Southeast District News

February 14 - MOAC Awards Submission Deadline
March 1 - Parsonage Inspections Due
March 1 - Southeast District Spring Grant Applications Due
April 1 - MOAC Ministry Grants Due

Sacking Hunger Challenge

To celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Philidelphia Eagles, the Missouri Conference and the Great Plains Conference are challenging the Eastern Pennsylvania and Great New Jersey Conferences to a food drive competition.

To participate:

Collect nonperishable food items at church or another designated drop-off point through Sunday, Feb. 16.
Weigh the food that is donated.
Make the food available through your church food pantry or another food pantry that serves your community.
Log the donation by 7 p.m. February 16 by filling out the form at https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/SuperBowlSackingHungerChallenge2025.

Pastors and Church Leadership, please send photos of your Church's Sacking Hunger Challenge donations to [email protected] so we can include it in the newsletter and on our NEW Facebook Page!

Parsonage Inspections Due March 1

Parsonage inspections are due March 1 and are required for parsonages that are rented, pastor-occupied, or vacant. You can find all of these forms on our website HERE. If the parsonage is unoccupied or used for any non-residential purpose, please use the "Parsonage Inspection - Pastor" form.

Parsonage Inspection - Pastor

Parsonage Inspection - Renters

Email inspections to Allie at [email protected]

A Discipleship Toolbox

A Discipleship Toolbox is being offered online as a lay education class for four one-hour sessions. There is no place to go, no book to read and no studying to do. We simply ask that you attend with a mind that is open and ready to try something new!

Each session will have a particular focus including:

What is a Layperson?
The Alpha Course
NextGen Ministries
Leading a Small Group

More Information and Register →

Southeast District Grants - Due March 1

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 Southeast District 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:

Application & More Information →

Spring Grants are due by March 1. All applicants will be notified by April 1st.
Fall Grants are due by August 1st. All applicants will be notified by September 1st.

Spring Lay Education Classes Available

Registration is now open for spring lay education classes. Both in-person and online options are available. Learn more at the links below:

Feb. 22 - Christian Leadership and Casting a Visioning - In-Person in Kirksville - Registration closes Sunday, Feb. 16
March 1 - Christian Leadership and Casting a Visioning - In-Person in Columbia - Registration closes Sunday, Feb. 23
Mondays in March - UMC Polity - Online via Zoom
Mondays beginning March 17 - A Discipleship Toolbox - Online via Zoom

Mission Opportunities for 2025

If you are interested in joining a mission trip in 2025, there are two opportunities to serve at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, KY!

Spring: April 27-May 2
Fall: October 5-10

For more information, contact Jeff Hahs at 573-275-0749

MOAC Ministry Grants

Grant Applications Due April 1

Have a ministry idea that needs an extra boost? There’s a grant for that! Missouri United Methodist Churches can apply for funds to support both big and small local ministry projects. Applications are due April 1. Learn more at www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/ministry-grant-applications-now-open-18897449

Lenten Cluster Services Schedule

March 9 - OPEN (TBD)
March 16 - Marquand UMC at 5PM
March 23 - Sedgewickville UMC at 5PM
March 30 - New McKendree UMC at 5PM
April 6 - OPEN (TBD)
April 13 - Zion (Old Appleton) UMC at 5PM

Jump Start: Supercharged Communications

Ready to take your local church communications to the next level? Join us for our next Jump Start workshop on March 4 where we’ll consider questions around effective communications, copyright and licensing, and crisis communications. You’ll leave with practical advice and solutions that can be immediately implemented in your ministry context. Learn more and register at www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/jump-start-communications-18792899

Registration Closes Feb. 25

MUMF Scholarship Opportunities

The Missouri United Methodist Foundation awards various college scholarships to United Methodist students each year. The MUMF application must be submitted between January 1 and April 1 each year.

Click Here for More Information →

Tax Resources for Clergy

Whether you’re preparing your own taxes or are working with a tax professional, special rules and exemptions for pastors aren’t always clear.

Here are some resources to help!

Discipleship Ministries: Clergy Taxes: An Overview (Webinar – February 10)
Missouri Annual Conference: Five Quick Tips for Clergy Taxes
IRS Website: Members of the Clergy

New Institute for Modern Worship Partnership

The Missouri Annual Conference has partnered with the Institute for Modern Worship to offer tailored coaching and consulting for worship ministries. Through this partnership, your church can receive up to four, FREE coaching hours with an IMW Worship Consultant. Learn more at https://www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/18890639

Stay Connected

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. View our annual stay connected letter to see the many ways you can connect and follow the Missouri Conference: https://www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/18891548