2025 CR Oct Final

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

Photo courtesy of facebook.com

Fall Outreach Connects Churches and Communities Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant Rev. Chadwick Bowen prays during the blessing of the pets.

Churches across the Mississippi

Conference are taking advantage of cooler fall weather to reach out to their communities. Fall outreach events like outdoor worship, carnivals and trunk or treat open doors for members of the community to learn

about churches, get to know members and pastors and provide a safe place for youth to have fun. Churches of any size can take advantage of these opportunities to meet new members of their communities and showcase the love of Christ. Read More

Preparing for All Saints Day and Advent witnesses who have joined the Church Triumphant and Advent.

Inset photo: Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly speaks during the United Women in Faith luncheon. Photo Courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC

Photo courtesy of Matthew Johnson

Sharing Faith at the State Fair Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant

Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan prays with two fairgoers.

IN THIS ISSUE:

For the third year in a row, representatives from the office of faith community formation, FCF, offered prayer and reminders of God’s goodness with fairgoers during the Mississippi State Fair. The outreach opportunity, inside the Mississippi Trade Mart, allowed people to share their faith stories, struggles and triumphs with volunteers who were ready and willing to share the love of Christ with them. Read More

Donate Online to Benevolences page 2 | Ways to Support Clergy Well-Being page 2 | Generosity Event All-Star Lineup page 3 | Mission Grants page 3 | UWF Annual Meeting page 3 | 2025 Laity Sunday page 3

October 2025

During the latest Pop-up Preaching event, Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly, senior pastor at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, led a time of learning on preparing sermons for All Saints Day and Advent. Click here to watch playback of Miskelly’s message for ways to honor the cloud of

Connection News Capital River District Hosts World Communion Sunday Service Photo courtesy of facebook.com/wellschurch

5, churches from across the Capital River District gathered in the Bowl on the campus of United Methodist-related Millsaps College in Jackson, for a World Communion Sunday worship service.

Usually observed on the first Sunday in October,

Rev. Trey Harper and Rev. Sue Hyland offer Communion.

World Communion Sunday celebrates the unity of Christians worldwide at the Lord’s table and focuses on our connection as one body in Christ. Click here to watch playback of the worship service led by Capital River District Superintendent Rev. Trey Harper.

Adobe Stock

On Sunday, October

Donate Online to Miss. Conference Benevolences You can now donate online to financially support the missions and ministries of the Mississippi Conference’s benevolences. Click here to visit the online donation hub and find information on each benevolence. You can also learn how your support will help them continue being the hands and feet of Christ in their communities.

Wespath Offers Ways to Support Clergy Well-being

The Enduring Impact of Methodist Giving

For Clergy Appreciation Month, congregations

The Methodist Foundation of

honor their shepherds and all that they

Mississippi was forged out of the

sy rte cou Photo

of we spa th.or g

contribute in ministering

belief that “Planning for Tomorrow’s

to God’s people.

Church” is a vital part of the mission

Wespath

of faithful Methodist people. Among

Investments

the most impactful of these efforts

is offering 50

are endowments and scholarships

tips to help

that have opened doors for

congregations

Methodist students. Many of whom

support their pastor’s physical, emotional, spiritual, social

and financial health and well-being. Click here to read the tips.

2 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | October 2025

Memorial Service altar during the 2024 annual conference session. Photo Courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC

might never have been able to afford an education otherwise. Click here to read how endowments and scholarships established through the foundation can benefit future generations of Methodists to come.

Mississippi Conference News Generosity Event to Feature All-star Presenters The African

American Leadership Academy/Iron

Rev. Melvin Amerson teaches a workshop. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Haynes

Sharpens initiative continues Saturday,

Members of the Mississippi Conference UWF hug in greeting during their annual meeting. Photo Courtesy of Jasmine Haynes

Methodist Church

UWF Host Annual Meeting

in Jackson. The

At the beginning of October, the Mississippi

October 25 at Anderson United

event will feature an all-star lineup of experts who will equip pastors, leaders and laity to embrace faithful financial stewardship and cultivate a lifestyle of generosity rooted in God’s grace. The cost to attend is $15 and .2 CEUs will be available for clergy who attend. The deadline to register is Friday, October 17. Click here for more information and click here to register online. There will be no onsite registration.

Conference United Women in Faith, UWF, gathered to host their 37th annual meeting at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg. The meeting was a time of worship, business and mission. Click here to read the full report on the UWF Annual Meeting by UWF communications officer, Lori Polk.

Celebrate 2025 Laity Sunday Connectional Ministries Mission Grants Deadline Approaching Usually observed on the third Sunday in October, Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all lay Christians. This year’s Laity Sunday theme is “Be Strong in the Spirit” taken from Ephesians 3:16. Click here for more information on Laity Sunday and links to worship resources and graphics you can use in your announcements, websites and social media.

The deadline to submit applications for the 2025 Connectional Ministries Mission Grants is Friday, October 31. Mission grants are used to help form spiritual leaders, develop new places for new people, renew existing congregations and/or engage in ministry with the poor. Only applications submitted online will be considered. Click here to apply.

October 2025 | The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter 3

Bishop Lewis Logan’s New Advent Study Benefits UMCOR

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.

SAVE THE DATES 2026 AC Session – June 3-5 The 2026 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference is set for Wednesday through Friday, June 3-5 on the campus of Millsaps College located at 1701 N. State St. in Jackson.

Click here to read the full announcement.

Benedictine Prayer Retreat – Nov. 10-15 Clergy are invited to a time away to focus on the discipline of prayer during the Benedictine Prayer Retreat November 10-15.

The retreat takes place at the St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama. The registration fee is $350 and 3.0 CEUs are available. Click here to register today, there are only a few

Thanksgiving Office Closure – Nov. 27-28

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

The conference and episcopal offices will be

Methodist Children’s Homes brings hope and

closed Thursday and Friday, November 27-

restoration to children and youth who have

28, as we celebrate Thanksgiving with family

been neglected or abused. The Giving Sunday

and friends. Offices will reopen Monday,

Offering supports the Methodist Children’s

December 1 at regular business hours.

Homes ministry and daily operation.

Final 2025 Pop-up Preaching Event – Dec. 8 The final Pop-up Preaching event of 2025 takes place on Zoom on December 8

Congregations can also support Methodist Children’s Homes through the Little Light of Mine special offering. Click here for more information and to donate.

will lead attendees in a time of learning

Christmas Office Closing – Dec. 18-Jan. 2

focused on preparing sermons for the new

The conference and episcopal offices will

beginning at 6:00 p.m. Rev. Maxine Bolden

year. Click here for more information and the Zoom link.

slots left.

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) • Director of Worship Responsibilities, SEJ of The UMC • Part-Time Facility Manager, Wells UMC (Jackson, MS) • Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Parkway Heights UMC (Hattiesburg, MS) • Lead Pastor, Central Appalachian Missionary Conference (Big Creek, KY)

4 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | October 2025

be closed December 18-January 2 as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Offices will reopen Monday, January 5 at regular business hours.

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: • Imogene Hoffmann widow of Rev. Robert Huffman passed away October 2.