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 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.
Pastors Share Ideas on
Honoring Clergy
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
Children worship alongside Bishop Lewis Logan during annual conference Mission Service.
Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell, LLC
Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell, LLC
Women pray together during La Misìon’s Latina women’s retreat. Photo Courtesy of Rev. Marta Bolen
Mississippi Conference clergy gathered at 2025 Ordination Service.
Associate conference lay leader, Kayra Johnson, addresses the annual conference session.
Celebrating Hispanic/Latino Heritage in the Miss. Conference
Hispanic Heritage month is observed September 15- October 15. In The United Methodist Church, we 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.
Safeguarding Your Funds at the Methodist Foundation
The Methodist Foundation of Mississippi employs many safeguards to protect the funds entrusted to them. Click here to read in detail the many layers of security the Methodist Foundation uses to protect your funds from Methodist Foundation communications specialist, Jennifer Allen.
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 church reference guide PDF with tips and ideas. Click here to see the local church reference guide.
Bishop McAlilly Named Millsaps’ Bishop in Residence
Bishop Bill McAlilly (retired) speaks during the Katrina Remembrance Service.
Bishop William (Bill) McAlilly, who retired in 2024, is returning 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 Mississippi and beyond. His presence will strengthen the college’s connection to faith communities and offer vital resources to clergy navigating today’s challenges in ministry. Click here to read the full announcement from Millsaps College.
Photo courtesy Greg Campbell Photography, LLC
Photo courtesy of Jasmine Haynes
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.
Inset photo: Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly addresses the United Women in Faith during their annual conference luncheon. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC
CFO Updates
In her latest updates, Mississippi Conference 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
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 purpose of the grants is to help form spiritual leaders, develop new places for new people, renew existing congregations and/or engage 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.
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
Faith Community Formation Returns to State Fair – Oct. 2-14
For the third year in a row, volunteers from the office of faith community formation will be on hand inside the Mississippi Trade Mart during the Mississippi State Fair October 2-14. Fairgoers who stop by the booth can receive prayer, happies and information on the Mississippi Conference’s missions and ministries. For more information on the faith community formation booth contact Rev. Dr. Jason Zebert at jzebert@mississippi-umc.org
United Women in Faith Annual Meeting – Oct. 3-4
The Mississippi Conference United Women in Faith will hold their annual meeting Friday and Saturday, October 3-4 at St. Paul
United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg. The event will feature worship experiences, fun, fellowship and the installation of the 2026 officers and leadership team. Click here to view an agenda for the annual meeting.
Support Future Leaders on World Communion Sunday – Oct. 5
In The United Methodist Church the first Sunday in October is recognized as World Communion Sunday. On this Special Sunday, churches celebrate unity in Jesus Christ and collect the World Communion Sunday offering to raise funds to provide scholarships for ethnic and minority students in the United States and world-wide. Click here to view the World Communion Sunday pastor and leader kit. Send your local church’s World Communion Sunday offering to the 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)
MS 39215-1603. Make sure to include World Communion Sunday on the memo line.
Clergy Spouse Retreat – Oct. 17-18
The Mississippi Conference Clergy Spouses 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
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.