2 more churches join welcoming
congregations; total stands at 48

The Southwest Texas Conference now has 48 certified welcoming congregations.
In addition, First UMC, Schulenburg, became the first welcoming congregation in Southwest Texas to renew its certification for the third straight year. That renewal came through April 5.
First UMC, Hondo, received its initial certification April 3. The 503-member congregation is the sixth in the Kerrville District to earn welcoming status.
First UMC, Brownsville, was certified April 5. The 523-member congregation is the 20th in the McAllen District to receive a welcoming plaque.
Southwest Texas has the most certified congregations of any conference in the United States. The count by district is Austin, 4; Corpus Christi, 5; Kerrville, 6; McAllen, 20; San Angelo, 2; San Antonio, 6; Victoria, 5.
Lay Leader Jay Brim set a goal of having at least 200 Southwest Texas congregations certified by June.
Granted by the General Commission on Communication, certification means a congregation has systematically evaluated its hospitality and intentionally embraced a lifestyle of welcoming newcomers. Congregations need to renew their certification annually.
The certification program is part of the denominationwide Igniting Ministry hospitality and image campaign. Certificated congregations earn a plaque and a special designation in the “Find a church” database at www. unitedmethodist.org.
To earn certification, congregations must qualify for at least 100 points on a yearly checklist of welcoming activities.
Checklists are available at ignitingministry.org.
District superintendents must sign checklists to confirm activities reported.