March 24, 2021

District Website →

Morning Star Resources Available for Churches
2021 Clergy Evaluations and Meeting Schedule - Deadline May 3
Annual Audit - Deadline June 1
BMCR's "Resurgence: Navigating the Changing Ministry Landscape"
MUMF Spring Ministry Grants - Deadline April 1
Susan Beaumont: How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going - April 10
Annual Conference Registration Update - Opens April 13
Online Early Response Team Training
Grieving Together: How to Build a Supportive Community - April 27

Morning Star Resources Available for Churches

Morning Star has several book and DVD resources they would like to donate to any church that wants them. Click Here for the full list. Please contact Kathy Frick via Email or by phone at (636) 561-5680 by Monday, March 29 if you are interested in any of these resources.

2021 Clergy Evaluations and Meeting Schedule - Deadline May 3

The 2021 Evaluation Forms are ready for download on the Forms page of the district website. There are 3 forms:

2021 Pastor Self Evaluation - To be completed by all Senior Pastors
2021 PPRC Evaluation - To be completed by each church/charge PPR for the Senior Pastor
2021 Associate Evaluation With Lead Pastor - To be completed by the Senior Pastor with the Associate Pastor

The deadline to submit the completed and signed forms to the district office is Friday, May 3.

Please Note

All Churches receiving a new pastor this summer do not need to fill out an evaluation form.
All Pastors who are retiring, moving out of, or moving into new appointments in the district do not need to fill out an evaluation form.
Lay Persons supplying churches on an assigned basis do not need to fill out an evaluation. Linda will set a time to meet with assigned lay persons.
Churches who have lay persons assigned (preaching every Sunday): Linda is glad to meet with church leadership teams in churches who have a lay person assigned. Please call Becky to make arrangements.

Forms →

Click the Sign Up Button for the 2021 Clergy Evaluation Meeting Sign Up. All Clergy, with certain exceptions listed above, must schedule an evaluation meeting with Linda. All evaluations will take place either virtually or at the District Office. If Location on the Sign Up says District Office or Zoom, please select your preferred option.

There is a range of dates and times set for evaluations. Please review them quickly to ensure you find a slot that fits in your schedule. If you have a full-time secular job, please contact Becky directly and she will facilitate a time to meet that accommodates your working hours so you do not have to take time off.

If we do not have all of your completed and signed forms prior to your meeting, we will have to reschedule your meeting.

Annual Audit - Deadline June 1

All churches are required to complete an audit every year. The deadline to submit the audit to the district office is June 1. You can email the completed form to Becky Hoener, fax it to (636) 891-9700 or snail mail it to the office (301 Sovereign Ct, Suite 100, Ballwin, MO 63011).

Blank copies of the form can be found on the Forms page of the district website under "Annual Fund Balance Form (Audit)".

Forms →

BMCR's "Resurgence: Navigating the Changing Ministry Landscape"

Is your church making a significant difference in relevant mission or ministry? As a leader, are you seeking to know how to lead into the future? What would a fresh wind that rejuvenates a declining congregation, navigating societal shifts, look and feel like? One word: Resurgence, which is a rejuvenation fresh wind.

The St. Louis Chapter of BMCR is hosting a class based on the book Resurgence: Navigating the Changing Ministry Landscape by Rev. Drs. Candace Lewis and Rodney D. Smothers. They will be our teachers on Saturday, April 17 from 8 a.m. -12:00 p.m. This learning and leadership event is part of the Ignite Leadership Academy.

This online event is free and open to the public.

MUMF Spring Ministry Grants - Deadline April 1

The Foundation grant program continues to grow in size and service thanks to the generous gifts of donors across our state. Gifts ranging from large estates to modest memorials continue to build the endowments that generate the grants and scholarships. Twice each year, the Foundation Board receives and considers proposals for ministry projects from United Methodist churches and related agencies throughout Missouri. Funding decisions are determined on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on funds available and the merits of each request. Applications must be postmarked by April 1 for Spring consideration. Both an electronic submission as well as a hard copy (that is postmarked no later than April 1^st) are required to make the April 1^st deadline.

If you have questions about the application process or grant request, please are welcome to contact Laura Murphy.

Grant Applications →

Susan Beaumont: How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going - April 10

Registration Deadline is April 3.

Virtually join consultant, coach, author and spiritual director Susan Beaumont on April 10, 2021. Learn how to identify your point of focus during a season of uncertainty, lead with a different lens during this time and how to include discernment in your leadership work.

Learn More →

Annual Conference Registration Update - Opens April 13

The Missouri Annual Conference Sessions team has moved opening MOAC21 Registration to Tuesday, April 13 at 9 a.m. This includes the opening of the hotel reservation system provided to clergy and lay members by Springfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB).

Conference leadership and the Sessions team is monitoring the updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical professionals and local health departments related to our upcoming events including annual conference scheduled for June 12-13 in Springfield. No decisions have been made regarding whether MOAC21 will be virtual or in-person, although it should be noted that we have been live streaming annual conference for several years now. We anticipate making that decision prior to the April 13 registration opening. Moving registration to April 13 will afford us some more time to work through planning and communication.

MOAC Info →

Online Early Response Team Training

Deadline to register is April 12

This class will provide you with the Basic information you need about Early Response Teams. Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need in the days after a disaster to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence.

Basic
Training for anyone that has not previously attended a training OR it has been longer than 3 yrs since your last training.

April 23, 3-5:30 p.m.
April 24, 8:30-11 a.m.
May 1, 8:30-11 a.m.

Recertification
Anyone whose badge expired in 2020 OR is due to expire any time before May of 2021.

April 23, 3-5:30 p.m.
April 24, 8:30-11 a.m.

Cost: $15

Learn More →

Grieving Together: How to Build a Supportive Community - April 27

Grief is a tricky topic, but it’s one we don’t have to navigate alone. Offering support is a community effort that can be intentionally fostered. Join Rev. David and Elaine Howlett on April 27 from 6pm-7pm for an introduction to building a supportive community around grief for local church pastors and laity.