Joy to theWorld

 

You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence. -- Acts 2  

Methodist people gather annually for a time of worship, community and decision-making. As we gather for annual conference, we live again our distinctive polity, our distinctive organizing principles.

The annual conference is the basic unit of our church, reminding us that we are not independent but profoundly connected local churches. Together we are more, together we do more, together we have stronger impact, together we find mutual support; together we are energized for mission in the world.

Local churches are essential places of holy welcome, of proclamation and conversion and nurture, of service and mission. The annual conference exists to strengthen the local church and to provide a connection for ministry.

The theme of the 2011 Annual Conference Session is "Arise, Shine, Go: Joy to the World!" The Lord is come and is with us: this is the source of our joy. As we gather on this weekend of Pentecost, we anticipate a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit, God's latest gift to us!

With great anticipation,
Hope Morgan Ward    

 

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

  

Not Attending Annual Conference, But Want to
be a Part?  

 

Watch all worship and plenary session live by logging onto the website and linking on the Watch Annual Conference Live... Or beginning at 10 a.m. Friday morning link here http://www.mississippi-umc.org/live.

Do you tweet?  

Keep up with things going on by using Twitter -- hashtag, #MSAC11. Go to http://www.search.twitter.com and search for #MSAC11 to find out what's happening at Annual Conference.

Have you made reservations to dine with your friends?

Here's the latest list of Special Meals and Banquets. To see the schedule of meals link here. 

You may also order your tickets for these meals using the same link: Laity Banquet; Small Membership Banquet; Fellowship of Local Pastors Luncheon; Educational Opportunities Luncheon.

Attention Local Pastors:

Licensed Local Pastors who have completed the Course of Study and have served two consecutive years under appointment are eligible to vote in the election of delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference at this year's Annual Conference. In late February, a memo went out to each local pastor notifying you if you were eligible to vote or not eligible to vote. Eligible local pastors will receive ballots and a nametag marked for voting privileges when you check in at Annual Conference. Non-eligible pastors should also check in at Annual Conference to receive a nametag, but you will not receive ballots. If you did not receive a memo or you are unsure of your eligibility, you may contact your District Office or the Office of Ministerial Services.

 

GCORR Announces $300K in Clergy and Seminary Grants Available  

Up to $300,000 in grants is being offered to clergy leaders and UM seminaries whose ideas and programs help strengthen The United Methodist Church's ability to maximize racial diversity and inclusiveness among leadership, congregations and beyond.

Applications are being accepted now through July 31, 2011 for the new CORR Action Fund priority (funded by the Minority Group Self-Determination Fund) of the United Methodist Church's General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR.)

The awards will be offered in two categories:

The Racial Justice Grant for Clergy leadership, of up to $20,000 for clergy and programs within districts and annual conferences that support efforts to dismantle racism by promoting the values of diversity, inclusiveness, multiculturalism and cross-racial/cross-cultural work;

The Racial Justice Grant for UM Seminaries of up to $80,000 for efforts by faculty, staff or students to improve racial, ethnic and cultural intergroup relationships and/or to bring about organizational, institutional and systemic changes in the church, seminary, and in society.

The Clergy grant can be used but is not limited to education, multicultural training projects that raise awareness about and take action against racism and for pastors entering or serving in cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments. The Seminary grant is intended for efforts including curriculum development and the development of programs and processes that impact the seminary's ability to positively address institutional racism, diversity and multiculturalism, including faculty and student training that furthers understanding of racial/ethnic/tribal cultures within the church and society.

Full information and applications can be downloaded online at gcorr.org/corractionfund. Completed applications must be postmarked by July 31, 2011 submitted on the official application form and mailed in typed print, or e-mailed to applications@gcorr.org (electronic submissions are strongly preferred.) The funds will be awarded before December 31, 2011.

Mission Trip to Appalachia -- A Personal Witness   

By Mary Marshall, Biloxi First UMC

What a blessing it was to return to my home state of Kentucky and work in mission alongside dedicated Christian servants! We spent the last week in May at Red Bird Mission in Queendale, KY. This Methodist mission was established 90 years ago with the opening of a Christian School and a medical clinic the following year. Today Red Bird is a major employer in the area operating a K-12 School, a medical clinic, dental clinic, craft store, community store, Senior Center, senior housing and many community outreach ministries such as the Work Camp we attended.

We are so grateful to friends and church members who donated lots of clothing, medical supplies, wheelchairs and walkers, baby blankets and toys for us to take to Red Bird. The Medical Clinic staff and the Community Store very much appreciated these gifts. We also thank everyone who supported our fundraisers, gave us donations and prayed for us while we were gone.

I worked in the mission office the first day and in the Community Store the rest of the week. My job involved processing donated clothing to be sold in the store. I cleaned, pressed, hung and tagged hundreds of garments -- from baby-onesies to blue jeans and bell-bottoms.

My teammates had to contend with rain everyday but still managed to make sorely needed repairs in a house that was way up a holler, over a raging creek and down a muddy lane. They removed water-damaged ceiling tiles in 3 rooms and put up, taped and floated sheetrock, took out old floor tiles, repaired the subfloor and installed roll vinyl in the kitchen and dining room. They also painted walls and ceilings, put up gutters and replaced some light fixtures. The homeowner was a coal miner but had injured his back and could no longer work. His wife was the cook at our work camp. They were precious people and so very kind to us.

I was humbled when asked to give one of the morning devotionals to the 70+ volunteers attending the work camp that week. The lush green hills and mountains of Appalachia were adorned with beautiful wildflowers and mountain laurel. Inspired by the majesty of God's handiwork I chose Psalm 121: 1-2 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." Our team also had a Bible Study each evening after dinner and we attended nightly devotionals given by the staff. The week was physically demanding but spiritually refreshing! Having worked closely with some 3,000 volunteers who made their temporary home at our church in the two years after Katrina I knew there was no way to thank them for their support and sacrifice. I promised them that, in their honor, I would strive to pay forward the same caring and kindness they showed the people of the MS Gulf Coast. This latest trip was my 5th mission trip since 2008. With God's blessing I hope to go on many more!  

A Celeration of Life will be held for Art Steinaway, manager of Seashore United Methodist Assembly, on Tuesday July 19 at 1 p.m. at Beauvoir UMC (2113 Pass Road, Biloxi). Art passed away on Sunday, May 22.

Funeral services were held June 2, 2011 for John Dale Pickering, brother of Rev. Bennie Napier, associate pastor Heritage UMC, D'Iberville. Please keep Bennie and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Michelle Hazelrig, (spouse of Rev. Greg Hazelrig, who is pastor of Vicksburg: Gibson Memorial) is had surgery on her knee Monday, June 6. Baptist Hospital. The family is asking for your prayers for her quick recovery.

Rev. Rayford Woodrick who had surgery on Tuesday, May 31, at Baptist Hospital is doing great. Pray with us, and the Woodrick family, as he recovers through this surgery.

Pat Tonkel, wife of Rev. Keith Tonkel of the West Jackson District, is now receiving palliative care at St. Dominic and on Wednesday will be moving to Hospice Care in Ridgeland. Please keep the Tonkel family uplifted in your thoughts and prayers.

Rev. Max Lightsey (Leakesville UMC) has been admitted to Ocean Springs Hospital. Please keep the Lightsey's in your prayers.

Amory First UMC is in need of a full-time Youth Director. Responsibilities are for planning and implementing programs and activities of our youth, 7th grade through 12th grade, including weekly UMYF, Bible study, mission opportunities and conference youth events. Salary is commensurate with experience with housing and utilities provided. Please send resumes to Rev. Warren Coile, P.O. Box 147, Amory, MS 38821 or wrcoile@fumcamory.org.

Clinton First UMC seeks to fill the full-time position of Communication/Media Coordinator. The ideal candidate will have experience in designing quality designs for marketing/advertising, website design, and other church publications. You must have the ability to work in church environment and adapt to sudden changes in assignments. Computer skills: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, ImageReady, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro). All applicants must pass criminal background check and provide excellent references for this position. Please email resume to: ptatum@upshawwilliams.com (Patrick Tatum) or mitchell@fumcclinton.org (Mitchell Hedgepeth).

Clinton First UMC seeks to fill the full-time position of Contemporary worship leader. The individual must be firmly grounded in faith in Jesus Christ and be an experienced individual who possesses and demonstrates the ability to organize, develop and lead a God honoring, meaningful, worship service. A heart for worship and a desire to lead the congregation into the presence of the Lord are a necessity. Experience in worship leadership as well as vocal and instrumental accompaniment skills are required. Qualifications: Strong vocal skills; Experience and a heart for developing other vocalist and worship leaders; Experience in recruiting volunteers in all areas of the Praise and Worship ministry are preferable; The ability to administrate and develop weekly worship services. Responsibilities: Working with the Pastor, plan Sunday morning services that support text and applications; Cast vision and provide oversight to all aspects of the Praise and Worship ministry; Recruit and shepherd volunteers in the band, technical and vocal areas; Communicate scriptural concepts in rehearsals and worship; Assess theological soundness of lyrics; Lead by example, organize, rehearse and equip volunteer vocalists and instrumentalists; Direct worship team and band rehearsals as necessary
All applicants must pass criminal background check and provide excellent references for this position. To be considered for the position, please email resume to: ptatum@upshawwilliams.com (Patrick Tatum) or mitchell@fumcclinton.org.

Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC is seeking a Director of Program Ministries. The position serves as the developer and coordinator for all Hinton program involvements, training events, workshops, and consultation services reflecting themes that coincide with the Mission and Vision of Hinton Center. The qualified candidate should be an ordained United Methodist Minister with at least 3 years of leadership experience. He/she must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills and strong computer proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, and ability to learn other applicable software. He/she must maintain clean driving record. For individuals interested in applying for position, please send resume and cover letter to Dr. Jacqueline Gottlieb at Jackie@hintoncenter.org no later than June 12, 2011. Drug Free Workplace.