New leader happy to
be back in Austin

Thank you!

Thank you! I am grateful for your warm welcome to the Austin District.
It is great to be back. I realized that five of my seven appointments have been within the bounds of the Austin District: Buda, Berkeley, Man-chaca, Texas Methodist Foundation and the Upper Room.
Many people have worked hard to make this transition a smooth one. Special thanks to Robert and Carol Hall, who moved out of the parsonage early to allow the district trustees to do needed work.
Marvin Morganroth and the district trustees did a yeoman’s job to get everything done before I moved in. They did a super job, and the parsonage is really beautiful.
Special thanks are also in order to the district staff members, who helped move books and more books with good grace and humor.
I plan to have an open house later in the year so that you can have a look.
The first Sunday I was in Austin I visited Wesley UMC. It was a wonderful service, and the music was spectacular. The Rev. Sylvester Chase preached a great sermon, and the music was spectacular.
Rev. Chase didn’t know I was coming and graciously asked me to stand when he saw me in the congregation. I thought that was nice.
Then during joys and concerns Dr. Charles Akins, who was the liturgist, surprised me by asking me to come forward and to kneel at the altar. Rev. Chase, Dr. Akins and two women leaders anointed me with oil, laid hands on me and prayed for me. It was powerful. I was moved.
That spontaneous installation was such a gift. Did I say that the music was spectacular?
I am taking a couple of weeks for vacation. I hope to see you Sunday afternoon, July 30, at the reception at First UMC, Austin, in the Schmidt-Jones Center.