Thanksgiving Greetings from the Logans
Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness to you and your loved ones, in every season and on every day. Lamentations 3:22-23 puts it like this: "the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Click here to watch Thanksgiving greetings to the Mississippi Conference from Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan and Rev. Dr. Lewis Logan II.
Miss. Conference Generosity Continues at Africa University
Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant
In 2024, the Mississippi Conference continued its commitment to the financial support of the Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of Bishop Kenneth L. Carder at Africa University. The conference’s investment in education has helped ease the financial burden for students and allowed them to study freely as they prepare to become the next generation of leaders, ministers and bishops serving communities throughout the continent. Read More
Bishop Launches Conference Vision Task Force
Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist
Over 20 people convened Saturday, November 8 at the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi for the initial gathering of the Mississippi Annual Conference Vision Task Force. Selected by Mississippi’s episcopal leader, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis Logan, the participants represented a mix of clergy and laity, men and women, staff and volunteers, cultures, ethnicities, generations and ministries as diverse as the state. According to Lewis Logan, the group has many gifts and graces, and they were selected through a process of prayer and discernment, which included some recommendations as well. Read More
Africa University graduates. Photo courtesy of facebook.com
Vision task force members have group discussion.
Photo courtesy Jasmine Haynes
Year-End Giving: A Season of Gratitude, Generosity and Eternal Impact
As we approach the end of the year, the Methodist Foundation wants to remind you that they are here to help with your year-end giving. Your gifts can leave a lasting legacy that can benefit others for generations to come. Click here to learn how the Methodist Foundation can support you in your year-end giving.
Donate Online to Mississippi Conference Camping Ministries
You can now donate online to the four Mississippi Conference camping ministries. Click here to visit the donation hub. On the donation hub, you can find information about the camping and the ministries and meeting spaces they provide. You can also donate to the camping of your choice.
Methodist Children’s Homes’ Annual Heart and Homes Luncheon
Join representatives from the Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi, MCH, for their Annual Heart and Homes Luncheon. The event takes place Tuesday, November 18 at the Country Club of Jackson beginning at 11:30 a.m. During the luncheon you will hear from staff, MCH children and Miss Mississippi - Anna Leah Jolly, as they discuss what foster care means to them. Click here for more information on the luncheon or to purchase a ticket or sponsor a table. Proceeds from the event will help restore Matthew House on the MCH campus.
Council of Bishops Announce Ratification of Amendments
The Council of Bishops have announced that the four constitutional amendments approved during the 2024 General Conference have received ratification and certification. The four amendments garnered more than the two-thirds majority vote and became effective immediately. Click here to read the full announcement from the Council of Bishops, to find more information on ratification and helpful resources.
Photo right: Annual conference delegate holds constitutional amendment ballot. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC.
Youth participate in worship at Camp Lake Stephens. Photo courtesy of facebook.com/camplakestephens.
Photo courtesy the Methodist Foundation
Attend Final 2025 Pop-up Preaching Event
The final Pop-up Preaching event of 2025 takes place online Monday, December 8. Rev. Maxine Bolden, pastor at White Oak United Methodist Church in Crystal Springs, will lead a time of learning focused on preparing sermons for the new year. Clergy who attend will receive .1 CEU. Click here for more information and the Zoom link.
Churches Use Bishop’s Book for Advent Study
Churches and book clubs here in the Mississippi Conference are using Bishop Sharma D. Lewis Logan’s newest book, Advent in Four Words: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love as this year’s Advent resource. Lewis Logan co-authored the book with three of her bishop colleagues in the hope that congregations throughout The United Methodist Church would join in worship and study this Advent season. Communications specialist Jasmine Haynes reports. Read More
Purchase Your UWF Polo Shirts
Mississippi Conference United Women in Faith, UWF, can now purchase polo shirts to represent their identity and unity at events like annual conference and Assembly. Shirts can be purchased by clicking here and filling out the polo shirt order form. Shirts range in price from $45$50 and can be purchased by cash, check or money order. The deadline to purchase shirts is February 28, 2026.
CFO Updates
In her latest update, Mississippi Conference CFO, Dr. Felicia Gavin, has news on the Brick River clergy compensation sheet, open enrollment, the new Compass Retirement Plan from Wespath and the upcoming change in how mission share reports are distributed. Click here to read Gavin’s latest updates.
Photo right: Rev. Maxine Bolden prays during annual conference. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC.
Photo above: Conference treasurer, Dr. Felicia Gavin. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC.
Advent Resources
This Advent season, Resource UMC has gathered the best resources from across the United Methodist connection to help churches prepare, share and welcome joy. Click here to see Advent worship resources and graphics that you can use in your church.
SAVE THE DATES
Thanksgiving Office ClosureNov. 27-28
The conference and episcopal offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 2728, as we take time to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. Offices will reopen Monday, December 1 at regular business hours. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." - Psalms 136:1.
Giving Sunday: Methodist Children’s Homes – Dec. 14
Methodist Children’s Homes brings hope and restoration to children and youth who have been neglected or abused. The Mississippi Conference-wide Giving Sunday Offering supports the Methodist Children’s Homes ministry and daily operation. Congregations can also support Methodist Children’s Homes through the Little Light of Mine special offering. Click here for more information and to donate.
Christmas Office Closure –Dec. 18-Jan. 2, 2026
The conference and episcopal offices will be closed December 18-January 2, 2026, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Offices will reopen Monday, January 5 at regular business hours. "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6.
Human Relations Day – Jan. 18, 2026
Sunday, January 18, 2026, is Human Relations Day. The special Sunday recognized across the United Methodist connection focuses on building relationships and supporting community and youth outreach. The Human Relations Day offering supports programs like community developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services and youth offender rehabilitation. Click here for more information on Human Relations Day and click here for the Human Relations Day pastor and leader kit.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
As a courtesy to the Mississippi Annual Conference, job announcements from across the United Methodist connection are featured in The Circuit Rider. To submit an employment notice, send an email to news@mississippi-umc.org. Postings are not guaranteed to appear more than once in Mississippi Conference publications. To read a description of job opening(s) listed below as well as other listings, click here
• Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, GCFA (Nashville, TN)
• UWF Institutional Giving Officer (Remote)
• UWF Major Gifts Officer (Remote)
• Associate Pastor of Youth & Outreach Ministries Parkway Hills UMC (Madison, MS)
• Part-Time Facility Manager, Wells UMC (Jackson, MS)
AALA/ISI Leadership Event –Jan. 23-24
Register today for the African American Leadership Academy/Iron Sharpens Iron, AALA/ISI, leadership module. The event takes place Friday and Saturday, January 23 and 24, 2026 at Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson. The leadership module will feature two impactful days of leadership growth, renewal and connection that will inspire, empower, strengthen and prepare leaders for effective ministry and community impact. Click here for more information and to register.
Publication Note: The next publication of The Circuit Rider will be released January 2026.
CARES AND CONCERNS
As you pause to pray this week, take time to ask for strength, peace and comfort for the families and friends of those listed below who have joined the Church Triumphant:
• Sara Munday, widow of the late Rev. Gerald Munday, passed away October 23.
• Rev. Allen Winstead went to be with the Lord on September 22.