02/25/2016 News You Can Use November, 2014 Dear East and West Jackson Clergy and Laity, During this season of Lent, we are reminded about the amazing love of God. This season gives each of us a wonderful opportunity to grow in our relationship with God. We can ask God to strengthen us to make it through another day and week. We can survey God s power and glory, magnifying God with our voices and lifting up our hands. We can confidently say that there is no one greater than God. As we move throughout this season, let us reflect upon our priorities. In considering our priorities, let us find rest in God in the midst of restlessness. Let us intentionally desire to fulfill our God-given purpose through holy living. As each of us strives for purposeful living, let us not get encumbered with overwhelming responsibilities and bogged down with the compelling choices of this world. Let us choose to pray fervently in a time of need and meditate on the Word of God for guidance. As Lent prepares us for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are prompted to testify that God will continue to be faithful to us. As our loving Creator, God knows how to provide and sustain us with exactly what we need. God is able to make a way out of no way. God has guided us in the past. God will lead us forward into a promising future. Lenten Peace, Rev. Dr. Connie Shelton, East Jackson District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Stephen Cook, West Jackson District Superintendent
Page 2 Gulfside to Dedicate Open-Air Chapel on February 27 Everyone is invited to celebrate the dedication of the new open-air chapel at Gulfside Assembly on Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m. The Chapel is named after Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly, the first African-American woman to serve as a bishop in the United Methodist Church. At a cost of more than $100,000, the chapel is the first new construction at Gulfside since Hurricane Katrina leveled every building on the assembly grounds in 2005. Resident bishop of the Mississippi area, James Swanson, Sr. will be present for this day of new beginnings. Gulfside Assembly is located at 950 South Beach Blvd, in Waveland, Mississippi. Register for ABIDE Retreat by March 4 The ABIDE Retreat is being held at Camp Wesley Pines, 1095 Camp Wesley Pines Rd., Hazlehurst, Mississippi. It begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11 and ends at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. The $50 registration fee includes overnight lodging and breakfast and lunch on Saturday. To register, please contact your district superintendent by March 4.
Page 3 Clergy Spouses/College Students Hurry!: Scholarship Deadlines Coming Up on March 1 The Clergy Spouses of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church will award the Susanna Wesley Memorial Scholarship on April 1, 2016. Mississippi UMC Clergy Spouses who are enrolled in a college or university are eligible to apply. For application information goes to www.msumcclergyspouses.org and click on the Forms and Files tab. You will find links to the scholarship guidelines and application. Please submit applications to Shannon Potter at shpotter93@gmail.com by March 1, 2016. Applications for the UMC Student Scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation are also due on March 1, 2016. Students who are full members of the United Methodist Church for at least one year and who will be enrolled in a full-time degree program in the fall are invited to apply. For details, visit www.umhef.org. Bishop Swanson Requests Prayer for Appointive Process Resident Bishop James Swanson, Sr. invites our prayers as he and the cabinet journey through the process of making appointments. Our bishop acknowledges... that we must depend on the Holy Spirit to be our guide as we move together through this process. He asks each of us to enter into prayer asking that all appointments be driven by a commitment to provide clergy leadership that will equip the people of God to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Page 4 Crossgates Awarded Rethink Church Grant Thanks to a 2016 Easter Digital Advertising Grant, Rethink Church ads customized to highlight Crossgates UMC will run in local online spaces from now until Easter Sunday. United Methodist Communications purchases and places these ads during the Lent/ Easter and Advent seasons to help churches with working, welcoming websites connect with seekers in their communities. UmComm will accept applications for Advent Digital Advertising Grants from August 1 through October 1. For more information see http://www.umcom.org/servicesproducts/digital-advertising-grants Available now from United Methodist Communications free Easter outreach materials. All churches can receive personalized door hangers and invitation cards to invite the community to an Easter event or service. Also available low cost direct mail postcards. Order at http://www.umcom.org/rethink-church/2016-easter-outreachresources by March 1. Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns Grants (RELC) develop and strengthen the racial ethnic local church for witness and mission. Up to $10,000 in funding supports projects that relate to one or more of the essential services provided by discipleship ministries for example accountable discipleship, Christian education, spiritual formation, and stewardship. All RELC projects must involve racial ethnic church members in planning, leadership, and decision-making. For complete information see http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/ racial-ethnic-local-church-concerns
Page 5 Need Money for Youth Ministry? Check Out These Grants from the UMC Grants for ministries with young people provide up to $15,000 to make dynamic, creative ministries with young people (ages 12 30) possible. Funded projects will address the causes of critical issues related to young people in their local setting with an eye toward how their work can impact the priorities of the UMC in a broader context. To learn about eligibility and the application process visit www.umcyoungpeople.org. The deadline is June 1 for 2017 project support. The Youth Service Fund (YSF) is intended to empower young people as worldchanging disciples of Jesus Christ, nurture faith development, and equip young leaders (ages 12 24). YSF grants jumpstart justice/advocacy, discipleship/evangelism, global mission/outreach and leadership development/ministry discernment projects that are created, developed, implemented and evaluated by youth. For details about eligibility, funding amounts, and the application process visit www.umcyoungpeople.org. The application deadline is June 1. Glory Sighting! East and West Jackson Districts Youth Lay Servant Ministries School Young people from across the East and West Jackson Districts learned how to be good servants of God at our first-ever Youth Lay Servant Ministries School on Saturday, February 13 at Clinton First United Methodist Church. What Makes us Different as United Methodists and Engaging Youth in Mission were among discussion topics for the half-day event.
Page 6 Young Preachers Festival and Conference Aims to Raise Up the Next Generation of Preachers The Church of the Resurrection in cooperation with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is raising up the next generation of young preachers for the United Methodist Church through the second annual Young Preachers Festival and Conference. The Festival will be held July 21 and 22, 2016 at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Registration is now open. The Festival is intended to empower, inspire, and equip high school upperclassmen, college/seminary students, declared candidates for ministry, and young clergy, as well as young adults exploring a call to ordained ministry. The event is designed to help participants discern their calling, learn from preaching leaders, and develop their preaching gifts through - Featured Preaching sessions led by Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie, Rev. Olu Brown, Rev. Matt Miofsky, Bishop Scott Jones and Rev. Adam Hamilton Inspiring and practical workshops led by seminary representatives and Methodist leaders Intentional networking and connection Fun and interactive sermon slam An optional opportunity to preach a sermon and receive feedback from a panel of ministry leaders For details and registration visit www.youngpreachersfestival.org. The Early bird registration of $69 ends on May 31. The $79 standard rate begins on June 1. Space is limited, early registration is advised. Send questions to sharechurchevents@cor.org or 913-232-4139.
Page 7 Journey to Joy=A Dream Come True As a child, Sherry Johnson dreamed of seeing her name on the cover of a book. When Abingdon Press released Journey to Joy: Jesus is the Strength for Life that dream came true for the West Jackson deacon. Journey to Joy is the adult resource for Joy in Jesus: Everywhere! All the Time! This vacation Bible school program draws upon African American culture and history to teach all people the biblical truth that The joy from the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 CEB). As the contributing writer Johnson authored lessons grounded in both Old and New Testament Scriptures that center around the themes of celebration, gratitude, healing, teaching, and faith. She also wrote the leader book. Go to www.abingdonpressvbs.com to learn more about the Joy in Jesus intergenerational Bible and arts program. Pratt UMC Announces Spring Revival Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church will host a revival March 21 through 23. Guest ministers are Rev. Craig Baxton of Greenwood and Wesley Chapel UMC; Rev. Curtis West of Lynch Street CME; and Rev. Marcus Thompson of White Oak UMC in Crystal Springs. Pratt is located at 1057 W. Pascagoula Street in Jackson.
Page 8 Africa University Students Need Your Support Mississippi United Methodists have provided leadership and support for Africa University since its beginning. Through the Mississippi-Africa University Partnership we are continuing that support and helping to assure the future of Africa University with endowments. The goal of the Mississippi Conference Campaign is to provide 10 endowed scholarships of $130,000 each for a total of $1,300,000. Individuals and churches have an opportunity for Helping Others Pursue Their Dream by giving to Africa University. For details visit www.mississippi-umc.org.
Page 9 Save These Dates February 25 and March 24 The East and West Jackson District Superintendents will serve as guest speakers during the Lenten Lunch Series at Wells United Methodist Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue, in Jackson. Join the Wells Church family and Rev. Dr. Connie Shelton on Thursday, February 25 and Rev. Dr. Stephen Cook on Thursday, March 24. The program begins at 11:30 and includes a light lunch. Details 601 353-0658 March 1 Local church audit forms are due March 4 Deadline to register for ABIDE Retreat at Camp Wesley Pines (March 11 12). Contact your District Superintendent to register. March 5 General Conference Prayer Observance. The East Jackson District joins this prayer vigil from 2 a.m. until 4 a.m. West Jackson District prayer time is 10 p.m. until midnight. To find out how you can be a part of this groundswell of prayer and receive General Conference prayer resources, please email Sherry Johnson at revsherry@msn.com Friday, March 25, 2016 through Monday, March 28, 2016 In observance of Jesus Christ s Resurrection, the Mississippi United Methodist Conference office will be closed. The office will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. April 4, 2016 Mississippi Conference clergywomen meet Bishop Swanson for conversation at Ridgeland First UMC. (9:30 am 1:00 pm)
Page 10 Please Pray For.. Craig Baxton The family of Rev. Sam N. Hawkins Rev. Art Kinstley Rev. C. C. Koskie Rev. Steve McDonald Rev. Charles Nicholson Rev. Tom Sorrell Rev. Keith Tonkel Patsy Twiner Rev. Everette Watts Rev. Rayford Woodrick