Appointed to Bear Fruit

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. -- Psalm 1:3

As the Cabinet and I worked on appointments this week at Seashore Assembly, we gave thanks for each of you by name -- each clergy and each church in the Mississippi Conference.

This is our prayer for you all: We pray that you will be like trees by streams of water, yielding fruit in season, staying vital and strong, prospering in all that you so.

Six out of seven clergy will continue in their current appointment. Continuity in pastoral ministry will be experienced in the vast majority of churches. 

Churches in transition will receive in worship on Sunday the name of their new pastor. The Chairperson of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee will make this announcement and lead the congregation in this prayer of thanksgiving for their pastor who will move and their new pastor who will be coming in June.

Christ our Good Shepherd, we pray for the connection of United Methodist people across the state of Mississippi.  We pray that clergy and laity will be like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit, prospering in Christ's ministry.  We give thanks for clergy who are continuing and clergy who will be newly appointed.  We pray for churches in transition and churches who will have continuing clergy leadership.  Strengthen our entire connection, Loving God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, for effectiveness and fruitfulness in ministry and mission.  Amen.

I hope that every church in our conference will pray in Sunday worship this week for our life together, for laity and clergy, for the deepening and outreaching ministry of all our churches. May we this Sunday be a chain of prayer across the territory God has given us to be rooted in ministry and reaching out to all the world

With gratitude for your ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Help Haiti

:: Announcements

Circuit Rider to Come Earlier in the Week

Beginning the first week of May the publication day for the Circuit Riderwill be Tuesday instead of Friday of each week.

This change comes at the request of churches that are printing copies of the online newsletter for members of their congregation who do not receive email. This allows church staff time to make copies before the following Sunday service where they are distributed.  

Gulfport First UMC
to Hold Truth Poverty Summit

Who really cares about the plight of the poor?  What are we doing "to work with the poor to eliminate poverty" in our world, nation, state, community and church?  How do we make the turn to include advocacy and works of justice with our works of mercy? Can we find common ground in this area to make a difference?

Join us Thursday, May 13at Gulfport First UMC for the Truth Poverty Summit. It will be a time for worship, reflection, and conversation about poverty and advocacy.  Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society will be the preacher and key note speaker. 

The cost of the event is $20, which includes a light meal. The event begins at 2 p.m. and dismisses at 8:45 p.m. This event is sponsored by Mississippi United Methodist Peace with Justice.  All are welcome. 

For more information, please contact Rev. Bruce Case at jbrucecase@gmail.com. Gulfport First is located at 2301 15th Street, Gulfport.

Around the Conference

Long Beach First United Methodist Womenare hosting a spring rummage sale on Saturday, May 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This huge bi-annual event raises money that is used to help many missions.
If you'd like to know how you can help by donating items contact the UMW president, Joyce St. John at 228-865-0051 or dstjohn@aol.com. Long Beach First is located at 208 Pine Street.

Pontotoc First UMCis celebrating the Centennial of the present sanctuary on Sunday, April 25, 2010. Former pastor Rev. David Rhea will be guest speaker at a 10:45 service. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. At 2 p.m. The Master's Call, a musical group out of Jackson, TN will present a concert. The church invites all former pastors and members to attend. Everyone is welcome. For more information call the church at 662-489-3076. 

:: Celebrations

 
Barefootin' for Missions at Parkway Hills

Parkway Hills UMC celebrated "Barefoot Sunday" on April 18, a shoe collection day when members placed the shoes they were wearing at the altar and walked away barefooted.

Led by the Rev. Richard Robbins, who conducted both morning services in bare feet after donating his own shoes, the congregation experienced in a small way what it is like for the 300 million children around the world who have no shoes.

More than 250 pairs were collected for Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based organization that distributes shoes globally to those living in poverty and disaster zones.

The event was a project of Mission Possible Kids, the church's weekly mission program for kindergarten-4th grades.

Over the last four years, Parkway Hills Mission Possible Kids have completed dozens of mission projects for people in need in their own community and in 12 countries, across five continents.

For more information, visit www.parkwayhillsumc.org, www.soles4souls.organd www.missionpossiblekids.org.

Rev. Andy Stoddard, pastor of Ripley First, New Albany Distrist had emergency gall bladder surgery on Tuesday of this week. Rev. Stoddard is home anticipating another procedure soon. Please remember he and his family in your prayers.

Rev. Annette Ford, Taylor UMC Oxford, has suffered a stroke. She is in the Baptist Hospital Oxford and has already begin rehab. Please remember Rev. Ford and her family in your prayers. 

The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) has an opening for an Immigration and Criminal Justice Reform intern. The intern will assist Bill Mefford, GBCS director of Civil & Human Rights. This is a paid position for a 10-month period starting in August. The internship is in the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.  Among other duties, the intern will help develop educational resources in the areas of immigration and criminal justice to aid in mobilizing United Methodists for advocacy. The intern will also maintain contact with United Methodist activists. The intern will be involved in recruiting activists in annual conferences doing work with people directly affected by the immigration and/or criminal justice systems. The intern will work closely with grassroots efforts in other faith groups and non-faith groups as well to provide overall coordination.
Qualified applicants will have had experience working within immigrant communities and be fluent in Spanish. Applicants should have theological and/or missiological training and be able to write clear and publishable educational resources and Bible studies.
Applicants should be familiar with The United Methodist Church, the U.S. political process, and a general knowledge of immigration and criminal justice issues.
May 31 is deadline for applications.Beginning date for this position is early August and the ending date is May 31, 2011.
Intern must work a minimum 35 hours per week and will be given appropriate time off during employment. The intern will be paid $1,015 per month for the 10-month internship.
To apply, send a resume with three recommendations, cover letter and writing sample via e-mail to Bill Mefford, (bmefford@umc-gbcs.org) by May 31.
A complete job description is available at Immigration & Criminal Justice Reform Grassroots Intern or go to the GBCS website: www.umc-gbcs.org, and click on Job Openings at the bottom of the home page.