This Rich and Wonderful Season

As we approach the fourth Sunday in Advent, we encounter wonderful texts:

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints...
                                              -- Romans 1

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. -- Psalm 80

This shall be a sign unto you: a virgin will conceive and bear a son...
                                                  -- Isaiah 7

Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened in this way. -- Matthew 1

Texts abound in and beyond the lectionary, holding gifts for us. The Advent preacher and teacher listens and learns. We watch for heavenly signs and yearn for new awakening.

As you consider Christmas gifts, consider the gift of experience and learning in the lands of the Bible. There is time and space on the March 12-24 Cruise to lands of the Bible -- Rome, Athens, Philippi, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Egypt. This experience will enliven your Biblical imagination, enhance your understanding, and energize your preaching and teaching.

You may want to consider this gift, in portion or in whole, for your pastor or teacher or leader. You may want to request scholarship assistance in lieu of gifts from those in your family and circle of friends.

You can receive or give this gift by contacting Donna White at dwhite@mississippi-umc.org. Mike and I look forward to sharing this wonderful experience in March with many of you.

May God bless you richly in this Advent journey and in all the journeys of your life.

With gratitude to God for the gift of Jesus Christ at Christmas,
Hope Morgan Ward

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

Hattiesburg District:
Laurel First UMC presents its Living Nativity Scene
December 18, 2010 at 7 p.m. The participants in The Living Nativity act in slow motion and speak the story in 15 minute segments starting at 7 p.m.
For more information call the church office at 601-425-1474. The church is located at 420 N. Fifth Avenue in Laurel.

Main Street UMC Christmas Wish Book
Members are given an opportunity to adopt a child from the Aldersgate Mission and purchase the gift that the child has selected; a Wish Book party is held on December 18 and the children perform a Christmas skit about the meaning of Christmas and receive their gifts. Main Street is located at 712 N. Main Street in Hattiesburg. For more information, call the church office at 601-582-5557

Meridian District:
Christmas In the Barn presented by Lynville and Mellen UMC's in Kemper County December 19, 2010 at 6 p.m. in the Old Billy Purvis barn. A service presented in a setting close to the first Christmas. For more information call 601-677-3550

New Albany District:
Taylor UMC is coordinating the purchase and distribution of fruit for 750 local children whose parents have requested assistance from a local Rotary Club; the toys and fruit to be distributed at the Rotary Club Christmas Store on December 11 will ensure that these children will have gifts and nourishing fruit this Christmas. Taylor UMC will also be preparing and serving "More Than a Meal" to needy individuals and families on Tuesday, Dec. 28; this event will include activities for children and distribution of personal items needed by families.

Camp Lake Stephens will hold the first ever Christmas Fling, Dec. 16. This event is similar to the Spring and Fall Flings but a little different. Here's the schedule for the day: 10:30 a.m. Registration in Chapel; 11 a.m. Christmas Art Project; 11:30 a.m. Christmas Meditation; 12 p.m. Traditional Christmas Lunch; 12:45 p.m. Christmas Music Program (Magnolia Gents); 1:30 p.m. Depart. Camp Lake Stephens invites you and your friends to join them as we begin to celebrate the birth of Christ this holiday season! For more information or registration form, please email Kelli (kelli@camplakestephens.com). Cost is $20 (includes lunch, Christmas art project, and entertainment).

Seashore District:
The Pearl River County Cluster presents singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cumbest in a free concert Dec. 17, 2010 at Byrd's Chapel UMC at 7 p.m. Cumbest's song "Seashore" was the winner of the DEVO-ZINE soul tunes contest.The concert will be followed by soup and sandwich in the fellowship hall of the church. A love offering will be taken. Byrd's Chapel is located at 26 Byrd's Chapel Road, Carriere.

Senatobia District:
Live Nativity at Bakers Chapel UMC, on December 11 and 12 from 6 - 9 p.m.
Bakers Chapel is located at 1965 Johnston Rd., Hernando. For information call 662-429-8055.

Asbury UMC in Holly Springs will host its annual Christmas Musical at 6 p.m. Dec 19, 2010. The choir is a community choir comprised of choir members from several churches and denominations. The Choir is under the direction of Mr. Zebedee Jones. William D. Scott, III.

Maples Memorial UMC in Olive Branch will have an Advent Prayer Walk Sunday night, Dec. 19 from 6-10 p.m., free, come and go event.

Tupelo District:
Mt. Olive UMC, Tremont will perform the Cantata "Hope Has Hands," directed by Martha Nichols, on Dec. 20, 2010 at 7 p.m. A meal will be served after the cantata. Rev. Eugene Stockstill invites everyone to join them for the special evening. For more information call, 662-652-3562. Mt. Olive is located at 4781 Cotton Gin Rd., Tremont.

UMVIM Schedules Winter Meeting

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Winter meeting will be held

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 10 a.m. to noon at the United Methodist Foundation office in Ridgeland. Please plan for lunch out following the meeting.

For more information please contact Rev. David Newton, MS Conference UMVIM Chairperson at umvim@mississippi-umc.org or 228-875-8900.

United Methodist Men Moving Forward

Mississippi's United Methodist Men (UMM) are moving ahead in their ministry to broaden their vision, their hope, and prosperity.  It is the hope of the group to reclaim and rebuild the UMM within the next two years.  "It will take time and a lot of work but through the encouragement of the scriptures, we do have hope," said Donald Beard, 1st Vice President of UMM of Mississippi. "I hope you continue to support the UMM and visit our site for information regarding upcoming events and/or our schedule by visiting  www.gcumm.org/groups/mississippi."

GBOD Offers Week of Self-Directed Study

UM leaders and pastors will have three opportunities for a week of self-directed study, worship and prayer during 2011 at the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) Learning Center and the adjacent Vanderbilt University Divinity School campus. Dates for the "Leave for Leaders" sessions -- Jan. 31-Feb. 4, Apr. 25-29 and Oct. 24-28 -- were selected to avoid traditionally busy times on the church calendar. Participants will have full access to the Vanderbilt University Divinity School Library and lectures in classrooms by select Vanderbilt Divinity School faculty through a partnership with the Turner Center for Church Leadership. They may also audit courses and meet privately with Divinity School faculty. One-on-one consultations with GBOD staff from Upper Room Ministries, Leadership Ministries, New Church Starts (Path 1) and Youth People's

Ministries (DMYP) will also be available. For more information, contact Steve Manskar at 877-899-2780, ext.1765; smanskar@gbod.org or Craig Kennett Miller at 877-899-2780, ext. 7081; cmiller@gbod.org.

Change the World Event Aims to Mobilize
Half Million Volunteers
United Methodists Unite to Impact Communities

The second annual church-wide Change the World event, planned for May 14-15, 2011, is a call for United Methodists to make a positive difference locally and globally.

Modeling last year's success when 100,000 people from over 1,000 churches rolled up their sleeves to feed the hungry, aid the homeless, visit the lonely, get involved in a cause and more, organizers expect 2011's Change the World activities to feature at least 3,500 events that will mobilize a half a million volunteers.

"The phenomenal participation in last year's Change the World tells us that people are hungry to make a difference," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. "In ways big and small, United Methodists actively show love by serving others-especially the poor and the marginalized. The combined capacity of so many churches working together to make a life-changing difference on one weekend is a powerful concept."

During the May weekend, United Methodist churches are encouraged to create and participate in a service or fundraising event that helps bring about positive change, whether it's cleaning up school grounds, renovating homes or getting involved in global health issues like malaria. Churches can take advantage of existing ministries or initiate a new outreach event.

The Change the World event was originally created as part of the Rethink Church campaign by United Methodist Communications in partnership with the United Methodist Publishing House, based on a concept originated by the Rev. Mike Slaughter, who authored a book by the same name. Rethink Church seeks to utilize outreach events that embrace the concept of outbound church to make a positive difference in the world beyond the church doors.

For more information about Change the World, or to learn how you can create an event for your church, go to umcom.org/changetheworld.

 Jan. 10 Deadline to Apply for Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internship

Sponsored by the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) the nine-week summer internship program is for young adults representing the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans, and Asian Americans. Application and recommendation forms may be obtained from the GBCS Web site, click here.

For more information, contact the Rev. Neal Christie, assistant general secretary, Education and Leadership Formation, GBCS, 100 Maryland Ave, NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202-488-5611.

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

The folks at Gitano UMC in the Hattiesburg District call themselves the "Little Church with the Big Heart." During the Christmas season they sell poinsettias to adorn the sanctuary; they also provide fruit baskets for the elderly in the church and community.

Old cards (Christmas and others) are collected and sent to St Jude Children's Hospital where they are recycled. The children at St. Jude's make new cards and sell them.

Canned goods are collected and taken to The Christian Food Mission. Many church members worked together as a team and raised $3300 for Relay for Life. Recently a cookbook was published from church members entitled Recipes You Will Love from the Little Church with the Big Heart.

Another ministry was when they put together 46 health kits for Haiti.

These are just a few of the ongoing ministries happening at Gitano UMC where Rev. Steve Tillman is the pastor. Gitano is located in Soso.

Boz Beam-Ingram, son of Jim Beam-Ingram and Alicia, fell Dec. 13 and has a concussion with a crack in his skull. He is at home with Mom and Dad watching him closely. Please remember them when you pray.

Mr. Ollie McRee, brother of Rev. James McRee (retired elder) passed away. The funeral service was held at Wesley Chapel UMC in Laurel on Friday, December 10. Please remember the McRee family in your prayers. Brother McRee is the only survivor of 15 siblings.

Debbie Meadows, sister of Rev. David Meadows who is the pastor at Prentiss and Santee UMCs, had surgery Dec. 7 to remove a stomach mass. She coded during the surgery, but they brought her back with CPR. She is presently in ICU at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Thank you for praying for healing, a complete recovery and for strength and grace for the family during this difficult time.

Mrs. Barbara Newell underwent emergency surgery Dec. 10 at Forrest General Hospital for a blood clot in her leg. She is the mother of Rev. Frank Newell, pastor of Stringer and Old Bay Springs UMCs. Please pray for Barbara, Frank, and the whole family. Also that the surgery will be successful with complete healing.

Brandon First UMC has an Allen Organ (2 Manual - Full Pedal Board) they would like for some church to use. It is in working condition. All they are asking is for you to remove it. (IT'S FREE). Call the church at 601-825-5958.

First UMC, Starkville has an immediate opening for a youth director. The primary responsibility is to develop an intense youth program designed to enhance spiritual growth in youth believers.
Activities will be coordinated for youth ages 7 through 12 grades, will incorporate music, scripture and prayer, and will include weekly sessions, mission work and devotional activities. Send resume, cover letter and references to Libba Andrews, Staff Parish Chair, c/o 1903 Pointe Drive, Starkville, MS 39759.

Main Street UMC, a vibrant 1200-member congregation is seeking a full-time Director of Children's Ministry to serve with us as we continue to grow spiritually, numerically, and missionally in downtown Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We are looking for a person with the passion and creativity to oversee a dynamic ministry with children from birth through sixth grade so that each child will know they are beloved of God in Jesus Christ.
Our vision for ministry with children and their families flows from our church's core values of loving God, growing relationships in Christian community, and serving our world as the hands and feet of Christ. Our Director will have a vital personal commitment to Jesus Christ and to the core values and mission of Main Street United Methodist Church. We seek a Director of Children's Ministry who possesses strong leadership, organizational and communication skills (comfortable with public speaking and writing) and who has the ability to motivate and lead a team.
Experience should include: teaching skills, recruiting and training volunteers, work with children in a mid-size to large church (either paid or volunteer), and working in a team environment.  A Bachelors degree (preferably in early childhood education or children's ministry) and computer skills are required. 
The competitive compensation package for this position is commensurate with experience and training.  Interested persons should submit a resume and personal statement (Microsoft word or pdf format required) via e-mail to patty@mstreetumc.org. 
The personal statement should be no more than 300 words and should address the question: How would you lead the Children's Ministry at Main Street UMC to support and  strengthen our core values of loving God, connecting with one another in Christian community, and serving as the hands and feet of Christ in our world? 
Main Street United Methodist Church is located at 712 Main St., Hattiesburg and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  For further information you may visit our website: www.mstreetumc-org