Year-End Statistics Portal Information

 The year-end stats portal for entry of 2025 local church statistics entry opens on Dec. 30, 2025, and closes on Jan. 29, 2026.

 Year-End Stats Webinar

Year-End Stats Webinar – 11 a.m. on Dec. 4

The end of the calendar year means it’s local church statistics time. Before the AC Stats portal opens on Dec. 30, we want to share guidance and resources for making the most of your church’s statistical data. Conference Statistician Nate Berneking will host a brief overview and answer common questions related to the year-end stats process. Register to attend live or receive the recording at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hLXO9rUOSBS-IarOWABqhA

 Giving Tuesday

Support Mozambican United Methodists This Giving Tuesday

In many churches across Mozambique, United Methodists gather to worship without access to hymnals or Bibles for the congregation. Leaders in Mozambique named supplying these materials as a top priority for continued faith development and evangelism. Giving Tuesday funds will support this effort, one that is at the heart of our ministry: Encouraging United Methodists across the world in our shared faith. Learn more and donate at https://mzinitiative.com/donations/bibles-hymnals-mozambique/

Advent Devotional from Bishop Farr

Advent is here! Bishop Farr shares a short devotional to mark the start of the season. View the Video →

Bishop Farr co-authored a new devotional titled Advent in Four Words: Hope, Peace, Love, Joy. Get 20% off when you order at marketsquarebooks.com and use the code ADVENTCONFERENCE.

 Virtual Simplified Structure Refresher

Join Amy Thompson, certified simplified accountable structure coach, for a SAS Refresher course. SAS can support a holistic leadership lens as you approach the missional work of the leadership board. This course will provide updates on new best practices as well as common pitfalls that occur when implementing the SAS model. Learn practices related to organizational structure, simplification and accountability. Also learn about the elements to support the flow of work, such as leadership covenant, guiding principles, new agenda and meeting packet, setting goals and annual leadership rhythms. Attendance by pastor and leadership board members will be most beneficial.

When: Thursday, January 8, 2026 - 6:30PM-8:30PM

This course is only for churches currently on the Simplified Accountable Structure.

Save the Date: Notes of Rest Retreat

Mark your calendars and make plans to join us April 30 – May 2, 2026, in St. Louis for a Notes of Rest Retreat with Julian Davis Reid. During this contemplative, music-infused time apart, participants will explore rest, reflection and renewal through Scripture and song. You can view the full retreat flow and schedule at this link. Registration opens on Jan. 20, 2026. Indicate interest and receive more information when it becomes available by completing this form: www.moumethodist.org/interest-form. 

 Stewardship and Finance Webinar

Discipleship Ministries starts each new year with this webinar focused on the new members of the stewardship team, finance committee, or church council – those looking to get started strong right from the first week! In all things, connect your church’s money to mission and your people’s giving to their discipleship. They update the webinar to reflect current challenges. Remember, you are not alone; this is a place to find help. Join Rev. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity at Discipleship Ministries, as he helps churches find the right foundations for their work of funding mission and ministry and helping form mature, generous disciples of Jesus Christ!

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Time: 6:30PM
Location: Virtual (via ZOOM)