Witnessing to Christ Today

"You shall be my witnesses..." 
Edinburgh 2010 convenes June 2-5, one hundred years after the historic Edinburgh 1910 Missionary Conference that brought together over 130 missionary societies and the first effort toward global dialogue in Christ's mission.  John Mott, a United Methodist, was a convener.

The Conference proclaimed the bold goal of "reaching the world for Jesus Christ" in this century.
 
Now, 100 years later, Christianity is a global religion.  At the time of Edinburgh 1910, three out of four Christians were of European descent.  In 2010, three out of four Christians are Latin American, Asian, African, Caribbean, Oceanic.  
 
I will be a part of Edinburgh 2010, one of seven United Methodists.  I hope you will visit the web site -- www.edinburgh2010.org-- and celebrate mission in this season after Pentecost.  We will go forth from Annual Conference into a new year focused on mission -- "Arise, Shine, Go!"
 
I hope that you will join in the prayer offered for churches worldwide in preparation for Edinburgh 2010 as we continue to be grow in mission, witnessing to Jesus Christ in our time, in our place.
 
God of Grace
Your love flows in abundance through your world.
You have come close, touched our pain,
And fired our hearts with hope.
As now we give you thanks,
And celebrate your mission
To reconcile, heal and transform.
Fill us with your irrepressible Spirit of love
Made known among us in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
 
With gratitude for your partnership in Christ's mission,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Arise! Shine! Grow!

 
Countdown to Annual Conference
 
This week, as we countdown to Annual Conference we focus on finance, food, and fellowship.

Q & A with David Stotts, Mississippi Conference
Director of Finance

1. What financial work might we expect at annual conference this year?
   As usual, the annual conference body will make decisions on how we will do business next year.  You'll find this in the Pre-conference Workbook reports. This work is similar to the work the local church does each year as it prepares its budget and process to be followed.
   
   
2. How is the conference doing financially?
   Currently, we are ahead of last year in percentage of receipts.  As you recall, last year the recession caused us to look at how we do business and even caused us concern on how we would pay the bills if the funding remained at the reduced level.
   For that reason, the Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) is bringing forth a plan that is in report #2 giving direction for operating in an unforeseen circumstance.  The plan is being presented in accordance with the Discipline paragraph 613.8. 
   
   
3. There were two referrals to CFA last year.  Will there be reports on those two items?
   The CFA in conjunction with the Cabinet and New Church Development committee has worked on the financial guidelines for the New Faith Communities.  The maker of the motion has reviewed the document and all are in agreement with the guidelines.
   There was also a resolution on food pantries in the conference.  The CFA has responded to the resolution and made a recommendation to the Petitions and Resolutions committee.
   
   
4. How is the implementation of the Clergy Pension Benefit (CPB) direct bill process going?
   I am very pleased to announce we are collecting at 94.5 percent rate.  This is above the apportioned payout rate over the past few years for the pension line item.  There are fewer churches that have not paid their CPB bill than have not paid on their apportioned mission shares. The churches do understand the process.
   
   
5. What happens if we do not collect the CPB at 100 percent?
   The Conference Board of Pension has held meetings over the past few weeks in all districts with the clergy.  The level of funding for all clergy of the pension plan will be definitely impacted.
   
   
6. Are there any real changes in medical benefits this year?
   We have one plan design change proposed by the Board of Medical Benefits. Currently occupational therapy is covered as inpatient only.  The recommendation is that it be covered also as outpatient.
   The Board is also asking, as it has done in the past, to allow rates to be set in September with a ceiling increase not to exceed 10 percent on premium contributions. 
   
   
7. Equalizing members will want to know how to get their per diem checks. What are the plans?
   Per Diem checks will be handed out on Sunday morning beginning at 8 am in the same area as registration.  

 

:: Announcements

 
Cedar Bluff UMC Celebrating 150 Years in Christ  1860-2010

This year Cedar Bluff UMC is celebrating their 150th year as a church by giving back to the community through a festival on June 5, 2-5 p.m. to raise funds for a new roof on the Cedar Bluff community center.
 
Once serving as the local school house, the community center has been a vital part of Cedar Bluff for a many years. It continues to serve as a meeting place for voting, quilting, and community events.
 
Festival entertainment will include music by The New Revivers, The Sacred Heart Trio, and the Singing Bryants and David G. Schultz, pastor of Cedar Bluff. There will be games and blow-up activities for children to jump on. The church will offer baked goods and refreshments while people are invited to bring a chair and enjoy the afternoon.
 
A quilt and door prizes will be raffled off with all monies going to the community center. The quilters who meet at the center donated their time and materials to help raise funds for the roof.
 
Many area businesses are assisting in the fund raising effort as well. Door prizes have been donated for the raffle and advertizing spots have been taken out for the program. "This has been a rallying point for the community," said Schultz. "Many people from outside our church have come forward to help us and that has made it a true community effort."
 
Cedar Bluff will continue to celebrate their 150th year all year long by hosting visits from other ministries throughout the conference such as the MSU Wesley Foundation, the Society of St. Andrews.  "We are celebrating who we are as United Methodists," said Schultz.  "The year will culminate with a Homecoming worship celebration on October 24, with Bishop Hope Morgan Ward as out guest speaker. Our plans for the future are to continue to reach out and share Christ in our community."

Emergency Room Workers at Methodist University Hospital Recommit to Patients and Community

The emergency room at Methodist University Hospital is a constant hub of activity, as nurses, doctors, and other medical personnel care for patients with a wide range of illnesses and injuries from minor to severe and life threatening.
 
Emergency room associates at Methodist University Hospital and leaders from Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare gathered outside the emergency room to take a few minutes to reflect, remember, and re-affirm their commitment to caring for those who are sick or injured.
 
"We are so busy we don't take the time to remember why we went into health care and how important we are to the community," said Kathy Grzeskiewicz, director of emergency services for Methodist University Hospital. "It's important that we pause to reaffirm our commitment to follow our mission and our dedication to providing the best care to our patients."
 
On average 160 patients are treated daily in the emergency room at Methodist University Hospital.

Belinda Burton French, daughter of The Rev. & Mrs. Charles Burton of Crystal, Springs remains at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. She has been waiting a month for a suitable lung transplant. Doctors and surgeons are meeting to determine options with her. Please pray for them and her family, also send cards to:  Belinda Burton French, UAB Hospital, MICU - Bed 7, 1802 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35249

Galloway Memorial UMC, a growing, historic congregation in downtown Jackson, is seeking a full-time Director of Broadcast Media and Information Systems. This position oversees and gives direction for live broadcast ministry, facility media support, information technology, and video production. Candidate should possess strong leadership, administrative, and management skills, a passion for sharing the gospel through media, and a desire to work with a team of staff and volunteers. The goal of this ministry is to creatively share the good news of Christ, interpret the ministries of the church, and offer opportunities for volunteers to serve through multiple media avenues. The Director will have key relationships with the Communications Team, volunteer production staff, church staff, and the broader church community. The successful candidate will be a Christ centered individual with experience in broadcast production and information technology.
Qualifications Required

• Minimum Three Years Experience:
  - In a large church, broadcast medium, or large corporation
  - In recruiting, training, scheduling, team building with volunteers
  - With a live broadcast, character generation creation, and broadcast engineering
  - Within a collaborative team
• Strong organizational skills
• Communication skills (comfortable with public speaking; strong written skills)
• Proficiency and creativity in videography, editing, and script writing
• Ability to motivate and lead a team
• Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Production or related field
• Commitment to Jesus Christ and the mission of Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church

Qualifications Preferred
The competitive compensation package for this position is commensurate with experience and training.  Interested persons should submit a resume and personal statement (Microsoft word or pdf format required) via e-mail to kevans@gallowayumc.org.  The personal statement should be no more than 300 words and should address the question: How would you direct the Broadcast Media ministry at Galloway to advance our commitment to revealing Heaven on Earth and what is it about your training, experience and philosophy that uniquely qualify you for this position?
For further information you may visit our website:  www.GallowayUMC.org.