The District Weekly - The Southwest District of The Arkansas

Volume 5, Issue 10
April 8, 2016
Just A Note
The District Weekly
The Southwest District
Hello Southwest
District,
I am so happy to
share the news that
within your district 3 churches have
been selected as Methodist Family
Health’s Annual Church Award
recipients. Only 13 awards will be
given out state-wide! We rely so
heavily on all of the churches
support, all year, to help the children
and families in our care locally and
state-wide. These churches have
truly extended their mission, prayer,
UMW, adult, youth and children’s
ministries to reach out to our children
and families.
Methodist Family Health 2016
Southwest
District
Church
Awards:
 MFH Generosity Church Award
– Piney Grove UMC and El
Dorado First UMC
 MFH
Outstanding Volunteer
Church Award – Christ of the
Hills UMC
Awards will be given out during
church services during the months of
May through September. We will
also honor these churches at our
display booth at Annual Conference
in June.
Thank you so much,
Maggie Beeler
Director of Development
Methodist Family Health Foundation
Keep in Your
Hearts & Prayers . . .
 Grace Kelso, spouse of Rev. Larry
Kelso, who underwent surgery on
Tuesday, March 15.
 Debbie Meeks, spouse of Mike
Meeks (pastor of Manchester UMC),
who is undergoing chemo treatments.
Kudos to Mike
Meeks!
A website developer
recently picked Arkadelphia First’s web site
as #7 out of 15 best examples of the use of
a current web technology. The applause
goes entirely to Mike Meeks (serving
Manchester UMC), who developed the site
and is rightly proud of his work.
Just go to http://katieallred.com/exampleschurches-using-divi/#more-1561 and scroll
down to #7.
It’s Time for Us
to Get Ready
For Annual
Conference
The Southwest District needs:
4 17 At-Large Members
1 Youth (12-17 years of age)
2 Young Adults (18-30 years of age)
1 Wesley Foundation—SAU
1 Wesley Foundation—HSU/OBU
If you have served in the past and are
willing to serve again or have never served
and think you would like to, let me know —
Cindy Parker, 870.230.1118 or cparker@
arumc.org
Pre-Conference District Briefing
The Pre-Conference District Briefing has become a yearly event where the Bishop and other Conference
Staff come to the district to provide information, updates and insight that will help prepare us for Annual
Conference. All clergy, lay members, alternate members and at-large members to annual conference should
be in attendance. The briefing for the Southwest district will be Sunday, June 5 at 3:00 p.m. It will be held at
Arkadelphia First United Methodist Church in their fellowship hall. Below is the agenda for the meeting.
AGENDA
Pre Conference District Briefing
1) Opening Worship and Communion
2) Preparing for Annual Conference Review trajectory
 Mission of the Annual Conference Session
 Conference Prayer
 Review Pre-Conference Journal
4) Proposed changes in the Rules of Annual Conference
 Session Rules
 Standing Rules
5) Tithe Initiative/Budget
6) Spiritual Revival follow Up
7) General Conference Report
8) 200,000 Reasons
9) United Methodist Men
Hope to see you all there!
Cindy
Job Opening
Piney Grove UMC Hot Springs is
presently receiving resume’s for the
position of full time Director of Music
Ministries. Interviews will begin late
April/May. Salary package begins at
$60,000 and upward depending upon
experience.
Send Resume’s and
inquiries to [email protected]
or [email protected].
CHILDREN’S
MINISTRY
LEADERS &
VOLUNTEERS
I am trying to begin a conversation between all of
those in the Southwest District that work with
children in the local church. Whether you are fulltime staff, part-time staff, or a volunteer, I want
your information! PASTORS: Please pass the
following survey link on to ALL those serving in
children’s ministry in your church. (paid staff or
volunteers)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NVS33PF
Come
join
the
SWDCYM as we learn
how to sort the
Madness of Living a
Life for Christ! Let's
face it, our lives are so
busy that sometimes
we wonder how we can
live a life for Christ with
so much going on!
Let's set the world on fire and REVIVE our
Spirituality as we learn how to manage the chaos,
set our priorities, and learn how to say no to more
chaos! Worship, games, small groups and
fellowship round out the event - what more could
you ask for!
The DCYM positions are for youth in current grades
8th-11th. CCYM positions are for youth that are in
current grades 9th-11th. Please share with your
churches and surrounding churches as well that
may have interest of kids applying for these
positions.
We have the current positions available:
District President, Youth Service Fund, Media
Taskforce Event Positions: Refuge, Missions,
Veritas, Choir Tour, Senior High Assembly, Junior
High Assembly.
Registration will open on March 7th. You
can register your group online & pay
online.
My goal is to be able to meet regularly with
Southwest District children’s ministry leaders to
brainstorm and equip you to do the work God has
called us to do. Those who can’t physically meet,
I would love to be able to connect via email or
phone (or even come to your church) and
resource you with the needs for your mission field.
However, I first need contact information on who
is serving in children’s ministry!
PLEASE
COMPLETE THE SURVEY TODAY!
If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy
Carter (Southwest District Children’s Ministry
Coordinator)
via
email
at
jeremy@
magnoliafumc.org or by phone at 870-234-4530
ext. 103.
Early Bird Registration Ends Soon!
$15 Early Bird | $20 Regular | $25 At Door
REGISTER NOW!
2016 Grow by One Summit
Saturday, April 30 | 9 am - 5:15 pm
St. James United Methodist Church | Little Rock, AR
CORE SESSION PRESENTERS
 Getting Comfortable with Professing Faith - Bishop Mueller-
Building a Bridge Event - Kay Kotan
 Not Safe for Church - Jasmine Smothers
 Forming a Worship Team - Dawn Chesser
 Support Group/Recovery Ministries Panel - Maxine Allen
 Building a Discipling Ministry - Michelle Kirby
 Middle School Ministry - Rod Hocott
 School Partnership Ministry - Trinity UMC panel
 Wesleyan Class Meetings - Andrew Thompson
Summit Preacher Bishop Gary Mueller
Keynote Speaker Kay Kotan
BONUS: 14 different lunch & learn sessions
REGISTER YOUR TEAM NOW!
PROMOTE THE SUMMIT AT YOUR CHURCH - everything you need can be found at http://
vitality.arumc.org/2016-grow-by-one-summit/
Questions?
Email us at [email protected] or call 501-324-8000
Follow this link
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
I was contacted today by OIMC asking if we would be able to reschedule a mission to
assist with repairs to their cabin. Is there anybody that would be interested in being a
Team Leader for this mission? I will help any way I can with connections and
planning, but I will not be able to go between now and June. The OIMC would like to
have the needed repairs done in time for their Annual Conference in June. Please
prayerfully consider if you are able to lead this mission. Contact Byron Mann.
As you are planning for fall, please include these Mount Sequoyah training events and retreats in
the life of your church. Please share this information with anyone who could benefit. If you would
like to be notified when registration opens, email your name and what event(s) you are interested in
to [email protected].
United Methodist Study
School
SCJ Mission Academy
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION
Fall Lay Servant Academy
At the Cross
Senior Adult Retreat
September 6-13
Study School is for
those on the Local
Pastors track working
towards their core
United Methodist
classes. Dr. Max
Whitfield is a retired
bishop who presides over the session
and coordinates the teaching. You will
register for classes through Bishop
Whitfield and reserve meals and lodging
through Mount Sequoyah.
September 29-October 1
Lay Servant Ministries
equips to laity of the
United Methodist
Church for service.
We offer the Basic
Course as well as a
variety of Advance
Courses. Information will be available
this summer for those interested in
attending. Liz Curtis, Northwest District
Coordinator for the Arkansas
Conference, serves as our registrar.
This is open to all laity.
REGISTRATION
September 11-14
The South Central Jurisdiction Mission
Academy will include
offerings from UMVIM
(United Methodist
Volunteers in Mission)
for Mission Journey
participants and
UMCOR (United
Methodist Committee on Relief) for
Disaster Response. The SCJ is
Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri,
Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and
Texas.
October 17-21
The event will begin
with dinner on
Monday, October 17,
2016, and end with
breakfast on Friday,
October 21, 2016.
The retreat will feature excursions
around Northwest Arkansas, worship,
workshops, fellowship and more. This
is great for individuals, couples or
groups.
REGISTRATION
Mount Sequoyah Center, Inc., 150 N Skyline Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Camp Tanako began a day camp program in 2013 for
summer care for families in Garland, Hot Springs, and
Clark counties. Families with children from 1st grade
through 6th grades are eligible to come to Day Camp.
The inclusion of all children is a special emphasis for this
ministry. Each summer, children from various faith
traditions attend Tanako, but it is especially moving to
hear children be excited about the gospel of Christ for
the first time.
Last summer, Camp Tanako's Day Camp program grew
by 89% over the summer of 2014. As part of our service
to families, transportation is provided from drop-off spots
in Hot Springs and Malvern (thanks to Faith UMC in Hot
Springs & Rockport UMC in Malvern). Last summer
69% of the families participating in this ministry utilized
the option for transportation. Compared to the same
time period last year, Day Camp registrations are up by
156%!
This growing ministry is in need of assistance. Camp
Tanako needs to have additional van(s) donated or
provided for sale at a low price. Two years ago, Tanako
was blessed to have a van donated by the congregation
of Grand Avenue UMC Hot Springs. We are so
thankful for their generosity because it enabled us to
serve more families. Please call the camp at 501-2622600 or email at [email protected] if you know of any
opportunities that will assist us in adding an additional
van.
Arkansas Annual Conference
June 19-22
Bank of the Ozarks Arena
Official Webpage: ac2016.arumc.org
Things to Know
 Online Registration opens April 15
 Annual Conference Material will be mailed on
April 15
 The Pre-Conference Journal will be available
online on April 15
 Lodging - download a complete list of available Hot
Springs hotels
Deadlines
 May 20 - last day to apply for display space.
Download the vendor application packet
Blessings,
Kim Carter, Executive Director
The website for Arkansas Conference
Mission u is live and ready for visitors!
Please visit
www.armissionu.weebly.com
to find out more information about
Mission u 2016 and to register online.
All forms (brochure, t-shirt order form,
scholarship application, code of
conduct,
try-buddy
agreement,
registration form, etc.) can be found
online to download.
We would love to see you at Southern Silks
this year! Please call or email me with questions- Maggie Beeler, 501.412.6178.
Camp Healing Hearts, state’s only
grief camp, coming up May 20-21
Camp Healing Hearts, a program of Methodist Family
Health’s Kaleidoscope Grief Center, is a free overnight grief
camp for children, teens and families coping with the death
of a loved one. The 2016 event will be held May 20-21 at
Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock.
This family-oriented grief camp is open to children ages 518 and their families. Caregiver participation is required.
The camp offers therapeutic Heart-to-Heart peer support
groups, age-appropriate discussion and activities, and time
for campers to work and play together. The experience
gives participants strength in knowing that they are not
alone as they face the future as a family.
Participants in Camp Healing Hearts enjoy the beauty of
the outdoors and a host of camp activities, including:
swimming, fishing, games, campfire, challenge course, arts
and crafts and more.
Southern Silks, a fun special event benefiting
Methodist Family Health, will be held May 7 at the
Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center, 10800
Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock. Count on Kentucky Derby inspired horse racing fun, dinner, prizes, live and silent auctions, hat contest and so
much more! Your participation will benefit the Arkansas children and families who turn to Methodist Family Health for behavioral and emotional
healthcare.
Plan to attend Southern Silks and invite your
friends and colleagues to join you! Visit and pass
along these sites with all the details:
MFH web site:
http://www.methodistfamily.org/save-thedate-southern-silks-soiree-is-may-7/
MFH Facebook/Southern Silks Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/
events/939805629440636/
Registration deadline is May 6.
For questions,
501.537.3991.
contact
Katherine
Gipson
or
call
http://www.methodistfamily.org/camp-healing-hearts-isstates-only-grief-camp/
Southern Silks online ticket ordering:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-silksa-derby-day-soiree-benefiting-methodistfamily-health-tickets-20786239201
Thank you for your support!
Methodist Family Health is
pleased to be taking part in Arkansas Gives Day on Thursday,
April 7. This is a day of online
giving that allows nonprofits in
Arkansas to raise money for their cause. Please plan to
support MFH on April 7 by making a contribution at https://
www.
arkansasgives.org/organizations/methodist-familyhealth anytime between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Your gift will help us become eligible for additional bonus
money and prizes … and, of course, will benefit the many
Arkansas children and families who turn to Methodist Family Health and its Methodist Children’s Home for help and
guidance. Thank you for participating in Arkansas Gives
Day April 7!
#SouthernSilks16
Upcoming Events
April 8-10
Lord, Teach Us to Pray Seminar, Hope First
UMC
April 15
Online Registration begins for 2016 Annual
Conference
April 15-16
Senior Retreat 2016
April 21-23
Spring Lay Servant Academy — Basic and
Advanced Courses Offered. SAVE THE
DATE!!!
April 29-30
SWD Youth Spring Retreat, Camp Tanako
April 30
Grow By One Summit, Saturday, April 30, 2016;
St. James UMC, Little Rock. SAVE THE DATE!!!
May 7
Southern Silks, a fun special event benefiting
Methodist Family Health; Clear Channel
Metroplex Event Center, 10800 Colonel Glenn
Road, Little Rock.
May 20-21
Camp Healing Hearts, Camp Aldersgate
June 5
SWD Pre-Conference Briefing, Arkadelphia
First—Fellowship Hall, 3:00 p.m.
June 13-19
ACCYM Choir Tour 2016
June 19-22
2016 Arkansas Annual Conference, Hot Springs,
AR
June 29
Moving Day for new appointments.
July 21-22
United Methodist Young Preachers Festival &
Conference, Church of the Resurrection,
Leawood, KS
July 21-23
Lay Servant/Speaker Academy, Central District,
Jacksonville UMC, Jacksonville, AR
July 27-30
Mission U, University of the Ozarks, Clarksville,
AR
September 11-14
SCJ Mission Academy, Mount Sequoyah
Camden area clergy meet every Tuesday @
McDonalds @ 10:00 a.m.
Magnolia area clergy meet every Tuesday @
Andy's @ 9:00 a.m.
Hot Springs area clergy meet the first
Thursday of every month at the San Francisco
Bread Company in Hot Springs at 11:30 a.m.
Pastors in the Arkadelphia area meet every
Monday morning at the Donut Palace, located
on Hwy 7 next to the Sonic at 9:00 a.m.
SW District 2016 Apportionments
% Paid to Date
District (as of 4/07/2016)
34.37
Conference (as of 3/31/2016)
21.05
T h e S o u t h we s t D i s t r i c t
904 Caddo Street
Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923
Phone: 870.230.1118
Fax: 870.230.1148
Rodney Steele: [email protected]
Cindy Parker: [email protected]
Dawn Branton: [email protected]
Website: swdist.arumc.org
https://www.facebook.com/www.swdist.arumc.org
Creating vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus
Christ, who make disciples, equipped to transform lives,
communities and the world !