THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER · 4/4/2016 · determined by the season (Lent, Back-to-School or Advent). These ads will be customized using either your church logo or our in-house

THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

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

Friday I April 1, 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 )

CONNECTIONSRESIDENT BISHOP:Dr. James E. Swanson, [email protected]

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:Rev. Embra [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT:Tammy [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONSASSISTANT:Gwen [email protected]

DISTRICT HEALTHCOORDINATOR:Carolyn [email protected]

LAY ACADEMY DEAN:Rev. Sarah [email protected]

Find us on TWITTER@StarkvilleUMC

Find the FACEBOOK group atwww.facebook.com/Groups/StarkvilleDistrictUMC/

AFRICA UNIVERSITYContinued on page 4...

THANK YOU to all of thechurches that have paid 100percent of their apportion-ments already this year. Wewant to continue to uplift these churches and the ones whoare on target to having 100per-cent paid by the end of theyear. The Starkville Districthad the highest percentage ofall Districts in Conference inpaid Mission Fair Shares in2015 and has had an increaseover this same period last year.Thank you so much for yourfaithful work and ministry.

– Dr. Embra JacksonStarkville District

Superintendent

Starkville District Superintendent Dr. Embra Jackson (left) andExecutive Director for the Mississippi Unted Methodist Foundation,Inc., Rev. Mike Hicks present Alveria Crump with the Order ofDickson Award on behalf of her late husband, Rev. Bernard Crump.One of their daughters, Nerma Crump McCrary, was also on handfor the award ceremony. (Photo by Gwen Sisson)

Crump familyreceives the

Order ofDickson Award

By Gwen Sisson

The Order of Dickson award wasgiven out of love for a man thatserved as a pastor in the Starkvillearea for over 20 years.

The family of the late Rev.Bernard Crump was presented withflowers and a plaque that replicatesthe plaque with Rev. Crump’sphoto that will be placed on perma-nent display in the MississippiAnnual Conference of The UnitedMethodist Church offices.

“Our children and I knewBernard as a wonderful father anda loving, caring husband,” saidAlveria C. Crump, wife of the lateRev. Bernard Crump. “It is so spe-cial when others recognize spiritualqualities in someone as my hus-band, Bernard. To God be theglory!”

Five local churches made contri-butions to bestow the honor of TheOrder of Dickson on the late Rev.Bernard Crump. The churchesincluding Lindsey Chapel, UnitedMethodist Church, Jones Chapel

United Methodist Church, RockhillUnited Methodist Church, PlairUnited Methodist Church and St.Paul United Methodist Church con-tributed the necessary $1,000 to theDickson Order Benevolent Fund.The late Rev. Crump pastured thesechurches for 24 years at the time ofhis passing.

“The Rev. Bernard Crump is onlythe second recipient of the DicksonOrder that was funded by morethan one local church,” said Rev.Mike Hicks, executive director ofthe Mississippi United MethodistFoundation, the organization spon-

CRUMPContinued on page 5...

Mississippi -Africa

University

Partnership needs

your supportHas your local church discussed the

Mississippi-Africa UniversityPartnership lately?

Members of the MississippiConference are being reminded of theircommitment to the Mississippi-AfricaUniversity Partnership. The partnershipis a campaign to provide $1.3 million


2ABIDE NORTH MISSISSIPPI 2016


3

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• DISASTER RELIEF –– Many homes and businesses arestill feeling the impact of flash flooding caused by the tor-rential rains that took place throughout Mississippi March10 and 11. Several Mississippi Conference disaster reliefcoordinators have been and continue to be on-site assessingdamage. Please consider aiding these efforts as teams par-take in this important ministry.

• REFRIGERATOR NEEDED – Refrigerator needed atthe Mississippi State University Wesley Foundation. If youhave a refrigerator you'd like to share with the MSU WesleyFoundation, please contact Hugh Griffith at [email protected] or (662) 435-3393.

• NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AWARDS – Theoffice of connectional ministries seeks to recognize church-es, groups and individuals in the Mississippi UnitedMethodist Conference that are redefining what it means tobe light in a dying world. Nominate those who are shiningbrightly for the following awards: Emma Elzy, TobiasGibson and Harry Denman. Click here to read descriptionsfor each award and to find out how to submit nominations.The deadline to suggest names is May 1, 2016.

• RENFRO TRUST FUND – The Renfro Trust Fundawards annual bricks-and-mortar grants to small ruralUnited Methodist congregations in the SoutheasternJurisdiction. Renfro Trust Funds are again available foraward, beginning in 2016. The deadline for application isSeptember 1 of the year in which the application is made.Please note: Applications will only be accepted when sub-mitted through the Office of the Director of ConnectionalMinistries of the Conference in which you are located.Questions about the application form, award process, or theRenfro Trust Fund may be directed to:David Dommisse, SEJ Conference Treasurer at [email protected] or at (804) 521-1109 or to Anne Travis,SEJ Conference Secretary at [email protected] or bycalling (865) 410-6747.

• PIANIST WANTED –– Pianist wanted for 1st, 3rd, and5th Sundays; Must be able to read and play the variouschosen hymns. For more information, contact St. Paul UMChurch at P.O. Box 907 (330 Fifth Street), West Point, MS39773 or contact the church at (662)494-3988 or PercyBryan at (662) 494-4129.

By Robyn BurchfielMethodist Children's Homes

The Methodist Children's Homesinvites you to attend the 3rd AnnualDay of Hope, a community day oncampus. Join them on Saturday, April23 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. as they cel-ebrate the hope that has been restoredin the children through the faithfulmembers of the Methodist churchesacross Mississippi.

The Day of Hope is so much morethan a "day," and the outcome can belife changing. This one day makes aripple effect for everyone involved. ForKristi, this one day gave her a foreverhome. Last year at the Day of Hope,she met the Parker family while givingthem a tour of her home. The Parker'sfell in love with her and began the fos-ter care training program throughMCH. A few months later, Kristimoved in with them, began a newschool and met new friends. For Kristithis one day gave her a new chance atlife, and hope for the future. The Dayof Hope gave Kristi a forever family.

Children come to MCH hurt and

hopeless, but by the time they leaveMCH's care, they are on the road tohealing, and most importantly, theyhave hope for a bright future. It isbecause of people like you, that all ofthis is possible. You are bringing hopeto MCH. Witness first-hand how God isusing people in the lives of these chil-dren and the campus.

Gather a large group, and celebratethe Day of Hope! Churches, churchorganizations, Sunday school classes,and members of the community arewelcome! Come and tour the homesand campus, meet the children, enjoy aBBQ lunch, participate in a live auction(with amazing items to bid on) andlearn more about bringing Hope toHurting children in Mississippi.

For more information about thisevent, to RSVP, or if you have a specialrequest, contact Robyn Burchfield [email protected] or 601-853-5000 ext. 1255. If you would like tosponsor the Day of Hope, contact KateWilliams at [email protected] or601-853-5000 ext. 1222. Also, visitwww.mchms.org to view the agenda forthe Day of Hope!

Bringing HOPE to hurting children

Native American Ministries Sunday will be April 10.


4

Letter from Bishop Swanson:The statistics are sobering at best and downright terrify-

ing at worst. Over 40,000 Americans are killed each yearby gun violence. For every fatality there are three nonfatalshootings. Politicians almost literally trip over themselvesas they rush to introduce tougher and tougher crime legis-lation.

Columnist William Raspberry of The Washington Postis not convinced that you can coerce people into decentbehavior. He writes: “We keep imagining that the problemis that young people aren’t frightened enough, so we keeptoughening criminal sanctions to the point where ournational incarceration rate is the highest in the Westernworld. The real problem is that our young people aren’thopeful enough.”

I spent about six years working with hopeless youngpeople in Columbus, Georgia. I discovered that the lackof learning did not correlate with the rules and enforce-ment. Students did not do well in school because the vastmajority of them were filled with a spirit of hopelessness.

I have been to Africa University and I have seen HOPEin the eyes of the young men and women that study there.Hope for themselves, for their families, for their nationsfrom which they come. Many of them have walked as faras 200 miles or more to attend this beacon of hope. I havevisited the dormitories where they volunteered to give upspace so one more student could lodge with them. Thereis often not enough space for the students who flock thereonly to discover that their hope is not in vain. The oppor-tunity to attend a university is an opportunity to not onlylift a person, but an opportunity to lift a family, an oppor-tunity to lift a community, an opportunity to lift a nationand ultimately an opportunity to lift the world.

I am not asking you to give just money; I am askingyou to become a pipeline of HOPE. Join me in this cam-paign of HOPE, The Mississippi-Africa UniversityPartnership.

Blessings,Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.

Resident Bishop of the Mississippi Episcopal Area

dollars to Africa University. The fundswould be collected over the annualconference sessions 2015 and 2016. Atthe beginning of 2016, the conferencereported more than half of the goal hadbeen pledged. This was thanks to com-mitments of four full scholarships inthe amount of $130,000 and several

major gift donors. The 2016 MissionOffering will be collected on June 9,2016 during the mission service.

Every local church in theMississippi Conference is challengedto participate in the campaign at thelevel appropriate for that church. Clickhere to review all the informationabout the Mississippi-Africa UniversityPartnership

The StarkvilleDistrict goal for

the AfricaUniversity

endowment is toraise $130,000

over a three-yearperiod. To date,we have received

pledges of$36,000.

Churches areencouraged to

pledge a minimum of$1,200. Makeyour pledge

TODAY! Contactthe District

Office for more information at(662) 323-0198.

AFRICA UNIVERSITYContinued from page 1...

Digital Advertising grants available What are Digital Advertising Grants?

Digital Advertising Grants pay foronline advertising for local UnitedMethodist Churches in order to raiseawareness of that church by geo-target-ing the online community pre-designedRethink Church static digital ads placedon websites in your area. The ads willhave a pre-set Rethink Church messagedetermined by the season (Lent, Back-to-School or Advent). These ads will becustomized using either your churchlogo or our in-house designed UMCbranding with your church name andwill link directly to your church websitebut cannot be altered in any other way.

When can my church apply for a digi-tal advertising grant?

Digital Advertising Grants are avail-

able for churches during three “seasons”each year: Lent/Easter, Back-to-Schooland Advent. The application is open pre-ceding each season:• Lent/Easter (application period isOctober 1 – January 7)• Back-to-School (application periodis April 1 – July 1)• Advent (application period is August 1– October 1)

All grants are awarded on a first-come,first-served basis. Churches awarded adigital grant are only eligible to reapplyevery other year.

How can my church get approved fora digital advertising grant?

Applying United Methodist churchesmust meet the following criteria:a. Applying churches must have a work-

ing, welcoming website.b. Your church website must clearlyindicate United Methodist affiliationthrough language and/or UnitedMethodist branding on the landing page.c. Churches must be willing to use pre-designed ads that match UMC brandingthat displays a Rethink Church messagedetermined by the grant season.d.Applicants must complete a follow-up evaluation that includes detailedinformation about attendance/visitorincreases and/or website increased visits. e. Churches awarded a digital grant areonly eligible to reapply every other year.(i.e., if awarded a grant in Advent 2015,the church must wait until Easter 2017to apply again).

How do I know if the ads were effec-

tive?We should be able to give

you Impression Rates, Clicks,and Click-Through Rates 4 to 6weeks after your advertisingperiod is completed. We maybe able to provide some screenshots too. During the period theads are running, please makesure to track your visitors andget feedback about how theseads are attracting visitors toyour congregation. We willsend you an evaluationform/survey to give us a followup report.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES


CELBRATING HOLY WEEK5

APRIL 3 • Bishop James Swanson will speak at FirstUMC Louisville at the morning worship service,beginning at 11 a.m. The public is invited toattend.APRIL 4 • Calling All Clergywomen of the MississippiAnnual Conference. Bishop James SwansonSr. invites you to join him for an informal time ofconversation held in the Metro Jackson area.More details will be announced later. Spread theword!APRIL 5 • Retiree Paperwork DueAPRIL 9 • Spiritual Leadership Institute First Launch:Loving, Learning, Leading, more info TBAAPRIL 12, 14, 19 & 21 • 2016 Sacred Conversations for Young Clergy– Attention Young Clergy! The Center forMinistry is sponsoring "Sacred Conversationsfor Young Clergy," regional gatherings plannedand facilitated by young clergy for the purposeof learning from each other, worshipping togeth-er, and creating community. A half CEU is avail-able for those who attend. Bring money forlunch. There are four upcoming opportunities inApril, all from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.- April 12 (Court Street UMC - Hattiesburg) - April 14 (Fannin UMC - Jackson area)- April 19 (Greenville First UMC - Delta area) - April 21 (Tupelo First UMC - Tupelo) APRIL 30 • From 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Starkville FirstU.M.C.— Lay Servant/Speaker Training. MAY 5• Starkville’s Observance of The National Dayof Prayer will be held at noon at the StarkvilleSportsplex Activities Room.MAY 30• District & Conference Offices closed in obser-vance of Memorial DayJUNE 6 • First Time Appointees MeetingJUNE 8-11 • Mississippi Annual Conference, JacksonJUNE 9• Nexus Youth Day at Annual ConferenceNEXUS is a one-day event planned anddesigned by the Conference Council on YouthMinistry (CCYM).This is a celebration of youthconnecting at Session of Annual Conference onThursday, June 9, from 1- 5 p.m. Early bird rateis $20 if registered and paid by May 1. The reg-ular rate is $25 after May 1until at the door.Limited partial scholarships are available.Contact Cat Foster at (601 )354-0515 or [email protected] and provide payment inadvance by check to the conference office at320-C Briarwood Drive, Jackson, MS 39206.

CALENDAR

soring the Order of Dickson. Hicks said there are less than 75 recipients

of the Dickson Order in the MississippiAnnual Conference.

In 2002, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. “Chet”Dillard of Clinton, established “The DicksonOrder,” in memory of Rev. Nathan AndrewDickson. The Dickson Order is a specialinterest restricted endowment fund to honorministers of The Mississippi Conference ofThe United Methodist Church who haveserved faithfully and blessed the lives ofindividuals in the churches they have served.

The income from the fund provides schol-arships for individuals enrolled in a seminarypursuing pastoral ministry. Individuals,churches, or organizations wishing to bestowthis honor upon a minister must make a con-tribution of at least $1,000 to the fund. To beeligible for membership in The Order, a min-ister must have served as a pastor for a mini-mum of 20 years.

“We are so very proud of the churches andindividuals that contributed to Rev. BernardCrump posthumously receiving the Dickson

Order award,” said Starkville DistrictSuperintendent Dr. Embra Jackson. “Themembers of the churches that contributed aremembers of the churches that Rev. Crumpserved as pastor prior to his retirement as aUnited Methodist pastor. They showed theirlove and appreciation for this great yet hum-ble leader. It was his vision that helped thesechurches become a part of a ‘larger parish.’He led them with humility and grace.”

In addition to serving as the first blackDistrict Superintendent in Mississippi from1974-1980, he continued to lead people toChrist in the Oktibbeha-Clay Parish churchesfrom 1980-2004. Crump also served theOktibbeha County community and surround-ing area for more than 32 years as District 2Justice Court Judge.

Jackson said funds raised above what wasneeded for this endowment were contributedto a scholarship fund at The UnitedMethodist Foundation that was alreadyestablished in Rev. Crump’s honor.

For more information about the DicksonOrder, go to http://www.ms-umf.org/?page_id=216.

CRUMPContinued from page 1...

First United Methodist Church ofKosciusko presented HIS LAST DAYS:The Passion Play, March 24-26, 2016.Cast members portrayed the life ofChrist opening with a scene from theLast Supper. The annual productionbrought large crowds each night.(Photos by Gwen Sisson)

Kosciusko First

UMC presented

HIS LAST DAYS


6

CONFERENCE MISSION SHARESWe are so excited to announce that thefollowing churches have made significantcontributions to the work of the MississippiConference and the United Methodist Churcharound the world through their Mission FairShares offerings through January 31, 2016.

100% PAID• Longview• Sturgis• St. Peter• Macedonia• Military• Brooksville• Rockport

ON TARGET (16.67%)• Mt. Hermon• Drake Hill• Mt. Lebanon• Shaeffers Chapel• Columbus: St.Stephen

• Kosciusko: Wesley• Bevil Hill• Louisville: Hopewell• Maben• Bethel• Salem (Sallis)• Noxapater• Starkville: First• Dumas Chapel• Mathiston• Mt. Moriah(Mathiston)• Salem (Weir-Salem)• West Point: First• Flower Ridge

DISTRICT MISSION SHARESWe are so excited to announce that thefollowing churches have made significantcontributions to the work of the StarkvilleDistrict through their Mission Fair Shares offerings through March 3, 2016.

100% PAID• Baldwin• Caledonia• Bethel• Macon: New Hope • Mathiston• Weir• Center Ridge RuralHill• Rocky Hill• Sturgis• Camp Ground• Bevil Hill• Buffalo• Columbus: NewHope• Salem (Weir-Salem)• Piney Grove• Flower Ridge• Drake Hill• Maben• Artesia• Vernon• Mt. Lebanon• Shuqualak• Hopewell• Piney Grove(Louisville)

• Providence• Macedonia• Pleasant Hill(Louisville)• Noxapater• Liberty Hill• New Zion• Palestine• Starkville First• Mt. Salem (WeirCircuit)• Mt. Moriah(Mathiston)• Mt. Moriah (Macon)• Bellefontaine

ON TARGET (16.7%)• Starkville: Aldersgate• Macon: First• Kosciusko: First• Military Chapel• Whitehall• Ackerman: First• Columbus: First• Siloam• Louisville: Whitehall

CELBRATING EASTER

Pierce Fondren helpsdecorate the cross atMaben UMC EasterSunday morning. (Photossubmitted)



Documents

THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER · 4/4/2016 · determined by the season (Lent, Back-to-School or Advent). These ads will be customized using either your church logo or our in-house