County Connections - Charge Conference - Ongoing Consultation

August 10 2022

For Immediate Release August 10, 2022
 
Greetings EJ Clergy,
 
It was so good to see many of you last night at the movie "Top Gun: Maverick" and welcome our new clergy to the East Jackson District. A good time was had by all!

As promised last night, here are the announcements I shared along with a few more details and resources for you.

County Connection Groups.  Our four County Connection Groups are relaunching this fall. We made some changes in group assignments to better meet the needs of you and better balance the four groups in terms of geography and diversity. To view a roster of these groups click here or access the attached file at the bottom of this email.

Charge Conference.  This year, your charge conferences will be coordinated and conducted within your county connection groups. The expectation is that your church have a minimum attendance and representation equaling 10% of your normal Sunday worship attendance. You should have received an email on August 1st about the charge conference process. If you did not, contact James (eastjackson@mississippi-umc.org).

As a reminder, the charge conference process still includes a congregational question which requires conversation and discernment with key leaders and members in your churches. Be thinking now about when and where you will create space for your people to:

1. discern how to best describe the spiritual heath and vitality of your church.

2. identify and develop new leaders through the nominations process.

For a fuller explanation of this year's congregational question and how your church addresses it, you can read a more through written explanation by clicking here or watch a short video introduction to this question by a church pastor explaining his approach to this work by clicking here.

Ongoing Consultation.  In early September, I will send out meeting time slots for ongoing clergy consultations which will begin in November. Like in previous years, if you are sensing a need or desire to move next year, schedule a time at the earliest available opportunity. 

As always, thank you for your faithful work and ministry. Continue to let me know how to best support you.

Gratefully,

Rev. Dr. Connie Mitchell Shelton
District Superintendent
East Jackson District
Mississippi Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
cshelton@mississippi-umc.org
601.499.5995 (office)
 
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 979, Jackson, MS 39205
District Web Page:  https://www.eastjacksondistrictumc.org/