The Circuit Rider March 2024

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

Holy Week:

Sharing Christ’s Easter Journey Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

In The United Methodist Church, the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday, or

Holy Week, is the time we dedicate to recognizing and celebrating the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Easter story is the centrality of our faith and Wesleyan tradition. Sharing this story through Holy Week services and activities helps churches and communities understand how much God truly loves us.

Read More

Mississippi Delegation Prepares for General Conference Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

The Mississippi Conference Delegation, photo left, is working diligently reviewing and educating themselves on legislation in preparation for the 2024 General Conference. The quadrennial gathering, being held April 23 through May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina, will determine the direction of The United Methodist Church for the next four years.

Bishop Lewis to Speak at Upcoming Women of Virtue Conference On the heels of Women’s History Month, Anderson United Methodist Church is hosting a Women of Virtue Conference. The two-day event takes place April 5 through 7 at the Jackson Convention Complex and Anderson United Methodist Church. Worship at the conference will feature renowned gospel artists like Maurette Brown Clark, Brian Courtney Wilson and Karen ClarkSheard. There will also be workshops and classes for physical and spiritual health. Bishop Sharma D. Lewis will conclude the conference with a sermon during closing worship. Click here for more information and to register.

IN THIS ISSUE:

General Conference Resources page 2 | Is the UMC... Part 12 page 2 | Chat and Chew 2.0 page 3 | FCF Equips Lighthouse Congregations page 3 | Spiritual Wellness Retreat page 3 | Save the Dates page 4

March 2024

At General Conference, similar to annual conference, United Methodist bishops only preside over proceedings and have no voting power. All decisions will be determined by a vote of elected delegates from United Methodist conferences across the world. Read More

Connection News Helping Your Congregation Understand General Conference United Methodist General Conference takes place April 23 to May 3 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. To help congregations understand

what General Conference is and how it works, ResourceUMC is providing resources to keep congregations informed of the latest developments, legislation and news. Click here to view the resources available through ResourceUMC.

Gautier First UMC’s youth snap an Easter photo.

Scholarship Portal, New Interest Rates at Foundation The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi is increasing the interest rates on shortterm accounts and has created a new scholarship portal for Mississippi United Methodist students to apply for aid. For more information on the rate increase contact Jennifer Allen at 601.948.8845 or by email at jennifer@methodistfm.org. Click here for more information on the scholarship application process.

Ideas for Sharing the Easter Story with Children What is the best way to explain the sadness, hope and triumph of the Easter story to children in our

Is The United Methodist Church Really…?

[PART 12]

congregations? Click here to read advice from United

The final article in the Ask the UMC series takes stock of where

Methodist Children’s ministry leaders on the best way to

the process of disaffiliation is to date and what might be

share the good news of Christ’s Easter journey.

expected in the months to come. Click here to read the article and click here to read the entire Is the UMC Really…? series.

2 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | March 2024

Mississippi Conference News “Chat and Chew 2.0,” Catalyst for Mississippi Conference Vision Casting Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, Episcopal Leader of the Mississippi Conference, recently wrapped up Chat and Chew 2.0—a tour with regional stops to

gather with United Methodists statewide. At last year’s Chat and Chew, Lewis made 11 stops in every district and facilitated 22 sessions, meeting with clergy and laity separately, to present an opportunity for parishioners from across the state to get to know their new bishop in the early days of her Bishop Lewis greets Rev. Bolen at Oxford First UMC Chat and Chew 2.0.

assignment here in the Hospitality State. Bishop Lewis had a different goal with Chat and Chew 2.0. Jasmine Haynes has the story. Read More

FCF Equips Lighthouse Congregations for Ministry Rev. Trey Jones, associate director of faith community formation, travels the state building relationships with Lighthouse Congregations. The goal of these relationships is to put a face with

2024 Spiritual Wellness Retreat

a name and inform congregations of resources that will help them minister more effectively. Jones also seeks to provide a caring, knowledgeable presence that ensures Lighthouse Congregations feel supported by the

Rev. Trey Jones, center, is joined by Court Street UMC pastor Rev. David Sellers, right, and lay leader Angela Miller, left.

conference as they carry God’s light into the community. Matthew Johnson reports. Read More

Youth Experience ‘The Connection’

Students work together in group activity.

Photo courtesy Walter Roberts Jr.

The office of spiritual leadership is excited to invite you to a time away in prayer and personal discipleship on the hallowed grounds of Camp Wesley Pines in Hazlehurst. Mississippi Conference clergy are invited to our 2024 Spiritual Wellness Retreat taking place April

Youth in District Four, formerly known as the East

18-20. The cost is $200 for the three-day

and West Jackson Districts, gathered for “The

event, and participants will be awarded

Connection,” a weekend event designed specifically

2.0 CEUs. An additional 1 CEU and one

for them, which took place February 23-24. The

eight-year assessment credit will be

focus of the weekend was about the importance

given for those who complete a self-

of staying connected with God. It was a spirit-filled

directed prayer focus following our time

weekend, and it gave students grades six through

together. For more information and to

12 an opportunity to serve alongside other United

register, click here.

Methodist youth in missions. Click here to read this update from Walter Roberts Jr. March 2024 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

Place an Ad in The Souvenir Journal

Purchase an ad in the 2024 Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal and showcase your

appreciation, ministry or business. The Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal serves as a 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 and ad.

SAVE THE DATES A Day of Dialogue for Racial Healing – Mar. 23

Freedom Trail Revival Continues – Apr. 6

Prayer Service for General Conference – Apr. 20

End Racism for Good in partnership with The

The Freedom Trail Revival worship series

Mississippi United Methodists are invited to

Episcopal Church in Mississippi is hosting

continues Saturday, April 6 beginning at

Camp Wesley Pines located at 1095 Camp

a day-long, shame-free spiritual formation

2:00 p.m. at Wells Memorial United Methodist

Wesley Pines Rd. in Hazlehurst to gather in

workshop focusing on bringing people of

Church in Jackson. Rev. Eugene Boger, senior

prayer for the upcoming General Conference.

different racial backgrounds together to

pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church

The prayer gathering takes place Saturday,

enhance skills for healthy conversation

in New Orleans will be the guest speaker. For

April 20 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Click here for

and create a space for change to happen

more information and to see more stops on

more information.

successfully. The workshop takes place

the Freedom Trail Revival, click here.

Saturday, March 23 at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church located at 5400 Old Canton Rd. in Jackson beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information and to register, click here.

Native American Ministries Sunday – Apr. 14

Carolinas Black Leadership Retreat – May. 20-24 The Carolinas Black Clergy Leadership Retreat

April 14 is Native American Ministries

will be May 20 through 24 at the Kingston

Sunday. Offerings received on this Special

Plantation Resort in Myrtle Beach South

Sunday support ministries and churches in

Carolina. The cost to attend in-person is $150

Native American communities and develop

and $75 virtually. For more information and

The conference and episcopal offices will be

new programs on behalf of Native Americans.

to register, click here.

closed Friday, March 29 through Monday,

Click here for the Native American Ministries

April 1 as we celebrate the risen Savior

Sunday pastor and leader kit for resources to

with family and friends. Offices will reopen

use in your church.

Easter Office Closure – Mar. 29-Apr. 1

Tuesday, April 2 at normal business hours.

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.

• Director of the Ole Miss Wesley Foundation (Oxford, MS) • Associate Specialist for Communications and Marketing General Commission on Religion and Race

4 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | March 2024

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: • Patricia McCormick, wife of Rev. James McCormick passed away March 2.

• Rev. Don Leo went to be with the Lord, February 14.

• Anne Alexander, wife of Rev. Robert Alexander died February 20.