Pastors honored during Oct. 19
appreciation dinner

The first Austin District Pastor Appreciation Dinner was Oct. 19 at Northwest Hills UMC, Austin. Senior pastors, associate pastors and retired pastors and their spouses came together to be thanked by the laity on this very special occasion. Clergy members and spouses were thanked for answering the call, for their leadership and for their partnership.
Gilbert C. Hanke, president of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, was the guest speaker for the event. Hanke thanked the pastors on behalf of the laity and made them feel support as he directed laypeople to lay hands on pastors and their spouses and pray for them.
In turn, the laity and spouses were blessed by the laying on of hands by their pastors. Laypeople present were the local church lay leaders, staff-parish relations committee chairs, administrative council chairs, United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men presidents. The music for the evening was provided by the Hills Praise Band of Oak Hill UMC.
The event was sponsored by the Austin District United Methodist Men.