News & Info

First Woman President in Garrett-Evangelical's 160-year History

 From the United Methodist News Service The Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Lallene J. Rector to be the next president of Garrett-Evangelical. Currently serving as the seminary's vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, Rector will succeed Dr. Philip A. Amerson, who will retire on December 31 after nearly eight years as president. Rector, an extraordinary scholar and practitioner, shares a deep love for...

Register for the 3 "L" Academy

To view the  3 "L" Academy brochure click here. To register through event brite click here....

Furor Over Block to Gay Clergy Candidate

 By Heather Hahn, United Methodist News Service Mary Ann Kaiser Photo courtesy of Reconciling Ministries Network.  View in Photo Gallery Members of the Southwest Texas Annual Conference, who met June 6-9 in Corpus Christi, faced the question of whether a lesbian can be a certified candidate for ordained United Methodist ministry. More than 200 United Methodists and other Christians took to Twitter on the afternoon of Friday, June 7, to protest Mary Ann Kaiser’s removal...

LIVE STREAM: 2013 Mississippi Annual Conference: The POWER of We

LIVE STREAM: 2013 Mississippi Annual Conference: The POWER of We   Not able to attend annual conference this year? Watch the whole conference via live streaming at www.livestream.com/MY_MSUMC.    The live stream link is available on the conference website from June 7 through June 9.  Those with internet can experience events and worship services as if they were there in person.  Stay connected and experience the POWER of We!   ...

Costs Are In, Implications Still Debated, In Bishop Bledsoe Controversy

Sam Hodges, United Methodist Reporter   The arguments go on about whether the victim in the failed effort to oust Bishop Earl Bledsoe was accountability for bishops or Bishop Bledsoe himself.   Bishop Earl Bledsoe, now leading Northwest Texas and New Mexico Conferences, speaks at a clergy retreat earlier this year.   What's beyond dispute is that the episode came at a cost, including financial.   The South Central Jurisdiction recently paid nearly $100,000 to...

MS Choctaw Mission in Dire Need of Support

 By Jasmine Haynes, Web and Social Media Specialist Most Mississippi United Methodists are unaware that the long-standing, Mississippi United Methodist Choctaw Mission is facing a serious lack of material and financial resources, and worshiping  Plastic from ceiling being used as a gutter for large leak in the roof.  in an unfinished building.  Corrine...

Myrlie Evers to Present MS Conference Award

By Tamica Smith-Jeuitt, Senior Communications Specialist  The presentation of the 2013 Mississippi Annual Conference's Emma Elzy Award will likely capture the attention of many people from outside the conference, as Myrlie Evers, wife of slain civil rights Myrlie Evers  activist Medgar Evers is scheduled to present the award.  Evers will help recognize the group...

Methodists Mark May 24 Aldersgate Milestone

 A UMNS Report The Rev. H. Eddie Fox, World Director of World Methodist Evangelism, said people are going from every continent to “follow Jesus Christ in the steps of the Wesleys to Aldersgate.” The 275th anniversary takes place in London on May 24th. Photo courtesy of Eddie Fox.  View in Photo Gallery People from around the world gathered in London this week for the 275th anniversary ofAldersgate, the experience on May 24, 1738, that shaped the life of...

Boy Scouts Lift Ban on Gay Members

 A UMNS Report By Heather Hahn* As of 2012, 6,700 United Methodist church congregations were involved in the Boy Scouts of America program. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.  View in Photo Gallery Boy Scouts of America leaders voted  by a substantial margin on May 23, to lift the organization’s longstanding ban on openly gay youth in the Scouting movement. After months of debate and surveys of leaders, Scouting officials recommended allowing openly gay Scouts but...

Aldersgate Day

by Rev. Kristin Sachen, Global Ministries News    John Wesley   On May 24,...

Oklahoma Tornado: Moore FUMC Checking on its Members

By Kathy Gilbert MOORE, Okla. (UMNS)—The Rev. Tish Malloy, pastor of First United Methodist Church, said the last two days have been “pretty painful” as residents of a town blown apart by a tornado on May 20 start to pick up the pieces. First United Methodist was not damaged but was without water and electricity until last night, she said. People are just being let into some of the most damaged neighborhoods today. Malloy is busy trying to reach the members of her church and...

Scholarships Available for UM Men INSIDE OUT Event

 Mississippi United Methodist Men are encouraged to join thousands of men from around the world that will come together for the 11th National Gathering of United Methodist Men, July 12-14, 2013,  at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The Mississippi Annual Conference will be offering half registration scholarships based on need from those who want to attend.  Applications will be available during the Mississippi Annual Conference, June 6 - 9, at...

'No Place Like Home' New Methodist Senior Services Facility Opens

 By Tamica Smith-Jeuitt, Sr. Communications Specialist      Those who gathered for the ribbon-cutting and open house for the new Methodist Senior Services (MSS) assisted living facility in Gulfport will likely recall one particular bright spot of the event for many years to come. Leona Brenot (purple suit) is all smiles just after cutting the ribbon outside  her new...

Path 1 Visit Confirms MS Conference Sees the 'Big Picture' for Outreach

By Jasmine Haynes and Tamica Smith-Jeuitt Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr. along with several cabinet members recently met with Path 1 executive director, Candace Lewis and her team to discuss strategic plans and objectives From left to right: General Board of Discipleship executive director of fund development, Scott Gilpin, Path 1 executive director, Candace Lewis  and associate executive...

UMC Reports 3,175 New Places for New People Worldwide

From General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), Nashville, Tenn.     The United Methodist Church established 3,175 new places for new people to worship God around the world during the past quadrennium, according to a new report detailing for first time the work of church planting throughout the entire United Methodist connection. The Worldwide Church Plant Update, which was presented last week to the Council of Bishop's Congregational Vitality Team, includes 684 new...

UMR Communications, Including United Methodist Reporter, To Close

 POSTED BY SAM HODGES, MANAGING EDITOR      Board members and staff of UMR Communications hold communion after closure vote. UMR photo by Sam Hodges Finding no viable plan for reversing financial losses of recent months, UMR Communications will cease operations on May 31. UMR Communications (UMRC) publishes the United Methodist Reporter in print and digital formats and online, and provides printing and communication services to churches and other...

Campus Ministry Keeps Students Safe

By Ginny Underwood, United Methodist News Service   The first year of college was tough for 19-year-old Zachery Moore. He moved five hours from home to attend  Students gather together for a unity service at The Barn, a monthly club night ministry sponsored by the Wesley Foundation at Mississippi  Gulf Coast Community College  in Perkinston,...

A Connectional Success Story: Stewardship for the Small Membership Congregation

Submitted by Central United Methodist Church "Celebrating the offering is a spiritual act of worship every believer can actively participate in each week.  Giving becomes a celebration when the believer discovers the joy of generosity, which grows out of God's grace."  -- Melvin Amerson, Celebrating the Offering   L to R: Rev. Melvin Amerson,  Pat Whitlock, Martha...

Change The World Weekend May 18-19

 By Tamica Smith-Jeuitt, Sr. Communications Specialist United Methodist congregations across the country and around the world are planning to engage simultaneously in a weekend to make a difference in their communities during the annual Change the World event, May 18-19.     Mississippi's Maples Memorial United Methodist Church in Olive Branch, have six projects lined up but have scheduled their Change the World activities on different dates since the church had affairs...

Myrlie Evers Appeal to Faith Base Leaders

 By Tamica Smith-Jeuitt, Sr. Communications Specialist A letter dated April 25, 2013, authored by Myrlie Evers -- widow of Medgar Evers -- circulated inviting faith leaders in Mississippi and around the world to join in the launch of the Inaugural Medgar Evers Sunday, June 9, 2013.   On this day, they are being asked to remember Medgar Evers, the slain civil rights activist, by celebrating his legacy and sharing a message of 'Unity and Faith.'  In the letter his widow...