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August 13, 2010
Volume 157, Number 12
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U.M. ARMY-SWTX Brownsville Camp
a big success for campers and clients
 U.M. ARMY- SWTX work team takes a break from building a new roof over a damaged mobil home while in Brownsville. The roof has been needing repair since hurricane Dolly, 2 years ago.
Brownsville FUMC opened its doors June 13-19 to seventy two youth and adult participants from eight congregations throughout the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church to house these missionaries that provided home repairs to the residents of Brownsville and surrounding areas. U.M. ARMY-SWTX is a high school mission program who strives to provide Christ-centered, quality youth work camps that serve people in need and promote spiritual growth and leadership development in youth. The following churches sent campers: Covenant UMC-Austin, Columbus FUMC, Elgin UMC, Gruene UMC, Lakehills UMC, Llano UMC, Uvalde UMC and Wimberley UMC.
 U.M. ARMY - SWTX work team hangs new sheetrock in a home, while in Brownsvile June 13-19.
U.M. ARMY-SWTX worked hand in hand with Faith Communities for Disaster Recovery, a non-profit agency that serves the valley, to locate residents who are in need. Susan Hellums, UM Border Area Mission Coordinator, served as point of contact to help with identifying clients. Susan explained how she was able to help, “I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Faith Communities for Disaster Recovery (FCDR), which is the long term recovery organization that serves Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo and Starr Counties of the Rio Grande Valley. We seek to provide unmet needs to those affected by disaster in our area. The families and their homes that were referred to U.M. ARMY-SWTX this summer were from a list of families that were affected by Hurricane Dolly and have been waiting for assistance since then. Consultants from UMCOR have visited our area to train Caseworkers for FCDR. UMCOR has also provided over $100,000 to assist in the recovery efforts. Those funds have been used in the purchase of materials for construction to assist in the recovery of these families. The U.M.ARMY-SWTX youth who visited our area were a blessing to our area and to these families!”
 Above: Mobile homes roofs cannot be replaced easily, so U.M. ARMY - SWTX work teams built entire new roofs over serval homes like this one while in Brownsville. Below: a work team replaces shingels of a home. All repairs done were in response to hurricane Dolly 2 years ago.
The camp provided new roofs to five families and completely sheet-rocked another home. All of these homes were damaged during hurricane Dolly two years ago. The residents U.M.ARMY-SWTX worked with showed such gratitude to the youth at camp by letting them know how important it was going into this year’s hurricane season with the peace of mind that their roofs were fixed and they were not going to have to seek shelter elsewhere to ride out any future storms.
Brownsville FUMC had requested that U.M. ARMY-SWTX offer a camp in their community and with the current border
situation and fears this was a leap of faith by all participants who went. Laura Wagner, a high school senior from Covenant
UMC in Austin reflects on camp: “When I first heard that my church was going to the camp in Brownsville, honestly I was a little skeptical. The first thing my parents said was “Don’t go to Mexico” along with the sternest faces they could give me. Brownsville according to the news seems like a dangerous and kind of scary place to be at all, let alone for mission work.
 "It was great to see these young people in action. I'm so thankful for them working
on my home, but I'm extremely
grateful to the kids' parents for letting them come here." Mr. Espinoza, U.M. ARMY - SWTX client
But, my whole outlook on the town changed as soon as we got to camp. The camp staff talked to everyone about the safety measures the camp would be taking: locking up all the tools and having people travel in large groups. All of the yellow groups, which included me, worked together on a site along the border in La Paloma, but I never felt scared for my safety. We worked with a sweet family that was in the situation of having to choose between fixing their roof and buying medicine. I was so glad that we could help these people that desperately needed it. We built them a free standing tin roof over their mobile home that ensured that they no longer had to make this difficult choice. Brownsville is just another town full of people that need the hands and feet of Christ to give it a helping hand, and I would willingly return anytime to do so.”
 Left: Each night U.M.ARMY-SWTX participants had worship, which youth and adults help lead. Bottom left: Two youth tape and float new sheetrock. Bottom middle: Not all of U.M. ARMY-SWTX camps are work, they have fun in the evenings as well. During camp they had an 80's themed night, Josh Chollett from Columbus FUMC dressed up as Mr. T. Bottom right: Mold required that work teams wear masks whle cleaning out old water damaged sheetrock.
On closing night Jacob Hunter, host church coordinator and youth director at FUMC Brownsville, shared with the camp during candlelight what an impact this camp had on his home church and community. Jacob, a life long Brownsville resident, explained that not everyone who lives in Brownsville feels pride for their community. Jacob loves his community and was proud to share it with us. New McAllen District Superintendant Rev. Laura Merrill visited the camp and was impressed by what she saw, “I never fail to be inspired by watching UM ARMY teams at work. I see kids empowered by their hard work in service of others, and adults who sacrifice personal time to make the experience possible for the kids. And of course, there’s the concrete difference made in the lives of the people served. It’s a beautiful picture of the church in action in the world.”
Each week during U.M. ARMY-SWTX camps they fix dinner and invite the clients to come and share a meal with all the participants at the host church. After dinner and fellowship, some of the clients speak about what the experience has meant to them. One of the clients Mr. Espinoza, from La Paloma, where a new roof was put over his mobile home, had this to say “It was great to see these young people in action. I’m so thankful for them working on my home, but I’m extremely grateful to the kids’ parents for letting them come here.
 Brownsville FUMC opened its doors June 13-19 to seventy two youth and adult participants from eight congregations throughout the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
”Rev. Pam Kilpatrick, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church Brownsville, summed it up best: “I have served churches throughout the Southwest Texas Conference over the last 27 years, and I must truly say that the gracious warmth and open hospitality of Valley people is beyond compare. When you’re out and about, the norm is old-fashioned, genuine politeness and sunny, spontaneous smiles. Because there is also poverty here, there is plenty of work to do in the name of Christ. So I invite you to partner with the U.M.ARMY-SWTX so that you can experience a rewarding (and yes, safe!) mission trip that will not just change others’ lives, but change your own heart too. Come on down!”
  "I never fail to be inspired by watching UM ARMY teams at work. I see kids empowered by their hard work in service of others, and adults who sacrifice personal time to make the experience possible for the kids. And of course, there's the concrete difference made in the lives of the people served. It's a beautiful picture of the church in action
in the world."
-Rev. Laura Merrill, McAllen District Superintendent
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Newness of life always begins and ends with God
Dear Friends, Our God always has something new in store for us. During these past few weeks many churches in our Conference have experienced the joy and excitement of receiving new pastors. Pastors and their families are in the process of getting settled into new homes, schools, friends and places of ministry. As I reflect on the newness of life I pray that pastors and churches in ministry together for the first time will willingly and with great vigor enter into each other’s lives.
The Good News begins with the goodness of God in Christ and the new opportunities presented for new relationships and proclamation of the Gospel. After all, we must remember that our common mission is to reach out to those not in the church. In fact we intentionally appoint pastors and their families to a “mission field,” not just a local church or extension ministry. The newness comes with the new ideas and fresh insights we can bring to one another as we consider taking our churches into our communities. What’s new for you? For your congregation? If your pastor is returning for another year, what will you do together this year which will bring a sense of excitement and expectation? This is another year the Lord has made. Rejoice. Be glad in it.
 More than 6 feet of water from the Rio Grande river got into homes in Rio Bravo.
Use it and look for some newness of life. Newness of life always begins and ends with God. The presence of the risen Christ brings the joy and the peace. Last week I was in Rio Bravo ( a small community just south of Laredo). One of our Rio Grande Conference pastors and one of our Southwest Texas pastors joined me in surveying the results of something “new” for those folks living near the river. Water had filled their homes. All their belongings were piled in a heap by the curb. Still wet. Some folks sat under the trees in their yards. They were wondering what to make of this new development in their lives. I couldn’t help but wonder myself. They could do without this kind of “newness.” However, I understood again what it really means to be the church. Our newness comes from the opportunity to share with each other. We are offered the opportunity to join with those folks and others around us in standing together in the effort to rebuild.
The old becomes new. Yesterday becomes today and tomorrow. The Gospel is not only proclaimed, but lived. Our God always has something new in store for us. Thanks be to God.
Blessings, Jim Dorff.
 Randy Mahoney, Confernce Videographer, films Bishop Dorff on a street hit by big floods in Rio Bravo. View the video on the conference home page at www.umcswtx.org
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Don’t be satisfied with the minimum
With Charge Conferences beginning in September, it is a good time to reflect upon a few considerations in setting pastoral compensation. “Paying the preacher” can be an awkward subject. From a pastor’s perspective, we are not “in it” for the money. From the congregation’s perspective, how can one put a $-figure on what it means to have someone who both proclaims the Word of God and tends the pastoral needs of the congregation. It becomes even more awkward when we realize that every additional dollar placed in compensation is a dollar removed from ministry and mission. Yet, tangible compensation is a significant means through which we communicate beyond words.
The Conference Minimum Compensation approved at Annual Conference is on line 11-13, page 35 of the Pre-conference Journal. (Please note the incremental increases to “minimum” outlined in lines 33-36.) I trust that no congregation will be satisfied with simply “paying the minimum.” Even if “the minimum” is a financial necessity, I hope the dissonance keeps any of us from being “satisfied.” Personally, I do not think we have any “minimal” pastors in our District. I encourage each congregation to consider family insurance. The “minimum” for every pastor at ¾ or full-time, is medical insurance for the pastor. In considering exceeding the minimum, I hope congregations will consider paying in full or assisting with spousal/family medical insurance.
The Conference standard for the “Accountable Reimbursement Policy” is 13% of “Total Compensation” (Line 3 on Pastor Compensation Report). I can only imagine every congregation would feel a moral obligation to reimburse a pastor for expenses incurred in the execution of pastoral expectations – mileage for ministry; incidental expenses for resources, entertainment and gifts; cleaning of vestments; and other professional expenses incurred. In addition, I can only imagine each congregation to be desirous of a pastor improving his/her professional presentation so why would it be prudent to scrimp on reimbursement for continuing education or professional periodicals and publications? If a congregation is interested in a pastor being involved in the larger community, I can only imagine the commitment to provide reimbursement for those expenses. The unique characteristic of the “Accountable Reimbursement Plan” is that all expenses are “accountable” (in other words, the pastor must have receipts for the expense) and any balance at year’s end is returned to the general fund balance of the congregation. (In fact, to give the balance to the pastor makes all reimbursements subject to IRS taxing standards.) If a pastor pays for a professional expense outside of an Accountable Reimbursement Plan, it is paid with post-tax dollars which might require 120-130% of the actual expense! That is not good stewardship of the offerings rendered to the congregation or the fiduciary responsibilities of the officers of the congregation.
It is my understanding that Line 2 (“Utilities or other Housing Exclusion”) can include many household expenses beyond “utilities”, such as expenses to outfit the home – furniture, equipment, furnishings, etc. Unlike the “Accountable Reimbursement Plan” – since Line 2 is deducted from the Total Compensation, any balance at year’s end is given to the pastor and added to the amount reported to IRS as income. Because the amount on Line 2 can be expended for housing expenses with pre-tax dollars, it might be beneficial to have an amount on this line even if the church already covers all utilities. (Lest anyone hold the impression that pastors get tax breaks, keep in mind that pastors are accountable for 15% Self-employment tax and that tax is extended to include 15% of fair rental value of any parsonage provided!) A brief word about cell phones: if the congregation accesses the pastor on a cell phone, it seems the congregation has some responsibility for its expense from church utility expense and not solely from the pastor’s utility expense. John Wesley implored us to “make all you can; save all you can and give all you can.” This advice applies to all of us – individually and corporately. I trust we will “learn all we can” in order to accommodate this sound advice.
(Disclaimer: it is impossible to address “making” and “saving all you can” without broaching the Rules and Regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. I have done so, but not for the purpose of tax or accounting advice. Please consult with a professional certified in this area for clarification and application. Should you find discrepancy in anything I have expressed, please inform me so I can become more accurate in the future)
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"Interpretation of the Bible” survey course
The San Antonio District Program Office is pleased to be able to offer to the laity of the San Antonio District United Methodist Churches a survey course in Biblical interpretation. This twenty-session survey course will lead you to a greater understanding of the Word as you learn to approach scripture contextually and historically, through the lenses of tradition, reason, and experience. You will strive with your classmates and instructor to develop a personal process for approaching scripture that enables you to take ownership of and be knowledgeable about how God’s Word informs the living out of your faith. The objective is to provide an overview of the entirety of scripture, its context, its history, and critical methods in its interpretation. Through this course, participants will learn methods for appropriating the content of scripture for themselves.
This challenging and informative curriculum was developed and will be presented by the Rev. Mike Cave, senior pastor at St. Andrew’s UMC, here in San Antonio. Mike received his Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He has lived out his passion for teaching as a pastor in the Southwest Texas Conference since 1995. He and his wife, Ginger, have one son, Chris.
While there is no charge to attend this class, you will need to purchase the required textbook: An Introducmessagetion to the Bible (Revised Edition); Clyde E. Fant, et al, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press; 2001.
You will also need a good study Bible of your choice. Both the textbook and study Bibles are available through Cokesbury Bookstore or on line through Amazon.com. The class will meet for twenty sessions beginning October 5th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Center, 16400 Huebner Road. To receive a complete schedule, to sign up, or for additional information, please contact Terry McCandless, Director of Leadership Development, by phone at 210-408-4533, by fax at 210-408-4521, or by e-mail at tmccand@umcswtx.org
You are invited!
Are you looking for new ideas to increase the energy and vitality in worship? Are you in the process of “rethinking” worship in your church? The Austin District is hosting Rethink Worship: a day with Marcia McFee, and YOU are invited! This event, designed
for both clergy and laity, will be held at St. John’s UMC in Austin, TX, on September 25, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration is $25 for individuals and $100 for a team of up to six persons from each congregation. Lunch is also available for $10 per person. If you would like to reserve a place for you and/or your team, or if you would like additional information, please contact the Austin District Office at admin@umcad.org, or call 512-444-1983.
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What is Christian stewardship
Christian stewardship is the recognition of God’s sovereignty through creation and is a grateful response to God’s gifts. Human response is expressed by a dedicated, creative use of all these gifts toward fulfillment of Christ’s mission in the world.
The only appropriate response to the grace of God is to cooperate with God in fulfilling the divine will and purpose. This is done as persons recognize that what they receive from God is to be developed and invested in enterprises of the kingdom. All that is committed to the fulfillment of God’s purposes is sanctified. The steward whose life, abilities and resources are totally committed to God’s purposes is thus totally sanctified. Such a commitment to vocation brings the Christian’s life into the stream of God’s purpose so that it flows through such a person in a blessing to the world.
Stewards accept life, including abilities, power, influence, and money as special trusts from God and relationship with God. They will seek to develop these to the fullest, and endeavor to use body, mind and abilities for God’s purpose. They also feel a responsibility for the well-being of all people, giving them the opportunity to develop their full potential as well. Stewards accept the family as a trust from God and seek to provide the atmosphere in which each member can realize their fullest potential. Everyone is accepted as a child of God, worthy of dignity and respect. In all personal relationships, others are valued as of equal worth, and the exploitation of any person is rejected.
Stewards accept the church as a trust from God, seeking to assure this through fellowship and the extension of God’s mission into the community and the world. Stewards accept the gospel as a trust from God, seek to understand it fully, and endeavor to be faithful custodians of its liberating and reconciling truth. They endeavor to transmit it to others so that they may see its relationship to the whole of life.
Stewards accept this world with its tremendous resources as a trust from God, seeking to understand the events of history and through technological developments; endeavoring to be involved in the decisive issues facing society. They strive to penetrate the arena of secular society with the good news of the kingdom. They use the power of this wealth for the purposes of God; strive to increase the productivity of the world without exploitation and to make it possible for others to share in this bounty. Christian stewards are hopeful about the ultimate outcome of history, accepting their personal destiny as a trust from God, and endeavoring to invest life, abilities and resources as partners with God and others in shaping one’s destiny as well as the world’s future.
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Victoria District happenings FUMC W eimar Support Haitian Mission
Members of First UMC of Weimar have raised more than $3,000 to support the Haitian mission of Dr. Susan Dubois. Dr. Dubois leaves for Haiti on July 29 and will return on August 6. She will be accompanied on this trip by Loretta Loyd of Manchaca UMC. This will be Dr. Dubois’ fourth trip to Port au Prince in partnership with the Council of National Churches of Haiti. CONASPEH is a federation of about 7,000 Haitian churches. Created in 1986 to provide infrastructure for education, healthcare, spiritual growth, and social justice, this organization seeks to partner with churches all over the world to help the people of Haiti experience God’s grace and abundant love. The educational program includes primary and secondary schools, the St. Andrews Theological Seminary, and the Karen School of Nursing.
The Healthcare ministry supports clinics in Port au Prince and Carrefour. During the January earthquake, the CONASPEH headquarters collapsed, killing many nursing students and staff. The funds that were raised will go to directly support the work of CONASPEH. Some of the funds were used for health kits, which First UMC members assembled on Sunday. Each health kit costs about $35 and contains 17 over-the-counter medicines and basic medical supplies. The kits will be given to parish nurses and pastors, and include instructions in Creole for how to use them.
Dr. Dubois is an Austin endocrinologist, and the wife of Pastor Paul Dubois. While in Haiti, she will care for patients in CONESPEH’s clinics, teach nursing students about nutrition and diabetes care, and be present in Christian unity with our Haitian brothers and sisters. United Methodist Women Embrace the World On July 15th, 180 United Methodist Women, youth, children and guests came together in the School of Christian Missions at Mount Wesley Conference Center for four days of worship, fellowship, play and study.
The theme of this year’s school, Embracing the World through Faith, Hope and Love in Action reminded us that as Christ’s Body we must trust in Christ and His promise of bringing light to a darkened world. We proclaim Hope and in doing so we must celebrate and share the Good News. We must remember that we love because God first loved us, and out of love, Jesus died and was resurrected, giving us Hope for eternal life. The heat was no barrier to the enthusiasm demonstrated at each gathering as voices were raised in praise of God. Wonderful music selections related to each of our studies were led by Leslie Albrecht of Corpus Christi with Vikki Schwarz of Austin as our musician. Each morning Terry Schoenert, portraying “The Cleaning Lady” entertained us with her humor as she kept us updated on the worldly events of the day.
On a serious side, dramatic depictions of the History of UMW and Sudan set the stage for the day’s study. These included The Beauty and Courage of Sudan led by Wanda Holcombe and Nancy Maples; Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity led by Sue Sidney and Dr. Gloria Scott; For the Love of God: the Epistles of John led by Rev. Arlene Turner, Rev. Linda Gwathmey and Dr. Karen Douglas and Computer Classes led by Ralph Thompson. While the adults were deep in study, Youth and Children had their own studies.
Youth met with Susan Southard and Kelli Diemert, Children with Katherine Maples and Abigail Van Winkle. Children ages 3-7 enjoyed Arts and Crafts with Katherine Sweet and Samantha Schneider Costello. One of their projects was to pick up sticks from the ground to prevent damage to the golf carts which were used to transport those of us who had difficulty walking. With these sticks they made crosses and decorated them in various ways, offering them to the participants for a small donation. Initially, the donation was to be used for scholarships but at the end of the school, the youth decided to send the money to Haiti Relief! Be proud of our youth! They are true Methodists! True Missionaries!
UMW members throughout the Conference had prepared and brought 500 birthing kits and numerous health kits to be sent to UMCOR and from there to be distributed throughout the world. At last count more than $1300 had been collected as well for this purpose. When I inquired from various UMW members how the experience impacted their own personal growth I received many of the same answers: “a recognition of unity despite differences in opinion”; “a celebration of healing”; “that we have been called to move from our own comfort zone into the unknown for the love of Jesus”; and that “all age groups are disciples”. We had great fun between sessions, during game nights and just being together! See YOU next summer!
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It’s hard for me to believe sometimes, but I get paid to do this!
Some jobs are tiresome, and others are rewarding. Some you wake up, jump out of bed, ready to tackle the day. Others are wearisome, and you dread the dawn of morning. That being said, I think I might just have the best job in the world. Here’s my schedule. I conduct 15 events per year with students. I travel, meet with youth leaders, and visit local churches. And each year, at summer camps, Midwinter’s and other outings, I get to see the harvest of God being gathered.
Some times we labor and yet never see what God is doing. Other times we plant and hope and pray the seed will take root. But through the ministry of the local church and the conference, we see the ripening up of the body of Christ right before our eyes.
Let me give you an example. I’ve just completed my eleventh summer in this position as the Director of Youth for the Southwest Texas Conference.
I’ve led 45 summer camps, over 60 Midwinter Retreats, and countless of other gatherings of young people. I devote my entire summer (6 weeks or more) to organizing and attending opportunities for growth and God-encounters. And I get paid to do it!
So, I was in worship this past week at Quest Camp, our big Sr. High camp at Mt. Wesley, and once again, in our two hour-plus worship service, God shows up. It’s not planned, it’s not scripted, but it is definitely something for which we have prayed and hoped. Now I know God is always present - but not in this way. God was moving students to confess (on the microphone in front of 200 of their friends). God was moving youth to ask for prayers of healing. Students were broken and rejoicing, fallen and standing, weeping and laughing. The Spirit of freedom, grace, and release was upon us, and I didn’t have a thing to do with it.
For that night, we decided not to plan. We decided not to orchestrate a response. The band played, the preacher preached, and the Body of Christ responded to it’s Head, it’s Master – Jesus. It was amazing, beautiful, and fantastic to see the Spirit of God bringing a Spirit of revival again upon His children.
And the funny thing is – I get paid for this. I guess I am working, doing ministry, shepherding, but really – I’m just showing up. God’s doing the work, yet I share in the credit and the blessing. Out of this experience was birthed a continuation of this spirit of renewal into a new fall event called the Methodist Youth Tent Revival. It’s going to happen in November, will be a 24-period of prayer, worship, and celebration – and the amazing thing is that it’s a part of my job description.
I laugh with joy that I might do this work, God’s work, in the life of His Body, in the midst of the Church. That while some jobs are tiresome and full of worry – mine brings forth tears of joy, an encounter with Christ, and an assurance that God is with us. And the funny thing that still boggles my mind is… I get paid for this.
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What do we Believe as United Methodists?
On Monday Agust 2nd, John Steward, the popular satric host of The Daily Show on the Comedy Central channel, was reviewing the wedding the previous weekend of former Presidential First Daughter Chelsea Clinton to her long-time boyfriend, a young man of the Jewish faith. Stewart noted that a rabbi presided at the ceremony, and that a “Methodist minister” attended on behalf of the Clintons. In his comments Stewart asked what “Methodists” believe, and answered his own question by conjecturing something to the effect that they pay $50 online and check a box stating “I believe all of the above”, and are saved. Stewart, of course, is Jewish also, and meant nothing against us, just doing his job tossing out nightly banter. Yet, as is often the case with satire, was he thrusting a painful truth in our faces?
As a layman born and raised in the Methodist/United Methodist Church, I learned the Apostles’ Creed early on, while wondering what they meant by putting “Catholic” in there. I repeated the other versions when the liturgy called for them, and noticed the distictions in wording, mulling over why this or that phrase was added or subtracted and if each change was significant to me. The past year, I helped teach our Confirmand Class at Westlake UMC, and got the wonderful privilege of hearing 12 and 13 year-olds chew on those same issues. What I heard confirmed my own experience; these are simple but tough truths for everyone to digest and assimilate.
John Stewart’s comedy aside, there are many in our denomination today asking us all to consider whether we have become too lax in teaching our beliefs, and decidedly reticent in speaking them. We have added “witness” to our vows to reinforce the responsibility all of us have to tell others about the Gospel lessons of Jesus’ teachings, death and resurrection, and God’s grace enveloping us all. The difficulty lies in what to say at that pivotal moment when another person’s life has turned in such a way that they are in need of hearing what we believe. I find myself in those moments repeatedly, most often when modeling best behaviors is needed and the opportunity is there to tell someone why I acted the way I did. There should be “no brag, just fact” in it, and it is always a challenge.
Do we know what we believe? If you’ve looked in the front of the Book of Discipline, you’ve seen TWO sets of beliefs we have as United Methodists, a product of compromise during our merger in 1968 with the Evangelical United Brethren. Our Council of Bishops has not tackled the task of merging the two, preferring to put off the inevitable fight to another, hopefully better day. That’s understandable, but it also invites the kind of satirical swipe comedians take at people who take themselves more seriously than perhaps their current accomplishments deserve. We need to reaquaint ourselves constantly with what we believe, and to make sure others know what we believe as Christians and United Methodists. Are we ready to do that?
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Hands to Work, Hearts to God Quilting Ministry
Quilts for the Soul is the prayer quilt ministry of Jefferson United Methodist Church, San Antonio. Comprising people who want to use their skills to helps others, the group hand crafts quilts for those in need of God’s love and comfort. To date, Quilts for the Soul has made and distributed 117 quilts. Recipients include parishioners, nursing home residents, Child Protective Services and the Wounded Warriors at Ft. Sam Houston.
Interspersed among each quilt are strands of thread designed to be tied into knots. Before the quilts are donated, the pastor at Jefferson makes a special dedication during the Sunday worship service. Afterward, parishioners are shown how to tie the quilts and encouraged to pray over each knot. Each quilt is delivered with a brochure explaining how to pray with it along with the prayers that have already been said.
Jefferson UMC members founded Quilts for the Soul in the spring of 2008. Since then, many from other denominations have joined the ministry— all united by the desire to do God’s will. The program is under the auspices of the Jefferson Wesley nurse. The group meets once a month on the second Monday except during the summer. Anyone interested in joining the group may call Jefferson UMC at (210) 735-5221 to find out the next meeting date.
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Retired Pastor Publishes a Memoir “Gaither’s Corner”
Chuck McCullough, retired elder of the United Methodist Church, and currently pastor to the home-bound and hospitalized of the Helotes Hills United Methodist Church, Helotes, TX, at age 78 has published his first book., Gaither’s Corner. The major portion of his work is a chronicle of his boyhood in Indiana with focus on his attempts to find peace with the only God he knew - a judgmental, perfection-demanding deity.
Though he believes his parents, pastors, and other mentors were not evil people, he has come to believe that child-rearing such as he experienced, amounts to a sinister form of child abuse. The last third of the book leap-frogs 50 years to a time when he, now retired, has a fantasy of what the God he hopes we have would say to us if that God would speak to us through a modern method - the computer.
Of this book the late Dr. Cecil Findley of Madison, Wisconsin, wrote: “In his memoir…McCullough addresses the great divide within Christianity today between an authentic following of Jesus the Christ and the Right Wing, which many of us feel has hijacked…Christianity.…he has developed and relied on a good “head” understanding of the God who comes to us in love and reconciliation, but he has remained damaged inside by the judgmental (God) inflicted on him as a youth and it is to be hoped that this writing will be cathartic for him (and) this cleansing will also be helpful to others seeking to find a faith that makes them whole. It is a good story of spiritual victory, engagingly told.”
Also, Reverend Jay Brown writes: “I can see in Chuck’s story the little guy who grew up loved but was unable to process that love…with images of a demonic, authoritarian, and insane creator…This book is a gift of grace to all who have questioned, rejected and/or just wondered what its really all about…this is a companion on the trip to health and wholeness.(the later pages of the book) which Chuck admits is a literary device he used to dialogue with that part of him that has helped gain clarity and understanding of God’s nature is right on target any sincere seeker who is looking for a companion on the journey of faith (will) find one in Chuck McCullough.” Further, Dr. George Ricker, of Austin, TX write: “This brief book covers the childhood of the author… in two fundamentalist churches. He recalls God appearing as angry, vengeful, and authoritarian.
The author ”quotes” numerous paragraphs of fundamentalist preaching. Instead of actual quotes I suspect that he does what a Roman historian said when asked how he remembered the substance of Cicero’s speeches. He responded that he wrote what he thought it was appropriate for Cicero to say on specific occasions. I think (the author) remembers verbatim many phrases…but entire paragraphs fit the Roman author’s process. McCullough also remembers his feelings of guilt and always sensing he was not right religiously.…the second half of this volume skips almost fifty years. In between the author has had college and seminary training and has experienced intellectual and theological maturation. His new insights are graphically described as “messages from God”…he called this “fantasizing”…He has distilled years of growth in these pages and presents an understanding stemming from contemporary biblical scholarship and insights of progressive Christianity. I find no problem with his insights that shifted from a judgmental to a loving God whose love does not discriminate but encompasses all of humanity. There is no Judaic of Christian triumphalism here only a recognition that the identification of that mystery we call God is reflected in many religions.
This book will be helpful for those with a fundamentalist upbringing who find themselves struggling with a more current orientation but still live with a residue of that which was impressed upon them in earlier years.” One can learn more about “Gaither’s Corner” at the website: www.revchuckmccullough.com Or, he can be contacted by e-mail: cdm.jean1@yahoo.com
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Revised Book Incorporates Feedback Received Since 2007
A revised edition of Watching Over One Another In Love: A Wesleyan Model for Ministry Assessment incorporates additional material based on feedback the author received since the book was first released in 2007.
The book, published by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, was written and revised by the Rev. Gwendolynn Purushotham, senior pastor at Main Street United Methodist Church in Nashua, N.H. Formerly director of clergy supervision and accountability with GBHEM, Purushotham has extensive experience in issues related to ministerial supervision and oversight, assessing clergy effectiveness, and congregational leadership.
“This book offers United Methodist congregations a model for assessing the ministry of their clergy and lay leadership that is grounded in a covenant of mutual support and accountability,” said Hendrik Pieterse, GBHEM’s director of Scholarly Research and Book Editor. Drawing on Wesleyan themes of grace and responsibility, Purushotham provides step-by-step guidance for creating a covenant-based ministry assessment process that holds persons accountable for fruit-bearing faith while enabling the experience of ministry assessment to be edifying for both the church and the pastor.
This book will be useful for staff-parish relations committees and clergy and lay leadership teams in United Methodist congregations;
bishops, cabinets, and district superintendents; persons pursuing ordained ministry and those mentoring them in the process, and faculty teaching United Methodist polity and pastoral care. Bishop Marcus Matthews, episcopal leader of the Upper New York Annual Conference and president of GBHEM, said the book is a “must-read” for any bishop, district superintendent, or Board of Ordained Ministry and staff parish relation committee that is serious about providing a tool to help support and hold clergy accountable in The United Methodist Church.
“The author offers an excellent theological framework for why we watch over one another in love. This book offers practical help that can be used in group discussions. The Rev. Purushotham’s treatment of ministry assessment is a fresh approach for any person in a supervisory position,” Matthews said. The revised edition, available in August from GBHEM, can be pre-ordered now from Cokesbury at www.cokesbury.com or 1-800-672-1789 for $12.95. The ISBN number is 978-0-938162-72-8.
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Opportunities
MUSICIANS WANTED
Contemporary Christian band seeks talented
keyboard player, drummer, and vocalist to play
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Sunday at Canyon
Lake United Methodist Church. Auditions are
being held Sundays 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Call the church office at 830-899-7104 (M-Th,
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. to noon) to schedule
an audition time.
FLOOR TILES
300 used protective floor tiles for sale that were
used for skate ministry at University UMC San
Antonio. We just got some new ones, so now we
have a whole bunch that we don’t need. They can
be used to protect gym floors or any floors that
you don’t want spills or marks getting on. Contact
Matt Layton at matt.layton@uchurch.tv
Briefs
Invitation
The Board of Directors of The Texas Conference
of Churches Invites you to join us In a Service of
Worship, Installation, and Celebration for Laura
Vaught Lincoln Executive Director Texas Conference
of Churches Friday, September 10, 2010 7:30 pm.
The Chapel at St. Louis the King of France Roman
Catholic Church 7601 Burnet Road Austin, TX 78757
There will be a reception following the service. RSVP:
tcc@txconfchurches.org or 512-451-0991
Guidebook Filled with Details
about UM-related Schools
A new guidebook that provides a wealth of information
about the 121 United Methodist-related schools,
colleges, universities, and theological schools should
help high school students easily compare tuition,
degrees awarded, and possible financial aid. The
Guidebook of United Methodist-Related Schools,
Colleges, Universities, and Theological Schools will
be useful for students, pastors, youth leaders, and
parents who want to learn more about United
Methodist-related educational institutions. In addition
to information about the 98 United Methodist-related
colleges, the guidebook contains a sketch of the 13
United Methodist theological schools, and the 10
college preparatory schools. Each institution’s Web
site, as well as contact information for the admission
office, a list of degrees offered, and information about
religious life on campus, dorms, and sports are all
included. Order online for $5 at www.cokesbury.com
or call 1-800-672-1789.
San Antonio District
The San Antonio District staff has compiled
the information for Page 3 and paid to use
the space as a district newsletter.
Carl Rohlfs
Superintendent
carlds@umcswtx.org
Kathy Kafora
Admin. Assistant
ksk@umcswtx.org
Terry McCandless
Program Director
tmccand@umcswtx.org
Address:
16400 Huebner Road
San Antonio, TX 78248
District Office Program Office
(210) 408-4520 (210) 408-4533
Fax: (210) 408-4521
www.unitedmethodistsadistrict.com
District Calendar
September
6 - District office closed for Labor Day.
8 - “Introduction to Christian Theology”,
UM Center, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
21 - Committee on Ordained Ministry,
Community Room, UM Center.
23 - District Professionals Meeting, 9:30,
Alamo UMC 4071 Foster Rd.
25 - Rethink Worship: a day with Marcia
McFee, 9:30-3, St. John’s UMC, Austin.
October
5 - Interpretation of the Bible begins 6:30pm
Community Room, UM Center.
Victoria District
The Victoria District staff has compiled
the information for Page 6 and paid to
use the space as a district newsletter.
Terrence Hayes
Superintendent
Linda Curl
Admin. Assistant
Judith Johnson
Program Director
judith@satx.rr.com
Lori Koonce
District Editor
lflemingkoonce2003k@yahoo.com
Address:
5606 N. Navarro, Suite 200 C&D
Victoria, TX 77904
District Office Program Office
(361) 573-4233 (361) 573-4233
Fax: (361) 573-4392
District Calendar
August
17-18 - NCDC Training Event, Plano, TX.
20-22 - Cabinet
25 - Transformation & New Church
Development Training Session.
28 - DCOM Planning 9-4, Hallettsville
First UMC.
September
2 - Conference Board of Pensions
6 - Labor Day Holiday, District Office
Closed.
11 - ACCOM
14 - Pastors & Professionals 10 a.m.,
Cathedral Oaks.
18 - Victoria District UMW Annual
Meeting, St. Marks, Victoria.
19 - Charge Conferences held; First
UMC.
28-29 - Cabinet
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