This past week at Lake Junaluska, NC, our youth group attended M28 Camp. What an awesome and powerful week we experienced! Eddie Willis and Narrowpath led in worship, and we were blessed with an unbelievable speaker named Zak Mirzadeh. Zak had an awesome testimony that he shared with us, and he connected to profoundly with the youth. He was very relevant to their generations's social society. Our youth came home with an understanding of putting on the Full Armor of God, and how important it is to be ready for life's battles/ In addition to our mountain top experience, we had a great time fellowshipping together as a youth group. We enjoyed trails in the mountains that led to waterfalls and rock jumping! We also spent a day rafting on the Pigeon River. We are all looking forward to next year. It can't get here soon enough!

CONFERENCE REPORT

The 2018 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church was held May 31-June 2, 2018 in Jackson. The theme was “Apprenticeship-A Double Portion." (II Kings 2:7-14). This is the story of Elijah and Elisha, just before Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind. Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of his spirit. The question is, "Are you following someone who you would like to have a double portion of their spirit?" Or better yet, "Is someone following you, that would like to have a double portion of your spirit?" Are we being the examples of Jesus that He calls us to be to those around us?
Conference this year focused on "Intentional Discipleship." Our UM Mission is, "To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World." The Bishop challenged each church to be Intentional in their Discipleship, this coming year.  
Throughout the 3 days, there was a spirit of Unity and Peace, even though uncertainty of the future of The United Methodist Church hung in the wings. Bishop Swanson discussed the proceedings of the Commission on the Way Forward. He asked for all to be open minded, patient and wise about what we read and listen to, and to stay focused on our mission, vision and scope, as we move forward toward The Special Session of General Conference in February, 2019. We are reminded that our delegates for this Conference were elected at our Annual Conference in 2016. These delegates will make the decision on our position on human sexuality at this Special General Conference.If you would like more information, the Conference is providing listening sessions at Winona: Moore Memorial UMC on August 26 and Crystal Springs UMC on August 27.