The Circuit Rider April 2023

Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

Mississippi Conference Helps Tornado Victims Recover

UMCOR workers help make repairs to a home in Rolling Fork.

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

In March, tornadoes rolled across parts of western Mississippi causing

3,500 square miles of catastrophic damage. Many homes, businesses and churches were damaged or destroyed leaving communities hurting. With help from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, and United Volunteers in Mission, UMVIM, the Mississippi Conference is stepping up in a huge way to reflect God’s love for victims of the storm. [Read More]

Creating Safe Harbor, Lighthouse Congregations Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist Disaffiliation votes are happening here in Mississippi, but not all members of disaffiliating local congregations desire to leave The United Methodist Church.

These persons committed to staying United Methodist are reaching out to find safe harbor to discern what’s next in their faith journey. In an effort to create safe places for those committing to remain United Methodist, the Mississippi Conference is designating Lighthouse Congregations to help facilitate that process. According to the Mississippi Conference Office of Faith Community Formation, Lighthouse Congregations are United Methodist churches that are equipped specifically to welcome anyone whose church has closed or disaffiliated, or are simply looking for a place to belong. Read more about Lighthouse Congregations here.

Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant May is Mental Health Awareness Month and churches have many caring staffers and resources available to address the needs of people in their congregations and communities who struggle with their mental health. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church calls on Methodists to be in ministry for individuals and their families challenged by mental illnesses and disorders. Mental health is often an unseen and overlooked aspect of people’s overall health.

Many people visit their doctor annually to address their physical well-being, but neglect to seek treatment for mental stresses and disorders. Click here to read more about resources available to faith communities.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Gulfside Celebrates 100 years page 2 | Native American Ministries Sunday page 2 | Is the United Methodist Church Really...? page 2 | DRT Webinar page 3 | New AC App page 3 | Save the Dates page 4

April 2023

Ministries Have Resources to Address Mental Health

Connection News Communications Tool Kit:

Church Website

Your church’s website is your digital front door ― your chance at making a good impression. Boost your chances with a great website!

Gulfside Assembly Celebrates 100 Years

If you don’t have one or you have room for improvement, the Local Church Services team can build you a fully customized website experience at an affordable price to enhance digital

Gulfside Assembly celebrates 100 years of ministry in the community

ministry and outreach. Packages include:

tournament, anniversary gala, community service project and worship

• One year of web hosting and domain name

April 27-29. The weekend celebration will feature a meet and greet, golf service. The theme for the event is “Gulfside Assembly – A Legacy of Advocacy and Resilience.” Click here or call 228.206.1750 for more details on the event and to register.

• Five custom web pages and branded email addresses. registration.

• WordPress online training and one-on-one coaching.

• Plenty of storage and top-of-the-line ID protection.

Native American Ministries Sunday Native American Ministries Sunday brings awareness to United Methodist congregations of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. Donations collected during this Special Sunday strengthen Native American ministries, fund scholarships and develop new programs that benefit Native Americans. Click here for the Native American ministries pastor and leader kit.

2 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | April 2023

Is The United Methodist Church Really…?

[PART SEVEN] The seventh article in the series offers factual responses to annual conference disaffiliation policies, The United Methodist Church’s settlement with Boy Scouts of America and retired clergy whose charge conference membership is in a church that is disaffiliating.

Find answers to these questions here. To read the complete series click here.

Mississippi Conference News District Realignment Task Force Webinar Addresses Changes questions that have arisen from their The district realignment task force recently announced their

recommendation. To see a video invite

recommendation that the Mississippi

to the webinar from retired elder, Rev.

United Methodist Conference should

Mike Hicks, and conference lay leader,

reduce to seven districts. The task force

Latoya Redd-Thompson click here. For

will host a webinar April 20 at 6:30

more information and to log into the

p.m., to receive comments and address

webinar, click here.

2023 Bible Challenge Check-in At the beginning of the year Bishop Sharma D. Lewis challenged the Mississippi Conference to read the Bible together from Genesis to Revelation. In a recent message, Bishop Lewis applauds those who have kept up with daily readings and encourages those who have fallen behind or who have not started that April is a great time to catch up. Click here to watch Bishop Lewis’ message and click here for all things 2023 Bible Challenge. We would like to hear how your church, small group or Sunday school class has participated in the 2023 Bible Challenge. Email us at news@mississippi-umc.org.

Conference Treasurer’s Notes When it comes to

Download the New Annual Conference App

properly administering

This year there is a new app

church finances there

for all things 2023 Annual

are many moving

Conference. Now available in

pieces. In his latest

the Apple and Android app

notes, conference

stores, the MS UM Conference

treasurer, David

app will have information

Stotts, covers finance

and updates for each day of

and a whole lot more.

the annual conference. All

This month’s notes offer

the information from the

guidance on payroll, benefits,

app will also be on the web.

audits, budget, cyber security, churches departing the conference,

Those who wish to view the

annual conference travel and covenant payments for churches

website accompanying the

disaffiliating. To read the latest treasurer’s notes, click here.

app can click here.

April 2023 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

SAVE THE DATES Upcoming “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis” – April 22 and June 3

can no longer afford the cost of housing or care. To date, because of the generosity of United Methodist Churches, a Methodist Senior Services elder has never had to leave.

The Sunday Fund is not an apportioned item

Clergy and laity in the East and West

and 100% of the donations are used to

Jackson and Brookhaven Districts areas

support these elders. You can also donate

are invited to fellowship with Mississippi’s

here.

attend “Chat and Chew with Bishop Lewis” at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, and on Saturday, June 3 the event will be held at Crystal Springs United Methodist Church in Crystal Springs.

Clergy and laity who plan to attend must RSVP with the district office. All clergy are required to attend one of the “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis.” Click here to view the full “Chat and Chew with Bishop Lewis”

Clash of the Clergy – April 29

conference session for worship, fellowship and to conduct the business of the conference.

work, adopt future goals, programs and

For more information and to donate to the

budgets, ordain clergy members as deacons

event, click here.

and elders and elect delegates to jurisdictional

Peace With Justice Sunday – June 4 The United Methodist Church has a historic commitment to peace and justice and

support programs and ministries that equip and mobilize actions in support of economic, health and gender justice priorities. Click here for more information on Peace with Justice Sunday and resources to use in your congregation.

April Appointments/Status Changes New Pastor George Warner (SY) George Warner (SY)

Start Date 2/5/23 2/5/23

Jeff Trehern (PL)

3/21/23

Larry Hilliard (FE) – DS oversight

3/21/23

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES As a courtesy to the Mississippi Annual Conference, job announcements from across the United Methodist connection are featured in The Circuit Rider. To submit an employment notice, send an email to news@mississippi-umc.org. Postings are not guaranteed to appear more than once in Mississippi Conference publications. To read a description of job opening(s) listed below as well as other listing, click here.

• Worship Arts Director, Spanish Fort United Methodist Church (Spanish Fort, AL)

4 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | April 2023

Disciples.” Each year, an equal number of

conference hear reports of past and ongoing

is June 4, and donations from that Sunday will

Church/District • Buckatunna (MER) • Clara (MER) • Americus Parish: Crossroads (SEA) • Americus Parish: Refuge (SEA)

year’s session is “Moving Forward in Making

raise money for summer camp scholarships.

Methodist Senior Service Sunday Fund – May 14

communities. These are elderly people who

375 E. Main St. in Tupelo. The theme for this

During these sessions, members of the

The Special Sunday, Peace with Justice Sunday,

live in one of the 12 Methodist Senior Services

Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo located at

gather at Camp Wesley Pines in Hazlehurst to

encourages peaceful solutions to all conflicts.

to meet the financial burdens of elders who

Conference takes place June 27-30 at the

On April 29, clergy from around the state will

schedule.

Sunday Fund is a benevolence fund created

The 2023 Session of the Mississippi Annual

clergy members and laity attend the annual

new episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. On Saturday, April 22 you can

Annual Conference – June 27-30

conferences and General Conference (every four years). The bishop presides over these meetings. Click here for annual conference hotel information.

Publication Note: There will be no Circuit Rider in May. The next publication of The Circuit Rider will be the print edition of the award-winning Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal that will be available during the 2023 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference in June.

CARES AND CONCERNS As you pause to pray this week, take time to ask for strength, peace and comfort for the families and friends of those listed below who have joined the Church Triumphant: • Please remember the family of Rev. David Henry in your prayers. Rev. Henry passed away March 18.

• We are saddened to report Rev. Houston Hartfield passed away March 15.

• It is with great sadness that we report Janet Jones, wife of Rev. Dean Jones, passed away February 17.