Arise! Shine! Grow!

Arise, shine, for your light has come...  -- Isaiah 60:1

You shall be like a watered garden...
Living with scriptural images is a rich experience.
Light shining. 
A garden. 
Flowing water.
 
Very soon we will gather bringing plants or other symbols of the ways God is giving growth to us.  A worship center will be fashioned of growing plants around a flowing fountain.  We will be surrounded by the plants and symbols that you bring as we worship, learn and engage in all the sessions of the Annual Conference.
 
We will celebrate evangelism -- growth in persons coming to Christ.

We will celebrate mission -- growth of persons serving Christ in the world.

We will celebrate generosity -- growth in giving to support the mission of Christ.
 
Thank you for your prayers as we gather for this time of conferencing, connection and moving forward in the rich life we share in Christ's ministry.
 
With gratitude for your ministry, 
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Arise! Shine! Grow!

 
Countdown to Annual Conference
 

(On Sunday, June 13, 2010 a special printed edition of The Circuit Rider will be handed out to attendees to bring home as a report on Annual Conference.)
2.  Members to Conference remember to turn in your per diem forms to your District office.
3.  Sign up online for Park & Ride, click here http://www.mississippi-umc.org/pages/detail/1080.  The shuttle will run from your hotel to the Jackson Convention Complex Thursday - Saturday.
4. Bring to Conference:

• Your church's symbol of Growth to be displayed.
• Your favorite Mission t-shirt to wear to the Friday night Mission Service.
• Your church's mission offering           
• Arise! Shine! lapel pin
• Pre-Conference Notebook
• Comfortable clothing and walking shoes
• Spending money for concessions and the marketplace          

5.  If you haven't bought your ticket for a special meal a kiosk will be set up on site selling tickets. (All tickets sales will close 2-hours before the meal.)
6.  If you're signed up for the 5K Fun Run/Walk Caleb Hammos will be on hand at the Health and Wellness table to hand out t-shirts on Friday from 10 a.m. - noon in the morning and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. in the afternoon.

Watch Conference Online

Can't come to Jackson for Annual Conference, but want to see what's taking place? This year you can. All worship and plenary sessions will be streaming live online.  Go to www.mississippi-umcorg click on the Arise! Shine! Grow! Icon, then click Live-Streaming on the menu to the left.  It will show you how to watch.  This service is being provided by 316 Networks.

:: Announcements

 
Worship with Us at SOULfeast, July 17 and July 18-22 at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina!

Preachers Juanita Rasmus, Jay Williams, Jerry Haas, and Bishop Hee-Soo Jung join our teacher Phyllis Tickle for five days of vibrant worship, teaching, and preaching.  With worship visuals by Karla Kincannon, a 3-day workshop especially for worship leaders with Dean McIntyre, and a SOULfeast Saturday pre-conference retreat for songwriters with Jay Voorhees, SOULfeast offers those who lead worship fresh experience and vision to take back to their local congregations.  Come for a day or for the whole event to be refreshed, renewed and fed at SOULfeast.  
 
Early Bird Deadline:  June 11.

News from Camp Wesley Pines

Summer camp is fast approaching -- have you made your plans for the summer yet? Camps are filling up, so get your registration in early.

"Day Camp" is new this year at Wesley Pines. Children ages 6 - 9 have the opportunity to come spend the week at Day Camp doing a most of the same activities that other camps do. Campers can be dropped off between 7 and 8 a.m. in the morning and picked up between 5 and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. A light breakfast will be provided upon arrival, a full lunch, and an afternoon snack.

Cost is $150 per child for the week or if you would like to send your child for five weeks we will discount your fees 10 percent making the total for 5 weeks $675. There is also a daily drop off rate of $35, but you would need to call ahead to make sure we have space available.

Activities include: swimming, canoeing, slip-n-slide, low ropes, bible study, games and more. Why send your child to day care when they can spend a week at Camp Wesley Pines and enjoy so many outdoor activities? For more information about Day Camp, you can call our office at 601-892-2341.

:: Celebrations

 
Reception Held to Recognize Rust College Major Donors

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) of Nashville annually recognizes a supporter of one of the 130 Methodist colleges across the nation. This year, the Foundation and Rust College honored Dr. Ralph and Barbara Hamilton for their lead gift to Rust College's last Capital Campaign.

A reception for the Hamiltons was held Saturday, May 15 at the David L. Beckley Conference Center. Joining Dr. Beckley was Mr. Thomas S. Yow III of UMHEF, who presented the Hamiltons with the Stanley S. Kresge Award.

The Stanley S. Kresge Award was established in 1988 by the UMHEF. The award encourages support of United Methodist-affiliated institutions by recognizing those who work on behalf of the Foundation and the institution. The Stanley S. Kresge Award is the highest national honor given to a single individual for service to United Methodist education.

The Foundation also established a $20,000 endowed scholarship in Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton's name to support students attending Rust College. The Hamilton's were nominated by Dr. David L. Beckley on behalf of the Capital Campaign Committee and Board of Trustees.
 
Photo above: Dr. David L. Beckley (left) with Rust College contributors Dr. Ralph and Barbara Hamilton, and Mr. Thomas S. Yow III of the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. The Hamilton Science Center was dedicated in 2008, in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton.

Galloway Joins in to Change the World

On April 25, 2010, Galloway celebrated the "Change the World" event with thousands of United Methodists across the world. Galloway's Congregation met on the lawn of the Capitol under the oak trees for fellowship, worship, a fun run, and a challenge to be a part of changing the world by helping eliminate malaria.
 
This year's theme was 'Change the World' where we focused on Health & Wellness starting with a 1-mile Fun Run with ages varying from infants in strollers to a member who just celebrated their 90th Birthday! Throughout the path of the Fun Run there were signs posted with facts about Malaria and how we as members of the United Methodist Church can help globally to eliminate this preventable, treatable disease.   Education of malaria and contributions to purchase mosquito nets for neighbors in Africa was led by Galloway's children's ministry.
 
Galloway's Worship was a special event as the focus remained on 'Change the World'. A church member shared how we can 'Change the World' by changing the simple ways we live our life through carpooling, turning off the water when we brush our teeth, and recycling.  Rev. Drs. Connie and Joey Shelton along with Rev. Emily Sanford continued the theme using Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, I don't need a thing." The congregation was challenged to live well as individuals, in community, and in service to the world.
 
After worship the congregation celebrated in fellowship with a wonderful picnic lunch cooked by the men of the Church.

Stan Webb, brother of  Rev. Rob Webb, pastor of Williamsburg and Lone Star UMCs in Hattiesburg District has had a stroke.  Please remember Stan and the entire Webb family in your payers.

Sandra Howard suffered a stroke late yesterday afternoon and is in University Hospital in Jackson.  Sandra is the wife of Rev. Ray Howard, pastor of Bay Springs Circuit. Please pray for Sandra, Ray and the family.

The Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church seeks an ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR CAMPING MINISTRIES to lead a vital camping ministry for youth. Candidates must have expertise in growth management for camping ministry, and be knowledgeable of the mission and ministry of the United Methodist Church. A college degree and 10 years experience preferred. (Click for position description and application for employment form.)  Letter of interest, application form, and resume must be sent electronically to human.resources@inumc.org. Applications received by Friday, June 25, 2010 will be given first consideration. The conference seeks diversity in culture, race, and gender.

Marvin United Methodist Church, in the heart of downtown Florence, is seeking to fill the position of music director (part-time). Please send resume to lynettemumc@windstream.net.

Wiggins First UMC is searching for a Junior and Senior Youth Director. This is a full-time staff position. Candidates should have strong Christian faith and strong Bible knowledge. Salary is based on experience, education and qualifications. Please send resume to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 278, Wiggins, MS 39577.  For additional information please call the church office at 601-928-4880.