SPRING 2025 RETIREE NEWSLETTER

Greetings Missouri Conference Retirees! How has Easter already passed us again?! Annual Conference and the summer season are just around the corner. Keep scrolling to read about what Missouri Conference retirees have been up to this spring. May these stories provide a bright spot in your day and invite you to connect with one another to continue sharing encouragement and hope.

Your Voice Matters. Make It Count at Annual Conference!

We need retired clergy's wisdom and witness at this year’s Annual Conference, especially on Saturday, June 7, when the Missouri Conference votes to ratify four important constitutional amendments passed by General Conference 2024. These amendments address regionalization, inclusion of gender and ability, racial justice, and clergy voting eligibility for General Conference delegates.

We have intentionally scheduled all four constitutional amendment votes for Saturday so that retired clergy can carpool and drive to the St. Charles Convention Center for the day.

Things to Know

• You must register for Annual Conference to vote — so be sure to sign up ahead of time to ensure you receive credentials for a voting device.
• Registration is FREE for retirees who are not serving an appointment. Register at MOACInfo.com.
• Every vote counts. Ratification requires a two-thirds majority across all conferences, and your vote directly impacts the outcome.

Want to Learn More?

• Read up on the amendments at www.resourceUMC.org
• Join our retiree webinar at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, hosted by Rev. Andy Bryan. Click here to learn more and register.

Church Triumphant

Clergy and clergy spouses that have gone on to glory:

• Rev. Effie "Louise" Reed - 11/30/1933 - 11/10/2024
• Rev. William "Keith" Lee - 7/6/1928 - 11/14/2024
• Rev. Antionette "Ann" Morehouse - 7/1/1938 - 11/22/2024
• Barbara Neth - 3/20/1934 - 11/26/2024
• Rev. John Heyward - 11/20/1934 - 11/28/2024
• Patricia "Sue" Kelley - 2/1/1944 - 1/7/2025
• Rev. Jean "Billie Jean" Dicken - 8/16/1934 - 1/23/2025
• Donna Nelms - 9/2/1941 - 1/26/2025
• Modene Murphy - 6/11/1945 - 2/7/2025
• Rev. Vernon Kneir - 4/11/1931 - 2/13/2025
• Rev. Dale Hoak - 6/11/1936 - 2/15/2025
• Rev. Dorothy Smith - 6/24/1940 - 2/16/2025
• Rev. Donna Miller - 10/1/1934 - 2/24/2025
• Pastor Ura Hardin - 10/21/1925 - 3/5/2025
• Rev. Dan Adkison - 1/30/1950 - 3/24/2025
• Judy Parsons - 3/26/1941 - 4/2/2025

Gleanings From Around the Conference

Susan Cox - Retiring and Becoming a Grandmother I am retiring from my chaplaincy position at a senior living facility this month. I plan to start an Etsy shop selling baby afghans at reasonable prices. My big news is that I’m a grandmother!

Harry Sharp - Moving Back to Missouri Last year I returned to Missouri from Florida causing a number of my friends to question my sanity. Florida was great, but after my wonderful wife passed, life was not nearly as great.

Ross and Melinda Fulton - Staying Active in Ministry and in the Community Melinda and I continue living in our Independence, Missouri, home. I get in the way at First UMC Independence connecting with homebound and folks who give this downtown Independence church a try.

Sharon Kichline - Easing Into Retirement Friends, I have spent my first year of retirement transitioning. One would think that after a season of pandemic flux, creative adjustments would come easily. But it's been a challenge.