Individuals, congregations, group honored at banquet

Amy Elizabeth Litzinger receives a plaque June 8 in Corpus Christi from Bishop Joel N. Martinez. The plaque recognized that Litzinger, a member of Wesley UMC, Harlin-gen, had been awarded a Southwest Texas Conference Merit Scholarship for the 2007-08 academic year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifteen individuals, 13 congregations and one group were honored June 8 in Corpus Christi.
Another 214 congregations were cited as 5-Star Churches during the Southwest Texas Annual Conference Awards and Dinner Celebration.
More than 800 people attended the event at the American Bank Center.
Individual awards went to:
> Amy Elizabeth Litzinger, Wesley UMC, Harlingen—Conference Merit Scholarship Award for the 2007-08 school year. The Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry gives at least one merit scholarship annually to a student attending a United Methodist-related college. Money comes from the annual United Methodist Student Day offering collected in November in congregations across Southwest Texas.
> Maxine Ross, Webster Chapel UMC, Victoria—Francis Asbury Award. The honor, named for the first Methodist bishop in the United States, recognizes significant contributions to United Methodist higher education.
> The Rev. Austin Frederick Jr., assistant to the episcopal office, San Antonio—Martin Luther King Jr. Award. The Commission on Religion and Race gives this plaque annually to an individual committed to nonviolence, racial equality and social justice.
> Noreen Dopslauf, First UMC, La Grange—Public Educator of the Year Award. The Board of Church and Society presents this honor to active United Methodists who have been outstanding classroom teachers of poor or at-risk children for at least 10 years.
> Misti Mueller, Universal City UMC—Kathleen Jones Christian Educator of the Year Award. Named for the longtime minister of education at First UMC, Austin, the award recognizes excellence and effectiveness in sharing knowledge of God’s saving love through Christ. The Board of Discipleship Christian Formation Committee presents the honor.
> Mr. and Mrs. George Schulgen, First UMC, Kerrville, and the Rev. Mark and Cynthia Deaton, Bulverde UMC—Methodist Children’s Home Award. The award recognizes many years of faithful financial support and hours of volunteer service to the Waco home. The two couples were recognized for their work and dedication to increasing the number of children served and for meeting the needs of at-risk youths.
> The Rev. John A. Fluth Jr., Ozona UMC—The Torch Award. Presented by the General Commission on United Methodist Men, the award recognizes adult leaders who have given exceptional service in scouting programs. Fluth was recognized for his leadership with the Boy Scouts of America.
> Ann Stewart, Pharr UMC— Rocky Eubank Lay Speaking Ministries Award. Named for the first conference director of lay speaking, the award is given by the Lay Speaking Ministry program of the Board of Laity. The honor recognizes a certified lay speaker for significant contributions to lay speaking ministries in Southwest Texas.
> The Rev Sue White, University UMC, San Antonio—Harry Denman Evangelism Award. This award goes annually to individuals for significant work helping The United Methodist Church be faithful to its evangelistic commitment. Sponsored by the Foundation for Evangelism, the award is named for the onetime chief executive of the Methodist Board of Evangelism.
Three individuals were recognized for completing the Parish Christian Educator School: Kristi Forister, Oxford UMC, San Antonio; Susan Durden, Gaddis Memorial UMC, Comfort; and Jana Simp-son, Wimberley UMC. The Board of Discipleship sponsors the three-year continuing education program for local church education personnel.
Three congregations earned the Arthur J. Moore Award for evangelism in their communities:
> Hyde Park UMC, Austin.
> Asbury UMC, Corpus Christi.
> First UMC, Laredo.
The Moore Award is named for a bishop and onetime pastor of Travis Park UMC, San Antonio. He was known for his evangelistic preaching.
Hope UMC took home the Methodist Mission Home Award. It recognizes more than 20 years of contributions to and prayers for the San Antonio-based adoption and rehabilitation agency by the 35-member congregation.
The Commission on Religion and Race presented the Inclusiveness Award to congregations in each district for intentional participation in activities—inside and outside the church—that build relationships across racial and ethnic barriers:
> Trinity UMC, Austin (Austin District).
> First UMC, George West (Corpus Christi District).
> First UMC, Boerne (Kerrville District).
> Pharr UMC (McAllen District).
> Mertzon UMC (San Angelo District).
> LaVernia UMC (San Antonio District).
> St. Mark’s UMC, Victoria (Vic-toria District).
First UMC, Bloomington, and First UMC, San Marcos, both received $500 from the Youth Services Fund Project. The money was collected at youth camps and retreats. The Council on Youth Ministries gives the grants for “youths-serving-youths” service projects.
The United Methodist Youth Fellowship of St. Matthew’s UMC, San Antonio, took home the Mount Wesley “Bolivian Cross” Award. The award is presented to individuals, congregations or other entities for demonstrating leadership in supporting the mission and vision of Mount Wesley Conference Center, Kerrville. The youth group was honored for its commitment to clearing trails and building a pavilion at the Bolivian Cross at Mount Wesley.
The count of 5-Star Churches by district was:
> Austin—39.
> Corpus Christi—31.
> Kerrville—26.
> McAllen—23.
> San Angelo—31.
> San Antonio—27.
> Victoria—37.
To earn 5-Star status, a congregation must pay its apportionments in full and then make second-mile gifts to mission causes in five specific national and international categories.