2025 CR Sept Final

Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

TheCircuitRider Monthly Newsletter

Christ Cartel Provides Healing Community for Latina Women Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant

The Christ Cartel, or Cartel de Christo, is a new Latina women’s ministry in North Mississippi. The ministry was formed after a three-day Latina

women’s retreat hosted by La Misìon, the Hispanic ministry at New Albany United Methodist Church. The gathering was held at Seashore Assembly, a Mississippi United Methodist camping ministry in Biloxi. During the retreat, Latina women, many who have come from traumatic backgrounds, were

Women pray together during La Misìon’s Latina women’s retreat. Photo Courtesy of Rev. Marta Bolen

able to connect with a healing community. Read More

Celebrate Children’s Sabbath

The National Observance of Children’s Sabbath is designated for the third weekend in October. During Children’s Sabbath, churches don’t just recognize the children in their congregations, but they also pray for and discuss ways to ensure the safety, freedom, wellness and wholeness of all children. Click here for more information on Children’s Sabbath and click here for Children’s Sabbath worship resources.

Mississippi Conference clergy gathered at 2025 Ordination Service.

Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. During the month of October clergy are celebrated and recognized for the work they do as shepherds of God’s flock. Oftentimes, members are aware of the time and dedication clergy pour into their ministries but are unaware of the toll ministry takes on a pastor’s mental and physical wellbeing and family life. As we approach Clergy Appreciation Month, Mississippi Conference pastors offer ideas to congregations on the best ways to show gratitude to clergy. Read More

IN THIS ISSUE:

Hispanic Heritage Month page 2 | McAlilly Named Bishop in Residence page 2 | CFO Update page 3 | Mission Grants page 3 | Pop-up Preaching Event page 3 | AALA/ISI Generosity Event page 3

September 2025

Children worship alongside Bishop Lewis Logan during annual conference Mission Service.

Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell, LLC

Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell, LLC

Pastors Share Ideas on Honoring Clergy

Photo courtesy Greg Campbell Photography, LLC

Connection News Associate conference lay leader, Kayra Johnson, addresses the annual conference session.

Local Church Reference Guide for New UMC Vision The United Methodist Church has adopted a new vision for a new era of the church. In this new vision, Methodists are encouraged to love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously.

To help churches present the new vision to their congregations, Resource UMC is offering a local

Celebrating Hispanic/Latino Heritage in the Miss.

Conference

Hispanic Heritage month is observed September

15- October 15. In The United Methodist Church, we

church reference guide PDF with tips and ideas. Click here to see the local church reference guide.

Bishop McAlilly Named Millsaps’ Bishop in Residence

use this time to recognize the contributions Hispanic/ Latino communities have made to our congregations, state and nation. Click here to read tips on outreach to Hispanic/Latino communities from associate conference lay leader Kayra Johnson, a proud immigrant from Panama.

Bishop Bill McAlilly (retired) speaks during the Katrina Remembrance Service. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Haynes

Bishop William (Bill) McAlilly, who retired in 2024, is returning

Safeguarding Your Funds at the Methodist Foundation

to his alma mater Millsaps College as the bishop in residence. In this role, McAlilly will work closely with the Millsaps Center for Ministry, focusing on clergy coaching, mentoring and leading workshops and retreats that support local churches across

The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi employs many

Mississippi and beyond. His presence will strengthen the college’s

safeguards to protect the funds entrusted to them. Click here

connection to faith communities and offer vital resources to

to read in detail the many layers of security the Methodist

clergy navigating today’s challenges in ministry. Click here to read

Foundation uses to protect your funds from Methodist

the full announcement from Millsaps College.

Foundation communications specialist, Jennifer Allen.

2 The Circuit Rider Monthly Newsletter | September 2025

Mississippi Conference News AALA/ISI: Generosity Event The next African American Leadership Academy/ Iron Sharpens

Iron, AALA/ISI, event takes place Saturday, October 25 at Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson. This powerful in-person gathering event will prepare pastors, leaders and laity to embrace faithful financial stewardship and cultivate a lifestyle of generosity rooted in God’s grace. The registration fee for the event is $15, which includes lunch and materials. Click here to register for the generosity event and click here for more information on AALA/ISI.

Spiritual Leadership Hosts Pop-up Preaching Event Join Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly for a virtual Pop-up Preaching event Monday, October 6. The time of learning will focus on preparing sermons for All Saints Sunday and Advent. Click here for more information and the Zoom link, and stay tuned for the final Pop-up Preaching event of the year on December 8.

Apply Now for Connectional Ministries Mission Grants Apply now for the 2025 Connectional Ministries Mission Grants. These matching grants are available to United Methodist churches. Grants typically range from $250 to $2,500 per project. Extraordinary applications for up to $5,000 will be considered. The

Inset photo: Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly addresses the United Women in Faith during their annual conference luncheon. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC

purpose of the grants is to help form spiritual leaders, develop new places for new people, renew existing congregations and/or engage

CFO Updates In her latest updates, Mississippi Conference

in ministry with the poor. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, October 31. Click here to apply. Only applications submitted online will be considered.

CFO, Dr. Felicia Gavin, shares the conference’s appreciation for the churches that have paid, or are on track to pay, 100% of their mission shares.

Gavin also shares a message to pastors on submitting their clergy compensation forms. Click here to read the latest updates from the CFO. Dr. Felicia Gavin, CFO. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC

September 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

United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg. The

MS 39215-1603. Make sure to include World

Faith Community Formation Returns to State Fair – Oct. 2-14

event will feature worship experiences, fun,

Communion Sunday on the memo line.

fellowship and the installation of the 2026

For the third year in a row, volunteers from the office of faith community formation will

officers and leadership team. Click here to

Clergy Spouse Retreat – Oct. 17-18

view an agenda for the annual meeting.

The Mississippi Conference Clergy Spouses

during the Mississippi State Fair October

Support Future Leaders on World Communion Sunday – Oct. 5

2-14. Fairgoers who stop by the booth can

In The United Methodist Church the first

receive prayer, happies and information on

Sunday in October is recognized as World

the Mississippi Conference’s missions and

Communion Sunday. On this Special

ministries. For more information on the faith

Sunday, churches celebrate unity in Jesus

community formation booth contact Rev. Dr.

Christ and collect the World Communion

Jason Zebert at jzebert@mississippi-umc.org.

Sunday offering to raise funds to provide

be on hand inside the Mississippi Trade Mart

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

scholarships for ethnic and minority students

are hosting a fall retreat October 17-18. The retreat is $50 to attend and will feature a time of gathering with devotion and fellowship and conclude with a tour of the Two Mississippi Museums. Guests will make their own reservations at the Home 2 Suites in Flowood, just ask for the UMC clergy spouse rate when booking. For more information on the Clergy Spouse Retreat email Becky Young at becky. young68@gmail.com.

in the United States and world-wide. Click here to view the World Communion Sunday

The Mississippi Conference United Women

pastor and leader kit. Send your local church’s

in Faith will hold their annual meeting Friday

World Communion Sunday offering to the

and Saturday, October 3-4 at St. Paul

conference office at: P.O. Box 1603 | Jackson,

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 • 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 | September 2025

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. Dalton Brown joined the Church Triumphant August 19.

• Martha Wiygul, widow of Rev. Glyn Wiygul, passed away August 18.

• Lillian Boren, widow of Rev. Aubrey Boren, went to be with the Lord August 3.