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Watch This Space Each Week
for Nudge Nudge
This week's Nudge is by Rev. Eddie Rester ...we have been handed a shrink-wrapped Jesus. Christ has become our once-a-week Mascot. We rally around Him on Sunday mornings, selfishly reaching for all we can
get from him-goodies and gifts, all for us.
Then we push Him off to the sidelines
the rest of the week. -- Jesus Manifesto, Len Sweet & Frank Viola (p. 170) Len Sweet is a different sort of academic theologian. He hasn't forgotten that the work of the church is not done in the halls of schools or seminaries, but, rather, with the heart and hands of people living as a Body of Christ in cities and towns around our world. His deep passion is for the church to recover its mission to proclaim Jesus Christ in such a way that the world can see and know again its living Savior. His vision is for people like you and me to find ways to "nudge" people toward Christ. If we are to do that, though, it requires a re-visioning of how we live faithfully each day and how we understand our role as parts of the Body
of Christ. On April 2, we have the opportunity to be challenged to make our faith a reality that shapes our lives and our conversations on days other than Sunday. I want to invite you and your congregation to the Conference Evangelism Summit with Len Sweet. Grab a copy of Nudge before you come and prepare to be sent home changed. If you can't make it to Jackson, check with your District Superintendent for a satellite location. |
Pacific Recovery
Donations can be made to
Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317
UMCOR Assessing
Relief Needs in Japan
Relief needs in Japan and elsewhere related to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami will be the focus of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which is in contact with partners in the region, said Melissa Crutchfield, UMCOR executive for international disaster response.
The Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey, UMCOR's top executive, urged prayers for those affected by the disaster. "Once again, in
the wake of disaster and in the face of widespread need, we rely on the ever-expansive generosity of United Methodists and all people of goodwill to help us respond to those whose lives
have suddenly been turned upside down," she said.
Emergency response staff members at Church World Service are in contact with the agency's office in Bangkok, which is monitoring the situation in Japan and across the region. Tsunami warnings are in effect for North Sulawesi, Indonesia, and two local partners for CWS there have been contacted.
Donations can be made to Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317.
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Dates to Remember
Board of Ordained Ministry
Spring Meeting March 23- 24, 2011 Parkway Hills UMC Madison, MS Board of Trustees Meeting March 28, 2011 at 10 a.m. Mississippi Conference Office, Jackson
Cabinet Meeting
March 29 - 31, 2011
Evangelism Summit 2011
(Featuring Leonard Sweet) April 2, 2011 Christ UMC, Jackson
God's Renewed Creation
(Bishop Ward will participate in worship)
April 3, 2011
Lake Junaluska, NC
SEJ Clergywomen's Consultation
April 4- 7, 2011
Atlanta, GA
General Board of
Global Ministries
(Bishop Ward will be attending.)
April 11 - 13, 2011
Stamford, CT
Cabinet Meeting
April 25 - 27, 2011
Black Clergywomen's Summit
April 29, 2011
Anderson UMC
Jackson, MS
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Save the Dates!
Pre-Conference Briefings
(For more information
contact your district.)
- May 1: Starkville District at Griffin
UMC - 3 p.m. - May 5: Tupelo District at St. Luke's UMC - 6:30 p.m. Registration/7 p.m. Breifing
- May 15: Senatobia District at Batesville UMC - 2:30 p.m.
- May 15: Seashore District at Mississippi City UMC - 3 p.m.
- May 15: Meridian District
- May 22: New Albany District
- May 22: Greenwood District
- May 22: Hattiesburg District at Ellisville UMC
- May 29: Brookhaven District at Centenary UMC - 3 p.m.
Annual Conference 2011
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Greetings!
Welcome to your connection for up-to-the minute news and information from the Mississippi Conference. Your Circuit Rider will arrive weekly with announcements, dates to remember, celebration stories from across the conference and employment opportunities. Our hope is for The Circuit Rider to become a tool for building the connection across the conference, strengthening our districts and local congregations as we go forth to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Please e-mail your news and information for us to share with others around the conference to lisacm@mississippi-umc.org. Deadlines are Thursday at noon for the following Tuesday.
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:: Gleanings
 Go! Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go..." -- Genesis 12:1 I came home from the hospital, having visited members of our church family including Mr. Kelly, 98 years old, very near death. As I began to work on supper, I was conscious of a clear thought, not my own, "Go back to the hospital." I told Mike about it and he agreed I should go. As I entered Mr. Kelly's hospital room, his daughter said, "Can you stay just a bit while I get something to eat and a bit of fresh air?" Sitting by his bed, praying silently for him, I saw his breathing stop. He slipped peacefully away into God's fullest presence. His daughter returned and was overcome. "I am so glad you were here. I have kept vigil by his bed. But God is good. Daddy was not alone when he died." Many years have passed but the memory is clear. God's voice still prompts, "Go." And we go, not knowing where it is we are going. Perhaps going, in the end, is our greatest gift. With gratitude for our life together in Christ's ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward
To comment, link on the Bishop's Blog page here. |
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:: Countdown to Annual Conference
Symbols of GO!  This year Annual Conference will be held on Pentecost Sunday -- a moment "accompanied by signs and wonders" (Acts 2: 14-21.) Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Christian Church." It is the time when we celebrate the mission of each church in the Mississippi Conference. Each church and ministry is invited to create a sign to display in the Convention Center. Use your creativity to express the ways your church is in mission. Think about the great variety of signs along the highway - signs at intersections, signs that direct or advertise or invite. Please be sure to make the display of your sign free-standing, by using an easel or other method of standing. Bring your sign with you to display in the exhibit hall at Annual Conference. For more information on 2011 Annual Conference link here.Hollandale First UMC Celebrates
GOing Forth in Mission Hollandale First UMC in the Greenwood District is working hard to live out their mission and purpose to be a community of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ who are committed to gather together to worship God and intentionally go into the world to make disciples. The congregation was blessed in 2010 to be able to go forth and help those in need. Each month six families in Hollandale received a large box of food from the church to help supplement their living. In order to fill each box there is a list placed in the church for the congregation to choose what they will bring - giving beyond their tithe. The congregation has gathered together to pack Stop Hunger Now meals needed for those who are hungry and have been shipped near and far. With the Lord's help we have been able to sponsor the packing of 10,000 meals for two consecutive years. In 2010 we joined together with area churches sharing the preparation of the meals and packing along with the cost of the project. The church budget includes several thousand dollars for mission work to be used throughout the year. This money was given to the following ministries: Wesley Foundation at Delta State, Hope Ministries in Greenville, Stop Hunger Now, Clay Brooks missionary in China and Arms of Mercy in Greenville. When we looked at our finances at the end of 2010, the church found itself the recipient of many generous gifts over the year, so it was decided to double our mission amount and additional gifts were sent to the ministries listed above and to the National Association for the Prevention of Starvation (NAPS) ministry in Hollandale. We were blessed to be able to take meals to the Wesley Foundation at Delta State and get to know some of the students who are participating there. Also, during 2010 the church sent out two mission teams. The youth went to Mission Fest in Jackson and worked on several different projects such as teaching children cheerleading, visiting the elderly and working at the Salvation Army. Our adults packed their tools and went out to help also by installing the insulation and sheetrock in a home in Yazoo City where the tornado hit. Special collections were received and sent to help with the Haiti earthquake and the tornado damaged area of Yazoo City. The church was also able to send cases of water and health kits to tornado victims. The Methodist Children's Home was the recipient o four Lenten gifts, the Salvation Army received a Christmas donation and Christmas dinner and presents were given to a struggling local family. |
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:: Announcements
Pratt Memorial UMC Celebrates Women's Day
Pratt Memorial UMC, Jackson, is celebrating its Annual Women's Day 2011, Sunday, March 20 at the 11 a.m. service. The theme is, "The Modern Day Christian Woman," with guest speaker, Yolanda Martin. Martin is a retired Jackson Public School District schoolteacher and the author of two books. She will reveal a new perspective on the role of today's Christian woman. As young girls, youths and adult women, we are faced with today's new technology, new concepts of family, work and leisure, and dealing with a changing economy. With just a click of the mouse, our world gets smaller and smaller. Martin will give us insights on how we are to incorporate God's will into our everyday lives and decision-making. For more information call, Pratt Memorial UMC is located at 1057 West Pascagoula Street, Jackson.
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St. Mary's UMC to Hold Spring Revival
St. Mary's UMC invites you to the annual Spring revival beginning Monday, March 21 and continuing through Wednesday, March 23. Services will begin each night at 7 p.m. Evangelist for the revival is Rev. Tommy Wheeler. St. Mary's is located at 3009 Harmony Road in Crystal Springs, MS.
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Greenville First UMC Celebrates History
Greenville First UMC will celebrate the history of the church, May 1, 2011 with a day of special services and the dedication of a Historical Marker on the church grounds. The church was the very first organized congregation of any denomination in the city being officially admitted to the conference in 1844. Dedication events include a special program during the 11 a.m. worship service, a luncheon directly after the service, and the dedication ceremony and reception at 1:30 p.m. Archival exhibits and tours of the church will be available during the reception. This ceremony will be dedicated to Mrs. Nell Thomas who was a beloved church member instrumental in organizing the archives room and preserving church history. Greenville First UMC is located at 402 Washington Avenue, Greenville. A special invitation is extended to all former members and pastors. Please notify the church at 662-378-2344 of your attendance.
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Delta State Establishes the
Dr. William Arthur Pennington Award
The Division of Languages and Literature at Delta State University (DSU), in consultation with the family of the late Bill Pennington, has established the Dr. William Arthur Pennington Award. This award honors the late professor who served on the faculty of DSU for over forty years, while also serving as an elder in the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist church. Dr. Pennington's widow, Jackie, is currently serving as president of the Mississippi Conference United Methodist Women. The award will be given annually to an outstanding Delta State student of philosophy. Anyone who would like to make a donation to the award fund may do so through the Delta State University Foundation. All contributions are tax-deductable. Checks should be made payable to the DSU Foundation with a note on the memo line designating the Pennington Award. The address of the DSU Foundation office is Box 3141, DSU, Cleveland, MS 38733. For more information, go to the foundation website at deltastate.edu/pages/619.asp or call The Division of Languages and Literature at 662-846-4060.
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JustPeace meets in Jackson
JustPeace, the arm of the United Methodist Church for mediation and conflict transformation, held its annual gathering March 6-8 in Jackson. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders. Approximately 30 people gathered to participate in conversation and reflection centered on racial reconciliation and the history and significance of the Freedom Rides. The event started Sunday evening with the presentation of The Parchman Hour, a play written by Mike Wiley that celebrates the bravery and determination of the Freedom Riders who risked their lives to desegregate Southern bus travel in 1961. Among the presenters for the gathering were Leroy Clemons, the founder of the Philadelphia Coalition; the Rev. Ed King; Jerry Mitchell, investigative reporter for the Jackson Clarion Ledger; and Governor William Winter. The participants also toured the Medgar Evers home and Tougaloo College.
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Rust College Holds Religious Emphasis Week
Rust College will hold Religious Emphasis Week March 21-25 with guest speaker Rev. Troy Mel Benton. Benton is pastor of Bethlehem UMC in Atlanta, GA. The event theme is Transformed for Transformation -- five days; four principles; one change in you. For more information contact Rev. Frenchye Magee, Dean of the Chapel at 662-252-8094 or visit www.RUSTCOLLEGE.edu.
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Tupelo District to Hold Workshop --
Extending Your Church's Reach
Prayer, poverty and the power of God are the focus of the daylong workshop to be held at Cornerstone UMC in the Tupelo District. Internationally known speaker and author Rev. Terry Tekyl will be the guest speaker at Extending Your Church's Reach. The workshop will be held April 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is $22 per person and includes lunch and a copy of Tekyl's latest book: My Money Devotional: Finding God's Heart -- A 40 Day Guide Based on the Lord's Prayer. Cornerstone UMC is located at 1601 President Street, Tupelo (2 blocks Southwest of Hospital.) For more information contact the Tupelo District office at 662- 842-8477 or email tupdist@gmail.com To download a copy of the flyer link here.
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:: Cares and Concerns
Heartfelt prayers are extended to Rev Amy Daniels (Hernando UMC) and her family due to the death of her grandmother, Opal Bennett Warlaw. Funeral services were held last week at Senters Funeral Home in Fulton.
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:: Employment Opportunities Across the Conference
Union UMC 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. St. Luke UMC, Cleveland is searching to fill the position of part-time music director. Mail resume to St. Luke UMC, 1227 Deering St, Cleveland, MS 38732. For more information, email the church at stlukeumc@cableone.net or call 662-843-2306.
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