November 4, 2011


9A ‘Mitto’ offers new mission experience to Arkansas youth


BY ROD HOCOTT Special Contributor


T e Arkansas Conference


Council on Youth Ministries (ACCYM) has a long history of creating and implementing events for the youth of our Conference that are both spirit-fi lled and disciple- making. It has been more than 11 years since a new event appeared on the ACCYM roster, and we think it is time to add a missing piece of the program: missions. Mitto (pronounced “me-toe”


and meaning “missions” in Latin) has been in the planning stages for about three years now. It will fi nally have its inauguration this year. Here’s the mission statement the task force developed: “Mitto is a mission experience


for young people, especially those from smaller membership churches. T e opportunities will include multi-mission options, relational


evangelism, and making stronger disciples while keeping it close to home. Mission is not what we do, but who we are.” Mitto is for senior high youth


(grades 9 through 12) who have a heart and mind for missions, especially being of service to those in their very own community. Open to youth from around the Arkansas Conference, Mitto will be held in a diff erent district each year, beginning in the Central District. So how does it work? Mitto


takes place the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, and will be limited to 60 youth and 10 adults. Each day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., youth will be divided into groups and have the opportunity to do mission work. T is year’s mission


opportunities include work with Methodist Family Health, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, UALR Wesley


‘Mission is not what we do, but who we are.’ –from the Mitto mission statement Cost for Mitto 2011 is $50 if registered


by Nov. 15, and $75 thereafter. A flyer and registration form are available on the Conference website, www.arumc.org. If you have questions or need further information, contact Rod Hocott, 501-324-8008 or rhocott@arumc.org.


Foundation, Arkansas Food Bank, Arkansas Rice Depot, Parkview Nursing Home, feeding the homeless under the Broadway Bridge and more.


T e theme for Mitto 2011 is


“Taking It Home,” and the text is Job 38:19-21. Each day aſt er lunch,


COMING UP November


HollyFest at First UMC North Little Rock Nov. 4 First UMC North Little Rock, 6701 JFK Blvd., will host its annual HollyFest from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. In addition to the chili and hot dog supper, the family-friendly event features live entertainment, a live and silent auction, bake sale, toy sale and handmade giſt s. T e North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council will lead an area of free children’s activities with craſt s and more. T e new church cookbook, Still Standing at the Stove, will be available for $20. HollyFest is sponsored by United Methodist Women, and last year raised more than $7,500 for missions.


UMW soup supper at Sulphur Springs UMC Pine Bluff Nov. 5 T e United Methodist Women of Sulphur Springs UMC Pine Bluff are having a soup supper on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the church’s Christian Community Center. A donation of any amount buys a ticket for soup, drink, dessert and live local entertainment. All proceeds benefi t missions.


Renewing the ‘County Seat’ Church at Mount Sequoyah Nov. 9-10 “Renewing the ‘County Seat’ Church” is an event designed to focus on strategies and methods for increasing the impact of ministry in a “county seat” setting. Clergy, laity and staff of such congregations are invited to attend the two-day workshop at Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville. For more information or to register for the event, visit mountsequoyah.org.


Arts and craſt s sale at Highland Valley UMC Little Rock Nov. 12 T e Highland Valley UMC United Methodist Women will sponsor their annual arts and craſt s sale on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to craſt s, the event features a lunch of homemade soup, cornbread, dessert and beverage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free, and the lunch option is $5. Proceeds will benefi t missions. T e church building is located at 15524 Chenal Parkway in Little Rock.


Small Church Leadership Institute at Mount Sequoyah Nov. 13-17 T e Small Church Leadership Institute (NCLI) is designed to equip laity and pastors with the knowledge and skills to lead their small-attendance churches into the future. For information on speakers, preachers and workshop leaders, or to register, visit mountsequoyah.org.


www.arumc.org


Philander Smith College luncheon to honor Bishop Crutchfi eld Nov. 14 T is year’s Philander Smith College President’s Luncheon will honor Bishop Charles Crutchfi eld, who will retire next year aſt er eight years of service to the Arkansas Conference. T e luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at the college. Ticket prices are $150 for individuals or $1,250 for a table. For details or to purchase tickets, contact the college’s director of development, Rodney Parks, at 501-975-8535.


Writing Your Safe Sanctuary Policy online course Nov. 14-18 BeADisciple.com is off ering a workshop for congregations beginning the process of writing a Safe Sanctuary policy. Participants will learn why congregations should have a policy, what it should include, how to get a policy written, approved and implemented. Participants will have access to the course 24 hours a day and may work at a time of day most convenient to them. While not expected to write the policy during the course, participants may send it to the workshop leader for feedback when it is written. Safe Sanctuary policies protect our children and youth, our teachers and


leaders, and our congregation’s reputation and resources. To learn more or enroll, visit beadisciple.com/workshops.html#SSIntensive.


‘Breakfast with Santa’ at Sulphur Springs UMC Pine Bluff Nov. 26 Sulphur Springs UMC Pine Bluff is hosting its annual “Breakfast With Santa” event on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. in its Christian Community Center, 9238 Sulphur Springs Road in Pine Bluff . A $10 ticket includes a pancake and sausage breakfast, a visit with Santa and a family photo CD. All children who attend must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to make reservations, contact Laura Delhommer at 870-718-4770.


December


Service of Light and Hope at St. James UMC Little Rock Dec. 10 A worship service for anyone experiencing loss, grief or sadness during the Christmas season will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at St. James UMC, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive in Little Rock. “A Service of Light and Hope” draws its name from two of the themes of Advent and Christmas, and the liturgy for this time of worship is based on those themes. T e service will feature an opportunity for people to light a candle in memory of a deceased loved one, or as a prayer asking God to shed light on a situation of loss or pain.


participants will attend workshops led by persons in local missions, who will share with students strategies for implementing mission ideas in their local churches and communities. As a way of sharing in this


event, various local churches in the


district will provide each day’s evening meal. A hallmark of every ACCYM


event, including Mitto, is the opportunity for building relationships through small group gatherings and free time. In addition, worship will be held each evening; this year’s speaker is the Rev. Jamey Bentley of canvascommunity UMC Little Rock, and the worship band is the Hot Springs-based group Visitor’s Parking. T is event has been a long time


coming. Churches, encourage your senior high youth to attend Mitto. And pray that they will come home with a renewed spirit and hope for what can take place in their communities as we become God’s hands and feet on earth.


Hocott (rhocott@arumc.org) serves as Arkansas Conference minister of youth and young adults.


Bishop Palmer to speak at ‘Can We Talk?’


“How


does the Call to Action impact African American churches?” is the question to be discussed at Can We Talk?, an event hosted at Philander Smith College Nov. 18-19, 2011. Bishop Gregory Palmer


Bishop Gregory Palmer


(Iowa Area), a former president of the worldwide United Methodist Council of Bishops, will be the keynote speaker and preacher. In addition, Saturday’s events include a roundtable discussion with bishops from throughout the South Central Jurisdiction. Can We Talk? is an


established and safe forum in which African Americans can enter and then exit a “no holds barred” dialogue about God’s preferred future for the African American church. Visit arumc.org for the


Can We Talk? brochure and online registration form.


Arkansas United Methodist


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