Christ prayed that all who believed in him would be one.  Perhaps this is the place where the church has failed the most dramatically, separating off into a myriad of groups, each with customs and theologies and cherished heritage.  Within denominations, with local churches, the challenge of unity is great.  Our churches, through A2 assessments, listed conflict as one of the greatest challenges to healthy congregational life and evangelism and mission.

The Discipline gives to the bishop the responsibility of guarding the unity of the church.  Therefore, I invite you to a day of dialogue toward unity on Friday, April 9, 2010, at Christ United Methodist Church, Jackson.  This is a "whosoever will come" event; all laity and clergy are invited. We will begin with worship at 10 a.m. and dismiss no later than 3 p.m.  Please register by contacting Donna White at donna@mississippi-umc.org so that we might anticipate an accurate count for a light snack at midday as we remember the Wesleyan tradition of Friday fasting.  

The purpose of the gathering is to engage in dialogue so that we might relate to each other and the entire community of United Methodist people with faithfulness and integrity, honoring the mission of the UMC in spite of our differences. 

In preparation for the day, you are invited to read and meditate upon Jesus' prayer in John 17.  This prayer will be our text as we speak together about what unites us and dialogue honestly about what threatens to divide us.

I hope you will be a part of this time together as we listen, speak, pray and watch for the unity that is always God's gift, never our accomplishment.

With gratitude for your consideration of this invitation to be present,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Announcements

 
Healthcare Reform Links


http://www.umcgbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2954191&ct=8104619¬oc=1

http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.5259605/k.F985/UMNS_News.htm

East/West Jackson Holds
Lay Leader Retreat April 17

The 2010 East and West Jackson Districts Lay Leader Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Central United Methodist Church, 500 N. Farish St., Jackson.

The workshop is for all local church lay leaders in the East and West Jackson Districts. There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided.

For more information and to register call the district office at 601-944-0776 by Friday, April 9.

The Footsteps in Hope 8K
is Just Two Weeks Away!

Here are all of the details you'll need. Footsteps In Hope:

• 8k Walk/Run for HIV organizations in Mississippi and Zimbabwe
• Old Trace Park, Ridgeland, MS
• March 28, 2010, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Register and begin fundraising at www.footstepsinhope.org. 2010 Benefiting Organizations: Adult HIV Clinic, Brave New Day, Building Bridges, Central MS Circle of Care, Grace House, MS Episcopal AIDS Committee, and the Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. 

25th Anniversary Kosciusko First UMC
Passion Play

The 25th annual Passion Play, His Last Days, will be presented by Kosciusko First UMC the three nights prior to Easter, April 1, 2, and 3, on the grounds of the church.  The outdoor performances will be presented at 8 p.m. each night.  The play, which portrays Jesus' betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection, begins in front of the church on Washington Street and progresses onto North Natchez Street where the last scene, the Ascension, takes place.

The script was written by the late Rev. Charles Wiggers during his pastorate of the church. Alice Dykes Jordan and Joe Doty have directed each production of the play since its maiden performance in 1985. This year's reenactment is being co-directed by Joe Doty, Beverly Casteel, David Casteel, and Diane Grey, who also is co-production director with Terry Jones. Several people have performed in the Passion Play all 25 years and some the very same role. The audience is offered a sense of what Christ experienced for us all during His last days.

There is no cost for admission, and a nursery is provided. No reservations are necessary. Parking for vehicles, including vans and buses, is conveniently located near the church grounds where the drama takes place. The church is located at the corner of East Washington and Natchez streets in Kosciusko.

For more information, call the church office at 662-289-1412 or e-mail at chur623@bellsouth.net.

Become a Super Single Parent Seminar
at Christ UMC, Jackson

James Cruise, of James Cruise Ministries, will be the guest speaker at the Become a Super Single Parent Seminar to be held at Christ UMC, Jackson.

The seminar will be held for six consecutive Wednesday nights beginning April 7, from 6 - 7 p.m. each evening. Childcare is available. 

For more information on the seminar contact Christ UMC at 601-914-7114.

Johnston Chapel UMC Uses Golf to Raise Funds for Church in Brazil

For those of you who like to play golf.  Spend a fun morning and help raise funds to build a church in Brazil. On April 17, at Quail Hollow Golf Course (Percy Quinn State Park) out from Magnolia, the Johnston Chapel Brazil Mission Team 2010 will be having a fund raising Scramble Golf Tournament. 

Registration at 8:30 a.m.; Shotgun start at 9 a.m.;  Cost: $100 per two-member team; free refreshments and ribeye steak dinner included.  Putting contest also.  Many door prizes will be available. 

Deadline for Entry is April 12, make checks payable to JCUM Church; 2093 Chapel Drive, Summit, MS 39666. Call 601-276-7971 for more details.  Get a team together and come and have fun, fellowship, win a prize and help build a church -- what more could you ask for in a golf outing.

Caswell Springs UMC Plans Homecoming
May 2, 2010

Caswell Springs UMC in Seashore District invites everyone to join them for Homecoming Sunday, May 2, 2010.

The day will begin with worship at 11 a.m. with the message presented by former pastor Rev. Jim Fisher and followed by dinner on the grounds.  This year's theme will be a celebration of the Child Care Center at Caswell Springs. If you have pictures of your child or grandchild please share a copy to be displayed at the Homecoming event. The church is located at 18601 Hwy 63, Moss Point. 

For more information call 228-588-6546.

:: Celebrations

 
Ripley First UMC
Takes Up Pencils
for Local Schools

The tough economic times are having a dramatic effect on many areas of our lives.  One of the places affected is our local schools.

The people of Ripley First UMC asked one of the local principals, Nedra Nabors, a member of Ripley FUMC, what could the church do to be of support to the school in this tough time.  Nabors gave a surprising response which included paper for the office, snacks for children to eat before testing... and pencils.  Ripley Elementary School makes sure that every child taking one of the many standardized tests has two pencils with which to take the test. Nabors said having the church provide 1000 pencils would be a great help.

Rev. Andy Stoddard, pastor of Ripley First accepted the challenge, and asked the church to supply the needs of Ripley Elementary School, but also all the students of the South Tippah School District.  So word went out to the church, and on Sunday, March 7, Ripley members collected over 1600 pencils. That would have been enough to supply Ripley Elementary, but the church was not finished. An additional 400 pencils came in throughout the first part of the week, with promises of more to come.

Because of the generosity of the members of the church, over 2000 pencils were collected and the children of Ripley, and of the South Tippah School District (Pine Grove and Blue Mountain) will have the pencils that they need for their testing.  And, the school and district, in the midst of tough times, will have the needed resource without having to dip into their budget.

"The cost to the members of the church was minimal, but the reward of helping others, the reward of being 'the church,' is eternal," said Stoddard.  "The folks at Ripley responded with grace and faithfulness and their service shows that a local church doesn't have to reinvent the wheel to help in these tough times. They just have to see a need and find creative ways to meet that need."

:: Spiritual Leadership Highlight

 
Arise! Shine! Layspeak!
By Cheryl Denley, convener of the Layspeaking Ministries Table

Early one Sunday morning the phone rings and Ann Gray (District Director of Lay Speaking for the Greenwood District) answers to hear her pastor, Rev. Joe Reynolds, explain to her, "Ann, there is no way I can get to church this morning, I am really sick.  Please take over for me."  Her mind raced back to her Advanced Lay Speaking Course and the advice her teacher had given them:  "Always keep a 'pocket sermon' in case of emergencies!"   At the time, she may have thought, well, what does a teacher know!  But on this Sabbath morn, she was thinking, teachers are smarter than I am!

Her advanced class assignment was to write a sermon to be critiqued by the class.  After the class Ann had two very good thoughts to take away, one was the "pocket sermon" and the other was don't sit there and wait for someone to call you to speak.  Get out and find something to do.  She has followed those instructions and has had a most rewarding, spiritual journey teaching a Bible class at a local prison.

Richard Henley, District Director of Lay Speaking Ministries for the East Jackson District writes:  "I believe Lay Speaking brings in the leaders of each church.  As I go around helping with Lay Speaking Schools, I continue to see church leaders coming to see what else there is that they can do.  After they get over the idea that they will not necessarily be speaking they look to see where else their 'spiritual gifts' can be used.  All of the classes show ideas of ways to serve in God's kingdom.  Many people come because they like to be with a group of fellow Christians.  I also believe some people use the Advanced Classes as spiritual enrichment.  I have never heard anyone say that they did not enjoy the time spent at a Lay Speaking School."

The title of the Basic Lay Speaking Course has been changed to "leading and learning" and the focus is to help lay speakers grow as followers of Jesus and to understand how to use their gifts in ministry.  Each year lay speakers renew their commitment by training purposefully to serve purposefully.  Lay Speakers care, lead and communicate; they encourage, equip, and support others for deeper commitment to Christ and faithful discipleship.

Lay Speakers are guided by the 35th verse of John, chapter 4, in which we are called to take notice of the abundance of the harvest, looking up and around, and then getting busy to gather in from God's generous bounty.  Lay Speakers engage the community with new ideas, new tools and new resources for ministry upon returning from a Lay Speaking School.

Lay Speakers are reminded of the ministry of the laity:  All God's People, in All places, And in All times, Are called to love and to SERVE!  Lay Speakers have been arising, shining and lay speaking for a long time.  Discipline editions in the 1800's mention class leaders, exhorters, local preachers, lay leaders, and lay speakers.

:: Cares and Concerns

Mrs. Kathryn T. Oliver, surviving spouse of Rev. Gilbert Oliver, passed away on March 23 in Gulfport.  Services will be held Friday, March 26 at Trinity UMC in Gulfport at 11 a.m.  Friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until service time.  Burial will follow at Rose Hill Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian at 3 p.m. Please keep the Oliver family in your prayers.
 
Rev. Roy Everett Bonner, retired local pastor, Meridian District, passed away Thursday, March 25. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Aberdeen First United Methodist Church is looking for a Summer Intern to offer ministry opportunities to our Upper Elementary and Junior High Students.  We are looking for a college age student able to work from mid May through Mid August.  Contact us at 662-369-8135 or email us at mail@fumcaberdeen.org.  Check out our Web page www.fumcaberdeen.org. 

Getwell Road UMC is seeking a dynamic individual to lead the Youth Ministry (7th - 12th grade).  We are a fast-growing, culturally relevant congregation of 1600+ in Southaven, Mississippi (suburb of Memphis, Tennessee).  Must be able to coordinate programming for 150+ youth which includes Bible Study, discipleship training, missions, music, and recreation. Four-year Bachelor's degree with experience in student ministry required.  Deadline for applications: 4/16/10Contact Information: Getwell Road United Methodist Church; 7875 Getwell Road, Southaven, MS  38672. Web site: www.getwellroad.org.  Inquiries to: careers@getwellroad.org.

The Detroit Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Conference Director for New Faith Communities and Congregational Development.  The position includes pastoring an urban congregation to be developed as an incubator model for congregational renewal, along with conference staff responsibilities.  Primary qualities being sought:  Motivated, team style entrepreneurial pastoral leader; experience and competency working in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic settings; training and experience in development of new faith communities and multiplication of existing congregations. The position begins July 1, 2010.  The conference office and the congregation are in the City of Flint, Michigan.  The compensation/benefits package includes a parsonage, along with health insurance and pension as per the conference guidelines.  The position requires relocation to Flint.
Qualified candidates may download applications and job descriptions at http://www.detroitconference.org/classifieds/detail/138.  Applications, cover letters, and resumés may be sent in .pdf or .doc format to: Rev. Elbert Paul DulworthChairperson, DAC Leadership Team Personnel Committee. E-mail: dacpersonnelcommittee@gmail.com.  Application deadline is April 15, 2010.