News from Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

The Circuit Rider May 11, 2010

Weekly Update for the Mississippi United Methodist Conference

NOTICE: To download a *print-friendly* pdf
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(Available Tuesdays, after 12 Noon.)

In This Issue

Gleanings: This Week

Countdown to Annual Conference

Help Us Celebrate the Service of Those Retiring from Ministry

First Quarterly Training of District Communications Team held at Millsaps

Society of St. Andrew Announces Fundraising Opportunity

Cares and Concerns

Employment Opportunities Across the Conference

Peace with Justice Sunday
May 30, 2010

Jessica, a shy 12-year-old, is just one of the sensitive souls Susan Stouffer encounters at Peace Camp sessions at United University Church in Los Angeles.

"Peace Kids" like Jessica graduate from this unique camp -- funded in part with Peace with Justice Sunday offering money -- inspired to teach their friends to be kind to each other and to treat the earth -- and its people -- with respect.

The offering on this Special Sunday empowers United Methodists to work for peace, love and compassion for God's children everywhere.

Call 888-346-3862 today to order envelopes and other resources so your congregation can participate in this churchwide offering. They will be sent at no cost to your church!

Find more at umcgiving.org/specialsundays.

2010 Tornado Recovery
To volunteer or make a donation to the 2010 Tornado Recovery call: 866-647-7486

Click here for more information.

Keep on Knocking...

Let us Know! Share how your church is accepting the challenge to Knock on Nine. Send your information to the conference office at knockonnine@mississippi-umc.org.

We will share your information with churches across the conference. And, don't forget to report back on the number of doors you've opened.

For information, contact conference Communications Director Lisa Cumbest Michiels at 601.354.0515, ext. 17.

Why Do We Sing "And Are We Yet Alive" at the Opening of Annual Conference?

By Dean McIntyre

It happens at this time of the year all over the world at Methodist and United Methodist sessions of annual conference and other gatherings. We gather together -- clergy and laity, members, guests, and friends -- and we stand and sing lustily and with good courage the great Charles Wesley hymn, "And Are We Yet Alive." It is a moment of celebration of our common heritage and common mission and the ties that bind us in the faith and the connection, and it is a moment of thanks to God for the experiences we have had since our last gathering.

Where did the custom arise of singing this hymn at the opening of our conferences?

"And Are We Yet Alive" first appeared in the Wesleys' 1749 hymnal, Hymns And Sacred Poems. In 1780 John included it in his A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodist as the first hymn in the section titled "For the Society . . . at meeting."

It was John himself who began the custom of opening the annual meeting of Methodists by singing this hymn. The practice was picked up by Methodists around the world, and it largely continues today. There is no requirement that this be the opening hymn at annual conference; but it is, indeed, a cherished custom.

·····

Dean McIntyre (dmcintyre@gbod.org) is the Director of Music Resources for The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship.

Photo File

Deacon Hank Schmalen and his work team from St Catherine of Siena, West Dundee, Illinois presented the carved artwork of The Ten Commandments to Rev Robbie Murden and the board of Seashore United Methodist Assembly at the March Board Meeting. It has been placed in the Casey Center.

The email, that is

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Dates to Remember

Bishop Ward at General Board of Pensions/Health Benefits
(Bishop Ward chairs the Church Systems Task Force)
May 12-13, 2010
Chicago, Illinois

Bishop Ward at JustPeace 2010
(Bishop Ward is President of the Board)
May 13 - 14, 2010
Nashville, Tennessee

Early Response Training
May 15, 2010
Wheeler UMC
wbnapier@live.com

Bishop Ward at St. Andrew's UMC
(Bishop Ward will present the sermon)
May 16, 2010 -- 11 a.m.
Oxford, MS

Bishop Ward at 2010 Centenary Conference
(Bishop Ward will participate in the conference)
June 2, 2010
University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Pre-Conference Briefing

(For location and time contact your district office.)

May 11 - East/West Jackson
May 13 - Senatobia District
May 16 - Brookhaven District; Hattiesburg District
May 17 - Seashore District
May 23 - Greenwood District; Tupelo District
June 6 - New Albany District

Save the Dates

MYAC is ON!
June 8-10, 2010
Jackson Hilton

Early bird deadline extended to May 21.
Final deadline is May 28.
Register NOW!

Click here to register.

Nexus
June 10, 2010
Jackson Convention Complex
CONCERT FEATURING
SHANE & SHANE
Click here for more details.

Trans4mation

June 10, 2010
Jackson Convention Complex
www.mississippi-umc.org

Arise! Shine! Grow! Logo

Mississippi Annual Conference
June 11-13, 2010
Jackson Convention Complex
www.mississippi-umc.org

Quick Links

www.mississippi-umc.org/

Conference Calendar

Find a Church
rethinkchurch.org
amazingpace.lifebux.com
www.umportal.org
www.gracenetwork-ms.org
www.umdisabilityministries.org
www.umcgiving.org
www.umcom.org
United Methodist News Service
www.sbc21ms.org
www.advancinghope.org

Greetings!

Welcome to your connection for up-to-the minute news and information from the Mississippi Conference. Your Circuit Rider will arrive weekly with announcements, dates to remember, celebration stories from across the conference and employment opportunities. Our hope is for The Circuit Rider to become a tool for building the connection across the conference, strengthening our districts and local congregations as we go forth to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Please e-mail your news and information for us to share with others around the conference to lisacm@mississippi-umc.org. Deadlines are Tuesday at noon for the following Thursday.

:: Gleanings

This Week

One day, as they were going...

-- Acts 16:16

I share with you my calendar, day by day, for this week because it embodied priorities I embrace as your friend in Christ as well as your Episcopal leader.

On Sunday, I preached at Glen Allen and was honored to dedicate their restored stain-glass windows before preaching at Avon. Being with you in local churches and working with you to strengthen the ministry of local churches is very important to me.

On Monday, the Cabinet met. At midday we welcomed Dr. Rob Pearigan, the next president of Millsaps College. In the evening, we shared a joyful diner in honor of district superintendents transitioned to local churches this year - Bob Rambo, Vicki Baldwin, Geoffrey Joyner. The Discipline is wise in naming the Cabinet as a team of leaders for the annual conference. I am at my best with a team, not alone. Cabinet work is a joy to me.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet met in the morning and had lunch with new church planters. Embra Jackson and Bill McAlilly met with the planters to continue the Path 1 dialogue and idea sharing. New church planting is a priority, a key to evangelism and to our future as an annual conference.

On Wednesday and Thursday morning, the Church Systems Task Force will meet in Chicago. This Task Force is charged to identify the ways in which our United Methodist system is unhealthy for clergy and to bring recommendations in 2012 for a more life-giving way of calling forth, credentialing, appointing, supporting, and exiting pastors. I agreed to chair this work (and wear my pedometer to every meeting) because of its alignment with our work here in Mississippi around clergy health and wellness.

On Friday, I will join The Gathering, an annual training event of JustPeace, the conflict transformation center of the United Methodist Church, in Nashville. The topic is "Leadership in an Age of Anxiety." I committed to the presidency of JustPeace because this organization has taught me much and I hope to keep learning how to help congregations, laity and clergy navigate conflict in ways that are transforming rather than depleting.

On Saturday, I will give the graduation sermon at Memphis Theological Seminary out of my commitment with you to call forth leaders young in ministry and undergirding them with strong support as they become leaders in our conference.

It is the tradition of bishops in The Episcopal Church to publish their daily journals to their flock. "Like Wesley," Bishop Gray said, with a grin, to me.

It is not my practice. However, in this moment of transparency, I offer to you my life and some of my strongest commitments here in Mississippi and in the General Church. Thank you for your partnership in all of it, to the glory of God.

With gratitude for the life we share in The United Methodist Church,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Arise! Shine! Grow!

Countdown to Annual Conference

This week we take a look at the purpose for holding Annual Conference. Our questions go to Rev. Steve Casteel, Director of Connectional Ministries.

What is Annual Conference?
Wesleyan tradition uses the Annual Conference to order the life of the church through the process of gathering local church pastors and lay members to have conversation about their shared life and ministry. The Bishop presides as the body makes decisions and celebrates the work they share. It serves as a time of renewing our spirit and our friendships. It is also a time of remembering our vision to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Annual Conference is the place where pastoral leadership is set for the next year through the appointment process.
Who attends?
Annual Conference is made up of an equal number of clergy and laity from across the churches and charges in Mississippi. These voting members represent their church or charge and some are equalizing lay members who balance the clergy who are retired or not serving a local appointment and in good standing. Anyone can attend the sessions and share in the worship, but only members can vote on action items in the sessions. We encourage everyone to visit and to participate in our worship services. It is a wonderful time of renewal and fellowship.
How is Annual Conference planned?
There is an Annual Conference Committee that designs and plans the Annual Conference. The Bishop puts this team together. Currently Rev. Dr. Joe May is the chair. The team began meeting in the fall and has worked with the staff to help make sure the design and logistics are all in place. Dozens of people make up this team and the task groups needed to provide hospitality and support.
What happens at Annual Conference?
This year we will focus on the theme of "Arise, Shine, Grow!" The local church is encouraged to bring some symbol of the way God is growing them. The session will focus on ways the United Methodist Church and its affiliate agencies can make, "new places for new people." This theme is centered in evangelism and spiritual formation. Each day will include the recognition of the many places we are growing and changing the world. We are praying for a time of revival and rededication to growth.

There will be conversations about the budget and ministry shared by the Annual Conference and the General Church. Also, there will be a time to think about the renewal of creation in our new "Green Initiative". With the recent oil spill and economic struggles, we seek to discover how to be better stewards of this world and its resources that God has given us to tend. There will be resources available and opportunities to serve with Stop Hunger Now and the Society of St. Andrew.

(To find out more about God's Renewed creation: Call to Hope and Action click here.)
Does my local church have to participate?
We are a connectional denomination. Our design is to gather representatives of each charge and each have a voice and part in the Annual Conference. We have worked hard to make this an experience that will inspire everyone there. We have such a great tradition, and our hope is to make the 2010 session of the Mississippi Annual Conference the best yet. Have your congregation pray for the gathering and ask God to lead us into a time of growth and reconciliation that will change Mississippi forever! Be sure to watch the sessions yourself through our live streaming video. This is a great time to be United Methodist...see you at Annual Conference June 11-13 and at Transformation and NEXUS-Youth Day on the June 10.