THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER · 11/11/2016 · THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER Your Connection to the Starkville District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist

THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Your Connection to the Starkville District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church

Friday I November 4, 2016

P . O . B o x 1 3 2 9 , S t a r k v i l l e , M i s s i s s i p p i 3 9 7 6 0 • ( 6 6 2 ) 3 2 3 - 0 1 9 8 • ( 6 6 2 ) 3 2 3 - 0 0 8 6 ( f a x )

DISTRICT MISSION SHARESWe are so excited to announce that the followingchurches have made significant contributions to thework of the Starkville District through their Mission FairShares offerings through October 31, 2016.

7 Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to knowthe times or seasons that the Father hasset by his own authority. 8 Rather, youwill receive power when the Holy Spirithas come upon you, and you will be mywitnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea andSamaria, and to the end of the earth.”Acts 1:7-8

It is a Glory Sighting! Thank you forfaithful work and ministry that allows usto continue to bear witness throughoutthe District, Mississippi, to our neigh-bors both near and around the world ofthe POWER of We!

– Dr. Embra JacksonStarkville District Superintendent

By Gwen Sisson

In just two hours last Sunday,Columbus reisidents got out a littlefrstration while helping raise money fora good cause.

Elizabeth Swartz of First UMCColumbus said at the Annual FallFestival, held Sunday, Oct. 30, enoughmoney was raised in two hours to buy 16mosquito nets for the Imagine NoMalaria campaign.

The “Smash Malaria” car was coveredwith pictures of mosquitoes. Participantswere charged $1 for three “smashes” atthe car. All proceeds will go to the NoMore Malaria Campaign. They also dis-tributed Imagine No Malaria offering

boxes, information sheets and returnlabels for the offering.

Each mosquito net costs $10 and cansave one life, as part of the No MoreMalaria Campaign. Mississippi BishopJames Swanson has set a goal for theMississippi Conference Mission Focusto provide 100,000 mosquito nets forImagine No Malaria by the 2017 annualconference.

Research says that in Sub-SaharanAfrica, malaria continues to kill a childevery two minutes. The campaign says,“by improving the ways people fight thedisease using bed nets, providing accessto diagnostic tests and medicine, drain-

MALARIAContinued on page 4...

ColumbusFUMC had a‘smashing’good time

100% PAID• S. Union• Mt. Hermon• Rockport• Artesia• Columbus: New Hope• Baldwin• Drake Hill• Bellefontaine• Brooksville• Crawford• Buffalo• Mt. Lebanon• Caledonia• Flint Hill• Columbus: ShaeffersChapel• Columbus: St. James• Wrights Chapel• Columbus: St. Stephens• Piney Grove• Eupora: Liberty• Kosciusko: Wesley• Bevil Hill• Louisville: Hopewell• Maben• Mt. Moriah (Macon)• McAdams• Bethel• Liberty Hill• Middleton• Vernon• Noxapater• New Hope (Macon)• St. Michael• Plair• Palestine• Piney Grove (Louisville)

• Shuqualak• Macedonia• Shuqualak: Asbury• Starkville: Aldersgate• New Zion• Starkville: First• Starkville: Griffin• Sturgis• Big Creek• Sturgis: Boyd Chapel• Pleasant Grove• Dumas Chapel• St. Stephen (WebsterCir.)• Eupora: Lebanon• Mathiston• LaGrange• Mt. Moriah (Mathiston)• Providence• Mt. Salem (Weir Cir.)• Weir• Salem (Weir-Salem)• West Point: St. Paul• Whitehall (Louisville)• Camp Ground• Flower Ridge• Rocky Hill• Center Ridge• Pleasant Hill (Louisville)• Rural Hill• Ethel• Tabernacle

ON TARGET 83.33%+ • Military• Columbus: First• Lindsey Chapel


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NOVEMBER 5• Starkville District UMW Officers’ Training/Update TBANOVEMBER 10• CHILI SUPPER FUNDRAISER – From 4:30-6 p.m. Nov.10, there will be a Chili Supper Fundraiser at the MSUWesley Foundation Worship Center on the MSU campusin Starkville. Tickets are available from Wesley Boardmembers and from the Wesley Office for a donation of anyamount. Dine in or carry out. NOVEMBER 12 | DEC. 3 • The financial leadership training provides counsel andguidance to strengthen the administrative and financialabilities of the local church treasurer, financial secretary,finance committee members and church business admin-istrators. NOVEMBER 11-13• The annual Youth Spiritual Life Retreat is set for Nov. 11-13 at Camp Lake Stephens. It is a chance for youth ingrades 7-12 to come and encounter God in a beautifulcamp setting. While in the midst of God's creation, youthwill have the opportunity to attend worship sessions led bygifted speakers and musicians, participate in small groups,and play and fellowship with one another. Leading worshipsessions for the weekend will be Trey Skaggs, along withEddie Willis and the Narrow Path Band. For more infor-mation, contact Chap Fenwick at [email protected]. NOVEMBER 15• Starkville District UMW Officers’ Training/Update TBANOVEMBER 20• St. James UMC in Columbus will host their annualWomen’s Day Program at 3 p.m. Nov. 20. The guestspeaker will be Rose Coffey Graham of Pleasant Hill UMCin Starkville.NOVEMBER 23-25 • District & Conference Offices closed in observance ofThanksgivingDECEMBER 6 • Starkville District UMC Christmas Party at 6 p.m. at theChristian Life Center at First United Methodist Church ofStarkville. DECEMBER 23, 2016-JANUARY 2, 2017 • District & Conference Offices closed in observance ofChristmas & New Year’s DayJANUARY 13-14, 2017 • Pastor’s Retreat at the Jubilee Center in D’Iberville.JANUARY 14-16, 2017 • CAMP LAKE STEPHENS OVERFLOW – Traditionallytaking place over New Year's, Overflow has become aCamp Lake Stephens constant for now over 30 years!Now for the first time, Overflow will take place during theMartin Luther King., Jr. weekend. Youth in grades 7-12,either individually or with their youth groups, are invited toattend. Leading our worship sessions for the weekend willbe Russ Polsgrove, along with Matt King and Austin Black.Additionally, we are excited to announce the return of BigAl to the Camp Lake Stephens stage. For additional infor-mation, please contact Chap Fenwick at [email protected].

CALENDAR

CHURCH OF THE WEEK

Aldersgate UMCABOUT THE PASTOR

NAME: Jamie Bailey

CHURCH: Aldersgate UMC in Starkville

CHURCH ADDRESS/TOWN: 820 Evergreen

Street, Starkville

PASTOR'S BIRTHDAY: December 21

PASTOR'S HOMETOWN: Columbus, MS

PASTOR'S EDUCATION: Millsaps College, BA;

The University of Mississippi, M.Div.; Candler

School of Theology at Emory University

PASTOR'S STATUS WITH THE CONFERENCE:

Elder in Full Connection

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE CHURCH YOUR ARE SERVING?

The people at Aldersgate are warm, caring individuals that care forone another and for all God’s people. We are very oriented towardthe neighborhood, local missions and projects.

ABOUT THE CHURCH:NAME OF THE CHURCH: Aldersgate UMC

ADDRESS/TOWN OF THE CHURCH: 820 Evergreen Street, Starkville

HOW MANY YEARS HAS THIS CHURCH BEEN WORSHIPING GOD

TOGETHER? June 1960

HOW MANY IN REGULAR ATTENDANCE? 35 on Sunday mornings

and 20 on Wednesday at Date@THE GATE – our mid-week meal, fel-

lowship, study, music and prayer program

WHAT MINISTRIES IS THIS CHURCH KNOWN FOR? Aldersgate UMC

is known for their generosity throughout the Starkville community.

We recently partnered with CARE Ministries, a non-profit that pro-

vides low-vision and blind clients taped devotional materials. CARE

now occupies two downstairs rooms at Aldersgate. We are very

excited to be involved in such an important ministry to individuals

with visual impairments.

Rev. Jamie Bailey


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CONNECTIONSRESIDENT BISHOP:

Dr. James E. Swanson, [email protected]

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:Rev. Embra Jackson

[email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT:

Tammy [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONSASSISTANT:Gwen Sisson

[email protected]

DISTRICT HEALTH COORDINATOR:Carolyn Jackson

[email protected]

LAY ACADEMY DEAN:Rev. Sarah [email protected]

Find us on TWITTER @StarkvilleUMC

Find the FACEBOOK group at

www.facebook.com/Groups/

StarkvilleDistrictUMC/

The Starkville District goalfor the Africa Universityendowment is to raise

$130,000 over a three-yearperiod. We have receivedpledges of $36,820, with

$25,289.39 collected to date.Pledges from the StarkvilleDistrict will go to create ascholarship in honor of

Rev. Byrd and Sarah Hillman.Churches are encouraged topledge a minimum of $1,200.

Make your pledge TODAY!Contact the District Office for

more information at(662) 323-0198.

ST. JAMES UMC GOLDEN WARRIORS

St. James UMC in Columbus’s Health and Wellness Committee honors theirGolden Warriors. (Photos submitted)

Modeling discipleship

throughout the DistrictBy Gwen Sisson

There is a special group of people who are meetingtogether each month with every intention of spreadingthe word.

Throught the Mississippi Conference, SpiritualOperation Teams are meeting in each district, and theyhave plans to take what they are learning into the church-es.

Scott Wright of First United Methodist Church ofKosciusko is a leader within the team for the StarkvilleDistrict. He said they are in the process of planning a“Day of Discipleship” to better enable churches in thedistrict to implement their own disciple-making plans.

“The purpose and focus of the group is to ‘be andmake disciples of Jesus Christ,’” Wright said. “We are ina covenant together that holds us accountable to eachother for prayer, as well as prayer for our district.”

Wright said the team reads, studies, discerns and praystogether at least once a month, with individual “home-work” between meetings – modeled after the early“Methodist Bands” created by John Wesley. Teams typi-cally include the district superintendent and 5-12 mem-bers from the district, who meet for a minimum of five tosix hours each month.

Starkville District Superintendent Rev. Dr. EmbraJackson said he hopes the team is “modeling spiritualleadership, living out the’POWER of We’ through theprinciples of Loving, Learning and Leading.”

“We will in turn assist local churches in our district inliving into this same means of grace and accountability,”Jackson said.

More information about the “Day of Discipleship” willbe announced soon.


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CHARGE CONFERENCE DATESAPPOINTMENT COUNTY PASTOR DATE TIME CC ELDERBrooksville Circuit Noxubee Aubrey Mitchell 11/7/16 6 PM Embra JacksonColumbus First Lowndes Raigan Miskelly 11/18/16 6 PM Raigan MiskellyColumbus: St. Stephens Lowndes James Black 11/19/16 6 PM Curtis BrayEupora: Bellefontaine Webster Roger Miller 11/6/16 In worship Embra JacksonEupora: First Webster Ron McDougald, III11/20/16 After Worship Embra Jackson

Eupora: Lebanon Webster Roger Miller 11/6/16 In Worship Embra JacksonKosciusko Circuit Attala Ronald Thomas 11/7/16 6 PM George BuellKosciusko: First Attala Scott Wright 11/6/16 In Worship Scott WrightLindsey Chapel/Plair Oktibbeha Jimmy Forrest 11/9/16 6 PM Embra JacksonLouisville: First Winston Mike Childs 11/1/16 6 PM Mike ChildsMacon: First Noxubee Andy Pearson 11/6/16 After Worship Andy PearsonShaeffer's Chapel Lowndes Curtis Bray 11/9/16 6 PM Curtis BrayStarkville: First Oktibbeha Giles Lindley 11/20/16 2 PM Giles LindleyStarkville: Aldersgate Oktibbeha Jamie Bailey 11/9/16 6 PM Jamie Bailey

#GLORYSIGHTINGS

ing standing water and improv-ing sanitation, Imagine NoMalaria has already helpedreduce malaria deaths by morethan half. Imagine No Malariacombines integrated healthinfrastructure, education andadvocacy to address death andthe debilitating effects ofmalaria in sub-SaharanAfrica.”

For more information orresources, go to www.imagi-nenomalaria.org.

See the challenge video pro-duced by Columbus FirstUMC on the facebook grouppage or use the dropbox linkfor iPhone or iPad, you willneed to use this link on a Macor PC to download files:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ltppq;fd135qbfu/AAD19wJhF4jFay6ZmkShDWUra/INM?dl+0

MALARIAContinued from page 1...

We had a great

heart-warming

experience (last

Sunday morning)

that moved the

entire gathering

body like none

before! It was so

powerful!” –– Tyrone Stallings

PASTOR OF NEWBELLZION

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“

Charge Conference gathering at Mathiston UMC...

Rev. Scott Wright, pastor at First United Methodist Church at Kosciusko, held the ChargeConference at Mathiston UMC on Monday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. Ten people were present.


FALL EVENTS5

First Unity’s Higher Education Committee had activities for a special “Trunk or Treat” event, including a candy walk, basketball toss,go fishing, ring toss, and duck pick. They also had a costume contest. Everyone had a GREAT time! (Photos submitted)

Last Sunday evening,First UMC Louisvillehad their ChurchFamily Picnic at LakeTiak O’Khata. Theyhad games, paddleboats, grilled hamburg-ers and hot dogs, andoutdoor worship withRev. Mike Childspreaching, followed byHoly Communion. Alarge crowd of all agesenjoyed the fellowship.(Photo subbmitted)

At Cedar Bluff UMC, thechurch held their annualFall Festival to raisemoney for the PalmerHome for Children. And onOct. 30, Cedar Bluff andSiloam UMC came togeth-er for fellowship and amonthly Bible study.(Photos submitted)


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Dear members of the Mississippi Annual Conference,

This season of political unrest and anxiety has createdmuch division across the landscape of our countryincluding our church congregations. Nonetheless, whenall of the ballots are in and counted and winnersdeclared, we remain as a society, residents of onenation. We, as United Methodists, continue to bemembers of one body, the body of Christ.

In light of these recent polarizing tensions associatedwith the presidential election, we would like to invite anywho are able to join us Wednesday, Nov. 9 on thegrounds of the State Capitol Building located at 400 HighSt. in Jackson at noon to observe a sacred moment ofhealing, centered around the table of our Lord.

If it is not possible for you to join us at that time, weinvite churches across the various contexts of theMississippi Annual Conference to participate in a healingCommunion service in your local church the evening ofWednesday, Nov. 9 or Sunday, Nov. 13. We believe thathealing is available to all and the invitation to peace canbe found as we gather around and center ourselves onthe presence of Christ.

God bless and keep you centered in the peace of Christ,

The Mississippi Conference Advocacy Committee &Bishop James Swanson

Documents

THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER · 11/11/2016 · THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER Your Connection to the Starkville District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist