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July 28, 2021
[link removed] District Website →
#toc2 GR Lay Servant Ministry Class: Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
#toc3 Charge Conference Forms Available for Download
#toc4 MUMF's "Financial Conversations Cohort"
#toc5 Developing Digital Faith Communities Workshop
#toc6 Leading in Unchartered Territory with Tod Bolsinger - Sept. 9
#toc7 New Places For New People Grants - Application Deadline Sept. 15
#toc8 2021 Leadership Institute
#toc9 Manchester's "Walk Justly" Conference - Oct. 22-24
#toc10 Emotional Health Small Group Resource

GR Lay Servant Ministry Class: Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
Summary of class
God calls you to a life of servanthood as a disciple of Jesus Christ. …Lay Servant Ministries is the first step for many laypersons toward their faith journey as they strive for a closer relationship with the Lord," the authors write in the introduction.
The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores
personal spiritual gifts

servant leadership

each leader's role in developing future leaders

the importance of consistent spiritual practices

the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating

and much more.

The Basic Course can be used for both adults and youth.

Description and details
This class will be offered virtually via Zoom in 3 sessions over three weeks. Please ensure you can attend each of the three sessions: Monday August 9 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm; Monday August 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm; and Monday August 23 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm Along with reading your book prior to the class, please be prepared for coursework to be assigned.
[link removed] Learn More →

Charge Conference Forms Available for Download
All of the charge conference forms, including the Pastoral Support Forms, are now available for download on the [link removed] Forms page of the district website.

We are still working on the schedule. More information on that and the paperwork deadline will be sent out as soon as it's ready.

Reminder - All Forms must be completed, signed and sent to the district office by your deadline. We will not accept any forms that do not have the necessary signatures.
[link removed] Forms →

MUMF's "Financial Conversations Cohort"
Sorting out church finances and creating a culture of generosity can feel overwhelming! Especially in the early years of pastoral ministry. That’s why the Missouri United Methodist Foundation (MUMF) is offering a new opportunity, called The Financial Conversations Cohort, for pastors who desire to build their confidence and knowledge in the areas of finance management and generosity. It includes:
Six cohort conversations where pastors can learn, discuss and explore some of the basics to church finance and generosity practices.

Be in conversation with other colleagues across the conference.

Meet by Zoom at 1pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month starting August 23rd.

Facilitated by Rev. Laura Murphy, Director of Development for MUMF. For more information or to register, contact Laura at mailto:[email protected] [email protected] or 913-908-6379.



Developing Digital Faith Communities Workshop
Over the past 18-months, many churches have developed an online worship service and digital presence. But livestreaming worship alone isn’t enough to make disciples online.
Join Rev. Cathy Townley, your digital worship coach, for a two-part workshop on taking the next step to develop your online faith community. Cathy will teach you to:
Connect with your worship viewers and build relationships with them

Develop ways to help them grow as disciples of Jesus

Provide Bible studies and member care

Plan online serving opportunities that impact your community

Develop participant giving to help support the work of your ministries

This learning opportunity is designed for churches seeking to go beyond just online services by making disciples in digital spaces.

Training sessions will be held from 4-6 p.m. on two Tuesdays, August 24 and 31. Registering signs you up for both sessions. Registration is $10.
[link removed] Learn More →

Leading in Unchartered Territory with Tod Bolsinger - Sept. 9
Space is limited for this IN-PERSON event.
For the better part of a generation, the church has faced a rapidly changing world, one that has pushed the church out of the center of the culture to the margins. Then COVID-19 happened, and the disruption to church as we knew it accelerated. Join us on September 9 for a workshop on learning to lead all over again in a totally disrupted environment. Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience, will serve as our guide into the uncharted territory.
[link removed] Register →

New Places For New People Grants - Application Deadline Sept. 15
Congregational Excellence is accepting grant applications from now until September 15 from churches that are establishing new places for new people. The first step is to fill out a worksheet and submit it to your District Superintendent.
[link removed] Learn More →

2021 Leadership Institute
You're invited to the Leadership Institute 2021 for inspiration, practical ministry tools and proven strategies to strengthen your church and your own leadership.
Whether online or in-person, all participants will have the same schedule. Nationally renowned speakers will bring their unique insights to some of today's most significant issues for the church, and you’ll come away encouraged and empowered to lead your church forward.
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Manchester's "Walk Justly" Conference - Oct. 22-24
Building on our rich Wesleyan heritage of social holiness, [link removed] Manchester UMC will host Methodists from across the connection in a two-day conference dedicated to the topic of “Just Missions.” The Walk Justly Conference is a NEW annual gathering of Methodist pastors, ministry leaders, and congregants who are dedicated to creating change in their local communities.
Conference Experience includes:
Conference and District led networking lunches

Workshops for pastors and laity

Daily Worship

Interactive Worship Arts and Prayer Opportunities

Keynote Panel on conditions of poverty that highlight similarities and differences between urban, suburban, and rural Poverty

Workshops include (but are not limited to):
Ministry Highlights (Rural, Urban, Suburban),

Introduction to Race and Poverty,

Preaching to a Diverse Context,

Faith and Social Engagement,

Starting a Social Justice Ministry,

Upgrading Your Little Food Pantry

Registration begins August 1st.
[link removed] Learn More →

Emotional Health Small Group Resource
What does the Bible have to say about feelings? Using the Pixar movie Inside Out as a guide, this resource explores what scripture has to say about the emotions personified in the film: joy, anger, sadness, fear and disgust.

Inside Out (2015) follows the emotions and experiences of 11-year-old Riley as her family goes through the transition of moving from Minnesota to San Francisco. The film provides a framework to have important discussions with families or other social connections about faith and emotions.

This discussion guide can be used as you see fit in your context. You do not have to follow the questions exactly or engage in every section. Rather, it is a tool available for you to encourage natural conversations about emotional health and faith. Together we can reflect and learn how to process emotions, so we can live a full life in community.
[link removed] Learn More →

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Gateway Regional District of the Missouri Annual Conference | 301 Sovereign Court, Suite 100 Ballwin, Missouri, 63011-4435 | (636) 891-8004 ext. 21 | www.gatewayregional.moumethodist.org