District happenings

District plans breakfast June 8
during annual conference
The McAllen District is to host a district breakfast June 8 at 7 a.m. during the Southwest Texas Annual Conference session in Corpus Christi.
The event, which costs $8 for those who pre-register and $12 for walk-ins, is to be in the fellowship hall of First UMC, Corpus Christi.
Reservations are needed for the event. Only a few seats will be available for purchase at the door. All reservations should be received by May 15.
Please reserve through the District Office. Checks should be made out to the McAllen District, noted “District Breakfast” and mailed to UMC-McAllen District, 1909 W. Harrison St., Harlingen 78550.

Basic, advanced lay speaking
courses scheduled for Donna
The McAllen District Lay Speaking Committee will offer the Basic and Advanced Lay Speaking course
May 4 and 5 at First UMC, Donna.
The advanced course, “Lay Speakers are Accountable Disciples,” will be led by the Rev. Elizabeth Smith, pastor of First UMC, Donna. The basic course will be taught by a team of certified lay speakers and UM ministers.
People who are already lay speakers are invited to participate in the advanced course.
Cost for the training is $20 for the basic class and $35 for the advanced class. Lunch is included for the Saturday class.
A lay speaker is a member of a local church who:
> Is ready to serve the church.
> Is well-informed about and committed to the scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization and life of
The United Methodist Church.
> Has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communication, church and community leadership, and caregiving ministries.
Lay speakers must take the basic lay speaking course and submit an annual report to their church or charge conference. All lay speakers must take a class every three years. If you are a basic lay speaker, consider this opportunity to renew your certification.
If you are interested in becoming a lay speaker, please contact Donald Lantz, district director of lay speaking, at (956) 423-8319 or the District Office.
If you already are a lay speaker and wish to take the advanced class, you should have received a registration form. If not, please contact Lantz to receive your registration form.

Church DVD history projec
finished, in replication process
The DVD history project at St. John UMC, Rio Grande City, dubbed “Filming St. John,” has been completed and is being duplicated for members of the congregation, said Pastor Pasha Buck.
The DVD chronicles one year of activities at the church because activities were too difficult to explain in a brochure, Buck said.
She will keep several copies in the church’s library to be lent to visitors who are interested.