Southwest District News [link removed]
The SW District 2025 Charge Conferences will be held in October. We will have two different dates to choose from.
The Zoom options will be held on Sunday, October 12th starting at 12 noon and in 45 minute increments throughout the afternoon.
The In-person option will be held at Resurrection Church in Springfield on October 26th at 3 pm. You can register at the link below for whichever time slot you prefer.
The deadline for the Charge Conference paperwork will be on Monday, September 15th. Please reach out if you have any problems with the new online system.
Register [link removed] Here for the 2025 Charge Conference.
Please take note of the 2025-2026 SW District Timeline
below with dates for the upcoming months.
September 15 – All Charge Conference paperwork due
October 12 – Zoom Cluster Charge Conferences starting at noon (4 sessions)
October 26 – In-Person Cluster Charge Conferences – Resurrection Church @ 3PM
November 27-28 – Conference/District Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
December 1 – Consultation Forms due
December 24 - January 1 – Conference/District Closed for Christmas/New Year’s Holidays
January 31 – Mentor Report Forms due
March 1 – Parsonage Inspection Forms due
March/April - dCOM Interviews TBD
May 1 – Pastor Eval forms due
May/June – Pastor Evaluations with DS
June 5 - 7 – Annual Conference in St. Charles, MO
June 30 – Mentor Report Forms due

Speaker: [link removed] Dr. Amy Oden
Worship Music: [link removed] Kiersten Rose
The Center of the Ozarks: A Christian Spirituality Center is hosting its 2nd Annual Spiritual Life Retreat in October. The retreat is designed for all participants to find opportunities of spiritual growth through worship, fellowship meals, and reflection. Participants will be treated to dynamic speakers, engaging music and unique, interactive experiences, as well.
Spiritual Life Retreats are designed for participants to leave renewed and ready to engage in the world “Carried by Hope.”
Times: Friday 4:30pm – Saturday 8:30pm
Cost: $130
Retreatants will have the option of one Spiritual Direction session while at the retreat. For those out of town, housing options are available. Update your Find-A-Church profile
Developed by United Methodist Communications, Find-A-Church is the official online directory of United Methodist churches. It is one of the most visited sections of UMC.org, averaging more than 1,000 page views a day and helps you to connect with busy people in your community on their terms, on their time, and in their comfort zone. It also serves as a companion to your church’s existing website — giving you twice the local visibility online. Use the link below for more information and to access your profile.
[link removed] Update your Find-A-Church profile | ResourceUMC

Conference Issues September Flood Bucket Callout
September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. With natural disasters on the rise and the start of hurricane season, the Missouri Conference is issuing a callout for UMCOR Cleaning Kits. Deploying kits is just one way Missouri United Methodists show up and serve when it matters most. Getting involved is easy: Commit to build the kits in September and complete the task any time this fall. Learn more [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/flood-bucket-callout-issued-for-disaster-preparedness-month-19285921

Support a Sharefest in your region!
Join us for a time of service, fellowship and collecting of packs and kits for our agency partners!
Sharefest Dates
Sept. 20 in Kansas City
Sept. 27 in Springfield (SW Region)
Oct. 3 - Dexter (SE Region)
Oct. 4 - Santa Fe (NE Region)
Oct. 18 - Tipton
Click on the following link for more information: [link removed] Sharefests — Festival of Sharing

NextGen Leaders Academy
NextGen Ministries seeks to support and equip Missouri’s NextGen ministry leaders. One way we do that is through a new program called NextGen Leaders Academy. This six-month program teaches the basics of NextGen ministry, empowers leaders to do big, exciting things, and creates a network of support for leaders all across the state. Both daytime and evening cohort options are available. Learn more and apply for the 2026 cohort by Nov. 20 at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/nextgen-leaders-academy

Jump Start Workshop on NextGen Ministries
Ready to engage the next generation? Join us for our first Jump Start workshop of the fall on Sept. 23 we’ll consider questions around getting started in and leveling up your NextGen ministry. You’ll leave with practical advice and solutions that can be immediately implemented in your ministry context. Learn more and register at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/jump-start-nextgen-ministries-18792925

Conference Finance and Administrative Ministries staff is hitting the road this fall to share information about the new Compass Retirement Plan and updates to clergy health benefits. We highly recommend all clergy and a lay representative from every church attend. The Road Show stops in every district throughout late September and early October. See the dates and RSVP [link removed] here.

CMU to Host Praise Music Competition
Scholarship Opportunities Attached
Central Methodist University is launching an exciting new opportunity for Missouri’s most talented and passionate young praise musicians. The new competition, Central’s Got Praise, is designed to inspire, connect, and elevate the next generation of worship leaders.
This fall, Central is bringing the stage to communities across the state with five district-level competitions hosted at United Methodist churches. Churches are invited to sign up their youth praise bands or standout musicians to compete in one of these local events. The competitions will be split into two categories, bands and individuals.
District winners in the band category will receive a trophy and advance to the statewide praise band competition held in February, during the annual Central’s Got Talent finals. In the individual category, scholarships and spots in the Central’s Got Talent showcase are up for grabs, with full-tuition scholarships possible for CGT winners.
The South West District competition will be held on November 2 at Kingsway UMC in Springfield. Central’s Got Talent and the statewide finals will be held on the CMU campus on February 19.
Praise bands and individual musicians of all faiths are invited to participate. Spots are limited in each district. To register for any of the district competitions, visit [link removed] [link removed]. For all competition dates, see the Central’s Got Praise page on the CMU website: [link removed] [link removed].

NextGen Summer 2026 Preview Live Event
Join Missouri Conference Next Generation Ministries over the lunch hour on Oct. 1 as they preview their 2026 summer experiences during a virtual live event. There will be giveaways, discounts and a whole lot of fun! Plus, the event coincides with the launch of UNITE 2026 bulk-buy registration and Sanctuary Kamp registration. RSVP at [link removed] [link removed]

For more info on this amazing travel opportunity, click the following link. [link removed] TRAVEL

Grant Applications Due Oct. 1
Whether you’re planning a new place for new people, mission project or other ministry project, 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 Oct. 1. Learn more at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/fall-2025-ministry-grant-applications-now-open-19146664

Missouri United Methodist Foundation Grants Available
The oldest and largest grant program in our Conference, Foundation grants assist a wide variety of ministry projects each year. Learn more and apply at [link removed] [link removed].


Classified ads:
If anyone has already taken the beginner course using this and would be willing to share with someone else, please reach out to the district office. One of our pastors is looking for the curriculum and is having trouble tracking it down. Thank you!
(Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook, 2007 John Haynes & Carl Holladay)
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 stay connected letter to see the many ways you can connect and follow the Missouri Conference: [link removed] [link removed]
[link removed] See the full events calendars at www.moumethodist.org/events
Lay Education Classes
Mondays beginning Sept. 8 - BeUMC online via Zoom
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 10 - [link removed] Emotionally Healthy Spirituality online via Zoom
Mondays beginning Nov. 3 - [link removed] UMC Polity online via Zoom
Laity Quick Links
[link removed] Conference Lay Ministry Team Listing

[link removed] Conference Lay Education Coordinator Listing

Interested in pursuing certified lay ministry? [link removed] View the process here.

[link removed] Absorb on-demand learning platform with lay education courses

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Southwest District of the Missouri Annual Conference
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 743, Branson, MO 65615
(417) 623-2382
southwest.moumethodist.org southwest.moumethodist.org