News from us [link removed] October 6, 2021
Crossings That Matter

Photo by Andre Amaral on Unsplash
On September 4, 1771, Francis Asbury left Europe on a ship headed to America to join the new Methodist mission field of lay and local preachers. The trip took seven weeks at sea, lots of time to think and wonder about where he was headed. When asked, “Why are you going to America?” Francis answered, “I am going to live for God and bringing others to do so.” It’s hard to imagine what the 20- something-year-old Francis thought about making such a risky change in his life. He would never see his parents again, and he would spend the rest of his life crisscrossing the country and moving the Methodist mission forward.
Francis had no idea how it would turn out as he and one hundred other early preachers and local pastors changed the course of not only the Methodist movement but of the newly forming American country. But, because of their willingness to risk and even embrace a crossing into something new and unknown, they changed the lives of millions of people.
Crossings are important times even in our own lives. We are presently in a crossing. Francis Asbury volunteered to board the ship to a new world. For us, it seems we are being pushed onto the boat of our new world. Leaving what was and going into the not yet is scary. Yet, we can choose how to react and how we move forward. Transitions are like that, and we are definitely in a transition.

[link removed] Read more in Bishop Farr's October letter →

Upcoming Events
EMERGE: A soulconnections retreat
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. [link removed] Learn more and sign up →
Other Upcoming Events
Oct. 11 - [link removed] Blurring Lines: Being Brave and Relevant Webinar
Oct. 14 - [link removed] Leadership Forward Webinar: Radical Hospitality with Candi Cylar
Oct. 28-30 - [link removed] EMERGE: A soulconnections retreat
Oct. 28-29 - [link removed] Leading Through Sabotage and Resistance with Tod Bolsinger Virtual Event
Mondays, Nov. 1-15 - [link removed] Thinking Theologically: The Exploratory Function of Metaphors
See the full events calendars at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/events
Featured Resource
Advent Resources
Check out these free or low cost resources from the wider UMC connection as you plan for Advent:
GCORR: [link removed] Reimagining Advent. Discover the Liberating Christ
[link removed] View several studies available from Amplify Media, including new releases from Revs. Adam Hamilton, Matt Rawle and Laceye Warner
UMC Discipleship Ministries: [link removed] Come Home for Christmas
More Resources
[link removed] Let’s Get Political: How Nonprofits Can Engage In Advocacy (And How They Can’t) Webinar Recording
Conference Chancellor Jordan Ault, Director of Finance and Administration Nate Berneking and Jessica Hembree, principal of Platform Civic, a consulting firm that provides nonprofits with strategic planning and policy advocacy, share how local churches and pastors can legally engage in advocacy.
[link removed] Unpacking Healthflex
Watch the recording of our most recent Benefits Roadshow webinar ahead of healthcare enrollment season.
[link removed] The Hybrid Church: Merging Physical and Digital
For many, knowing how to do physical and digital ministry at the same time is daunting. This is the mindset behind the phygital church. Our endgame is not the physical building. Nor is it digital ministry. Our endgame is disciple-making. Join digital church planter Jeff Reed as he answers your questions and shares how to thrive, grow, and multiply the physical + digital ministry in this new hybrid model.
See the full resource library at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/resourcelibrary


Forward this email [link removed]
View in browser [link removed]
[email protected] is receiving this email from Lauren Miers because you have an existing relationship with us. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add [email protected] to your address book or safe sender list.
To unsubscribe or manage mailings go to [link removed]
[link removed] Subscribe to our newsletter
Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202 | 573-441-1770
www.moumethodist.org