The Circuit Rider Sept. 2024

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

New Task Force Focuses on Children, Youth Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

The Mississippi Conference has formed a new task

force to address the spiritual development of children and youth. The cohort is composed of children and youth leaders from churches big and small across the state. The group meets monthly via Zoom to develop plans for future conference-wide events, support and equip children and youth ministry leaders and ensure the safety of the young people in their care. Read more

Mississippi Conference youth worship together during The Gathering 2023.

Photo courtesy Jasmine Haynes

Mississippi Conference Welcomes New Lay Leader Matthew Johnson, Connectional Ministries and Communications Assistant

At the beginning of September, former District 6 lay leader, Vera Thomas began her quadrennium as the new conference lay leader. Thomas, a certified lay servant and certified lay speaker brings a wealth of experience in leading and teaching lay leaders. Having served in lay leadership roles on both the local church and district levels, Thomas now looks to grow the involvement of laity into more aspects of the local church, district and conference.

Read more

Clergy and Laity, come to Prayer Tour Stop Near You Beginning Saturday, September 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church in McComb, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis and Rev. Dr. Terry Tekyl will launch a prayer tour stopping in several areas across Mississippi. The duo will teach on prayer from Tekyl’s book, “Chronicles of Prayer: Praying in Jesus Name for 21 Centuries.” Clergy and laity are invited to this tour which is an initiative of the Pray Mississippi Movement.

The movement seeks to foster the spiritual discipline of prayer throughout the state. For tour details and more information on the Pray Mississippi Movement, visit www.mississippi-umc.org/praymississippi.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Pr September 2024

District lay leader, Vera Thomas, speaks during Hattiesburg and Seashore Chat and Chew. Photo courtesy Jasmine Haynes

MISS

Pray

MISSISSIPPI

UWF Annual Meeting page 2 | Laity Sunday Resources page 2 | Foundation increases savings rate page 2 | Mission Grants now available page 3 | Clergywomen’s retreat page 3 | Treasurer announces retirement page 3

Connection News United Women in Faith Host Annual Meeting T he Mississippi Conference United Women

in Faith will host their 36th annual meeting October 4-5 at Central United Methodist

Church in Meridian. The theme of this year’s event is “Get Together-Love One Another.” The gathering will also feature workshops, mission projects and a sermon from assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Tim Thompson. Click here for more information and to register. Click here to

Bishop Lewis leads the installation of new leaders during UWF’s 2023 Annual Meeting. Photo courtesy Lori Polk

read the latest issue of The Beacon.

Celebrate Laity Sunday Sunday, October 20 is Laity Sunday, a day to celebrate the ministry of all Christians in your congregation. This year’s theme is “Rise Up and Retain” taken from II Timothy 1:14. Click here for resources you can use during service and a history of Laity Sunday. Click here for 2024 Laity Sunday images, bulletin inserts and the laity address for the next quadrennium from General Conference.

Methodist Foundation Raises Short-Term Savings Rate

Comm Tip:

Communications Learning Center

The investment committee at the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi has voted to raise the shortterm funds rate to 5.35%. Click here to learn more about the rate increase and how it allows the foundation to help churches and nonprofits do more with the funds entrusted to them.

United Methodist Communications Training offers online training, both live and on your schedule, to help you be an effective church communicator. Whether you’re a pastor, a church staff member or a lay volunteer, United Methodist Communications can walk with you in communicating with your congregation and your community.

Click here to view the categories of courses United Methodist Communications offers.

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Mississippi Conference News Apply Now for Connectional Ministries Mission Grants

Connectional ministries mission grants are now available

for Mississippi Conference churches. These matching grants range from $250 to $5,000 and provide financial assistance to church initiatives that form spiritual leaders, develop new places for new people, renew existing congregations and engage in ministry with the poor. Grants applications will be accepted until October 31. Click here to apply for mission grants.

Bishop’s Clergy Day Away Bishop Lewis addresses clergy and laity during Chat and Chew 2.0 at Oxford First UMC in February 2024.

Following the Prayer Tour, Mississippi Conference clergy are

David Stotts speaks during the 2024 AC Session.

invited to a time of worship and

Photo courtesy Jasmine Haynes

prayer with Bishop Sharma D. Lewis at the Bishop’s Clergy Day Away. The retreat takes place Saturday, September 28 at First United Methodist Church of Gulfport beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Click here for more information.

Conference Treasurer’s Notes

Attend the 2024 Clergywomen’s Retreat

After 23 years of service, conference

Mississippi Conference female clergy

will be retiring from the Mississippi

are invited to the Clergywomen’s Retreat

Conference effective December 31.

October 14-16 at Crossgates United

Click here to read his retirement

Methodist Church in Brandon. The retreat

announcement. Also click here to read

will be led by Bishop Sharma D. Lewis and

the latest notes from the conference

Rev. Dr. Joy Moore and will be a time of

treasurer reminding churches about

fellowship, worship and fun you will not

open enrollment and clergy budget

want to miss. The cost to attend is $75 and

compensation forms. Photo courtesy of

those who attend will receive 1.5 CEUs. Click

Greg Campbell Photography, Inc.

treasurer, David Stotts announces he

here for more information and to register.

September 2024 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

Celebrate Clergy Appreciation Month

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

In October, we dedicate time to honor clergy who give so much of

themselves to lead and guide our congregations. Originally known as Pastor Appreciation Month the name has been broadened to recognize all clergy who serve our congregations. Click here for ideas on honoring the leaders of your congregations from Rev. Trey Harper. Send us your ideas and plans for honoring your clergy. Email us at news@mississippi-

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. – 1 Timothy 5:17

umc.org.

SAVE THE DATES

training for leadership. Last year’s offering

session will be held virtually, via Zoom, and

raised $443,000 for future leaders of The

delegates will vote on reducing the number

Faith Community Formation Outreach at State Fair – Oct. 2-14

United Methodist Church. Click here for

of districts in the Mississippi Conference.

World Communion Sunday resources.

Follow conference communications for more

The office of faith community formation will

Festival of Preaching – Oct. 21-22

have a booth inside the Mississippi Trade Mart during the 2024 Mississippi State Fair October 2-14. Volunteers at the booth will be offering information on the Mississippi Conference and its missions and ministries, prayer and conference swag for fairgoers.

While you’re enjoying the fair stop by and say hello. For more information contact Rev. Dr. Jason Zebert at jzebert@mississippi-umc.org.

World Communion Sunday – Oct. 6 Sunday, October 6 is World Communion Sunday. Offerings collected on this Special Sunday provide racial and ethnic students with scholarships, grants, mentoring and

information on the called session.

virtually, via Zoom, October 21 and 22. Rev.

Benedictine Prayer Retreat – Nov. 13-16

Dr. Joy Moore will be the keynote speaker.

Mississippi Conference clergy are invited to

The cost to attend is $50 and 0.5 CEUs are

a special time away to focus on prayer at the

available for parcipitants. Zoom links will be

Benedictine Prayer Retreat. The retreat takes

emailed only to those who have registered

place November 13-16 at the St. Bernard

and paid. For more information and to

Abbey in Cullman, Alabama. The theme of

register, click here.

the event is “I Thirst for You” and participants

The annual Festival of Preaching takes place

will be reading the book “Praying with the

2024 Called Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference – Oct. 29 Save the date for a called annual conference

Desert Mothers” by Mary Forman. The cost to register is $350 and those who attend will receive 3 CEUs. For more information and to register, click here.

session on Tuesday, October 29. The

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.

• Part-time Choir Director, Central UMC (Meridian, MS) • Director of Youth Ministries, St. Mark UMC (Brandon, MS) • Lead Editor - Adult Resources (Nashville, TN) • Sunday Morning Broadcast Audio/Visual Technician, Galloway UMC (Jackson, MS)

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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: • Rev. Kelly Pope passed away August 29.

• Virginia Coggins wife of Rev. Charles Coggins died July 13.