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 Gracious and Loving; Forgiving and Patient God, We come today like Solomon came... seeking wisdom that we might live and serve Your kingdom in a way that is pleasing to You! Lord, You have given many of us great responsibility to lead and serve in capacities larger than we could have imagined. You have placed us in places where people are vulnerable and in need of solace and comfort. Though we are not worthy, give us what we need to be Your ambassadors. Help us to remain upright in heart; diligent in our prayer life and faithful in our walk following Your Word which gives life. Great are Your works, great and majestic are Your deeds. We stand in awe of You! Forgive us when we fail and fall down time after time. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient and Your power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Come by here, O’ Lord Jesus and sup with us in hospital and hospice rooms; in virtual boardrooms and heated and divisive conversations. Come by here, Lord Jesus and give clarity and wisdom as we make decisions daily that affect the health and lives of others. Come Lord, we are Your children..give us a discerning and compassionate heart that we might serve You even more fully in all the ways You have called us. Help us to rightly administer justice, seek the welfare of the people to whom You have sent us and to love and forgive unconditionally for all have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. Come by here Lord Jesus for we cannot live in health, wholeness, peace or joy without Your Presence. Hold our grieving anxious hearts and downcast spirits in your bosom. Come, Lord Jesus! And may it be so! Rev Dr. Cynthia D. Davis Mississippi River District Superintendent P. O. Box 264 Alamo, TN 38001 msriverds19@gmail.com Office: 731.696.4117 TWK Nominations Deadline Extended to Monday, August 16, 2021 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 or to make a nomination, Click Here. Bishop McAlilly Shares Renewed COVID Guidance Click Here for Blog Post Charge Conference Charge Conference Forms Now Available Schedule has been shared by email. Contact the District Office if you didn't receive the schedule! Next Steps for the TWK Youth Ministry After offering legacy youth council and open forums for discussion of the Ministry Architects TWK Youth Ministry Discovery Process Report, youth ministry leadership of the newly forming Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference is preparing to take next steps toward establishing a new thing in youth ministry for the Nashville Area of the UMC. A big next step comes in the establishment of a TWK Youth Ministry Transition Team. This team, comprised of 8-10 youth and 8-10 adults and representing the diversity of the new conference, will meet virtually on a monthly basis and work at least through the end of 2022, with responsibilities in youth ministry programming and innovative decision making to prepare for the future. Youth and adults who would like to be considered for service on the Youth Ministry Transition Team are asked to complete an online application form (Click HERE) by August 31, 2021. The Youth Ministry Strategic Team, which began meeting in late 2019, will select the Transition Team from the pool of applicants, and the Youth Ministry Transition Team will be announced on September 7. The new Youth Ministry Transition Team will have a virtual Quick Start Orientation - September 26 & 28, 7 - 9 p.m. 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! Additional Information from the UM Foundation that might benefit Church Workers with Outstanding Student Debt. Find our more using the link below. Key Loan Forgiveness Program for Church Workers Attention Certified Lay Ministers, Certified Lay Servants, and Supply Pastors Currently Serving Assignments! Next Session: August 28th, 10:00 a.m.-Noon, at District Office in Alamo or via Zoom. 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. Saving Grace Pilot Groups Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being helps participants learn about such topics as saving, earning, giving, spending, and debt, along with helpful strategies for achieving a sustainable financial life. This study is adapted from the best-selling Freed Up Financial Living from the Good Sense Movement, is based on Wesleyan values, and provides text and tools to help participants address life concerns and reach personal financial goals. In collaboration with Administrative Services for the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences, the United Methodist Foundation for the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences is pleased to announce that, beginning in September, it will launch four clergy pilot groups utilizing the Saving Grace curriculum. This program is partially funded by a generous grant from the UMC Clergy Well-Being Initiative in partnership with the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits of the UMC and the Lilly Endowment Inc. The four groups will all utilize Zoom technology in order to facilitate cross conference attendance. Participants will be able to choose one of the four following options beginning on September 7: Tuesdays at 11 am Tuesdays at 6:30 pm Wednesdays at 10 am Thursdays at 2 pm There will be four sessions lasting one hour each. Each group will be limited to 10-12 participants. Each participant will be given a Saving Grace Leader’s kit (a $60 value) 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. TN/WK Clergy Days Apart (THIS EVENT POSTPONED!) Click Here for Postponement Details. Dates Announced for Lay Servant Classes Advanced Lay Servant Classes - August 2nd, 9th, and 16th - (registration for these classes now closed) 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 inquire about other classes, 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) In Addition to these classes, Click Here For A List of Additional Lay Servant Training Opportunities Clergy Information Clergy Family Gathering: (Postponed) 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. 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. Timeline for new TWK Conference! Denominational News, Helpful Ideas and Resources! Memphis Conference Website Discipleship Ministries 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 Emergency Response Guide for churches United Methodist Women: UMW Spiritual Retreat Sept. 10 - 12 at Beersheba Springs Assembly MS River District Directory
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 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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