Faithful
and Fruitful

 

 In charge conferences this fall, each church will set goals for fruitfulness in five areas -- worship attendance, professions of faith, new small groups, people serving in mission, and amount of money given to mission.

 

Does God require faithfulness or fruitfulness?  As we read scripture, we discover that God requires both.  Faithfulness and fruitfulness are intertwined, not disconnected, in the Christian life.

 

There is no category in the New Testament for an unfruitful Christian.  Such a person does not exist.  The sower is promised a harvest, the uncertainty is not "if" but "when" the harvest will come.  The one who buried the one talent is called an unbeliever not an unfruitful follower.

 

Faithfulness is the form of fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is the result of faithfulness.  

 

Our life together in Christ is one of faithfulness and fruitfulness.  I give thanks today for God's design that our faith and perseverance will overflow in fruit, visible and measurable.  

 

 

We have a wonderful opportunity next week to explore these ideas at Clergy Leadership Conference as Lovett Weems and Tom Berlin lead us.  I hope to see you Monday - Wednesday, Sept 19-21, at Crossgates UMC in Brandon.

 

With gratitude for you today,

Hope Morgan Ward  

 

(I am indebted to Andy Stoddard who sent me an e-article by Matt Perman, from whom these ideas have been gleaned.) 

 
Salem Camp Meeting to be Held Oct. 3-9 

          

The 185th Annual Salem Camp Meeting will be held Oct. 3 - 9, 2011 in Seashore District. The camp meeting officially begins with 10:30 a.m. worship on Oct. 3 and concludes with the 5 p.m. services on Sunday, October 9, 2011.Everyone is invited to attend the daily services that include morning worship at 10:30 a.m.; special music by local singers at 6:30 p.m.; and evening worship at 7 p.m.Area local pastors will lead worship for 7 a.m. prayer services. 

 

Rev. Tim Green of Saltillo and Begron UMCs in Saltillo will serve as guest evangelist. Green was born in Baldwyn, Mississippi.  He attended Asbury UMC in Baldwyn, until he answered the call to full time ordained ministry in 1981.  He received his Master of Divinity Degree from the Memphis Theological Seminary in 1989.  He graduated received a B. A. Degree from Blue Mountain College in 1985.  He has served a distinguished career in the United Methodist Church since he answered the call to ministry in 1981.  Green's most notable achievement in his ministry was receiving the Clergy Denman Evangelism Award at the 2003 Mississippi Annual Conference. He has been married to Phyllis DeVaughn Green for 34 years and they have three children and four grandchildren. 

 

Bro. Joe Howard of Big Point UMC will serve as minister of music for the week.

Howard began his music ministry at Eastlawn Baptist Church in 1969.  In his 42 years of service to God, he has served in a number of churches throughout Jackson County, including 11 years at Wade Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon.  While at Wade, he led several youth choir tours throughout the southeastern United States.

 

Howard will be accompanied by Linda Pierce on piano and Ida Mae Cumbest on organ.  Rev. Gilbert White, pastor of Salem/Pleasant Hill UMCs, serves as host pastor.

 

The Salem campground is located one mile west of Highway 63 in north Jackson County.

Imagine -- Inclusion Through
the Lifespan Conference

   

The Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities (MSCCD), a private not-for-profit statewide cross-disability organization, is hosting the 2011 Conference:  Imagine -- Inclusion Through the Lifespan Oct. 13-14, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel in Jackson. Registration fees are as follows: Consumer/Advocate: $24; Families up to 2 persons: $50 and Professionals: $100. You may register online at www.msccd.org.

 

The conference will feature disability experts speaking on topics covering the full range of everything you need to know about cross-disabilities and how to truly reach full inclusion.

 

The theme, Inclusion Through the Lifespan, reflects the reality that living with a disability presents an evolving set of personal, family, societal, and therapeutic issues as the individuals pass from infancy, childhood through adolescence, adulthood, and into senior years. For more information or to register visit www.msccd.org or call 800-721-7255 or 601-969-0601.

A Special Request from
Bishop James E. Dorff, Texas 

  The central Texas fires have been devastating to several of our communities and church families.  The communities of Bastrop, Cedar Creek, and the Steiner housing development in Austin have been particularly devastated.  We are deeply grateful for the prayers and other expressions of support.

Our churches and pastors are hard at work providing shelter and support for those left homeless. Our God is present in these communities, and renewal will occur. If you would like to make a donation for fire relief, please click on the UMCOR Advance # 901670 link below:

 

http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?code=901670&id=3018992 

 

Special Designation: Wildfires 2011. Or you may send a check to: UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.

On the subject line reference:  Advance # 901670 or Wildfires 2011.

St. Mary's UMC to Hold Revival   

       

Rev. Demario Benson and the members of St. Mary's UMC cordially invote you to their fall revival. Services will be held nightly at 7 p.m. beginning on Sept. 26 and continue through Sept. 28.  Rev. Jakavious Pickett will be the evangelist.  St. Mary's UMC is located at 3009 Harmony Road Crystal Springs.

Central UMC to Hold Revival       

  

Central UMC, 500 North Farish Street, will celebrate its fall "Order My Steps" Revival on Oct. 10-12, 2011, beginning at 7 p.m. nightly.  The guest evangelist will be Rev. Cleavern Robertson, pastor of Mt. Pleasant UMC in Vaughn. All are invited to attend. For additional information, please contact Rev. Stephen T. Cook, pastor of Central UMC, or Carlos King, revival chairperson, at 601-355-7858.

Pearl River UMC to host
Lambuth Day Celebration       

 

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 is the next annual observance of

Side view of church taken in 2006.

Lambuth Day at the historic Pearl River UMC.  The service will begin at 2:30 p.m. with Bishop Hope Morgan Ward presenting the message for the day.  Refreshments will be served following the service.

Come enjoy a wonderful message and share in the singing of some old time favorite hymns. The church is located on Pearl River Church Road approximately three miles north and east of city of Madison, off North Old Canton Rd.

For more information and directions please call the office at Madison UMC at 601-856-6058 or email karen@madisonumc.org. Click here for a brief history of Lambuth Day.

Front and side view of church with wood shutters closed.

Lewis Center to Help Congregations
Reach New Disciples        

 

To help congregations reach new disciples, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary will host the Connect with Your Neighbors Conference and release a companion DVD/CD Resource.

 

The Connect with Your Neighbors Conference will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the campus of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Building on the Center's continuing work in attracting new disciples, the half-day conference for laity and clergy will feature insightful presentations from Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, and Dr. Amy Oden, Dean of Wesley Theological Seminary.

 

Dr. Weems says, "To reach new disciples, it used to be enough for our churches simply to reach out to our neighbors. But today we need to do more. Today we need to connect with our neighbors through understanding, engagement and service."

 

The conference also features practical workshops from knowledgeable Lewis Center staff: Discovering Who Your Neighbors Are, Ways to Understand Your Neighbors Better, Using Social Media to Reach New People, Your Website Is Your Church's Welcome Mat, and Needs-based Community Outreach.

 

Early-bird conference registration discounts are available through Oct. 10, 2011.

 

The Connect with Your Neighbors DVD/CD Resource includes videos of the conference presentations plus workshop PowerPoint presentations, introductory videos, outlines, key points and other resources to help congregations reach new disciples. The resource will be available in early December 2011, and the Lewis Center is offering a preorder discount through Nov. 5, 2011.

 

The Connect with Your Neighbors Conference and DVD/CD Resource are part of the Lewis Center's Reach New Disciples program.

 

Additional conference, registration, and resource information is at available at   

http://www.churchleadership.com/newdisciples.

First United Methodist Church of Clinton is seeking a full-time Director of Program Ministries.  This position will have oversight of all program areas.  The Director of Program Ministries will have direct responsibility over the Children and College Ministry programs, and provide supervision to the Director of Adult Ministries and the   Director of Youth Ministries, creating a cooperative spirit in the overall direction of our Church Program Ministries.  Applicants should be enthusiastic, willing to work as a team member, possess administrative skills, and be willing to share their faith.  Salary is negotiable based upon applicant's experience.  Send your résumé to: Rev. Mitchell B. Hedgepeth by emailing to mitchell@fumcclinton.org or Patrick Tatum by emailing to Ptatum@upshawwilliams.com or First United Methodist Church, 100 Mt. Salus Rd. Clinton, MS 39056     

 

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.