September 15, 2021

2021 Consultation Forms - Due Nov. 15

The 2021 Consultation Forms are now available for download on the Forms page of the district website.

• 2021 Pastor Consultation Form (for Lead/Senior Pastors)

• 2021 Appointed Associate Pastor Consultation Form (Completed by Senior Pastor and PPR for Associate Pastors)

• 2021 PPR Consultation Form (If you need help with the form, click here for a video tutorial)

Every pastor serving under appointment is required to complete a Consultation Form. The PPR at each church is required to complete one as well.

The deadline to submit the forms to the district office is November 15. It is important to meet this deadline to give the DS a chance to review the forms and set up the necessary meetings in preparation for Cabinet meetings in January. As a friendly reminder, if you do not submit your form by the deadline or let us know that the form will be late, we will put you down as a "Move". Please make sure all forms are completed and signed before submitting them to the district office.

Charge Conference Schedule and Forms

We are taking our fall charge conferences in an exciting new direction this year. Instead of doing them in the fall like usual, we are scheduling them in January. This will give churches additional time to set salaries in better alignment with their 2022 budget; and full time pastors to enroll in health insurance, complete the PSF and Addendum all at the same time. It also means new leaders for the coming year will not have to be nominated 3-4 months in advance of when their leadership role begins. Even though the charge conference dates will be in mid-January, the Pastoral Support Form and new leadership teams will still be effective January 1.

We are offering 3 locations for in person charge conferences in January. Each location will have a suggestion on the area of the district that should attend. However, you are free to attend any location that best fits your schedule. More information on registration for the locations will be sent at a later date. We will not be holding any individual charge conferences this year. All churches must attend one of these.

• Sunday, January 9 from 2:00pm-4:00pm - Memorial UMC in Farmington

• Saturday, January 15 from 9:30am-11:30am - Hermann UMC

• Sunday, January 16 from 2:00pm-4:00pm - SunRise UMC

All of the charge conference forms, including the Pastoral Support Forms, are now available for download on the Forms page of the district website. With the change in schedule, there is also a change in the deadline to submit the forms to the district office. All Forms, including the PSF Addendum for Full Time Pastors, will be due to the district office by Wednesday, December 1. We will not accept any forms that do not have the necessary signatures.

Festival of Sharing Food Box Challenge

Join Festival of Sharing as we kick off the Sharefest season with the Food Box Challenge.
Using items mainly from our Missouri Family Food Box, create a dish that is sure to wow the  crowd! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or snack, we're hoping you or your team will pull out all your best cooking hacks.

Click Here for a few directions for the challenge and an opportunity for a debrief following the fun.
When you are done cooking, snap a picture, write down the recipe, and send it to us on Facebook or Instagram (@FestivalofSharing ) or by email ([email protected]) between September 1-30 to enter the challenge.

Two dishes will be selected as winners in the categories of "Just Roll With It," featuring a quick dish using few ingredients, and "Hello Gorgeous," featuring a dish that looks too good to eat.

Winners will receive a sweet treat for themselves or their team, and Festival of Sharing will donate five Missouri kits to an agency of their choosing in their area.

Sharefest 2021
The Missouri Family Food Box includes shelf-stable food items like

1. canned fruit,
2. vegetables 
3. peanut butter.

These boxes benefit a variety of agencies (like food pantries and resource offices) around Missouri who share them with the communities they serve.

MUMF's Fall Ministry Grants - Due Oct. 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 October 1 for Fall consideration. Both an electronic submission as well as a hard copy (that is postmarked no later than October 1^st) are required to make the October 1^st deadline.

Thinking Theologically Discussion Courses

Thinking Theologically provides intellectual renewal through small group, discussion-based courses focused on a single concept, theory or reading. Together we’ll connect these theological thoughts to aspects of congregational ministry, including preaching, community formation, age-level ministry, pastoral care and community involvement.

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 of fresh wind. If ever there was time the church needed a refreshing and resurgence, it's now.

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 T. Smothers. They will be our teachers on Saturday, October 2 from 9 a.m. -12:00 p.m. This learning and leadership event is part of the Ignite Leadership Academy.

Fall Coach Training Opportunities

In partnership with Rev. Val Hastings and Coaching4Clergy, the Missouri Conference is offering the three steps of training required to become an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation. It’s a great deal on some terrific training and all the details are below, including the link for registration.

Walk Justly Conference - Oct. 22-24

Building on our rich Wesleyan heritage of social holiness, Manchester UMC will host Methodists from across the connection in a two-day conference Oct. 22-24 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

Click Here for the promotional flyer.

Living Word's "Aspire Women's Event" - Oct. 24

One Night-3 hours -Just For Women

Aspire is a one-night women’s event full of laughter, learning, stories, and music with three ladies taking the stage, 1 Bible Teacher – 1 Comedian – 1 Musician. The show begins at 5:00 pm. VIP doors open at 4:00 pm, general admission doors open at 4:30 pm. The event will be at Living Word Church, 17315 Manchester Road, Wildwood, MO. So grab a friend or two and join us for a great ladies night out. Tickets and info available at www.AspireWomensEvents.com or by calling 480-812-1100. For more information, contact Connie Davidson at [email protected].