Southeast District News [link removed]

[link removed] Southeast District → [link removed] Click Here to Follow Us on Facebook! →

June 19 - Southeast District Office Closed for Juneteenth
July 3 - Southeast District Office Closed in Observance for the 4th of July
July 26 - Disaster Response Training at First UMC (West Plains) #Disaster Response Click Here to Find in Newsletter


Blessing Box Ribbon-Cutting
First UMC (De Soto) recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony of their community’s “Blessing Box” located at the church. This free resource is ministry project made possible through the collaboration of the local Ministerial Alliance, St. Andrew's UMC (De Soto) and Hope United Church of Christ. Lent offerings as well as materials provided by the participating churches allowed the project to take shape. Rev. Stefenie Rustige (First UMC) will lead this project as it is a much-needed resource for the community.
DeSoto, MO is a town of 7,000, with many being middle to lower income. "Like so many other places, people are hurting to feed families due to tariffs and rising prices, especially when there are older families and those with 6 or more children." Stefenie said.
Rev. Rustige was thankful that she was able to encourage her congregation to step out and bring this community need into reality. “It is an honor to serve God and the community of De Soto Missouri,” Rustige said.
The Southeast District invites churches to share their outreach ministries, please send photos and information to mailto:[email protected] [email protected].


2025 Annual Conference
The 2025 Missouri Annual Conference is over, but if you missed any of it or want to rewatch the Business Sessions or Episcopal Address, read through the Reports, or download the workbook, visit the Annual Conference website [link removed] HERE.


Audits Past Due
Audits are past due as of June 1, 2025. If your church has not submitted the annual audit, please do so immediately.

Upon completion, please email Allie ( mailto:[email protected] [email protected]) with a PDF attachment or you can fax a copy to (573) 207-4236.

Download the form here: [link removed] Annual+Fund+Balance+Report.xlsx


Lay Education Classes
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 10 - [link removed] Emotionally Healthy Spirituality online via Zoom
Save the date for these lay education classes coming in the fall:
Mondays beginning Sept. 8 - BeUMC online via Zoom
Mondays beginning Nov. 3 - UMC Polity online via Zoom


Disaster Response Basic and Recertification Training
This class will provide you with the basic information you need about Early Response Teams. ERTs fill a specific need in the days after a disaster to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence.
When: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26
Where: First UMC, [link removed] 503 [link removed] W [link removed] est Main Street, West Plains, MO
Cost: $15, includes lunch and supplies
[link removed] More Information & Register →

9 Common Church Copyright Myths
Using popular worship songs in your ministry can help your members engage in worship, but there are some risks. A simple Google search would provide you with a plethora of articles about copyright laws, but we all know you can’t trust everything you read on the internet. While some of the information is correct, the Legal Services team at UMC Support hopes to clear up some of the common misunderstandings that we’ve encountered.
Read the Article from GCFA [link removed] HERE.


Stay Connected
Stay Connected with the Missouri Conference
Stay informed of the exciting opportunities the Missouri Annual Conference is offering. View our annual stay connected letter to see the many ways you can connect and follow the Missouri Conference: [link removed] [link removed]


UMM Day at the Ballpark
2025
The season has arrived! The Cardinals are playing exciting baseball despite predictions of doom & gloom. We are currently tied for 2nd place in the division with a 19-19 record. This year is once again a DAY game in June to avoid the hottest temperatures. The game date is Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM against the Cincinnati Reds. Seats are in the 3rd base loge 265 section with some shade and light breezes. Available seating is limited to 300 tickets this year so reserve your tickets early – pay later. Contact Rog Wooden at (314) 576-1124 or e-mail at mailto:[email protected] [email protected].

We suggest that you encourage folks to think of this day as ministry by inviting a scout or friend to join you or buy a ticket for a scout that can’t afford the cost. If we know the donor’s name, we will pass it to the recipient.

This year the MO UMMen will match any May – June donations to Sleep in Heavenly Peace for beds for youth without one.

It’s a great time for a road trip! Tickets are available now. [link removed] CLICK HERE for the order form. Reservations are on a first come first served basis, payment can come later. Make checks payable to Methodist Family Day and send to:

Rog Wooden
13358 Windbrooke Lane
St. Louis, MO 63146

[link removed]
Summer Day Camps in the SE District
Bible Study, Worship, Arts & Crafts, Gagaball, and more!
First UMC (Rolla) - Eagle Lake Day Camp
July 7-11 (9AM-4PM)
First UMC
803 N Main St, Rolla MO 65401
Ages 6-12
Price: $150
[link removed] Click Here to Read the Flyer
New McKendree (Jackson) - Eagle Lake Day Camp
June 23-27 (9AM-4PM)
New McKendree South Campus
1770 S. Hope St., Jackson, MO 63755
Ages 6-12
Price: $150
[link removed] Click Here to Read the Flyer
Memorial UMC (Farmington) - Heartland Day Camp
July 28-August 1 (9AM-4PM)
Memorial UMC
425 North St, Farmington, MO 63640
Ages K-6th Grade (2024-2025)
Price: $75
[link removed] Click Here to Register


Community Worship Festival in Piedmont
Friday: Noon-7PM
Saturday: 11AM-6PM
Location: 16069 State Highway 34, Piedmont, MO 63957
Food Drive, Food Trucks, Motorcycles Bike Show, and Live Music!
See the Flyer Here:
[link removed] Grace+Worship+Festival.png


Free Hanging File Folders
File folders available for FREE from the Southeast District Office.
Multiple colors available.
You must pick up from the office in Cape Girardeau. Shipping is not available.
Call or email to schedule pickup.
(573) 334-8723
or [email protected]


Imagine Something New at Dream Lab
Get out of the office and into a creative headspace. Dream Lab, a 24-hour retreat at the Lake of the Ozarks, is designed for you and your local church leadership to imagine and brainstorm about something new for your ministry. [link removed] Learn more and register your local church team →


Festival of Sharing 2025 Information Available
Friday, October 3rd, 2025
The 2025 Festival of Sharing Booklet and infographics are now available. Download and print pack and kit lists from the 'Media' tab. The most requested packs are the family food boxes, paper products pack, and personal hygiene pack.
Packs are collected for disbursement in Missouri while kits are disbursed by Church World Service to other areas of the world.
Additional Sharefest details to be published as they become available.
For more information, visit: [link removed] Festival of Sharing


FREE Video Resources Available
The Southeast District Office has free [link removed] Amplify Media accounts available for Pastors and Church Leaders in our district.
Amplify is a video streaming service that offers a collection of thousands of videos and programming suitable for small group Bible studies, children's ministries, sermons, and more.
Free accounts are limited. Please email Allie at [email protected] to request the access code.


Do Your Church PCs Need An Upgrade?
Windows 10 support ends Oct. 2025 which means no more updates or security fixes for computers running that operating system.
If your church needs help determining if your computer can upgrade to Windows 11, GCFA has provided resources through UMC Technology Support to help you stay secure and up-to-date.
UMC Support can check your upgrade eligibility to determine if you can upgrade or if you need a new PC. If your PC is not eligible to upgrade, they offer deep discounts to help you save money.
To watch a video with FAQ and for more resources follow this link: [link removed] [link removed]

View in browser [link removed]
Unsubscribe or manage mailings go to [link removed]
[link removed] Subscribe to our newsletter
Southeast District of the Missouri Annual Conference
6 North Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 63701
(573) 334-8723
southeast.moumethodist.org southeast.moumethodist.org