Faith, family, friends helped May on journey
A swearing in ceremony was held for newly elected Circuit Judge Caleb May on Dec. 30 at the Neshoba County Justice Court.
May will preside over the 8th Judicial Circuit of Mississippi, which includes Newton, Neshoba, Leake and Scott counties. The seat he holds was previously held by the late Judge Marcus Gordon and most recently by Judge Brian Burns, whom May defeated in the 2020 election.
May discussed the significance of the Bible that he chose to use during the ceremony. He said he received the Bible from his parents the year that he graduated from law school.
“It is the main part of my life, my faith in Jesus Christ.”
He said the reason why he is able to be where he is in his career.
“I am here today because I had help from God and help from friends,” May said.
May also attributed his campaign win to the help he received from God, friends and family. He said that God gave him the words and strength to make the necessary calls to ask for help during the campaign.
The Rev. Chris Young, from the First United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, opened the ceremony with prayer. Young went on to describe the many positive attributes of May.
“He’s somebody who, whether he was in an official leadership capacity at the church or not, was one of those people that I knew I could call or talk to at church….and know that whether or not we agreed on a particular matter or not, I trusted his judgement and I trusted the heart that it came from,” Young said.”
During the ceremony, Young gave the news that May will be serving as the church’s lay leader during this year. In the United Methodist church, a lay leader is the highest level of leadership in the church for a layperson.
Hon. Mark Duncan was present at the ceremony and spoke about May’s high level of integrity.
Duncan also led May in the oath that he recited to signify him becoming a circuit judge. May recited the oath with his wife, Natalie, at his side holding the Bible he placed his hand on for the oath.
During his speech, May pointed out the struggles this country will still be facing in 2021 and encouraged people to reach out to those around them for help when they need it.
“So, I challenge each of you. Ask for that help, make that phone call.”
