3 to preach during Corpus Christi meeting

Noted Latino theologian
to speak at joint ordination
service planned with Rio Grande
Conference UMs

A noted Latino theologian, a bishop and a retired deacon are to preach during the June 1-4 Southwest Texas Annual Conference session in Corpus Christi.
The Rev. Justo L. Gonzalez, author, retired seminary professor and former member of the United Methodist University Senate, is to deliver the message during the June 4 commissioning and ordination service.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez is to preach during the June 2 service of covenant and confirmation of appointments for pastors.
The Rev. Kathleen Jones, longtime minister of Christian education at First UMC, Austin, is to speak during the June 1 memorial worship service and opening Eucharist. That first worship gathering of the four-day conference remembers clergy members and clergy spouses who have died during the past 12 months.
The commissioning and ordination service in the Selena Auditorium of Corpus Christi’s American Bank Center will be a joint ceremony with members of the Rio Grande Conference. The service concludes the Southwest Texas Conference session and is the first worship gathering during the Rio Grande meeting. That conference continues through June 5.
Gonzalez, 67, a retired Rio Grande Conference clergy member, plans to speak about “A Bittersweet Ministry.” The sermon is based on Revelation 10.
The author of more than 80 books on church history, faith and Christian theology, Gonzalez has served on the faculties of four seminaries and has lectured at some 50 other schools of theology.
Gonzalez has been a member of the commissions on faith and order for both the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. He also served on the World Council’s Christian Literature Committee. He’s been a consultant on theological education to several Anglican Church provinces.
The General Conference elected Gonzalez to two four-year terms on the University Senate, the United Methodist accrediting body for colleges, universities and seminaries affiliated with the denomination. His tenure ran from 1996 to 2004.
Gonzales was a member of the Union Theological Seminary board of trustees from 1998 to 2004.
In 2004 the General Commission on Archives and History presented Gonzalez a distinguished service award.
The Havana native earned two bachelor’s degrees and his first seminary degree in Cuba. He received a master of sacred theology degree, master of arts degree and doctorate from Yale University.
Martinez, 65, became bishop of the San Antonio Episcopal Area in September 2000. He leads both the Southwest Texas and Rio Grande conferences.
Before coming to San Antonio, Martinez was bishop of the Nebraska Area for eight years. The former Rio Grande Conference clergy member was elected a bishop in July 1992.
A Seguin native, Martinez was the first Latino bishop elected in the eight-state South Central Jurisdiction and the second elected in the denomination.
Jones, 71, served at First UMC, Austin, from 1977 to 2004. Originally a consecrated diaconal minister, she was ordained a deacon in full connection in 1997.
Jones was first leader of the Southwest Texas Conference Order of Deacons. She served as floor manager for the annual conference session for several years.
The Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center at First UMC, Austin, is named partly in her honor.