From the DS’s Desk
Dear Friends of the Mark Twain District,
I have been traveling through our District in worshipping with congregations, meeting pastors, learning about churches, and even having a first Charge Conference to attend to an item. During this summer weather, I choose a variety highways and county roads to the churches and love to see the countryside. We live in a beautiful part of God’s creation.
The fields of grain, acres of baled hay, native prairie patches, pastures, woods, streams, rolling hills, broad prairies, rivers & streams, wildlife, and of course, the churches, small towns, and quiet cemeteries create an astonishing view of what God has provided for us. A blessing for me is that I will be able to witness the seasonal transformations of our town and country part of the state.
During recent cluster meetings regarding Charge Conference and other items of interest, I have been privileged to meet most of our pastors and learn about the churches they serve. I appreciate the commitment, passion, and faith of our pastors, congregations, and their ministries. There are many stories of faithful ministry done without fanfare, yet changing lives and communities.
In the coming months our congregations will be involved with hospitality to new worshippers, Sunday School classes, Charge Conference preparations, the Festival of Sharing, Lord’s Acre Sales, fall activities, bazaars, and many other activities. We also know these are unique days to be about Gospel work! At the heart of all we do is the desire to be faithful disciples and honor the commission to reach others with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for our congregations, pastors, and their ministries during a busy and critical time of the year. Trust that God is using our discipleship to spread the Gospel, transform lives, and bring profound hope and blessing to our communities.
Thank you for the ministry of the Mark Twain District of the United Methodist Church.
Rev. Dale Stone
Aug 23,2010
Dear Friends in the ministry of Christ,
I want to thank all those who were able to come to the Charge Conference Cluster meetings. They were especially valuable to me! I was glad for the opportunity to meet a number of you for the first time and learn something about you and your ministries. I hope those attending gleaned something of value from our time together. Thank you to the Kahoka, Arch, Trinity (Brookfield), and First (Kirksville) churches for hosting us and preparing great meals to take the sting out of the heat.
Soon Charge Conference schedules will be finalized and posted.
I want to write a few more things next Monday or Tuesday as we move into the fall season. A reminder that I will be out of the office from August 27-September 6 as I travel to Lake Junaluska, N.C. for training.
Please pray for the millions of flood victims in Pakistan. The loss of life, disruption and destruction is staggering. There is an UMCOR Advance #982450 by which folks can contribute to the relief effort. It is also that time of year to pray for the many students, teachers and staff, families, and schools beginning a new year.
God bless your ministries! I receive blessing and inspiration as I learn about the ministry and leadership of the Mark Twain District.
In Christ,
Dale Stone
Greetings,
Blessings as your church’s fall schedule and the area schools get underway. My wife, Barbara and I, had another wonderful day of worship in the District yesterday witnessing hospitality, an out-ward focus, meaningful worship, and a very good sermon. My somewhat “open” summer schedule is coming to a close. As time permits in the coming months, I want to continue informal visits to District churches to learn about the congregation’s history, ministries, and sense of the future. Those we were able to arrange this summer have been so helpful in enabling me to learn about our District.
District Superintendent’s training at Lake Junaluska, N.C. and travel will keep me out of the District from August 27-September 6. I will be checking emails and my phone on occasion. If there is a special need and I cannot respond, I will contact another D.S. to assist. This training as well as several scheduled events, a trip back to Iowa, and working on fall events will fill my September and then Charge Conferences begin in early October
Please note the upcoming events of particular interest to the MTD:
September 11-12 - Youth Rally at Camp Jo-Ota. Sarge writes, “Our Youth Rally is just a short time away and we are starting to get registrations in. This should be an amazing Rally with some great Praise Bands, Christian Clowning, Guest Speakers, and the Extreme Team. A great opportunity as the youth return back to school and have this uplifting event to charge them up to share their Faith.” I have noticed announcements in your newsletters and trust this will be an event that makes a difference to our young people.
September 13-14 – Nudge event with Len Sweet at First UMC, Sedalia. Check their website to learn about this opportunity.
September 14-16 - Senior Northern Glow event also at Camp Jo-Ota. Information is at their website.
September 18 - District UMW Fall meeting at – where else! – Camp Jo-Ota. The UMW’s have information.
September 26 - District Superintendent Celebration and Reception @ 3:00 p.m. at Macon UMC.
October 2 - Lay Speaking Training at Jo-Ota. Contact Tom Bannon, District Lay Speaker Coordinator, for information.
October 2 - Welcoming New Pastors and Mark Twain District Picnic at Jo-Ota @ 5:00 p.m. New pastors, families, significant others are invited as our guests. The District will provide meat, drink, and table service. Returning pastors please provide salads, desserts, fruit, chips, etc. New pastors and families come as our guests. I invite you to come as new pastors are introduced, relationships begun, and faith strengthened. We will finish no later than 7:00 p.m.
December 3 – Mark Twain District Christmas Party. This date for your calendar with details coming later.
Contacts will soon be made to those who indicated an interest in PLD 1, PLD 2, PLD ++, and SCI. Thanks for the interest in these opportunities as well as the LLD classes now be organized.
Have you noticed that the churches and pastors of our District area the focus of the Conferences daily shared prayer covenant? For Tuesday we pray for the Madison UMC and Pastor Bonnie Sudsberry!
Contact me when you need to and when you are in Kirksville, if I am around, I will be glad to share coffee or a meal with you! It is a privilege to be among you in ministry!
In Christ,
Rev. Dale Stone
