Easter People,
Raise Your Voices

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is... -- Colossians 3:1

In Colossians, Paul urges us to be Easter people -- to cloth ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. He is clear on what is to be put away -- impurity, greed, anger, slander and abusive language.

All these qualities -- those that give life and those that deny life -- are contagious. Angry people evoke anger in us. Kind people evoke kindness in us.

The Holy Spirit in Easter people creates a contagion joy, peace, compassion, humility, kindness!  We are overcome with these fruits of the spirit in a word awash in a contagion of anger, greed and stridency.

Our environment shapes us in overt and in subtle ways. Turner Arant and I were at a meeting of The General Board of Global Ministries Monday through Wednesday of this week. On Tuesday night, we remarked to each other, "We need to get out of this building." 

A two hour break in the late afternoon sunshine, seeing the sky, feeling the breeze, moving over the earth restored my soul and re-centered my spirit in Easter joy and peace. Christ rose like the sun, the Holy Spirit moves like the breeze, God is over us and under us.

A television newsbreak in my room had the opposite effect. The strident voices pulled me to be strident, to be angry in agreement or angry in disagreement.

Let us respond to Paul's invitation, seeking places and times and people that nurture the gift of the Holy Spirit in us. This is essential for Easter people, weak and imperfect, yet destined through Easter power to bear fruits of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity an faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22)

May you be in the world today alive and alert as Easter people,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Announcements

Sign Up Now for Ride Five -- We Have Heart

The 5th UMC Bike Ride takes place 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.

Change the World Events

On April 24-25, 2010, United Methodists around the world are invited to participate in Change the World, a weekend event that coincides with World Malaria Day on Sunday, April 25.

Congregations are invited to schedule a community-based workday, and use World Malaria Day sermon starters on Sunday. A special offering is encouraged to support the fight against malaria. Below is a list of the churches in Mississippi who are taking part.If you're participating but not listed below please let us know remember to register your event with the General Church.

For more information or to register your churches event link here.

St. Matthew's UMC, Madison- St. Matthew's congregation will package 20,000 meals for the "Stop Hunger Now" ministry, to provide food in disaster situations, or where chronic hunger exists in the world.

North Iuka Charge, Iuka- The lay people of the United Methodist Churches in Iuka are providing backpack meals to children who only get meals while at school. This ministry is now expanding to other communities. We will focus our worship on fighting malaria on 25 April.

Evans Chapel UMC, Belzoni- Youth training and revival

St Paul UMC, Ocean Springs- For the fourth year in April we will be involved in an Awakening event for mission which educates as well as seeks commitment to support mission thorough a pledge financially, prayers and commitment to hands on opportunities for mission. This year's event is scheduled for April 11 and April 18. April 11 will highlight what we do in the local community and witness from Mission teams with a challenge to leave the worship service to go to sites to do mission. April 18 will be a seminar type experience with opportunities to connect with missions we support throughout the world. Rev Cynthia Harvey from UMCOR will be one of our primary speakers to share the need in Haiti and how we can connect there. Since there is a natural connection with Ghana and Zambia threat we already have, the Malaria emphasis and an offering will be a natural thing to do.

Tupelo First UMC, Tupelo- On Palm Sunday weekend we will survey 550 homes to discover how our church can help our neighbors. On Sunday, April 25 our congregation will do these projects in the morning and then have worship and a picnic in the neighborhood.

Heritage UMC, D'Iberville and Seashore District Youth- Heritage UMW and District Youth will host a different kind of Baby Shower on April 24, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 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.

Biloxi First UMC, Biloxi- During the entire month of April we'll be collecting large-size cans and packages of food items for Safe Space which is a local Methodist Mission serving meals to the homeless and hungry in our community. Our Mission Committee will prepare and serve a meal at Safe Space on April 19. Then, on April 25 a team will be commissioned during worship and leave for Austell, GA on a week-long flood recovery mission

Trinity UMC, Brandon- We are the world gathering will be a time of opening the whole church to the community and cities around Brandon, MS. We will share and love all who come into our space, area and beyond.

Galloway UMC, Jackson- We are going to have church on the grounds of the capitol. We will have a fun run and educate persons about how we can make a difference. Will participate in fighting malaria.

Cokesbury Store, Ridgeland - Together with your Jackson Cokesbury store help feed the hungry. Bring in your non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food pantry.

Cedar Grove UMC to Hold Homecoming

Cedar Grove UMC Homecoming is scheduled for Sunday, May 2, 2010. All persons with connection to the church are invited to for the day of fellowship, delicious food and good preaching. The service will start at 11:15 a.m. Guest speaker is Rev. Curtis Cain. Cedar Grove UMC is located in the Hattiesburg District. Address is 2953 Hwy. 18, Louin, MS.

:: Celebrations

Mrs. Marion Clark, the wife of Bishop Roy Clark, died April 12, 2010. Her funeral service will take place on Friday, April 16, at 2 p.m. at West End UMC, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN. Bishop Clark, now retired, served the Mississippi Conference as pastor to Capitol Street UMC in Jackson. Please keep the Clark family in your prayers. You may reach Bishop Clark at this E-mail address: mscrcc20@gmail.com.  The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:  West End UMC Day School, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203-5290 or to Interfaith Dental Clinic, 1721 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203-2925.

Mrs. Lillian Hightower, wife of retired pastor Rev. Ed Hightower, passed away April 7, 2010. The funderal service was held at Gipson Memorial UMC in Vicksburg on April 10, 2010. Please be in prayer for Rev. Hightower and his family. Memorial gifts may be submitted to Gibson Memorial UMC.

Rev. David Buchholz, pastor of Fletcher's Chapel/Bethany Charge, West Jackson District is at home recovering from hip surgery and will begin rehabilitation soon.  Please keep Rev. Buchholz in your prayers.

Rev. Jodie Cothen, pastor at Lumberton-Maxie UMCs, had surgery April 9, due to continuing pain in his replacement knee.  He was admitted to Forrest General Hospital and put on antibiotic therapy for infection.  Please remember Jodie and Teresa in your prayers.

The Tupelo District Office has received 60 copies of the 1964 United Methodist Hymnal and 30 paperback copies of the Revised Standard Version New Testament from a church recently closed.  If you have need of these materials please come by and pick up any you want.

We have also received a number of study books from the library of a retired pastor. They are "free to a good home".

Global Ministries- United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) searching for a seasoned community worker to strengthen and maintain relations between UMCOR and the Eglise Me'thodiste d'Haiti(EMH). This person would work closely with the Head of Mission (HOM) and EMH, under the direction of the Assistant General Secretary of International Diaster Response, to collaborate and coordinate the on-the-ground and overall program operations of the UMCOR Haiti Mission Efforts. This person would also be held accountable for clear communication to the United Methodist Volunteers and any volunteer-related activites. The ideal candidate would be independent, resourceful, organized and committed to work with the EMH and the entire UMCOR team in Haiti, as well as Headquarters. Click here for an application.