Upcoming

Creating a Culture of Growth

Life and ministry are filled with doors that open into astonishingly new vistas, hidden worlds of knowledge, and emerging landscapes laden with fruit-bearing opportunities. If your heart, mind, and spirit long for inspiration, the SWTX Conference invites you to step through one of the following program portals.

June 19-22
Parish Christian Educator School
"The Bible and Christian Education"
One of six professional level courses for local church volunteer or paid staff with responsibility for Christian Education, held each January & June over three years at Mount Wesley. January 2014 Course: Worship and CE; June 2014: Faith Development. Offered by Conference Christian Education/Formation Team. Contact Cindi Chollett cindi.chollett@yahoo.com, 979.732.2643 Download registration at www.umcswtx.org/parish-christian-educator

July 7-10
Children's Summer Camp
Entering 3rd or 4th Grade
Adults, children, youth and families attend camp to learn more about God’s creation, love, and grace through outdoor activities, Bible study, and more. Theme:“Spiritlife.” Pray for camp; provide monetary support for campers needing “Camper$hip$” (Advance Special #2021) , or serve God on a camp team. Download registration at www. umcswtx.org/summer-camps. Contact Rev. Bill Duke revfumc@hotmail.com 956.585.1665

July 13 - San Angelo
July 27 - San Antonio
August 10 - McAllen
Childcare Ministries Conferences
Continuing education with keynote speaker and multiple workshops for volunteer or paid workers with children in churches with programs for MDO, weekday preschool, day care. Hear keynoter MaryJane Pierce Norton, GBOD, Sat July 13 , Sierra Vista UMC San Angelo; Sat July 27, University UMC San Antonio, Sat, Aug 10 , First UMC McAllen.Offered by Conference Children’s Council. Download registration at www.umcswtx.org/weekday-ministries-conferences Contact Council Chair Rev. Bill Duke revfumc@hotmail.com 956.585.1665

June 16-20
August 4-8
Preteen Summer Camp
Entering 5th or 6th Grade
Children’s Summer Camps Adults, children, youth and families attend camp to learn more about God’s creation, love, and grace through outdoor activities, Bible study, music, drama and art. Theme for Preteen Camp:“Spiritlife.” Pray for camp; provide monetary support for campers needing “Camper$hip$” (Advance Special #2021) , or serve God on a camp team. Download registration at www. umcswtx.org/summer-camps. Contact Rev. Bill Duke revfumc@hotmail.com 956.585.1665

September 7
Excellence in Education
Log on to a free live webcast with Teacher of The Year Barbara Dorff and others to identify, choose, use, and evaluate curriculum for teaching and learning with all ages in venues where the Gospel is shared through Christian education. Or attend in person at Laurel Heights UMC, San Antonio;. Contact Kercida McClain 210.733.7156 kercida@mylhumc.org www.umcswtx.org/excellence-in-education

September 17-19
Autumn in The Hills
Senior Christian Retreat and Ministry Conference, offers intriguing Bible study, intimate worship, creative activities, vitalizing exercise, singing, delicious food, and just plain fun & fellowship in the relaxed atmosphere of Mount Wesley Conference Center. Sponsored by SWTC Council on Older Adult Ministry. Download registration at www.umcswtx.org/autumn-hills
Contact Allen Burns burnsab@gmail.com

January 5-10, 2014
5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
Drink deeply from a spiritual well for lay & clergy who hunger for growth. Rest, solitude, renewal, spiritual disciplines, 16 worship services, two Upper Room Academy faculty Mon pm till Noon Sat. Sponsored by Spiritual Forma-tion Team, SWTC Board of Discipleship. Retreat Leader is Rev. Taylor Boone tboone@travispark.org 210.226.834 1

Jan 31 - Feb 1, 2014
Adult Choral Workshop
Local church choirs and individuals gather at First UMC Corpus Christi to explore new worship music, improve vocal skills, and praise God in song. Join clinician Mark Miller, 2012 General Conference Musician, and a mighty chorus of small church and large church choral groups, ensembles, and individual participants. Offered by Board of Discipleship Worship and Music Team. Contact Design Team Chair, David Miron david@chumc.org 210.349.2401
www.umcswtx.org/adult-choral-workshops

Empowering your ministries to make disciples of Jesus Christ,
our website serves as a valuable resource to you—the more
than 120,000 members in 350 congregations across the
southern third of Texas.

June 12-15
July 24-27
Music, Art, & Drama Camp
“Searching for The King” Discover the King, and discover your untapped spiritual talents at Music, Art and Drama Camp for children entering 4 th thru 6 th grade. Creative leaders needed! A grand opportunity to praise Creator God for gifts of creativity in God’s great outdoors! Offered by Conference Council on Children’s Ministries at Mount Wesley. Download registration www.umcswtx.org/summer-camps Contact Rev Alan Delafield aedelafield@aol.com

July 13 - San Angelo
July 27 - San Antonio
August 10 - McAllen
Childcare Ministries ConferencesContinuing education with keynote speaker and multiple workshops for volunteer or paid workers with children in churches with programs for MDO, weekday preschool, day care. Hear keynoter MaryJane Pierce Norton, GBOD, Sat July 13 , Sierra Vista UMC San Angelo; Sat July 27, University UMC San Antonio, Sat, Aug 10 , First UMC McAllen.Offered by Conference Children’s Council Download registration at www.umcswtx.org/weekday-ministries-conferences Contact Council Chair Rev. Bill Duke revfumc@hotmail.com 956.585.1665

August 31 - September 2
Kingdom Kamp
A gentle camp for mentally challenged adults age 18 & older, led by volunteers who enjoy a relaxed pace and serving others. Campers must meet mobility & other medical requirements. All are blessed at Kingdom Kamp through giving time or funds (Advance #2005). Offered by Conference Board of Discipleship. Contact Dean Rev. Patti Herndon at 361.547.3381 pastorpattiherndon@gmail.com
Download registration at www.umcswtx.org/kingdom-kamp

July 2014
Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation
A disciplined Christian community experience of holistic spirituality, nurturing body, mind, and spirit, through a rhythm of study / prayer, rest / exercise, solitude /relation- ship...a rediscovering of our rich spiritual heritage thru worship, learning, common life, time and space to discern direction, make covenants and practice commitments. Eight 5-day sessions quarterly over two years (40-day experience) at Oblate Renewal Center, San Antonio , starting July 2014 . 20-pg prospectus available. Offe red by Upper Room Ministries in collaboration with Conference Spiritual Formation. Contact Retreat Leader Alison Boone alisonlwb@yahoo.com or Donna Bryant in the Academy Office academy@upperroom.org 87 7.899.2780. More info:
http://academy.upperroom.org/about