Glimpses
of Grace

 

"great grace was upon them all" -- Acts 4

This month of May I am witness of the great grace of United Methodist people in Mississippi. Mike and I have been...

-- welcomed into celebrations of strong heritage and vibrant mission at Kingston, Pontotoc Parish, Vincent, Ellisville;

-- inspired by caring efforts to preserve homes and possessions and to assist and welcome those evacuating the danger of rising rivers;

-- strengthened by the generosity flowing as our conference moves ahead of last year's level of faithfulness in mission shares and pension benefits while giving generously for disaster recovery;

-- overjoyed to see communities coming together to respond to the needs in the wake of April tornadoes;

-- thankful for the work of leaders of the conference, the districts and local churches as you faithfully exemplify the servant love of Christ.

Great grace is upon us as we prepare to gather for Annual Conference in June. Let us pray, in the tradition of Methodist people, for the fresh movement of the Holy Spirit among us.

With gratitude for each of you,
Hope Morgan Ward    

 

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

Laity Nominations Booklets are Now Online
 Link here to download.

Pre-Conference Briefing Power Point is Now Online 

 

Link here to view. 

 

 Small Membership Church Banquet 

Several of you have asked for information about how to purchase a table for the Small Membership Church Banquet at Annual Conference on Saturday, June 11, at 5:30 p.m.

Brenda McGloster has been kind enough to set up for us a registration site at Event Brite. To register, simply click go the following link: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1706605503

If I understand correctly, you can reserve an entire table of 8 seats. Then, if you like, you may pay for them online there. Or, if you prefer, you may pay at the door on the night of the banquet. Seats are $20 per person. So, a table of 8 is $160.

Thank you again for your support of this event. It is very much appreciated. Last year's banquet was such a wonderfully encouraging evening, and I fully expect this year's will be as well.

Methodist Children's Home
to Celebrate 115 at Luncheon

Please Join Methodist Children's Homes at a luncheon celebrating 115 years of service to children on Friday, June 10, at 12:30 Mississippi Museum of Art, just across the street from the Convention Center.

Cost is $20. Please reply by May 27 by mailing a check for $20 to the Methodist Children's Homes, P.O. Box 66, Clinton, MS 39060 or online at www.mchms.org (reference lunch). For more information contact Becky Mercier at 601-853-5000 ext. 6 or bmercier@mchms.org.

Nudged to GO!

Nudge! "What if?"

Submitted by Rev. Stephen Sparks, Indianola First UMC

Leonard Sweet recently pointed out to me that John Wesley was on the cutting edge of technology during his day. Wesley, according to Sweet, was an early adopter of a new means of mass communication that would bring learning and education to the people, burgeoning a growing middle class born out of the industrial revolution, and paving the way for our modern information society where information and education was no longer the purview of a lofty few.

Wesley was one of the first to embrace this cutting edge technology over the objections of more than a few of his pastors. The technology? The Book. Wesley was committed to his pastors READING and creating an educated informed laity. And so began the people called Methodists' early commitment to reading and in so doing to the Methodist Publishing house and educational institutions throughout the new world. Methodists blazed the trail in the wilderness of America and wherever they went, they left behind schools, hospitals and educated masses. And they thus changed America's destiny.

To read the rest of "Nudge! What if?" link to the Circuit Rider blog here.

A Reminder: 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.

 

Choirs Sought for General Conference

United Methodist choirs and ensemble groups from around the world may now audition online for an invitation to perform at the  2012 General Conference, The United Methodist Church's top legislative assembly which meets in Tampa, Fla. beginning April 24, 2012.

To apply for an invitation to General Conference, choirs and ensembles are asked to submit a letter of application to gc2012worship@gmail.com, including a brief bio and a YouTube video link of the group performing. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2011.

"As always, we look forward to having musicians and artists from across the connection involved in leading the people of God in worship at General Conference," said Dr. Marcia McFee, worship director for 2012 General Conference. "This ministry of worship and inspiration is vital for those delegates and leaders who spend many days in discernment and work on behalf of our denomination.

To come to General Conference takes a lot of dedication and work for the groups who are selected and invited. We honor this gift they give to the church."

Invited choirs will perform at lunch and during evening worship at General Conference. Choirs are responsible for their own expenses.

Director Named for Methodist Hospice Residence 

Affiliated Services, a division of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, has named Taleka Perry, RN, director of Methodist Hospice Residence.

Perry began her nursing career in 2000, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Central Missouri State University. After moving to Memphis in 2005, she earned her Executive Master in Science degree in nursing at the University of Memphis.

Perry joined Methodist North Hospital in 2007, she quickly moved into a management position at Methodist University Hospital, where she gained leadership experience. It was while working with acutely ill patients and their families at MUH that Perry felt a strong pull towards Hospice. She joined the Methodist Hospice leadership team in fall 2010.

Ezekiel Rooney, son of Rev. and Mrs. Ray Rooney (TUP-Tupelo: Wesley) was scheduled to have an ear drum repair/replacement) on May 23 at LeBonheur in Memphis. Ray's wife, Jill, is supposed to have surgery in Tupelo on Friday but is at the E.R. now. It is not yet known if she can wait until Friday. May have it sooner. Please bear down on the prayers for the Rooney family!

Art Steinaway, manager of Seashore United Methodist Assembly in Biloxi, passed away on Sunday, May 22. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. However, a memorial service is to be held in the near future. Cards can be mailed to: 1410 Leggett Drive, Biloxi MS, 39530.

Mrs. Jewell Bonds, widow of Rev JC Bonds (Louisiana), and a member of Roxie UMC, was put in University Medical Center yesterday morning with a stroke. She is doing well, but the family would still appreciate your prayers.

Nobia Hare, wife of Rev. James Hare, Meridian District,will be had surgery today, as a result of an infection setting in at the site of her amputation. She is in the South Central Regional Medical Center, in Laurel. Please keep the Hare family in your thoughts and prayers, during this difficult time of recovery.

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.

St. Luke UMC in Cleveland has an opening for a part-time music director. Please 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.

St. Paul UMC in Tupelo is seeking a church musician ( organ and/or piano). If you are interested, please contact Tommie Pinkins at 662-610-5173 for more information.

Vibrant and historic downtown congregation in Jackson, Tennessee seeks a highly qualified and motivated Minister to Children and Families. Successful candidate should be focused on effective teaching/learning methods, possess a desire to impart the great stories of the orthodox Christian faith in a manner that is fresh, lively and engaging. Candidate should possess a minimum of a four-year degree in Christian Education with five years' practical experience in a parish setting or have attained a Master of Arts in Religion with lesser experience. This is a "hands-on" position which requires discipline, patience and a true passion for the spiritual development of children. Candidate will be highly visible in the life of the congregation and imbued with a high degree of trust.

Salary package is dependent on combination of experience and education. Relocation assistance negotiable.

In order to apply, please forward the following no later than July 1: Brief resume, a list of at least five personal/professional references, a brief statement regarding your philosophy of effective ministry and general salary requirements. Forward said materials to: Mrs. Kitty Allen, Chair; Search Committee; Jackson First United Methodist Church; 200 S. Church Street; Jackson, TN 38301. Email: kallen@jacksonfumc.org

First United Methodist Church of DeRidder, Louisiana is a hospitable and supportive place, which serves as a central hub for worshipping in the mainline Protestant tradition as well as a worship home for military and their families. FUMC is an "excited," "eager," and "fun" church that strives to come together around its mission to "make disciples for Jesus Christ through dynamic worship, scriptural education, concrete mission, and friendship opportunities."

FUMC is seeking a full-time DIRECTOR FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN MINISTRIES. This 750 member congregation is searching for a Director who will build a team of parents and volunteers to create an exciting and welcoming faith community where children and youth can build relationships and nurture their relationship with Christ. The Director will serve children, youth and their families and will be responsible for guiding the implementation of the vision and goals set forth by the congregation.

The successful candidate will have a college degree, experience working with children and youth and will be well versed and accepting of the Methodist tradition. Submit resumes by email to DeRidderSearch@ymarchitects.com.