Please take note of the 2025-2026 SW District Timeline
below with dates for the upcoming months. 

January 22 - PPRC Training
January 29 - Deadline for churches to enter stats
January 31 – Mentor Report Forms due
March 1 – Parsonage Inspection Forms due
March 23-24 - dCOM Interviews in person in Springfield
April 1 – UPDATED DUE DATE Pastor Eval forms due
May/June – Pastor Evaluations with DS
June 5 - 7 – Annual Conference in St. Charles, MO
June 30 – Mentor Report Forms due 
June 30 – Annual Fund Balance Reports due    

The Hammons School of Architecture in Springfield is having a lecture series special panel on January 30th at 1 PM. For more information, please contact  Lucas Endicott in the staff directory for the conference office. 

The panel will be in the Multi-Purpose room at the Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University. This space is just to the south from the main entry of the building. HSA is on the south side of Drury's campus, at the corner of Drury Lane and Chestnut Expressway. Parking is anywhere on the south side of campus. 

The panel will probably last two hours. 

Addendum and UMPIP Selection Forms

If you haven't already completed your Addendum and UMPIP selection forms, please go to the PORTAL as soon as possible and do so. Trudy will be working on the new benefit selections after the holidays and will need those forms to complete your updates for 2026. 

Year End Stats Module Remains Open Until January 29th

The Year End Stats Module opened on December 30th and remain accessible until January 29th. Please click on the link above to enter your information. 

Addendum and UMPIP Selection Forms

If you haven't already completed your Addendum and UMPIP selection forms, please go to the PORTAL as soon as possible and do so. Trudy will be working on the new benefit selections after the holidays and will need those forms to complete your updates for 2026. 

Enhancing the worship experience for a remote audience

Ask most churches if they have an online worship service and you will probably get a lot of heads nodding. Between better technology and a pandemic that pushed us to go virtual, online worship is now common. Click the link above to get helpful hints to make your online worship more engaging for your members. 

Congregations in Action Info Session – Jan. 21

Congregations in Action, a Lilly-granted program of the Missouri Conference, helps take your congregation outside the church walls and into your community. The 18-month program offers hands-on guidance and resources to make this renewed vision a reality. Applications for class three open in 2026. Learn more about the program and what it takes to be involved in this brief info session at 12 p.m. on Jan. 21. RSVP at www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/congregations-in-action-info-session-19525337

Soul Space – Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m.

Take time to recenter with us on Tuesday mornings. Beginning on Feb. 3, join us virtually for Soul Space, 15-20 minutes of guided reflection and prayer. Designed with both clergy and laity, Soul Space provides space to reflect on the presence of God with a spiritual director. You can join from wherever you’re at, whether it’s the comfort of your home or your cubicle. Get the Zoom info at www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/soul-space-2026-19546651 

Jump Start Workshop on Mental Health

In our first Jump Start workshop of the spring, we’re tackling the tricky topic of mental health. Join us on Feb. 17 as we consider questions around supporting those experiencing grief and trauma, caring for young people, and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the community. You’ll leave with practical advice and solutions that can be immediately implemented in your ministry context. Learn more and register at www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/jump-start-mental-health-19525332

PPRC Training on Thursday , January 22nd

There will be a Zoom training led by Mark Statler for your churches PPRC team to help them better understand their roles and expectations as part of the leadership board. Please register here. 

Save the Date: Statewide Laity Training on Feb. 28

Jesus said to follow him. But what does that look like in today’s challenging world? Save the date for Feb. 28, 2026, when we'll explore two key elements of Jesus’s leadership: Curiosity and loving one another. Rev. Robert Johnson, lead pastor at Resurrection Lee’s Summit, will lead our first statewide laity training event since 2019. Indicate interest at www.moumethodist.org/interest-form 

Classified Ads

There is a small church that is looking for help trying to locate any church that might have an extra official Cokesbury Parament sets (8 pc | Red, White, Purple, Green). They can't afford the new ones from Cokesbury right now and don't have a set of their own. If so, please contact Pastor Michael Cole at [email protected]. 

Stay Connected

Stay Connected with the Missouri Conference
See the full events calendars at www.moumethodist.org/events

Laity Quick Links

• Conference Lay Ministry Team Listing

• Conference Lay Education Coordinator Listing

• Interested in pursuing certified lay ministry? View the process here.

• Absorb on-demand learning platform with lay education courses

Lay Education Classes

• Wednesdays beginning March 4 - Polity online via Zoom

Update your Find-A-Church profile

Developed by United Methodist Communications, Find-A-Church is the official online directory of United Methodist churches. It is one of the most visited sections of UMC.org, averaging more than 1,000 page views a day and helps you to connect with busy people in your community on their terms, on their time, and in their comfort zone. It also serves as a companion to your church’s existing website — giving you twice the local visibility online. Use the link below for more information and to access your profile. 
Update your Find-A-Church profile | ResourceUMC