Healthful Habits

 

The Mississippi Conference is a pioneer in wellness ministries in the United Methodist Church.  Over 800 walkers and joggers participate in Amazing Pace.

 

In the past week, we have experienced an unexpected and abrupt interruption in downloading of pedometers as a result of the sale of SportBrain to a new owner.  

 

The good news is that hundreds of you -- having established a holy habit of walking -- have attempted to download your pedometers. Our wellness program is deeply rooted in our daily lives!

 

As we put in place a new and improved pedometer configuration -- including new platforms of technology as you have requested -- let us all continue to be attentive to wellness, continuing to walk regularly.  Take a moment today to cash in your HealthBux, remembering that you can donate them to ministries including community centers here in Mississippi and Imagine No Malaria.  

 

New pedometers will be provided by mid-October.  We are grateful for those who administer the wellness program among us for their good work during this transitional time. Thank you, as well, for your understanding and patience and perseverance.

 

With gratitude for your partnership in ministry,

Hope Morgan Ward    

   

Bethlehem Center Special Offering Scheduled for Sunday, August 28  

          

The Bethlehem Center is a community center in the heart of one of the poorest areas of Jackson. It offers aide to the neighborhood and low-income families by offering affordable childcare, a free income tax assistance program, a counseling center, by involvement in the community and its local coalitions, and by providing a strong faith presence in the area.

The center continues to grow and expand its outreach by developing new programs to build and serve the community and promote academic achievement.

The Bethlehem Center is located at 920 N. Blair Street Jackson, MS. For more information call the center at 601-355-0224 or visit their Web site at www.bethlehemjacksonms.org.

For churches, your offering can be sent you're your monthly mission shares by listing on the back of the mission share statement on line 68 and identifying it as Bethlehem Center Donation. (MS UMC Fund #2 or Advance # #982149-3)

Camping Ministries Special Offering Coming Up Sunday, Sept. 18

   

Many of us are familiar with the vital role conference youth and camping ministries play in the life and faith of our young people.  Camp Lake Stephens (MS UMC Fund # 20), Gulfside Assembly (MS UMC Fund #23),

Seasong at Gulfside

Seashore United Methodist Assembly (MS UMC Fund #22), and Wesley Pines Camp and Conference Center (MS UMC Fund #21) provide a vital link in the primary task of the annual conference -- discovering, recruiting, equipping, and sending persons for ministry.

 

As apportionment reductions continue through 2012, reducing camping apportionments by 10% a year, the Camping Ministries offering scheduled for September 18 continues to be a vital piece in the funding of these ministry-rich institutions. 

 

Can't receive this offering on the September 18 date?  No problem!  Just receive the offering at any point before the end of the year.  The offering may be received as undesignated or it may be designated by the local church to a particular camp or camps. 

 

There are other ways to support camping ministries:

1. Send a work team to camp.  Each of the camps always has significant building improvement and maintenance needs.
2. Contribute to camp scholarship funds through your Sunday School class, UMW circle, or other small group.
3. Financially sponsor a cabin or a counselor.  For example, $2,000 covers the cost of one counselor for the summer at Lake Stephens.
4. Above all, send us your young people for a week of camp!  And see how God is at work through these wonderful ministry settings!

Camping Ministries Sunday Offering funds should be forwarded to the Conference Treasurer's office at P.O. Box 1201, Jackson, MS, 39215-1201. For churches your offering can be sent with your monthly mission shares by listing on the back of the mission share statement on line 68 and identifying it as Camping Sunday Donation.

Register Now for Clergy Spouses Retreat
Sept. 16-17 

Deadline to register for the Sept. 16-17 Clergy Spouses Retreat is August 24. Guest speaker is Dr. Mackie Norris.  Dr. Norris is a nurse and nursing educator, a wellness advocate, a mentor of clergy spouses, a mother and a grandmother.  She is the spouse of Bishop Alfred Norris and in retirement devotes energy and experience to issues of health and wholeness for congregations, clergy, spouses, and families.  She has been the discussion leader for spouses in districts, annual conferences, and general church settings, including training events for new bishops, district superintendents, and directors of connectional ministries.  

Dr. Norris knows our geography as a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans.  She holds a Master of Nursing degree and a Ph. D. from Emory University where she served as an associate professor in the Woodruff School of Nursing.

 

The retreat will be held at the Cabot Lodge on County Line Road in Jackson. To register for the retreat send a check for $50 to MS Clergy Spouses, Sheranne McGraw 3005 Hubbard Rd. Courtland MS 38620.  The $50 includes your room (double occupancy, you may specify a roommate), supper on Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday.  

Lewis Center to Offer Free Webinar to Help Churches Expand Income Sources  

 

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary will offer the free webinar, Expand Your Church's Income Sources, on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, from 2 - 3 p.m. EDT. The webinar, led by Lewis Center Director Lovett H. Weems, Jr., will teach participants about a range of income sources available for churches. Participants will also receive worksheets and instruction to help them assess which sources make the most sense for their congregations.

 

Weems says, "We want to help churches answer these vital questions: 'Do we have income sources that could be enhanced? What income sources are other churches using that might benefit us?'"

 

Those interested in participating in this Webinar may visit https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/379484254 for more information and to register. Registration is limited, so those interested should register soon.

Embra Jackson Receives Life Coaching Certification  

After a year of intensive prayer, study, reflection, and peer coaching, the Starkville district superintendent is now a Certified Life Coach. Embra was certified as a Coach by Coachnet, a Christian Coaching and Leadership Development agency founded by Robert Logan an  known for its "God-centered" coaching.

Coachnet has helped persons to change their lives in a positive manner. The course encourages individuals to rely on God, themselves and others to become more successful -- defined as discovering what God has called you to do in your life and then fulfilling that purpose.  To learn more about Coachnet, please visit their website at www.coachnet.org.

Eugenia "Jean" Sorrell, mother of Rev. Tom Sorrell of the East Jackson District, passed away on Monday.  Service and visitation will be held on Thursday, August 18 at Belzonia First.  A visitation time is scheduled for two hours prior to the service which is set for 9 a.m. with the arrangements beginning at the 11 a.m.  Please keep the Sorrell family in your prayers.

Asbury Church, a contemporary worship-based congregation experiencing tremendous growth in Petal, is searching for a full-time Minister to Students. In this position, you will be responsible for leading ministry for students from 7th to 12th grades, along with other teaching responsibilities within the church. You will work hand in hand with the pastor and other staff to plan, coordinate and lead the student ministry of Asbury.  The teaching/leading responsibilities include, but are not limited to, Sunday Morning Youth Small Groups, Sunday Night Youth Small Groups, and a weekly Youth Worship Service. All inquiries and resumes can be sent to Rev. Andy Stoddard at 1331 Hwy 42, Petal, MS 39465 or

andy@asburypetal.com. For additional information, call 601-545-3006.

Ellisville First United Methodist Church seeks a PT Music Minister.  To learn more click here.  To apply send resume and cover letter to Rev. John Richardson at jdricha@gmail.com.

Oxford University United Methodist Church, located in the historic district of Oxford, Mississippi, with strong ties and commitment to the surrounding community, seeks a Church Administrator. OUUMC is a community of faith that exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ by letting people know they matter to God by showing them they matter to us so that others will matter to them. For additional information on OUUMC, please visit www.ouumc.org. The Church Administrator is responsible for managing the business and administrative operations of the church and its property, and the Church Administrator will work with the pastoral and lay staff members to achieve the mission and objectives of the church community. The person in this position will extend the ministry of the church to our staff, our members and the surrounding community. For a detailed job description along with job requirements, please visit www.ouumc.org and click on the link for Church Administrator Job Posting.

Broadmeadow UMC in Jackson seeks a part-time director for youth outreach and ministries.  Broadmeadow's inner city setting provides a unique opportunity to minister to the city's urban youths as well as those whose parents attend Broadmeadow.  The ideal candidate would be able to: work with the Youth Council to plan programs and activities for junior high and senior high youth; reach out to youth in the surrounding neighborhood; work with young people from racially and economically diverse backgrounds to build a youth ministry that welcomes all; andbe familiar with United Methodist teaching and doctrines. To apply contact the Rev. Rob Hill at revrobhill@gmail.com  or 601-366-1403.