THE STARKVILLE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Your Connection to the Starkville District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church

Friday I March 18, 2016

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CONNECTIONSRESIDENT BISHOP:Dr. James E. Swanson, Sr.bishop@mississippi-umc.org

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:Rev. Embra Jacksonejackson@mississippi-umc.org

ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT:Tammy CarrollStarkville@mississippi-umc.org

COMMUNICATIONSASSISTANT:Gwen Sissongwenwoodssisson@yahoo.com

DISTRICT HEALTHCOORDINATOR:Carolyn Jacksonandrewandcarolyn@bellsouth.net

LAY ACADEMY DEAN:Rev. Sarah Windhameswindham@bellsouth.net

Find us on TWITTER@StarkvilleUMC

Find the FACEBOOK group atwww.facebook.com/Groups/StarkvilleDistrictUMC/

CELEBRATIONSContinued on page 5...

SWANSONContinued on page 7...

THANK YOU to all of thechurches that have paid 100percent of their apportion-ments already this year. Wewant to continue to uplift these churches and the ones whoare on target to having 100per-cent paid by the end of theyear. The Starkville Districthad the highest percentage ofall Districts in Conference inpaid Mission Fair Shares in2015 and has had an increaseover this same period last year.Thank you so much for yourfaithful work and ministry.

– Dr. Embra JacksonStarkville District

Superintendent

Bishop Swanson to speak at Louisville FUMC

Swanson

By Gwen Sisson

Bishop James Swanson Sr. will be the guest speaker at the morningworship service at Louisville First United Methodist Church on April 3.

“It is an honor for us to host the outstanding Bishop of theMississippi Conference, and we hope many of you will take advantageof the opportunity to hear this man preach God's Word,” said Rev. MikeChilds of Louisville FUMC.

Swanson will be the guest speaker at the morning worship service,set for 11 a.m. in the Christian Life Center (CLC) building at LouisvilleFUMC. There is a ground floor entrance from the parking lot behindthe church. The public is invited to attend.

The CLC will serve as the temporary sanctuary for First UMCLouisville, at the church begins a new renovation project at is anticipat-ed to last 10 months.

"I love Easter because it is such a fun and happy day! My familyhides money in a few of the Easter eggs, and we all race to findthe eggs with dollars in them, but it is also a very special daybecause Jesus died for me. I know how powerful He is and howmuch He cares for me. I know that Jesus will always be here forme no matter what!" - Kayla, 16 year old resident at the Methodist Children's Homes

Holy WeekCelebrationsadd meaningto the season

Churches throughout the world will becelebrating one of the most important daysof our Christian year.

In the Starkville District of the UnitedMethodist Church, Holy Week and EasterSunday will be a great time for churches toshare the love of Christ in a special way.

At St. James UMC in Columbus, Rev.Brenda McCaskill invites the community toHoly Week services, including:•Holy Thursday at 7 p.m. there will be aFeed the Soul Worship Service withMinister Cycelia Matthews of VisionKingdom in Columbus, as the guest speak-er: Refreshments will be served.• On Good Friday at 7 p.m. there will be aworship and Communion Service, and theguest speaker will be Pastor John Cox,Pleasant Grove Full Gospel Church of PlumGrove. Rev. McCaskill invites all to comeand be blessed by the LORD.

In Winston County, there will be a serviceevery night of Holy Week at a differentchurches though out the county. A pastor

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ADMINISTRY

CEDAR BLUFF & SILOAMContinued on page 5...

The presentation for theOrder of Dickson Award inmemory of the late Rev.Bernard Crump will beheld March 22.

The United MethodistFoundation and theStarkville District willmake the presentation tothe Crump family at 6 p.m.March 22 at AldersgateUMC in Starkville.Lindsey Chapel, Plair,

Jones Chapel in Tibbee,Rockhill and St. Paul UMC in West Point made contri-butions that allowed the Starkville District to nominatethe late Rev. Bernard Crump into the Order of Dickson.

Aplaque with Rev. Crump’s picture will be engravedand placed on permanent display in the MississippiAnnual Conference offices.

For more information about the Dickson Order, go tohttp://www.ms-umf.org/?page_id=216.

Order of Dicksonpresentation set

for March 22

Crump

Cedar Bluff/Siloam UMC charge getting off to a good start

Maben UMC hosted Mississippi Conference Treasurer, David Stotts, who brought awonderful message about Stewardship. After lunch in the fellowship hall, Stottstalked about the administration of finances. It was a learning experience for all ofus. (Photo submitted)

By Rev. Raleigh Richter

The charge composed of Cedar Bluff UMC inCedar Bluff and Siloam UMC in the Ivy Villagearea near West Point, had a fruitful ending to the2015 church year and continuing that fruit into thenew 2016 year. My wife and I are blessed to be apart of this joyous journey and to see what God cando in the midst of people who are willing.

Siloam was able to pay 100 percent of its missionfair shares, when it seemed at first that would notbe possible. But through encouraging messages onbeing an Extravagant church, God moved andGod’s people worshiped in their giving.

Cedar Bluff church through their fall festival wasable to support a local ministry by presenting thePalmer Home for Children in Columbus, a checkgift in the amount of $1,200 to support their min-istry needs to the children they take in on their cam-pus.

Cedar Bluff prepared several dozens of fruit bas-kets that were delivered to local shut- ins and elder-ly in the community.

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3 UNITED METHODIST MEN

The Lowndes CountyCluster UM Men’s Dinnerwas held March 14 atColumbus First UMC.They had dinner, music,fellowship with guestspeaker, Stan Murray,who entertained thecrowd with some of hisbest stories as an SECfootball official. Rev.Embra Jackson andLamar Dumas, the dis-trict UMM president,were also in attendance.(Photos submitted)

Bill Darnell and Andy TentoniJustin Harris, Lamar Dumas, JasonMcCoy, Chris Latimer and Bill Downing

Hal Smith, Rev. Embra Jackson and DavidNelson

“The Night Crawlers” –– Mike Chain, Mark Bean, Hoot Wilder, Bobby Shannon and Rev. Tony Proctor.

Si Thomas, Bill Downing and Justin Harris pre-pare to enjoy a great meal.

Guest speaker, StanMurray, former SEC foot-ball official.

Lamar Dumas, Duff Jeffers and Bill Darnell prepareto enjoy a great meal.

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Summer camp registation deadlines approachingThe early-bird deadline for Methodist

Summer Camping Experiences for children isApril 8.

While most children in the Starkville Districttend to go to Camp Lake Stephens in Oxfordbecause it is a little closer to home, theMississippi Conference of the UnitedMethodist Church has three additional campswithin the state.

According the the Mississippi Conference ofthe United Methodist Church website forYouth and Children Camping Ministries,“Mississippi's United Methodist camps andretreat centers are places where ‘good news

continues to be proclaimed, lives continue tobe changed, disciples continue to be formedand the world continues to be blessed,’accord-ing to Rev. David Carroll, chair of the camp-ing committee.”CAMP LAKE STEPHENS

Camp Lake Stephens near Oxford has wel-comed campers of all ages to the piney woodsof north Mississippi for more than 60 years.Thanks to the “CAMPaign” fundraising effort,the camp features 24 cabins, a worship centerother facilities. For those willing to “step outon a limb,” Lake Stephens also offers high andlow ropes courses.

CAMP WESLEY PINESWesley Pines, located in Gallman, has pro-

vided opportunities for quiet reflection, spiri-tual growth and meaningful fellowship on its266-acre campus since 1961. Wesley Pines ismore than a camp-- it is also a conference andretreat center. The Durr Wise Center has ameeting hall, kitchen and accommodations forup to 96. The smaller Rodney Smith RetreatCenter can host a variety of events. WesleyPines is open year-round. Its facilities alsoinclude a one-mile prayer trail, rappellingtower and swimming pool.

SUMMER CAMPSContinued on page 7...

Starkville UMC’s Men of the Master perform at Eupora FUMC’s Lenten Lunch on March16. (Photos by Gwen Sisson)

Men of the

Master perform

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MISSIONS5

MARCH 25-28 • District & Conference Offices closed inobservance of Easter HolidaysAPRIL 1 • District Youth Lock-In at 7 p.m. For moreinformation, contact Diane Lemmon at(662) 803-9836.APRIL 3 • Bishop James Swanson will speak atFirst UMC Louisville at the morning wor-ship service, beginning at 11 a.m. Thepublic is invited to attend.APRIL 4 • Calling All Clergywomen of theMississippi Annual Conference. BishopJames Swanson Sr. invites you to join himfor an informal time of conversation held inthe Metro Jackson area. More details willbe announced later. Spread the word!APRIL 5 • Retiree Paperwork DueAPRIL 9 • Spiritual Leadership Institute FirstLaunch: Loving, Learning, Leading, moreinfo TBAAPRIL 30 • From 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Starkville FirstU.M.C.— Lay Servant/Speaker Training. MAY 5• Starkville’s Observance of The NationalDay of Prayer will be held at noon at theStarkville Sportsplex Activities Room.MAY 30• District & Conference Offices closed inobservance of Memorial DayJUNE 6 • First Time Appointees MeetingJUNE 8-11 • Mississippi Annual Conference, JacksonJUNE 9• Nexus Youth Day at Annual ConferenceNEXUS is a one-day event planned anddesigned by the Conference Council onYouth Ministry (CCYM).This is a celebra-tion of youth connecting at Session ofAnnual Conference on Thursday, June 9,from 1- 5 p.m. Early bird rate is $20 if reg-istered and paid by May 1. The regularrate is $25 after May 1until at the door.Limited partial scholarships are available.Contact Cat Foster at (601 )354-0515 orcfoster@mississippiumc.org and providepayment in advance by check to the con-ference office at 320-C Briarwood Drive,Jackson, MS 39206.JULY 4 • District & Conference Offices closed inobservance of Independence Day

CALENDAR

Youth and children from Longview UMC in Starkville used money they raised to buygroceries for a local food pantry. They each had a certain amount to spend and theyhad a great time choosing foods that were affordable, nutritious, and that they wouldwant to eat. (Photo submitted)

never preaches at his achurch where he serves. Theschedule for this year willbe:• Palm Sunday at LouisvilleFUMC – the Easter Cantataat 6 p.m.;• Monday at Flower RidgeUMC at 7 p.m., Rev. James

Morris will be the guestspeaker;• Tuesday at Whitehall UMCat 7p.m., Rev. Mike Dowdwill be the guest speaker;• Wednesday at WesleyUMCat 7 p.m., Rev.Jonathan Stokes will be theguest speaker;• Maundy Thursday atPleasant Hill UMC at 7p.m.,

Rev. Becky Smith will be theguest speaker;• And on Good Friday atVernon UMCat 7p.m., Rev.Bryan Carrubba will be theguest speaker.

Be sure to be part of someof the wonderful servicesavailable throughout theStarkville District during thisimportant time of the year.

CELEBRATIONSContinued from page 1...

Cedar Bluff also presented their Christmasmusical in style this year as they sung joyful-ly while dressed in their beautiful choir robes.

Cedar Bluff and Siloam beginning 2016year has united together monthly for a time of

fellowship and the studying of God’s wordand rotate locations of the study.

For these reasons, Bro. Raleigh and wife,Shirley, are blessed beyond measure to leadtwo such wonderful congregations and lookforward to what God will do with them andthru them this year.

God is up to something good.

CEDAR BLUFF & SILOAMContinued from page 2...

ADELL FORRESTRev. Jimmy & Rosie Forrest and fam-

ily in the death of his brother, AdellForrest, on March 10, 2016. Sanders &Sanders Funeral Home of Winona, hascharge of services.

Visitation will be Friday, March 18, 1p.m. at Sanders and Sanders FuneralHome, 600 Church St, Winona. Funeralservices will be Saturday, March 19,2:30 p.m. at Columbiana UnitedMethodist Church, Winona.

REV. TOM WOODARDRev. Tom Woodard, retired Elder, diedMarch 12, 2016. Services will be heldTuesday, March 15, 2016 at StarkvilleFirst United Methodist Church,Starkville. Visitation will be at 10 in thesanctuary, followed by funeral servicesat 11 a.m. Condolences can be sent toMrs. Frances Woodard, 715Greensboro St, Starkville, MS 39759.

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CONFERENCE MISSION SHARESWe are so excited to announce that thefollowing churches have made significantcontributions to the work of the MississippiConference and the United Methodist Churcharound the world through their Mission FairShares offerings through January 31, 2016.

100% PAID• Longview• Sturgis• St. Peter• Macedonia• Military• Brooksville• Rockport

ON TARGET (16.67%)• Mt. Hermon• Drake Hill• Mt. Lebanon• Shaeffers Chapel• Columbus: St.Stephen

• Kosciusko: Wesley• Bevil Hill• Louisville: Hopewell• Maben• Bethel• Salem (Sallis)• Noxapater• Starkville: First• Dumas Chapel• Mathiston• Mt. Moriah(Mathiston)• Salem (Weir-Salem)• West Point: First• Flower Ridge

DISTRICT MISSION SHARESWe are so excited to announce that thefollowing churches have made significantcontributions to the work of the StarkvilleDistrict through their Mission Fair Shares offerings through March 3, 2016.

100% PAID• Baldwin• Caledonia• Bethel• Macon: New Hope • Mathiston• Weir• Center Ridge RuralHill• Rocky Hill• Sturgis• Camp Ground• Bevil Hill• Buffalo• Columbus: NewHope• Salem (Weir-Salem)• Piney Grove• Flower Ridge• Drake Hill• Maben• Artesia• Vernon• Mt. Lebanon• Shuqualak• Hopewell• Piney Grove(Louisville)

• Providence• Macedonia• Pleasant Hill(Louisville)• Noxapater• Liberty Hill• New Zion• Palestine• Starkville First• Mt. Salem (WeirCircuit)• Mt. Moriah(Mathiston)• Mt. Moriah (Macon)• Bellefontaine

ON TARGET (16.7%)• Starkville: Aldersgate• Macon: First• Kosciusko: First• Military Chapel• Whitehall• Ackerman: First• Columbus: First• Siloam• Louisville: Whitehall

The StarkvilleDistrict goal for

the AfricaUniversity

endowment is toraise $130,000

over a three-yearperiod. To date,we have received

pledges of$36,000. Churchesare encouraged topledge a minimum

of $1,200. Makeyour pledge

TODAY! Contactthe District Office

for more information.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS• REFRIGERATOR NEEDED – Refrigerator needed atthe Mississippi State University Wesley Foundation. If youhave a refrigerator you'd like to share with the MSU WesleyFoundation, please contact Hugh Griffith at hughgrif-fith2@gmail.com or (662) 435-3393.

• NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AWARDS – Theoffice of connectional ministries seeks to recognize church-es, groups and individuals in the Mississippi UnitedMethodist Conference that are redefining what it means tobe light in a dying world. Nominate those who are shiningbrightly for the following awards: Emma Elzy, TobiasGibson and Harry Denman. Click here to read descriptionsfor each award and to find out how to submit nominations.The deadline to suggest names is May 1, 2016.

• SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE – If you are aMississippi UMC Clergy Spouse and enrolled in school,you may want to apply for this scholarship! The nextSusanna Wesley Memorial Scholarship will be awarded onApril 1, 2016. Please submit your applications to ShannonPotter at shpotter93@gmail.com. To get your applicationinformation go to www.msumcclergyspouses.org , then goto the "Forms and Files" tab. You will find links to thescholarship guidelines and scholarship applications.

• RENFRO TRUST FUND – The Renfro Trust Fundawards annual bricks-and-mortar grants to small ruralUnited Methodist congregations in the SoutheasternJurisdiction. Renfro Trust Funds are again available foraward, beginning in 2016. The deadline for application isSeptember 1 of the year in which the application is made.Please note: Applications will only be accepted when sub-mitted through the Office of the Director of ConnectionalMinistries of the Conference in which you are located.Questions about the application form, award process, or theRenfro Trust Fund may be directed to:David Dommisse, SEJ Conference Treasurer at daviddom-misse@vaumc.org or at (804) 521-1109 or to Anne Travis,SEJ Conference Secretary at secretary@sejumc.org or bycalling (865) 410-6747.

“We hope everyone will come forthis special occasion,” Childs said.

Dr. Embra Jackson, StarkvilleDistrict Superintendent, said it isan incredible blessing to haveBishop Swanson preach in the dis-trict.

“He is a dynamic preacher, spir-itual leader, administrator, etc.,”Jackson said. “Once you hear theBishop preach, you will thankGod for this ‘man of God.’ We

invite all to come and hear BishopSwanson and to be blessed!”

Swanson is the EpiscopalLeader for the Mississippi AnnualConference. He is a native ofHouston, Texas. He has a bachelorof science in Christian Ministriesfrom Southern Bible College inHouston; a Master of Divinityfrom C. H. Mason Seminary,Interdenominational TheologicalCenter in Atlanta, Ga. and aDoctorate of Humanities fromRust College in Holly Springs.

Swanson was elected a bishop

in The United Methodist Churchand assigned to the KnoxvilleEpiscopal Area in June 2004. Hebecame resident bishop of theMississippi Area September 1,2012. Bishop Swanson is current-ly serving as the president of theGeneral Commission on UnitedMethodist Men. He is also amember of the Connectional Tableof The United Methodist Church,the Path One Advisory Board andthe International Association ofMethodist Schools, Colleges andUniversities.

He is married to DelphineYvonne Ramsey Swanson. Theyare the proud parents of six chil-dren- Karen Swanson Jenkins,James, Jr., Shondell, Carlton,JaNae’ and Joshua. The Swansonsalso have 10grandchildren.

For more information aboutBishop Swanson, go tohttp://www.mississippiumc.org orcontact the Starkville Districtoffice of the United MethodistChurch at (662) 324-0198.

SWANSONContinued from page 1...

BAPTISM

Revs. Gene and JeanThreadgill of SalemUMC recently baptizedTrey Turnipseed andLexis Turnipseed.(Photos submitted)

A special dayin the life ofa family andtheir church

CAMPSeashore Assembly Conference and

Retreat Center in Biloxi is set on 12acres of historic wooded property look-ing out over the Gulf of Mexico. TheSeashore United Methodist Assembly(SUMA) offers a variety of opportunitiesfor group gatherings and special meet-ings. For housing, we have Frazer Hall,a motel style building with privaterooms and suites. We also have eight

dorm rooms with eight bunk beds ineach dorm. The dorms can hold 128people. Meals can be provided andserved in our campus dining hall. Thedining hall can accommodate up to 106people.CAMP

Gulfside Assembly, the historic retreatcenter in Waveland, was destroyed byHurricane Katrina. Gulfside is associatedwith the Southeastern Jurisdiction of TheUnited Methodist Church. Treat yourselfto a beautiful beachfront retreat centerand calm the stress in your daily life.

SUMMER CAMPSContinued from page 4...

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