Southwest Texas giving for tsunami tops $400,000
Signup deadline approaches for UMW Lenten Retreat
Church theatre group sets 5 performances of ‘Phoebe’
Gifts to UM tsunami relief surpass $10 million mark
UM relief committee opens recovery office in Sri Lanka
Committee sends Indiana $10,000 for flood response
UMs continue assisting Gulf Coast storm victims
Lesbian pastor appeals church court decision
McMurry Chanters to sing at 3 conference churches
Native American official to lead lay speaker event
Convocation to feature retired bishop, professor
Pastor serves on board of Schreiner University
Opportunities

Southwest Texas giving for tsunami tops $400,000
Gifts from Southwest Texas UMs to South Asian tsunami relief topped $400,000 Feb. 4.
“Our generosity continues to amaze me,” said the Rev. David Seilheimer, Southwest Texas Conference treasurer.
Of the total, $13,493 was contributed during December, Seilheimer said. The rest has come during 2005.
University UMC, San Antonio, the con-ference’s largest congregation, sent in more than $60,000, Seilheimer noted.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez asked all Southwest Texas congregations Jan. 5 to collect a special offering during January for tsunami recovery. That money would go to the UM Committee on Relief.

Signup deadline approaches for UMW Lenten Retreat
Tuesday is the registration deadline for the annual United Methodist Women’s Lenten Retreat in Kerrville.
The spiritual growth event is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. Feb. 26 to noon Feb. 27 at Mount Wesley Conference Center. The schedule includes time for worship, quiet time, fellowship, singing, and arts and crafts.
Registration fee is $70 per person for adults and $45 per teen (12 to 18). Registration material is available at www.gbgm-umc.org/swtxumw.

Church theatre group sets 5 performances of ‘Phoebe’
The Theatre Arts Ministry of University UMC, San Antonio, presents “Phoebe” Feb. 25-26 and March 4-5 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.
The play tells the story of how a handmade doll served as a catalyst for God’s grace through several generations from 1857 through 1865.
Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. For more information call (210) 696-1033.

Gifts to UM tsunami relief surpass $10 million mark
NEW YORK—Contributions to the UM Committee on Relief for Asian tsunami relief passed $10 million Jan. 31.
Contributions from conferences around the United States were continuing to come in, said Elliot Wright, spokesman for the General Board of Global Ministries.

UM relief committee opens recovery office in Sri Lanka
NEW YORK—The UM Committee on Relief opened a recovery office in Sri Lanka Feb. 4 and allocated $100,000 apiece to start operations in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The agency is seeking approval for a $1.5 million project in each country from directors of the UM mission board when they meet in April.
Both Asian countries were devastated by a Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami.
The UM agency and the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka have chosen an area on the east coast of the island nation for the recovery work.
Work in Indonesia is to include housing and income-generation projects in Banda Aceh and Meulaboh.

Committee sends Indiana $10,000 for flood response
WASHINGTON—The UM Committee on Relief has sent an initial $10,000 grant for emergency flood relief to the South Indiana Conference.
The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, the committee’s U.S. disaster coordinator, said Jan. 31 he expected to receive a grant request for the North Indiana Conference as well. Flood buckets and health kits also had been sent to the South Indiana Conference.
In early January, rainfall ranging from more than 2 inches in the north to more than 6 inches in the south combined with snowmelt to cause significant flooding.

UMs continue assisting Gulf Coast storm victims
ATMORE, Ala.—UM congregations throughout the Alabama-West Florida Conference are continuing to help their communities recover from Hurricane Ivan—four months after the storm.
In partnership with the UM Committee on Relief, the conference expects to be involved in long-term recovery for at least two years.

Lesbian pastor appeals church court decision
PHILADELPHIA—A lesbian pastor stripped of her clergy credentials in December is appealing that decision.
Irene Elizabeth “Beth” Stroud was found guilty Dec. 2 of violating a church law that bars “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from ordained ministry. She was associate pastor of First UMC of Germantown.

McMurry Chanters to sing at 3 conference churches
The Chanters of UM-related McMurry University are to perform at three Southwest Texas Conference congregations this month.
Confirmed dates and places are Feb. 27, First UMC, Corpus Christi (morning worship); Feb. 27, First UMC, Kingsville (evening concert); and Feb. 28, First UMC, McAllen (evening concert).
The 30-member ensemble from the Abilene school dates back more than 70 years. They perform a variety of music, including classics, modern selections and spirituals.
Sarah Fry, daughter of the Rev. J. Jason Fry, pastor of First UMC, Kingsville, is a member of the choral group. The senior Fry was president of the Chanters during his time at McMurry.

Native American official to lead lay speaker event
The director of Native American communications for the UMC is to lead advanced lay speaker training next month in Kerrville.
Ray Buckley, head of the Native American office for the General Commission on Communication in Nashville, Tenn., is to present “Lay Speakers Tell Stories” March 4 to 6 at Mount Wesley Conference Center.
The training fulfills certification requirements for lay speakers. Registration fees are $90 per person before March 1 for those staying at Mount Wesley and $70 per person for those staying off campus.
The lay speaking ministries unit of the Board of Laity is sponsoring the conferencewide training event. For more information contact Phil Middleton, (210) 695-1971 or pmiddleton@satx.rr.com.

Convocation to feature retired bishop, professor
Pastors and other ordained ministers are to converge on Kerrville March 7 and 8 for the annual Bishop’s Convocation.
Theme for the noon to noon event at Mount Wesley Conference Center is “Offering Christ to All: Setting the Vision.” Program leaders are retired Bishop Bill Oden of Dallas and the Rev. Billy Abraham, Albert Outler professor of Wesley studies at Southern Methodist University.
Registration fees are $50 per person for those staying at Mount Wesley, $35 per person for those staying off campus and $12 per person for commuters not eating at Mount Wesley. Registration deadline is March 1.

Pastor serves on board of Schreiner University
The senior pastor of First UMC, Kerrville, began a term in 2004 on the Schreiner University board of trustees.
The Rev. Warren G. Hornung is to help make policy for the Presbyterian-related school in Kerrville. Enrollment is about 850.

Opportunities
Covenant UMC, Austin, seeks a full-time children’s ministry leader. Administrative skills, teaching and people skills are essential. Experience and degree in related area preferred. Contact the Rev. Dick West, (512) 346-3124.

First UMC, Burnet, seeks full-time director of youth and Christian education. Contact (512) 756-2229 or bfumc@tstar.net.

Wesley UMC, Corpus Christi, seeks a pianist/organist. Contact the Rev. Damon Relder, (361) 854-4367.

First UMC, La Grange, seeks full-time program/youth director. Duties include coordinating program committees and organizing activities for some 40 youths. Responsibilities could be divided into two part-time positions. Contact the Rev. Suzanne Steves, (979) 968-8322 or fumcsecretary@verizon. net.
Highland Terrace and Aldersgate UMCs, San Antonio, seek applicants for a Wesley nurse for southeastern San Antonio. Contact (210) 534-6179.

The Southwest Texas Conference Leadership Development Office, San Antonio, seeks an administrative assistant. Assists program agencies to support local congregations. Knowledge of UMC essential. Local church work experience a plus. Contact Linda Keen, lkeen@umcswtx.org or (210) 408-4500.
First UMC, Smithville, seeks full-time youth director. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating activities for young people in grades 6 through 12, developing and working with parents’ advisory group, and participating in community activities affecting youths.

The General Commission on Religion and Race, Washington, seeks an associate general secretary. Application deadline is April 15. Expected starting date is Sept. 15. This staff person relates to all racial ethnic minority groups and whites in leading consultations and workshops on racism, inclusiveness, enablement of religion and race chairs and other subjects. Contact (202) 547-2271.
A member of Highland Lakes UMC, Buchanan Dam, is giving away a working Hammond organ to any church or individual. The instrument can be picked up in Burnet. Contact Betty, (512) 715-8177.

Submit Opportunities announcements to umcenter@umcswtx.org (subject: Opportunities) or fax information to (210) 408-4515. Announcements run free and are edited to follow a standard format. Topics include job openings, items needed by church groups or things being given away. Most announcements run for two issues.