Many San Angelo District UMs taking part in Nov. 19 gathering

United Methodists from across the San Angelo District are planning to take part in next month’s Bishop’s Thanksgiving Gathering.
Adult singers from district churches are forming a special choir to help lead the Nov. 19 service at First UMC, San Angelo. Worship begins at 4 p.m.
Other musical groups—youth singers, a brass ensemble and a bell choir—are to involve additional church members from across the district.
Pastors from every San Angelo District congregation are to follow a cross and district banner through the First UMC sanctuary to start the service.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez has called Thanksgiving gatherings each year since 2001. They are special times for United Methodists of the Southwest Texas and Rio Grande conferences to celebrate their many blessings.
Abel Vega Jr., connectional ministries director for the Rio Grande Conference, and the Rev. Rafael Campos, the Rio Grande Conference’s Northwestern District superintendent, are to help lead worship.
KKSA radio (1260 AM), San Angelo, is broadcasting the celebration live and streaming it on the Worldwide Web from www.kksa-am.com.
Martinez has intentionally moved the annual gatherings around the San Antonio Episcopal Area since 2004. His goal is to give people from various Southwest Texas Conference districts an opportunity to attend.
Martinez scheduled the first gathering at Alamo Heights UMC, San Antonio, in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington.