Bishop Lewis Cordially Invites You...

1/19/2023

By Jasmine Haynes, Communications Specialist

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis has extended several invitations for the Mississippi Conference to partake in opportunities ranging from meet and greets to unity in spiritual disciplines. In her less than one month tenure as resident bishop, Lewis has welcomed the conference to attend a service of worship celebrating her assignment and planned several “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis” in order to worship and converse with clergy and laity across the conference. Additionally, Bishop Lewis has encouraged everyone to pray for our state leaders during the 2023 Mississippi Legislative Prayer Breakfast and called everyone to commit to a daily spiritual practice of reading Scripture. Bishop Lewis had this to say about coming to Mississippi and her invitations to the Mississippi Conference.

"I'm very excited to be here in Mississippi and I'm excited to see what God is going to do with us together," shared Lewis. "This is going to be an exciting year in the Mississippi Conference!"

Listed below is more information about her invitations to the conference and how you can participate.

Bishop Lewis' Celebration of Assignment Service

You are cordially invited to attend a service of worship celebrating the assignment of Bishop Sharma D. Lewis as the episcopal leader of the Mississippi Area. The service takes place Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Anderson United Methodist Church located at 6205 Hanging Moss Road in Jackson. Worship will begin at 3:30 p.m. For those who are unable to attend in person, you can view the live stream on the conference's YouTube channel, Facebook page and website.

Clergy have been asked to process and will be seated in a special reserved section in the sanctuary. For clergy that desire to participate in the procession we ask that you wear your robe (any color) and red stoles. Clergy are asked to arrive by 2:50 p.m. if possible. There will be ushers to direct you to the robing area.

We look forward to gathering with you as we worship Christ and celebrate the assignment of our new resident bishop.

Chat and Chew with Bishop Lewis

Come experience a time of conversation, worship and a fellowship meal at one of the “Chat and Chews with Bishop Lewis" in your district. Bishop Lewis looks forward to seeing and meeting you, as well as sharing some things about herself. In order to be mindful of everyone's schedule, the Chat and Chews are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

You are welcome to attend another Chat and Chew if you are unable to attend the one held for your district. Please RSVP to the district office you plan to attend for the fellowship meal. Mark your calendars and view the full schedule of Chat and Chews with districts, dates, times and addresses here.

Praying for our State Leaders

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis of the Mississippi Area prays for Gov. Tate Reeves during 2023 Miss. Legislative Prayer Breakfast Jan. 4, 2023.

First Baptist Church of Jackson alongside Mission Mississippi hosted the 2023 Mississippi Legislative Prayer Breakfast Tuesday, January 4 in order to saturate state legislative leaders and the upcoming legislative session in prayer. Bishop Lewis prayed for Gov. Tate Reeves, his family, legislative leaders and their staff as they serve the people of Mississippi.

The conference is welcome to join Bishop Lewis in continual prayer of protection and wisdom for our governor and state representatives as they carry out their work to make Mississippi a better place to live.

The 2023 Bible Challenge

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis is inviting the Mississippi Conference to seek God's word together though the 2023 Bible Challenge. From January to December this year, we will be reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation with questions for daily reflection. Every year, Bishop Lewis will invite the conference to read the Bible differently--thematically, chronologically and a blended style with both Old and New Testament readings--daily.

This Bible challenge is an invitation to be enriched and knowledgeable about what God is saying to us through His Holy Word. Daily readings are available on the website as well as social media. The January and February daily scriptures are now available to download. For all things on the 2023 Bible Challenge, visit https://www.mississippi-umc.org/biblechallenge.