MS River District ENews Nov. 19, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving! Please note the District Office will be closed beginning Noon on Tuesday, November 23rd - Friday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

We have returned to 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. MS River District Website A Prayer to MS River District This week we have a Thanksgiving devotional letter offered by Rev. Dr. Roger Penn, pastor of Brownsville First UMC... Thanksgiving Greetings! I share with you, my friends and colleagues, a word and prayer for this season we enjoy together. The Scriptures tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV), “in everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I don't know about you, but I find this verse easy to read but a bit difficult to follow at times. Paul doesn't just tell the Thessalonian church to “be thankful when all is well,” but in “everything, give thanks”! That word “everything” seems to carry the idea of… well, everything! So, in season or out, we are to be grateful sojourners of the Creator God who also sustains and redeems! Praise be to God! In this season of thanksgiving, I offer our community the edifying words of King David: “I will give thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name” (Psalm 138:1–2). Scripture is filled with celebrations acknowledging the mercy and blessings of God. A life lived with God demands thankfulness. Thanksgiving calls us to a life of faithfulness, joy, and hope. Scripture tells us, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” These words remind us to lift our hearts, our heads, and our hands to you, O God, as a sign of our love, our appreciation for your forgiveness, and for your mercy poured out daily upon us. In our thanksgiving, let us remember our neighbors, the strangers that cross our paths, the people of difference that walk our way. May we learn to see with the eyes of Christ the Christ in all people. May we, Lord, honor you by extolling to others the same love, forgiveness, and mercy you extend to all of creation. May we, Lord, embody the very character of Christ, and offer Christ this season as THE hope for the redemption of the world. May you, my friends, and colleagues, have a loving and joyous Thanksgiving!

Lay and Clergy Delegates and Alternate Delegates to Annual Conf. - Info for Dec. 4th Organizational Meeting All Delegates should have received an important UPDATE about the Organizational Meeting. If you did not get a copy, please click the link below. Organizational Meeting UPDATE for Delegates Materials needed for voting members and delegates to prepare for the Dec. 4th TWK Organizational Meeting will be available at twkumc.org on Friday, November 5. Additional information will be sent soon via email to all eligible members and clergy regarding voting codes and online training. Please note: the voters are THE SAME people who were elected to vote at the June 2021 Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences (not newly elected to serve at the 2022 TWK Annual Conference). TWK Organizational Offering: There will be an offering during the Organizational Meeting on December 4, 2021. Funds will be collected for the Reelfoot Rural Ministries Toy Store (Memphis Conference) and The Last Minute Toy Store (Tennessee Conference). The offering will be split 50/50 between the two stores; there is no need to designate which toy store when making donations. The cut-off for these donations is Dec. 25, 2021. Church donations: send with monthly connectional commitments, separate check, or online at Ministry Financial. Physical checks can be made out to your legacy conference and mailed to the Administrative Office at PO Box 10667, Jackson, TN 38305 Individual donations: online at this link. Clergy Information MS River District Clergy Family Advent Gathering: Dec. 9th, 6:30 p.m. at Dyersburg First UMC. Make your reservation by emailing Vicki at msriveradmassistant@gmail.com. Attention Local Pastors - Beginning in January, Dr. Davis will host a Zoom session just for Local Pastors. Watch your email and this newsletter for the January date! Reelfoot Rural Ministries 2021 Toy Store! The time for the 2021 RRM Toy Store has arrived! Please use the links provided to access all the details and information as shared by RRM Director, Robert Craig. 2021 News/Updates and Ministry Partner Letter 2021 RRM Toy Ideas/Suggestions SBC21: Shift Happens Conference INTRODUCTION Shift Happens: Doing Ministry from the "Right Side" is no ordinary conference. It is a clarion call for the Black Church, Leaders and Lay to GET ON BOARD with the NEW THING GOD IS DOING! For 2 days, you will be inspired and experience transformative and practical teachings to help you and your team plan for 2022 and beyond. You can participate either virtually or in-person at the St. Johns Downtown in Houston, Texas. Registration Open for SBC21: Shift Happens Conference Attention Certified Lay Ministers, Certified Lay Servants, and Supply Pastors Currently Serving Assignments! Next Session: Dec. 4th, 10:00 a.m.- Noon via Zoom. Zoom login details will be shared in advance of each session. District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis or guest presenters will lead the sessions. These sessions are created especially for you and will be on topics relevant to your role and work. Attention Treasurers and Pastors The correct mailing address for all connectional commitment and Direct Billing payments is P. O. Box 10667, Jackson, TN 38308. This address should be used until further notice.. Organ at Calvert City UMC Calvert City United Methodist Church has replaced their church organ and would like to donate their used organ to a church that will use it. For more info, contact Rev. John Purdue at 270-395-4746 or by email. Great Time to Support Golden Cross Ministry While this year’s Golden Cross Sunday with offering has come and gone, it’s not too late to take a special offering for the Golden Cross Foundation. From now through December 31, 2021, all church and individual donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor up to $25,000. Golden Cross Donations Matched Dollar for Dollar Through Year End Hannah's Hope Need You! The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives, but it has not changed the mission of Hannah’s Hope. We continue to serve pregnant women in crisis and their vulnerable children. Now more than ever we need the support of congregations, UMW Circles, small groups and Sunday School classes to sustain the ministry of Hannah’s Hope. Can you become or continue as a Partner of Hope? Click Here to Read More

Lay Servant Ministry The MS River District contact for Lay Servant Ministry within our District is Susan Davidson, susanandsissy@gmail.com. Click Here For A List of Additional Lay Servant Training Opportunities Timeline for new TWK Conference! TWK Newsletter Nov. 18, 2021 How to Share Local Church events & news: Ripley First is taking applications for a Youth Director. Click Here for Job Description and details. Contact the church at 731-635-0821 if interested. If you'd like us to place your upcoming event on the District FB page and Calendar page of the District website, please send the information in a ready to share format to msriveradmassistant@gmail.com Facebook Mississippi River District MS River District Website Denominational News, Helpful Ideas and Resources!  Discipleship Ministries ResourceUMC UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE  Bishop McAlilly's Blog More Quick Links: Reelfoot Rural Ministries United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Lakeshore Project Transformation Emergency Response Guide for churches MS River District Directory Find us on Facebook at Mississippi River District of the United Methodist Church or CLICK HERE MS River District Website To submit news or sign up additional folks to receive this online District Newsletter email: msriveradmassistant@gmail.com MS River District Office Hours: Mon. - Thurs, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1382 W. Church St., Alamo, TN (msriveradmassistant@gmail.com)

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