Southwest District News [link removed]
More Tickets Added!
Our baseball game registration has been a huge success. We have completely filled the 1,000 seats we reserved but I have secured more on the 1st base side of the field. We may be spread out but we're going to fill up that stadium with United Methodists! Register [link removed] here or by using the QR code above and let's see how many folks we can get by Monday, August 3rd!
Please let me know if you have any cancellations as soon as possible so I can open those seats up to other folks that might not have signed up as early. Thank you all for your great response! It's going to be a great night! Email Teresa at [link removed]
[email protected] with any cancellations or additional ticket needs.
SAVE THE DATE!
The Fall Charge Conferences will be held in October with the Zoom options on October 11th and the In-Person on October 25th at Grace UMC in Springfield. The forms have been released in the People Portal and will be due by September 15th.
Please take note of the 2025-2026 SW District Timeline
below with dates for the upcoming months.
August 1 - Fall Ministry Grant Cycle Opens
August 1 - Charge Conference Paperwork available in the People Portal
August 3 - Mary returns from renewal leave
August 7-8 - Candidacy Summit
August 14 - SW District 2 Springfield Cardinals Fellowship Game Night
September 3 - Fall dCOM Interviews
September 15 - Fall Charge Conference Paperwork is DUE to District office by People Portal
September 7 - Labor Day - Office Closed
October 1 - Grant requests due for Foundation and MOAC Ministry grants - More Info [link removed] Here
October 11 - Annual Charge Conferences by Zoom
October 25 - Annual Charge Conferences In Person at Grace UMC in Springfield
November 26 - Thanksgiving Holiday - Office Closed
December 24 - January 4 - Christmas Break - Office Closed
Festival of Sharing
We are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with ”Festival of Sharing” to share God’s love in a tangible way as our district-wide Missional Outreach Project in 2026. This is our chance to put our faith into action and shine the light of Jesus brightly here in the Southwest District and across the entire state of Missouri. Please take a few minutes to visit their website at [link removed] www.festivalofsharing.org to see all about their program and how it helps underprivileged families and children right here in Missouri. (Once you are at their website, go to Sharefests, view dates, Southwest Region Sharefest, view event, then click on "in our booklet," and "Download the 2026 booklet here," then the "Kits" options begin on page 5) There are many “Kits” available for your church to choose one as a project, based on your church’s interest, available volunteers, and financial situation.
The “Sharefest” (where we gather together for service, fellowship, and sharing the packs, kits, and funds outlined in the booklet) for the Southwest District will be
held at King’s Way UMC, 2401 S. Lone Pine, Springfield, MO. 65804 on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Please contact Melanie Welsh Lay Leader, at Aldrich UMC at [link removed]
[email protected] or 417-298-4108 to RSVP your church if you are going to participate in this event and/or to ask any questions you may have regarding this district-wide Missional Outreach Project. We pray that many of you will be moved to talk to your church board/council to add this project to your church’s list of missional outreaches in 2026.
The Safe Gatherings Process
If your church has been wanting to learn more about Safe Gatherings, this video will walk you through the whole process and why you need protections in place for your church and the people you serve. Please click [link removed] here to learn more.
Does Your Church Own or Operate a Cemetery?
If your church owns, maintains or is responsible for a cemetery (regardless of whether it is active or inactive), we would appreciate you completing a brief online form by Aug. 14. Even if you believe the Conference is already aware of the cemetery, please take a moment to complete the form. If you have any questions, please contact mailto:
[email protected] [email protected]. [link removed] View the form →
There are many grants available for our UMC churches through the MOAC and . Please check out all the possibilities at this [link removed] link. The applications will be due on October 1st.
Community Connect Workshop Series
The Community Connect workshop series equips local church leaders with the skills they need to discover who is in their neighborhood, build strategic relationships and meet the needs of the community. This series builds on itself session after session. Attend all six sessions (three in the fall and two in the spring) or pick and choose the sessions that interest you. Each workshop features teaching from an expert and a case study from a Missouri Conference church. See dates and register here à [link removed] [link removed]
Soul Connections Journey to Iona Pilgrimage – July 20-25, 2027
The Iona Pilgrimage is a five-day retreat that includes worship with the local community, guided times of learning and connection and generous space to wander, pray, and explore the island at your own pace. Early registrations will receive a discount of $150 from now until Sept. 1. Learn more at an upcoming info session and register at [link removed] [link removed]
Missouri PAUMCS offers experiences to improve the professional and personal development of church personnel and increase the effectiveness of local church ministries. Office ministry is the key that opens many doors to enhance the overall ministry of the church and its organizations. Our Chapter provides opportunities for networking and continuing education through our monthly Brown Bag Learning lunches and Fall Conference.
Our Fall Conference is October 1-2, 2026, at First UMC, Festus/Crystal City, MO (Southeast District). First UMC, Festus/Crystal City is working diligently to provide a wonderful experience for our Admins and we hope to have a good registration. You can view the Save the Date flyer announcing the theme, 'Love.Serve.Lead' [link removed] here. Mark your calendars. We are working on getting details sent out in early August.
What do your apportionment dollars pay for?
If you've ever wondered why the churches pay apportionments, click [link removed] here to find out. This is a great article to help take some of the mystery out of just what those monthly payments help to support in out conference.
Church Lifecycle Diagnostic
The Church Lifecycle Diagnostic Tool helps pastors and church leaders assess the season of the church's ministry. Diagnostic results reveal a season name, season description and specific sub-section scores to show areas of growth. Each sub-section has a corresponding learning module to spark revitalization in that area of ministry. Click [link removed] here to take the Church Diagnostic.
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 select options from Cokesbury, Grow, Illustrated Ministries and Sparkhouse Digital curriculums. Read more about each of these providers and request your discount at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/curriculum-discounts
Stay Connected
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: [link removed] [link removed]
More Upcoming Events
July 20-24 - [link removed] UNITE at CMU Week 2 - Please be in prayer for those participating in UNITE.
July 30 - [link removed] Evangelism in Today's World Online Training
August 8 - [link removed] ERT Training in Kansas City
August 12 - [link removed] Form I-9 Training Webinar
[link removed] See the full events calendar at www.moumethodist.org/events
Lay Education Classes
7 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Sept. 1 via Zoom - [link removed] Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 PM on Thursday, Sept. 24 via zoom - [link removed] Do Good: Living John Wesley's Second Rule in Everyday Life
7 p.m. on Mondays beginning Nov. 2 via Zoom - [link removed] Polity
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
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
View in browser [link removed]
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[link removed] Subscribe to our newsletter
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
