Gratitude and Transitions

 

Over 100 of our churches and clergy families are in transition, saying goodbye and then hello, ending and beginning.

As these transitions unfold, I give thanks for the constancy of work of Donna White in the Episcopal Office. Donna's joyful and careful work undergirds the ministry and the ministers, the churches and the laity of our Annual Conference. As you contact the Episcopal Office, Donna responds efficiently and effectively, always embodying the fruits of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). She works each year tirelessly in the planning and flow of Annual Conference. She is a gift to us.

Rev. Tim Thompson comes this month to take up a new mantle of ministry after his faithful service as Superintendent of the Meridian District. Tim will be Assistant to the Bishop for Vital Congregations, with particular gifts for carrying forward the honored tradition of this office while leading us in the future with the entire family of United Methodist people. Tim has been gifted by the Holy Spirit. He is a strong pastor, teacher, and administrator. He will help us continue to move forward in new technologies of communication.

The Discipline states clearly: The purpose of the Annual Conference is to strengthen local churches by providing a connection for ministry, all to the glory of God. Tim's work will focus on helping local churches develop the five indicators of vitality: increasing worship attendance, professions of faith, small groups, people engaged in mission, and extravagant generosity.

In the 2011-2012 Conference year, I look forward to working with Tim and Donna as we seek to lead our conference forward in vitality and fruitfulness, both gifts of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

With gratitude for your ministries and prayers for this time in our shared life,
Hope Morgan Ward    

 

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

 

UMVIM Team Leader Training CANCELLED
for this Saturday    

 

Rev. David Newton will be rescheduling the training that was supposed to take place this Saturday, June 25 at Diamondhead UMC.  We apologize for any inconvenience. Please remember we have two additional trainings coming up in our conference.  Be sure to sign up at least a week in advance.  Cost is $20 for the manual (pay at door).  The dates are listed in the calendar listing in this issue of the Circuit Rider.

Forget to Pick Up Your 2K Fun Run/Walk T-shirt at Annual Conference? 

Those persons forgetting to pick up their t-shirts for the Annual Fun Run/Walk during Annual Conference can pick them up from the conference office, 321 Mississippi St., Jackson. They will be on hold at the office until July 5. After that date, all t-shirts will go on sale. You may contact Angela at angela@mississippi-umc.org for additional information.

August 10 is Deadline to Apply for 2011 Ethnic Local Church Grant  

Grants are to Strengthen Ethnic Minority Local Churches
as They Engage in Social Justice

Aug. 10 is the deadline to apply for an Ethnic Local Church Grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS). The grants are to strengthen ethnic minority local churches through education, advocacy or leadership development as they engage in social justice.

To qualify for grant consideration, applicants must be either: a United Methodist local church, district, annual conference, racial/ethnic caucus, or other affiliated ethnic group/organization; or an ecumenical group/organization working with and through at least one United Methodist agency or organization whose program has an impact on at least one United Methodist ethnic minority local church.

Two funding periods are available for consideration: Jan.10 is deadline for the spring cycle and Aug. 10 for the fall. The Ethnic Local Church Grants program is to strengthen congregations through education, advocacy or leadership development for social justice engagement. Grants are awarded twice each year.

Chronic Social Problems

Grant recipients must be programs initiated by or developed in partnership with one or more United Methodist ethnic minority local churches. Racial/ethnic persons shall be the majority of those served by the program. The project must focus on needs identified by ethnic local churches as they address one or more chronic social problems or concerns, such as housing, employment, health care, human rights, education, the environment and racism. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church contained in its Book of Discipline, (¶¶s 160-165) can provide more information on denominational social justice positions.

All applicants must have a supervisory board consisting of a majority of ethnic minority persons that shall make all policy decisions. Each funding request will be considered on its own merits with no required minimum or maximum amount. All funding from GBCS must be used for programmatic components and not for salaries, purchase of equipment, purely administrative costs, and direct delivery of services or building construction.

Start-up Money

Intent of the grants program is to provide start-up money. Therefore, priority goes to first-time applicants. Priority consideration shall be given to programs that are part of a Comprehensive Plan of an Annual Conference.

For more information, contact the Rev. Neal Christie (nchristie@umc-gbcs.org), GBCS assistant general secretary, Education & Leadership Formation, at 202-488-5611 or download the application at Ethnic Local Church Grant.

Ella H. DeDeaux Receives Seminary Scholarship

Ella DeDeaux of Pass Christian, was one of 11 women chosen to receive the 2011-2012 Georgia Harkness Scholarship. DeDeaux is preparing for ordination as an elder in The United Methodist Church and the scholarship will assist her in her studies at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

DeDeaux and the other ten Georgia Harkness scholars will attend the UMC Continuing Educators Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida. The Rev. HiRho Park, the director of Continuing Formation for Ministry at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, said the seminary scholarships go to women over 35 who are preparing for ordination as elders in The United Methodist Church as a second career. The recipients are chosen by a committee of United Methodist elders and GBHEM staff. DeDeaux is a member of DeLisle-Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in the Mississippi Conference.

Harkness, the first woman theologian to teach in a Protestant seminary in the United States, dedicated her life to dismantling discrimination because of race and gender in The United Methodist Church and the world. Harkness, who taught at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., died in 1974. She was instrumental in the 1956 decision giving women full-clergy membership in The Methodist Church.

Dr. Daryle "Doc" Whitfield, 89, of Prentiss, went to the Church Triumphant today on June 15, 2011. He is a decorated WWII veteran and father of Patty Vance, wife of Rev. Gene Vance, Eastlawn UMC, Seashore District. Please keep Patty and the rest of her family in your prayers.

Rev. Jimmie Gunn, Meridian District was taken to Anderson Hospital, June 16 for surgery on a broken hip. Please keep the Gunn Family in your thoughts and prayer.

Christine White the mother of Rev. Larry White (Wiggins: First) passed on into eternal life this past Saturday night after a long battle. Funeral services were held June 21, 2011 at Providence UMC in State Line, MS. Please keep Larry and family in your thoughts and prayers....

Rev. Curtis Cain, retired elder from Waynesboro, is scheduled to have surgery early Tuesday morning (June 21) at Hattiesburg Clinic Surgical Unit. Please remember Curtis, Mary and the family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Retired clergy, Rev. Luther Hart of the East Jackson District had eye surgery last week and now is at home recovering. Please keep Rev. Hart and his wife Bobbye in your thoughts and prayers.

Rev. David Newton is in Georgia for the funeral of his nephew Nathan, 21, who was found dead outside of his condo of an apparent fall. The service will probably be on Friday. David may be leading the funeral service. Nathan was the oldest son of David's younger sister, and is the oldest of all his parents' grandchildren. The family is devastated, and would appreciate your prayers.

Rev. James Morris, Louisville Wesley UMC, Starkville District, is in the Oktibbeha County Hospital with pneumonia. He has asked that we remember him when we pray.

Rev. Jennings Poole, retired of the Brookhaven District and father of Rev. Bobby Poole (currently serving the Roxie Charge), was admitted to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center's Cardiac Intensive Care Unit today. Please be in prayer for Bro. Jennings and the Poole family during this time of illness.

Because of last minute travel arrangements, LifeBridge Church, a new United Methodist Community in Southaven, MS, is in need of borrowing or renting a 15-passenger van for the week of July 24-30 to transport youth and adults to Orlando, FL for an urban mission trip. If your church has a reliable van to share, we would be most grateful. Because LifeBridge is insured by the conference insurance administered by Gallagher, it is my understanding churches with the same insurance would be fully covered. Please contact Pastor Stephen Bittick at 901-996-1454 or sbittick@lifebridgechurch.net if you can help.

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.

Fulton UMC is taking applications for full or part-time Youth Minister. Youth Minister will work with youth in grades 7through 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.