Embarking on a Ship...

Embarking on a ship...
they put to sea... -- Acts 27:2

We have a glorious opportunity to experience the lands and seas of the Bible in March 2011 as a group from Mississippi travels to the Mediterranean.  I hope that you will consider "putting out to sea" with this group of pilgrims as we live and learn together on and off a cruise ship from March 12-24.

We will visit Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel and Egypt, visiting the land of Jesus' birth and life and death and traveling to places where Paul moved and preached and extended the bounds of the Church of Jesus Christ.  The trip begins in Rome, then on to Athens and Philippi and Olympus, with a day in Jerusalem before traveling on to Egypt, with the final days spent in Rome. 

Dr. Willis Britt will be our teacher and leader.  Several days will be spent on the sea, traveling from Rome to Greece, from Greece to Turkey, from Turkey to Israel, from Israel to Egypt, from Egypt to Rome.  There will be time for touring, learning, reading, resting and renewal -- with no moving of luggage as our seaboard lodging moves from port to port.

Mike and I look forward to this time with many of you. If you have questions or are in need of financial assistance to participate, contact Donna White (601-948-4561 or dwhite@mississippi-umc.org). You can register on line at www.eo.travelwithus.com.

With gratitude for the opportunities we have to learn and grow together,
Hope Morgan Ward 
 
To comment, link on the Bishop's Blog here.

:: Announcements

 
Broadmeadow UMC to Host Seminar --
Meeting Jesus Again

On Sunday, Oct. 3, Broadmeadow UMC will host Rev. Dr. Willis Britt, Dean of the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies who will lead a seminar entitled, Meeting Jesus Again through the Fifth Gospel.

The day will be spent encountering Jesus through his teachings, his encounters, and mighty deeds all through the lens of the Fifth Gospel, the land in which Jesus lived and taught.

The seminar will begin at 9:15 a.m. followed by worship at 10:30 a.m.  Lunch will be served after worship ($10 per person).  Two concluding sessions begin at 12:30 p.m. and end at 3 p.m.

To register please call the church office at 601-366-1403 or e-mail broadmeadow@bellsouth.net. Broadmeadow is located at 4419 Broadmeadow Drive, Jackson.

CFA to Honor Church Administrators

In October a special day has been set aside to honor full-time professional church and ministry center business administrators.

The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) invites you and your full-time professional business administrator to a luncheon celebrating the ministry of church administration in the Mississippi Annual Conference.  The luncheon will be held at Christ UMC in Jackson on October 13, 2010 beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding no later than 2 p.m. 

The celebration will include a discussion on church business administration certification and the organizations supporting church administration with the keynote address presented by Dr. Bob Winstead of Emory University Candler School of Theology.

The cost of the luncheon is $40 for your team consisting of your administrator and senior pastor or executive director and includes an appreciation gift for your administrator. Others may attend at a cost of $15. Reservations should be made by Oct. 8. 

If you have any questions, please contact David Stotts at 601-354-0515.

2nd Annual
Blackbird Run

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Blackbird Run in memory of Coach Larry "Blackbird" Therrell. Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 we will have a 5K Run, 10K Run, 5K Walk, and 1-mile fun run.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Patient Financial Assistance Program in memory of Coach Therrell. Gather with the community at Crossgates United Methodist Church for this special event!

Click here to for the registration form. Email questions to: blackbirdrun@hotmail.com.

Live Internet Events to Launch International "10-Fold" Effort: United Methodist Church Calls for Grassroots Participation

The United Methodist Church plans a 10-day series of live internet events from Sunday, Oct. 10 through Tuesday, Oct. 19, to report on the denomination's work to combat poverty, disease, and social injustice throughout the world.

Known as 10-Fold, the events will provide immediate access to missionaries, volunteers, and churches in Haiti, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States.

Webcasts, streaming video, online chats, and discussions have been developed by the General Board of Global Ministries, the mission agency of The United Methodist Church, with the goal of drawing 100,000 supporters for the church's global program.

"Millions of church members across the world share a passion for the ministries of The United Methodist Church," said Thomas Kemper, chief executive of Global Ministries. "These ministries rebuild hospitals, provide clean water, build churches, protect victims of violence, and strive to create a just world. 10-Fold is a chance to see this work firsthand and be part of a movement that multiplies God's work."

The Rev. Shawn Bakker, who is in charge of development for the agency, explained the process: "Visitors to www.10-fold.org may register their particular interest in a program, triggering $1 of support on their behalf each time they do so. This has the potential to generate $100,000 for the work supported by The Advance, the designated mission-giving arm of the United Methodist Church. And 100 percent of every $1 donation made possible by 10 sponsors will go directly to the chosen project. It is a way to learn more about what The United Methodist Church is doing globally, be part of a worldwide conversation, and share your faith."

To encourage participation by church members, Bible study groups, and congregations, a complete schedule and toolkit are available at www.10-fold.org. Resource packets may be downloaded for adults and for children. Visitors may also view a 10-Fold video on YouTube, connect with 10-Fold on Facebook, and follow 10-Fold on Twitter.

For a detailed schedule of online events from October 10 through 19 and additional background information, please visit www.10-fold.org.

Walden Chapel UMC Continues
to Help Tornado Victims

L-R Rev. Otha Retha Mabry, Bishop Hope Ward, Rev. Annie Williams, Rev. Vicky White, Grwd. Dist. Supt., Rev. L. Fitzgerald Lovette, Pastor of Walden Chapel.

Since the April 2010 tornadoes hit Central Mississippi volunteer services and assistance has been provided by Walden Chapel UMC members to Holmes County victims.  According to MEMA statistics 116 households were affected with 61 of those homes destroyed.  Since that time the church opened it doors as an official site for case work and has provided volunteers through its members, UMM, UMW and UMYF along with other members who have offered assistance.

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward visited Walden Chapel UMC in Goodman, Sept. 9 and commended the congregation for their mission and ministry service to the Holmes County tornado survivors.

But much work remains to be done.  To volunteer or make a donation to the rebuilding efforts through the Mississippi Conference click on 2010 Tornado Recovery.  You may also volunteer by calling 866-647-7486 or email tornadorelief@mississippi-umc.org.

Mrs. Shirley Cain, spouse of Rev. Bobby Cain, has been diagnosed with an aneurysm in the aorta and will require surgery.  She will have a heart cath tomorrow to determine the extent of any other problems.  The surgery will not be scheduled until after the cath. Rev. Cain is retired and serves the Goodman Charge. Please remember them in prayer.

Jo Miller Orr, wife of Tupelo District Secretary Ben Orr, will underwent surgery Saturday to repair a broken hip suffered in a fall Friday afternoon. The Orrs ask for your prayers during Jo's recuperation and rehab.

Rev. Cecele McDonald, pastor of Ovett UMC, Hattiesburg District gives this update on her husband Sammy McDonald.  "God still performs miracles.  Sammy's GI bleeds sealed themselves off and the doctor in Birmingham said there was no need for surgery at this time. They are slowly putting him back on his blood thinner and our prayer is for this not to start the bleeding again.  We came home from Birmingham Thursday night. We cannot say thanks enough for all the prayers lifted up on our behalf. God is so good!"

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.