Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he's given Jesus Christ his Son.
And now let the weak say, I am strong;"
let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us."
Give thanks. -- Henry Smith, 1978

This beautiful song is perfect for this long holiday weekend that includes both Thanksgiving and the First Sunday in Advent. It is a song of thanksgiving and a song of great anticipation.

The text from which the hymn is drawn is Luke 1:49-53. In a surprising visit, angels bring astonishing good news. Mary is overwhelmed, overshadowed by the purpose of God.

In what could have been a terrifying moment, the angel says, "Fear not!"

Mary sings her response, praising God and giving thanks for divine mercy. She calls herself simply a servant of the Lord.

Within the holy and powerful purpose of God, the weak are made strong and the poor are made rich!

Whether our thanksgiving feast is sparse or abundant, God is with us. Whether our loved ones are near and many or few and far, God is with us.

May Mary's song be our song this Thanksgiving, and always.

With gratitude for the life we share in Christ,
Hope Morgan Ward

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

 
Applications for Connectional Ministries Advent Grants Now Being Accepted

The word became flesh and dwelt among us. This invitation was God's way of expressing love to us. In preparation for the upcoming season of Advent, Mississippi Conference Connectional Ministries will award up to $2,500 to a church or conference agency in each of the conference's 11 districts. The following is a list of criteria:

• The church or agency will share its Advent project at the 2011 Annual Conference "Arise, Shine, GO"!
• The church or agency is located in an "under-served" area. Examples of under-served areas are isolated rural; urban transitional; or economically disadvantaged areas.
• Developing new places for new people and renewing existing congregations.
• Engaging in ministry with the poor and or needy.
• The church or agency must use the GRANT money by May 1, 2011.

The purpose of the grant should focus on the mission to Go Forth Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. New creative and innovative projects are encouraged as well as existing projects which the vitality of your ministry in the area you serve.

Applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 and ending Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. Funds are limited so you are encouraged to apply early. The Connectional Ministries grant committee will award grants on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010. The maximum grant is $2,500.

For more information and an application link here. If you have questions or would like more information, contact the office of Connectional Ministries at 601-354-0515, ext. 14.

Participate in informative workshops, visit a sustainable community, worship and share green ideas with others at the 2011 Caring for Creation experience at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, March 31 - April 3, 2011.

Over 38 guest speakers will present, including a special appearance from One More Generation (OMG) founders Carter Ries (age 9.5) and his sister Olivia Ries (age 8), as they present "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir." One More Generation is dedicated to the preservation of all endangered species by working with various agencies around the world. Their goal is to help all endangered species survive at least One More Generation...and beyond.

Also speaking at Caring for Creation will be Rev. Sally Bingham, founder of Regeneration Project; Jonathan Merritt -- author of Green Like God: Unlocking the Diving Plan for Our Planet; John Hill, the Director of Economic and Environmental Justice from the General Board of Church and Society; Rev. Dr. Katy Hinman, formerly Director of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light; Michael McClain from NCC Eco-Justice; Ralph Hutchinson from Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance from Knoxville, TN; and many others will also be presenting.

The first 50 persons to register will receive a free copy of Jonathan Merritt's book, Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet. Mr. Merritt is also a plenary speaker and workshop leader. Special early registration will be available for persons registering before January 1, 2011. Ethnic scholarships are available online soon. For registration, workshops, and more information visit www.lakejunaluska.com/caring-for-creation or call 828-454-6656.

GO! was created to provide mission service opportunities to students and young adults and as a resource to Student Ministry Directors and Wesley Foundation Directors who may have limited time to organize and plan short-term mission experiences for their groups.

Six project sites, both domestic and international, have been chosen offering a holistic and reliable experience for young adult teams, specifically groups looking for service opportunities during alternative spring or fall breaks and summer and winter breaks.

The projects selected:

 · Domestic:

1. Alabama Rural Ministries
2. Henderson Settlement
3. Red Bird Mission

· International:

1. Bahamas Methodist Habitat
2. Costa Rica Mission Projects
3. Rice & Beans Ministry (Costa Rica)

Teams will work on projects determined by the host project site, based on the needs of the local community. These typically involve home repair, construction and Vacation Bible School activities. If you are interested in sending a team or learning more about each project site, please contact Lauren Roden, Director of the Go! Program at lauren_roden@umvim.org or 404-377-7424.

Application Deadline Announced
for Leadership Candler Awards

Jan. 15 is the deadline to submit application for one of the Leadership Candler awards. Leadership Candler brings together a distinguished group of prospective Master of Divinity students from across the country and the world who are active leaders within churches, campuses, and across communities.

The event includes classes, conversations with Candler's faculty, a campus tour, including time at Pitts Theological Library, North America's premier theological library. Leadership Candler will also include interaction with current students and staff, group discussions, interviews with scholarship committees, and opportunities to spend time with future classmates.

Leadership Candler participants demonstrate mature capacity for leadership and service that includes deep concern for others; intellectual achievement; impressive communication skills; significant leadership and creativity in school, church, or community; and a clear potential for enriching the lives of their faith communities.

Awards include:

• Robert W. Woodruff Fellowships in Theology and Ministry: full tuition, fees, and $10,000 stipend for three academic years
• Margaret A. Pitts: full tuition, fees, and $7,000 stipend for three academic years
• Honors Scholarships and Garrett Scholarships: full tuition
• United Methodist Merit Scholarships (includes McDonald): full tuition for students preparing for ordination in the United Methodist Church

Application deadline is Jan., 15, 2011. The Leadership Candler event is scheduled for Feb. 27- March 1, 2011 (by invitation based on application.)

Download scholarship application materials online at: http://www.candler.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/scholarships.cfm

Mt. Carmel and St. Luke Participant
Spend a Day in Ministry to Community

On Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, the Five Practices leadership team of Mt. Carmel and St. Luke UM churches in the Waynesboro area of the Hattiesburg District, along with other church members, met to do mission work.

The morning began at 6:30 a.m. with a free rummage sale. All the items were free to anyone who wanted them. At approximately 10 a.m. the church members participated in a Stop the Violence Crime Walk that was going on in the town. After the walk, members went back to the church and packed 11 Thanksgiving baskets and delivered them to needy people in the community. Members enjoyed delivering the baskets; they had a short devotion with the families. The baskets included a turkey and all the items needed to make dressing and side items for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.

The presence of the Lord was certainly felt by everyone. Church members said it was a humbling experience and they can't wait to do it again.

A memorial service and celebration of the life of Irma McBroom Harris, widow of Rev. David A. Harris, was held November 20 at Wesley UMC, Tupelo. Our prayers go to the Harris family.

Please remember Rev. Wayne Bass, his family and the church families in your prayers. Wayne is pastor of St. Paul and St. John UMCs in Hattiesburg. He is currently undergoing outpatient treatments at the VA Hospital in Jackson for a malignant tumor, but will be an in-patient for eight weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday. He will be allowed to come home on the weekends. Please ask for God's healing, strength and grace during this difficult time.

United Methodist Publishing House is seeking applications for Vacation Bible School Director.
Major duties: Leads the strategic and daily operations for the VBS unit. Supervises VBS product planning, manuscript acquisition, editorial development, marketing and business planning of Vacation Bible School resources -- both published programs and acquired programs -- to serve the United Methodist Church and other markets. Leads the VBS team in developing and implementing an annual publishing, marketing and promotional plan for the VBS unit to assure achievement of financial budgets, targets and objectives for sales, expenses, cost of goods, inventory levels and net contribution. Works with the marketing manager to plan and implement competitive promotion and sales campaigns for internally produced and marketed programs as well as outside VBS programs marketed by Cokesbury. Leads in the theme and content development process for VBS and related programs. Leads the editorial team in monitoring the theological quality and consistency of the Bible stories and texts within Vacation Bible School resources, looking for both compatibility with United Methodist teachings and breadth that allows a broader use by other mainline denominations. Directs the editing of manuscripts and manages their development through the editorial production process by analyzing structure and content, comparing formats and appeal to competitor products, and appraising and improving readability and format.
Requirements: A Bachelor's degree in business, English, journalism, communications and/or religion. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to make presentations and lead workshops. Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to manage a large cross-functional team. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of children's church programs, preferably Vacation Bible School. Current or previous participation in Christian education programs within a local congregation is preferred.
Send inquiries to: Employment Office, Human Resources Division, The United Methodist Publishing House 201 Eighth Avenue South, P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202 Phone: 615-749-6535; Fax: 615-749-6704.