Arise! Shine! Go!

Go and make disciples...
-- Matthew 28:18
 
Grow!  Go!  Give!
 
These strong verbs are at the center of our life as an Annual Conference.  They are at the center of our Wesleyan heritage. They are keys to the future to which God is calling us.
 
Arise, Shine, Go! will be our theme for the months ahead and for the 2011 Annual Conference, eleven months from now. Scripture abounds in images of going, teaching us that we go in response to God, we go compelled by the love of God, we go and are richly blessed in the journey.
 
Grow!  Go!  Give!  God gives us these commands even as God brings forth growth and mission and generosity from us. 
 
The three words form a virtuous circle.  We have often used the term "vicious circle," as we have sought to describe a dynamic of downward spiral.  A virtuous circle is the opposite.  Each part of the circle feeds and energizes the other part.
 
As we grow, we go and give.  As we go, we grow and give.  As we give, we grow and go. 
 
I look forward to hearing from you this year as together we put "GO!" in the center of our life, circling around this Biblical image. Each of us are teacher.  Each of us are learners.
 
May you be blessed in your journey with Christ this day,
Hope Morgan Ward

Arise, Shine, Grow -- Go Fishing!
Snapshot from the Brookhaven District picnic
Brookhaven District Superintendent Johnny Crosby shares it is never too early to start using the theme "Arise, Shine, Grow -- Go Fishing!" "I had to laugh just a little because last night was Brookhaven District's clergy picnic. The theme was Arise Shine Grow Go fishing. Using the Ichthus fish we encouraged evangelism...it was great," said Crosby. "Everyone present went fishing from or beside the boat I built and the table decorations were fishing poles and the "fish" had names on them."

:: Announcements

 
Campus Ministry Video Now Online

"Campus ministry is an essential, foundational outreach of The United Methodist Church," shares Bishop Hope Morgan Ward. "Through your Mission Share, you are supporting campus ministry across Mississippi, sharing Christ with young people and supporting the campus ministry." 

Click here here to see the good work of campus ministry in Mississippi. You are invited to share this video with your churches.

:: Celebrations

 
MOSAIC 2010 at Long Beach UMC
By Cynthia Laird, Senatobia District Communicator

The week-long ministry immersion began in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, since this time it has evolved into a unique opportunity in youth ministry. MOSAIC stands for Making Our Souls Alive In Christ, a full title that explains the purpose and goal of the camp.
Middle and high school students work side by side with a team of adults to plan and prepare accommodations, work sites, worship, and other details for 120 youth and 50 adults. At least one hundred other adults from Long Beach First provided support and leadership during the week. Tupelo-area band The Embrace led music for worship services and Jason McAnally, youth pastor at The Orchard UMC, Tupelo preached.
MOSAIC's impact on the church as well as the community continues to grow with every year as the work sites extend into Gulfport, Saucier, Bay St. Louis and other surrounding areas. The camp energizes all involved for kingdom ministry and service in the name of Jesus Christ.
Here are some of our statistics for the week:

• 8 churches from Ohio, Tennessee, and around Mississippi
• 120 campers
• 25 adult chaperones
• 4 overnight chaperones
• 3 afternoon chaperones
• 36 worksites
• 19 adult worksite coordinators
• 32 cans of bug spray used
• 7 work site errand runners
• 8 nursery workers
• 19 children and babies in the nursery
• 6 boot campers-5th and 6th grade camp interns who help drop off ice, popsicles, etc.
• 55 dinner volunteers
• 200 meals every dinner
• 8 adults serving breakfast
• 30 people donated food
• 40 people donated snacks
• 240 gallons of Gatorade consumed!

New Beginnings in Senatobia District

Photo, left to right:  Rev. Jerry Beam, New Albany District Superintendent and Co-Senatobia District Superintendent, and Rev. Joe Lawson, pastor of Greenleaf UMC.
 
Rev. Jerry Beam began his first official service as the North Senatobia District Superintendent by preaching the Greenleaf United Methodist revival services scheduled for Sunday, June 27 through Wednesday, June 30.  Rev. Joe Lawson, pastor of Greenleaf UMC, asked Rev. Beam to preach the revival well in advance of Beam's assumption of duties in the district. 

During the current new church year, Rev. Beam will continue to serve as District Superintendent for the New Albany District as he takes on the duties of Superintendent for several of the Senatobia District counties.  Rev. Victoria White, Greenwood District Superintendent, will also serve counties predominantly in the South Senatobia District.  Beam and White met with Senatobia District clergy and laity during the 22nd Mississippi Annual Conference to discuss their sharing of the Senatobia District Superintendent duties, and to get feedback from the pastors and leaders.
 
Beam's services during this revival will be centered on discipleship. For tonight's sermon topic, "Let Us Remember", the scripture passage was Isaiah 17, verses 10 through 12.  This passage was the prophet's warning that times would be changing because the people had forgotten God.  Beam discussed the importance of memories to us as individuals as we remember where we have been, where we are now, and as we think about where we need to be in the future.

He further talked of the importance of memory to the body of Christ, the Church.  We need to remember why Christ came into the world, what He has done and continues to do for us, and we also need to seek His will to guide us into a future of faithful service. Beam further admonished that we must never forget how great God is, and how very much He loves each of us.
 
Batesville First UMC will host a Welcoming Worship Service and Reception on July 11, 2010 to welcome Reverends Beam and White. The service, with Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and the two Senatobia District Superintendents, will begin in the church sanctuary at 3:00 p.m.

Alta Woods United Methodist Church in Jackson is seeking a part-time pianist.  Ability to also play the organ is preferred. This position includes accompanying a regular weekly Sunday morning service and a short fellowship service on Wednesday nights followed by Adult Choir rehearsal.  Occasionally, this person will play for special services such as weddings, funerals, etc.  Prior church related music service is preferred. Audition required.  Please send resumes to the church at 109 Alta Woods Blvd., Jackson, MS  39204.
 
Marvin UMC in the heart of downtown Florence is seeking to fill the position of music director (part-time).  Please send resume to lynettemumc@windstream.netor for further information  contact Rev. Lynette Little at 601-813-3992.