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February 25, 2011
Volume 157, Number 24
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Making disciples means embracing change
Leaders ‘rethink’ what ministry looks like in their communities
By Rachel L. Toalson
Managing Editor
Sometimes a church becomes a recognizable, comfortable part of a community, and the people who live around it use it to mark their land. “Turn left at the Methodist Church,” or, “If you get to the Methodist church, you’ve gone too far,” they say.
Sometimes a church turns inside out to deliver a loaf of bread, or maybe two, to the people around it, the people who wondered by what miracle they could possibly make the six more pieces they had left provide two more days of lunches for their three children.
Sometimes a church becomes a safe, peaceful pillar that embraces the work-weary man on his way home from work, a light to guide the weary.
So it is with Aldersgate UMC, one of three churches that comprise Corredor de Esperanza in downtown San Antonio.
“Something cool happened last week,” said the Rev. Bob Clark, a full-time pastor with the Corredor. “A man said that when he gets off the city bus, he finds his way home by the steeple of (Aldersgate). He uses the steeple to get home.
“Sometimes a church has a ministry it doesn’t even know about. We never would have thought our building would guide this guy home from work.
The Corredor, begun in June 2010, is a mission district in San Antonio that exists under the Metropolitan Mission Board with boundaries within Interstate 10 East, Interstate 37 South and Loop 410 Southeast. It includes the churches Aldersgate, Epworth and Highland Terrance UMCs.
It’s a new way to do church—combining resources, sharing leaders, stripping away boundaries.
And it’s just one of many ways the Southwest Texas Conference is embracing renewal among its congregations.
Renewing = updating facilities
Some churches have created new spaces within existing buildings.
For First UMC, Mission, that was a new welcome center, a touch point for the people who are first-time guests, regular attendees and fully invested leaders.
New construction enclosed a previously open breezeway, added a coffee area and a book nook and, perhaps most importantly, got rid of some iron gates, said the Rev. Bill Duke, a pastor of the church.
“To keep (the church) secure, there were these iron gates that looked like prison bars,” Duke said. “Those are gone. We don’t look like the jailhouse church. (It looks) much more inviting than it ever was before.”
The coffee area also includes some café-style tables where people can mingle before and after services. At the “miniature bookstore,” the youth of the church sell crosses and items they’ve made, he added.
Howard E. Mims, pastor of William Taylor UMC, Luling, said he and church members decided to “revitalize” their church building for a “vitalized community.”
After observing how frequently big events were held in Luling, he and church members thought it might be beneficial to enlarge their facilities and, instead of people holding events at the civic center, the church could host the events and accept a donation for the utilities.
Already the townspeople are using their facilities, Mims said.
Two handicap restrooms in the fellowship hall have been installed, and all the kitchen facilities were renovated, thanks to a group of NOMADS who did the work for free, Mims said.
The church also had some “beautiful stained glass windows” installed.
All the work has “excited” his church members, Mims said.
“They bring people to see what the Lord has done,” he said. “When relatives come to town, they can’t wait to take them down to our church. And it’s excited the community, too. When you have a funeral in Luling, everybody in the town wants to come out. So we gather for a love feast.
“Our main goal is to save souls and have a place attractive enough to make people want to be a part of our church family.”
The Rev. Donald Ray Duvall, pastor of Martindale UMC, said he was sent to the church eight years ago to close it down. The building was in disrepair, but Duvall didn’t think it was finished with its ministry.
So he challenged members to clean up their church.
Eight years later, he said, they have spent $250,000 on new construction and refurbishing the building—and they haven’t borrowed a dime . They do what they can when they can do it, and when something comes up that needs to be done, “the people open up their wallets,” he said.
He said he believes the church has turned around because the congregation knows its “pastor is going to be here for the long haul” and they have strong male leadership in the church.
“The men in our church step up,” Duvall said. “They’re here spiritually. They lead in prayer when necessary. They read the Scripture. They do what lay men have been called to do.”
A typical worship service at the church lasts about an hour, Duvall said, and after the service, members sit down to a meal together.
The church also has a free library that’s open on the weekends. They hold children’s programs in the summer and invite the community. Martindale UMC has also connected with the other local Methodist churches, and on the fifth Sunday evening, they gather for an old-fashioned hymn singing.
It still has its challenges, Duvall said.
“In a small church like this that’s been here a hundred years, they’ve got a history with the community,” he said. “That’s why they have to have a pastor who is willing to come and stay. In these small churches, every two years there’s a (pastoral) change. The people aren’t going to get involved in anything.
“Unless we reach the point where Methodists become John Wesleys again and are willing to go share the message with the lost, we’re not ever going to grow.”
At First UMC, Pflugerville, adding a third worship service and encouraging members to start small groups have helped revitalize the existing community, said the Rev. Monte Marshall, pastor.
The third service was added in 2008 and is designed to reach 25- to 45-year-olds.
“We were really not reaching that group as effectively as we thought we could,” Marshall said. “And that is actually the largest demographic group in Pflugerville.”
He said the church has grown 10 percent since the service was begun. On average, about 90 people attend the “new service.”
But more significantly, Marshall said, the age level of the church has decreased.
The service, called “Creekside Gathering” has a “different feel” than other services, Marshall said. People sit in movable chairs and drink coffee or eat snacks while worshiping to “top 40 Christian” music like the songs they hear on the radio.
Even the lighting is different. Tables are set up in the back of the room so families can sit with their children and still feel like they’re a part of the service.
“We were very intentional about designing this service in a way that was intended to reach folks who were not here,” Marshall said. “And it’s really energized some of the people who had grown inactive within the congregation. So it accomplished two things.”
In 2009 leaders also began a small group ministry. Seven small groups meet consistently and involve about 75 people, Marshall said.
The Rev. Stephen Sanders, pastor of Spring Creek UMC, said his church added another service in October 2010 to address the growth of the church.
“In order to reach new people, we needed to make more space,” he said.
But the new service was the opposite of what many churches do. Because the one service the church already had featured praise and worship choruses, the new service featured more of the “familiar hymns.”
The service has been successful in reaching people who had not previously been coming to the church, he said.
“People are finding a new home here,” he said. “Some people have tried this church before, and even though there’s not that big a change in the music, it’s a big enough one that the people are saying they want to make this their church home.”
But what it’s done on the sidelines, he said, is energize the people who were already coming to Spring Creek.
One of the biggest challenges the congregation faces, he added, is creating a space for people between the two services where they can fellowship with one another.
“Two years ago this was a church where everybody knew everyone else,” Sanders said. “Everyone was known by name. We knew when they were gone. Now we’re a church where we don’t know everyone’s name.
“One of my concerns here is that we’ve got a big front door right now, but if we’re not intentional about planting small groups, we’re going to have a big back door.”
Renewing = trying new things
At the Corredor, Clark said leaders are looking to start some ministries in apartment complexes around the neighborhoods of the individual churches. Ideas include parenting classes, Bible studies and small group worship.
Leaders delivered 300 loaves of bread to the people around Aldersgate UMC to publicize about the new service at the church. The service “has less structure, and people pray, sing songs and eat together,” Clark said.
They’ve been seeing new people and meeting their neighbors, he added.
He and leaders will also be putting together a team to start an Alpha course at Epworth UMC, specifically targeted to reach new people. They’ve also talked about doing a storefront in the area, after realizing, “some people just won’t come into the building,” Clark said.
And at Highland Terrance, they have plans to begin a coffeehouse and an afterschool program for the kids who get off the school bus stop that’s near the church and “hang out on the steps,” he said.
“We’re living now in a time that’s post-Christian, and while we have these churches here, these churches have been, until very recently, losing members while the neighborhoods are growing,” Clark said. “What that tells me is the way we’ve been presenting the gospel up to this point is not working. We’re just trying to respond to that.”
Rachel Wright, director of congregational excellence for the Austin District, said the district churches have been responding to the general church’s call to renew congregations.
Kyle UMC has a kickball team called Pray Hard. It competes in the city’s intramural league and has been a “visible presence in the community and changed the ethos of the whole league,” she said. Team members share prayer with their competitors every week and have “gained new members and new fans of Kyle UMC.”
Eric Vogt is pastoring a new church, Servant Church. The church features emergent worship, hands-on activities during services and regular service projects in an effort to reach out to adults 35 and younger.
Wright said Elgin’s youth ministry has taken off because of outreach to the community. And La Grange started a Logos program with the school children in the community and provides meals in the summertime for those children who depend on school lunch programs.
Trinity UMC, Austin, has recently relocated in the Hyde Park neighborhood and is using the larger and more visible Hyde Park UMC facilities. The church is “trying to reach out to the people in Hyde Park to find out how they can create a place that meets the needs of the community,” Wright said.
Renewing = important
Clark said churches cannot continue to function the way they’ve always done.
“This is not the world it was in the 1950s, when we were growing and all we had to do was invite people to church,” Clark said. “People’s need for the gospel is as great as it ever was, but we’re not able to reach those people with the word in our traditional forms. It no longer works to just expect people to come to us. We’re going to have to think of lots of different ways to be the church in the future, if we’re going to have a future, and we need to move very quickly.
“We’ve been very slow to respond. Our churches show that in their reduced worship attendance and the economic situation that most of the small churches are in. We’ve waited 20 years beyond where we should have been doing these things. So there’s a real sense of urgency.”
Wright said she understands the importance of revitalization and congregational excellence because she’s a pastor’s kid.
“The United Methodist Church has been central to my Christian formation and to my personal identify,” she said. “I’m a United Methodist like I’m a Texan. It’s native to me. It’s in my blood. Still, I am aware that the Methodist Church’s membership—and with it the vitality of the church—has declined significantly in my lifetime. I feel most frantic about that decline when I think of my own infant son and whether or not Methodism will be a vibrant, viable option for him when he’s my age.
“Our Wesleyan tradition and theology still offer something unique and life-giving to the world, even with all the social, economic and technical change our culture has absorbed in the last 30 years. But without new places for new people—spaces made intentionally and sometimes with difficulty—we United Methodists won’t be able to be the strong witness in the world that we have been historically.”
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Youth ministry office selects summer interns, chaplain
Each year the Southwest Texas Conference Office of Youth Ministries selects two interns for the upcoming summer youth events. This year’s are Clay Wiemers and Haley Payne. Todd Jones has been chosen as Chaplain.
Since 2004 the Office of Youth Ministry has partnered with the conference Board of Ordained Ministry to offer the position to two applicants who are considering a call to ministry. Eleven interns have served in the position.
Applicants must be a high school graduate by the start of the summer and feel God calling them to full-time vocation ministry. Students interested in this position apply each year in December. The decision is made Jan. 1.
The interns, one male and one female, will help lead and oversee the 20-person high school-age Servant Team, which helps staff the four weeks of camping ministry of the Southwest Texas Conference. The interns lead and participate in a pre and a post retreat for training, development and leadership of the Servant Team. They will also attend Annual Conference to get a glimpse of the business life of the church.
“I cannot tell you how blessed we have been and continue to be that our local churches produce for us such quality individuals for this position,” said the Rev. Rusty Freeman, conference director of youth ministries. “This year we had more applicants then previous years, and the decision was difficult. However, having Clay and Haley in this position will further enhance our camping ministry and help reach more students for Jesus Christ.”
Wiemers is a member of Fredericksburg UMC and a high school senior at Fredericksburg High School. He has been deeply involved in conference youth ministry events for six years. He is also the grandson of retired elder and United Methodist pastor, the Rev. Bill Wiemers from Stonewall.
“I applied for intern because I felt God was pushing me to take the next step in leadership, as I have been on servant team for the past two years,” Wiemers said. “I have seen God move through the Southwest Texas Conference and felt God calling me to be a part of this movement.”
Payne currently lives in Harlingen and attends the First UMC, where her father, the Rev. David Payne, is the senior pastor. Like Wiemers, Payne has been on the Servant Team and has attended summer camps and Midwinters for more than seven years.
“God has given me a heart that breaks when I see pain and loneliness, and I feel called to seek out that pain and share God’s love with the people who need it,” Payne said.
Todd Jones, freshman at the University of Texas in Austin, and a long-time member of Mercedes UMC, has been involved in conference camps for many years, will be filling a brand new role as Servant Team Chaplain.
“Todd has always been eager to assist in any task asked of him,” said the Rev. Ryan Barnett, chair of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries. “I have witnessed his willingness to cheerfully address any task before him. He is a true servant who gives his leadership with a great spirit and heart.”
Jones said he feels a call to ministry and will be writing and leading devotions, planning a noon-day worship and overseeing the newly renamed Work crew (formerly Junior Counselors).
“It is a joy to have all three of these young persons in up front leadership this summer,” Freeman said. “A great pleasure in my life comes from watching young people who are fired up for God. Clay, Haley and Todd are fine examples of the type of leaders we need leading our churches both today and in the future.”
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Who’s in our ‘congregational petri dish’? How grows our culture?
By Linda Keen
A day of Christian faith formation for self and others is offered at Northern Hills UMC, San Antonio, March 29, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. It’s designed for anyone involved in faith development across the life span—specifically local church Christian educators, weekday ministry directors and confirmation leaders. Participants may choose one morning and one afternoon seminar. Lunch will be provided.
MORNING SEMINARS: A) Intergenerational Ministry—Look at a plethora of ideas for all ages learning and growing together, led by the Rev. Nancy McDougall, conference deacon, member CEF National; B) Weekday Ministry Directors Colloquy—Roundtable talk for directors only on the changes and challenges in church-sponsored weekday ministries, led by the Rev. Margaret Persky, retired conference deacon, former CEF national design team member; or, C) Long-range Age-level Discipleship—Creating more than scope and sequence in making disciples, led by Linda Keen conference Leadership Development director, SCJ member CEF National Board.
AFTERNOON SEMINARS: 1) Confirmation Resources—Confirmation is a critical component of creating a culture of growth. Best practices of successful confirmation programs will be shared by Kercida McClain, Laurel Heights UMC, San Antonio who’s a conference CEF member. This seminar introduces the multi-age supplement being prepared by the conference Board of Discipleship’s CFE team; or, 2) Self Care—Healing the spirit through care for the body and soul can yield the joyful, effective and fruitful ministry God is gifting. Join in an adventure in healing and wholeness led by the Rev. Dr. Lynn Barton, conference elder and faculty member of the conference Parish Christian Educator School.
The seminars are a collaboration of the conference Christian Educators Fellowship (CEF) and Christian Formation/Education (CFE) team, SWTC Board of Discipleship. Fee is $25 per person with a $5 discount for conference CEF chapter members. To register, contact Carol Ann Weston by March 25: 135 Methodist Encampment Rd., Kerrville, TX, 78028; caweston1@hotmail.com.
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Kerrville District news
The times, they are a-changin’
Forty-seven years ago the poet and songwriter Bob Dylan released a new album – “The Times They Are a-Changin.’ It was January of 1964. The song was an iconic civil rights or anti-war anthem even though it was not written in that vein. Dylan himself said “I didn’t mean “The Times They Are a-Changin’” as a statement... It’s a feeling.” And oh, what a feeling change has brought to us since the song was written. Sometimes the pace of change is so fast for us today it is though Dylan’s 33 rpm record has been playing at 78 rpm. And if you know what that means you are at least as old as me!
So much has and is changing! Dylan? He’s OLD now. His iconic song has been used for accounting firm and bank commercials! It has been so hard for all of us, as individuals, as corporations, as churches to feel and think and grow through this increasingly rapid change all around us. It seems as though nothing has been tied down as the hurricanes of change blows through. Governments are swept away, corporations collapse, and churches? Well, we are having a hard time too. Can I get an “amen.”
Across our country hundreds of churches are closing every day. Changing populations is probably the leading cause. Members have moved – across the city or across the Jordan. And we are not reaching new people. It is though those and our churches were once begun to reach a certain people and now certainly those people and others like them are gone! The Gospel is not gone, the Spirit is not gone, and God is not gone from those places. New people may be all around, including our own children and grandchildren. However, what we built of bricks and customs no longer is attractive to many. It just won’t sell, unless someone is into “retro.”
Have you seen the headlines? Borders, that 488 store book chain, is now bankrupt. That’s just the lastest report of a casualty to change. And a warning to others who look at the autopsy. Borders just has not changed enough quick enough, even as the times were a-changin. The books are the same, the clerks are the same, the opportunity to grown and learn is the same. Yet the means of reaching the customer has changed! And the means of reading has changed.
Have you changed? Yes, in so many ways. Your habits of living and shopping are just not the same. Has your church changed? Any young people there? Probably not many, if my touring this one district is any indication. Is the appearance and habits and customs of your church the same as always, even though the times they are a-changing? And have you noticed that no one is building buildings like yours anymore, or dressing like you anymore, or listening to the same music? Well, we are “out of style” in so many ways. And folks just aren’t buying us anymore. Reports abound about the decline of the mainline churches becoming more and more the sideline churches. We need a radical makeover!
I pray that we “catch the Spirit” of our living Lord and find the courage and the means to tell the old, old story in new and exciting ways. If we truly love our neighbors then we dinosaurs better change our shape, our DNA and our zeal of living out the Great Commission.
The first year of moving around the Kerrville District I’ve done a great deal of listening. I think the second year, and this is a warning, I’ll be singing Dylan’s anthem!
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Kerrville District happenings
Fredericksburg Choral Workshop
with Joseph Martin
Saturday, April 2, 1 to 5 p.m.
Fredericksburg UMC 1800 N. Llano (Hwy 16)
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
(830) 997-7679
Choir directors... you won’t have to get up early or get home late!
Give your choir an afternoon master class with one of the most prolific choral composers of our time! Joseph Martin brings his choral expertise, as well as some of his most exciting anthems to work with our musicians in a choral workshop geared to give our choirs an extra boost. Joseph will spend his time on the music itself as well as honing better singing techniques for choir members.
The choral rehearsal time will end with a mini-concert from Joseph Martin highlighting his incredible piano skills.
Each participant will receive a packet of 5 anthems:
A Joyful Life of Praise - (2009 Flammer)
How Beautiful the Church of God - (2010 Flammer)
Sometimes I Hear God’s Music - (2010 Flammer)
Pieta - (2005 Flammer - Good Friday Passion and John Ness Beck Foundation Award Winner)
A Resurrection Proclamation - (1994 Flammer, Easter Sunday)
Cost $20 per participant!
For more information see http://www.fredumc.org/workshop/
Johnson City
The Rev Norman Roe had his first day in the pulpit at Johnson City’s First United Methodist Church Sunday. Rev Roe is the church’s new interim pastor, covering the four-month gap between the former minister’s retirement and the appointment of a full-time replacement in June. Roe has retired twice from active Methodist ministry; first at the end of his own career and then a second time after he was lured back in a supporting role at another church. He said he is looking forward to his third retirement this summer...and hopes this time it sticks. The Rev. Roe lives in Cedar Park and his brother, Grady, pastors two nearby UMC churches, at Buchanan Dam and Walnut.
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Corpus Christi News
Are you shining your light into darkness?
At the Brush Country Awards Banquet on February 16, we were reminded of the many ways that we as disciples are able to Shine Light into the Darkness. As the 220 people gathered, we heard stories of how the youngest to the eldest have reflected Christ’s light into the places where they find themselves. Over and over we heard how the youngest disciples willingly and joyfully, offer themselves to others as they seek to make Christ known in their churches and communities. One young lady has been a role model for other children in her church each week as she brings her offering to children’s time so that it can be sent across the globe to help the children in Zimbabwe. Teen disciples modeled shining Christ’s light in the world as well. As living examples they are found to assist in worship by offering their gifts of music, delivering sermons, and helping in various ways. One of these young people chose to spend part of his summer working in mission through Sea City Work Camp in the Corpus Christi area and another week working in a poverty stricken area of Tennessee. Within the stories of the Adult Disciples those of us gathered were exposed to new ministries and possibilities that can be taken back to our own churches where we can use them to illuminate the darkness. Over the years there have been some who wonder if we need to have a Banquet and Awards Celebration. Yet, I believe that coming together to celebrate ministry and those who are answering God’s tug on their lives, is important and helpful to us all. It gives us new ideas, it encourages us to live into our purpose, helps us to understand that we are connected, and it reminds us that we are partners with our Lord. In the day’s ahead think about where Christ is calling you to Shine Light into the Darkness.
Corpus Christi District happenings
Linda Morrow
Ministries Director
District Confirmation Rally
The District Confirmation Rally will be held at Beeville First UMC April 9 with Bishop Jim Dorff. Confirmands and their families are invited to arrive by 9:30 a.m. with worship beginning at 10:00 a.m. One of the highlights of our time together will be the Bishop placing a cross from the Holy Land around the neck of each confirmand as they are reminded that they are disciples of Jesus Christ today and throughout their lives. This year the Beeville church has graciously decided to end the morning with lunch for all confirmands and families. Please mark your calendar and make plans to attend. If you have not seen the registration and t-shirt order forms at you church, please contact Linda Morrow at ccprogram@bizstx.rr.com
Wesley Community Centers of Nueces County
Wesley Community Centers of Nueces County–one located in Robstown and the other in Corpus Christi at 4015 McArthur—give Corpus Christi District United Methodists reason to be justly proud of “our” two Mission Institutions within the bounds of our District. We are one of a very few districts that provide ministry opportunities through two mission institutions so close at hand. This is a call for a special opportunity to come to the Wesley Community Centers’ Annual Celebration Banquet to be held on March 24 in St. John’s Community Life Building at 5300 S. Alameda, 6:00 p.m. Our own district Superintendant, Rev. Eradio Valverde will be the special speaker. The Board of Directors, many of whom are newly elected, will be introduced.
During the evening there will be a silent auction with many items available for your winning bid. Perhaps “spirited” rather than “silent” auction would be more appropriate adjective. You may purchase a table for 8 at $300 which will also give you a listing in the program. Individual tickets are $30. All proceeds from auction and ticket sales will be used in meeting the ongoing and developing programs and ministries to be provided through “our” centers.
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McAllen District news
Wesley UMC reaches out to families in need
On December 9, 2010, the King Family of Indian Lake, Texas returned to their community and found that their home was on fire. Brian, his wife Gemma, 12-year-old son Carl and 5-year-old daughter Angelle, watched in dismay as their entire home and all belongings were engulfed in flames. Brian said the family was grateful they were safe.
When news of the King family’s loss reached the members of Wesley UMC in Harlingen, immediate action was taken to raise funds to transport a new 3 bedroom mobile home made available through the Ministry Resource Center of Stockdale, Texas, to the Rio Grande Valley. Sufficient funds were raised to cover the costs for transporting, setting up and installing electrical and plumbing connections for the mobile home. The King’s new home was delivered on February 9th and the family is now under a new roof. Thank you to everyone who prayed, donated services, time and funds to help the King Family.
Wesley plans to continue with a mobile home ministry to serve the needs of those who have suffered crisis by loss of their home or to help those who are without a home.
The Hogar de Ninos is a Salvation Army mission that serves needy children without families and those with families who cannot support them in Matamoros, Mexico. The facility provides meals on a daily basis for over 40 children and provides a home, school and chapel for the majority of those children. Due to difficult economic conditions and violence in Mexico, this mission has been underserved and left struggling to pay the bills. Wesley UMC has ministered to Hogar de Ninos for several years, but recently decided to provide ongoing, monthly support so the mission can continue to serve the needs of the children in these tough times.
On January 23 the church held a dinner with a brief presentation by Eric Ramirez, the Capitan of the Hogar de Ninos, describing their mission and needs. Approximately 30 people from the congregation attended and after hearing of the needs, responded generously. Contributions from the dinner were enough for the orphanage to purchase a new commercial stove and refrigerator and provided funds to be distributed over the next several months for regular expenses.
Although a good start was made, there is still an urgent need to raise additional ongoing support for this ministry. Next month, Wesley members will have the opportunity to “Give Me Five, ”committing to an ongoing monthly pledge for the Hogar de Ninos.
Around the District
Falfurrias First UMC hosts Nomads
The Nomads came to Falfurrias and made an impact! The Wesley Nurse at the Falfurrias First UMC was aware of a member of the community who needed help. “Sheilla” was a grandmother raising her grandchildren on a meager income. Her home needed many repairs. The Nomads were willing and able to “step up” and make a difference in “Sheilla’s” life. With money from the local Community of Shalom outreach the Hands of Hope Thrift Shop, donations from the First UMC congregation and the Nomads themselves, work began. A hot water heater was installed, hotplate purchased, bathroom plumbing was replaced, new front and rear doors with locks installed, many windows and other cracks sealed, ceiling fan repaired and kitchen cabinets repainted. Exterior plumbing work continues. This project which used several resources of the United Methodist Church has made a big difference to “Sheilla” and her family. Praise God!
The recipients of this year’s Bishop’s Exemplar Awards for the McNorth and McSouth laity banquets for the McAllen District.
McNorth: Dr. Lowell Wilder - FUMC Falfurrias
McSouth: Susan Geissler - FUMC McAllen
Many others were also recognized for thier time and service to their church and communities. It was truely a time of celebration for the McAllen District. Great job!
Falfurrias Community Garden
Falfurrias has the beginning of a Community Garden. This garden will begin with the school children from the area Elementary School being able to plant, grow and eat their own food. This garden is a combined effort between the Texas Agriculture Department, Falfurrias I.S.D., Falfurrias FUMC, and the community. The installation of the above ground gardens provided by the Texas Agriculture Department was performed by the UMC Nomads with funds provided by a grant from United Methodist Healthcare Ministries.
The target of the project is to provide the Falfurrias I.S.D. with the resource needed to teach their Elementary students where “real food” comes from. The prayer is that the students and their parents will want more gardens so this can turn into a true Community Garden.
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San Angelo District news
Are you a ‘do’ or are you a ‘maybe’
“Now to Him who by the power at work within us, is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen!”
-Ephesians 3: 20-21
The power is at work within us. A vision on its own. The power (God’s action) within us (to carry out His purpose). We should be doing this without having to think about it! During Lenten Season, may we pray for all United Methodists across the nation to reaffirm our Faith (willing to live our life on the basis of God’s love and grace), and walk in the steps of Jesus, and keep him in our hearts and minds. Know what the wimpiest word in the world is? Think you know, when I was asked the question my immediate response was the word “maybe”, do not know why except I have always thought of it as another word for NO! Anyway, back to the question. The word is “TRY”!!! Because, you either “DO” what needs to be done or you “DON’T”. When it comes to living our lives as a Christian, be a “DO”, not a maybe. Apply it in everything you do and see how many times we find ourselves “Doing” instead of “Trying”. Amen!
“YOU NEED A NEW MAP IF THE ONE YOU ARE FOLLOWING IS TAKING YOU TO THE WRONG PLACE.”
San Angelo District happenings
First UMC, Mertzon
Feeding the Multitudes:
Mark 6:30-42, John 6:1-14
It began as an observation that at lunch time at our local school, most of the students who were able, or could catch a ride, would travel to the local convenience store for chips and a soda. This coupled with the desire to rebuild our Youth program, and start a Youth outreach ministry, resulted in a commitment by our Church to begin what got to be called “Methodist Monday”. The idea was simple, want Youth? Feed them! We got the word out that any High School or Junior High student could come up to the Church on Monday for a free lunch, prayer, and a bible trivia. What started out as 13, soon turned into close to 40! (Our town is small, with only about 150 in our junior and High School combined). We had students from our church and the other church’s in town, but more importantly, almost half of those that came were “unchurched” as far as we could tell. For many, this was their first time in a Church, and in the beginning we had to be careful to explain what it was that we were talking about with this “God thing”. Our goal was not to convert or convince, but to give a glimmer of hope to those who now, or in the future find themselves lost, and without anywhere to turn. If just one of the students that we serve someday turns to God when all else has failed, then the mission has been a success!
Don’t have the resources or people to tackle an ambitious project such as this? Neither did the disciples. We ended up spending just a little over $.65 per student the first year. A lot of the food was donated by congregational members, and it only required around two to four volunteers a Monday. Our church is not large, at the present 153 members, but the rewards of the effort were well worth the trouble and cost.
Blessings and inspiration from your Brothers and Sisters at First UMC, Mertzon.
Hilda UMC Makes a Joyful Noise
The Hilda United Methodist Church, in southeastern Mason County, has really “come alive” with their music program since Nanci Gibbons (wife of retired UMC minister, Tom Gibbons) joined the church a few months ago and took over as choir director. Before she came, the choir sang about six times a year, and now they are singing every Sunday and participating in the 5th Sunday Ministerial Alliance’s music service in Mason and singing at other churches as well. The eighteen member choir has added a new dimension to the Sunday morning worship services and we seem to have new visitors every week to listen to the choir.
Besides the adult choir, Hilda also has a children’s bell choir who usually play twice a month. The Bell Choir began in 2008 under the direction of the late Rev. Jim McWilliams, who introduced the church to the Kristal Bell Method. Youth from toddlers to teens have enjoyed playing the bells and it takes no practice – all they have to do is know their colors!
Rev. Mal Hierholzer, current pastor at Hilda, invites one and all to come visit and be inspired by the wonderful music ministry of this church!
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Briefs
Advanced lay speakers training
to be March 4-6
An Advanced Lay Speakers event,
“From Your Heart to Theirs,” will be
March 4-6 at Mt. Wesley Conference Center,
610 Methodist Encampment Road in Kerrville.
It will be facilitated by lay speakers from
all seven districts.
Registration begins at 5 p.m. Friday, with dinner
served at 6. The event will conclude with lunch
on Sunday, after a closing worship at 10:30 a.m.
Register for the event by contacting
Cynthia Bedford at registrar@umcswtx.org or
(210) 408-4500 or (888) 349-4191.
Online registration is available at www.umcswtx.org.
The fee for the event is $130 for on-campus lodging
and meals and $85 for commuters with meals.
Fee includes curriculum.
Those attending should bring single bed linens,
towels, comfortable clothes, a Bible, paper
and a pen/pencil.
Alabama pastor to visit University UMC
The Health and Wellness ministry of
University UMC, San Antonio, has invited
the Rev. Rhon Carleton, pastor for the
LifeCare Ministry at the 8,000-member
Frazer Memorial UMC, Montgomery,
Ala., to present a one day workshop
for caregivers March 26. The workshop
is open to the whole community and
includes no charges except $6 for lunch.
It will be held in Room # N206 on
the North Campus, 5185 DeZavala.
To R.S.V.P., contact Laura Ibarra at
Laura@uchurch.tv or (210) 696-1033.
Corpus Christi District
The Corpus Christi District staff has compiled
the information for Page 6 and paid to use the
space as a district newsletter.
Eradio Valverde, Jr.
Superintendent
districtsuper@bizstx.rr.com
Sheila Campbell
Admin. Assistant
ccdistrict@bizstx.rr.com
Linda Morrow
Ministries Director
ccprogram@bizstx.rr.com
Address:
3510 Gollihar Road
Corpus Christi, TX 78415-2750
District Office
(361) 852-8268
Fax: (361) 852-3370
Program Office
(361) 852-8268
District Calendar
February
25-27 UMM Annual Retreat, Mt. Wesley.
28-1 Bishop’s Convocation.
March
2-3 Cabinet Meeting.
3 Sea City Workcamp, District Office,
6 p.m.
14 Newsletter Deadline.
30-31 Cabinet Meeting.
April
7 Sea City Workcamp, District Office,
6 p.m.
8 Newsletter Deadline.
9 Confirmation Rally, Beeville FUMC.
11-12 Cabinet Meeting.
14 District Professional’s Meeting,
Island in the Son UMC.
16 Advanced Lay Speaking, Goliad.
25 District Office Closed
28-29 Cabinet
29-May1 Clergy Retreat.
May
5 Sea City Workcamp Meeting, 6 pm.
7 UMM Fish Fry at St. John’s, noon.
16 Newsletter Deadline.
19-20 Cabinet Meeting
22 District Conference, St. John’s
UMC, 3-5 p.m.
McAllen District
The McAllen District staff has compiled the
information for Page 7 and paid to use the
space as a district newsletter.
Rev. Laura Merrill
Superintendent
lauramerrill@sbcglobal.net
Linda Jewell
Admin. Assistant
umcmcallen@sbcglobal.net
Oralia Sanchez
District Editor
oralia0804@yahoo.com
Address:
1909 W. Harrison St.
Harlingen, TX 78550
District Office
(956) 428-0200
Fax: (956) 428-1728
Program Office
(956) 428-0200
San Angelo District
The San Andelo District staff has compiled the
information for Page 8 and uses the space as
a district newsletter.
Larry Altman
Superintendent
sangds@suddenlinkmail.com
Amy Moore
Operations Manager
sangom@suddenlinkmail.com
Gini Christian
District Ministries Coordinator
sangpd@suddenlinkmail.com
Address:
1315 S. Abe Street.
San Angelo, TX 76903
District Office
(325) 486-1500
Fax: (325) 482-0033
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