The Circuit Rider April 2024

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

Key Pieces of General Conference Legislation Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church meets April 23 through May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Conference delegates from around the world will discuss legislation that will impact The United Methodist Church for the next quadrennium.

This article will feature a look at four important areas of legislation: • Regionalization - Click here to learn more.

• Human Sexuality - Click here to learn more.

• U.S. Clergy Benefits - Click here to learn more.

• Revised Social Principles - Click here to learn more.

Photo of the 2016 General Conference plenary floor.

Additionally, you can read about other legislative priorities here.

Help Prepare for General Conference

Rolling Fork UMC Celebrates Recovery on Anniversary of Tornadoes Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

On Palm Sunday, congregants of Rolling Fork United Methodist Church, photo right, celebrated the recovery of the church and the community one-year after tornadoes left a trail of major destruction in the area. The Mississippi Delta congregation and Mississippi Conference Disaster Response took an active role in restoring the community after the tragedy. Now celebration is in order as signs of restoration spread across the community.

On year ago, the congregation at Rolling Fork United Methodist Church had service on the steps of the church because of damage to the church structure. Read More

IN THIS ISSUE:

General Conference FAQs page 2 | Marketing Coaching Opportunities page 2 | 2024 Annual Conference page 3 | Conference Prayer for GC page 3 | Bishop to give GC Sermon page 3 | Save the Dates page 4

April 2024

General Conference begins Tuesday at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina. General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, which meets once every four years. Although most of you won’t be attending in person, there are some ways you can help prepare for this global gathering of holy conferencing. Watch this video from Bishop Sharma D. Lewis to learn more about General Conference. Additionally, click here to find trustworthy information through Mississippi Conference Communications.

Connection News General Conference FAQs

Delegate speaks on the floor of 2019 Called General Conference.

Photo courtesy of resourceumc.org

Every four years General Conference brings together United Methodist clergy and lay delegates from around the world.

These delegates’ votes will determine the denomination’s future for the next quadrennium. Many may have questions about how this process works. United Methodist News is providing answers to your most frequently asked questions about General Conference. Click here to find answers to the most frequently asked questions about General Conference.

UWF SEJ Quadrennial Meeting

Carolinas Black Leadership Retreat to be held May 20-24 The Carolinas Black Leadership Retreat will be May 20-24 at the Kingston Plantation Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The theme, “What’s Next,” comes from Jeremiah 29:11.

The cost to attend in-person is $150 and $75 to attend virtually.

For more information and to register, click here.

Southeast Jurisdiction circles of United Women in Faith will gather at the

2024 Marketing Coaching Community

Chattanooga Convention Center in

Join a cohort of other church leaders and

Chattanooga, Tennessee April 19

marketing professionals to learn best

through 21 for their quadrennial

practices and ways to improve your church

meeting. The meeting will explore what

marketing to reach new people. The 2024

it means to answer the call to “love one

Marketing Coaching Community will meet

another.” The keynote speaker for the

virtually May 3, 10 and 17. There is a $50

event will be Rev. Janet Wolf. For more

registration fee that will cover all sessions.

information, click here.

Click here for more information and to register.

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Mississippi Conference News 2024 Session of Annual Conference The 2024 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference will be held June 20 through 22 on the campus of Millsaps College. This year’s theme is “Reigniting Our Identity,”

and the theme scripture is taken from 2 Corinthians 5:17. Access the annual conference app on your smart device, or by clicking here for all annual conference resources and information. There also is still time and space for exhibitors to purchase booths. For more information on booths, click here.

Miss. Conference-wide General Conference Prayer Service All Mississippi United Methodists are invited to gather in prayer for the upcoming General Conference and the Mississippi Conference leadership and delegation. The prayer service takes place Saturday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Durr-Wise Retreat Center at Camp Wesley Pines. The service will also be streamed on YouTube for those who can’t attend in person. Click here for more information on the prayer service.

Bishop Lewis to Give Sermon at General Conference Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, will be delivering the sermon during General Conference morning worship on Friday, April 26.

The worship service begins at 7:00 a.m. central time. You can tune in and watch General Conference sessions and worship services via livestream on the Mississippi Conference website and Facebook page.

Methodist Senior Services Sunday Fund The Methodist Senior Services Special Sunday offering is May 12. Observed annually on Mother’s Day, the Senior Services Sunday Fund meets the financial needs of elderly people who have outlived their resources and can no longer afford the cost of housing or care. The Sunday fund is not an apportioned item and 100% of donations are used to support elders.

For more information on donating to Methodist Senior Services, click here, and click here for the Sunday Fund video.

April 2024 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

Purchase an Ad in the Souvenir Journal

There is still time to showcase your business, ministry and appreciation in the

Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal. The Souvenir Journal is the go-to guide for the 2024 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference reaching around 75,000 Mississippi United Methodists. Click here for more information and to purchase an ad.

SAVE THE DATES

Memorial Day Office Closure – May 27

Upcoming Freedom Trail Revival Dates – May 4 & June 15

The conference and episcopal offices will be

St. Paul United Methodist Church, in

honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

Hattiesburg, will host the next Freedom Trail Revival worship service Saturday, May 4.

Rev. Johniel Henry, pastor at St. Paul United

closed Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, as we for our freedom. Offices will reopen Tuesday, May 28 at normal business hours.

special guest speaker. The final Freedom Trail Revival worship service will be June 15

Connectional Ministries is now receiving

at Gulfside Assembly. Worship will feature a sermon from Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis. Click here for more information about the Freedom Trail Revival.

deed brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. The deadline for nominations is May 30. Click here for more information and here for the nomination form.

New Thing Sunday – June 30 Sunday, June 30 is New Thing Sunday. All

Harry Denman Evangelism Award Deadline – May 30

Methodist Church in Hattiesburg will be the

evangelism expressed in word, sign and

nominations for the Harry Denman Evangelism awards. The award program honors United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry of

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 listings, click here.

• Construction Coordinator MS United Methodist Disaster Response • Administrative and Financial Assistant Starkville First UMC (Starkville, MS) • Director of Youth Ministry Starkville First UMC (Starkville, MS) • Media Director Starkville First UMC (Starkville, MS) • Director of Children’s Ministry Canterbury UMC (Birmingham, AL) • Director of Congregational Development Northern Illinois Conference (Chicago, IL) • Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Chief Academic Officer Gammon Theological Seminary (Atlanta, GA)

Mississippi Conference clergy whether they are transitioning to new appointments or preparing for a new year in their current appointment, are encouraged to take a Sabbath on this Sunday while congregations and laity find new and innovative ways to conduct service.

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: • Bishop Timothy Whitaker passed away March 28.

• Rev. Ethel Parker went to be with the Lord March 24.

• Mrs. Ruth Greer wife of Rev. Tommy Greer died March 24.

• Secretary/Office Administrator FUMC (Columbia, MS)

• Joan Holliday, widow of Rev. Harold Holliday Sr. took her earthly rest March 22.

• Associate Director of Outreach & Worship Southern Miss Wesley Foundation (Hattiesburg, MS)

• Rev. Lewis Hunter joined the Church Triumphant on February 29.

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