Keeping On Keeping On

Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? -- Luke 18: 8

Jesus told a parable about the need to pray and not lose heart. A widow was relentless in pleading before a callous judge. Although he heeded neither God nor people, he gave her what she requested so that he would not have to listen to her pleading any longer.

And the Lord said, "How much more will God grant the petitions of those who pray night and day? Will God delay in helping them?"

And the Lord asks the probing question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Faith is evident as we pray without ceasing, as we persevere in our ministries, as we give generously. This is the beautiful season of harvest, of generosity. "10-Fold" and "O For a Thousand" and local church stewardship campaigns and thank offerings. As God watches, does God find faith on earth in us?

In Beyond Katrina, Natasha Trethewey offers this meditation, a poem, "Believer."

The house is in need of repair, but is --
for now, she says -- still hers. After the storm,
she laid hands on what she could reclaim:
the iron table and chairs etched with rust,
the dresser laced with mold. Four years gone,
she's still rebuilding the shed out back
and sorting through boxes in the kitchen --
a lifetime of bills and receipts, deeds
and warranties, notices spread on the table,
a barrage of red ink: PAST DUE. Now,
the house is a museum of everything
she can't let go: a pile of photographs --
fused and peeling -- water stains blurring
the handwritten names of people she can't recall;
a drawer crowded with funeral programs
and church fans, rubber bands and paper sleeves
for pennies, nickels, and dimes. What stops me
is the stack of tithing envelopes. Reading my face,
she must know I can't see why -- even now --
she titles, why she keeps giving to the church.
First seek the kingdom of God, she tells me,
and the rest will follow -- says it twice
as if to make a talisman of her words.

With gratitude for your ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward 
 
To comment, link on the Bishop's Blog page here.

 
An Invitation from
the Methodist Children's Homes

On August 7, 2010, the dream of having all the residents of the Methodist Children's Home (MCH) on one campus came true. MCH has purchased the campus that was once the site of the Baptist Children's Village. This site has a rich history of service to children and will greatly enhance MCH's continued ministry.

"I have never been more excited about all the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead for our children than I am now," said Becky Dotson, President & CEO of Methodist Children's Homes. "No longer will we have to worry about children who age out of the system and have no place to go. On our new campus, we have apartments to offer young people who have worked hard in our programs and are deserving of the incredible opportunity of having their own place."

The target date for transitioning children onto the property is January 2012. At this time renovation is complete on one cottage, and it is expected to start accepting admissions immediately.

"The children we serve are family to each other. Sadly, most of them have grown up in the foster care system together," said Dotson. "They become family to each other when their 'own' families let them down. I cannot wait for them all to be together. In all the celebration of God's wonderful blessing on MCH, we also celebrate the generosity of our donors. We are praying and trusting that your support continues, as we have courageously stepped out in faith to provide the very best for our children."

MCH will host a tour of the new campus on Tuesday, Oct. 26, beginning at 11:30 a.m. To make a reservation, please contact Becky Mercier at bmercier@mchms.org. For more information on the Methodist Children's Home visit www.mchms.org.

Pearl UMC to Hold Fall Festival

Pearl UMC will hold a Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will include entertainment and children's activities throughout the day. Hamburger plates will be available for sale and a rummage sale starts at 7 a.m.

Pearl UMC is located at 226 South Pearson Rd, Pearl. Everyone is invited for the day of fun.

Apply for Wesley Seminary's D.Min
in Church Leadership

Wesley Theological Seminary is accepting applications for doctoral study in church leadership. The next cohort begins in May 2011, and the application deadline is Dec. 1, 2010.

Students examine the biblical, theological, and ethical foundations of church leadership while engaging contemporary leadership studies to enhance their fruitful practice of leadership. The combined resources of Wesley faculty, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, and guest faculty bring depth and energy to this track.

For more information, prospective students may contact Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., director of the Lewis Center, or visit the seminary's Website by clicking here.

Bishop Ward to Speak at The Kairos Conference: Discerning Justice and Taking Action

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward will be a guest speaker at The Kairos Conference: Discerning Justice and Taking Action, Nov. 16 - 17 at the Emory Convention Center. The Kairos Conference is a national conference marking this kairos moment for the religious community and all concerned people in the United States to learn, discern, pray, and choose to act on the death penalty. It is the first interfaith conference on religious organizing on the death penalty in the United States this century. (Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment -- the supreme moment).

Space is limited and early registration ends Oct. 8.

Speakers at the conference include Dead Man Walking author Sr. Helen Prejean, Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador Bianca Jagger, world-renowned speakers, and leaders of national, state, and local faith communities and groups for an inspirational and educational experience.

The opening plenary of the conference will begin on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. (registration opens at 7 a.m.) The conference is scheduled to conclude at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Who should attend the conference:

* Clergy, religious or lay leaders of a national, state, or local faith communities interested in participating in an inspirational and informative experience with other leaders such as yourself on a crucial moral issue of our time.

* Those involved in the death penalty in your community and interested in receiving a fresh and deeper understanding of how to succeed in partnering with and empowering religious leaders to help lead abolition and reform movements back home.

Over the course of two days participants will attend plenary sessions and keynote addresses involving national religious figures, workshops, affinity group sessions, an interfaith service, and a very special event.

For more information link here.

Vote for Moore Community House
as Mid South Do-Gooder

The Foundation for the Mid South has chosen 18 finalists for their Do-Gooders award-an online campaign encouraging the public to nominate and vote for individuals and nonprofits making a difference in their communities. Moore Community House's Women in Construction, Biloxi is one of the 18 finalists, chosen out of 600 nominations.

Each finalist with the most votes in each state for the categories of individual and organization will each receive up to $50,000 in grant awards. Individuals have chosen a beneficiary nonprofit in their state to receive the grant, should they receive the most votes. Voting ends Oct. 25, 2010. To read the nomination for the Women in Construction and to vote link here.

Waterford UMC Holds Revival this Week

Waterford UMC in the Senatobia District will be having Revival services on Oct 24-27 at 7 p.m. each evening.  The guest preacher will be the Rev. John Wesley Pepper. 

Waterford UMC is located six miles south of Holly Springs on old Hwy 7 in the Waterford community just across from the post office.

A celebration of life for Sandy Murden, mother of Rev. Robbie Murden, Vancleave UMC in Seashore District will be held Wednesday, Oct. 20 as follows:

• 4 p.m. - Committal service at Coalville UMC Cemetery
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Come and go visitation and fellowship meal at Heritage UMC, D'Iberville
• 7 p.m. - Memorial Service at Heritage UMC, D'Iberville

Please continue to keep Robbie and his family in your prayers.

Dr. Sam Morris, Senior Pastor, Columbus First UMC in Hattiesburg District, had colon surgery Oct. 19, at the University Medical Center in Jackson. Please remember Dr. Morris in your prayers.

Please keep in your prayers Sandy Jenkins, the wife of Marshall Jenkins appointed to Independence UMC in East/West Jackson District. On Oct. 12 Sandy was taken to the emergency room at St. Dominics for test and then was admitted to the hospital. Please continue to remember the Jenkins in your prayers.

Rev. Mark McNair, Senatobia District, has requested prayer for a mission team consisting of folks from Byhalia UMC and Collierville, TN UMC as they leave today for a mission trip to Mexico. They will be working at the Rio Bravo Mission Orphanage.

Union UMC in Union is currently seeking an energetic individual to grow, direct, plan, and guide our worship arts by serving as part-time Minister of Music. Pay dependent upon background and experience. All interested applicants may send their resume to unionunitedmetho@bellsouth.net or call 601-774-9412 for more information.

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) seeks a passionate, creative, adaptable leader to serve as the CEO of the worldwide agency of educational, institutional, and ministerial leadership of the United Methodist Church. The $39 million agency is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and employs approximately 65 full-time employees. Minimum requirements include a masters degree in a field related to the agency's work and active involvement as a United Methodist. The position is elected by the GBHEM Board with an expected hiring range of $135,000 to 145,000. Download the profile at http://thenovakconsultinggroup.com/services/executive-search/apply-for-open-positions. Applications, including cover letter, resume, salary history & references, to Catherine Tuck Parrish at The Novak Consulting Group at apply@thenovakconsultinggroup.com. Open until filled. Resumes will be reviewed on 1112/10. EOE