The Advance

I was proud to find out that our Bishop Hope Morgan Ward has been named Chair of The Advance Committee of the United Methodist Church for the next four years. The Advance is the accountable, designated-giving arm of The United Methodist Church that ensures 100 percent of each gift received reaches its intended mission or ministry. By giving to The Advance you or your church can decide which program or ministry to support through the well over 1,000 projects of The Advance which cover programs from evangelization and church growth to community centers support and humanitarian UMCOR relief programs throughout the U.S. and the world. This is truly a “glocal” (global and local) mission and outreach program.

Note that there are two Advance projects in Mississippi:

• Gulfside United Methodist Assembly … Advance # 760235
• Mississippi Choctaw United Methodist Mission … Advance # 761544
• Steve Claris church and community worker serving at the Choctaw Mission ... Advance # 3020817

For additional information about the many programs and missionaries supported by The Advance.

Tax-deductible gifts may be given to any of these “Advance” projects (Advance number must be included on check) through any of the following:

• The local Church
• The Annual Conference
• Online Giving
• Toll-free hotline to Global Ministries: 1-888-252-6174
• By mail to: Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068, GPO, New York, NY 10087-9068
  

David Newton who is our conference UMVIM coordinator reports that there are over 30 mission teams from Mississippi going on temporary mission trips to Africa, Russia, Latin America and other countries this year.

Also wanted to make you aware that Lou Ann Staggs is the new Conference Global Missions Secretary for the 2009-12 period. For more info about The Advance or other programs of the General Board of Global Missions, she is also a member of the Missions Table at our conference and secretary of the New Albany District.

Finally, Erie Stuckett of the Revells UMC in Greenville informed me that there are several $2,500 grants (funded by The Advance) available for United Methodist related ministries and organizations in the counties designated as part of the Appalachian Region Initiative (mostly northeast and east-central counties). If you are interested in viewing the application.

Let me know if any questions or comments regarding missions and outreach or any of the above mentioned items.

Jorge.