2026 April Circuit Rider Newsletter

The Circuit Rider

Volunteers Pitch in for Camp Lake Stephens’ Cleanup Day

Matthew Johnson, Communications Assistant

Volunteers from Northern Hills District United Methodist churches took time out on a Saturday to help clear debris and make repairs at Camp Lake Stephens in Oxford. The United Methodist campground suffered damage to buildings and walking trails during Winter Storm Fern in January 2026. Through their efforts, the campground is now ready to host United Methodist camps this summer. Read More

Photo right: Volunteer removes limbs during Camp Lake Stephens’ Cleanup Day. Photo courtesy of facebook.com

Help Spread the Good News, Support Miracle Sunday

The one-time special Miracle Sunday offering takes place on Sunday, May 17. The denomination-wide initiative will raise funds to benefit the Endowment Fund for Theological Education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. Click here for the Miracle Sunday headquarters. On this page you will find Miracle Sunday resources you can use in your congregations and publications and weekly devotionals that will offer prayer to support the initiative.

Conference Feedback Guides Vision Task Force

Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist

The Mississippi Conference Vision Task Force met Wednesday, April 22 via Zoom to bring the vision for the conference closer into focus. Over the last couple of months, the task force divided into teams to review and analyze responses from local church, extension ministries and district leaders and members. This feedback was captured in every district at the “Chat and Chew 2.0 with Bishop Lewis” in 2024—a tour with regional stops to gather with United Methodists statewide. The purpose of Chat and Chew 2.0 was to be a link between connectional gatherings within the districts where people shared their thoughts on mission and ministry, and the conference’s new vision. Read More

Connection News

SHORT-TERM FUND: Protect Your Ministry’s Resources

The Short-term Fund through the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi offers a safe and flexible place to hold your church’s funds, so that your congregation can focus on ministry and mission with confidence. The Shortterm Fund offers a competitive interest rate of 5.35%, and has a strong record of consistent performance, providing a secure and stable way for your church to grow its resources. Click here to learn more about the Short-term Fund and how it can benefit your ministry.

GCFA Offers Cyber Scam Prevention Training

The General Council on Finance and Administration, GCFA, is offering cybersecurity training for pastors, staff and key volunteers. The training covers, cybersecurity as faithful stewardship, responding to phishing attempts and pastor impersonation scams, steps to strengthen passwords, preparing a response plan before incidents happen and actionable steps your church can begin using right away. Click here for more information and to view the training.

Give Online – Support Disaster Response

Individuals and churches can now financially support Mississippi Conference Disaster Response and the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, in one easy location. Click here to view the donation hub. On the donation hub you can give to disaster response efforts in Mississippi and throughout the United Methodist connection.

Building Connections in New Appointments

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n The United Methodist Church’s itinerant system pastors who may have found a rhythm in their current church and community are called to move to a new and unfamiliar area. After moving into a new church and community, it is important to establish connections with your new congregation and community. Click here for insight from Discipleship Ministries on creating new connections in your new appointment.

right: Rev. Maxine Bolden, left, prays over Jackson mayor, John Horhn, right. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Haynes

Download the Annual Conference App

Stay up to date with all the information and happenings before and during the 2026 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference by downloading the MS UMC app. On the app, you can find all the pertinent annual conference information, session updates and amendments. The MS UMC app is available to download to your smartphone or tablet through the Apple and Android app stores, or you can keep up on your desktop with the online version of the app. Click here for more information and a QR code to download the app.

Preaching, Teaching and AI at AALA/ISI

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This latest African American Leadership Academy/Iron Sharpens Iron module engaged both clergy and laity in techniques and best practices to effectively proclaim God’s word in such a way that it comes alive for the listener. Additionally, those in attendance received faith-based guidelines in using artificial intelligence, also known as AI. Themed, “Preach, Believers, Preach,” and based on Acts 2:16-18, this installment of AALA/ISI happened Saturday, April 18 at Anderson UMC in Jackson. Click here for photos from this event.

Purchase an Ad in the AwardWinning Souvenir Journal

There is still time to showcase your churches, colleges, seminaries, small groups, businesses, organizations, ministries and services to more than 1,000 United Methodists from across the state of Mississippi by purchasing an advertisement in the award-winning Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal. The deadline to purchase a print ready ad is Tuesday, April 28. The Circuit Rider Souvenir Journal will serve as a go-to guide for the 2026 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference and will highlight the mission and ministry happening throughout the Mississippi United Methodist Conference. Click here for more information and to purchase an ad.

Notes from the CFO

The office of finance and administration would like to remind congregations that all mission share statements are being distributed via email. These messages will be sent from mississippiprosper@prosperumc. org. If you have questions about mission share statements email senior accountant, Jasmine Hall at jhall@ mississippi-umc.org. In addition, Wespath is hosting a benefits webinar on Wednesday, May 6 beginning at 11:00 a.m. The webinar will help Wespath enrollees better understand their benefits and offer details on Wespath programs available to you. Click here for more information and to register.

All Scriptures Available for 2026 Bible Challenge

The first quarter of the 2026 Bible Challenge is now complete. Those who would like to read ahead or go back and read scriptures from previous months can click here to find the headquarters for the 2026 Bible Challenge. On this page you can find all things 2026 Bible Challenge including scripture readings and graphics for use in publications, as well as social media and Bible Challenge readings from previous years.

SAVE THE DATES

National Day of Prayer – May 7

Churches across the nation will observe National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 7. This year’s theme is “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations.” National Day of Prayer has been observed in the United States since 1952 and serves as an occasion for people of all denominations to turn to God for personal repentance and righteousness in the culture. Click here to learn more about National Day of Prayer.

Methodist Senior Services Sunday –May 10

The special Sunday dedicated to supporting Methodist Senior Services, a benevolence of the Mississippi Conference, is Sunday, May 10. The Sunday Fund meets the needs of seniors who have outlived their resources. Click here to learn more about donating to Methodist Senior Services.

Laity Executive Session – May 28

The 2026 virtual Laity Executive Session takes place Thursday, May 28. This year’s session will include remarks from Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan, an update on the Immigration Task Force and a report on the recovery from Winter Storm Fern in North Mississippi. Click here for more details on the session and the Zoom link.

2026 Annual Conference Session –Jun. 3-5

United Methodist from across the state will gather at Millsaps College June 3 through 5 for the 2026 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference. The theme for this year’s conference is “When Believers Pray…Vision is Revealed,” and it comes from Habakkuk 2:2-3. If you are unable to attend in-person, all annual conference sessions will be livestreamed on the Mississippi Conference YouTube channel

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.

• Associate Director of the Delta State Wesley Foundation

• Director of Youth and College Ministries, FUMC Tupelo (Tupelo, MS)

• Part-time Office Manager/Business Administrator First UMC (Gautier, MS)

Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation – Sept. 13-18

Registration is now open for the AR/LA/MS Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation. The event takes place September 13 through 18 at the Wesley Center in Woodworth, Louisiana. The purpose of the spiritual formation academy is to deepen one’s relationship with God through a daily rhythm of prayer, worship, study and reflection. The cost to register is $700 and covers lodging, meals, lectures and materials. The deadline to register is September 1 Click here for more information and to register.

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:

• Rev. Donald Williams went to be with the Lord on April 15.

• Jennie Bailey, wife of Rev. Grady Bailey, joined the Church Triumphant on April 11.

Publication Note: The next publication of The Circuit Rider will be the printed souvenir journal available at the 2026 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference.