Heavenly Autumn

In heaven it is always autumn;
God's mercies are ever in their maturity:
We ask our daily bread,
And God never says:
You should have come yesterday,
God never says,
You must ask again tomorrow:
But today, if you will hear God's voice,
Today God will hear you...

Now God comes to you,
Not as in the dawning of the day,
Not as in the bud of the spring
But as the sun at noon,
As the sheaves in harvest.
-- John Donne, 1624

This is the season of extravagant generosity. God paints the trees and breathes crisp air upon us. In churches, fall festivals and stewardship emphases and abundant feasts abound.

We are experiencing the strongest generosity in the history of our conference. We thank God for prompting every gift and blessing every giver. Your leadership efforts are ensuring vital ministry. Thank you for supporting through your apportioned Mission Share the ministry of Christ in the Mississippi Conference.

God, the giver of the harvest, is with us. We are very thankful for the life we share together in Christ.

With gratitude for your partnership in ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward

To comment, link on the Bishop's Blog page here.

 
Louisville First to Host Missions Conference

Louisville First UMC will host the 35th Annual Conference on the Holy Spirit Christian World Missions (formerly Cecil Williamson Ministry) on January 14-15, 2011 (1 p.m. Friday thru noon Saturday).

The theme for this year's conference is Making the most of Every Opportunity. The keynote address will be presented by Rev. Bill Beavers of Getwell Road UMC, Southaven. Other guest speakers include Rev. Cecil Williamson, Lee Ann Williamson and Mr. Joseph Otsin, Methodist Church Ghana. Worship will be led by Grace and Gladness Ministries (Lee Ann Williamson and Lori Smith.)

No registration necessary, but a love offering will be received. Childcare is available. Go to www.ChristianWorldMissions.org for more information.

The Communications office is currently seeking devotions for the 2011 Lenten Devotional Guide. Our theme for this year is based upon the beloved hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story." Don't we all love to tell and hear stories? Stories help us make sense of our daily lives. The hymn sums it up well when it says God's story "satisfies my longings as nothing else would do." The Bible offers us powerful stories and a greater Story within which we can locate ourselves-a living story that is still unfolding. As we make this Lenten journey with one another this coming year, we want to enter into Scripture and discover how it intersects with our own stories.

Our goal this year is to partner people together across generations to tell stories of reconciliation. We want "young" people to seek out more "seasoned" persons (and vice versa) to share in composing a brief reflection together. Think about the stories you need to tell and to whom you need to tell the story. Stories, confession, truth-telling, and listening are all disciplines of the Lenten journey helping us grapple with our journey of racial reconciliation. You might reflect on the 50th anniversary of the freedom rides, or a more recent experience in your school, church, or community.

Perhaps you have had a particular encounter in which you witnessed or experienced reconciliation. Or, you could share about a "wilderness" experience of trial, temptation, or introspection.

Here are a few questions that may be helpful as you share stories across generations.

• What is one thing in your world that is different from your parent's world in terms of race?
• Have you ever been the racial or ethnic minority in a particular setting? What did you learn from your experience?
• Which passage(s) of Scripture have been helpful to you along your journey?

We ask that your devotion follow the Upper Room format with a scripture reference, brief devotion of 500 words or less sharing a story of reconciliation, and a prayer for the day. We are collecting devotions to cover the 40 days of Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday and the Sundays in between and Holy Week days.

A booklet will be published and available in mid-January for use for individuals, small groups, or churches. The cost will be $3 per booklet or $2 each for orders of 10 or more. Those submitting a devotion will receive a copy free. We will also share devotions on the Mississippi Annual Conference website and through e-mail.

The deadline for submitting your reflection is November 30, 2010. Please pair up with someone "younger" or more "seasoned" to share your story with us. Submit your story to Lisa Cumbest Michiels at lisacm@mississippi-umc.org.

On Sunday, Nov. 21 beginning at 1:30 p.m., St. Mary's UMC in the Brookhaven District will hold its annual Men and Women's Day program along with a Harvest Day Celebration. Rev. Gloria Adams, pastor of Mt. Calvary CME church in Crystal Springs, will be the guest speaker. The theme of this year's event is "Men and Women Answering the Harvest Call," based on Luke 10:2.

For additional information contact, Mattie Jones @ 601-810-8072 or Rev. Demario Benson @ 601-953-4230. St. Mary's UMC is located at 3009 Harmony Road, Crystal Springs.

Coming in 2011 students may apply for any United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) scholarship by using a safe and secure online application process.

The online scholarship application process for our United Methodist Dollars for Scholars, General Named Endowed Scholarships and United Methodist Leadership Scholars programs will open on January 1, 2011. Application deadlines vary by program.

Visit www.UMHEF.org and learn more about receiving scholarships and giving to the Foundation's scholarship funds so you can help prepare the next generation of United Methodist leaders!

Please share with family, friends and all those who may be interested in receiving a scholarship or in giving to help grow the scholarship programs.

Some items will still be required for students to mail in. Instructions on what is required are provided for each application.

Horn Lake UMC in the Senatobia District invites you to bring children of all ages on to enjoy story time at the church on Dec. 4 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Breakfast will be served and children can have their picture made with Santa. The cost is $5 for breakfast and photo with Santa or breakfast or picture only is $3. All proceeds will go toward the churches adopted Christmas families.

For more info call 662-393-0062. Horn Lake is located at 6890 East Center St., Horn Lake.

Celebrations from the Hattiesburg District
Submitted by Lisa Hicks, Hattiesburg District Communicator

Pleasant Ridge UMC Food Pantry, located in the Knobtown community held a food drive, courtesy of Bay Area Food Bank in August. From this distribution, 155 households were served for a total of 532 people. Pleasant Ridge UMC is under the leadership of Calvin Johnson.

And, Waynesboro First UMC was recently honored to serve lunch to more than 100 members of the Patriot Guard. They were in Waynesboro for the memorial service for Sgt Eric Newman. The entire community of Waynesboro helped in the preparation of this special meal.

The mission of the Patriot Guard is to pay tribute to fallen Americans. The rumble of motorcycle engines as the Patriot Guard left Waynesboro will long be remembered by those who were present. Congratulations to both congregations for their ministry to the community.

The denomination's revamped website for young-adult spiritual seekers, RethinkChurch.org, debuted Friday, Nov. 12. Rethink Church, the next evolution of The United Methodist Church's "Open hearts" welcoming and advertising campaign, highlights the many opportunities available within United Methodist churches to engage with the world-from literacy programs to feeding the poor.

RethinkChurch.org features more engagement capabilities and content offerings than its seeker site predecessor, 10thousanddoors.org. Visitors may 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.

Teresa Manning, the wife of Harold Manning of the West Jackson District, is recovering from surgery. Please continue to pray for her.

Funeral services were held Nov. 15, 2010 for William Gerald Pritchard of Black Hawk, father-in-law of Rev. Veronica Pritchard, associate pastor of St. John's UMC, Greenwood. Burial is at Southside Cemetary in Pontiac, IL. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in honor of Mr. Pritchard's granddaughter, Kelsey Pritchard, to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, 4600 Debitt Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 (800-818-7388). Please remember Veronica, David and the family in prayer.

Mrs. China Ray Prewitt, wife of Retired Rev. Maston Prewitt, Starkville District, will have surgery on Friday, Nov. 19, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Please remember Mrs. Prewitt when you pray.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Leon Williams of Webb, father of Rev. Willie Williams and Rev. Terry Williams are planned as follows: A wake will beheld Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m., Century Funeral Home, 801 Walthall Street, Greenwood. Funeral service will be Thursday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. at Old Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Highway 49N., Sumner. Rev. Terry Williams is pastor of Georgeville UMC, and Rev. Willie Williams is pastor of Rollins UMC. Please remember this family in your prayers.

Mrs. Nancy Creel, spouse of Rev. Larry Creel, had a second knee replacement on Monday, Nov. 15, at University Hospital in Jackson. Rev. Creel serves the Winona: Moore Memorial-New Hope Charge. Please remember the Creel's in prayer.

Minnie Grace Gilbert Payne passed away Nov. 12, 2010 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She was 97-years-old. She was married to the late Rev. Johnny Price Payne. Funeral services were held Nov. 15 at the Carpenter UMC.

Clemmie McDonald, wife of Paul McDonald appointed to Pelahatchie First, and mother Rose Williamson passed over the weekend.  Services will be held in Pikeville, KY on Nov. 17 at 10 a.m.    The Thacker Funeral Home will be in charge of the services.  Please keep the Williamson and McDonald families in your prayers.

Robert "Bobby" Cummings passed away Oct. 30, 2010.   He is the only brother of Michelle Dailey and brother-in-law of Rev. Bobby Dailey of the Hattiesburg District who now lives in Georgia.  Bobby Cummings was only 46 years old and is survived by his wife and two sons.  Services were held at Hines Memorial CME in Albany, Georgia.  Please remember Michelle and the family in your prayers.

The Reverend and Mrs. Matthew McGrew (TUP-Algoma) want you to join them in celebrating the birth of Galen Michael McGrew, born Nov. 15 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, weighing in at 6 pounds 6 ounces.

The Riggs Manor campus of Methodist Senior Services, Raymond, MS, has an opening for a Director of Resident Services who will help us fulfill our mission statement of "Serving older adults in a spirit of Christian Love." The person in this position assists residents with non-medical needs, markets and leases units, performs account payable and receivable functions, and is a part of the management team. Please send resume along with cover letter, salary history & references to Kay Higginbotham, Executive Director, Riggs Manor Retirement Community, 2300 Seven Springs Road, Raymond, MS 39154. E-mails will be accepted at kayhh@bellsouth.net. EOE.