Southwest Texas giving for Asia reaches $569,000
Gifts from Southwest Texas UMs to South Asia tsunami relief reached $569,030 as of March 17.
Southwest Texas appears to be one of the top contributors to tsunami relief among U.S. conferences, said the Rev. David Seilheimer, treasurer. He based that contention on an informal e-mail survey of other conference treasurers.
“I’m amazed at the support,” he said. “It’s humbling and gratifying the way the United Methodists of Southwest Texas are responding.”
Bishop Joel N. Martinez asked all Southwest Texas congregations Jan. 5 to collect a special offering during January for recovery work following the Dec. 26 disaster. That money would go to the UM Committee on Relief.
Of the conference total, $13,493 was contributed during December. The rest has come in during 2005.
Huston-Tillotson changes status to university Feb. 28
The UM-related school in Austin is now a university.
Huston-Tillotson College became Huston-Tillotson University Feb. 28. Within two years the school plans to offer a master of arts degree in teacher education.
Huston-Tillotson began 130 years ago as a “normal institute” educating black teachers.
Raquel Martinez to perform benefit for El Paso school
The editor of the UM Spanish hymnal is to perform a benefit piano concert April 8 in San Antonio for UM-related Lydia Patterson Institute.
Raquel M. Martinez, wife of Bishop Joel N. Martinez, is to play following a 6 p.m. dinner at Alamo Heights UMC. Martinez is an alumna of the El Paso high school.
Tickets cost $35 per person. Proceeds go to the Raquel M. Martinez Student Lay Ministry Fund.
For more information contact the Rev. Harry G. Kahl, (210) 408-4500 or toll free (888) 349-4191.
Windel Bell dies March 1
in San Antonio at age 81
The funeral for the Rev. Windel Bell was March 3 at Highland Terrace UMC, San Antonio. Burial followed at Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio.
A retired Southwest Texas Conference clergy member, Bell died March 1 in San Antonio. He was 81.
Bell began his ministry in 1954 as a licensed local pastor. He was ordained a deacon in 1960 and an elder in 1962.
Bell served congregations in Bastrop, Bishop, Donna, Dripping Springs, Eagle Lake, Eagle Pass, Fentress, Garwood, Manda, Martindale, Premont and San Antonio. He retired in 1989.
Igniting Ministry training planned April 2 in Plano
UMs can learn new ways to live their promise of open hearts, minds and doors April 2 in Plano.
The General Commission on Communication has scheduled a daylong regional training event at Christ UMC, Plano. It is to present ideas, plans and training options for congregations to use through 2008 as part of the Igniting Ministry hospitality and image campaign.
The session begins at 9:15 a.m. and runs through 3:30 p.m. Registration fee is $40 per congregation.
For more information check www. ignitingministry.org.
Application deadline nears for youth service grants
April 1 is the application deadline for 2005 grants from the Southwest Texas Conference Youth Service Fund.
Any young person involved in a local UM congregation may apply for up to $1,000 to assist them in their ministries. The Conference Council on Youth Ministries is to review applications and make awards by April 15.
The Youth Service Fund provides a way for young people to be in vital ministry with other youths and children. The theme of “youth serving youth” continues to be the key consideration for those applying for funds. Funds are collected throughout the year at summer camps, Midwinter retreats and other district youth activities.
Applications are available online at www.reachingyouth.org.
Lakehills UMC seeks items for auction, flea market
Lakehills UMC is seeking donations for the auction, flea market and book sale at its 5th annual Fish Fry and Festival April 2.
Auction donations in past years have included an antique sewing machine, services from San Antonio businesses, gym memberships, a car and handmade crafts.
Flea market items could include gently used furniture, appliances, home decorations and knick-knacks.
For more information contact Doris Keslar, (830) 751-2118; Jan Kuemmerle, (830) 751-2034; or the church, (830) 751-2404.
Senior center offers help with income tax returns
Chandler Senior Center, San Antonio, is providing free income tax preparation help to senior citizens each Friday through April 8.
Volunteers from AARP are to help fill out returns from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. People seeking help should bring photo identification, all W-2 and 1099 forms, Social Security cards, mortgage statements and their 2003 tax returns.
Chandler is a unit of UM-related Morning-side Ministries.
Board seeks nominees for evangelism awards
The Board of Discipleship is accepting nominations for the 2005 Harry Denman Evangelism Awards.
The awards, which go to a clergy member and layperson each year, are to be presented June 3 during the annual conference session in Corpus Christi.
Named for the longtime head of the Methodist Church Board of Evangelism, the awards recognize members of the clergy and laity whose lifestyle honors Christ and whose efforts are effectively making true disciples.
Nomination deadline is April 15. For information contact the Rev. Beverley Parsons, (325) 387-2466.
Bishop scheduled to speak at UM Men retreat in April
Bishop Joel N. Martinez is one of three featured speakers next month at the UM Men Spring Retreat in Kerrville.
The event runs April 8-10 at Mount Wesley Conference Center. Theme for the event is “Thank you, Lord!”
Martinez is to address the group April 9 at 7:15 p.m.
Other speakers are the Rev. Harry G. Kahl, congregational growth director, and Jay Brim, Southwest Texas Conference lay leader.
Registration deadline is April 1. Registration fees range from $35 to $90 per person, depending on participation level and accommodation.
For more information contact Ralph Eckwall at (512) 452-4933 or eckwall@ gbronline.com.
April meeting to explore creating culture of peace
Southwest Texans can learn ways to resolve conflicts nonviolently in their lives, families and communities next month in San Antonio.
“Creating a Culture of Peace: A Journey of Personal and Social Change” is scheduled from 6 p.m. April 8 to 4 p.m. April 10 at La Casa Ecumenical Retreat House.
Wanda Holcombe, Southwest Texas Conference peace with justice coordinator, is one of three program facilitators.
Registration fee is $125 per person.
For more information contact Holcombe at (512) 719-4283 or wholcombe@umcswtx. org.
Ivory Coast leader selected bishop of new conference
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast—The former president of the Protestant Methodist Church of Côte d’Ivoire is the first UM bishop in Ivory Coast.
The West Africa Central Conference elected the Rev. Benjamin Boni March 12 as bishop of the newly constituted United Methodist Church of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). The new episcopal leader received all 71 of the valid ballots cast on the first vote.
Delegates to the central conference recognized the onetime autonomous church as a UMC annual conference. The country has 800,000 to 1 million United Methodists.
The Ivory Coast church asked to join the UMC in 2003. The 2004 General Conference, the denomination’s highest legislative body, granted full membership May 7.
Last EUB-elected bishop dies March 12 in Indiana
FRANKLIN, Ind.—The last remaining bishop elected by the former Evangelical United Brethren Church died March 12.
Bishop Paul W. Milhouse, 94, became a UM bishop when the EUB and Methodist churches merged in 1968. He was elected an EUB bishop in November 1960.
Milhouse spent eight years supervising EUB churches in that denomination’s Kansas City, Mo.-based Southwestern Area before being assigned to the UMC’s Oklahoma Area in 1968. He retired in 1980.
UM Men executive named to position in Oklahoma
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The top executive of the General Commission on UM Men is leaving to become assistant to Oklahoma Bishop Robert Hayes and communications director for the Oklahoma Conference.
The Rev. Joe Harris is to assume his new duties Sept. 1. A clergy member of the Oklahoma Conference, Harris has led the men’s commission since it was established by the 1996 General Conference.
Meeting to empower UMs for church, marketplace
HOUSTON—E-Church 2005, an initiative of Windsor Village UMC, Houston, is to empower people for service in the church and marketplace.
The March 30-April 2 conference seeks to help individuals and churches be more effective in expanding God’s kingdom. For details check www.kingdombuilders.com or call (713) 723-8187, Extension 240.
Oldest Methodist school in U.S. marks 175 years
ASHLAND, Va.—Randolph-Macon College was born from a need the UMC had for educated ministers to spread the faith in the new republic nearly two centuries ago.
The school—oldest UM-related college in the United States—marked its 175th year of service Feb. 26 during a celebratory worship service at Duncan Memorial UMC on campus.
