Arise! Shine! Go!

Thank you for your prayers, presence, participation and great generosity as we gathered for the 2010 Annual Conference in Jackson June 10-13.
 
With living water surrounded by lovely green plants and trees, we celebrated God's invitation and power to grow in grace and love and overflowing mission.  We gave thanks for increased outreach and increased generosity.  We worshipped with energy, engaged in plenaries with mutual respect, and learned together. 
 
Now, into the new conference year, we live toward Arise, Shine, Go!  As we grow, we go forth into the world to make disciples.  As we go to make disciples, we grow in our confidence that God is with us, behind us, within us, before us.
 
My prayers are with you as you move into a summer that will include reflection and renewal, mission trips and vacation Bible schools, recreation and rest, worship and service. 
 
With gratitude for your partnership in the ministry of Jesus Christ, 
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Announcements

 
Appointment List and Special Edition
of Circuit Rider Now on Web

An updated listing of the 2010-2011 Clergy Appointments can be found on the conference Website at www.mississippi-umc.org. Also available online is the Special Annual Conference Edition of The Circuit Rider.  For appointment list link here.  For Circuit Rider here.

Sign Up for Circuit Rider Blog

If you haven't checked out the post on the new Circuit Riderblog, you are encouraged to do so. To sign up go to http://circuitrider.mississippi-umc.org  and sign on.  You'll find stories from Annual Conference and information on surveys and events.  And, you have an opportunity to join the conversation by posting a comment.  Share this information with your friends.

Galloway UMC to Host
The Warren Burns Lecture Series

The Warren Burns Lecture Seires and its theme is "The Bible -- Why?  Prayer -- Why?  Restoring Hope -- A fresh look at old questions" will be presented at Galloway UMC, Jackson, August 21 - 22.  

The speakers for this event are Jo Bailey Wells and Pamela Hawkins.  Dr. Wells teaches Old Testament and biblical theology at Duke Divinity School, particularly in relation to its contemporary relevance for ministry. Dr. Hawkins is a United Methodist pastor, serves as managing editor of Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life (www.weavings.org).

Registration cost is $20 per person; $30 per couple;  $10 per child (family maximum $50) and includes meals, snacks, and materials.

To register click here.  For more information call 601-353-9691.

:: Celebrations

 
Small Membership Churches Honored
at Annual Conference
By Lisa Hicks, Hattiesburg District Communicator

On Saturday evening at annual conference, a banquet was held to honor small membership churches in the Mississippi Conference.

Many activities, accomplishments and missions were celebrated.  Churches honored included Johnston Chapel in the Brookhaven District; St John UMC in the East Jackson District and the honoree of the Greenwood District was Benford Chapel UMC.   Bay Springs UMC in Hattiesburg District; Chunky UMC in the Meridian District were also recognized.  Other churches celebrated were Wheeler UMC in the New Albany District; Red Hill UMC in Seashore; Senatobia District's honoree was Friars Point.  Adaton UMC was chosen from the Starkville District; Tupelo District's choice was Smithville UMC, and the honoree from West Jackson District was Harris Memorial UMC.  Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, Rev. Lauren Porter and Rev. Gary Howse presented recipients with a framed poster celebrating their recognition.

Poplar Springs Drive UMC
Implements 5 Practices

• Tail Gate @ Love's Kitchen: approximately a dozen folk to set up a tailgate party in the parking lot to feed hungry people in the area a morning meal. 
• Cemetery Clean Up: Group to clean up around the gravesites and leave a note of inspiration for the families of prayer and concern.
• Home Repair/ Spring Cleaning: Develop a list of widowed or homebound in our congregation and nearby neighbor hood.  Do tasks in the home or yard that will ease the burden of maintenance.
• Full Service Station:  With permission from ownership, send teams to gas stations with water bottles and cleaning supplies in hand to wash windows of cars that stop for gasoline. Leave them an inspirational message.
• Hospitality to Hospitals: Teams make cookies cakes etc. at home and come to church and make hospitality baskets.  Deliver to the ICU and CCU waiting areas of local hospitals and to nursing stations.  Share and be with folk in their time of waiting.
• Celebration at Cross Roads: Alliance Hospital's youth and children's center has 60 youth and children in house.  Provide a party and personal toiletries, socks or undergarments etc. 
• Prayer Van: Join Betsy Littleton for breakfast and then drive around Meridian to various sites and offer intercessory prayer for persons who work, attend school or dwell in particular places. ( If Betsy returns from a funeral in North Carolina in time.)

On Sunday the church celebrated Pentecost and their day of witness to the community.

Rev. Wilson H. Brent passed away peacefully June 8, 2010 at his home in Cary, North Carolina. Rev. Brent retired from ministry in the Louisiana Conference, but spent much of his early ministry in Mississippi.  A memorial service was held June 14, at St. Francis UMC in Cary, North Carolina. Please remember the Brent family in your prayers.

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.