Missouri Annual Conference

09/04/2026

"The event came about because God instilled in me a vision," Youth Choir Director Vershonna Givens said.

Last weekend St. Luke UMC-Mexico, MO hosted a youth revival with an attendance of over 80 people. Around 50 youth from Mexico, Columbia, Fulton and St. Louis were in attendance. Some youth even lead the service and performed in the Soo Saved Choir. Students spent the revival singing, dancing, praising and rapping as a way to help them understand that they can have fun while doing something positive for Christ.

09/03/2026

“He was one of the most decent people I’ve ever met in my life. You’ll hear that from everybody. He was just kind,” Missouri Conference Bishop Bob Farr said. “He and Etta Mae were just a wonderful, kind couple.”

As we remember the life and ministry of Bishop Albert Frederick “Fritz” Mutti, we reflect on the many ways that he impacted the world, including his advocacy work for LGBTQ inclusion and helping establish the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee and Fund.

You can read more about Bishop Mutti's life and legacy in this story from United Methodist News.

Retired Bishop Albert Frederick “Fritz” Mutti, alongside his late wife, advocated for LGBTQ inclusion and helped establish the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. The couple’s tireless advocacy came out of great personal loss.

09/02/2026

FUNERAL INFO UPDATE: Bishop Mutti's funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church, 4725 NE Lakewood Way, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064-1985.

We remember the life and ministry of Bishop Albert Frederick “Fritz” Mutti, who died on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at the age of 88.

Bishop Mutti had deep roots in Missouri and in the life of our Annual Conference. Born in Hopkins, Missouri, he was ordained and a member in full connection in the previous Missouri West Conference. He was elected to the episcopacy by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in 1992 and served the Kansas Area until his retirement in 2004. Throughout his ministry, Bishop Mutti provided significant leadership to the wider UMC, particularly in ecumenical ministry and global health. He and his wife, Etta Mae, were longtime advocates for the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. You can read his full bio here: www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/2462347

We give thanks for Bishop Mutti’s life, his ministry, and his many years of service to Christ and The United Methodist Church. Please hold all those who knew and loved him in your prayers as they grieve his death and celebrate his life.

08/31/2026

FUNERAL INFO UPDATE: Rev. Franklin's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Platte Woods UMC, 7310 NW Prairie View Rd, Platte Woods, MO 64151. A reception will follow.

We remember the life and ministry of our brother in Christ Rev. Doug Franklin on his death earlier this morning, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Rev. Franklin had served North Star Church for five years.

Rev. Franklin began his ministry in Missouri in 2001 as an associate pastor at Pleasant Hill. In his 25 years in ministry, he served a number of churches including Smith Chapel in Napton, Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church and Dockery Chapel. He began his ministry at North Star UMC in July 2020.

Please keep Doug’s wife, Nicole, and their four children – Tucker, Tanner, Delaney, Darbey – in your prayers. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

08/28/2026

It’s time to Do No Harm. General Commission on the Status and Role of Women’s virtual conference for preventing sexual harm and fostering trauma-informed care is coming Nov. 12–14. This event is fully online and open to all. Register at https://gcsrw.org/do-no-harm/

08/27/2026

Join youth from across the UMC in Dallas, Texas, next summer!

Hosted by Discipleship Ministries, Youth 2027 is a national gathering of United Methodist youth. Students will experience powerful worship, engaging speakers and hands on learning while forming lasting connections with other youth from across the country! Grants are available to help with the costs of bringing a group. Learn more at the link in our comments and follow YOUTH 2027 for updates on registration!

08/26/2026

The Blueprint for Wellness deadline is coming up on Aug. 31. If you have HealthFlex, now’s the time to schedule your screening, stay on top of your health and save on next year’s deductible. Have you scheduled yours yet?

08/25/2026

Join the Missouri Annual Conference in Scotland in 2027. Get the lowest rate by registering before Sept. 1 Learn more at the link in our comments!

08/25/2026

Congratulations First United Methodist Church Sikeston on the opening of the First Kids Preschool.

SIKESTON — What began as a conversation about a community need more than four years ago became reality Thursday as Sikeston First United Methodist Church celebr...

08/21/2026

Last week, 11 leaders representing nine churches from the Missouri Annual Conference traveled to Cieneguilla, Peru, for a conference with over 50 Peruvian leaders. Together, the group read scripture, engaged in facilitated conversation and even had a chance to play games!

"The chance to be with our Peruvian colleagues was such a gift," said Rev. Dr. Lucas Endicott, Conference Director of Mission, Service and Justice Ministries. "As our relationship develops, it is important to learn together, play together and generally live life together as we seek to be Methodists in our respective contexts."

The Methodist Church of Peru (Iglesia Metodista del Perú, in Spanish) was established in 1877. Partcipants described what it is like to be Methodist in a country that is largely Catholic and increasingly evangelical. Methodism in Peru, as in the U.S., offers a different way, particularly around women in ministry. As U.S. pastors shared ministry experiences, it became increasingly clear that there is something unique in the Wesleyan way.

At the conference, Peruvian pastors shared the excitement of constructing new churches and the possibility of extending the Church into more remote regions of the Amazon. Together the group explored 1 Corinthians 3:9 and the Beatitudes found in Matthew and Luke. Sociologist Roger Anaya from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru shared with the group about inequality in the South American country. The group covered a lot of ground in three days.

"It was exciting to be part of what God is doing in and through the worldwide Methodist connection," said Rev. Candace Fowler, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Sedalia and one of the conference participants.

Many of the nine churches represented on the trip are thinking about what a stronger relationship might look like to this larger connection.