The Circuit Rider
What United Methodists Believe about Easter
In The United Methodist Church Easter is a 40-day journey. Starting with Ash Wednesday followed by the Lenten season and concluding with Holy Week and the Easter celebration of the Risen Christ. Click here to view resources from The United Methodist Church explaining the church’s Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week and Easter celebrations and offering helpful tips that you can use in your congregation for each observation along the Easter journey.
SOLD OUT
Civil Rights Tour—SOLD OUT
Less than three weeks after the announcement of the 2026 Civil Rights Tour, the trip has reached maximum capacity and registration is now closed. Based on Micah 6:8 and themed “Do justice,” this transformative tour will explore some of the most significant sites associated with the American Civil Rights Movement. For those who have already registered, the deadline for the tour’s final payment is Thursday, April 16. Click here for more information.
Clergywomen Take Time Away for Lenten Rest
Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant
During the holy season of Lent, Mississippi Conference clergywomen took time to step away and find renewal and fellowship at Lenten Day Apart. The retreat for Mississippi Conference clergywomen took place at Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church in Meridian and featured worship, art activities and a visit to Meridian’s Mississippi Children’s Museum. Rev. Emily Sanford, pastor at Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church, helped plan the retreat. Here she explains the purpose of the retreat and what she wanted attendees to receive while there. Read More
Clergywomen listen during worship service. Photo courtesy of Matthew Johnson
Bishop Featured Speaker in Historic Good Friday Service
For the first time, the seven active African American female bishops of The United Methodist Church will join for a Good Friday worship experience. The event named “Seven Last Words,” takes place at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Hanover, Maryland Friday, April 3 beginning at 6:00 p.m. CST. Watch Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan’s video invitation to view this Good Friday worship experience. Click here for information on the worship service.
Support Seashore Mission’s Community Outreach
Mississippi Conference benevolence, Seashore Mission in Biloxi is seeking donations of essential supplies to help them meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Items requested include water, 55-gallon trash bags, carry out plates and bleach. Donations can be dropped off at Seashore Mission. Click here for more information on donating to Seashore Mission or call 228.331.1477.
Photo right: Seashore Mission hosts community cookout for those experiencing homelessness. Photo courtesy of facebook.com
Access Resources for Miracle Sunday
African students participate in class. Photo courtesy of www.endowftecc.org.
Miracle Sunday will be recognized Sunday, May 17 across the United Methodist connection. The offering received on this special Sunday helps fulfill the Great Commission. Churches can click here to access Miracle Sunday educational resources and contact information for Miracle Sunday conference and district coordinators.
Apply Now for Methodist Foundation Scholarships
The deadline to apply for Methodist Foundation of Mississippi scholarships is April 1. The Methodist Foundation has scholarships available for United Methodist and Wesleyan heritage students for undergraduate, graduate and seminary study. Eligible applicants may be awarded up to four scholarships as they work toward their educational and/or ministry goals. Click here to learn more about Methodist Foundation of Mississippi scholarships.
Inset Photo: Aaliyah Nixon, 2025 Methodist Foundation Scholarship recipient.
Photo courtesy of St. Mark UMC Hanover
Register Now for AALA/ISI Preaching and Teaching
Register today for the African American Leadership Academy/Iron Sharpens Iron (AALA/ISI) preaching and teaching module. The event takes place Saturday, April 18 at Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson. At this event, both clergy and laity can expect to leave with confidence in how to effectively share the Good News. Additionally, attendees will walk away with a new depth of knowledge in using artificial intelligence with integrity and authenticity. Click here for more information and to register.
Students Find Community During Statewide Wesley Retreat
Thanks to Mississippi Conference congregation’s prayers, financial support and encouragement, more than 130 college students from across the state worshipped and prayed with their peers while exploring God’s call on their lives. Click here to read a commentary from Rev. Eric Davis, director of Southern Miss Wesley Foundation, expressing his thanks to the congregations of the Mississippi Conference and sharing details of this faith retreat.
The office of finance and administration is hosting a clergy retirement seminar and workshop Tuesday, May 19 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson. The seminar is for those preparing for retirement in 2026 and those thinking of retiring in 2027. There will be information on pension, insurance, financial planning and discussions with retirement experts. Click here for more information on the retirement seminar.
Purchase an Ad in the Award-
Winning Souvenir Journal
Showcase your appreciation, college, business or church in the award-winning Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal. The Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal will serve as a go-to guide for the 2026 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference and will highlight the mission and ministry happening throughout the Mississippi United Methodist Conference. Click here for more information and to purchase an ad.
Mission Share Statements
The office of finance and administration is also utilizing technology by shifting from mailing mission share statements to emailing them to senior pastors and financial officers at local churches.
Students participate at the 2026 Statewide Wesley retreat. Photo courtesy of Rev. Eric Davis
Retirees at the annual conference session in 2025. Greg Campbell Photography, Inc.
Join Ashes to Alleluia Daily Devotional Gatherings
Log on with Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan and Dr. Lewis Logan on Zoom Monday through Friday for a 40-day journey of renewal and transformation as they walk through their Lenten devotional, “Ashes to Alleluia.” This online devotional gathering will take place from 6:00 to 6:30 a.m. CST through the sacred season of Lent, which concludes on Good Friday, April 3 Click here for Zoom information and more details.
SAVE THE DATES
Easter Office Closing – Apr. 3 and 6
The conference and episcopal offices will be closed Good Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6 as we take time to celebrate the Risen Savior. Offices will reopen Tuesday, April 7 at regular business hours.
Attend Hour of Power Prayer Session – Apr. 7
The second Hour of Power prayer session takes place on Zoom Tuesday, April 7. The focus of this session will be Kids’ Prayer Ministry and will be led by Rev. Haven Boyd. All laity and clergy are welcome to attend.
Clergy who attend will receive 0.1 CEU. Click here for more information and Zoom link.
Winter Storm Clean-up Day –
April 11
The devasting aftermath of Winter Storm Fern lingers on in various areas of the state and left behind a path of grief and hardship. In an effort to move disaster recovery forward, the Northern Hills District is holding a clean-up workday at Mississippi Conference benevolence, Camp Lake Stephens Saturday, April 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those who desire to aid in disaster recovery are encouraged to join the clean- up efforts. Continue to pray resilience and restoration for all communities that are still in recovery from
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
• Team Lead, Marketing, UMCom (Nashville, TN)
• Part-Time Financial Secretary, Aldersgate UMC (Jackson, MS)
• Part-Time Office Manager/Business Administrator First UMC (Gautier, MS)
• Youth Minister, St. Mark’s UMC (Brandon, MS
• Ministry Assistant, Mississippi State Wesley Foundation (Starkville, MS)
• Adult Choir Director, Central UMC (Meridian, MS)
• Dean of Chapel and Campus Ministry, Dillard University (New Orleans, LA)
• Director of Financial and Administrative Ministries, Missouri Conference (Columbia, MO)
the catastrophic fallout from the storm. For more information, click here
Methodist Senior Services
Sunday –May 10
The special Sunday dedicated to supporting Methodist Senior Services, a benevolence of the Mississippi Conference, is Sunday, May 10. Offerings received support the Senior Services Sunday Fund. The Sunday Fund meets the needs of seniors who have outlived their resources and can no longer afford the cost of housing or care. Click here to learn more about donating to Methodist Senior Services.
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:
• Patricia Newton, wife of Rev. Don Newton, passed away March 14.
• Carolyn Hardin, wife of Rev. William Hardin, finished her earthly service March 12.
• Rev. Thomas “T.W.” Lewis died March 10.
• Rev. James Morris went to be with the Lord on February 21.
• Rev. Jim Glass joined the Church Triumphant on February 21.