The Southeast District is announcing the upcoming retirement of Rev. Dr. Bruce Baxter, the District Superintendent. Bruce will be retiring June 30, 2024 and will have served in this position for 7 years.

“I have known Bruce since our church planting days. He has done great ministry as a local pastor, church developer and District Superintendent,” said Bishop Farr. “We will miss his wisdom from the Cabinet.”

Conference Superintendent Jon Thompson will be appointed as the next Southeast District superintendent.

Super Bowl Challenge

The Kansas City Chiefs are playing in their second-consecutive Super Bowl and their fourth in the past five years. While we love seeing the Lombardi trophy raised by players wearing red, white and gold, we love even more when we can serve Christ by feeding the hungry.

UMC annual conferences in the United States have an opportunity once again score a victory against hunger.

Bishop David Wilson of the Great Plains Conference and Bishop Bob Farr of the Missouri Conference have teamed up to invite colleagues in the California-Nevada, California-Pacific and Oregon-Idaho conferences to a friendly competition to see which team's fans can collect the most food for food pantries in their mission fields.

Click Here for More Information →

Watch the MOAC Big Game Challenge 2024 video here.

Free Financial Workshop

New Hope UMC in Arnold is hosting a Financial Health Basics workshop Saturday, February 10. This FREE workshop will help you reset your finances for 2024, rethink your relationship with money, and replace old habits with new practices. Presenters will share information on topics like Building a Budget, Reducing/Eliminating Debt, and Giving/Saving/Retirement. There will be plenty of Q&A time and there will also be resources for next steps. Childcare is available.

Deadline to Register is February 8.

Southeast District Grants
Deadline March 1st

The Southeast District is offering ministry grants to any United Methodist church or affiliated organization in the district boundaries.

• Priority will be given to organizations that have not previously received a grant.
• Priority will be given to Conference initiatives listed below.

New Places for New People (NPNP) -New or growing Alpha programs.
Next Generation Ministries - (birth-college age) New program that multiplies Next Gen Ministries in the local church.
Raise up Missional Leaders – training or an experience to recruit, train or disciple missional leaders engaged in the congregation.

Details can be found in the Grant Application here:
• Spring Grants are due by March 1st. All applicants will be notified by April 1st.
• Fall Grants are due by August 1st. All applicants will be notified by September 1st.

More info and Apply Here →

Empowered to Thrive with Rebekah Simon-Peter

Register by February 16

Join Rebekah Simon-Peter, your coach and guide, for a three-part virtual workshop on transforming your ministry into one that thrives. You’ll learn how to identify and harness the gifts and talents already in your congregation to become a hopeful post-pandemic church. This experience has been specially crafted for small- and medium-sized churches. Register by Feb. 16 at www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/empowered-to-thrive-rebekah-simon-peter-18185316

Chili and Stew Dinner

Zion UMC in Old Appleton is hosting a Chili and Stew Dinner.

151 Zion Church Rd, Oak Ridge, MO 63769

Saturday, February 17
12-3pm
$10/person

Jump Start Workshop on Mission, Service and Justice

Does your missions ministry feel stuck? Join us for a Jump Start workshop on Feb. 20. Together we’ll consider local church mission, service and justice ministry and new ideas for reaching your community. You’ll leave with practical advice and solutions that can be immediately implemented in your context. Register by Feb. 14 at www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/jumpstart-missions-workshop-17516240

Church Seeking Handbells

Grace UMC in Sullivan is looking to purchase handbells and handchimes that other congregations are no longer using.

If you have any handbells or handchimes you are interested in selling, please contact Rev. Susan Youmans at [email protected] or call the church at (573) 468-6010.

Apply Today for Spring Grants

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 at www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/2024-spring-grant-applications-now-open-18233324

Mental Health Training with Dr. Chinwé Williams

Join us on March 16 for a mental health training designed for NextGen leaders and volunteers. Together we’ll learn to navigate the mental health challenges Gen Z is facing and discover practical strategies for providing support. You’ll leave feeling equipped to face the mental health challenges you encounter in your ministry. Use the code MENTALHEALTH to save $5 on your registration fee.

Stay Connected with the Missouri Conference

As Annual Conference draws near, we want to make sure you stay informed of the exciting opportunities the Missouri Annual Conference is offering.

Follow the Missouri Conference →

MOAC Award Nominations Due February 15

Every year the Missouri Annual Conference celebrates and honors the ministry of churches and United Methodists across the state through the MOAC Awards. You’re invited to nominate an individual or church for their work in mission, discipleship, evangelism, or inclusiveness, justice and worth. Learn more at www.moumethodist.org/moac-awards?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=netnews

NEW ABSORB COURSES AVAILABLE

New classes are available on Absorb! Missouri Conference members, you can take Faith Sharing, Congregational Care and Strategic Ministry Planning for FREE, at your own pace, on our online learning platform.

Online Polity Course - Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 - March 20

Have you ever wondered how this movement of Methodism started, how and why we do what we do and how we do it, at the local, district and Conference level? This class unpacks the history of Methodism, along with why we believe what we believe, and the “how’s and why’s” of why we are organized the way we are. This is a great class for all laity to understand who the people called Methodists really are. The four-week online class will be taught by Rev. Steve Jones (Camdenton UMC). Learn more and register by Feb. 18 at www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/polity-online-24-18180257

Choir Robes Available

New Hope UMC (Arnold) has blue choir robes available. For more information contact the church office at (636) 464-5600.

Part-Time Job Opening

St. Andrew's UMC (DeSoto) is seeking a part-time ministry assistant. For position requirements, a list of duties, and contact information, visit the link below.

More Information →

DJ Cupcake Puppet for VBS

New Hope UMC in Arnold is looking to purchase a "DJ Cupcake" Puppet for their upcoming Food Truck Party VBS this summer. If you have one you're willing to sell, please contact Michelle at [email protected].

Host an Intern in Summer 2024

Applications are open for summer local church internships. Interns get hands-on ministry experience and discover how their gifts and talents can be leveraged in the Church. Host churches provide this formational opportunity for young UMC leaders.

Learn More and Apply Here →

Free 2024 Lent Materials

The 2024 Lent materials from UMC Discipleship Ministries are now available. Download FREE graphics, sermon starters, small group guides and more on the theme the Depths of Love.

Learn more and Download Here →

Parsonage Inspection Form - Due March 1

Parsonage inspection forms are due March 1. All churches that own a parsonage are required to complete this form, even if your pastor does not live in it.

Use the Parsonage Inspection - Pastor form if the pastor lives in the parsonage
Use the Parsonage Inspection - Renters form if the church rents the parsonage

A blank copy of either form can be found on the Forms page of the district website. Forms must be completed and have the appropriate signatures before submitting. We will not accept incomplete forms and/or unsigned forms.