Special events planned to offer Christ

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
The Rev. Margaret Decker, pastor of First UMC, Sinton, predicts Sep-tember’s United Methodist Open House Month will foster church unity.
Sallie Sassano, director of hospitality for St. John’s UMC, Austin, says it will entice community members to venture inside the church’s doors.
Liby Beck, director of lay ministry for Tarrytown UMC, Austin, hopes it will shift church members’ focus from inward to outward.
Whatever their reasons for participating in Open House Month, Southwest Texas Conference congregations have announced a full schedule of special events.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez has proclaimed September a time for United Methodists to plan outreach events that would take Christ’s message to people outside their congregations.
First UMC, Sinton, is playing host to a communitywide barbecue dinner Sept. 10, a singing trio concert Sept. 17 and a guest pastor Sept. 24.
Church members currently are selling tickets for the barbecue dinner, which originally was scheduled to raise money for apportionments, Decker said. The dinner is to be served during a two-hour stretch after the church’s 10 a.m. service.
The yearly event, Decker said, provided the perfect opportunity to invite the community to the church’s morning service.
In the meantime, planning and serving the dinner will help build unity within the 212-member congregation, she added.
“Even in this size church, people get caught up in their groups,” Decker said. “When (members) planned the first barbecue lunch, they were surprised at how well they worked together and what they accomplished.
“When (members) feel that unity, it’s easier for them to be open to other people. They are more willing to see new faces in the community. It helps build avenues for showing friendliness. And we hope the community will experience that sense of this being a group of people who can work together, who care.”
St. John’s UMC, Austin, plans a concert with Sara Hickman, a local musician, today. The free concert, which is to begin at 7 p.m., is a “gift to the community,” Sassano said.
The church is offering a Holy Communion service at noon every Wednesday in September, Sassano said, and is to celebrate its 58th birthday with a lunch Sunday.
September marks a change in visitor gift bags, Sassano said. New bags are to include a pen, information brochures about St. John’s and Open House Month events, and candy-coated sunflower seeds because the church began in a cornfield surrounded by sunflowers.
St. John’s youths are to pass out popcorn at the Sept. 17 service, Sassano said. The young children’s ministry plans a mom’s brunch for Sept. 25.
“We use Open House all year round,” Sassano said. “September’s Open House only further emphasizes the importance of reaching out to the community and making sure everybody feels welcome. We want to put our hands out even more.”
The Evangelism Committee at Tarrytown UMC, Austin, has been hard at work coordinating events, Beck said.
Sept. 3 the church had a “Participating in God’s Ministries” Sunday. Members presented two-minute information sessions about getting involved in various ministries and how that has enriched their lives.
“Hospitality and Welcoming” is the planned theme for Sunday. Three churchgoers are to share about a time someone welcomed them at the church and how that touched their lives.
Sept. 17’s “Sunday School Fair” is to allow representatives from each of the adult Sunday school classes to set up information tables on the church front porch, greet visitors and encourage them to get involved in a class.
Tarrytown’s 60th birthday party and ice cream social is scheduled for Sept. 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the church lawn. Beck said the celebration would include cake, ice cream, face painting and a clown.
“We’re hoping that these events will make members more aware of being welcoming and being more attentive to those people they don’t know,” Beck said.
September marks the beginning of the church’s welcome center, she added. The center contains tables with nursery information, maps, descriptions of Sunday school classes and refreshments.
Ardie Nelson, pastor of First UMC, Eagle Lake, and Lehrer Memorial UMC, Garwood, said the two congregations planned a special youth ministry event for Saturday. It is to include a concert by local music group Sacred Oil and a hot dog supper.
“I would really hope that this gets the attention of the youth, not only in the congregations, but in the community they serve in,” Nelson said. “I hope parents will get the idea that they are really crucial for getting their kids here—especially those kids who don’t drive.
“I’m hoping this will urge the youth to get involved in a fellowship.”
Nelson said she would invite the public to an Alpha course at Eagle Lake that begins Sunday and runs 11 weeks.
The Eagle Lake and Garwood congregations also plan a public event Oct. 22, when Phil and Debbie Jones, music ministers, visit both churches and perform an evening concert at Eagle Lake.
“What we’re hoping for with all of this is that someone will find a threshold to cross over that will get them to church,” she said. “Sunday mornings aren’t always the best time for that. If we have other events, we hope they provide a less threatening way for people to come in and visit.
“We hope (these events) will raise awareness that our churches are here, that there are ministries that are geared toward helping people in their faith development and that we care enough to offer these things.”
Open House Month has been celebrated annually in Southwest Texas since 2000 as part of the denom-inationwide Igniting Ministry hospitality and image campaign.