Missouri Annual Conference

We’re asking all churches to transition to Safe Gatherings by December 31, 2023. A Safe Gatherings certification is valid for three years. If your church has not set up an account with Safe Gatherings, please contact their office at 888-241-8258 or learn more at this link: https://safegatherings.com/learn-more/how-it-works/

Join us at 7 p.m. on May 19 for a virtual celebration of the 2021 MOAC Award recipients. A link to the live stream will be posted here when it is available.

New appointment changes were announced on the Missouri Conference website today. Pending clergy appointments are posted to the Missouri Conference website after local congregations have been informed about upcoming moves. To read the latest list, go to https://www.moumethodist.org/appointments

Isolation, virtual schooling, missed milestones, loss of a loved one - All of us have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to hear your story. Using our "Stories of the Pandemic" portal, tell us about your joys, losses and unexpected silver linings. Learn more and view the stories that have already been shared at https://www.moumethodist.org/covid-19-stories

Hermann United Methodist Church has already had the opportunity to serve as a vaccination clinic in its community. Read more at https://www.moumethodist.org//vaccinated-at-church-14969464

The Episcopal Task Force on Race and Culture met virtually for the first time this morning. Pray for this team's work! Learn more about the areas of focus and timeline here https://www.moumethodist.org//episcopal-task-force-on-race

Know someone who’s starting a new place for new people? New Places for New People grants are here to help them get started! Learn more about available grants here: www.moumethodist.org/newplacesgrants.

Looking to take your next step in ministry? Our internships may be for you! Learn more and apply at https://www.moumethodist.org/internships.

Bishop Farr announces the Episcopal Task Force on Race and Culture.

"In the midst of this chaos, I claim Christ! I cannot wait for Advent and Christmas! I claim Christ! I still believe Christ is greater than any sickness, pain or despair. I still believe in the power of Christ’s grace, even if we seem to lose our grace with one another." Bishop Farr reflects on 2020 in his December column for The Missouri Methodists magazine. https://www.moumethodist.org/bishop/i-claim-christ-14861033

Need a website? Resource UMC can help!

The Missouri Conference Crossroads internship program aims to assist young people with spiritual development and leadership advancement in an environment where they experience a sense of community. Read how two interns turned their summer experiences into ministry jobs: https://www.moumethodist.org//turning-internships-into-job

A rural Missouri church, Mt. Moriah UMC, has been hosting a musical light display that has become much brighter since it first shined a decade ago. Read the story at https://www.moumethodist.org//christmas-lights-in-the-coun

Pastors already dealing with a stressful 2020 now must lead United Methodists through the Advent and Christmas seasons while the coronavirus pandemic is reaching new heights. They're using creativity and flexibility to get it done. The United Methodist News Service reports on worship plans at https://www.umnews.org//salvaging-christmas-amid-coronavir

Bishop Farr offers Fall Conference-wide update.

Applications are now open for 2021 NextGen internships. College-age students will have the opportunity to make a difference and pursue their faith in a fun-filled summer. Learn more about these paid positions and apply today at www.nextgencamps.org/apply. Know a college-age person who would be a great fit for the job? Contact Josh Schaller at [email protected].

Interested in becoming a Global Mission Fellow? The application for the 2021-23 cohort of Global Mission Fellows on the US-2 track opened in mid-October, and the deadline is November 30. This program places young adults, ages 20-30, in social justice ministries for two years of service. The Global Mission Fellows program allows participants to connect the church in mission while addressing the root causes of oppression and alleviating human suffering in their host communities. Fellows work alongside community organizations in a variety of areas including public health, migration/immigration, education and poverty. Learn more at https://umcmission.org/global-mission-fellows/

Take advantage of the eight free counseling sessions available to those on a HealthFlex Plan offered by Wespath. https://www.wespath.org/health-well/well-being-programs/EAP

Conference Lay Leader LCSW Amy Thompson shares advice on how to move through this unique holiday season.

Our Big Dog auction raising money for motorcycles in Mozambique ends November 11! See the bike and make a bid at https://www.purplewave.com//2003-Big_Dog-Motorcycles-Motor With just over 3,000 miles, this 2003 Big Dog, Bulldog motorcycle has a 124 cubic inch SS engine, a Baker 6 speed transmission, external belt drive, and upgraded wiring. It is chromed to the max and produces a lot of power. #Moto4MI

#FlashbackFriday to how several of our Missouri churches served as polling places for the general election on November 3. Read the article in this month’s issue of The Missouri Methodist to learn how churches reached out and showed hospitality on Election Day.

Have you ever thought twice before ripping a video from YouTube or saving photos from Google Images to show in worship on Sunday? You might be surprised to know that those actions violate copyright law and could cost you thousands. Find out why during an hour-long webinar with Lawyer Daan Erikson from Husch Blackwell LLP. Daan will answer your questions and share practical information related to copyright and trademark concerns, specifically when it comes to online worship. Join us at 11:30 a.m. on November 9. Register to watch live or receive the recording via email: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regis/2181377603592257294

If you are looking to retire in the next few years, Wespath Benefits and Investments released a recording of its recent webinar. Topics addressed included the 2021 retirement process, distribution options and more. View the recording on Wespath’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJF9bYs-c_s&feature=youtu.be

Do you know someone who has pondered leadership in a ministry setting? Is there someone that you have seen with gifts for ministry who might need some encouragement to discern in such a setting? MO Explo - an event for persons considering ministry - is coming Nov. 7, on Zoom. Learn more at moumethodist.org/moexplo.

#GivingTuesday is TODAY! Help the Mozambique Initiative meet a tangible need: Communities across Mozambique need hand-washing stations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Your donation will support local construction of hand-washing stations across Mozambique. We hope you’ll join with us this Giving Tuesday to support global health. Learn more and donate www.mzinitiative.com/donations/hand-washing-stations

The week of October 26, Missouri Conference Disaster Response chainsaw crew from La Croix, New McKendree and our Conference staff traveled to Louisiana to assist with the cleanup of Sulphur, Westlake and Lake Charles. Thanks to the direction of the Louisiana Conference ERT Coordinator and the Lake Charles District Disaster Response Coordinator, our team was able to help 14 families, one Methodist church and one CME church. Our roles consisted of breaking down then moving tree...s to designated areas for pickup, so that debris was cleared from church and home properties. Read more about the work the team did here: https://www.moumethodist.org//extending-a-hand-to-louisian As always, we continue to pray for the Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. If you want to support them in addition to your prayers, you can donate here: https://secure.anedot.com/la-conference-of-the-umc/relief

A Prayer for the Day After an Election #PrayforElectionDay #30DaysofPrayer

A time of devotion and reflection on Election Day for Missouri Annual Conference clergy and lay leaders. #30daysofprayer #election2020

Apply for a $250 Little Free Library micro-grant to support education in your community! The Missouri Conference is partnering with Little Free Library to impact communities around the state. Churches can apply for $250 micro-grants for materials to build, stock and maintain a Little Free Library in a neighborhood of their choice. Learn more and apply at www.moumethodist.org/librarybuildergrant