Author to discuss book
at Northwest Hills Feb. 10
The Adult Children of Aging Parents Support Group and Stephen Ministries of Northwest Hills UMC, Austin, have scheduled “An Evening with Jim Comer” Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available from the church for $10 per person. The cost includes dinner.
Comer, the keynote speaker, recently published Parenting Your Parents, What to do when it’s your turn. The book chronicles his journey through the emotional and practical challenges of becoming his parents’ caregiver.
Comer is a speaker, author, speech coach, playwright and communications consultant. His articles have been published in Reader’s Digest, The New York Times, The Washington Post and many other publications.
 Copies of his book will be available at the dinner.

Children of aging parents to hear experts Feb. 12
Children of aging parents can “Meet the Experts” Feb. 12 at Northwest Hills UMC, Austin.
The program is to feature panel discussions and breakout sessions answering these questions: Do your parents have a will? Do you have the legal authority to act on your parent’s behalf in case of an emergency? Do you know the difference between retirement homes, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes? Do you know if your parents are eating properly? Do you know how to deal with the morass of Medicare/Medicaid?

Hays County group gets Methodist Foundation grant
The Barnabas Connection has received a one-year grant for $5,000 from the Austin-based Texas Methodist Foundation.
The grant, which begins this month, is to fund a part-time program director.
The Barnabas Connection is a referral agency providing access to county, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations in Hays County.  Since startup in August, the Barnabas Connection has helped families and individuals find help paying for utilities, prescriptions, food, medical care, housing and counseling needs.
This work is not just about referral but about being present in the lives of those in need as they encounter difficult times or crisis, representative Vicki McCuistion said.
Volunteers answer the phone—(512) 847-1664—Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pastor’s autobiography delayed, expected soon
Publication of the Rev. Alberto Merubia’s autobiography, In the Line of No Resistance: God’s Will, has been delayed.
Merubia, a retired Southwest Texas Conference clergy member in Austin, had hoped to have the book out by the end of 2004. The new target date is early this year.
The finished manuscript is going through final editing.
For more information call Cathy Miller at (512) 282-6106.

CROP Walks scheduled for Austin March 5, 6
Austin CROP Walk Weekend is March 5 and 6. Walkers choose the time most convenient for them.
Saturday registration opens at 9:30 a.m. Step-off is at 10 a.m. Sunday registration begins at 1:45 p.m. Step-off is at 2:30 p.m.
Walkers will use trails at Austin’s newest park, Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park on Grove just north of the Austin Community College Riverside Campus.
Recruiters’ Information and Orientation for the March walks is Jan. 22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Capital Area Food Bank, 8201 S. Congress Ave.
Congregations need to send a representative to this meeting to collect their walk materials—posters, bulletin inserts, walker envelopes, etc.  Registration and displays open at 9:30 a.m. Door prizes are offered this year.
United Methodist Denominational Recruiters for the 2005 CROP Walk include Pastor Peter Castles, Manchaca UMC, and Betty and Elmer Hixson, St. John’s UMC, Austin. The Rev. Barrett Renfro, University UMC, Austin, serves as the citywide chairperson.
Two United Methodists serve on the Texas Regional staff—Howard Hartman and Kevin Murphy.
Last year receipts from United Methodist congregations in Austin came to $28,780.60. That figure doesn’t include funds raised by United Methodists participating in CROP Walks in Bastrop/Smithville, Elgin, Industry, Lockhart, Pflugerville, Lago Vista and San Marcos.
CROP Walks raise money to fight hunger. Half the money collected stays in Austin. The rest goes to anti-hunger programs run by Church World Service.

Health congregations event slated for Sept. 30-Oct. 1
A Healthy Congregations workshop is schedule for Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. Location is to be announced.
The workshop looks at church life from the perspective of family systems theory, with special emphasis given to the key role of leaders.

Industry UMC wants to give 30 choir robes, stoles away
Industry UMC is giving away 30 choir robes and stoles in good condition. For information contact Florence Raeke at (979) 357-2237.

Covenant UMC seeking children’s ministry person
Covenant UMC, Austin is seeking a person with a heart and passion for leading children’s ministry full time. Administrative skills, teaching and people skills are essential. Experience and degree in related area preferred. Send resume to the Rev. Dick West, 4410 Duval Road, Austin, or fax to (512) 346-3197.