A World of Mission...
Only a Click Away!

Go into all the world... 
 
I just clicked on the 10- Fold link just beside this Gleaning column and registered for 10 Fold and I testify to you:
 
It's easy.  It's fast.  It's fun.  It's free.
 
So I ask you to register on the link -- 
 
10 Fold.
 
10 Days.
10 Projects.
Be counted.
 
Simply enter your email address and name.
Then verify your registration when an email appears in your inbox.
 
Your click will engage you with the United Methodist way of being in mission in the world.
 
Your click will give you information, updates and tools for spreading the word about the United Methodists in mission.
 
Your click will leverage funding for mission.  Sponsors have committed one dollar for mission per person participating in 10 Fold beginning October 10.
 
The goal is 10,000 United Methodist people registered and participating in 10 Fold. 
 
Spread the word in your church so that your church can spread the love of Christ in the world.
 
A great movement in mission is beginning.  Be a part of it.  It all begins with your click.  NOW!
 
With gratitude for your partnership in the mission of Jesus Christ,
Hope  
 
To comment link on the Bishop's Blog here.

:: Announcements

 
Homecoming at Arkabutla UMC

Arkabutla UMC will celebrate Homecoming on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. The morning service will begin at 11 a.m. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Frank Haynes with music led by Maura McIntosh Fields. Immediately after the service everyone is invited to a covered dish lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Singing will follow lunch in the sanctuary.

Fields has recently released a children's CD "No More Couch Potatoes," which will be available at the afternoon concert/singing event. Everyone is invited to join us for this special day. Arkabutla UMC is in the Senatobia District.

One-day Prayer Seminar
at St. Paul, Ocean Springs

Stephen D. Bryant, former Upper Room publisher and world editor will be the lead a one-day seminar at St. Paul UMC, Ocean Springs. The seminar, "When You Pray -- Daily Practices for Prayerful Living," will be held Saturday, Sept. 25 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the East Campus located at Hwy.90 at Hwy. 57. Registration fee is $20 per person and includes meals and teaching materials. For more information or to register call 228-875-5701 or email joan@stpaulos.org.

Art Show at Long Beach First

Long Beach First UMC will be hosting the annual Art & Soul Youth Ministries Fundraiser  art show and potluck dinner on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the Christian Life Center Coffeehouse.

Artists from the congregation are donating items for the art sale.  The potluck dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the art sale will begin at 6:45 p.m. This is a wonderful time to collect inspirational works of art for yourself and get an early start on your Christmas shopping. 

For more information, call the church at 228-863-9619. Long Beach First is in the Seashore District.

Meridian District Hosts
Black Church Excellence Workshop

Rev. Harold D. Lewis, Sr. Director, Black Congregational Development, from the Florida Conference, will be speaking to African American Clergy, at the Meridian District Office, Thursday, Sept 23, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Lewis is a native of Greenwood and ordained in the Mississippi Annual Conference where he served for 5 years at the Wesley UMC before being called and appointed as the senior Pastor of the Lincoln Park UMC in Washington, DC for the past 10 years. 

For more information contact the Meridian District office at 601-483-6221 or email District@MeridianUMC.org.

Heritage UMC to Hold
Disaster Response Training

Disaster Response Training will be held at Heritage UMC in D'Iberville on October 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Cost is $30 per person and includes lunch.  To register, contact Rev. Wayne Napier at wbnapier@live.com or call 228-392-4288 (church)/228-216-2560 (cell).

Discover God's Call Retreat

There are still a few days remaining to register for the fall Discover God's Call Retreat to be held on Nov. 5 - 7, 2010 at Durr Wise Conference Center at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman. The registration deadline is Sept. 24 and cost is $145 per person, which includes room, board and materials.

Partial scholarships are available where financial need exists. Pastors can also receive 1.5 continuing education units for attending the retreat.

For more information or to download a registration form, visit the website at msdgc.info or call  Steve Seeley at 601-372-7461.

Seashore District UMW to Hold Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Seashore District United Methodist Women will be held Oct. 16, 2010, 9 a.m. at Gautier First UMC.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Rev. Raigan Miskelly, Associate Pastor at Tupelo First UMC.

For more information contact Linda Hyland, District President at 228-497-3686 or email seatiger@ametro.net.

Fruitful Congregations Event a Success
By Embra Jackson
 
What a wonderful experience we had...That was great...Bishop Schnase really connected with us and seems to understand us.

These are a few of the quotes some of the 300 participants said as they left Christ UMC on Sept. 11. The evangelism event, "Becoming a Fruitful Congregation Event" with Bishop Robert Schnase was sponsored by the Annual Conference's Parish and Community Development Ministries in conjunction with Strengthening the Black Church. The purpose of the gathering was to orient ourselves and our churches in the five practices that help us become more open to the gift of Christian perfection.
 
Those five practices are: Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-taking Mission and Service, and  Extravagant Generosity.
 
This was Bishop Schnase's second trip to Mississippi in 2010. During both visits, he emphasized the presence and strength of the five practices to demonstrate congregational health, vitality and fruitfulness. By repeating and improving these practices, churches fulfill their mission to make disciples.
 
A key component of the day's activities included the introduction of the conference's A-2 to 5-P Academy. The academy consists of 26 congregations from five districts (Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Meridian, New Albany and Senatobia) who are served by 30 congregational coaches (lay and clergy). The coaches assist the congregations in discerning their mission/calling and developing ways to respond to God's call. They use the A-2 Assessment instrument and Bishop Schnase's five practices concept to assist them with their efforts. Churches that complete the academy will replicate this process with another church.

Waynesboro and Troop 39 Pack Meals
for Stop Hunger Now
By Lisa Hicks, Hattiesburg District Communicator
 
On August 18, church members from Waynesboro, Wayne Haven,  
Buckatunna and Clara UMCs gathered to pack meals for Stop Hunger Now.  Joined by members of Boy Scout Troop No. 39 from Waynesboro, the packers ranged in age from 8 to folks in their 80's.  Drew Miller, missions coordinator at Waynesboro UMC and leader of Boy Scout Troup 39, coordinated the event.
 
"There is an urgent need for this kind of humanitarian assistance in places all over the world, and our focus is to help the people of Haiti," said Miller.
 
In about two hours time, 12,990 meals were packed by the volunteers and made the front page of the Wayne County News where readers were educated about the work of Stop Hunger Now.
 
"The work of missions begins at home, and by reaching out to people in need, we can hopefully share the news that God truly loves them," said Rev. David Hill, pastor of Waynesboro UMC. "It is glorifying to see young and old alike coming together for a cause such as this. It says a lot about how important it is that they be a part of this outreach and in sharing the Good News."

Rev. Andrea Johnson, retired pastor, has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. She will be admitted to the Baptist Hospital in Jackson on Wednesday, September 22 to begin a month's stay for treatment and, hopefully, recovery. Please pray for Andrea and her family during this time.

Rev. Victor Chatham, Seashore District is at home and recuperating from last week's trip to the hospital following a heart catherization and a stint being placed. Please continue your prayers for the Chatham family.

Rev. Jeff Pruett of Poplarville First is currently at Oschner Hospital in New Orleans.  Jeff had a follow-up procedure performed on Friday, is doing well, and expected to come home in the near future.Please continue to keep the Pruett's in your prayers.

Four-year old Mykeita Coleman, granddaughter of Rev. Shirley Chambers, had a 12-hour open heart surgery to replace a heart valve Friday at the University of Mississippi Hospital in Jackson. There was much concern because of her weakened condition prior to surgery, but she came through the surgery okay and is doing better.  Please continue to remember Mykeita and the whole family in your prayers. Rev. Chambers is pastor of the Waynesboro: Frostbridge Charge in the Hattiesburg District.

Sammy McDonald, husband of Rev. Cecele McDonald is being sent to the hospital at the University of Alabama in Birmingham for the surgery. Rev. McDonald is pastor of Ovett UMC in the Hattiesburg District.  Please keep the McDonald's in your prayers.

Mr. Clyde Travis, Sr., father of Mrs. Penny Pittman (spouse of Rev. Robert Pittman - St. Paul UMC in Moss Point) passed away last week in Poplarville.  Funeral services were held at Newton Chapel UMC. Please keep the Travis & Pittman families in your prayers.

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.