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Cindy and Mike Morris

 

Michael Morris, pastor of Ellendale United Methodist Church since June 2001, is a native of Paducah, KY.  Mike graduated from Lone Oak High School, received his Bachelor's degree from Murray State University in 1974, a Master of Divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio in 1977, and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from the University of Memphis in 1991.  Mike has been an ordained elder in the Memphis Annual Conference since June of 1978.  He has served the Arlington/Berkley Churches in Western Kentucky from 1977-79, before becoming the associate pastor at Germantown UMC from 1979-83. From 1984-86, Mike was the pastor at Greenland-Davant UMC in Whitehaven, TN and then became  the campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Memphis from 1986-1991.Moving back to Kentucky in 1991, Mike pastored Arcardia UMC in Paducah from 1991-97. Returning to Memphis in 1997, Mike pastored St. Stephen UMC for four years before coming to Ellendale in 2001.   Mike is presently the assistant community spiritual director for the Memphis Area Emmaus Walk. 

     Mike met his wife Cindy while they were students in Ohio in 1975 and they married in 1977. Cindy is a native of Olean, NY and holds a bachelor or arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master of arts degree from Arkansas State University. She has been not only a pastor's wife, but the editor of three newspapers, the owner of a small business, an educator for the Girl Scouts, and is presently the administrative assistant at Munford UMC.  Cindy has been involved with many volunteer groups and is most active now in the Kairos Outside ministry.

     Mike and Cindy have two grown daughters  Kayce, and Kristen (Ryan) Hayes and two grandchildren. 

     Mike enjoys hiking, playing the guitar, watching most sports, and is passionate about following St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

     Mike finds special spiritual strength in the reading and studying of Scripture.  A favorite passage of his comes from Romans 8:37-38: For I am convinced  that neither death, or life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (RSV)     

 



 

 

 

 FROM THE PASTOR

EUMC Becomes Certified

"Welcoming Congregation"

 

Ellendale UMC has been recognized by the United Methodist Communications as an official "Welcoming Congregation". Welcoming Congregations are a select group of United Methodist Congregations nationwide that meet criteria including embracing newcomers and providing opportunities in discipleship.

Asked why Ellendale UMC decided to become an official "Welcoming Congregation", Evangelism Coordinator, Jim Nance said the certification process was not the church’s original intent, but an outgrowth of what started as an inside-out approach to Evangelism. "Nance said he wanted to get members excited about what Ellendale UMC was doing so they would tell others outside the church. Our goal was to bring the different groups in the church together for fellowship and a chance to know each other better. It has been a huge success." After realizing that the church had unintentionally completed half the requirements to become a "Welcoming Congregation", Nance said the church decided to pursue the certification from UMCom. As Nance studied the requirements for certification, he said he came to understand that being welcoming is not just about being friendly. He realized that there is a lot more to being a friendly church than a kind word and a hug. "It wasn’t until we started the certification process that I realized we were unintentionally leaving people out". One big eye opener for the church came after UMCom’s Mystery Guest Audit. That audit, led to establishing designated parking for visitors, among things. Looking to 2012, Ellendale plans to continue its focus on being welcoming as an evangelistic tool and to use The United Methodist Church’s "Rethink Church" and Welcoming Congregation" resources for ideas and inspiration. Nance said "I believe anyone who uses these resources will benefit, even if they don’t become a certified "Welcoming Congregation".

 

Peace and grace, Mike