October 6, 2021

SE District Lay Servant Class: Christian Transformational Leaders

Saturday, October 23, 2021 8:30am-4:30pm

In Person Course

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  OCTOBER 19

We ALL wish our church had more leaders, or that we could develop more leadership skills ourselves.  After all, we are to support the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness.  That’s why we are excited about a great opportunity for YOU to do just that!  

Utilizing the participant’s book Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders, this course will engage lay servants with fresh perspectives on the definition of transformational leadership, congregational vitality and practical steps to take in this current milieu. The work of Tod Bolsinger and Spiritual Leadership Inc (SLI) will also be utilized during this fruitful day together. Facilitator for the course will be Rev. Bruce Baxter, Southeast District Superintendent.  

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.

Leading Through Sabotage and Resistance With Tod Bolsinger - Oct. 28-29

Most leaders assume that navigating the challenges of a changing world, while trying to lead wisely and well, will be the most difficult thing they face. Yet, oftentimes the most important obstacle isn’t the one faced outside the church: It’s the resistance – including sabotage – encountered inside and among a body of believers. In this two-part workshop, Tod Bolsinger will help shape you into the kind of wise, resilient leader who can lead through the external challenges and internal resistance at the same time.

Join us from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 28 and 29 for this two-part, virtual experience.

Cost: $25 for supporting conference members (Missouri, Louisiana and Oklahoma), $40 for other conferences

Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis Annual Celebration

The Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis is hosting their 2021 Annual Celebration on Thursday, October 28 at 7:00pm at the Educational and Cultural Center of the Hindu Temple of St. Louis. This year’s event is generously hosted by the Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh communities. A portion of the event will be livestreamed to allow for people to participate from the comfort of their home.

This year’s celebration will include a Langar dinner (communal meal) prepared by the Sikh community and a lively and educational program highlighting cultural and religious aspects of our three host communities. We will also be honoring Maryl Walters, CSB, of the Church of Christ, Scientist and Swami Chetananada of the Vedanta Society of St. Louis with the Interfaith Lifetime Achievement Award for their years of service and activism in the St. Louis interfaith community.

EMERGE: A Soul Connections Retreat - Oct. 28-30

EMERGE invites you to rest and renew your sense of connection and community as we emerge together from this difficult season. Using the story of Lazarus as our guide, we’ll reflect on the challenges we’ve faced, explore what inhibits us from moving forward, and claim the hope and promise of renewed faith and life together. Both laity and clergy are encouraged to engage in this retreat opportunity.

Global Missions Fellow Program

The Global Mission Fellows program of The United Methodist Church places young adults, ages 20–30, in social justice ministries for two years of service. The program offers the opportunity for service in the United States (US-2 track) and around the world (international track). The application for the 2022-24 cohort of Global Mission Fellows US-2 track launches Friday, October 1.

Fellows serving on the US-2 track address the deep-rooted systems of injustice in the U.S., working in a variety of areas, including food insecurity, migration/immigration, education and poverty. Fellows leave their home state to serve in a new community, gaining a fresh perspective on systems preventing social change. They form meaningful relationships with their host community as they are mentored by organizations meeting immediate needs and working toward lasting transformation.