District happenings


Book group to meet Aug. 24 in District Office at noon
The district professionals’ book group is to meet Aug. 24 in the District Office at noon.
The group is to discuss Cynthia Campbell’s book on religious diversity, A Multitude of Blessings. The book is available at Cokesbury.
Bring a sack lunch.

Engaged Encounter experience offers sound advice, education
Are you looking for a more intensive and far-reaching program to educate couples in your church who are preparing to marry? Are you concerned that your church is not providing such couples with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of marriage?
If so, come to Bethany UMC, 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 for an Engaged Encounter United Methodist Experience. It is the first time Engaged Encounter will be presented in Austin.
An Engaged Encounter Experience is a somewhat compressed Engaged Encounter Weekend. A pastor couple and two lay couples lead the group in exploring all areas of their future married lives.
The cost per couple will be $225.
For more information and registration, contact Larry Russell at (512) 331-7331 or Larryrussell@juno.com, or visit www.encounter.org.

Creating a Culture of Peace workshop set for Sept. 7-8
Strengthen your spirit for peacemaking! Come along with others from your community, and make a difference when you return home!
The Creating a Culture of Peace Workshop is an interactive, experiential retreat that helps you plan concrete peacemaking projects.
The workshop is planned for Sept. 7 from 1 to 9 p.m. and Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at St. John’s UMC, Austin.
You will explore the nature of violence and nonviolence, how social change occurs, and how to build communities of trust to take action.
Learn about the spirituality and practice of active nonviolence in your own life.
Harvest wisdom from your experiences, the lives of ordinary people and famous nonviolence leaders like Nobel peace laureates.
Take time for reflection, and depart with a renewed sense of peace that will allow you to cultivate change in our world.
Facilitators are Wanda Holcombe, peace with justice coordinator for the Southwest Texas Conference, and Liz Yeats, who is associated with the Austin Peace Center and the Friends Meeting of Austin.
If you register by Aug. 10, the fee is $20 ($25 thereafter). Meals and snacks are included.
Scholarships are available. Any portion of the workshop is open to everyone.
Contact Janice Curry at (512) 836-7004 or Jeanette Ball at (512) 338-4344 with questions.

Men’s quarterly district meeting scheduled Aug. 25 at Wesley
All men are invited to the Austin District men’s quarterly meeting Aug. 25 at Wesley UMC, Austin.
As part of our goals for growth in all areas of men’s lives, our purpose at this gathering will be for men to discover ways to grow their relationships with senior pastors and associate pastors.
Our guest speaker will be the Rev. Austin Frederick, assistant to the episcopal office of the Southwest Texas Conference.
Enjoy a great time of worship in word and song. Fellowship is a key part of meeting. Renew acquaintances or make new friends in Christ and enjoy a wonderful breakfast.
Registration and coffee begin at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast at 8 a.m. The morning’s program is to conclude with Holy Communion.
Wesley UMC is at 1160 San Bernard St., Austin. Contact the church at (512) 478-7007, or visit www.wesleyunited.org. Please bring white socks for the support of Austin Resource Center for the Homeless.

District youths plan 3rd annual dodgeball tournament Sept. 3
The district youths are looking forward to their third annual dodgeball tournament Sept. 3.
All junior high and senior high youths are invited to get a team together and come join the fun. Entry fee for the tournament is $5 per person (including spectators).
Ask your youth leader for a registration form. Deadline to sign up is Aug. 26.

Important dates for clergy care wellness program set for fall
For those who want to participate in the 2007 Clergy Wellness Program, there are some important upcoming dates and events that will happen this autumn.
A packet detailing the program was mailed out the first of the year. If you have misplaced yours, please visit www.umcswtx.org/wellness. html to download a copy and get access to additional information about the wellness program.
This program is strictly voluntary and is available to all clergy members under full-time appointment, including those appointed as conference staff.
Participants have until Dec. 31 to have the physical exam and wellness conversation completed. All component completion cards must be postmarked by Dec. 31.
Lab collection locations and dates:
Sept. 18: San Antonio—conference office.
Sept. 20: Austin—Tarrytown UMC.
Sept. 25: Kerrville—Mount Wesley.
Sept. 27: Corpus Christi—First UMC.
Collections will happen from 8 to 11 a.m. at all sites.
Contact Linda Jean Myers at (210) 408-4500, Extension 551, or (888) 349-4191, Extension 551, or clergywellness@umcswtx.org to sign up for lab screening.
This process is free to those on the conference health insurance program. Go to www.benplan.com/hms anytime between Sept. 7 and Oct. 19 to complete the health risk assessment.
If you received money for a 2006 retreat, you must send in a report to the Clergy Wellness Team on that retreat before receiving the 2007 retreat stipend.

’07 pastors appreciation dinner set for Sept. 27 at Westlake
The district superintendent and the Austin District United Methodist Men are to celebrate the newly appointed clergy members in the Austin District at the second annual UM Men’s Pastors Appreciation Dinner.
This year the dinner is to be at Westlake UMC, Austin, Sept. 27.
The keynote speaker for the event is to be Harold Batiste, Windcrest UMC, San Antonio.
Invitations are being sent to all of the lay speakers, pastor-parish relations committee chairs, presidents of the United Methodist Men groups, and all pastors, active and retired.