Extravagant Generosity

 

I have received...the gifts you sent...

-- Philippians 4:18

The sending of gifts to Annual Conference by local churches is a great Mississippi tradition. The bringing of gifts by lay and clergy members to Annual Conference lives out the Biblical witness. Paul writes of receiving gifts, sent by the church and brought by Epaphroditus, in support of Christ's ministry.

Great need has arisen among us, and God's people are eager to respond generously. The Mississippi Conference has the unique distinction of being the only conference in United Methodism with three zones of disaster response in motion -- tornado recovery in the center and east, tornado recovery and flood response in the west, and hurricane recovery in the south.

Therefore, we will receive offerings at Annual Conference on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Friday evening offering is designated for the previously announced purpose, the planting of new churches in Mississippi and in places in which we are engaged globally in mission - Russia, Nicaragua, Africa.

The Saturday evening offering is designated for our continuing ministry with those impacted by tornadoes and flooding here in Mississippi.

Thank you for interpreting these offerings in your churches and for serving as Epaphroditus served, bringing these gifts to Annual Conference in June.

With gratitude for your extravagant generosity,
Hope Morgan Ward    

 

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

Laity Nominations Booklets Mailed to Members

The Laity Nomination Booklets containing the information on those laity who self-nominated for General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates was mailed to each laity member last week. The booklet is also posted online at www.mississippi-umc.org under the Arise, Shine, Go image or you may link here.

UMW Plans AC Luncheon and Mission Project

The United Methodist Women's Luncheon is Saturday, June 11, 12:30 p.m., at the Jackson Convention Complex. All women are invited to attend. The speaker is Dr. Dana Robert, author of our mission study text, Joy to the World: Mission in an Age of Global Christianity. Send your name, phone number, church, district and a check for $20 payable to MS Conference UMW to Cindy Mason, 100 Overlook Drive, Brandon, MS 39042. The registration deadline is Saturday, May 21.

In addition, the United Methodist Women are doing a special project for Moore Community House in Biloxi. They are serving 104 children less than three years of age and need formula. The Mississippi state childcare licensing agency has made powdered formula (which is less expensive) unallowable due to worries that it may not be mixed properly. They need Enfamil Premium Ready to Feed (in a yellow 1 quart can). Please bring formula to the Women's Luncheon at Annual Conference on Saturday, June 11, and we will see that it gets to Moore in Biloxi. If units or individuals prefer to send money designated for formula, they may send the check with their unit's second quarterly report to the district treasurer. Our conference treasurer will then send the money directly to Moore Community House.

Black Clergy to Sing at Ordering of Ministry Service

 

All Black Clergy are invited to participate in a choir that will provide music during the Service for the Ordering of Ministry at Annual Conference on June 12 at 3 p.m. For more information, please contact Rev. Juanita Booker at 662-614-3430 or pastorbooker2@hotmail.com. Below is additional information about the choir and rehearsals:

· First Rehearsal: Sunday, May 29, 3:30 p.m., at Epworth UMC in Lexington.

· Second Rehearsal: Saturday, June 11, 5:30 p.m. (during dinner break) at Jackson Convention Complex.

· All choir members are asked to dress in white suits. The clergywomen are asked to dress in white suits with red corsages and the clergymen are asked to dress in white suits with red string ties.

 

2011 Special Printed Edition Circuit Rider

The Special Printed Edition of The Circuit Rider will highlight the events of the 2011 Annual Conference and contain the list of clergy appointments for the 2011-2012 year.

Each member of Annual Conference will receive a copy of the special edition on Sunday, June 12, 2011. The issue serves as a tool for members to take to their local church for reporting on the events of the 2011 session.

Additional Copies Available

Additional copies will be made available at a minimal cost of $20 per bundle of 25. Orders for additional copies must be made by May 27, 2011. The bundles will be available to pick up on Sunday, June 12 at the Communications display at Annual Conference. To place an order, call 601-354-0515 or email lisacm@mississippi-umc.org.
Click here to download the order form for additional copies of The Special Edition Circuit Rider.

Advertise in The Circuit Rider - Special Printed Edition

To place your advertisement in over 3,000 copies of the special edition contact Lisa Cumbest Michiels by emailing lisacm@mississippi-umc.org. To download information on ad sizes and cost click here.

Nudged to GO!

By Rev. Adam L. Gordon, Associate Pastor, Booneville First UMC & Director, Wesley Foundation at NEMCC

If you want to reach others, you have to reach out...the touch of tenderness, a kiss good-bye, the wiping away of tears from a child, the holding of a door open for a complete stranger: all acts of holy communion. (Taken from Nudge, p. 238 by Leonard Sweet)

As called by Christ, the Christian community of faith is to be just that: actively living in holy communion, living in connection with each other and with our Creator's love made known through Jesus and the Holy Spirit's power. Whether we realize it or not, we exhibit signs of communion-life on a daily basis. Anything from the hug offered as an act of greeting to the inconspicuous smile offered to the passer-by, the willingness to pay for the lunch purchased by the car behind you in the fast-food lane to helping clean the scraped knuckles of the home owner who is packing-up what's left of her home after a disaster; these are only a few ways we embody the reconciling and restorative love of the risen Christ to the world.

We, in Mississippi, are no strangers to disaster. From the flood of 1927 to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to the most recent tornadoes and floods of the last few weeks; all of which - and more - have called the Body into living communion. Specifically, Bishop Ward has called Mississippi United Methodists to focus our spirits on what it means to "Go!" at the culmination of this year's Annual Conference in June 2011. Local missions through Emergency Disaster Recovery work is only one way of countless opportunities that United Methodist Christians can "reach others" by "reaching out."

This week, all Mississippi United Methodist churches are encouraged to pray for this year's Annual Conference Missions Offering. The offering that will be collected on Friday evening of Annual Conference will help assist Mississippi United Methodists in the continuing communion-centered missions work for our local communities and the world. The offering on Saturday evening will go toward the long-term recovery of 2011 Spring Storms.

 

Free Webinar for Churches Changing Pastors

The beginning of summer many congregations across the Mississippi Conference begin the process for changing pastors. In May congregations learn if they will be keeping their pastor or getting a new one. Saying good-bye to one pastor and his family and hello to a new one is sometimes challenging for a congregation. The way a congregation handles this transition determines future ministry.

As we approach the June 21 moving day for the pastors the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) is offering a free webinar for congregational leaders to help plan the transition. The webinar is called Good-by and Hello: When the Pastor Changes and is scheduled for May 26 at 6:30 p.m. Register for this free webinar at www.gbod.org/committee_resources.

The webinar is offered through the GBOD, Leadership Ministries division. Your giving to World Service Ministries covers the cost of this free webinar.

The Golden Opportunity

By Lisa Hicks, Hattiesburg District Communicator

Twice a month Waynesboro First UMC host a group of ladies called the Golden Opportunity, who gathers for a time of devotion and Christian fellowship. This ecumenical group of women in their 70's through 90's are full of love, life, wisdom, duty, sacrifice and a perfect sense of Christian commitment. The pastor of Waynesboro UMC, Rev. David Hill, met with them recently to share in devotion and prayer time, and the women shared the widow's mite.

"They unanimously agreed to give all the money they had in their treasury ($167) to the Smithville UMC," said Rev. Hill. "They had been saving their money for almost a year for a fellowship party but they said they didn't need the money right now and that it should go to the Smithville church. This is truly the 'Widow's Mite' from a group of precious Christian ladies from Wayne County. How aptly named are these 'Golden' gifts from God; for they are a timeless, ageless and priceless witness of the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The group is chaired by Wilodyne Rhinehart, who is 86 years young.

Mississippi Conference Disaster Response is currently preparing for the long-term recovery of the 2011 Springs Storms -- the rebuilding of homes and churches. If you would like to donate the long-term recovery of 2011 Spring Storms link here.

Le Bonheur Named to U.S. News & World Report's Best List

For the first time, U.S. News & World Report ranks Methodist Healthcare's Le Bonheur Children's Hospital among the nations best children's hospitals. The Best Children's Hospitals list, which released nationwide this week recognizes the top 50 children's hospitals in 10 sub-specialties. Le Bonheur Children's ranked in four areas: Neurology and Neurosurgery: No. 25 Orthopedics: No. 32 Nephrology: No. 37 Cardiology and Heart Surgery: No. 46. All rankings are posted online at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.

"Making the U.S. News & World Report list is a testament to the skilled caregivers and to the outstanding quality care we provide every day, and I applaud the work of the Le Bonheur physicians and Associates who have achieved this recognition in the highly competitive field of children's health care," said Gary Shorb of Methodist Healthcare. "This year is proving to be remarkable, and I am proud of Le Bonheur and the Methodist Healthcare family for earning these distinctions."

Chellie Ormon, wife Rev. Jim Ormon, passed away May 13, 2011. Funeral services were held at Starkville First UMC, May 17. Please keep the Ormons in your prayers.

Rev. Charles Burton, a retired elder in the Brookhaven District, was admitted to St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson May 12. Please keep Rev. Burton and his family in your prayers during this stressful time of illness.

Please be in prayer for Rev. Tyler and Mrs. Kristi Bridge concerning the death of Kristi's mother. Mrs. Gale White passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 10. Funeral services were held May 13, 2011 with burial at Pleasant Grove UMC. Please keep the White and Bridge families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rev. Victor Chatham, Red Hill UMC in Seashore District is in the hospital and will undergo heart bypass surgery Wednesday. Please keep Rev. Chatham and family in your prayers.

Rev. RoseMary Hayes Williams passed away May 15, 2011. She was the pastor of Mt. Zion UMC, DeLisle in Seashore District and wife of Rev. Theodore Williams. Visitation will be held 5 - 8 p.m. on Friday, May 20 at Lockett Williams Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Zion UMC in DeLisle on Saturday May 21 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to services. Please keep the Williams and the Mt. Zion community in your prayers.

Anderson Chapel CME Church in Holly Springs, is looking for a church musician (organ or piano). If you are interested, please call Pastor Denise Anders-Modest at 662-252-1938 for more information.

Oxford-University UMC, a vibrant and growing 1,700-member congregation in Oxford, Mississippi, is looking for an energetic and passionate full-time Director of Ministry to Youth and their Families. Building on a current core group of about 50 active youth, the Director will be responsible for leading and expanding an integrated youth ministry. The Youth Ministries mission statement is: We exist to experience God by loving and serving God and one another. The program serves youth and their families from seventh grade through twelfth grade. For more information on O-UUMC, visit www.ouumc.org.
The successful candidate will have at least five years total experience in youth ministry, with at least three years at the last church served. Previous experience should also include employment in a medium (+500) member church and experience in facing the particular challenges of ministry in a college town. A master's degree in Christian Education, Divinity, etc. is preferred. Submit resumes by email to ouumcyouthministries@gmail.com.

Burks UMC in Chattanooga, Tennessee is looking for a full-time Director of Children's Ministries and a full-time Director of Youth Ministries. A Bachelor's Degree and five years experience of teaching and supervision are required. Send resumes to Business Administrator, 6433 Hixson Pike, Hixson TN 37343 by May 20.

Greenleaf UMC between Hernando and Independence in Tate County is seeking a pianist for Sunday services, using the Celebration Hymnal. Please contact the pastor at joe.lawson@att.net.

Fulton UMC is taking applications for full or part-time youth minister. The youth minister will work with youth in grades 7 through 12 and their families. Responsibilities include leading youth studies, activities, and mission projects. Send resumes to Fulton United Methodist Church P. O. Box 907 Fulton, MS 38843 - Attention: Youth Minister Search.