2025 Circuit Rider August Final

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

20 Years After Hurricane Katrina...

Photo courtesy of NOAA.gov

Gulf Pines District Hosts Remembrance Service

Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan along with retired bishops Bill McAlilly and Hope Morgan Ward will lead Gulf Pines’ Hurricane Katrina

Remembrance Service at First United Methodist Church of Gulfport Sunday, August 31. A reunion reception in the fellowship hall will follow the service. Click here for more information on the event.

Wells UMC, Stop for Poor People’s Campaign

Leadership Academy Focuses on Discipleship

AALA/ISI attendees work together at table with Play-Doh. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Haynes

Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist

Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist

Co-founder of the Poor People’s Campaign, Bishop William J. Barber II came to Jackson, Mississippi to deliver a powerful charge for biblical justice and mercy recently, and one of his stops was at Wells Memorial United Methodist Church. Barber was in town to facilitate one of his ‘Moral Mondays’ events, which are protests by impacted people, people of faith and moral leaders who hold elected leaders and government accountable to enact a moral agenda that responds to the urgent needs of the poor, according to breachrepairers.org. Read More

Clergy and laity from local congregations and extension ministries from around the state converged in Jackson for the African American Leadership Academy/Iron Sharpens Iron (AALA/ISI) discipleship initiative Saturday, August 23 at Anderson United Methodist Church. Attendees gleaned several strategies and practical next steps from the event’s facilitator, sought-after coach and consultant, Rev. Olu Brown. Read more to find out what Play-Doh has to do with discipleship.

IN THIS ISSUE:

2025 Laity Sunday page 2 | UMC’s New Vision Statement page 2 | Blessing of the Backpacks page 3 | Bishop’s New Advent Study page 3 | Upcoming District Laity Rallies page 3 | GCFA Quadrennial Training page 4

August 2025

Rev. Susannah GrubbsCarr (right), introduces Bishop William J. Barber II (left) to the congregation.

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Haynes

Connection News Photo courtesy Greg Campbell Photography LLC

Mississippi Conference Lay Leader, Vera Thomas

The United Methodist Church Unveils New Vision Statement The Council of Bishops along with the Connectional Table have set a new vision for The United Methodist Church. The new vision encourages

2025 Laity Sunday Theme: Be Strong in the Spirit

Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all lay Christians. In 2025, Laity Sunday will be observed on October 19. Click here to read a

United Methodists to live boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide. Click here for resources to learn more about the new vision and how to present it to congregations and click here for a video explaining the new vision.

message from conference lay leader Vera Thomas detailing the new Sunday annual themes and 2025 Laity Sunday graphics to use in your announcements, websites and social media.

Building Things of Eternal Value

United Methodist Men Elect New General Secretary Rev. Dr. Rick Vance was

Through managing

elected the new general

investments and

secretary for the United

awarding scholarships,

Methodist Men prior to their

the Methodist

Men’s and Scouting National

Foundation of

Gathering in July. Vance

Mississippi builds

replaces Mississippi’s former

things that change

episcopal leader Bishop James

lives and communities

E. Swanson Sr. who will move

creating an eternal

into an advisory role. Vance has served with United

value. Click here

Methodist Men since 2016. Click here to read the full

to learn from

announcement.

communications specialist for the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi, Jennifer Allen, how your relationship with the foundation creates an impact that will last forever. Image courtesy of Methodist Foundation of Mississippi 2 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | August 2025

Inset photo: United Methodist Men’s president, Rev. Dr. Rick Vance.

Photo courtesy of ummen.org/

Laity Sunday quadrennium theme—Together by Grace, upcoming Laity

Mississippi Conference News Bishop Lewis Logan’s New Advent Study Benefits UMCOR

The Mississippi Conference’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis Logan—along with three of her bishop colleagues—are the authors of Advent in Four Words: An Advent Study by

Four United Methodist Bishops. Proceeds from the book go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The book is now available at cokesbury.com, amazon.com and the Market Square Books’ website. Members of the Mississippi Conference are invited to use the discount code adventconference to receive a 20 percent discount on any books purchased individually or for groups. To take advantage of these discounts, simply order your books at marketsquarebooks.com.

Griffin Chapel Participates in National Night Out Griffin Chapel United Methodist Church,

Members of Griffin Chapel passed out happies during National Night out.

in Starkville, participated in the 2025 National Night Out. During National Night Out, community organizations partner with police departments and

Members of St. Matthew’s UMC extend their hands in prayer during Blessing of the Backpacks. Photo courtesy of WJTV.com

and safety demonstrations. The events help build trust between residents and law enforcement. Click here to see Photo courtesy of Griffin Chapel UMC Facebook

photos from the event.

Upcoming Laity Rallies

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, in

Be on the lookout for a laity rally near you.

Madison, covered students, teachers and

Laity rallies are being hosted in each district

administrators in prayer as they started

throughout the conference to bring laity

the 2025 school year. The church held its

together. These rallies are free and open to

annual blessing of the backpacks during

all laity. The presentations are being tailored

Sunday morning worship and reminded

by the individual districts to the needs and

students that God goes with them

desires of the district. Click here to learn more

wherever they are. Click here to watch the

about the Northern Hills District laity rally

full story from WJTV 12.

taking place September 14 at 3:00 p.m. at Oxford First United Methodist Church.

Photo courtesy of Kayra Johnson

St. Matthew’s Blesses Backpacks for 2025 School Year

host fun events like block parties, picnics

Laity listen to a presentation on prayer during the Capitol River District laity rally.

August 2025 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

SAVE THE DATES

on the Mississippi Conference’s missions

retreat is $50 to attend and will feature a time

Labor Day Office Closure – Sept. 1

and ministries with fairgoers. For more

of gathering with devotion and fellowship and

information on the faith community

conclude with a tour of the Two Mississippi

formation booth contact Rev. Dr. Jason Zebert

Museums. Guests will make their own

closed Monday, September 1 in recognition

at jzebert@mississippi-umc.org.

reservations at the Home 2 Suites in Flowood,

of the Labor Day holiday. Offices will reopen

United Women in Faith Annual Meeting – Oct. 3-4

The conference and episcopal offices will be

on Tuesday, September 2 at regular business hours.

GCFA Quadrennial Training – Sept. 16-18 You are encouraged to attend the General Council on Finance and Administration’s jurisdictional virtual Quadrennial Training, that will be held online from September 16-18. This free training event is designed to empower and connect leaders within the United Methodist connection. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to pick which

The Mississippi Conference United Women

The event will feature worship experiences, fun, fellowship and the installation of the 2026 officers and leadership team. You can download the registration form at the link above. The deadline to register for the fall meeting is September 12. For more information on the UWF annual meeting

Pop-up Preaching Event – Oct. 6

register. For more information visit gcfa.org/

The next virtual Pop-up Preaching event will be held on Monday, October 6 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly will

quad-training.

lead a time of learning focused on preparing

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

All are welcome to attend even if you have

For the third year in a row, representatives from the office of faith community formation will set up a booth in the Mississippi Trade Mart during the Mississippi State Fair October 2-14. Volunteers will be on hand to share prayer and information

young68@gmail.com.

United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg.

their roles in a convenient online format via

personnel matters and more. Click here to

Spouse Retreat email Becky Young at becky.

and Saturday, October 3-4 at St. Paul

contact Lori Polk at polklori@yahoo.com.

range from communications to trustee and

booking. For more information on the Clergy

in Faith will hold their annual meeting Friday

sessions may be most helpful to them in Zoom. Subject matters during the training will

just ask for the UMC clergy spouse rate when

sermons for All Saints Sunday and Advent. not attended a previous Pop-up Preaching event. Click here for more information and the Zoom link.

Clergy Spouse Retreat – Oct. 17-18 The Mississippi Conference Clergy Spouses are hosting a fall retreat October 17-18. The

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. Kent Brown went to be with the Lord August 27.

• Rev. Arthur Johnson transitioned to his heavenly home July 10.

• Rev. David Willoughby answered heaven’s call May 29.

• Rev. David Brooks passed away May 21.

• Lillian Boren, widow of Rev. Aubrey Boren, died August 3.

• Rev. Eddie Spencer joined the Church Triumphant July 29.

• James Word, husband of Rev. Antoinetta Word, went to be with the Lord July 12.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Rev. Henry Thornton went to his heavenly home July 1.

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.

• Rev. John Boyd Jr. passed away June 24.

• Senior Accountant, Conference Office (Jackson, MS) • Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Parkway Heights UMC (Hattiesburg, MS) • Lead Pastor, Central Appalachian Missionary Conference (Big Creek, KY) • Assoc. Director Children’s Ministry, Brentwood UMC (Brentwood, TN)

4 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | August 2025

• Rev. Glenn Seefeld finished his earthly service June 20.

• Rev. Ever Jean Burt passed away June 9.

• Amber Burton, widow of Rev. Charles Burton, went to be with the Lord May 1.