MS River District E-News 4/1/21

At this time, the staff of the MS River District continues to work remotely with limited "in-office" hours or by appointment. For assistance, 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.

An Easter Prayer for the MS River District Clergy and Laity Easter Sunday Prayer O’ Lord, your wonderous birth means nothing unless we are born again, Your death and sacrifice mean nothing unless we die to sin, Your resurrection means nothing if you be risen alone. Through your only Son you overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. You restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin. We praise you for the rising of the sun and the raising of Jesus Christ our Lord. You delivered him and us from death’s destruction. We praise you on this bright day for all your gifts of new life. We especially praise you for all the victories over sin and evil in our lives… For loyalty and love of friends and family…for the newborn and newly baptized… For those now in your eternal rest… You are present with us Eternal God because of Christ’s rising from the dead and we give thanks… We pray for nations and peoples in strife… For the poor and impoverished… For those in distress, diseased and dying… Continue to grant us victory over all our enemies seen and unseen… Raise us up and set us with you in heaven… Provide through us for those who lack food, water, shelter, work…. Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do God’s will, working in you that which is pleasing in God’s sight, through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen …Adapted from The United Methodist Book of Worship Dr. Cynthia D. Davis Mississippi River District Superintendent P. O. Box 264 Alamo, TN 38001 msriverds19@gmail.com Office: 731.696.4117 Cell: 901.270.5358

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Does Your Church Have a Story to Share? The new TWK Annual Conference communications team is looking for stories that relate to the 4 Strategic Initiatives for the new Conference for 2021. Stories should be submitted to communications@tnumc.org. Below is a list of the Initiatives: Develop Transforming Clergy and Lay Leaders Invest in and empower young (18-35) and diverse people Engage the mission field through partnering with communities Create fruitful and faithful congregations

Just Received Notice of this Production This Easter, Sight & Sound is bringing its groundbreaking original stage production “JESUS” to screens worldwide in a special live broadcast event. Already seen by more than 4 million people, audiences from across the globe will now be able to watch the greatest rescue story of all time as it comes to life like never before. This special Easter broadcast of “JESUS—Live” marks only the second time Sight & Sound has produced a live, televised show, and the first time ever from its location in Branson, Missouri. Go to www.sight-sound.tv - and watch on Youtube. The times are: Friday April 2 - 6 pm CDT Saturday April 3 - 2 pm and 7 pm Sunday April 4 - 2 pm and 7 pm

Disaster Response Ministries Click Here to Learn More and for Updates on Recent Nashville Flooding

News From United Methodist Foundation The United Methodist Foundation for the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences is pleased to announce that it was recently awarded a grant from the UMC Clergy Well-Being Initiative. This award is funded by a grant to the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits of the UMC by the Lilly endowment Inc. Working in conjunction with the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences, the grant will be used to help establish and fund pilot groups. These groups are focused upon personal finance for clergy and will utilize the recently published Saving Grace curriculum. Over a two-year period, a pilot clergy group will be launched in each of the nine districts of the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences. Each clergy person selected for the groups will be given a Saving Grace Leader’s kit in order to offer the class in their ministry setting. Following completion of the curriculum, individual financial coaching and counseling will be made available to all participants. Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Philip Jamieson said, “We are very thankful for this opportunity provided by the Lilly Endowment. We do believe that this program has the potential to strengthen both individual finances and to help local churches become better stewards of all that the Lord has provided them.” For more information, please contact Philip Jamieson, President of the UM Foundation for the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences at phil.jamieson@umfmtc.org or David Comperry at dcomperry617@gmail.com.

Guide Team Announces Youth Ministry Partnerships with Ministry Architects Listening sessions are now planned with the date for the MS River District being May 3, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Who Should Attend? Youth ministry professionals, volunteers, youth who feel called into leadership, pastors and parents with a keen interest in youth ministry, laity with a dream for conference youth ministry, etc. The more voices at the table, the more thorough the expression of the conference’s dream for youth ministry. Click Here for Details and for Registration Link

Golden Cross Senior Ministries Virtual Open House Join us for the GOLDEN CROSS Senior Ministries Virtual Open House to learn how you can help seniors with the basics they need for everyday life. GOLDEN CROSS Senior Ministries Virtual Open House Webinar April 6, 2021 10:00 am In this brief 25-minute event, you’ll hear: Staff describe how GOLDEN CROSS Senior Ministries transforms the lives of seniors How we serve 31 communities across West Tennessee, in Jonesboro AR and Murray KY How GOLDEN CROSS Senior Ministries meshes with Wesley Living to help seniors feel at home and feel loved Initiatives made possible by donor support How 100% of your donation goes directly to senior residents Golden Cross Virtual Open House

United Methodist Women 2021 Spiritual Growth Retreat Dates: April 16-17 at Lakeshore Theme: Worry Less, Live More Click Here for Details!

Lenten Hunger Offering - Feb. 17th - April 4th To learn more and find out about beneficiaries, campaign materials, and how to remit funds, click the link below. Lenten Hunger Offering information

Zoom Gatherings for Certified Lay Ministers, Lay Servants, and Supply Pastors Serving Assignments in the MS River District Will Not Meet in April... The date for May will be announced when that is available and the login will be sent to you by email in advance of the meeting. District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis will lead the sessions and looks forward to seeing you on Zoom! If you don't receive the login information, please contact the district office. These sessions are created especially for you and will be on topics relevant to your role and work.

MS River District Continues Conversational Series on Poverty All Laity and Clergy are Invited to Join! All clergy and laity of the district are invited and encouraged to attend. Next date is April 20th 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The continued focus will be on the question, 'What is God calling us to do in regard to poverty during this season?' The hope is to further our district focus on 'Making a Dent', Matthew: 25. Hope you'll join us! If you missed the March 16th conversation, click the link provided below for a recording of that session: Recording of March 16th Conversation on Poverty We will share the login details with clergy and lay groups on Thursday before each Tuesday session. Pastors, please share this opportunity in your congregations as well as forwarding the login to folks who might be interested since the district office does not have email on 'all' laity.

2021 Annual Conference, General Conference, and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference 2021 Memphis Annual Conference details...June 3 - 4 General Conference postponed to 2022 due to the continued safety issues of COVID 19 as it relates to mass gatherings and travel. New dates are August 29 - Sept. 6, 2022 Click Here for more Details on General Conference UM Bishops Reconsider May 8th Special Session of General Conference SEJ Conference (date TBA) Bishop's Blog - Postponement of General Conference...Next Steps

Clergy Information: Next Clergy Meeting: No Meeting in April 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.

TN and Memphis Conferences Join Together to Offer Lay Servant Training Both Basic and Advanced Lay Servant classes have been completed. Additional Basic and Advanced classes will be offered later this year. Susan Davidson, Director of Lay Servant Ministries at 731-414-6806 or susanandsissy@gmail.com

Memphis Conference COVID19 Resource Page for Clergy, Local Churches, and Laity COVID19 Conference Resource Page

Click Here to read Newsletter for the future Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference (TWKUMC Newsletter)

Denominational News, Helpful Ideas and Resources!

Memphis Conference Website Discipleship Ministries Council of Bishops Statement on Racism Resources for Responding to Systemic Racism Subscribe here for Daily Prayers from Discipleship Ministries...Praying for Change ResourceUMC

UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE Bishop McAlilly's Blog

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 Church Tithing Tool and Information Emergency Response Guide for churches

MS River District Directory

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