Tex Sample to lead March 3-5 conference on injustice

A noted United Methodist theologian is to lead a March 3-5 conference in Austin examining social injustice in Central Texas.
The Church and Society Committee of Tarry-town UMC is bringing the Rev. Tex Sample, an emeritus seminary professor, to Austin for the three-day event. Theme is “Praying ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ with More Than Words: Moving Beyond Charity to Healing the Causes of Pain.”
This conference is to marshal resources in the Central Texas religious community and in organizations addressing social justice to take us beyond day-to-day charity to changing the underlying issues affecting people and families struggling with healthcare, education, housing and employment opportunities.
Sample is to give a lecture at 7 p.m. March 3. He starts the March 4 schedule at 8:45 a.m. with a lecture. That sets the stage for question-and-answer periods and small-group discussions until 3 p.m.
Sample is to preach at Tarrytown’s 8:30, 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services March 5.
All events are free.
 Besides presenting Sample, this conference will acquaint individuals with local organizations working for social justice and their programs.
The conference comes at a time of growing interest in making a difference in Central Texas, said the Rev. Jim Mayfield, Tarrytown’s senior pastor. Through sharing conference participants can learn how to better help each other and where to plug in to best serve people in need.
Sample, now coordinator of the Network for Study of U.S. Lifestyles, lives in Goodyear, Ariz. For many years he was Robert B. and Kathleen Rogers professor of church and society at UM-related St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo.
A Mississippi native, Sample was a pastor for eight years. He was director of social relations for the Massachusetts Council of Churches for three years. He has written seven books, including Powerful Persuasion: Multisensory Witness in Christian Worship in 2005.
Sample is a clergy member of the Missouri Conference.