THE TUPELO DISTRICT. In This Issue. The Holy Club s 22 Questions. August 2015 OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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1 Newsletter 008 / August 2015 THE TUPELO DISTRICT OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH August 2015 In This Issue 22 Questions MANY Announcements Part-time Employment Opportunities Clergy Corner The Holy Club s 22 Questions While John Wesley was studying at Oxford in 1729, the Holy Club was formed. The members spent time each day in serious self- examination as they pursued holiness. This small group kept each other accountable and challenged each other to seek God. Although the questions may be intense, the group recognized the need for genuine self- examination. You may find some or all of these questions helpful for your prayer time at the beginning or end of the day. These may also be helpful for a small group of accountability partners that weekly or monthly. You can divide these up to ask yourself a few each day throughout the week and really examine how God might help you grow. Focus on a few or all, but at least take a look at them every so often to see how you re doing as you pursue holiness. Check out page 3 of the newsletter for a list of the questions. How is it with your soul?

2 Collaborative Leadership Conference for Laity & Clergy Learn a new model for ministry fruitfulness used in many different churches, districts, and conferences (including the Mississippi Conference) and how your church can engage in this process. A general session will provide an explanation of Spiritual Leadership Incorporated (SLI)'s model of fruitfulness and help you choose among three breakout sessions. "Abiding in Faith, Abounding in Fruit: Loving, Learning, and Leading Together" (John 15:5) WHO: WHEN: Clergy, Laity, and Leadership of a church September 26, 2015: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (On- site registration: 8:00-9:45 am) **The deadline to register is September 18, 2015 WHERE: Christ United Methodist Church (6000 Old Canton Road; Jackson, MS) COST: $15 per layperson // $25 per clergyperson (CEUs) **A boxed lunch will be provided Contact Angela Griffin (agriffin@mississippi- umc.org) United Methodist Volunteers in Mission UMVIM Team Leader Training Saturday, August 22 from 10 am- 3 pm Minor Memorial UMC (6120 Goodman Rd, Walls, MS 38680) Led by Rev. Amanda Gordon Pre- Register by 8/17 by contacting Rev. Amanda Gordon ( or amandammumc@gmail.com) Cost: $25, includes manual and lunch (pay at door) Participants will receive information on preparing an UMVIM team for service, including such topics as effective project selection, spiritual development, and cultural sensitivity for teams, logistics, and finance. This training will help you understand the fundamentals of team leadership and will enrich any future mission experiences. UMVIM Train the Trainer (also counts as Team Leader Training) Saturday, August 29 from 10 am- 4 pm McLaurin Heights UMC (325 Mary Ann Dr, Pearl, MS 39208) Led by Paulette West, Executive Director of UMVIM Southeast Jurisdiction Pre- Register by 8/24 by contacting Rev. David Newton ( or newtondavid93@icloud.com) Rev. Amanda Gordon ( or amandammumc@gmail.com) Cost: $25, includes manual and lunch (pay at door) You will be qualified to lead Team Leader Trainings in your area. You may also attend for Team Leader Training credit even if you don t want to be a trainer in the future. 2

3 Mission & Ministry Event Saturday, August 22, :30 pm, FUMC Tupelo Wesley Hall Everyone is invited, especially leaders in the church! PPRC/SPRC members, Trustees, and those serving children and youth should be encouraged to attend. It s especially for you! Methodism 101 (Rev. Tim Thompson, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop for Faith Community Formation) Have you ever wondered the purpose of all our Holy Conferencing? This session will cover the purpose and activity of the General, Jurisdictional, Annual, and Charge Conferences and explain the structure of the UMC. Safe Sanctuaries (Rev. Kenny McGill, Andrew Chapel UMC in Meridian) Did your church commit to establishing a Safe Sanctuaries policy this year? Having trouble getting started? How will you protect the vulnerable in your church? This session will get you started in developing a plan and figuring out how your church can implement it. Also, sign- ups for future training sessions! Clergy Compensation (Mr. David Stotts, Treasurer & Conference Benefits Officer) Pastor Parish & Staff Parish Relations Committee members and Finance Team members won t want to miss this session. David will discuss salary sheets and W2s. Children/Youth Ministry (Mrs. Izzie Zimmerman, Tupelo District Director of Communications) There seems to be more distractions than ever before. How do you keep students attention while helping them focus on Jesus? Find out a few small ways to reach young people and teach them to hear and know God s voice. The Holy Club s 22 Questions 1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? 2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate? 3. Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence? 4. Can I be trusted? 5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits? 6. Am I self- conscious, self- pitying, or self- justifying? 7. Did the Bible live in me today? 8. Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day? 9. Am I enjoying prayer? 10. When did I last speak to someone about my faith? 11. Do I pray about the money I spend? 12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time? 13. Do I disobey God in anything? 14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy? 15. Am I defeated in any part of my life? 16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful? 17. How do I spend my spare time? 18. Am I proud? 19. Do I thank God I am not as others, especially as the Pharisees who despised the tax collector? 20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, or hold resentment or disregard toward? If so, what am I doing about it? 21. Do I grumble or complain constantly? 22. Is Christ real to me? 3

4 Tupelo District Youth Rally Sunday, October 18 in the evening Be on the look out for details in the coming months! All junior and senior high students in our District are invited. New Albany District Lay Servant Classes Ripley FUMC October 10, :30 am 3:30 pm Cost: $50 (covers lunch, instruction, and materials) **Deadline to register is September 25, 2015 Courses offered Basic Lay Servant Ministries Class: The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Advanced Class: This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion Contact Lou Ann Staggs at the New Albany District Office for any questions or more information: (662) Clergy Spouse Fall Retreat Bloom Where You re Planted with Lori Smith & Lee Ann Williamson (Christian World Missions) October 9-10, 2015 Holiday Inn at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS *Registration deadline: September 25, 2015 The retreat begins Friday at 7 pm and concludes at 2 pm on Saturday. For registration questions, contact Bob Fuller at dr.bobfuller@gmail.com or text him at (662) Visit the Clergy Spouse website for the registration form and details about the retreat: 4

5 ICC Wesley Foundation: Back in Session Students begin moving back to campus in the coming weeks. Please be in prayer for them, faculty, and administrative staff as the new school year begins. ICC Wesley will host their first big kick-off event on August 18 with Burgers & Blues. Vacation Bible School By Kristen Partin, Director of Older Children s Ministries at FUMC Tupelo From June 8-12, FUMC Tupelo hosted 220 children for Vacation Bible School. What makes this unusual is that, for the 2 nd year in a row, 60 of the children were part of the after school/summer care program known as CASA (Church After School Association). What began as a joint venture during the Trunk or Treat Festival on Halloween in 2012 has grown into a ecumenical partnership between three downtown Tupelo churches: FUMC Tupelo, All Saints Episcopal Church, and 1 st Presbyterian Church. These churches gather twice in the fall to host the Festival on the Field and Trunk or Treat, community events designed to bring the churches and the community closer and provide unity with other denominations. The idea of offering VBS to the children in the CASA Summer program grew from this partnership. This year, 1 st Presbyterian and FUMC each hosted 60 students in their VBS programs. To look over the happy faces of the participants, you cannot differentiate between members and visitors. Without the 2 churches opening their hearts and doors to these young people, 120 children would NOT have been able to attend a VBS this year. Because 2 downtown churches stepped out in faith and love, the seeds of faith were planted and nurtured. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:8-10) 5

6 Employment Opportunities Part- time Children s Minister First United Methodist Church in Amory, MS is now hiring a new staff person for the children s ministry. This position will require 20 hours/week with at least one office day and responsibilities on Sunday and Wednesday each week. The Children s Minister will oversee a comprehensive ministry to children which consists of Sunday school, Impact Kids afterschool program, summer day camp, ministry team, and community building activities that increase spiritual and relational development. Qualifications must include: a love for children, ability to communicate a personal, Christian faith to children, ability to build and lead volunteer teams, and coordinate family- oriented events. To apply, contact the church office ( ) for a job description and application. Part- time Youth Minister Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church in Calhoun City is looking for a part- time Youth Minister to begin immediately. If you know of anyone interested, contact our church office ( ) for more information. FREE TO A GOOD HOME 4 brass offering plates & 6 brass stackable communion trays (the kind for small juice cups) are available in the District Office. Contact Ben Orr for details. Thank you to St. Luke UMC for the donation. Like our Facebook Page to stay up to date on District happenings! To find us, search for Tupelo District UMC 6

7 Newsletter 008 / August 2015 Clergy Corner Tupelo District Ministers Meeting Clergy, mark your calendar for a special District Ministers Meeting on Saturday, August 22 at FUMC Tupelo from 2-4:30 pm. The agenda will cover Charge Conference information, clergy compensation sheets, and hearing from pastors concerning ideas on what we can do as a district to grow and uplift our churches. YOUR Stories! YOUR Newsletters! Send any submissions to the District Newsletter to i.zimmerman@hotmail.com (Izzie Zimmerman). Also, feel free to send a digital copy of your church s newsletter (PDF preferred) so that we can share various events or special stories (if you have something you want specifically mentioned, be sure to let Izzie know). If you have a short devotion, we d love to be able to share those too! Thanks so much for your help in keeping our District connected! Please share with us any ways we can do a better job communicating with you! Sermon Prep & Discussion Meetings On Tuesdays at 1 pm in the Tupelo District Office, a small group continues to gather for individual and communal sermon preparation. While it is lectionary- inspired, it is not limited to that scripture for the week. Contact Rev. Smith Lilley or Rev. Chad Bowen who facilitate the casual discussion time for more details. 7