News from us [link removed] February 1, 2022
Dispelling the Darkness in an Empire Strikes Back World

Using Star Wars as an analogy, Rev. Sandy Nenadal speaks to letting Christ's light shine through us when darkness threatens our world. She invites us to turn to Christ's Great Commandment, and the faith, hope and love that He offers to resist the darkness and sin around us. [link removed] Read more →

Upcoming Events
Communicating Across Generations
Join us on March 19 at Camdenton UMC for a workshop on bridging the gap between generations. Jennifer Smith, CEO of Midwest Strategies, will guide you and your leadership team as we learn how to better communicate and welcome people of all ages. Space is limited for this IN-PERSON experience. Gather your local church leadership team and join us for a day of learning! [link removed] Learn more and sign up →
Other Upcoming Events
Thursdays, Feb. 3 - March 24 - [link removed] Connecting New People to Christ Online Course
Feb. 7 - [link removed] Clergy: Get Smarter About Your Taxes
Feb. 15 - [link removed] MOAC Awards Deadline
Feb. 21-23 - [link removed] Missouri Preaching Academy
Tuesdays, March 8-22 - [link removed] Thinking Theologically: Theology of Place
March 31 - April 2 - [link removed] SoulConnections Retreat: Journey
See the full events calendars at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/events
Bishop Farr Issues Statement on Church Disaffiliations
In a recent statement emailed to clergy and laity in the Missouri Conference, Bishop Bob Farr shared his increasing concerns about statements made to congregations considering disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. Details about the process of disaffiliation are spelled out in the full [link removed] statement and [link removed] frequently asked questions document.
[link removed] Bishop Farr Statement on Church Disaffiliation
[link removed] FAQs on Church Disaffiliation
MOAC Awards - Submission Deadline February 15
Every year we celebrate and honor the ministry of churches and United Methodists across the state through the MOAC Awards. You’re invited to nominate an individual or church for their work in mission, discipleship, evangelism, or inclusiveness, justice and worth. Deadline is February 15 Learn more at [link removed] www.moumethodist.org/moac-awards

Featured Resource

Faith After Ferguson: Virtual Book Study
Looking for a way to connect with the Missouri Conference’s race and culture work? Join us on a journey of practical theological reflection and action through Faith After Ferguson: Resilient Leadership in Pursuit of Racial Justice. Over the course of four, 90-minute virtual sessions, led by the book's author Dr. Leah Gunning Francis and guest facilitators, you will experience fruitful conversation, deepening connections and mutual learning from small group discoveries and reflections on key learnings and insights. [link removed] Learn more and sign up →

Additional Resources

[link removed] Recorded Sermons for Sabbath Rest
In order to give pastors and worship teams a chance at Sabbath rest, the Missouri Conference has recorded four sermons and made them available to your local church. The sermons are available for download individually or you may request an entire worship service, complete with prayers, music and a giving moment.
[link removed] 25 Traits of the Beloved Community
Dr. King’s beloved community exhibits agape love, which, as the love of God operating in the human heart, seeks to “preserve and create community.” Christ’s mature followers love each other as well as those who persecute or do evil against them. Christians confront hate with love because agape love derives its essence from the cross of Christ, which brings redemptive power. Read how the the beloved community manifests and protects agape love as its guiding principle.
[link removed] Faithful Lent: Religion and Race Resource
Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-racism is a new Lenten resource for congregations to use in a small group setting. The purpose of this study is to make explicit connections between the traditions of Lent and the work of anti-racism without forcing either one to be what they are not.
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