NOTICE: To download a *print-friendly* pdf of "The Circuit Rider", click here.(Available Wednesdays, after 1:00 p.m.) |
Special Sundays
Special Sunday Offering
November 13, 2011
Methodist Student Day
November 27, 2011 |
Dates to Remember
Council of Bishops
October 30-November 4
Lake Junaluska, NC
Administry Institute
November 5, 2011
Oak Grove UMC
Hattiesburg, MS
CFA Meeting
November 10, 2011 at 10 a.m.
Methodist Foundation
Ridgeland, MS
Exploration 2011
November 11-13, 2011
St. Louis, Missouri
Click here for more information.
RIM Lay On-Site Visits
November 13, 2011
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Photo File
The ladies of the Senatobia District UMW were entertained by a surprise performance by Elvis at their district meeting.
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Greetings!
Welcome to your connection for up-to-the minute news and information from the Mississippi Conference. Your Circuit Rider will arrive weekly with announcements, dates to remember, celebration stories from across the conference and employment opportunities. Our hope is for The Circuit Rider to become a tool for building the connection across the conference, strengthening our districts and local congregations as we go forth to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Please e-mail your news and information for us to share with others around the conference to lisacm@mississippi-umc.org.
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:: Gleanings
 Surrounded
by the Saints Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great cloud of witnesses...
-- Hebrews 12:1
They have been called "balcony people" -- those who have gone before us and gained the victory of eternal life.
It is comforting to imagine that they watch from beyond, in God's fullest presence. It is inspiring to remember their faithfulness. It is strengthening to imagine them urging us on.
When we join in the historic affirmation of our faith, we say boldly, "We believe in the communion of the saints." We believe together in the great company of those who have loved and served God. We are not alone in our joys and challenges. We bear palpable connection with all, living in this life and the life beyond, who are Christ's own people.
Today we name the faith of Abraham and Sarah, the courage of Moses and Miriam, the partnership of Ruth and Naomi, the boldness of Paul and Lydia and Peter. We name clear heart of Francis of Assisi, the insight of St. John of the Cross, the myriad gifts of Hildegard of Bingen, the love of Mother Teresa, the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the resolve of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer.
Today we whisper the names of those closest to us, who nurtured and loved us with Christ-like devotion. Their lives were powerful in our own.
Today we remember living saints, those around us who embody Christ's life and who inspire us day by day.
On this first day of November, pause and breathe the name of the saints who beckon you on.
When the saints go marching in, we want to be in that number...
With deep gratitude for the great cloud of witnesses,
Hope Morgan Ward |
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:: News & Announcements
Shiloh UMC to Present Live Nativity
Shiloh UMC in Pelahatchie will present a Drive-Through Live Nativity from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 11 and 12, 2011. Shiloh is located at 2394 Shiloh Road, Pelahatchie. For more information call 601-854-8158 or email umc.shiloh.pastor@gmail.com.
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Arts Under the Dome
Opens Season with Harp Dynamo
Grammy-nominated "Wild Woman of the Harp" Deborah Henson-Conant brings her incomparable fusion of music, theater and humor to Gulfport to kick off concert series Ar ts Under The Dome's 19th season on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. With her strap-on 36-string custom-built electric harness harp, Henson-Conant is a cross-genre, blues-flamenco-Celtic-funk-folk-jazz dynamo. Her dazzling musical range and depth of technique combined with her irrepressible energy, humor, and warmth takes audiences on a musical ride guaranteed to bring down the house. The venue is Gulfport First UMC located at 15th St. and 24th Ave. in downtown Gulfport. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students. Season tickets for five concerts are available for $45 individuals or $90 families (in same household). Any tickets may be purchased at the door or online.
Other concerts in the 2011-2012 season are guitarist extraordinaire Edgar Cruz on January 14, legendary cowboy balladeer Don Edwards on February 4, jazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci with jazz pianist Aaron Diehl on February 18, and world music ensemble Festival of Four on March 4.
For detailed information and/or tickets, go to www.arts.fumc-gulfport.org, or call 228-863-0392 or 229-6851.
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Free Webinars for Church Leaders from GBOD
Register at www.gbod.org/committee_resources
Nov. 10 Finishing the Year Financially Strong (for FINANCE LEADERS)
WHAT: God's generous love sustains your church, and God provides all that is needed for God's purposes. Practical ideas for people entrusted with managing the funding.
WHEN: Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. CST
Nov 14 Principles for Church Renewal (for PASTORS)
WHAT: Topics include defining Christian transformation, disciplines for Christian transformational leadership, leading a movement of hope, and introduction to a process to enable church transformation. Helpful to read "Does Your Church Have A Prayer?" before the webinar.
WHEN: Nov 14 at 2:30 p.m. CST
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The Institute for Discipleship to Host a Five-Day Intensive Online Safe Sanctuary Workshop
BeADisciple.com will host a five-day online workshop, Nov. 14-18, for United Methodist congregations who need to write a Safe Sanctuary policy. The fee for the workshop is $50. Participants will learn: why congregations should have a Safe Sanctuary policy, what the policy includes generally and specifically, how to get a policy written and approved, and how to implement it.
Participants will have access to the website 24 hours a day and be able to work at a time of day most convenient. There will be two daily readings and one daily discussion question. Participants will be required to post a response to the question and to at least two other participants every day. Participants will not be expected to write the policy during these five days but may send it to the workshop leader for feedback later when it is written.
Benefits for participation include compliance with denominational and Annual Conference requirements and continuing education units, if needed. But more importantly, Safe Sanctuary policies protect our children and youth, our teachers and leaders, and our congregation's reputation and resources. This five-day intensive online workshop provides the information in a fast, concise way -- giving a congregation a jump-start on writing this all important policy. Those interested in learning more or enrolling should visit: http://beadisciple.com/workshops.html#SSIntensive.
For more information contact Lisa Buffum, BeADisciple@sckans.edu.
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 Dr. Steve Blakemore to Speak
at Cornerstone UMC
The Past, the Present and the Promise will be the featured topic of the "The Third Great Awakening," Nov. 7-8 at Cornerstone UMC in Tupelo. Guest speaker for the event is Dr. Steve Blakemore of Wesley Biblical Seminary and the Institute for Third Millennium Faith.
The event takes a look back upon the Methodist heritage and the witness of its founders and will discuss the principles upon which the vital, culture-transforming ministry of the early Methodists was founded. One CEU is available for full participation. To register, email gingerjholland@hotmail.com or call 662-610-5313. |
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:: Celebrations
Aldersgate UMC Celebrates Children's Sabbath Aldersgate UMC observed Children's Sabbath on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. with the theme Justice Shall You Pursue: Answer God's Call to Protect Children. A total of 66 children and community associates participated in activities including children's fun activities, games, sack race, jumping booth, basketball, food, fellowship, community booths, clothes give-a-way, school uniform give-a-way and a book give-a-way. The participants expressed thanks to Aldersgate UMC for the invitation and the much needed resources. The Children's Sabbath Committee members would like to thank all church committees, members and volunteers for your support and assistance during this annual Children's Sabbath Celebration.
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Pleasant Hill UMC Mission Volunteers
Aid in Continuing Relief Efforts
A group of mission volunteers from Pleasant Hill UMC in Olive Branch, worked on four different homes as they participated in continuing Hurricane Katrina relief done through Camp Love on October 10 -14, 2011. Some of the volunteers had extensive experience in construction and renovation, some learned quickly as they assisted the more experienced, others handled the food preparation and cleanup, and all gave of their time and talents with a willing heart and cheerful attitude. The mission team members found it a blessing to serve, and there are plans to send a mission group to continue this relief work in 2012.
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Coldwater and Hebron UMCs Enjoy Field Trip
A group of folks from Independence, Coldwater and Hebron United Methodist Churches enjoyed a "field trip" to the RiverWalk Museum in Tunica, MS on October 27. The group enjoyed their tour and the fellowship.
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:: Cares and Concerns
Rev. Creighton White, pastor of the Coy/Stallo charge experienced a stroke yesterday while attending the REM meeting. Please keep the White family in your thoughts and prayers.
Edna McDonald, the mother of the Rev. Paul McDonald of the EJD, passed away this past weekend. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, Meridian, MS. The funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 3, 11 a.m. at Popular Springs Drive UMC, Meridian, MS. Please keep the McDonald family in your thoughts and prayers.
Ms. Maudell Chapman, Grandmother of Rev. and Mrs. Leon [Kim] Cooper has passed away. Visitation will be Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. The Re-pass will be at Pilgrim Rest United Methodist Church- I-20 towards Jackson to exit 109 turn left off of ramp going south on Highway 15 towards Laurel 10 miles, the church "Pilgrim Rest UMC" sign will be on right hand side make right go 3/4 of a mile and you will be at the church. Interrment will be at Mount Moriah. We thank all of you for your prayers, love and concern for our family.
James Osborne, Nephew of Rev. Ever J. Burt, passed away on Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 at Home Hospice in Tupelo, MS. Arrangements are incomplete and will be later announced. Please keep Ever Jean and Ben and the Osborne family in your prayers. Agnews & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements at 337 College St. in Verona, MS.
Revs. Mack and Shirley Chambers' 5 year old granddaughter, Maqueila Coleman passed away yesterday. Services will be Saturday at the Sweet Hope Baptist Church in Waynesboro at 2 p.m. Please keep the Coleman and Chambers families in your thoughts and prayers.
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:: Employment Opportunities Across the Conference
Resumes are being accepted for the position of Executive Director of Camp Wesley Pines located in Gallman, Mississippi. Wesley Pines is a ministry of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church. Resumes will be accepted November 1 through December 31, 2011 with employment effective July 1, 2012. A job description is available upon request. Submit resume to: Rev. Geoffrey Joyner, Chairperson of the Personnel Committee, 205 Mary Ann Drive, Brandon, MS 39042.
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