'Damascus Road' is June 6-9 youth musical at Northside UMC in Jackson

Sumbitted by Northside UMC   Kyle Davis has the perfect life.  Starting pitcher for the Sunnydale High School Razorbacks, ideal family, good grades, devoted girlfriend, goes to church - perfect life.    Sounds so easy...but the pressure to do it all and have it all is tough, and Kyle is crashing.  Why doesn't anyone even notice?  Or care?  Is everyone in Sunnydale so busy doing their own thing that they can't even see when someone in their midst is...

Will Clark is on path to become a military chaplain

By Lane Gardner Camp, Director of Communications Will Clark has known since his senior of high school he wanted to be a minister, but it wasn’t until he got to college that he decided to focus on becoming a military chaplain. The member of Lambuth Memorial UMC in Jackson, Tenn., is now a rising senior at the University of Tennessee in Martin, Tenn. (UTM).   It was during his first year at UTM that Clark, now 20, met with a military recruiter and made the decision to join the...

Here's how churches may help after May 20 tornado devastation in Oklahoma

By Lane Gardner Camp, Director of Communications In the aftermath of the May 20 tornado devastation in Moore, Okla., where thousands have been affected, comes helpful advice about how Memphis Conferences churches and individuals may respond. “As we look at the tv and hurt, prayer is our best tool,” said Bill Carr, disaster relief coordinator for the Memphis Conference that covers West Tennessee and Western Kentucky. “Pray for God’s plan for us to be revealed,”...

DEADLINES: Don't forget!

Check back often for new deadlines. Click HERE to submit missing deadline information. May 24: Deadline to make reservation for Clergy Women's Breakfast on Tuesday, June 4 | pastor.bee@stlukesumc or birgitte@stlukesumc.org or 901-452-6262 ext 124   May 27: Deadline for delegates to register for 2013 Memphis Annual Conference. | Instructions | Clergy | Laity May 28: Deadline for individuals and youth groups to register for Youth Ministry Event on...

More than 50 organizations will have exhibits and displays at 2013 Annual Conference

More than 50 organization will have displays and exhibits at the 2013 Memphis Annual Conference, June 2-5 at Collierville UMC in Collierville, Tenn. All visitors to Annual Conference, not just delegates, are encouraged to drop by Rooms 101 and 102 any day, except during worship times, according to Susan Lawhon, Display Coordinator.   Only one exhibitor – Cokesbury Bookstore – will be separately located in the Scout room at the garden entrance to the church.   Free...

Watch Annual Conference live and join the conversation!

Watch live and join the conversation! The 2013 Memphis Annual Conference will be the first annual conference that non-attendees may watch live from their homes, churches and offices.   Plans are to stream live all sessions that take place June 2-5 in Collierville UMC’s sanctuary, except the Monday morning laity session.   Look for the live streaming link on the home page of the Memphis Conference website (under Quick Links) at www.memphis-umc.org.   Att...

MissionInsite is new tool for churches that provides easy access to demographic data

United Methodists in the Memphis Conference have a new tool to help assess mission fields surrounding their churches. MissionInsite, a web-based tool designed for the computer desktop, provides instant access to community demographic data for use in church ministry, and it will be featured in a one-hour workshop during the 2013 Memphis Annual Conference in June in Collierville, Tenn.   Marketed as a “discovery tool” for exploration and “out-of-the-box” thinking,...

National 'Reporter' announces it will cease publication; Memphis Conference edition ended in 2011 and was replaced by 'Circuit Writer'

By Lane Gardner Camp, Director of Communications “Finding no viable plan for reversing financial losses of recent months,” UMR Communications announced on May 16 that the nonprofit 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 nonprofits. Its offices are in Dallas, Texas.   Sam Hodges, managing...

Heifer International to have display and staff at 2013 Memphis Annual Conference in June

Heifer International will have a display and staff at the 2013 Memphis Annual Conference, June 2-5, at Collierville UMC in Collierville, Tenn. For decades, United Methodists have actively participated in Heifer International projects through The Advance, a program of benevolence giving in the denomination for more than 70 years. These Heifer International programs have included “Fill the Ark” and “Living Gifts.”  United Methodist participation is more...

UMCOR needs relief supplies!

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has an urgent need for relief supplies, according to the May 15 issue of UMCOR’s Hotline newsletter.   UMCOR is the humanitarian relief and development arm of the United Methodist Church. It provides emergency relief in many areas of the world.   UMCOR’s depots (UMCOR Sager Brown in Baldwin, La., and UMCOR West in Salt Lake City, Utah) are "running very low in their inventory of layette, sewing, and bedding kits...

Resource manual available to help churches organize community legal clinics

A helpful resource is available to Memphis Conference churches interested in setting up legal clinics in their communities. Linda Warren Seely, Peace With Justice Advocate for the Memphis Conference, has developed a manual that guides churches through all steps for planning and conducting a community legal clinic that provides individuals and families in need of legal services with access to free advice.   Seely also is available to assist and answer questions as churches...

Memphis Conference receives $7,000 grant for Sept.19 'Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Conference' to train churches for ministry

By Lane Gardner Camp, Director of Communications   A $7,000 grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) to the Memphis Conference is currently funding the planning and implementation of an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Conference on Thursday, Sept. 19, in Memphis.   GBCS announced the award last December to fund the request prepared by Linda Warren Seely, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Coordinator for the Memphis Conference....

'Thanks' and 'Yes' was Bishop McAlilly's message to Memphis Conference men at annual fish fry

Click on link below right for more photographs in Photo Gallery. By Lane Gardner Camp, Director of Communications No one is exactly sure how many men were at the 2013 Memphis Conference United Methodist Men’s Fish Fry, but the best guess by organizers is approximately 500. The April 16 event at Archers Chapel UMC in Frog Jump, Tenn., included meeting, eating, singing and worship time with special guest Bishop Bill McAlilly, who at one point read from John 21:1-7 where Jesus appeared to...

Reed provides follow-up info and materials from 'Pastoral Transitions Seminar' and seeks input from attendees

By Rev. Joey Reed Last week, Grace UMC in Jackson, Tenn., hosted a seminar for pastors and churches experiencing a change in leadership this year after the 2013 Memphis Annual Conference. The May 4 Pastoral Transitions Seminar was sponsored and organized by the Memphis Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM). Rev. Max Mayo, incoming Superintendent of the Cookeville District of the Tennessee Conference, led the seminar sessions at the invitation of Dr. Johnny Jeffords, chair of...

Online workshops on many topics are offered by BeADisciple.com

Check out all these 2013 online workshops from BeADisciple.com. BeADisciple.com is one of several programs of the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College, a United Methodist institution in Winfield, Kansas. To learn about all of the Institute's activities, visit www.institutefordiscipleship.org.   5/13 to 5/17/13 Writing/Editing Your Safe Sanctuary Policy Five-day Intensive   5/20 to 6/21/13 Uncensored Prayer: The Spiritual Practice of Wrestling...

Alumni of Memphis Theological Seminary will gather for lunch on June 4 during Memphis Annual Conference

Memphis Theological Seminary is organizing a lunch gathering for the seminary’s alumni during the 2013 Memphis Annual Conference in Collierville, Tenn. The lunch gathering will take place Tuesday, June 4, during that day’s lunch break. The location in Collierville has not yet been announced.   Cost is $15 per person.   Reservations are due by May 29 to Scottie Brafford at scottie.brafford@gmail.com or 901-497-2053 (text or voice message).   The seminary is...

Rossville UMC begins construction on renovation and expansion

Construction has begun on a renovation and expansion of Rossville UMC in Rossville, Tenn. Crews are remodeling about 1500 square feet and adding 1500 square feet to a building that some thought might close down several years ago due to a dwindling congregation.   “(With) a small group of people determined to keep it going, additions of new members and a strong music emphasis, … the church is moving into the future,” Rossville pastor Rev. Dr. Roger Joseph says....

Fayette County churches gathered in February to learn about and discuss 'exceptional leadership'

About 50 people discussed the attributes of exceptional leaders during a Feb. 23 conference led by McKendree District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis. Held at Somerville First UMC in Somerville, Tenn., the event attracted participants from Fayette County churches and encouraged them to mingle and discuss leadership topics with members of other congregations.   Somerville member Barbara Andrews attended and said Davis discussed how people identify exceptional leaders.   &ldquo...

Recovery work continues in Bethel Springs from January storm; May 18 clean-up day is planned

Recovery work continues in Bethel Springs, Tenn., from a late January storm that left many homes damaged. A clean-up day is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, to help homeowners remove debris, according to Bill Carr, Memphis Conference Director of Disaster Relief.   Also needed are roofers and volunteers who can do “light carpentry,” AND financial donations, said Carr.   In response to an appeal to raise $43 thousand to help with recovery in Bethel Springs that was made...

Here's update on coming ways to help in the aftermath of the West, TX fertilizer plant explosion

Many individuals and churches are asking what they can do to help in the aftermath of the West, Texas, fertilizer plant explosion that devastated that community in mid-April. Please know it is still too early to take recovery teams into the area.     We want to emphasize the importance of our conference following UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) and UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) protocol to only deploy when we are invited.   WHEN the Central...