Holy Conversations

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. -- Colossians 3:14 
 
In June, the Annual Conference passed a resolution "to provide safe places for sacred conversations, study and prayer regarding controversial issues."    
In response to this resolution, the Cabinet and I engaged in a morning of such conversation on August 20.  Each of us had opportunity to share from our hearts, and each of us had opportunity to listen attentively.  In the small circle, we each listened for over 90 percent of the time and we each spoke less than 10 percent of the time. 
 
In the months to come, each District Superintendent will work within his or her district to convene holy conversations in a number of local settings.  The patterns of these conversations will vary from district to district.  The commonality will be the invitation to laity and to clergy:  come as you are led to seek a place of holy conversation. There will be no pressure to participate.  The conversations will be dialogues, not debates.  The invitation will be to listen well and to speak the truth in love.  The conversations will be in local settings for it is in local settings that these conversations are safest and most effective in allowing space for all to speak and all to listen.  
 
The resolution passed by the 2010 Session of the Annual Conference is available to you by linking here.
 
I hope that you will engage with your District Superintendent in creating safe places for holy conversation in your communities across Mississippi.  
 
May God be with us in this and all things,
Hope Morgan Ward
 
To comment link on the Bishop's Blog here.

:: Announcements

 
Collinsville UMC to Celebrate 100th Anniversary

Collinsville UMC will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 17, with a variety of activities around the theme, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" from the Book of Proverbs.  This theme was chosen to honor the vision of those founding members without whom Collinsville UMC would not exist. 

There will be a worship service at 11 a.m., featuring special music, recognition of former pastors, and a slide show highlighting the history of the church.  Following the worship service, all in attendance are invited to share lunch in the Fellowship Hall. As the adults visit and reminisce, there will be children's games and inflatables on the back lawn.  At 2:30 p.m., the Liberty Quartet and Dusty Culpepper and Friends will be in concert in the sanctuary.  Everyone is welcome for any or all of the events.
 
One hundred years after its founding, Collinsville UMC continues the vision of its founders as a welcoming, active church in the community and in the Mississippi Conference.
 
Collinsville UMC was founded in the Summer of 1910 through the vision of  Mrs. J. L. (Minnie) Houston, who organized a Sunday School in the school building on Church Rd. in Collinsville, next to the current church cemetery.  She then requested Rev. C.C. Griffin to hold a revival and organize a church.  The first pastor was Rev. J.F. McClellan.  The charter members were Joseph L. Houston, Ruby May Gibson,  Mrs. And Mrs. J.A.J. McDonald, Mrs. Minnie Houston, Cecil May Houston, W.J. McDonald, Allie Houston, and Kay C. McDonald. They were joined by 27 members of the former Shiloh Methodist Church, which had existed in the area from the late 1800's through 1907.  By 1914, the church had added 38 additional members.
 
The present pastor is Rev. Alan Randall.  Rev. Randall and the members of Collinsville UMC invite everyone to join them in celebrating their first 100 years of service and envisioning the next 100 years.  For more information, contact the church at 601-626-8382.

UMVIM Schedules Fall Meeting

The fall meeting of the Mississippi United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is Saturday, Sept. 25 10 a.m. to noon at the Mississippi United Methodist Foundation office (581 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157-8784).    

Plan to join in lunch at a restaurant following the meeting. You are invited to be prepared to share what God is doing in your area of ministry.  This meeting is open to all.  You are encouraged to bring others who may be interested in partnering as we offer Christ through the witness of missions. For more information contact Rev. David Newton, MS UMVIM Coordinator at 228-875-8900.

Small Church Academy to be Held Oct. 16

Columbia First UMC will host the Small Membership Church Academy on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop will be lead by Lyle Shipley, president and CEO of Hinton Rural Life Center. The cost is $7 per person and includes your meal. This is great opportunity to come and get some great fresh ideas for your church. This workshop is for clergy and laity. Clergy can receive .5 CEU's.

This Academy is sponsored by Small Membership Church Committee and Grace Network of the Mississippi United Methodist Conference. Contact: Reverend Gary Howse 662-207-5620; ghowse_24@yahoo.com.

SEJ Native American Men's Conference
Set for Oct. 1-3

The first Southeastern Jurisdiction will hold a Native American Men's Conference October 1-3, 2010 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. The event, "God's Warrior: the Man, the Christian, the Native" features Native American speakers and leaders such as Yuchi, Lumbee, Chicahominy, Choctaw, Mattaponi  and includes time for fellowship, worship, recreation and renewal.

To register link here or call 828-454-6656 or 828-454-6697 or fax 828-452-1956.

GBHEM Announces Online Consortium
with 13 UM Theological Schools

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church is pleased to introduce an Online Continuing Education Consortium in collaboration with the 13 United Methodist Theological Schools. The vision of the consortium is to provide theologically sound, financially affordable, and easily accessible continuing education programs to clergy and lay Christians around the world so they may grow in their theological understanding and leadership skills. 
 
These non-academic credit courses provided by the participation of the 13 United Methodist theological schools ensure the quality of classes offered. Each school designs the course, provides the instructor, handles registrations and payment. They will manage the technological aspects of providing online courses. Costs of these courses will vary, with tuition or fees set by and paid directly to, the theological school that is hosting the online class.

The online consortium catalogue will serve as the gateway, providing a single entry point through an online catalogue and Web links to each theological school that is offering the classes.  It will be open all year round so you will be able to take courses according to your schedule.  To learn more link here.

Pearl River UMC to Hold
Annual Lambuth Day Observance

Pearl River UMC will gather Thursday, Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m. for the 110th Annual Lambuth Day Observance. Lambuth Day honors the Lambuth family who produced14 pastors and missionaries who served the Mississippi Conference in the 1800 and early 1900's. Rev. Giles Lindley, District Superintendent will be the guest speaker.
 
Pearl River UMC is located in Madison County (Directions: from Madison go north on Hwy 51 and turn right onto Green Oak Lane and proceed straight for 3 miles; turn right onto Pearl River Church Rd.; the church will be on the right ahead 1/4 mile.) Refreshments will be served. For more information contact Madison UMC for more information at 601-856-6058.

ALERT: Upper Room Not Involved with Movie

A movie titled "I AM," which is scheduled for release this fall, currently is being promoted to churches in North America by its production company, "Upper Room Multimedia." The Upper Room, a division of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, released a statement that it wants churches to know it is in no way affiliated with the California-based production company. The Upper Room Ministries is a Nashville-based ministry.

Rethink Church Resource, Seeker Website Addresses Change

Congregational resources for the Rethink Church advertising and welcoming campaign have moved to a new website address: umcom.org/rethinkchurch, though the site content remains the same.  The website that previously housed congregational resources, RethinkChurch.org, will become the primary seeker site that is featured in Rethink Church advertising, beginning this fall.
 
"Research shows that RethinkChurch.org resonates most strongly with the seekers we are trying to reach with our denominational advertising," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications.  "This website address reinforces the message we want non-United Methodist seekers to take away from our advertising-that we are rethinking church."
 
The RethinkChurch.org seeker site will feature more site engagement capabilities and content offerings than its seeker site predecessor, 10thousanddoors.org.  RethinkChurch.org visitors will be able to read, watch, comment, and interact on topics that are important both to them and to The United Methodist Church-from the environment, to global health, to disaster relief.  An interactive map will connect seekers to a church in their area, based upon ministry offerings and events listed in a church's Find-a-Church profile.  (Update your Find-a-Church profile now)
 
Rethink Church congregational resources help churches to participate in the Rethink Church advertising and welcoming campaign.  Resources include a Rethink Church overview and FAQ, church marketing tutorials, advertising samples, graphics, worship aids, and more.

Selah in Concert
at Christ UMC

Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson will host Selah in concert Sunday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. Admission is $16 in advance, $20 at the door, $25 Gold Circle Seating. For tickets, call 888-780-1116 or go to http://www.christunitedjxn.org/selah.

Independence UMC observes
Camping Ministries Sunday

Independence UMC, pastored by Rev. Lannis May celebrated "Campus Ministries Sunday" on Sept. 12 in a big way. All campers from the congregation were invited to participate in the worship service by leading prayers and responsive readings, lighting candles, singing camp songs, introducing the guest preacher, and sharing their experiences at Camp Lake Stephens this summer.

Guest preacher for the event was Rev. Dr. John Staggs, a retired UM Minister who serves on the Board of Directors of Camp Lake Stephens and is chair of the finance committee. The church was also glad to welcome Nathan Staggs, son of Dr. Staggs to worship with them on this special day. The bulletin board in the narthex of the church was dedicated to Camp Lake Stephens and was designed by Diane Wilhite who utilized the campers' special memories of Camp 2010.  Also in this area, information on all activities of the year at the camp were available.

The campers "blessed" the potluck meal in song, just the way they do it at camp! This event was planned by the pastor and Marcia Freeman. Independence UMC is in the Senatobia District.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Betty Price, spouse of Rev. James Price (TUP-Retired) Sept. 9, 2010 at Fulton United Methodist Church. Please remember the Price family as you pray.
 
Rev. Mike Hunter (TUP-Carolina) requests prayers for his brother, James Bunn, and brother-in-law, J. J. Jacobs.  Both are suffering serious health issues.
 
Frank Beasley, Sr., the father of Rev. Zachery Beasley, pastor of Canton UMC of the East Jackson District, is in intensive care at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson.  Rev. Beasley request your sincere prayers for his father's holistic recovery.
 
The Reverend Ray Rooney, Jr. (TUP-Wesley) will undergo back surgery at Methodist - Germantown on Thursday, Sept. 16.
Please remember Ray as you pray.

Union Grove UMC in Nettleton has 20 pews (in good condition) for sale at a price of $75.00 each (or we'll take the best offer).  For more information contact Ann Small at ann.small@mtdproducts.com or 662-436-7696.

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.