Southwest District News [link removed]
If you have any requests that you would like us to prayer over, please let us know.
* Pray for all the changes happening in leadership and churches among our denomination.
* State of the Church

We are praying for each of you, your families, and your congregations.

Special Session of Annual Conference
Following consultation with the Missouri Annual Conference Cabinet and executive committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Bishop Farr is calling a special session of the Missouri Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church to be held via GoToWebinar, an online meeting platform, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, beginning at 10 a.m. For more information and ways to register click on the button below.
[link removed] Special Session → Registration for the November 18 special session will open on Tuesday, September 12. An email will be sent out to clergy and lay members of annual conference, including retirees.

Retirement Celebration for Rebecca Courtney

Please RSVP by Friday, November 17th at the link below.
[link removed] RSVP →

Charge Conference Paperwork is due in the District Office by November 28, 2023. Once all the forms have been fully completed with signatures you will receive a link to sign up for either an in person charge conference (January 21, 2024) or a zoom charge conference (January 28, 2024).
Please find the Charge Conference paperwork at the link below
[link removed] Charge Conference Paperwork →

Consultations, with signatures, are due in the District Office on December 1, 2023. Please make sure that both the pastor and the PPRC consultations are submitted together. Please reach out to the district office if you have any questions.


For those on Wespath's HealthFlex insurance, the annual enrollment period is Nov. 1-16. Given the change in network and plan choices, it’s extra important that you review your plan selections, even if you want to keep your current coverage. For resources related to making your selections, UMPIP and Pastoral Support Addendum forms, and more, click the link below.
[link removed] Benefits →


When disaster strikes, United Methodists respond. Become early response team trained to help communities recover in the days following a disaster. Join us on Nov. 11 in Wentzville. Space is limited to 20 participants. Learn more and register by Nov. 2 by clicking the button below:
[link removed] Register →

Free “What We Don’t Think We Think” Online Course
The Missouri Conference has partnered with the UMC General Commission on Race and Religion to create a Missouri-specific version of the course “What We Don't Think We Think.” Any Missouri Conference member – clergy or lay – is invited to take the training for free to learn about the unconscious bias we all experience. Learn more and enroll:
[link removed] HERE →



Safe Gatherings Application Discount Ending
Are you Safe Gatherings certified? Sadly, local churches can be a dangerous place for vulnerable people. Do your part to protect others by becoming Safe Gatherings certified and helping those you serve with to get certified, too. Until the end of the year, we’re offering half-off the application fee. Learn more at
[link removed] Safe Gatherings →
NextGen Ministry Cohort
Learn, grow and collaborate with other UMC leaders working with children, youth and young adults in this six-month cohort experience. Whether you’ve been in ministry for a while or new to your role, there’s a place for you. Learn more and apply by Nov. 9 by clicking below.

[link removed] NEXTGEN → Get Discounts on NextGen Curriculum
Missouri Conference NextGen Ministries is offering a reduced rate on curriculum produced by top kids and youth ministry providers. This resource is available for any ministry leader working with kids and youth. Currently the discount covers Celebrate Wonder by Cokesbury, Grow, Orange and Sparkhouse curriculums. Read more about each of these providers and request your discount at:
[link removed] Click Here →

Free Resource: Local Church Disaster Response Plan
Does your local church know what to do in the event of a disaster? Thinking through all situations, making a plan and communicating it are important elements of being prepared when disaster strikes. Even if you church already has a plan, it’s best practice to revisit it annually. Use our new local church disaster response plan resource to make or update your plan this summer:
[link removed] Click Here →




Have a ministry idea that needs an extra boost? There’s a grant for that! Funds are available through the Missouri Conference and its related entities for your new or existing ministry idea. Missouri United Methodist Churches can apply for funds through several grant programs supporting local ministry projects. We encourage you to apply for multiple grant opportunities. Each program has a different focus and requires a different application. Learn more about each, and their spring application deadline
[link removed] Click Here →



If you are interested in information on Lay Leadership please contact:

Nancy Corley
District Lay Education Coordinator
mailto:[email protected] [email protected]

Janice Greene
District Lay Leader mailto:[email protected] [email protected]

Kent Kiester
District Lay Leader mailto:[email protected] [email protected]


Free Implicit Bias Course Available
The Missouri Conference has partnered with the UMC General Commission on Race and Religion to create a Missouri-specific version of the course “Implicit Bias: What We Don't Think We Think.” Any Missouri Conference member – clergy or lay – is invited to take the training for free to learn about the unconscious bias we all experience. Learn more and enroll at [link removed] [link removed]





Please contact the district office for any district listings or events you would like promoted on future newsletters!

[link removed] [link removed]

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns to our District Staff:

Mary Rodgers-Weaver District Superintendent - [email protected]
Rebecca Courtney - [email protected] or 417-499-8334
Tiffany Freeman - [email protected] or 417-499-6840
Ethan Owens - [email protected] or 417-623-2382




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Southwest District of the Missouri Annual Conference
2517 E 20th, Joplin, MO, 64804-1037
(417) 623-2382
southwest.moumethodist.org southwest.moumethodist.org