We have returned to more regular in person hours at the District Office. However, please call or email for an appointment to be sure we are in and to be admitted into the building. For assistance anytime, you may contact either Dr. Cynthia Davis at 901-270-5358 or msriverds19@gmail.com or Mrs. Vicki Dunagan at 731-694-4654 or msriveradmassistant@gmail.com. Also, for convenience, a drop box has been installed on the outside wall of our office building.
A Prayer from Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis Create in me O’ Lord a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me all the way down to the depths of my soul. Give me a clean heart O’ God that my compassion and mercy for others would overflow and mercy would become contagious….more contagious than the Delta strain of the virus… Create in me O’God a righteous spirit that stands up for the poor and marginalized; the disenfranchised and the invisible; and those who experience emptiness and bouts of depression and anxiety. Lord, have mercy…. Create in me Lord Jesus a tender heart and discerning spirit that I may give generously, forgive unceasingly, and pray for my brothers and sisters who struggle for justice and righteousness for your name’s sake…and for who fall down and get back up time after time… Pour out your Spirit on each person whose desperation overwhelms them as they seek Your face…for those who grieve and for those who suffer; for those who mourn and for those whose illnesses are more than they can bear. Come near Sweet Jesus. Create in us a clean heart, a contrite spirit with an eye toward justice for all people. Heal the land O’Lord! Heal our hearts that they might be malleable in the hand of our Great Potter. Break us and reshape us that we might be totally yours living to glorify you. Do not ever cast us from Your Presence and please, never, take Your Holy Spirit from us. And may it be so….amen. Rev Dr. Cynthia D. Davis Mississippi River District Superintendent P. O. Box 264 Alamo, TN 38001 msriverds19@gmail.com Office: 731.696.4117
Attention Certified Lay Ministers, Certified Lay Servants, and Supply Pastors Currently Serving Assignments! Beginning Saturday, July 31st, we will resume in-person CLM, CLS, SY gatherings. The time will be from 10:00 a.m. - Noon and the sessions will be at the District Office, 1382 W. Church St., Alamo, TN. Please bring your communion elements for consecration. In order to offer these classes to all CLMs, CLS, and SY Pastors in the Memphis and TN Conferences, a Zoom option has been added and login details have been shared. The schedule for these in person/Zoom sessions are as follows: July 31st, August 28th, October 2nd, Nov. 6th, and Dec. 4th. District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis will lead the sessions and looks forward to seeing you! These sessions are created especially for you and will be on topics relevant to your role and work. Also, please make your plans to attend the "in-person" clergy gathering on August 31st at Dyersburg First UMC! Email Vicki at msriveradmassistant@gmail.com to make your reservation. And, note your invitation from Bishop McAlilly in this newsletter for the Clergy Days Apart on August 23rd - 24th.
Renfro Grant Applications This is a Jurisdictional grant for church buildings particularly with a mission or outreach emphasis. The guidelines and the application may be accessed on the SEJ website at http://www.sejumc.org. Applications should be sent to the District office prior to August 1st as the D.S. signature is required. The District will then forward the application to the proper person to meet the August 1st deadline.
Reelfoot Rural Ministries Announces School Supply Needs Your support of RRM is needed and greatly appreciated!!! Click Here to Download School Supply List
Development Fund Grant Program Announcement The Board of the Development Fund for Kentucky and Tennessee and the Foundation for the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences is pleased to announce the establishment of a new grant program. These grants are to aid churches or affiliated Conference entities with building or renovation projects. Click Here for Details!
District Clergy - You are Invited to Join Bishop McAlilly for the TN/WK Clergy Days Apart Play - Worship - Eat - Fellowship - Stay When: Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 23 - 24, 2021 (registration link coming soon) Where: Camp Widjiwagan on beautiful Percy Priest Lake (This invitation is also extended to Certified Lay Ministers, Lay Servants, and Supply Pastors who are currently serving assignments.) Use the links provided below to begin planning for this event! TWK Clergy Days Apart Aug. 23 - 24 Read the Story of The Jolly String Quartet
Dates Announced for Lay Servant Classes Advanced Lay Servant Classes - August 2nd, 9th, and 16th - Classes will be by Zoom from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Susan Davidson, Director of Lay Speaking Ministries in the Memphis Conference will lead the classes using the book, Faith Sharing by Eddie Fox. To register or ask questions, and to receive the Zoom login, contact Susan by email at susanandsissy@gmail.com. This would also be a good time if you need classes for re-certification which are required every 3 years. (Cost $15) Basic Lay Servant Classes - August 11th, 12th, and 13th - Contact Susan to register, ask questions, and to receive the Zoom login. susanandsissy@gmail.com (Cost $15) In Addition to these classes, Click Here For A List of Additional Lay Servant Training Opportunities
Transitional Nominating Committee Ask for Your Input In anticipation of approval by the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, the Transitional Nominating Committee is beginning a new nominations process to identify potential leaders for the future Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Your input is important. For more information, nomination forms, and to watch the video to learn about the new process, Click Here.
Clergy Information Clergy Family Gathering: New date, Tuesday, Aug. 31st - 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Dyersburg First UMC. This will be a family Clergy Gathering with a meal and fellowship. Please email Vicki at msriveradmassistant@gmail.com to make your reservation! Local Pastors: Monthly coaching groups have been established and dates set! These sessions will focus on how to better navigate and serve your congregations as well as self-care. Please make every effort to attend your scheduled sessions. Elders: Spiritual Direction is also being offered through the Clergy Coaching Network. Dr. Davis would like all Elders to have a Spiritual Director. If you don't currently have someone assigned to you, please contact Dr. Davis for assistance.
Charge Conference Schedule and Details...
Coming Soon!
Attention: Clergy Spouses - A Retreat is Planned Just for You The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Clergy Spouses Retreat will be Sept. 24-26 at Beersheba Springs Assembly. More details will be in place soon but for now, SAVE THE DATES! Information will be posted on the 'Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Clergy Spouses' Facebook page or email tnministermates@yahoo.com with you questions.
Your Feedback is Requested Regarding the Quarter & A Prayer Initiative! As upcoming conversations on poverty are planned, your feedback will be helpful. Please email Vicki at msriveradmassistant@gmail.com to let us know if your church is participating in the Quarter and A Prayer initiative and tell us how it is going! We'll share dates for more conversation soon! For more information contact the district office, 731-696-4117, or Rev. Brian Griffith, 731-676-2412.
Upcoming Conferences New dates for General Conference are Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, 2022 Click Here for more Details on General Conference
50 Years and Counting! Be a Part of the Celebration of the Histories of the Memphis and Tennessee Conferences To continue celebrating the histories of the Memphis and Tennessee conferences we want to capture a living history from those of you who have experienced things firsthand during these past 50 years. We would like to capture your stories and memories to create a video in celebration of the years 1972 – 2022 in what we now call the Nashville Episcopal Area. Click Here to Learn How to Participate
Local Church Events & Invitations: On October 17, Trenton First will celebrate the 150th year of their sanctuary with a special service at 10:00 a.m. and lunch to follow. After lunch, there will be a history presentation mixed with a hymn sing. Everyone is invited to join them for any portion of this celebration.
Denominational News, Helpful Ideas and Resources!
More Quick Links: View Job Postings or List Available Positions in the Memphis Conf Reelfoot Rural Ministries United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Lakeshore Project Transformation Emergency Response Guide for churches United Methodist Women: UMW Spiritual Retreat Sept. 10 - 12 at Beersheba Springs Assembly
Find us on Facebook at Mississippi River District of the United Methodist Church or CLICK HERE
To submit news or sign up additional folks to receive this online District Newsletter email: msriveradmassistant@gmail.com
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