General Conference Postponed Until 2024
The Future of the Missouri Conference in the Continuing UMC
Regional Conversations
Beware of Phishing Scams
Grant Opportunities from the Foundation

General Conference Postponed Until 2024

Citing long waits for visas, organizers have rescheduled General Conference from August this year until 2024. With the United Methodist lawmaking assembly on hold, groups are moving up a planned launch date for a breakaway conservative denomination. Read the full news story at https://www.umc.org/en/content/general-conference-further-postponed-to-2024.

The Future of the Missouri Conference in the Continuing UMC

Missouri Bishop Bob Farr issued an Episcopal letter today responding to the postponement of General Conference and addressing his vision for where the Missouri Conference is headed. The letter can be found online at https://www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/letter-from-bishop-farr-on-the-postponement-of-general-conference-16385135. The letter links to a video conversation that is posted at https://vimeo.com/680562579?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=32959660.

Regional Conversations

Bishop Farr is planning a series of regional conversations around the state at the end of April. He would like for every clergyperson under appointment to attend at least one of these conversations. There will be clergy-only afternoon sessions and optional lay sessions in the evening as well as Sunday and Saturday options. These conversations will not be recorded and will not be livestreamed. Register to participate in the conversations at https://www.moumethodist.org/continuing-umc.

Beware of Phishing Scams

Most data breaches occur from people falling for social engineering techniques to get them to respond to a fraudulent email. Follow the SLAM method, in which you carefully consider the Senders, Links, Attachments and Messaging before reacting to an email.

Grant Opportunities from the Foundation

Twice a year the Missouri United Methodist Foundation offers local churches the opportunity to apply for ministry grants. If your church is seeking funding for the development of missional leaders, evangelistic outreach to involve new people in new places, and service activities to help lift people out of poverty (especially children) or toward an innovative way to do ministry, you are encouraged to apply! The next grant deadline is April 1. To learn more and for a ministry grant application, go to https://mumf.org/churches-organizations/ministry-grants/.