Practices Toward
Christian Perfection

Practice makes perfect is an old saying, not in the Bible.  However, as we welcome Bishop Robert Schnase to Mississippi once again this Saturday, Sept. 11, we orient ourselves and our churches in five practices that help us become more and more open to the gift of Christian perfection.
 
John Wesley's idea of Christian perfection is the embodiment of perfect love.  He was certain it was attainable in this life.  He pointed out, wisely, that Jesus commands us to "be perfect" in the Sermon on the Mount and that Jesus would not command us to do that which is impossible.
 
Bishop Schnase is an engaging teacher and writer and mentor to all who seek to practice these five scriptural habits that have demonstrated fruitfulness in the lives of Jesus' disciples:  radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission, and extravagant generosity.
 
I hope to see you at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson on Saturday.  This is a "whosoever will come" event:  laity and clergy are invited.  Register with others from your church on-line today at http://www.mississippi-umc.org/pages/detail/1119.
 
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations can energize your life and ministry, focusing the efforts of your church in ways that will lead to greater fruitfulness in Christ's ministry.  May we all be blessed as we earnestly seek mature Christian love, the embodiment of Christian perfection.
 
With gratitude for your ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward

:: Announcements

 
Interfaith Service of Prayer and Praise
to be Held at Gulfside

As the Gulf Coast continues to cope with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the needs of so many are not only financial, but spiritual.  In an effort to offer comfort, an interfaith service of prayer, praise and worship is scheduled for the former site of the Gulfside Assembly in Waveland on Friday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m.
 
"This latest setback is one in a long line of hardships for our whole area and the wear shows on our friends and neighbors," said Mollie Steward, executive director of Gulfside Association, Inc. "This unique service is designed to bring a diverse community of believers together, including national and regional leadership from the United Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church and the Catholic Church, to minister to those impacted by the oil spill as well as those still working to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina."
 
Gulfside, itself destroyed by Katrina, has endured several tragedies, yet remains a refuge and sanctuary for those in need. These forces brought destruction to the buildings and the land, but the spirit of its people has remained strong.
 
Today, undeterred by natural and man-made disaster, a renewed Gulfside Association will offer this symbolic location as a safe haven once again to minister all people of faith on Sept. 17, paving the way for new ministries and communities to grow and prosper on the Gulf Coast.
 
For more information or for questions, please contact Gulfside Association at 228-467-4909.

Day at the Pines -- October 7

Day at the Pines is a day-long older adult event sponsored by the East and West Jackson Districts and the Older Adult Ministries of St. Matthew's UMC of Madison.  It will be held on Thursday, Oct. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Durr Wise Retreat Center, Camp Wesley Pines, Gallman.

The event is designed to include worship, fun and fellowship, a delicious noon meal, exciting entertainment, and celebration of our United Methodist "connectedness." 

You may register by sending your name(s), church, address and telephone number, and a check payable to East Jackson District in the amount $10 for each person registering to:  EJ/WJ Districts, c/o Rayford Woodrick, 860 East River Place, Suite 101, Jackson, MS 39202.  Registrations must be received in the district offices by September 27.

WellsFest and Art Night Set for September

The 27th WellsFest will be held Saturday, Sept. 25, at Jamie Fowler Boyll Park, next to Smith-Wills Stadium on Lakeland Drive, Jackson. All proceeds go to Mississippi Families for Kids. The festival features a 5K run and walk and one-mile fun run at 8 a.m., a pet parade at 9 a.m., and from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. -- live music from some of the best bands in the Jackson area, food booths, children's activities,  an expanded arts and crafts vendor area, a plant sale, and a silent auction of goods and services. Admission is free.  For more information, call 601-353-0658, visit www.wellsfest.org or visit the WellsFest Facebook page.
 

Kit Fields (center), a well know Mississippi artist who attends Wells UMC, has painted a portait of the Rev. Keith Tonkel and his wife, Pat, that will be presented as an appreciation gift to the Tonkels at the opening of the WellsFest Art Night and Auction on Tuesday,Sept. 21. Accepting the portrait donation are WellsFest committee chair Jim Burt, and Carol McNulty, a member of the WellsFest Steering Committee.

WellsFest Art Night is Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Arts Center of Mississippi at 201 East Pascagoula St., Jackson.  This event is free and includes refreshments and live music. The preview party begins at 5:30 p.m., and the live art auction at 7 p.m., with both events on the second floor of the center.
 
"The annual art auction that is a part of WellsFest will again have its own venue this year," said Jim Burt, chair of this year's WellsFest. "Having a separate event from the festival was well received last year. This way the art auction is not competing with the music -- so art patrons and WellsFest supporters can enjoy WellsFest Art Night on Tuesday before the festival, and then come to the festival on Saturday at Jamie Fowler Boyll Park and not have to juggle their love for music and art." Both the art night and the festival are free.
 
A sneak preview of the art to be auctioned will be available by visiting the Arts Center of Mississippi beginning Sept. 13.  All proceeds from WellsFest Art Night and WellsFest will go to the non-profit Mississippi Families for Kids.
 
Artists whose work will be auctioned include the following: Wyatt Waters, Andrew Bucci, Kit Fields, Kennith Humphrey, Ellen Langford, Duff Dorrough, Dyann Gunter, Vickie Armstrong, Steve Norquist (blacksmithing), Gary Walters, Ken Hodges, Christina Cannon, Howard Barron, Judi Adams, Flo Wills, Emmitt Thames, Henry Muse.
 
For more information, call 601-353-0658, visit www.wellsfest.org or visit the WellsFest Facebook page.

Laurel First to Host Wind of the Spirit Ministries

Laurel First UMC, will host Wind of the Spirit Ministries Sept.16-18, 2010 for a Healing Academy at the church, located at 420 North Fifth Ave., Laurel.  Registration begins Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. with Praise and Worship following at at 7 p.m.  Day 2 begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. with lunch, dinner and coffee breaks throughout the day.  The schedule on Day 3 is the same as Day 2. A healing service will take place at 7 p.m. on Day 3. Lunch will be available on site on Day 2  for $5 per person.  Reservations for lunch must be made by Sept. 13, 2010.

Founders of Wind of the Spirit Ministries and facilitators of the seminar are Pastors Larry and Audrey Eddings of Silverdale, Washington.  They are United Methodist ministers who have conducted training and workshops in healing and wholeness around the world for 25 years.  Combining practical instruction with opportunity for application and small group interaction, they emphasize the ministry of laity and encourage persons to pray for one another.  Often they are asked to assist local churches in developing healing ministries, utilizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Wind of the Spirit Ministries traditionally requires a tuition fee of $150 per person, $225 per couple; however, participants at this seminar are asked to pay as led by the Holy Spirit.  A love offering will be taken for Wind of Spirit Ministries to defray the expenses of the event.

Anyone who would like additional information may contact Billie Graham at 601-426-9900 or e-mail her at graham_billie@att.net.

Eastlawn UMC to Host Caring & Sharing Fest

Eastlawn UMC in Pascagoula will have a mission event, Caring & Sharing Fest, on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the church at 2502 Ingalls Ave.

All of the money raised will go to support Family Promise of Jackson County, a county-wide project providing shelter and support for homeless families with school-age children in Jackson County.
 
Activities at the festival will include a family-friendly music festival; great food like red beans and rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, and a bake sale; fun activities for children; an outdoor coffee house and a silent auction of work from prominent Jackson County artists.  For more information call Robert Weathersby at 228-990-0737 or 228-762-2364.

Millsaps College Fall Enrichment Program Offers a Spiritual Mini-Retreat -- A Saturday for the Soul

Do you long for a break from the hectic pace of daily life? For time to be still and listen for the voice of God? For space to rest in God's presence?

This mini-retreat for busy people includes Christian spiritual practices such as praying with Scripture, quiet meditation, and contemplative worship. Please bring a Bible and a journal.
Cost:  $30; Sat.,  Sept.18; 9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.; 1 class meeting.

Rev. Sherry Johnson, a deacon in the United Methodist Church and a certified spiritual director, is the associate director of the Center for Ministry at Millsaps College. To register, call Millsaps Continuing Education Office at 601-974-1130 or go to www.millsaps.edu/conted and click on the Community Enrichment.

Your Vote can Provide 9 Million Servings
of Food to Hungry Americans!

Pepsi is granting 1.3 million dollars in September to fund ideas that will refresh the world. Society of St. Andrew's (SoSA) approach to feeding the hungry will certainly refresh the world of those in need.

You can help us feed the hungry by voting every day in September for the Society of St. Andrew in the Food & Shelter-$250,000 category.
 
Beginning Sept. 1 and every day throughout the month go to SoSA's website:  http://www.endhunger.org and click on VOTE TO FEED 9 MILLION HUNGRY AMERICANS. Click on VOTE FOR THIS IDEA to cast your vote for SoSA. The first time you'll have to register then click the VOTE FOR THIS IDEA again; but after that you simply log-in and vote each day.

You can vote for SoSA once a day from each email address you have.  For a daily email reminder with a direct link to vote Click Here to sign up and we'll send a reminder to each email address you provide. You can TEXT your vote, too -- get the code on SoSA's website.
 
The "idea" that gets the most votes wins the money, so tell everyone you know to vote every day in September for SoSA to feed the hungry.  For more information call 601-850-4018.

Sammy McDonald, spouse of Rev. Cecele McDonald, is in South Central Medical Center in Laurel undergoing tests.  Cecele is pastor of Ovett UMC in the Hattiesburg District.  She recently had knee replacement surgery and is staying with her sister-in-law until she can stay alone, or Sammy is able to come home.  Please remember Sammy and Cecele in your prayers.
 
Mrs. Betty Price, wife of Rev.James Price (TUP-Retired) of Fulton, is hospitalized in Tupelo at North Mississippi Medical Center and is seriously ill. Please keep the Prices' in your prayers during these difficult days.
 
Mary Rutherford, wife of Rev. Hubert Rutherford, Meridian District, is in Riley Hospital.  She suffered a stroke and spent a week in Rush Hospital.  She has now been transferred to Riley Hospital, where she is undergoing therapy. Please keep the Rutherford's in your thoughts and prayers.

Main Street UMC, Bay St. Louis is looking for a part-time Youth Director. For more information or to send a resume contact Heather Hensarling at hhensarling@bellsouth.net.
 
Crossgates UMC is looking for a self-motivated leader to lead and care for Youth.  The position is for a part-time Director of Youth Ministries, who has a passion for helping youth in 7-12th grades.  We are looking for an energetic person who lives out their faith in all they do, and who will encourage and nurture our youth in their relationship with God and one another.   Interested persons should contact Rev. John Moore at jmoore@crossgatesumc.org to receive a job description and application. The same may be obtained in the office of Crossgates UMC at 23 Crossgates Drive, Brandon, Mississippi (Monday through Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.). The deadline for receiving applications is September 30, 2010.