THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 Your Connection to the Starkville District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER 7 Jesus replied, It isn t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:7-8 It is a Glory Sighting to announce that 64.0 percent of the 103 churches of the Starkville District are on target of paying at least 66.6 percent of the District Mission shares through August 21, And, if that was not enough encouragement, I can share that 60.2 percent of the churches have paid 100 percent of the District Mission shares through the same day! Thank you for faithful work and ministry that allows us to continue to bear witness throughout the District, Mississippi, to our neighbors both near and around the world of the POWER of We! Dr. Embra Jackson Starkville District Superintendent DISTRICT MISSION SHARES We are so excited to announce that the following churches have made significant contributions to the work of the Starkville District through their Mission Fair Shares offerings through September 29, % PAID Crawford Artesia Baldwin Bellefontaine Bethel Bevil Hill Big Creek Brooksville Buffalo Caledonia Camp Ground Center Ridge Columbus: New Hope Columbus: St. James Columbus: St. Stephens Drake Hill Dumas Chapel Eupora: Lebanon Eupora: Liberty Flint Hill Flower Ridge Louisville: Hopewell Louisville: Whitehall Kosciusko: Wesley Liberty Hill Maben Macedonia Macon: New Hope Mathiston McAdams Middleton Mt. Hermon Mt. Lebanon Mt. Moriah (Macon) Mt. Moriah (Mathiston) Mt. Salem (Weir Circuit) New Zion NewBellZion Noxapater Palestine Piney Grove Piney Grove (Louisville) Plair Pleasant Grove Pleasant Hill (Louisville) Providence Rocky Hill Rural Hill Salem (Weir-Salem) Shaeffers Chapel Shuqualak Shuqualak: Asbury St. Michael Starkville: Aldersgate Starkville: First Starkville: Griffin Sturgis Sturgis: Boyd Chapel Vernon Weir West Point: St. Paul Wrights Chapel ON TARGET 66.6%+ First Unity (Weir) Lindsey Chapel Military Pleasant Hill (Starkville) Columbus: First Eupora: First Bishop preaches at New Room Conference By Hugh Griffith Bishop James Swanson was a one of the main preachers at the New Room Conference, Sept , in Franklin, Tenn. More than 50 Mississippians, including several from the Starkville Disctict, attended the continuing education event and enjoyed three days of preaching, teaching, and worship. The New Room name is inspired by the first-ever building that the Wesleys built to accommodate their Friday I October 7, 2016 Bishop James Swanson preaching at the New Room Conference in Franklin, Tenn. (Photo by Jim Genesee) BISHOP Continued on page 4... Advent/Christmas webinar set for Oct. 9 Dr. Embra Jackson, Starkville District Superintendent This Sunday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m., the Lay Academy for Rural Church Ministries will present tools which will help you and your church plan worship services that will inspire and help your congregation grow through the Season of Advent and Christmas. During the webinar, we will begin with an overview of the 2016 Revised Common Lectionary for Advent and Christmas. Then there will be four presentations which will provide you and your congregation with tools to develop meaningful Advent/Christmas worship services. The presentations will be: 1. Decorating for Advent & Christmas: the power of color; 2. Liturgy and Advent Candles: the power ADVENT Continued on page 5... A special message from the Superintendent... Disciple Making for Christ By Dr. Rev. Embra Jackson As most of us are aware, the mission of the United Methodist Church is "To make DISCIPLES of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." However, many of us seem to have forgotten to implement this mission in our local church. During this year's charge conference season, we are strongly emphasizing this mission and asking each church in the Starkville District to share how their church is making disciples of Jesus Christ. This request is not a new one, it is in fact, a continuation, of a question posed in the 2015 Charge Conference Reports. I know that each church in the Starkville District will respond to this question and share how they "help lead others to Christ" in concrete ways. I look forward to reading these responses and collaborating with you to assist you in reaching persons for Christ.

2 2 CHURCH OF THE WEEK CALENDAR Mathiston UMC ABOUT THE PASTOR NAME: Bunyan E. Jeep Pepper CHURCH: Mathiston United Methodist CHURCH ADDRESS/TOWN: P.O. Box 194, Mathiston, MS PASTOR'S BIRTHDAY: November 9 PASTOR'S HOMETOWN: Bellefontaine FAMILY NAMES & CHILDREN'S AGES: Spouse: Dorothy Children: Rev. Doug Pepper, 58 Rev. Jeff Pepper, 50 Jennifer Pepper Ramsey, 41 Grandchildren: Rev. Wesley Pepper, 32 Jackson Pepper Ramsey, 7 Rev. Bunyan E. Jeep Pepper WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE CHURCH YOUR ARE SERVING? Although small in number, I love their dedication and enthusiasm in serving the Lord and the community. ABOUT THE CHURCH: NAME OF THE CHURCH: Mathiston UMC ADDRESS/TOWN OF THE CHURCH: P.O. Box 194, Mathiston, MS HOW MANY YEARS HAS THIS CHURCH BEEN WORSHIPING GOD TOGETHER IN THIS LOCATION? 80 HOW MANY IN REGULAR ATTENDANCE? WHAT MINISTRIES IS THIS CHURCH KNOWN FOR? This church has a very active United Methodist Women s group and they support many local and national missions. OCTOBER 7-8 Conference Annual UMW Meeting at Anderson UMC in Jackson OCT. 8 NOV. 12 DEC. 3 The financial leadership training provides counsel and guidance to strengthen the administrative and financial abilities of the local church treasurer, financial secretary, finance committee members and church business administrators. OCTOBER At Orange Tour you'll discover how to design a strategic experience each Sunday, reach families who don't show up this Sunday, craft a message that lasts far beyond Sunday, help small group leaders stay connected to kids after Sunday, and much more. For more information, check out The Orange Tour at or OCTOBER 22 Starkville District Annual UMW Meeting will be held at Columbus First UMC at 9 a.m. Calling all youth to a Youth Fall Fling on October 22 at St Stephen UMC at 800 Tuscaloosa Rd (across from Dollar General) in Columbus, from 4-8 p.m., with music by AWOL. An offering will be taken for the band. Food, drinks, and hay ride will be part of the fun! Youth of all ages are invited to come and enjoy good entertainment and music. NOVEMBER 5 Starkville District UMW Officers Training/Update TBA NOVEMBER The annual Youth Spiritual Life Retreat is set for Nov at Camp Lake Stephens. It is a chance for youth in grades 7-12 to come and encounter God in a beautiful camp setting. While in the midst of God's creation, youth will have the opportunity to attend worship sessions led by gifted speakers and musicians, participate in small groups, and play and fellowship with one another. Leading worship sessions for the weekend will be Trey Skaggs, along with Eddie Willis and the Narrow Path Band. For more information, contact Chap Fenwick at chap@camplakestephens.com. NOVEMBER 15 Starkville District UMW Officers Training/Update TBA P. O. B o x , S t a r k v i l l e, M i s s i s s i p p i ( ) ( ) ( f a x )

3 3 UM WOMEN Mission Grants Application Deadline: Oct. 31 Has your church ever wanted to start a new mission project for your community and didn't have the money at the time, so it had to be put on the back burner? Now is your opportunity to dream again. Apply now for the 2016 Connectional Ministries Mission Grants. These grants are established to strengthen missions in the local churches of our annual conference as the church reaches out to their communities in efforts to fulfill the purpose of the Mississippi Annual Conference. Grants range from $500 to $2,500 per proj- Clergy Spouses... GRANTS Continued on page 5... Rosia Jackson with some of the clergy spouses at a special clergy spouse retreat held last weekend. (Photo submitted) The Starkville District goal for the Africa University endowment is to raise $130,000 over a three-year period. We have received pledges of $36,820, with $25, collected to date. Pledges from the Starkville District will go to create a scholarship in honor of Rev. Byrd and Sarah Hillman. Churches are encouraged to pledge a minimum of $1,200. Make your pledge TODAY! Contact the District Office for more information at (662) CONNECTIONS RESIDENT BISHOP: Dr. James E. Swanson, Sr. bishop@mississippi-umc.org DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT: Rev. Embra Jackson ejackson@mississippi-umc.org ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Tammy Carroll Starkville@mississippi-umc.org COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Gwen Sisson gwenwoodssisson@yahoo.com DISTRICT HEALTH COORDINATOR: Carolyn Jackson andrewandcarolyn@bellsouth.net LAY ACADEMY DEAN: Rev. Sarah Windham eswindham@bellsouth.net Find us on Find the FACEBOOK group at StarkvilleDistrictUMC/

4 CHARGE CONFERENCE DATES APPOINTMENT COUNTY PASTOR DATE TIME CC ELDER Ackerman: Mt. Hermon Choctaw Ronald Jefferson 10/24/16 6 PM Jake Adams-Wilson Artesia Lowndes Gene Merkl 10/20/16 6 PM Tony Proctor Brooksville Circuit Noxubee Aubrey Mitchell 11/7/16 6 PM Embra Jackson Columbus Circuit Lowndes Antra Geeter 10/17/16 6 PM Paul Luckett Columbus First Lowndes Raigan Miskelly 11/18/16 6 PM Raigan Miskelly Columbus: Covenant Lowndes Gene Bramlett 10/23/16 In Worship Embra Jackson Columbus: New Hope-Wesley Lowndes Sarah Windham 10/24/16 6 PM Embra Jackson Columbus: St. James Lowndes Paul Luckett 10/16/16 In Worship Embra Jackson Columbus: St. Stephen Lowndes James Black, Jr. 10/25/16 6 PM Curtis Bray Ethel/Tabernacle Attala Gene Bright 10/27/16 6 PM Embra Jackson Eupora: Bellefontaine Webster Roger Miller TBA 5 PM Kevin Yearber Eupora: First Webster Ron McDougald, III11/20/16 After Worship Embra Jackson Eupora: Lebanon Webster Roger Miller TBA 6:30 PM Kevin Yearber Eupora: Liberty Webster Rochelle Minor 10/18/16 6 PM Embra Jackson Kosciusko Circuit Attala Ronald Thomas TBA 6 PM George Buell Kosciusko: First Attala Scott Wright 11/6/16 In Worship Scott Wright Kosciusko: Wesley Attala Clinton Gipson 11/1/16 6 PM Scott Wright Louisville: First Winston Mike Childs 11/1/16 6 PM Mike Childs Louisville: Maple Springs-Piney Grove Winston David Malone 10/24/16 6 PM Mike Childs Louisville: West Winston Mike Dowd 10/17/16 6 PM Mike Childs Louisville: Whitehall Winston Jonathan Stokes 10/24/16 6 PM Giles Lindley Macedonia Noxubee Ray Luke 10/10/16 5 PM Tony Proctor Macon: Cooksville Noxubee Glenn Miller 10/10/16 6 PM Kyle Ivy Macon: First Noxubee Andy Pearson 11/6/16 After Worship Andy Pearson Macon: St. Paul Noxubee Demetric Darden 10/10/16 6 PM Hugh Griffith Mathiston-Mt. Moriah Webster Jeep Pepper 10/24/16 6 PM Scott Wright Nanih Waiya Winston Becky Smith 10/24/16 6 PM Stacy Parvin NewBellZion Oktibebeha Eddie Hinton 10/18/16 6 PM Jake Adams-Wilson Noxapater-Mt. Pisgah Winston Jeff Walton TBA 6 PM Hugh Griffith Noxubee Circuit Noxubee Rickey Lawson TBA 6 PM Embra Jackson Providence: Palestine Clay Cary Sutphin TBA 6 PM Jeff Shannon Shaeffer's Chapel Lowndes Curtis Bray 11/9/16 6 PM Curtis Bray Shuqualak Noxubee Ray Luke 10/13/16 6:30 PM Tony Proctor Shuqualak: Asbury Noxubee Ronald Anthony 10/19/16 7 PM Embra Jackson Starkville First Oktibebeha Giles Lindley 10/19/16 6 PM Giles Lindley Starkville: Aldersgate Oktibebeha Jamie Bailey 10/12/16 6 PM Jamie Bailey Starkville: Griffin Oktibebeha Ozell Landfair 10/17/16 6 PM Embra Jackson *New Light Oktibebeha Ross Crawford 10/17/16 6 PM Embra Jackson Starkville: Lindsey Chapel-Plair Oktibebeha Jimmy Forrest 10/18/16 6 PM Embra Jackson Starkville: New Zion Oktibebeha Tyronne Stallings 10/19/16 6 PM Jamie Bailey Sturgis-Big Creek Oktibebeha Zack Cox 10/10/16 6 PM George Buell Tibee: Jones Chapel Clay Robert Scott 10/27/16 6 PM Darian Duckworth Webster Circuit Webster Nelson Forrest 10/24/16 6 PM Ozell Landfair West Point: Christ Clay Jeff Shannon 10/25/16 6 PM Embra Jackson West Point: First Clay Darian Duckworth 10/20/16 6 PM Embra Jackson West Point: St. Paul Clay Levell Yarbrough 10/17/16 6 PM Raigan Miskelly BISHOP Continued from page 1... emergent movement. New Room has emerged as a place where Christians sharing a common Wesleyan-Arminian theological perspective can find fellowship and a valuable resourcing platform. The goal of New Room is to be a community where individuals can remain true to their own traditions Nazarene, Free Methodist, Wesleyan, United Methodist, Salvation Army, Pentecostal, nondenominational, etc. while at the same time joining with passionate believers who share their hope for revival and renewal. The New Room Conference is an effort to gather pastors and leaders under one roof to convene conversations, curate content, call to prayer, and inspire a new generation of men and women who long to be a part of a great awakening of the historic Wesleyan revival. On Thursday of the New Room Conference, Bishop Swanson gathered with the large contingent of Mississippi United Methodists attending the conference for fellowship and conversation over the noon meal. Earlier that morning, our Bishop was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation before his time of preaching, and following his sermon, the crowd of 1,500 once again showed their appreciation of his leadership with another round of enthusiastic applause. The dates have been announced for the next New Room Conference: Sept , For more information, visit 4 ANNOUNCEMENTS IMAGINE NO MALARIA -- The Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church is focusing on Imagine No Malaria (INM), a mission to raise awareness and money to stop this preventable and treatable disease. Bishop Swanson has set a goal for our conference to provide 100,000 mosquito nets by Annual Conference next June. For more information or resources, go to IMAGINE NO MALARIA CHALLENGE VIDEO -- See the challenge videos on the facebook group page or use the dropbox link for iphone or ipad, you will need to use this link on a Mac or PC to download files: q;fd135qbfu/aad19wjhf4jfay6 ZmkShDWUra/INM?dl+0. We need photos of your church events! The Starkville District would like to feature events from every church in each newsletter. Please send us your events and announcements to gwenwoodssisson@yahoo.com. Thanks so much! NEWSLETTER DEADLINES ARE NOON EACH TUESDAY! Consider sending group photos from your church conference!

5 5 Is WORSHIP a noun or a verb? Laity Sunday is set for October 16 Is worship a noun or is it a verb? Is worship something you go to, or is it something you live? This year s theme for Laity Sunday, Disciples Called to Action: Living Vital Worship, calls us to see worship not as passive spectators, but as active participants. Indeed, worship is something that we live! These scripture references for Laity Sunday unfold worship in several different ways: Worship as Love: Matthew 22:37-39 (The Great Commandment to put love of God and neighbor above all else) Worship as Discipline: Matthew 16:24 (The Great Commitment to embody God s love individually) Worship as Justice: Micah 6:8 (The Great Requirement to live God s love through our actions) Worship as Evangelism: Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission to go and take God s love into the world) When we look at worship from this perspective, we see that worship just breathes life and vitality! As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to be engaged in worship through the love of God and neighbor, through personal spiritual disciplines, through acts of justice, and by going and taking God s love into the world. Worship really is transformational discipleship, and the Wesleyan Movement was a vivid example of worship as a verb living vital. Living, vital worship happens when the church acts as a true church laity and clergy living out the Great Commandment, the Great Commitment, the Great Requirement, and the Great Commission together. Living vital worship is how we make disciples of Jesus Christ. It is how our world will be transformed! Living, vital worship is active. In The United Methodist Church, laity take seriously their call to live worship through ministry as lay leaders, lay servants, lay ministers, missionaries, deaconesses, home missioners, class leaders, liturgists, lay speakers, congregational care ministers, youth directors, Christian educators, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, and in many roles. On Laity Sunday, we celebrate that true worship can only happen when we live it clergy and laity together. For without the vital ministry of the laity, we would not be The United Methodist Church. We ARE disciples called to action, living vital worship! GRANTS Continued from page 3... ect, with one award of up to $10,000. Recipients of the grants and their projects are highlighted in our Circuit Riders the following year. Friendly reminder: These grants are for mission and ministry; they are not for bricks and mortar. These grants are available to any Mississippi United Methodist Church. Mission agencies/organizations must have a partner church in order to apply. Please review the grant guidelines carefully. Only one application per church. Grants are awarded to a project that forms spiritual leaders, develop new places for new people, renew existing congregations, or engage in ministry with the poor; therefore, living out the four Core Values of The POWER of We: love, generosity, justice and apprenticeship. Applications are accepted from September 14 through October 31, 2016 and must be delivered in person or by mail to: the Office of Connectional Ministries / Attn: Mission Grants / C Briarwood Dr. / Jackson, MS To ensure receipt, it is recommended to send certified mail with return receipt, remember to keep a copy of the application for your files. Do not fax or applications. ADVENT Continued from page 1... of words; 3. Hymns and Christmas Carols: the power of singing; 4. Hanging of the Greens: the power of the Hanging of the Greens Service. Who is invited to join? Pastors, musicians, worship leaders, worship committee, and members of your congregation interested in learning more about and planning Advent and Christmas worship. Why a webinar and how will it work? The webinar format cuts cost and time of travel. We feel it is important for your worship team to take more time planning than driving. The webinar is the beginning of your church's planning worship for Advent and Christmas and a help to your sermon preparation. To join the webinar you will need a computer, web access, web cam, and phone (preferably a speaker phone if you have a group). The presentations are interactive. There will be time for questions and answers. Information on how to access the webinar will be sent after you register for the webinar. To register or for more information, contact Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis, cellis@larcm.org or call (785)