District happenings
Missionaries from Congo to visit St. John’s, other congregations
Gaston and Jeanne Ntambo, missionaries in Democratic Republic of Congo and Partners in Mission with St. John’s UMC, Corpus Christi, will be in the Corpus Christi District May 24 through 27.
Gaston, a pilot who heads the Wings of Morning Ministry in the Congo and provided air transportation for St. John’s VIM group while they were in Congo in 2004, will be preaching at St. John’s Pentecost Sunday, May 27.
St. John’s will be willing to help make it possible for the missionaries to visit other places in the district or conference. Churches or groups that would like to schedule a visit should call St. John’s at (361) 991-6244. The Rev. Linda Elford and the Mission Committee will be coordinating visits.
Gaston’s father is Bishop Nkulu Ntanda Ntambo, bishop of the North Katanga Conference, chancellor of Africa University and a senator in the new democratically elected government of Congo.
St. Luke’s UMC to host April 30 seminar on planning for death
What’s going to happen to all your “stuff” when you die? For young and old, give the loving gift of preparedness to those you love.
A free planning seminar is scheduled for St. Luke’s UMC, 3151 Reid Drive
(behind the HEB Grocery Store near Luby’s on Alameda ), April 30 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
The seminar is free; however, a detailed workbook is available for $5. It guides you in making specific preparations.
Pre-registration is requested to make sure there are enough seats and workbooks available for all who attend.
Please call (361) 854-5374 to register or for more information.
Sea City Work Camp gearing up to begin 14th year of service
The Sea City Work Camp is gearing up for its 14th year of service to the needy in the Corpus Christi area. This summer’s camps will be hosted by First UMC, Portland, and Grace UMC, Corpus Christi.
Dates for camps are:
June 10-15
First UMC, Portland
Dan Morrow, camp director
90 youth maximum
June 17-22
Grace UMC, Corpus Christi
Kathy Rios, camp director
100 youth maximum
Houses are being selected, and camps are filling. Contact President Kathy Rios at (361) 242-3333 or Executive Director Shirley Syamken at (361) 946-9675 for more information, or visit the Web site www. seacityworkcamp.com.
This year’s camp theme is “Leaving HIS Mark…Through the Work of HIS Children’s Hands.”
Bishops urge UMs to observe day for malaria awareness
What if you could save a child’s life just by skipping lunch one day?
April 25 was Malaria Awareness Day. United Methodist bishops encouraged UMs to observe this day by taking simple steps to help rid Africa of its terrible burden—this mosquito-borne disease that kills a child every 30 seconds on that continent.
For just $10—the price of a lunch—given through the Nothing But Nets program, individuals can purchase an insecticide-treated bed net that can protect children from mosquitoes at night—the time when most transmissions occur. The gift will purchase the net, get it to a family in Africa and teach them how to use it properly. A challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is matching contributions dollar for dollar, so gifts will have twice the impact.
People of The United Methodist Church are a founding partner in the Nothing But Nets initiative. Other founding partners are the United Nations Foundation, the NBA and Sports Illustrated.
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, president of the Council of Bishops, sent a letter dated March 13, urging the participation of United Methodists in this initiative as a way of putting their faith to work through this simple action. In her letter she also set forth the belief of bishops that “Christ is calling us to witness for the children of Africa and to make a long-term commitment to improving health care for the people of the developing nations.”
Please “Skip a Lunch! Buy a Net! Save a Child!” by giving your gifts to the Nothing But Nets initiative
through Advance No. 982015.
UM Women District Day promises time of relaxation
Plans are under way for individuals to refresh their spirits, care for their bodies and enrich their minds at the upcoming UM Women District Day Apart Nov. 3 at Wesley Community Center.
The Rev. Elizabeth Smith, who was the district UM Women vice president before she felt the call to ordained ministry, will be the leader for the day. The spacious facilities of the Corpus Christi Wesley Community Center will be transformed into a retreat setting. Plans include setting up a labyrinth, a meditation room, a room for Christian yoga, a spa with a professional masseuse, a special exercise room and more.
Among the leaders will be Wesley nurses, outstanding musicians, the director, staff and board members of the center, childcare professionals, district UM Women officers, and more.
Plans are to have childcare professionals who will take advantage of the playgrounds for outdoor activities (weather permitting), serve children a nutritious meal and provide learning experiences.
