This year Annual Conference will focus on the thousands of doors that Christ knocks on every day. There are also thousands of people knocking. They have questions, needs, and problems they don’t know how to handle. Some of them are sent by God to offer their gifts and graces.
Doors are such a powerful symbol and knocking is such an act of faith.
There are people who need us to knock on their doors.
There are congregations that need to knock down their doors and go outside.
There are doorways to opportunity everywhere!
What could we do with our doors?
Annual Conference will be June 12-14 in 2009 and we are getting our doors ready.
Annual conference is a gathering of leaders who have the incredible privilege of helping chart the course of the UMC in Mississippi. It is an unbelievable opportunity and challenge. At the heart of all we do is our mission.
We are to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
This year we will convene on the weekend to help more people be able to participate. We will meet in the new Jackson Convention Complex to help us serve more people. We will add a study day (Transformation, more later) to help us grow in our passion for our mission and learn from gifted and successful leaders.
Our goal is to ignite the hearts of the people called United Methodists in Mississippi. This will be a celebration of the ministry and mission of our Annual Conference and a challenge for us to open new and exciting doors of possibility.
This event will require much planning and preparation.
Joe May is the convener of our planning group and they have already gathered to begin the work.
This year the number of volunteers and leaders needed to lead our sessions will be huge. We are enlisting congregations and groups to help.
Please be in prayer for those planning and giving themselves in this service. It is easy to find reasons to criticize change and complain about those in charge. It is more helpful to volunteer to help of support those who are giving themselves to this. As we share planning details and information, please feel free to offer your help and to share concerns that will assist us in making this Annual Conference session the best ever. Wouldn’t it be cool if we were all saying,”I can’t wait till next year!” Together we will make this a year to remember!
Let the prayers and preparations begin.
June isn’t far away.
~Connectional Ministries; (601) 354-0515 ext. 14
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Youth Blowout 2009
"One Amazing Night of Worship" will begin at 6pm on Wednesday, February 25. The event will take place inside the Jumpertown UMC family life center. Radio City Confessions from Jacksonville, Florida will be our praise band for the night. The speaker this year is Scott Carter from Amory.
$5 at the door, concessions will be served. All proceeds will benefit the Jennifer Windham Memorial Scholarship Fund.
One side note even though it's title contains the word "youth" this event is for all ages, and for anyone looking for an amazing worship experience.
Contact info:
Nathan Ozbirn; 662-416-9395
Jumpertown United Methodist; 662-728-5016
If you would like fliers on this event please contact us. A call ahead with estimate number attending would be appreciated but not required.
Executive Director Job Announcement
The Bethlehem Community Center, a United Methodist human service organization, in Jackson, Mississippi is seeking an Executive Director to plan, direct and coordinate: development and administration of all programs and services; finances, property maintenance and fundraising. Qualifications: undergraduate degree in social services or business management preferred; experience in personnel management; excellent communication skills experience in fundraising and budget control; commitment to mission and outreach ministries of the United Methodist Church.
Experience in working in an early childhood education or child care/preschool setting preferred. Salary negotiable.
Submit resume and at least three references via email to Bethlehem Center with "Executive Director Search" in the subject line or mail to:
Ms. Rebecca Youngblood
Search Committee Chairperson
The Bethlehem Center
920 Blair Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Search Committee Chairperson
The Bethlehem Center
920 Blair Street
Jackson, MS 39202
MP3 Stories: Vaiden UMC
The first weekend that I arrived at Vaiden in July, 2007; I felt that the Lord was calling me to personally visit all of the people in the community. I put shorts, sports-shirt, and tennis shoes on, and walked door-to-door, block by block, all over the town of Vaiden. The townspeople had never had a pastor come see them at their home. They loved it. I listened to their personal stories, told them mine, and then invited them to church. They began coming the first weekend and have continued coming since. I continue to visit both member homes and unchurched homes each weekend. Our membership and friends attending, has tripled: from 25 to 75. The members volunteered to visit each person that I went to see and take them cookies, cakes, or pies. The people really appreciated the desire of our members to be welcoming of people in the community. On " High Attendance Sunday", we had 95 people in attendance in October, 2007; only 90 days after our efforts began. We don't take any credit for what God has done for this community and this congregation. We were simply willing participants in his plan of salvation and fellowship for all of these members of our community.
Shortly after I arrived in Vaiden, I was informed that the other two (2) churches on the Vaiden charge would change status. One had already planned on closing because of illness; and the other planned to leave the conference and become independent. The church council was so pleased with what they had seen the Lord doing through them in the community; that they decided to step out in faith and assume responsibility for paying the pastor's salary for the other two (2) churches. This meant that they would be doubling their salary support. This was September, 2007. Since then, we have all experienced the fullness of God's provision at Vaiden United Methodist and have set faith budgets for the church: budgets based upon what we expect to provide and what we expect God to provide. Our yearly church budget has doubled in 2 years, and we have never been short on our budget support. We are also a 100% conference support church.
Mark Blaylock, our layleader, felt the Lord calling him to visit multiple families down the road from him, who were living in deplorable conditions. He visited them, shared Christ with them, and prayed for them. They began attending church, about 12 people altogether, from time to time; half which were children. We discovered that they were using a garden hose to run water from one mobile home to another mobile home, for bathroom and kitchen use. Our men volunteered to install pipe in the ground and run plumbing to the houses. These families really appreciated our help on this project, and we have continued to support them, both financially and spiritually.
We are a very welcoming and supportive church. Everyone who has visited us, has stayed with us. We make everyone feel at home, regardless of their work, family, personal or financial background.
We have organized a " Benevolence Committee" that is in charge of financial gifts from the church for people experiencing emergencies. We have donated thousands of dollars to families during the last year. We have organized a " Home Repair Committee" that repairs homes in the community for free, to those in need.
Our church approved the addition of a new fellowship hall to the existing church facility, which will add about 30% of floor space to our church. If this building was contracted out, it would cost over $ 150,000.00. We decided that the Lord had given us the talents and gifts to build it ourselves, and save over one-half of that amount. We began construction of the building June1st, time of fellowship on Saturday mornings, while we worked on the building. 2008, and will have it completed by June 1st, 2009. We have had a great. The women of the church have prepared Saturday lunches for the men working on the church, to support their efforts. We also installed a power-point projection system in the sanctuary for use in worship services, and the congregation has loved it.
Using the " Experiencing God" bible study as a foundation, the entire congregation has been taught about living the " Spirit-led" life, and watching with spiritual senses, for where the Lord is at work and joining Him in his mission.
Calvin Cosnahan
Vaiden UMC
Shortly after I arrived in Vaiden, I was informed that the other two (2) churches on the Vaiden charge would change status. One had already planned on closing because of illness; and the other planned to leave the conference and become independent. The church council was so pleased with what they had seen the Lord doing through them in the community; that they decided to step out in faith and assume responsibility for paying the pastor's salary for the other two (2) churches. This meant that they would be doubling their salary support. This was September, 2007. Since then, we have all experienced the fullness of God's provision at Vaiden United Methodist and have set faith budgets for the church: budgets based upon what we expect to provide and what we expect God to provide. Our yearly church budget has doubled in 2 years, and we have never been short on our budget support. We are also a 100% conference support church.
Mark Blaylock, our layleader, felt the Lord calling him to visit multiple families down the road from him, who were living in deplorable conditions. He visited them, shared Christ with them, and prayed for them. They began attending church, about 12 people altogether, from time to time; half which were children. We discovered that they were using a garden hose to run water from one mobile home to another mobile home, for bathroom and kitchen use. Our men volunteered to install pipe in the ground and run plumbing to the houses. These families really appreciated our help on this project, and we have continued to support them, both financially and spiritually.
We are a very welcoming and supportive church. Everyone who has visited us, has stayed with us. We make everyone feel at home, regardless of their work, family, personal or financial background.
We have organized a " Benevolence Committee" that is in charge of financial gifts from the church for people experiencing emergencies. We have donated thousands of dollars to families during the last year. We have organized a " Home Repair Committee" that repairs homes in the community for free, to those in need.
Our church approved the addition of a new fellowship hall to the existing church facility, which will add about 30% of floor space to our church. If this building was contracted out, it would cost over $ 150,000.00. We decided that the Lord had given us the talents and gifts to build it ourselves, and save over one-half of that amount. We began construction of the building June1st, time of fellowship on Saturday mornings, while we worked on the building. 2008, and will have it completed by June 1st, 2009. We have had a great. The women of the church have prepared Saturday lunches for the men working on the church, to support their efforts. We also installed a power-point projection system in the sanctuary for use in worship services, and the congregation has loved it.
Using the " Experiencing God" bible study as a foundation, the entire congregation has been taught about living the " Spirit-led" life, and watching with spiritual senses, for where the Lord is at work and joining Him in his mission.
Calvin Cosnahan
Vaiden UMC
Per Diem Information
The per diem payment for the appointed clergy of the local church whether retired or active and for the lay members to annual conference of the local churches is the responsibility of each local church.
The 2008 Annual Conference adopted the policy for conference paid per diem payments for the 2009 session. In the 2008 Journal Volume 1 beginning on page 230 is the listing of the groups of members that will receive their per diem from the annual conference. The reason there is paid per diem for lay people is that they are equalizing members for the annual conference. Retired clergy and clergy on disability are paid because their membership is in the annual conference. The Conference Board of Pensions pays the per diem of the surviving spouses. If you are eligible, you will be contacted in May. The form is to be turned in at the preconference briefing and checks will be picked up at the annual conference site.
No forms should be mailed in and no checks will be mailed out.
The amounts set for per diem is $5 per meal and $50 per night that a member is in attendance. Per diem begins with the opening session and ends at the closing session. The projected per diem will be $30 for meals and $100 for rooms. Travel is not paid.
David Stotts, CPA
Treasurer/ Director of Financial Administration
Conference Benefits Officer
The 2008 Annual Conference adopted the policy for conference paid per diem payments for the 2009 session. In the 2008 Journal Volume 1 beginning on page 230 is the listing of the groups of members that will receive their per diem from the annual conference. The reason there is paid per diem for lay people is that they are equalizing members for the annual conference. Retired clergy and clergy on disability are paid because their membership is in the annual conference. The Conference Board of Pensions pays the per diem of the surviving spouses. If you are eligible, you will be contacted in May. The form is to be turned in at the preconference briefing and checks will be picked up at the annual conference site.
No forms should be mailed in and no checks will be mailed out.
The amounts set for per diem is $5 per meal and $50 per night that a member is in attendance. Per diem begins with the opening session and ends at the closing session. The projected per diem will be $30 for meals and $100 for rooms. Travel is not paid.
David Stotts, CPA
Treasurer/ Director of Financial Administration
Conference Benefits Officer
Monday, January 26, 2009
Lent or Lint?
Lint is the leftover particles of paper, dust, and material scraps left in your pockets after they are removed from the dryer. Lent is a season of the church year that precedes Easter and follows the season of Epiphany.
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 25, and concludes at sundown on the Saturday prior to Easter Sunday. This season is 40 days long, not including Sundays, and is most often symbolized with the color purple. Symbols of this season include (among others) the cross, crown of thorns, a rooster, chalice or communion cup and paten or communion plate, palm leaves, ashes, money bag and pelican.
This season is often associated with self-reflection, repentance, prayer, fasting, and self-denial. It is also the time when we begin to hear the question asked, “So, what did you give up for Lent?” When we willingly choose to give up something, whether that is a habit, an indulgence, or a particular behavior, we do so in an intentional effort to avail ourselves in a new way to God’s grace and the mystery of Advent, God-with-us. This self-denial leads to a dying of self with an anticipation and expectation that we will experience, through our Easter faith, a rising with Christ and a re-birth of life.
When we take the time to understand and experience all that the season of Lent offers to us, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with the resurrection joy of Easter. Consider some of these ideas to engage your congregation in the season of Lent.
For more ideas and worship materials, visit www.gbod.org/worship
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 25, and concludes at sundown on the Saturday prior to Easter Sunday. This season is 40 days long, not including Sundays, and is most often symbolized with the color purple. Symbols of this season include (among others) the cross, crown of thorns, a rooster, chalice or communion cup and paten or communion plate, palm leaves, ashes, money bag and pelican.
This season is often associated with self-reflection, repentance, prayer, fasting, and self-denial. It is also the time when we begin to hear the question asked, “So, what did you give up for Lent?” When we willingly choose to give up something, whether that is a habit, an indulgence, or a particular behavior, we do so in an intentional effort to avail ourselves in a new way to God’s grace and the mystery of Advent, God-with-us. This self-denial leads to a dying of self with an anticipation and expectation that we will experience, through our Easter faith, a rising with Christ and a re-birth of life.
When we take the time to understand and experience all that the season of Lent offers to us, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with the resurrection joy of Easter. Consider some of these ideas to engage your congregation in the season of Lent.
- Host a “Jeopardy” game night with all the questions relating to Lent
- Focus each Sunday in Lent on one particular event in the last week of Jesus’ ministry
- Encourage people to focus on what they are going to take on in order to strengthen their walk with Christ to the cross. This may mean that they have to give up something in order to add something more meaningful.
- Using the workshop rotation model of Sunday school with children, establish a different room for the various events of Jesus’ last week. These may include the Upper Room, Golgotha, the road into Jerusalem, Pilate’s court. Within each room the children would look in-depth at the characters, emotions, and decisions that were faced. Conversations could also center on the decisions that we have to make everyday.
- Focus your children’s sermons on a different symbol of the season. These symbols could then be added to a barren tree to establish a Lenten tree.
- Consider purchasing a butterfly kit. Buy it now! Send off for the live caterpillar larvae and watch caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies. Release the butterflies on Easter morning.
- Do a reverse Advent wreath. In Advent the light grows stronger each week. In Lent the light grows darker each week as we anticipate the death of Jesus Christ. Begin Lent with 6 (if no Good Friday service) or 7 (if you are having a Good Friday service) fully lit candles. Each week as the scriptures are read, extinguish a candle. The last candle would be extinguished on Palm/ Passion Sunday or your Good Friday service.
- Invite dramatists to portray Judas, Pilate, Simon Peter, Simon of Cyrene, and others who engaged Jesus in a meaningful way as he journeyed to the cross.
- Invite children and youth to re-write the scripture lessons for the day in their own words and include this paraphrase as a part of worship each week. This may be a great sermon starter for the preachers!
For more ideas and worship materials, visit www.gbod.org/worship
Friday, January 16, 2009
Legislative Look!!!
| January 16, 2009 | |
| Gov. Barbour has made plans to cut MAEP by $76.6 million. Please look for future alerts to act regarding this issue. | Gov. Plans for $87.8 Million in Education Cuts Tuesday night in his State of the State address, Governor Haley Barbour announced his plan to cut funding to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). In November 2008, Gov. Barbour cut many state agencies and programs to make up for the $42 million deficit. Fortunately MAEP was spared from these cuts. Tuesday night Gov. Barbour announced that cuts will have to be applied to other areas left untouched last November. While he did not announce in the State of the State address how much funding will be cut from MAEP, Barbour warned Mississippians to expect these cuts to make up for a projected revenue loss of $175 million to $310 million by July 2009. Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Barbour announced a total cut from education in the amount of $87.8 million with $76.6 million coming from MAEP. Gov. Barbour has announced a $76.6 million cut from MAEP with a total cut from MS Dept. of Education in the amount of $87.8 million. Congregations for Children will continue to monitor this situation and provide an action alert as soon as plans are devised to reverse these cuts. To view current bill texts or search for bills, go to http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us and enter the bill number under “Quick Lookup.” For questions or comments, please email Michelle Foster at michelle@mississippi-umc.org |
Focus on Ministry
The most basic need of all human beings is salvation through the love of God and the saving grace of His son. But talking salvation to a hungry person without first attending to his or her most primordial need may be pharisaical. The statistics are grim. Over 24,000,000 people die of hunger every day most of them children!!! Almost a billion individuals in this world go to sleep hungry every day; in the U.S. 37 million folk do not have enough food on a regular basis (half of them are children). Amazingly 40% of those needing food assistance in the U.S. are working people.
What to do???
As a nation we have the resources to end hunger in our own country and still contribute significantly to help ease this worldwide disaster; we simply lack the vision and will to mobilize against this preventable blight on God’s earth. As Christians we need to be more intentional about attending this dire and yet solvable problem.
Last year at Annual Conference there were over 100,000 meals packaged for global distribution through Stop Hunger Now and this year we are trying to take a wider and more positive initiative on this issue by partnering with food distribution organizations as well as other faith based organizations with similar concerns. We hope to work with the new Missions Table asking to make hunger issues one of its first priorities in mission and outreach as it convenes next January 21, at the conference office.
Because we are Christians and have been commissioned to work in missions and outreach having received a mandate and example from Jesus Himself we must set about working earnestly in this important ministry. The following quote reflects the spirit in which we should approach this task ... “The ministry to our ‘neighbor’ for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, should not be out of a shocked moral obligation, or civic shame, but rather as ministering to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (Matt. 25:40)” Rex Baker, Gateway Mission, Jackson, MS
I welcome your questions regarding this proposed conference wide initiative.
The following links will give you a glimpse into hunger issues as well as acquainting you with some of the organizations with whom we will be closely working in this quadrennium.
What to do???
As a nation we have the resources to end hunger in our own country and still contribute significantly to help ease this worldwide disaster; we simply lack the vision and will to mobilize against this preventable blight on God’s earth. As Christians we need to be more intentional about attending this dire and yet solvable problem.
Last year at Annual Conference there were over 100,000 meals packaged for global distribution through Stop Hunger Now and this year we are trying to take a wider and more positive initiative on this issue by partnering with food distribution organizations as well as other faith based organizations with similar concerns. We hope to work with the new Missions Table asking to make hunger issues one of its first priorities in mission and outreach as it convenes next January 21, at the conference office.
Because we are Christians and have been commissioned to work in missions and outreach having received a mandate and example from Jesus Himself we must set about working earnestly in this important ministry. The following quote reflects the spirit in which we should approach this task ... “The ministry to our ‘neighbor’ for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, should not be out of a shocked moral obligation, or civic shame, but rather as ministering to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (Matt. 25:40)” Rex Baker, Gateway Mission, Jackson, MS
I welcome your questions regarding this proposed conference wide initiative.
The following links will give you a glimpse into hunger issues as well as acquainting you with some of the organizations with whom we will be closely working in this quadrennium.
Jorge.
"10 Great Dates"
This past Tuesday, January 13, 2009, over 250 people participated in a training event focused on starting and strengthening marriage ministries in our churches and communities. United Methodist were well represented with close to 50 lay and clergy from around our conference coming together to learn from the authors, David and Claudia Arp, what the “10 Great Dates” program involved.
The “10 Great Dates” program combines fun dates and marriage education skills in an easy to use video curriculum that gives couples time-out to build their marriage and enrich their relationship.
Look what United Methodists are saying about their experience!
"10 Great Dates serves as a good way to help couples in our churches and community to reconnect with each other and hopefully strengthen their marriages. The format seems easy to work with and one of the main points is to get couples talking and to have fun together. "
Rev. Brian Gordon, Pearl United Methodist Church, Pearl, MS
“We loved being part of such a large and diverse group which came together for the single purpose of being equipped to strengthen marriages!
One of our take-aways was the reminder that a couple's attitude when they spend time together makes all the difference. They can intentionally choose to make a trip to the store a wonderful 'date' or they can go out to a fine dinner and still not be together. A couple who is currently participating in the series told of the positive impact their Dates Nights have made on their marriage. Hearing these results reinforced the sense that this series is a worthwhile, solid investment in marriages!
Seeing the large group of Pastors from various churches band together as they committed to do more to strengthen marriages was powerful! By their signing the MS Marriage Covenant they commit to supporting and strengthening one another as well as strengthening the marriages of their congregations.
We were blessed to be part of this momentous day. Our prayer is that those who attended will return to their churches and various agencies and apply what they learned to enrich and strengthen marriages across the state.”
Horace and Carol Lukens, Mississippi Conference Marriage Ministry Coordinators & members of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Madison, MS.
“10 Great Dates is and can be a positive jolt to marriages and other relationships! It’s something that we can use to strengthen relationships.”
Rev. Elbrist Mason, Trinity United Methodist Church, Brandon, MS
The “10 Great Dates” program combines fun dates and marriage education skills in an easy to use video curriculum that gives couples time-out to build their marriage and enrich their relationship.
Look what United Methodists are saying about their experience!
"10 Great Dates serves as a good way to help couples in our churches and community to reconnect with each other and hopefully strengthen their marriages. The format seems easy to work with and one of the main points is to get couples talking and to have fun together. "
Rev. Brian Gordon, Pearl United Methodist Church, Pearl, MS
“We loved being part of such a large and diverse group which came together for the single purpose of being equipped to strengthen marriages!
One of our take-aways was the reminder that a couple's attitude when they spend time together makes all the difference. They can intentionally choose to make a trip to the store a wonderful 'date' or they can go out to a fine dinner and still not be together. A couple who is currently participating in the series told of the positive impact their Dates Nights have made on their marriage. Hearing these results reinforced the sense that this series is a worthwhile, solid investment in marriages!
Seeing the large group of Pastors from various churches band together as they committed to do more to strengthen marriages was powerful! By their signing the MS Marriage Covenant they commit to supporting and strengthening one another as well as strengthening the marriages of their congregations.
We were blessed to be part of this momentous day. Our prayer is that those who attended will return to their churches and various agencies and apply what they learned to enrich and strengthen marriages across the state.”
Horace and Carol Lukens, Mississippi Conference Marriage Ministry Coordinators & members of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Madison, MS.
“10 Great Dates is and can be a positive jolt to marriages and other relationships! It’s something that we can use to strengthen relationships.”
Rev. Elbrist Mason, Trinity United Methodist Church, Brandon, MS
“10 Great Dates” video curriculum is now available in the Media Center of the Conference Office. Call the conference office, 601-354-0515 for more information.
Our Covenant with Zimbabwe
Dear Friends
Greetings in the Lord. Thank you very much for your persistent attention to the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and Pastors and the congregations are coping.
Introduction
It is now common knowledge that Zimbabwe is going through serious economic challenges characterized by hyperinflation. Politically the country is isolated from the international community. This means that friends are few and help is scarce when it is needed most. The negative impact is so evident in the breakdown of the basic infrastructure. Water systems have ceased to function especially in the capital city, Harare. the much publicized cholera out break is partly as a direct result of the breakdown of water reticulation leading to poor living conditions for the people. There is nothing much to talk about regarding the health delivery system. Zimbabwe had developed an admirable school system but it is now difficult to know how many of the rural schools will be able to open for the year because of lack of teachers. To make the whole situation even more desperate is the widespread hunger in the country. Agricultural unpreparedness , compounded by erratic rains leading to droughts has led the one time breadbasket of Southern Africa into hunger and famine.
The Zimbabwe dollar has virtually lost any value as a currency to the point that most goods and services are now sold for US dollars or South Africa Rand. Very few people can have access to these foreign currencies, and hence more suffering for the majority. The government has authorized some retailers to sell their goods in foreign currency. Most of these goods are imported which means that to get anything one must have foreign money. What has happened is that everyone is demanding US or Southern African Rand for goods and services. Nobody wants to have Zim dollar anymore because it is worthless.
Impact on the Church
In any economic downturn it so happens that the church faces untold challenges. The welfare of pastors depend on the church members who in turn are facing all these hardships. The church itself as a collective becomes helpless as it fails to help its members in these difficult times. Finance Boards of the church have pegged pastoral support in US dollars with the hope of trying to cushion them. But the members do not have such foreign currency and therefore there no support to talk about. Such a scenario is more so in the rural areas where almost everything is at stand still. many pastors will not be able to send their children to school especially because the remaining schools are charging school fees in foreign currency which they do not have.
To travel in their districts or circuits District Superintendents and Pastors obvious need fuel or gas which is sold in US dollars. Pastors cannot visit their church members even in critical times for lack of transport. Public transport is now paid in foreign currency. It is indeed a tragic story for the church. When i call for cabinet to meet- and we must indeed meet to put up strategies of how to resolve some of these challenges- I have no idea how many District Superintendents might be able to make it because transport hurdles.
Hospitals
The major challenge which our church hospitals are facing is the migration of nurses to neighboring countries in search of ways and means to survive. To retain them one must be ready to pay them what is called retention allowance in foreign currency which the church does not have. Shortage or even total lack of drugs makes the whole situation gloomy.
Congregations
Although the people continue to do their best by working and continuing to be creative in meeting the challenges, they have indeed reached breaking point. Even as I write I cannot contemplate how these congregations can support their pastors and themselves as well.
People are just surviving by the day through the grace of God. the situation on the ground defies any attempt to plan because circumstances change so fast that we have learned to live on a daily basis.
Means of Survival
For the few fortunate ones, sons, daughter and relatives who have left the country and are working in the neighboring countries send some back home and this has helped in some little way. Others engage in cross boarder trade and bring home some foreign currency. In most cases these are few compared to the majority who have nowhere to turn to.
For the church some partners have done tremendous job of doing all they could in helping in one way or the other. The help could be a consignment of drugs to the hospital, cholera kits etc or it could be few dollars to help the so many pastors who are scrambling just to survive with their families.
Conclusion
The year 2009 is not showing any clear signs of being different at all. The problems are increasing by the day. we hope that if the rains continue maybe some people will be able to harvest a little but it is too early to tell whether the country will be spared from another drought. The unfailing source of our Hope is that we have Jesus Christ who promised never to leave the faithful alone. As I write this brief knowing that you servant of God have requested for it, I am feel up;lifted in Hope.
Thank you
Grace and Peace
Bishop Nhiwatiwa
Resident bishop-Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.
Rev LLoyd T Nyarota
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Zimbabwe Episcopal Area
Area Projects and Communications coordinator
No 9- second street
P. O.Box 666
Mutare
Zimbabwe
Phone: +263-20-64043/ 62733
Cell: +263-912-891800/ 11-645715
Fax:+263-20-65714
e-mail: Lnyarota@yahoo.com
website: http://www.7villages.com/RevLloydNyarota
"In Partnership to achieve. Discipleship. Church Development and Christian Unity"
Greetings in the Lord. Thank you very much for your persistent attention to the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and Pastors and the congregations are coping.
Introduction
It is now common knowledge that Zimbabwe is going through serious economic challenges characterized by hyperinflation. Politically the country is isolated from the international community. This means that friends are few and help is scarce when it is needed most. The negative impact is so evident in the breakdown of the basic infrastructure. Water systems have ceased to function especially in the capital city, Harare. the much publicized cholera out break is partly as a direct result of the breakdown of water reticulation leading to poor living conditions for the people. There is nothing much to talk about regarding the health delivery system. Zimbabwe had developed an admirable school system but it is now difficult to know how many of the rural schools will be able to open for the year because of lack of teachers. To make the whole situation even more desperate is the widespread hunger in the country. Agricultural unpreparedness , compounded by erratic rains leading to droughts has led the one time breadbasket of Southern Africa into hunger and famine.
The Zimbabwe dollar has virtually lost any value as a currency to the point that most goods and services are now sold for US dollars or South Africa Rand. Very few people can have access to these foreign currencies, and hence more suffering for the majority. The government has authorized some retailers to sell their goods in foreign currency. Most of these goods are imported which means that to get anything one must have foreign money. What has happened is that everyone is demanding US or Southern African Rand for goods and services. Nobody wants to have Zim dollar anymore because it is worthless.
Impact on the Church
In any economic downturn it so happens that the church faces untold challenges. The welfare of pastors depend on the church members who in turn are facing all these hardships. The church itself as a collective becomes helpless as it fails to help its members in these difficult times. Finance Boards of the church have pegged pastoral support in US dollars with the hope of trying to cushion them. But the members do not have such foreign currency and therefore there no support to talk about. Such a scenario is more so in the rural areas where almost everything is at stand still. many pastors will not be able to send their children to school especially because the remaining schools are charging school fees in foreign currency which they do not have.
To travel in their districts or circuits District Superintendents and Pastors obvious need fuel or gas which is sold in US dollars. Pastors cannot visit their church members even in critical times for lack of transport. Public transport is now paid in foreign currency. It is indeed a tragic story for the church. When i call for cabinet to meet- and we must indeed meet to put up strategies of how to resolve some of these challenges- I have no idea how many District Superintendents might be able to make it because transport hurdles.
Hospitals
The major challenge which our church hospitals are facing is the migration of nurses to neighboring countries in search of ways and means to survive. To retain them one must be ready to pay them what is called retention allowance in foreign currency which the church does not have. Shortage or even total lack of drugs makes the whole situation gloomy.
Congregations
Although the people continue to do their best by working and continuing to be creative in meeting the challenges, they have indeed reached breaking point. Even as I write I cannot contemplate how these congregations can support their pastors and themselves as well.
People are just surviving by the day through the grace of God. the situation on the ground defies any attempt to plan because circumstances change so fast that we have learned to live on a daily basis.
Means of Survival
For the few fortunate ones, sons, daughter and relatives who have left the country and are working in the neighboring countries send some back home and this has helped in some little way. Others engage in cross boarder trade and bring home some foreign currency. In most cases these are few compared to the majority who have nowhere to turn to.
For the church some partners have done tremendous job of doing all they could in helping in one way or the other. The help could be a consignment of drugs to the hospital, cholera kits etc or it could be few dollars to help the so many pastors who are scrambling just to survive with their families.
Conclusion
The year 2009 is not showing any clear signs of being different at all. The problems are increasing by the day. we hope that if the rains continue maybe some people will be able to harvest a little but it is too early to tell whether the country will be spared from another drought. The unfailing source of our Hope is that we have Jesus Christ who promised never to leave the faithful alone. As I write this brief knowing that you servant of God have requested for it, I am feel up;lifted in Hope.
Thank you
Grace and Peace
Bishop Nhiwatiwa
Resident bishop-Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.
Rev LLoyd T Nyarota
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Zimbabwe Episcopal Area
Area Projects and Communications coordinator
No 9- second street
P. O.Box 666
Mutare
Zimbabwe
Phone: +263-20-64043/ 62733
Cell: +263-912-891800/ 11-645715
Fax:+263-20-65714
e-mail: Lnyarota@yahoo.com
website: http://www.7villages.com/RevLloydNyarota
"In Partnership to achieve. Discipleship. Church Development and Christian Unity"
Monday, January 12, 2009
Been Thinking about Training
Last Saturday at the Starkville District training I was trying to remember (unsuccessfully) the following advise from Paul to the Philippians … “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8). In the same thought the Apostle then continues exhorting them to practice all these things as well as the things he has taught them by word or example promising them that the “God of peace will be with you. (v9)” I was trying to make two points the first one was that whatever ministry we undertake on behalf of our Lord needs to be the best that we can do, it should not be subject to any limitations such as time. And the other point was that in missions and outreach training (or any other training) that you need to put into practice that which you learn.
Knowledge in our heads is subject to be filed away and forgotten or displaced by other knowledge, practicing what you learn, however, reinforces it and makes it more memorable; it is said that if you do something enough times it becomes a habit. So if you learn anything that you consider good it will not be of any use to you or anyone else unless it’s put into practice. It kind of reminds me of what James said about preaching … “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:22-24)
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26
If it’s true and admirable then let’s practice what we preach, let’s practice what we learn and this way give honor and praise to the One on whose behalf we work!!!
Missions and outreach questions? Call me!
Knowledge in our heads is subject to be filed away and forgotten or displaced by other knowledge, practicing what you learn, however, reinforces it and makes it more memorable; it is said that if you do something enough times it becomes a habit. So if you learn anything that you consider good it will not be of any use to you or anyone else unless it’s put into practice. It kind of reminds me of what James said about preaching … “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:22-24)
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26
If it’s true and admirable then let’s practice what we preach, let’s practice what we learn and this way give honor and praise to the One on whose behalf we work!!!
Missions and outreach questions? Call me!
Connectional Leadership Table At Work
Helping Mississippi United Methodists discover abundance and plenty during a time of economic scarcity provided the core of discussion at a recent Stewardship Table meeting.
The Table gathered on Thursday, January 8 at the Conference office with representatives present from the CF&A, Church Revitalization, Equitable Compensation, Communications, Small Membership Church Committee, and New Church Development. The Table discussed a partnership with the Committee on Pensions to help clergy better understand pension benefits and financial management. In the months ahead, the Table will begin preparations for Annual Conference, looking to introduce several initiatives to assist pastors and congregations.
The Table gathered on Thursday, January 8 at the Conference office with representatives present from the CF&A, Church Revitalization, Equitable Compensation, Communications, Small Membership Church Committee, and New Church Development. The Table discussed a partnership with the Committee on Pensions to help clergy better understand pension benefits and financial management. In the months ahead, the Table will begin preparations for Annual Conference, looking to introduce several initiatives to assist pastors and congregations.
Friendly Reminder and Words of Encouragement
Are you a part of Congregations for Children? Do you proudly display the poster that recognizes your congregation as a Church for All God’s Children? Remember, in carrying this name you have covenanted to be an advocate for children in three distinct and important ways.
1. To celebrate the gift of children in our community
2. To raise awareness of the issues facing our children in our community, state & nation. Our legislative agenda for this season includes:
1. To celebrate the gift of children in our community
2. To raise awareness of the issues facing our children in our community, state & nation. Our legislative agenda for this season includes:
- Full Funding for MAEP (Mississippi Adequate Education Plan)
- Funding for pre-kindergarten pilot programs
- Funding for at-risk children and their families
- Removal of face-to-face recertification for SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Plan)
- Further allocation of state funds for childcare assistance
- Raising the cigarette tax
- Making just policies that target the cradle-to-prison pipeline
- Partnering with Department of Human Services to develop and strengthen legislation that will strengthen the foster care system throughout Mississippi
FREE! Workshops for Local Churches and United Methodist Ministries
FREE! Workshops for
A webinar is a free one (1) hour seminar that is hosted through the internet with leadership being offered at the same time via the telephone. All webinars are the first Thursday of the month from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Central Time).
If you would like to participate in any of the upcoming webinars, contact the
2009 PACT Webinars for United Methodist Churches
February 5
Checks & Balances – Minimizing Fidelity Loss
March 5
Vehicle Safety / Background Checks / Drivers
April 2
Safe Sanctuaries and Completing a Thorough Background Screen
May 7
Safe Sanctuaries – Operation Procedures and VBS Staffing
June 4
Cyber Safety – What you really Need to Know to Protect Others
July 9
Handling the Media in a Crisis / Crisis Management
August 6
United Methodist Forms & Resources- A Discussion to Guide You to the Appropriate Forms & Resources You May Need
Sept. 3
Day Care Safety – for Your Employees and Children
Oct. 1
Real Property Management – Preparing for the Cold Weather Season
Nov. 5
Social Services Ministry – Best Practices and Helpful Tips for Protecting Your Ministries
Dec. 3
Church in Community – Outside Parties and the Use of Church Facilities
(Please note: These workshops are offered to all United Methodist churches regardless of your affiliation and participation within the MS conference-wide PACT insurance program)
Numbers Matter!
We are at the time when statistical reports are due. They are time consuming and often the temptation is to copy last years or to give a “ministerial estimate”. Resist the temptation! These numbers are a great tool for you and your congregation to track your progress in the MP3 vision. If you want more people you need to truly know how many you have. Take time to work on these numbers then share how you have done with your leaders. Sometimes it hurts to see it in black and white. Sometimes that pain can motivate us to action.
Live Loved,
Steve
Monday, January 5, 2009
Do You Know the 2009 Legislative Issues?
2009 Legislative Session begins tomorrow!
In partnership with faithful people all across our state, Congregations for Children is working tirelessly for the children of Mississippi!
This year our legislative focus includes:
Education
Let us covenant to pray for our representatives as they wrestle with, discern and make decisions that affect all of us.
Let us advocate for and be in conversation with our representatives on behalf of all God’s children in Mississippi.
In partnership with faithful people all across our state, Congregations for Children is working tirelessly for the children of Mississippi!
This year our legislative focus includes:
Education
- Full funding of MAEP (Mississippi Adequate Education Program)
- Adequate and appropriate funding for the Pilot Pre-Kindergarten programs across our state
- Adequate funding and resources for at-risk children and their families
- Utilization of excess TANF funds to be directed toward childcare facilities throughout our state
- Development and funding of grant programs to supplement childcare for families living in poverty
- Monitor compliance with Olivia Y. vs. Barbour lawsuit settlement
- Partner with DHS in encouraging and training foster parents
- Removal of face-to-face recertification requirements from Medicaid and SCHIP
- Development of community-based sanctions for the rehabilitation of delinquent youth
- Increase cigarette tax to fund children’s healthcare
Let us covenant to pray for our representatives as they wrestle with, discern and make decisions that affect all of us.
Let us advocate for and be in conversation with our representatives on behalf of all God’s children in Mississippi.
Getting Started in 2009 with Mission & Outreach
I was talking with Steve last Friday about our goals for this year and we agreed that whatever we do this year it needs to be quantifiable and measurable and so with missions and outreach the first thing to do is to get started today, right now so that at the end of the year we will have something that we can point to and say “this is what we did this year!”
Does your church want to be more active in missions and outreach? Then let’s do it by the numbers …
1) Find the need(s). Find the people and the resources to meet the need(s) and you will be well on your way. What has your church done in the past … What worked … What didn’t. What is God telling you that needs to be done?
2) Select a leader. Chances are that no matter how big or small your church is there is someone (perhaps many “someones,” but you only need one) who can organize, direct, motivate, support and guide the work of other church members in this endeavor. This person does not need to be the pastor.
3) You need to allocate time to doing this ministry even if you have to give up some other less important time commitment (and you probably will have to). All involved in missions and outreach need to realize that this is a God instituted and led ministry which needs to be given the proper time and attention.
4) Praying/Planning, Giving and Doing. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be active in your midst helping you locate the need, the leader, the people and the resources needed to get your mission and outreach ministry active; and that in the act of obedience to do mission God will give you the faith and confidence needed as well as the time necessary . And when you give, remember, you are giving not only of your treasure, but of your time and talents. When you put it all together and you go out and do the ministry that God charged you to do you will be a blessing as well as being blessed!
Begin with the end in mind and at the end of this year you and your church can look back on 2009 and hear Jesus say 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance' and ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Does your local church cluster have a training coming up? If so I will be glad to come, let me know! Jorge
Does your church want to be more active in missions and outreach? Then let’s do it by the numbers …
1) Find the need(s). Find the people and the resources to meet the need(s) and you will be well on your way. What has your church done in the past … What worked … What didn’t. What is God telling you that needs to be done?
2) Select a leader. Chances are that no matter how big or small your church is there is someone (perhaps many “someones,” but you only need one) who can organize, direct, motivate, support and guide the work of other church members in this endeavor. This person does not need to be the pastor.
3) You need to allocate time to doing this ministry even if you have to give up some other less important time commitment (and you probably will have to). All involved in missions and outreach need to realize that this is a God instituted and led ministry which needs to be given the proper time and attention.
4) Praying/Planning, Giving and Doing. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be active in your midst helping you locate the need, the leader, the people and the resources needed to get your mission and outreach ministry active; and that in the act of obedience to do mission God will give you the faith and confidence needed as well as the time necessary . And when you give, remember, you are giving not only of your treasure, but of your time and talents. When you put it all together and you go out and do the ministry that God charged you to do you will be a blessing as well as being blessed!
Begin with the end in mind and at the end of this year you and your church can look back on 2009 and hear Jesus say 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance' and ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Does your local church cluster have a training coming up? If so I will be glad to come, let me know! Jorge
MP3
The MP3 initiative is our way of saying we want more people, more young people, and more diverse people. Our goal is to make all kinds of disciples. Next week we will begin our movement. To see if we are growing we have to see where we are. We are sorting through our statistical reports and trying to get a handle on this. We will share the district wide numbers and some of the outstanding churches that are making disciples. We invite you to share your stories of MP3. It is time to stop talking and start doing. So to help we will also share some best practices. So where do we begin?
The starting place for evangelism…disciple making is really simple. To tell a story, you have to have a story. To lead people to Christ we must have a life-changing relationship with Jesus. How is your faith story? How is God working in and on you? Those questions are the starting place. True evangelism is centered in a vibrant and growing personal and community faith. People come to Christ because they see Christ changing real people who care about them. A living faith is driven by the spiritual presence of God in us. The Holy Spirit is the orchestrator of the most effective faith sharing. And relationship is the primary language of evangelism.
In short…faith takes people and time. It takes trust and authenticity. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to save anyone or be good enough to “saint” folks into the Kingdom. The truth is we love them there…but we love because Christ first loved us. Are you ready for MP3? Do you want it? How bad? Ok…do something about it. Talk about it in your congregations, in your families, in your own life…yea, talk to yourself about it. It is time! Now! Here we go…MP3. We are counting…because numbers matter…they represent people…children of God. They are searching for something real…you can help them find it. Next week we’ll begin to share simple details to help and we invite you to share yours with us. This is why we are here! Someone shared it with us and we changed,
I cannot wait to see what happens next, I really sense a change coming…MP3 is already beginning…you’ll see!
Live loved,
Steve
The starting place for evangelism…disciple making is really simple. To tell a story, you have to have a story. To lead people to Christ we must have a life-changing relationship with Jesus. How is your faith story? How is God working in and on you? Those questions are the starting place. True evangelism is centered in a vibrant and growing personal and community faith. People come to Christ because they see Christ changing real people who care about them. A living faith is driven by the spiritual presence of God in us. The Holy Spirit is the orchestrator of the most effective faith sharing. And relationship is the primary language of evangelism.
In short…faith takes people and time. It takes trust and authenticity. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to save anyone or be good enough to “saint” folks into the Kingdom. The truth is we love them there…but we love because Christ first loved us. Are you ready for MP3? Do you want it? How bad? Ok…do something about it. Talk about it in your congregations, in your families, in your own life…yea, talk to yourself about it. It is time! Now! Here we go…MP3. We are counting…because numbers matter…they represent people…children of God. They are searching for something real…you can help them find it. Next week we’ll begin to share simple details to help and we invite you to share yours with us. This is why we are here! Someone shared it with us and we changed,
I cannot wait to see what happens next, I really sense a change coming…MP3 is already beginning…you’ll see!
Live loved,
Steve
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