News from us [link removed] May 11, 2021

Play Ball
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As any United Methodist pastor will attest, baseball holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful. There are plenty Sunday mornings peppered with red or blue jerseys in the pews. The intersection of Methodism and baseball might be most well-known thanks to the 2013 sports film, “42” about baseball player Jackie Robinson. In the film, Branch Rickey, played by actor Harrison Ford claims that “God is a Methodist.”
Rickey first met Robinson on Aug. 28, 1945. He told Robinson that he wanted to sign the 26-year-old ballplayer and break the national pastime’s color barrier. This meeting between the two Methodists ultimately transformed baseball and America itself.
Baseball is a natural part of Missouri culture with two Major League teams separated by 250 miles, the Royals of Kansas City and the St. Louis Cardinals. But die-hard baseball fans are also aware of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City.
Now, even more fans will be aware of the state’s treasure since Major League Baseball’s recent correction of the longtime oversight in the Kansas City Monarchs - 1921 game’s history by officially elevating the Negro leagues to Major League status.
[link removed] Read more about two baseball players with Methodist roots in Missouri who are now major leaguers →
Upcoming Events
[link removed] MOAC 2021 Budget and Redistricting Proposal Q-and-A
Get your questions answered! Join us for a Q-and-A related to the proposed Conference budget and the redistricting proposal. [link removed] Learn More →
Upcoming Events
[link removed] May 19 - MOAC Awards Night
[link removed] May 27 - Pre-Conference Briefing
[link removed] June 8 - Virtual Closed Clergy Session
[link removed] June 11 - Boundaries Training
See the full event calendar at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/events

Featured Resource
[link removed] Fruits of the Spirit Small Group Video Series
Learn about the Fruits of the Spirit from seven different speakers in this video-based small group series. Short 10-minute talks pair with discussion questions for engaging conversation on Fruits and real-life application. While this series is designed with youth in-mind, it’s appropriate for believers of all ages. [link removed] View it here →
More Resources
[link removed] Digital Church: Reaching An Online Mission Field Online Workshop
How do we minister in this new hybrid world? Learn how to connect new people to Christ in this virtual workshop, a learning experience designed to inspire and educate on how to approach digital ministry as a new mission field.
[link removed] Free Therapy Visits Via The Employee Assistance Program
The EAP offers confidential counseling and support to help manage issues, such as stress and anxiety, in your personal or professional life that may impact your work, family and ministry.
[link removed] THRIVE Event Recording: Not Safe for Church and The Adept Church with Dr. Doug Powe
Virtually join Dr. Doug Powe as he leads a free workshop centering around two of his books, [link removed] Not Safe for Church and [link removed] The Adept Church in conversation with THRIVE's mission to inspire, support and educate Missouri leadership in the Black Church Tradition. See the full resource library at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/resourcelibrary

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Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202 | Phone 573-441-1770 | www.moumethodist.org