THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

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

Friday I February 6, 2015

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CONNECTIONSRESIDENT BISHOP:Dr. James E. Swanson, Sr.bishop@mississippi-umc.org

DISTRICT

SUPERINTENDENT:Rev. Embra Jacksonembrakjackson@gmail.com

ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT:Pat Lawsonstkv@ms.metrocast.net

COMMUNICATIONS

ASSISTANT:Gwen Sissongwenwoodssisson@yahoo.com

DISTRICT HEALTH

COORDINATOR:Carolyn Jacksonandrewandcarolyn@

bellsouth.net

LAY ACADEMY DEAN:Rev. Sarah Windhamewindham@bellsouth.net

By Gwen Sisson

When Starkville High School’s Raphael Leonardreceived the Most Valuable Player Award at theMississippi-Alabama All-Star game, he was quite sur-prised.

“I was just doing what was expected of me,”Leonard said. “When I caught those touchdowns, Iwas just trying to help my team win.”

Leonard said it was a great honor to be named MVPout of all the outstanding players on that All-Star team.It was such an incredible experience for Leonard, thatthe only down side about that game was that hisMississippi team didn't win.

Leonard’s mother, Lynn Leonard, said her sonplayed one of his best games that day. “His first touchdown catch was one of his typical ‘upand go get it’ catches,” Lynn Leonard said. “Hestretched the ball over the goal line and there it was

‘Touchdown!’”Mom said his second touchdown catch was one that

should have been on ESPN’s Top Plays. “The catch was a little to his right,” Lynn Leonard

LEONARDContinued on page 2...

Starkville High School’s Raphael Leonard is an MVP of life. (Photo by Mary Liz Herrington/SDN)

Rock Hill UMC’s Leonard knows God is at work in his life

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said. “He was running and all of a sudden hewent down. The ball was still coming. Hestretched out and raised hisarms and hands up and thereit was. He made the catch! Iscreamed, ‘That boy caughtthat ball!!!’ It was one thatmade the crowd go wild. TheAlabama side was in awe!”

But Leonard didn’t alwayslike football. Lynn said hestarted playing pee-wee foot-ball with the StarkvilleRaiders when he was 8 or 9.She said he didn't like to playbecause, "they don't throwthe ball." “He has always liked tocatch,” Lynn Leonard said. “Iguess he is a born receiver.”

Raphael Leonard is a sen-ior at Starkville High School,where he also plays basket-ball and baseball. He is theson of Raphael and LynnLeonard. He has committedto Florida Atlantic Universityin Boca Raton, Fla. to playfootball. Leonard is undecid-ed about a major at this time,but wants to possibly dosome coaching or somethingin the sports field.

“I know that I am talentedbecause of God first, and my hard work,”Leonard said. “If I work harder, I canbecome better. In all my sports that I play,God is there. He has kept me from injury.That is God at work right there!”

Leonard said his mother has also been astrong influence on his faith.

“Mama has always stressed to us theimportance of going to church and believingin God,” Leonard said. “I sometimes get dis-

couraged about things but when I talk toGod or pray, I feel better. I know God hasmy back and I will do all I can to make himproud of giving me the talents he has given

me. God is my strength.”Leonard said attending

Sunday School when hewas younger helped himrealize that God is able tohelp him with everythinghe wants to accomplishin life.Leonard is a member ofRock Hill UnitedMethodist Church.

“Because of my foun-dation there, my faith isalways growing,”Leonard said. “My pastoris very encouraging. Heis a great motivator. Themembers there are alsoencouraging and proudof me. I am so glad to bea part of such a greatchurch family. I want tocontinue to grow andplay so they can watchme in college and hope-fully in the NFL.”

Rev. Jerome Wilsonsaid he has had the pleas-ure of serving asLeonard’s pastor forabout eight years at RockHill UMC.

“He is a quiet person, who has a quiet spir-it, and he is very well-mannered,” Wilsonsaid. “His parents and the church alwaysencourage him to keep God first in his lifeand every thing else will be added.”

Starkville District Superintendent Dr.Embra Jackson said he met Leonard recentlyat Rock Hill UMC.

“I was immediately struck by his leader-ship qualities, politeness and humility,”

LEONARDContinued from page 1...

Jackson said. “When I also learned that he was a regularparticipant in his church and was an honor roll student, Iwas so proud that he was a United Methodist. In addition, Ihave attended most of his high school football games, andhe is in deed an M. V. P.”

Mom said she couldn't be more proud of her son. “If he never makes another catch, Heaven forbid, I would

be elated with his accomplishments so far,” Lynn Leonardsaid. “I know that God has a plan for him. Not only is he agreat athlete, he is a better person. He is so humble, dedicat-ed, dependable, and responsible. I don't say these thingsabout him because he is my son. I say these things becausethey are true. His dad, granddad, sisters, and the entire fami-ly -- we are so proud of him.”

Lynn Leonard said Raphael is a young man who has donethings that would not have been possible if God was not inhis life.

“We have taught our children to honor and reverence Godat all times and in all they do,” Lynn Leonard said.“Leonard is living proof that God will take care of us whenwe do what he tells us. His favorite scripture is ‘I can do allthings through Christ who strengthens me.’ He firmlybelieves that his talent is God's gift to him and what he doeswith that talent is his gift to God.”

“He is a quietperson, who hasa quiet spirit,and he is verywell-mannered.His parents andthe churchalwaysencourage himto keep God firstin his life andevery thing elsewill be added.”

-- REV. JEROME WILSON

ROCK HILL UMC

Raphael Leonard was recently named Student of the Week.

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3 CLERGY CONSULTATION SCHEDULE 2015

*All Consultations will be held at the Starkville District office.**The consultation schedule is tentative. Pastors must submit

their church and pastor profiles to the district office at least twodays before the scheduled consultation.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY• Clergy Consultations at the District Office.Individual appointments TBA.

FEB. 15• Liberty UMC will present a Lay ServantProgram at 3 p.m. Lay Servants participating inthis program include Pam Simmons, VickiePatterson, Lamar Dumas, Curtis Ford, DelvinSimmons and Ella Dumas

FEB. 23-25• Ten years After Katrina: UMCOR and UMVIM2015 SEJ Disaster Academy

FEB. 27- MAR. 1• The Gathering at Christ United MethodistChurch in Jackson, MS.

FEB. 28• Health Fair/Screening from 10-2 at ColumbusFUMC. Dr. Richard DeShazo, along with hisesteemed team of medical students, from TheUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center, weregracious and able in offering to come and pro-vide free health screenings for our clergy andcommunity. This is a TEAM HOPE event.

MAR. 20-21• District Mission Day sponsored by DCYM.Location has not been determined at this time.

MAR. 29• Bishop Swanson will be preaching at 11a.m.(Palm Sunday) at First Unity UMC.

APR. 5• Bishop Swanson will be preaching at 11a.m.(Easter Sunday) at Columbus First UMC.

APR. 11• District Lay Servant Leader Training will beginat 8:30 a.m. at Starkville FUMC

CALENDAR

We are still looking for a person fromeach church to help with photos,

announcements, etc. for the District newsletter....we would LOVE to have

something from every church. TIP: If youare already posting for your church FBPage, website or twitter feed, you are

the PERFECT person to share all thosepix with this group....Gwen can

download photos from there! Thanks toall those who have volunteered so far!Thanks for all you do to make Christknown in the Starkville District! To

volunteer, send your contact informationto gwenwoodssisson@yahoo.com

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2015 marks onedecade since thetragedy and extraordi-nary generosity sur-rounding HurricaneKatrina's devastation.Over $18 million andthousands of volunteersbuoyed Mississippi intorecovery.

The MississippiAnnual Conference ishosting theSoutheasternJurisdiction DisasterAcademy alongside theUnited MethodistCommittee on Relief(UMCOR) and UnitedMethodist Volunteers inMission (UMVIM)February 23-25, 2015,at Seashore Assemblyin Biloxi. If you'd liketo learn more abouthow you can be a partof disaster responseministry, the disasteracademy is for you!Pre-registration isrequired so please clickthe registration formand complete it toattend. Let's gather andcelebrate all that Godhas done and how wemight join in responseand recovery for thefuture!

Ten YearsAfterKatrina...

The Gathering will bean amazing weekend!You don’t want to missit!

Mark your calendars!Rev. William Rambo,associate pastor at theOrchard UnitedMethodist Church inTupelo and Bishop JamesE. Swanson, Sr., episco-pal leader of theMississippi Area are bothamazing communicatorsand will be the guestspeakers at the Gathering2015.

Worship leader, SteveFee, will bring energyeven higher than before.Amena Brown will bringa powerful experiencewith her spoken wordart.

A dance crew that hasperformed all around thecountry at youth campsand NBA half-timeshows, Remote Kontrol,will be here!

The Gathering 2015will be Friday, February27, 2015 to Sunday,March 1, 2015 at Christ

United Methodist Churchat 6000 Old Canton Roadin Jackson, MS.

Organizers said theLord moved in powerfulways at The Gathering2014 and they are pray-ing for God to moveeven bigger in 2015!

Non-refundable regis-tration costs: $60Regular Registration(paid online or post-marked by February 16,2015)$65 Late Registration(paid online or post-

marked after February16, 2015)

Provide payment inadvance by check to theconference office.

Contact MikeHowington, MississippiConference Youth andFamilies Coordinator at(601) 354-0515 for addi-tional information anddetails about availablescholarships. His cellphone is (601)331-3669or you can email him at mike@mississippi-umc.org.

FROM THE DESK OF...

District SuperintendentDR. EMBRA JACKSON

Thank you so much for all ofyour work for the glory of God inthe Starkville District.

99 percent and countingCongratulations to the Starkville

District for completion of 99 per-cent of the yearend statisticalreports. Rev. George Buell,District Statistician informed methat he was very excited that wehave reached nearly 100 percentcompliance with submitting thesereports.

George believes that the 1percentof missing reports may be result ofchurches closing or becomingPreaching Stations.

It is very important to submitthese reports so that the annualconference, district and the connec-tional church can help us accesshow well churches are progressingin fulfilling their mission of

"Making Disciples of Jesus Christfor the Transformation of theWorld."

These reports help us makeimportant decisions related church-es ministry context in their effortsto fulfill their mission.

Starkville District AgainRanks #2

Thank you and congratulationsare extended to the StarkvilleDistrict for ranking as the numbertwo district in regard to the per-centage of annual conference mis-sion fair shares contributed to ourministry efforts as UnitedMethodist locally and around theworld.

We concluded 2014 with a 90.16percent. We appreciate you andyour churches for engaging in this

ministry of outreach and missionthrough giving through our connec-tional system of support. Your sup-port helps us live out the POWERof We in our local communities andaround the world.

Thank You for ourSupport!

The Starkville district reached 90percent in support of district mis-sion fair shares in 2014. while thisis a slight decrease from the previ-ous year, it still is a positive signwhen 90 percent of the churchesassist the district by sharing theirfinancial resources with us. Yourgifts help us to engage in ministryby allowing us to assist churches inmission and outreach ministries, layand clergy training, leadershipdevelopment, etc.

Youth are invited to attend THE GATHERING Feb. 27- Mar. 1

We need photos of your church events...The Starkville District would like to feature events from every church in each newsletter. Please send us your events and announcements tostkv@ms.metrocast.net or to gwenwoodssisson@yahoo.com. Email your photos as.jpeg attachments (or whatever format your camera or phone typically uses -- if giventhe choice, .jpeg formats better). Thanks so much! DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT NEWSLETTER will be noon FEBRUARY 13!

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At right, RevShepperd, ZacharyGordon, and PierceFondren with some ofthe canned vegeta-bles for The FoodPantry. (Photo submit-ted)

Maben UMC has a ‘souper’ bowl lunchBy William Harpole

After a message by Rev. ScarletShepperd, of Maben Methodist, touching onhelping those in need, the congregation joinedin The Fellowship Hall, for their annual"Souper" Bowl Lunch.

Rev Shepperd, and husband, Tim, whohave always,encouraged the youth to takeactive part in their church, prepared two largepots of soup, and one large pot of chili.

The members, bringing home made corn-bread, desserts, and salads enjoyed a mealtogether.

The members, also brought canned veg-etables, to be given to The Webster CountyFood Pantry.

The members of Maben Methodist,will maybe feel a little better, when theywatched The Super Bowl, feeling like theymight have helped some people, even, if in asmall way.

TEAM HOPE Community Health Fair & Screening set for Feb. 28By Rev. Sandra Brown

God is so good, always. It lookslike we will be hosting our firstTeam Hope, Starkville District,GTR Community Health Fair!Thanks to each of you for yourprayers, dedication and hard workin helping make this Health CareAdvocacy ministry possible.

Dr. Richard deShazo, along withhis esteemed team of medical stu-dents, from The University ofMississippi Medical Center, weregracious and able in offering tocome and provide free healthscreenings for our clergy andcommunity on Saturday, Feb. 28,10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The emphasis forthis fair will be screening for the

health of our district clergy; but,we will, also, be opening freescreenings to the GTR communi-ty.

As discussed at our last teammeeting, we checked into TrotterConvention Center being the hostlocation; but, it was not availableon this date. First UnitedMethodist Church's (Columbus)Gym was available. They have,graciously, offered to host, pro-vide set up, coffee and water andlunch for our Team, Dr. deShazo,his team, and the other volunteers.Homemade soup and sandwiches!Yum!

Please invite anyone you feelled to join us to be on our team orto help us as volunteers for this

day. Since we don't know howmany people will be attending, weneed all hands on deck, andmaybe more. Please, also, encour-age your pastor and all pastorsthat you know in our District toattend the fair for this free healthscreening and fellowship opportu-nity. This is a wonderful chance toget others interested in HealthCare Advocacy and in this servingministry of being the Church andCommunity, together.

Remember, as discussed, wewill be scheduling soon, a CHAtraining event, on a mutuallyagreeable date after the health fair.So, will be offering this and otherupcoming opportunities for you tohost events at your church, com-

munity location and, or to includeother community groups to sharetheir ministries and gifts with theChurch and Community.

Looking forward to this greatday of fun, fellowship and fruitfulministry in working together asbrothers and sisters in Christ.

Please let us know if you haveany questions or if you have anythoughts to share. Everyone is avital part of this ministry.

For more information, contactLee Burdine at lee@lifebux.comor at (662) 328-0444; SandraBrown at BSGBrown@gmail.comor at (662) 251-6437; or CarolynJackson atandrewandcarolyn@bellsouth.net.

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By Gwen Sisson

Maudie Benton said being a member ofUnited Methodist Women has been arewarding experience.

“It has made me grow stronger in myfaith in how I not only can help people inmy church, community, and state, butthroughout the world,” Benton said. “Anorganization of such will strengthen thechurch because women are persistent ingetting things done.”

Benton has recently been named thePresident of United Methodist Women forthe Starkville District of the MississippiAnnual Conference of the UnitedMethodist Church.

She is a native Mississippian and aretired school administrator. She is a grad-uate of Rust College, Jackson StateUniversity, and she received her specialistdegree from Mississippi State University.

Benton is a member of Wesley UnitedChurch in Kosciusko, where she has heldseveral leadership positions, includingEducation Chair, Sunday SchoolSuperintendent, teacher, choir member,Class Leader, Administrative Board Chair,and currently Lay Member to The MSAnnual Conference. On the district level,Benton has served three terms as UnitedMethodist Women Secretary of ProgramResources. Benton said in some ways thesecretary position has helped to prepareher for her current position as UMWPresident.

Benton said as she became moreinvolved and spiritually-inclined along herChristian journey, she felt her experiencesand church life closely aligned to the tradi-tions and beliefs of those of the UnitedMethodist Women’s group, whose motto is"Faith, Hope and Love In Action."

“She is so hard-working and whenever Ior the church needs something done, Ms.Maudie is always there,” said Rev. A.J.Murray, pastor of Wesley UnitedMethodist Church. “I and the church reallyappreciate her service.”

Starkville District Superintendent for theMississippi Annual Conference of theUnited Methodist Church, Dr. EmbraJackson said the Starkville District is elat-ed to learn that Mrs. Maudie Benton hasbeen elected as the president of the DistrictUnited Methodist Women.

“I have known Mrs. Benton since 1986when I served as her pastor at the WesleyChurch in Kosciusko,” Jackson said. “As alife-long United Methodist, church leader,community leader and former schooladministrator Mrs. Benton possesses thequalities necessary to help lead the districtUnited Methodist Women to continue theirlegacy of Christian love in action.”

Benton said even though some DistrictUnited Methodist Churches have similaror no women’s organization, she believesit would be empowering for women toknow about the mission concepts that TheUnited Methodist Women Organizationentails.

“It is my prayer and mission to contactas many churches as possible that are notorganized (with a United MethodistWomen’s group),” Benton said. “With theaid of the District Superintendent and pas-tors of churches, we will find out whythere is no organization and maybe we willbe able to get more participation/organiza-tion of those churches.”

The District United Methodist Womenhold three meetings each year. The firstmeeting date is 9 a.m. Feb. 21 at theStarkville District Day Apart/LocalOfficers' Training at Buffalo UMC inKosciusko. Other dates and locations willbe listed soon. The Starkville District ishappy to host the Conference Annualmeeting of the United Methodist Women.

For more information about organizingor supporting a United MethodistWomen’s group, contact Benton at (662)289-6010 or (662) 582-0825.

William Jones, 59, was the first baptismand first confession of faith for 2015 atLiberty UMC in Eupora. Praise God!#glorysightings (Photo submitted)

First baptism of 2015...

Benton named DistrictPresident of UM Women

HAPPYBIRTHDAY

toSTARKVILLE DISTRICT

SUPERINTENDENT DR. EMBRA JACKSON

on FEBRUARY 5

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By Gwen Sisson

Lamar Dumas said it is very important forUnited Methodist Men to take a leadershiprole in the community and make a differencewhere they can.

“I think it is important to be creative in ourapproach to leadership within the church andcommunity,” Dumas said. “We don’t want toget stagnate. As a United Methodist Men’sorganization, we want to be wherever thechurch asks and serve wherever the communi-ty needs.”

Dumas has recently been named president ofthe Starkville District’s United MethodistMen’s group. He is a member of LibertyUnited Methodist Church of Eupora, andactive in the church’s UM Men’s organizationfor over 18 years, where he has served as pres-ident before taking on this new role on the dis-trict level. Dumas replaces Andy Tentoni asthe Starkville District UM Men’s President,while Tentoni relinquishes the position tobecome the president of the MississippiAnnual Conference United Methodist Men.

“We are very excited that Lamar Dumas hadbeen named as the president of the StarkvilleDistrict U. M. Men,” said Starkville District

Superintendent Dr. Embra Jackson. “Webelieve that Mr. Dumas will continue the lega-cy of the great leadership with the UnitedMethodist Men in the Starkville District.”

Rev. Rochelle Ashford Minor, pastor ofLiberty UMC, said she is very excited aboutthe work God is doing through Dumas.

“God's spirit is truly moving,” Minor said. “Iam so thankful to be part of a family that has aheart for God and for God's people. Beinginclusive is key to ministry.”

Being inclusive is a big part of the UnitedMethodist Men’s organization. Dumas said athis home church, there are men in the commu-nity who are not members of the church whoare members of UM Men.

“There is an acceptance and a willingness inthis organization that is very important,”Dumas said. This year, Dumas is organizing the Walk forLove, a 3K Walk/5K Run in Starkville onValentine’s Day, Feb. 14. The UnitedMethodist Men are asking clergy and laity tojoin them as they walk “for the love of ourLord.” Registration fees will be a $10 donationfor the run and a $5 donation for the walk. Dumas said he hopes this will be an opportuni-ty for United Methodist Men (and others)

throughout the district to come together for atime of fellowship and healthy fun.

For more information about UM Men or the“Walk for Love,” contact Dumas at (662) 552-3252.

Dumas named District President of UM Men

As pastors and leaders, you know well the power that God’speople experience when they PRAY! On the first Thursday inMay, our nation pauses to observe a National Day of Prayer,and on that day, we as the church in America, have an oppor-tunity to emphasize the importance of PRAYER as a testimonyto who God is, what we believe, and the fact that our Nationwas founded upon the truths of God’s Word. We would like toinvite you and your congregation to join with thousands ofother churches across our nation to participate in this year’sNational Day of Prayer!

The Starkville Observance of the National Day of Prayerwill be noon May 7 at the Starkville Sportsplex. Other NDOPevents will be held in other communities and churchesthroughout the area. Prayer guides and resources are availableat http://nationaldayofprayer.org/ to help you and your congre-gation promote prayer as an event or as a month-long empha-sis culminating with your National Day of Prayer event.

If planning an event at your church, you will need to appointa coordinator to head up planning and promotion. The websitecan help them along the way. Then, assemble a prayer team tosupport the event or emphasis with prayer. Together, create acalendar and determine the dates, as well as the times andlocations for any supplemental classes on prayer. Four weeksof sermon/teaching outlines are available, as well as curricu-lum for small groups or classes on prayer. If you are lookingfor ideas, there are helpful suggestions on the event ideaspage. For more information, go to http://www.nationaldayof-prayer.org/.

Starkville’s Observance

of the National Day of

Prayer set for May 7