2025 CR Nov/Dec indd Final

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

Thanksgiving Greetings from the Logans Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to pause and

reflect on God’s faithfulness to you and your loved ones, in every season and on every day. Lamentations 3:22-23 puts it like this: "the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Click here to watch Thanksgiving greetings to the Mississippi Conference from Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan and Rev. Dr. Lewis Logan II.

Miss. Conference Generosity Continues at Africa University Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant

In 2024, the Mississippi Conference continued its commitment to the financial support of the Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of Bishop Kenneth L. Carder at Africa University. The conference’s investment in education has helped ease the financial burden for students and allowed them to study freely as they prepare to become the next generation of leaders, ministers and bishops serving communities throughout the continent. Read More

Bishop Launches Conference Vision Task Force

Vision task force members have group discussion.

Photo courtesy Jasmine Haynes

Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist

Over 20 people convened Saturday, November 8 at the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi for the initial gathering of the Mississippi Annual Conference Vision Task Force. Selected by Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis Logan, the participants represented a mix of clergy and laity, men and women, staff and volunteers, cultures, ethnicities, generations and ministries as diverse as the state. According to Lewis Logan, the group has many gifts and graces, and they were selected through a process of prayer and discernment, which included some recommendations as well. Read More

IN THIS ISSUE:

Constitutional Amendments Ratified page 2 | Give Online to Camping Ministries page 2 | Purchase UWF Shirts page 3 | Final 2025 Pop-up Preaching Event page 3 | Advent Resources page 4

Nov./Dec. 2025

Africa University graduates.

Photo courtesy of facebook.com

Connection News Donate Online to Mississippi Conference Camping Ministries Photo courtesy the Methodist Foundation

You can now donate online to the four Mississippi Conference camping ministries. Click here

Youth participate in worship at Camp Lake Stephens. Photo courtesy of facebook.com/camplakestephens.

to visit the donation hub. On the donation hub, you can find information about the camping and the ministries and meeting spaces they provide. You can also donate to the camping of

Year-End Giving:

A Season of Gratitude, Generosity and Eternal Impact

your choice.

Methodist Children’s Homes’ Annual Heart and Homes Luncheon

As we approach the end of the year, the

Join representatives from the Methodist

Methodist Foundation wants to remind you

Children’s Homes of Mississippi, MCH, for

that they are here to help with your year-end

their Annual Heart and Homes Luncheon. The

giving. Your gifts can leave a lasting legacy

event takes place Tuesday, November 18 at

that can benefit others for generations to

the Country Club of Jackson beginning at 11:30

come. Click here to learn how the Methodist

a.m. During the luncheon you will hear from staff, MCH children and Miss Mississippi

Foundation can support you in your year-end

- Anna Leah Jolly, as they discuss what foster care means to them. Click here for

giving.

more information on the luncheon or to purchase a ticket or sponsor a table.

Proceeds from the event will help restore Matthew House on the MCH campus.

Council of Bishops Announce Ratification of Amendments The Council of Bishops have announced that the four constitutional

amendments approved during the 2024 General Conference have received ratification and certification. The four amendments garnered more than the two-thirds majority vote and became effective immediately. Click here to read the full announcement from the Council of Bishops, to find more information on ratification and helpful resources.

Photo right: Annual conference delegate holds constitutional amendment ballot.

Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC.

2 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | November/December 2025

Mississippi Conference News Attend Final 2025 Pop-up Preaching Event The final Pop-up Preaching event of 2025 takes place online Monday, December 8. Rev. Maxine Bolden, pastor at White Oak United Methodist Church in Crystal Springs, will lead a time of learning focused on preparing sermons for the new year. Clergy who attend will receive .1 CEU. Click here for more information and the Zoom link.

Photo right: Rev. Maxine Bolden prays during annual conference.

Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC.

Churches Use Bishop’s Book for Advent Study Churches and book clubs here in the Mississippi Conference are using Bishop Sharma D. Lewis Logan’s newest book, Advent in Four Words: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love as this year’s Advent resource. Lewis Logan co-authored the book with three of her bishop colleagues in the hope that congregations throughout The United Methodist Church would join in worship and study this Advent season. Communications specialist Jasmine

CFO Updates

Haynes reports. Read More

Purchase Your UWF Polo Shirts

In her latest update, Mississippi Conference CFO, Dr. Felicia Gavin,

Mississippi Conference United

has news on the Brick River clergy

Women in Faith, UWF, can

compensation sheet, open enrollment,

now purchase polo shirts to

the new Compass Retirement Plan from

represent their identity and

Wespath and the upcoming change

unity at events like annual

in how mission share reports are

conference and Assembly.

distributed. Click here to read Gavin’s

Shirts can be purchased by

latest updates.

clicking here and filling out the polo shirt order form.

Photo above: Conference treasurer, Dr.

Shirts range in price from $45-

Felicia Gavin. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC.

$50 and can be purchased by cash, check or money order. The deadline to purchase shirts is February 28, 2026.

November/December 2025 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

Advent Resources

This Advent season, Resource UMC has gathered the best resources from across the United Methodist connection to help churches prepare, share and welcome joy. Click here to see Advent worship resources and graphics that you can use in your church.

SAVE THE DATES

Christmas Office Closure – Dec. 18-Jan. 2, 2026

AALA/ISI Leadership Event – Jan. 23-24

Thanksgiving Office Closure Nov. 27-28

The conference and episcopal offices will be

Register today for the African American

closed December 18-January 2, 2026, as

Leadership Academy/Iron Sharpens Iron,

The conference and episcopal offices will be

we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Offices

AALA/ISI, leadership module. The event takes

will reopen Monday, January 5 at regular

place Friday and Saturday, January 23

business hours. "For unto us a child is born, to

and 24, 2026 at Anderson United Methodist

us a son is given, and the government will be on

Church in Jackson. The leadership module

his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful

will feature two impactful days of leadership

Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince

growth, renewal and connection that will

His love endures forever." - Psalms 136:1.

of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6.

inspire, empower, strengthen and prepare

Giving Sunday: Methodist Children’s Homes – Dec. 14

Human Relations Day – Jan. 18, 2026 Sunday, January 18, 2026, is Human

Methodist Children’s Homes brings hope and

Relations Day. The special Sunday recognized

restoration to children and youth who have

across the United Methodist connection

been neglected or abused. The Mississippi

focuses on building relationships and

Conference-wide Giving Sunday Offering

supporting community and youth outreach.

Publication Note: The next

supports the Methodist Children’s Homes

The Human Relations Day offering supports

publication of The Circuit Rider will be

ministry and daily operation. Congregations

programs like community developers, United

released January 2026.

can also support Methodist Children’s Homes

Methodist Voluntary Services and youth

through the Little Light of Mine special

offender rehabilitation. Click here for more

offering. Click here for more information and

information on Human Relations Day and

to donate.

click here for the Human Relations Day pastor

closed Thursday and Friday, November 2728, as we take time to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. Offices will reopen Monday, December 1 at regular business hours. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

leaders for effective ministry and community

and leader kit.

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.

• Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, GCFA (Nashville, TN) • UWF Institutional Giving Officer (Remote) • UWF Major Gifts Officer (Remote) • Associate Pastor of Youth & Outreach Ministries Parkway Hills UMC (Madison, MS) • Part-Time Facility Manager, Wells UMC (Jackson, MS)

4 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | November/December 2024

impact. Click here for more information and to register.

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: • Sara Munday, widow of the late Rev. Gerald Munday, passed away October 23.

• Rev. Allen Winstead went to be with the Lord on September 22.