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March 13, 2009
Volume 155, Number 43
Schedule changes mark 2009 meeting
Annual Conference business sessions to extend to Saturday morning
By Rachel L. Toalson
Managing Editor
This year’s Annual Conference session, themed “Calling Forth Younger Clergy,” has some
schedule changes that will affect clergy members and lay leaders throughout the Southwest
Texas Conference.
The session spans June 3-6.
A fifth business session has been added Saturday, June 6, beginning at 9 a.m., said the Rev.
David Seilheimer, conference secretary and treasurer.
The ordination service that used to be on Saturday morning has been moved to Friday, June 5,
at 6:30 p.m.
A worship service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, just before the awards banquet at 12:15 p.m.
The setting of appointments will be done Saturday, June 6, at the end of the business session.
It used to be held on the Thursday of the annual conference session.
In lieu of the change, pastors will sit with their existing congregations for the entire session and
will move to their new congregations at the close of the annual conference session,
Seilheimer said.
“We have a new bishop, and he wanted to make some changes,” he said.
The retired ministers and their spouses will be having a dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday instead of
a lunch, Seilheimer said.
The annual conference will still kick off with a laity gathering at 1:45 p.m. and a clergy member
session at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. A memorial worship gathering will be held at 6:30
that evening.
To view the schedule for the 2009 annual conference, CLICK HERE.
Vendors will set up tables in the display space on Thursday and Friday only. An 8-foot-by-8-foot
space will be $70, with a $50 fee added to those who request an electrical outlet. CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE. Deadline for applications is May 15.
The annual conference session will be held at the American Bank Center at 1901 N. Shoreline
Blvd. in Corpus Christi.
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Longtime conference employee retires Feb. 27
Friends and colleagues in the Southwest Texas Conference celebrated the retirement of Suzanne Delamain Feb. 27 at the United Methodist Center. Delamain has worked as an administrative secretary to the bishop for 20 years.
During that time, she served Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Jr., Bishop Raymond H. Owen, Bishop Joel N. Martinez and Bishop Jim Dorff. Delamain first joined the conference staff June 1, 1963, working as the Mount Wesley summer secretary.
During the next 26 years, she held other secretarial positions as support staff for the Conference Council Associate Executive Secretaries (known today as ‘Conference Directors’). Dalia Trevino will take over as Bishop Jim Dorff’s administrative assistant.
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This Lenten season, consider Jesus Christ
Jim Dorff
Bishop, San Antonio Area
I have a Blackberry. Will wonders never cease? Who would have ever thought such a thing would happen? Certainly not my wife, my children, my friends, my colleagues and especially not ME.
Don’t ask me why I have it. I don’t really know. It’s just that...well, everyone else has one. They use it all the time. Surely there is something helpful about having one. Even most of the other bishops sit around looking at and doing stuff with theirs. I have a need to fit in, you know. Plus, it’s a conversation starter. “What kind do you have? Hard to use? Look at this! Can you believe it? Need a haircut? Just a minute...I’ll get you the address. Really? You’ve got to be kidding!”
My, my. What an amazing world we live in. I think about the challenges before us, the painful reverses of financial and relational resources we can suffer and the world seems to be a very scary place these days. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and we have been so blessed, but is disaster right around the corner? Is misery lurking? Do we just go about our business as usual or do we pull the covers over our heads and hope for the best? Rather strange times we live in.
On the one hand we have tools to use that were not even imagined two generations ago. On the other, will they somehow all be taken away from us? I wish I knew. But, “ask me one great thing I know, that delights and stirs me so? What the high reward I win? Whose the name I glory in? Jesus Christ the crucified.”
This Lenten season I invite you to consider not what may or may not happen to you, but, rather, what happened to Jesus. Unthinkable...but true. His trip to the cross for us made new life possible, regardless of the circumstances. Therefore, I invite you to focus in these days, not on the world maround you, but on the new life within you! Blessings for a Holy Lent. P.S. Will someone please show me how to use this thing?
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New class attends New Church Leadership meeting
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How do we respond to stormy waters?
Virgilio Vazquez-Garza
San Antonio District Superintendent
Some time ago, the Reverend David McNitzky gave a meditation where he described how he and another person were enjoying the beach, having the waves break by their legs. Then, a large wave came and tossed them around, and they were struggling to get to sure footing.
That image has returned to my mind with the recent crisis the whole world is living. We all knew we were standing like David at a place where waves can happen, but we were caught by surprise. Many of us are struggling to find sure footing in the midst of the crisis.
There is something soothing and serene when we are by calm waters, and there is something terrifying in the power of stormy water.
Acacia and I have been near the sea during three different hurricanes. Something awesome, something scary. We have seen large waves destroy piers that seemed massive and storm proof.
We are living through a difficult moment. The wave caught many folks by surprise. Some are trying
to regain their footing, others are already standing up looking around to see if another wave is coming, some are hurt more than others.
The Psalmist wrote, “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” Psalm 46:2-3.
We should not let fear be the guide for our actions. We need to keep the faith and trust that God will guide us through these difficult times.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters.” Psalm 23:2.
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District Ministry helps refurbishes local churches
Leader builds group to help junior high girls become godly women
Church Connections is a ministry founded by and operating within the San Antonio District that “connects” the helping hands of volunteers to UM churches in need of repair. Church Connections works to identify churches that need help with the upkeep and maintenance of their facilities and connects them with individuals, groups and other UM churches seeking a place to be in mission. The fruits of these connections include freshly painted buildings, new roofs, spruced up landscaping and tile floors. They run the gamut from something as small as repairing a light fixture all the way to demolition and construction projects.
Church Connections is a fivestar advance special, and donations come from individuals and churches. These are used to purchase supplies, and for the occasional contractor when the job is too big or too dangerous.
Small groups such as Sunday school classes or youth groups that are looking for a service project are encouraged to call Kathy. Church Connection projects are purposely designed to be local and short-term, for those people who want to serve in San Antonio. For more information, visit www.ChurchConnectionsTx.com or check them out on Facebook. You can contact Kathy at rhess@satx.rr.com or (210) 872- 6329.
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Sacred Saturdays planned for fall
“Give instructions to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will
gain in learning.” Proverbs 9:9
Throughout the year, several opportunities to grow in knowledge and gain new skills for ministry
are offered within our District. Our “Equipping the Saints Presents Sacred Saturdays” spring
series is coming up offering training for PPR/SPRC members, providing leadership development
from a Wesleyan perspective, as well as workshop on putting together a disaster preparedness
plan for your church.
A fall series of Sacred Saturdays is currently in the planning stages. Additionally, beginning next
September, a 20-week survey course on Christian theology will be offered. Continue to watch
these pages in upcoming months to see what learning opportunities you might want to
take advantage
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San Antonio District to celebrate confirmands April 25 at Windcrest
On Saturday morning, April 25th, District Confirmands, their families and friends, are invited to gather at Windcrest UMC for lively, joyous worship and a yoking ceremony celebrating this momentous step in their journey of faith. Bishop James Dorff will preside over the worship service and will yoke each Confirmand with an olive wood cross from Israel. This service is an opportunity for the greater church to join in celebration and thanksgiving of the next generation of young Christians leaders. For more information or to register your Confirmands, please contact Terry McCandless at the District Office.
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The Youth Revolution
Students attending Midwinter weekends becoming a movement in Church
By Rachel L. Toalson
Managing Editor
The struggling economy did not impact this year’s Midwinter retreats as much as he expected, said the Rev. Rusty Freeman, youth ministries director for the Southwest Texas Conference.
More than 1,000 students participated in five retreats held in January and February, representing between 30 and 40 churches.
“This year’s retreats were the strongest ever,” he said. “With the addition of two senior high
Midwinter PLUS weekends, our program saw a growth in student involvement and length
of retreats.
“The spiritual growth of these youths is amazing.”
This year’s retreats were different because of the addition of Midwinter PLUS, which added a day to the senior high retreats.
Putting on a four-day retreat includes much more preparation and planning than a three-day Midwinter, Freeman said. One of the highlights of the PLUS weekends was that square dance callers were invited to lead the students in a square dance.
“(Students) are growing in their desire to serve the Lord and be in ministry to their peers,” he said. “It is a direct investment in the discipleship and ongoing intentionality of growing up future lay and clergy leaders.
All who attended Midwinter retreats encountered Christ in one way or another, Freeman said. Dozens of students began a new relationship with Jesus, hundreds made a recommitment of faith and about 75 reaffirmed their ongoing call to ministry.
The most powerful part of the retreat, he said, was the worship.
“Our times of worship are really the highlight of who we are,” he said. “The movement of the spirit at the Midwinter retreats is like nothing I have experienced in my life. It’s not because of me or any of the other leaders—it is because the Lord has decided to pour himself out upon our young people and meet them where they need it most.”
Freeman believes that Midwinter weekends will “dramatically impact the future of our churches, communities” and the world.
“I want the youth of our conference to shake up the foundation of how we do church and how our world views Christians,” he said. “I want our students to become radical revolutionaries of God’s love and power. So, I don’t just hope the weekends have a future impact—I am counting on it.
“The spiritual and numeric growth of the program is a direct link between the faithfulness of its leaders and the mercy extended to us by God. The movement that has begun will continue to impact our world and nation with young people set ablaze with a passion for bringing others into the church.”
The theme of the 2009 Midwinters was “Be the Revolution.” Freeman said he and other leaders challenged students to join the revolution that Jesus started—a revolution to spread the love and grace of Christ to the world.
He sees Midwinters growing as a movement.
“What amazed me most was the number of e-mails, text messages and facebook messages I received after the weekends by inspired students who were reminding each other to ‘be the revolution,’” Freeman said.
He’s decided the theme for Midwinter ’10 is “We Are a Movement.”
Midwinter ’10 retreats will be:
Jan. 15-18, Midwinter PLUS for senior high students at Echo Valley
Jan. 22-24, Midwinter CLASSIC for junior high students at Mt. Wesley
Jan. 29-31, Midwinter CLASSIC for junior high students at Mt. Wesley
Feb. 12-15, Midwinter PLUS for senior high students at Echo Valley
Feb. 19-21, Midwinter MIX for junior and senior high students at Mt. Wesley
Midwinter MIX is new for 2010, Freeman said.
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Port Isabel couple says serving together strengthens their marriage
By Rachel L. Toalson
Managing Editor
Bob and Karen Gillespie love the fellowship of serving.
They serve with church members to develop friendships. They serve with friends to strengthen their friendships.
They serve with each other to strengthen their marriage.
Married for 31 years, the couple, originally from Illinois, moved to the Port Isabel area and immediately got involved with First UMC, Port Isabel, said Karen, 53.
While they have their hands in many different groups, together they have volunteered with the Laguna Madre Adopt-A-Family program and the St. Stephens Food Pantry since 1999.
Their involvement with the Laguna Madre Adopt-A-Family program stemmed partly from Karen’s background, she said.
“It goes back to when I was a child,” said Karen, who chairs the program. “My Christmases were not as good as some of the others I went to school with. I had experienced what some of the children in this area go through if they’re not shown God’s love at Christmas time.”
The program works with two elementary schools in the community, Karen said. School leaders select 50 of the neediest families, and the group adopts those.
The Adopt-A-Family program provides each family—which includes about 180 children from six months old to 18 years old—with a food basket at Thanksgiving and Christmas and gifts for the children at Christmas.
During the Christmas season, members of the group wrap about 600 toys, Karen said. Toys are donated by church members at First UMC and other churches in the community, and also by individuals around the area.
“This is something I really love to do,” Karen said. “To see the families, when we’ve delivered the toys…the children will say, ‘Thank you, Santa.’ I love the joy I see in the families’ faces. We’ve had some mothers cry when they pick up their food. There’s joy in seeing how thankful they are.”
The Gillespies help feed hundreds of people—between 475 and 500 families—every month through the St. Stephens Food Pantry, said Bob, 68. The food pantry provides food assistance through canned goods and other food items.
The pantry serves about 1,900 individuals in the families, which is about 20 percent of the community, Bob said. Families have to register at the first of every year to make sure they meet resident requirements and the financial requirements set up by the state.
Housed at First UMC, Port Isabel, the food pantry is staffed by members of other churches as well, Bob said. Between $25,000 and $30,000 is spent on food every year.
When he and Karen moved to Port Isabel and began attending First UMC, Bob said the church’s breakfast program caught his eye. He had retired from the restaurant business, so he thought he would help with that.
The breakfast didn’t need help, but the food pantry did.
“I enjoy the look on the families’ faces when they receive,” Bob said. “It’s good fellowship and a good service to the community.
Bob also serves as a member of the trustees, chair of the finance committee and president of UM Men. He’s on the ad council and was a lay speaker for a couple of years. He’s served on the endowment committee and also coordinates the men’s pancake breakfast and was an auctioneer for the church’s auction.
Karen, who retired from nursing, is a choir member and serves as chair of the worship committee. She’s an SPRC member and an admin council member and is involved with the UM Women.
“I have a problem saying no,” Karen said. “But I just love our church family and the fellowship we have from serving. Involvement in the church as a whole has been a joy.”
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Youth of church are awake, alive and ready to become a revolution
Rusty Freeman
Director of Youth Ministires, Southwest Texas Conference
Hello Church.
Are you awake?
I know it’s early in the morning but I think it is time to get out of bed. You have been asleep for far too long.
There is much work to do, people to reach, bellies to feed, children to clothe, grace to offer. And from what the Master said, there is not much time.
So please wake up. Please get out of bed. Please stop hitting the snooze button!
But while you lay there, did I tell you about your “Awakened Children?” Did I tell you that an extension of your “Body” is alive and well?
Did I tell you they actually never even went to bed! They stayed up all night and are still going strong. In some circles they call it a “revival.”
Did I tell you the Young Ones of our Body are thriving, soaring with passion for the Master? They praise Him like a bunch of wild Indians! They sing and even dance in worship. I know, it’s nuts. But THEY ARE ALIVE—and besides that, they have even gotten out of bed!
You won’t believe it, but at one of their “gatherings” many were actually on their knees praying and weeping for You, the Church. Their hearts were broken and desperate for us to get going and join them and become a part of the Master’s Movement.
You should have seen it, Church. You would have been shocked. But perhaps if you had, your heart would have been stirred to…GET OUT OF BED!
The sun is up, the coffee is hot, the day is sparkling with the hope of the Gospel of change and redemption. All you have to do is wake up and join the rest of your Body, the Children, the Young Ones who have captured the Vision of the Master.
They are burning with joy, filled with His Spirit, ready to change the world for the sake of the Kingdom. However, Church, they need your help. They have lots of passion, a ton of vision, but few resources. They NEED YOU. They need your wisdom, insight, and experience.
So what are you waiting for, Church? (I’ll get your house robe and slippers…)
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Brothers swim together at high school
This article was originally printed in the Jan. 29 edition of The Victoria Advocate and has been used by permission of the newspaper. Dalton and Preston Lynch are the grandsons of Leta Revees, secretary for the Victoria District office.
Blood is thicker than water, but the swimming pool has strengthened the bond the Lynch brothers share. Dalton, a senior, has a chance to qualify for the regional meet in each of his events. Preston, a sophomore, will be happy just to finish his races.
Dalton’s teammates will count on him to help produce their fastest times in the relay races.
Preston will need the help of his coach and teammates just to climb on the starting block.
Dalton is excited about graduating and the possibility of attending the Coast Guard Academy.
Preston is thankful just to take another step. Preston has Friedreich’s Ataxia, a form of muscular dystrophy that is progressively taking away his balance, coordination and ability to walk. Sherry Lynch remembers her youngest son’s symptoms began to appear when he was 9 or 10. He was diagnosed when he was in sixth grade.
“I don’t think Preston thought he would ever be part of a team, much less be considered on a varsity team,” Sherry said. “Water seems to be the one place you don’t really have to balance. His older brother being involved made it a little easier for him to choose that.”
Dalton’s willingness to assist his brother made it possible for Preston to be part of the swimming team. Preston’s effort inspired Dalton to do better.
“He’s good for what he has,” Dalton said. “When he got into swimming, that’s when it really hit me what he has has. That’s when it really got to me.”
Sherry was hoping Preston would in the team’s Most Improved Swimmer award last season, but
it went to Dalton instead. But she wasn’t too disappointed when Preston won the Timmerman
Heart Award.
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St. Mark’s UMC hosts African Childen’s Choir for the community
Sometimes there are those events that occur in your lifetime or the life of your church that you will treasure for many years to come, and you pray you get another opportunity to participate in again. For the members of St. Mark’s UMC, Victoria, such an event took place on Feb. 4. On that day, at 7 p.m., St. Mark’s had the honor and privilege of hosting the African Children’s Choir.
This group of 22 children, aged 7 to 11, is from Uganda. They are one of four choirs touring at
this time.
These children come to the United States to sing praise to God Almighty. They seek to raise money so that other children in need have a chance to grow up, get an education and then for most of them, stay in their home country. In doing so, they help Uganda grow into a place where there is the love of God and the love of fellow human beings.
St. Mark’s UMC experienced a full hour and a half of the most joyous, energetic praise and
worship music in two or three languages. These cute bundles of energy danced and sang
their way into the hearts of those who attended the concert. Those who participated as host
families got to know the children better and we as a church got to see them as they attended
school the day after the concert.
The African Children’s Choir is accompanied by 10 young people who are dedicated to God and to the children. The tour, which began in Chicago four months ago, will continue until April of this year. Then the children will go back to Uganda to make room for other children to come and experience our country and our people.
The parent company, Music for Life, is based in Canada. The choir has a Web site that has a host of information about the choir, its objectives, its goals and tour information.
To hear a couple of songs from the choir, we have placed them on our Web site at www.stmarksvic.org. Pictures of the choir are there, some from the concert.
For more information about the African Children’s Choir, visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com.
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Fast from anger during this Lenten seasonthe community
By the Rev. Bobbi Kaye Jones
Austin District Superintendent
I see things I don’t want to see and hear things I don’t want to know about. In the home I grew up in there was no yelling or overt meanness. (I did punch my little brother and then tickle him so he wouldn’t cry, but I was a kid…) In the home I ‘created’ with three daughters, I admit there was screaming, and it wasn’t all them! As teenagers, early and late, there was loudness and rudeness between them, and I got into it, too. I was a young, busy, stressed full time pastor in a very large church and a wife and mother as well (I feel your pain). I was often not at my best with those I loved the most. Ack. Guilt happens. The kids have totally forgiven me and don’t know why I still grieve that time. I have ‘given that up’ as we say on the Walk To Emmaus over and over and thank God I feel less and less guilty. My adult children love each other passionately, and love me too. We (almost) always act like grown ups in our house.
What I see that you don’t want to see is how often we don’t act like adults at church. People say and do hurtful things. Angry, mean words are spoken or e-mailed. My former Saint John’s colleague Kim Graley used to say, “Are we thinking aboutwhat we’re saying?”And I can tell you that some of us are not.
I am longing for universally healthier caring. Especially in United Methodist churches. I don’t want berated lay people wondering if the pastor likes them. I don’t want angry lay people blasting away at the preacher. Stop it right now, as I used to tell my kids. This is junior high stuff and it has no place in the house of God.
Listen people, difficulty and conflict happens. As maturing Christians, we learn to manage this, learn from it and then leave it behind us. Leave the ashes, take the fire. Keep your passion, but dump the trash in a safe place. I don’t want to show you my collection of ugly e-mails, hurt feelings, and outright meanness that folks have shared with me. God needs lots of grown ups in the room. I am counting on you, and Christ is counting on all of us. Lent presents an excellent moment to fast from anger. May God bless us in our path, every step, to peace.
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Bishop Robert Schnase offers inspiration, challenge
By the Rev. Kim Cape
Executive Director of New Church Development and Transformation
Let all the people say, “Wow!”
“Wow” pretty much describes our Day of Discovery with Bishop Robert Schnase. WOW describes Schnase’s five hours of inspiration, challenge and insight as he shared the practical implications of his Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.
“Wow” describes the radical hospitality we received from University UMC, San Antonio, its senior pastor, Charles Anderson, and his staff members, who went out of their way to accommodate a huge crowd, by any standards.
“Wow” describes the extravagant generosity of the Texas Methodist Foundation in providing grants that funded Schnase’s honorarium, travel expenses, lunch for 500 people and 10 media kits. “Wow” describes the Austin District pitching in to fund the 200 more people who came to lunch. This was a brisket lunch, not the chili and beans you would have had at my house.
My prayer is that this is not the end of the “wows.” I was thrilled at the responsive chord Schnase struck with all of us. It occurred to me that all five of these practices must be something we do not only in our congregation and corporate lives but also something we do regularly, personally. In our own lives may we be radically hospitable, passionate worshippers, intentionally deepening our faith, as we are risk-takers in mission, and extravagantly generous.
Then, because we do these things as part of who we are, we will have powerful integrity when we do them corporately, as naturally as our breathing.
The other “wow” I pray for is this: that the laity who attended realized that these practices are not the sole province of the clergy members, but rather that the future of the church of Jesus Christ is in their hands.Odds are, it will be laity who invite their new neighbors to church, meet the guest at the front door, over coffee, and who will have the first opportunity to model radical hospitality.
It will be laity members who will provide the music, the greeting in worship that will speak the word of grace as loudly as the sermon. It will be the laity members who teach the Sunday school class, the Bible study, who are the youth sponsors. It will be the laity members, who, with the clergy members, tithe so that ministry will happen. May it be so.
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Perkins announces Larry D Warren as 2009 Seals award recipient
DALLAS—Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, announces the selection
of Larry D. Warren of San Antonio as the 2009 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award recipient. The
award will be presented at a luncheon on March 7 during the three-day Perkins Theological
School for the Laity.
The Seals Award is given annually to a layperson who embodies the Christian faith and
commitment of service to Christ as exemplified by Judge Woodrow B. Seals, a distinguished
layperson whose interest and energy were instrumental in establishing the Perkins Theological
School for the Laity. Selection for the award is made by a committee of the Perkins Lay
Advisory Board.
Larry Warren is the president of and a shareholder with Ball & Weed P.C. in San Antonio. He is
also an active member of his local church, University United Methodist, where he has held a
number of leadership positions spanning many years of service. His primary work in the church
has involved international missions on behalf of exploited children around the world. In this
capacity he has led his congregation in education, missions travel and fundraising campaigns
on behalf of these victims. His efforts have engaged not only his congregation, but the wider San
Antonio legal community as well.
Warren’s advocacy of this exploited population has been deliberate and methodical but has also been compassionate and deeply courageous, leaders said. Beyond his local influence in this regard, Warren has had remarkable success, often at great personal risk, in bringing about the actual l.iberation of victims of bonded slavery in the countries of concern.
In addition to his international efforts as an advocate for human rights and social justice, Warren was instrumental in forming a businessmen’s Bible study in San Antonio. He teaches children’s Sunday school, served on the board of the Winston School of San Antonio (a school for children with learning disabilities) for six years, three as chair; served on the Ball & Weed P.C. Board of Directors for six years; and chaired the International Justice Mission Benefit Dinner for three years.
Warren has been recognized as one of Texas Lawyer Publication’s Super Lawyers for 2006-2008, as well as one of San Antonio’s “Best Civil Litigation Attorneys” for 2007 and 2008 by Scene in San Antonio magazine. He has served as pro bono legal counsel for Medina Children’s Home and volunteered as a YMCA soccer coach and a Little League baseball coach. He was named “Boss of the Year” by the San Antonio Legal Secretaries Association. Warren was recently inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers.
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Opportunities
Floresville UMC is seeking a part-time choir director. The ideal candidate would be responsible for directing the church choir in one Sunday morning worship service and for rehearsal during the week. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. The ideal candidate should have training and experience in music as well as a desire to grow the church choir in both size and skill. Interested applications may download an application at the website or e-mail the church at . Applicants can also contact Jan Titus at (830) 393-2425.
Methodist Healthcare is seeking a vice president of pastoral care services. Candidate will be responsible for developing, organizing and directing programs and activities pertaining to the provision of pastoral care at Methodist Healthcare. The vice president will coordinate the provision of pastoral care with visiting clergy, chaplains, nursing and medical staff. For more information or to apply, visit www.SAHealth.com.
First UMC, Portland, is seeking directors for adult, children’s and youth choirs. God may be bringing one, two or three people to the ministry. The right people will have a commitment to Jesus Christ and a desire that others come to know Christ through this ministry. Candidates should have background, training and experience in music. Pay is based on training and experience. For more information, call Mark Porterfield at (361) 777-2000 or e-mail him.
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District Happenings
San Antonio
March
14 Sacred Saturday: PPRC/SPRC,
Northern Hills UMC, San Antonio
21 District Council on Ministries,
UMCenter.
24 Laity celebration, Laurel Heights
UMC, San Antonio.
April
7 District Office closed for Good Friday.
9 Confirmation celebration at Hunt UMC
18 Vital Signs” reports due in at the
District Office
25 Confirmation Celebration, Windcrest
UMC
May
7 “Vital Signs” reports due in at the
District Office.
8 Campus Ministries Spring Banquet,
Laurel Heights UMC.
16 Sacred Saturday: Connecting
Neighbors, St. Matthew’s UMC.
17 District Conference, Pre-Conference
Victoria
District UMW retreat to happen
March 21 at Cathedral Oaks
“But I don’t have any spiritual gifts!” Perhaps this is one of the statements made by most people when asked about spiritual gifts. On March 21 at Cathedral Oaks, the Victoria District UM Women will define and explore spiritual gifts together.Terry Schoenert will lead the group through a process of naming, claiming and using the gifts God has given each of us.
The retreat begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and a time to browse through available reading resources. The program will center on a woman’s call to peace, purpose and practicality, and begins at 1 p.m., with closing at 2 p.m. Cost for the retreat, including lunch, is $14. Checks can be made out to Victoria District UMW and mailed to registrar Nancy Farris at 107 Mariner Drive, Victoria, Texas 77901.
Cathedral Oaks to host Spring
Open House March 22
You are invited to Cathedral Oaks Spring Open House March 22 from 1 to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Enjoy a day in the spring air. Bring your camera – take pictures in the wild flowers. Tour the camp. Wear your hiking shoes and walk the nature trails. Enjoy the birds and butterflies. Meet others from the Victoria District or beyond. Drinks and cookies will be served.
Call (979) 263-5935 for more information.
Food ministry at First UMC,
Seadrift utilizes many volunteers
Feed My Sheep, the food ministry of First UMC, Seadrift, is one of our successful ministries started years ago by the Rev. Janna Sandidge Hawes.
Feed My Sheep is funded by a special monthly offering from the congregation and by donations from the entire community. The ministry is able to help stretch the budget of the families in the Seadrift community. We provide food for 150-325 people every month. Upon request, we do provide supplies for people who have just moved to the community or who need a helping hand for some other reason.
The majority of the food supplies are purchased from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, Victoria and through generous donations from HEB in Port Lavaca. Volunteers from all sectors of the community help with this ministry. The executive committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month to plan the menu and order the food.
Volunteers drive to the food bank in Victoria and to the H-E-B in Port Lavaca to pick up the food. On the third Tuesday of each month, volunteers set up the fellowship hall in the morning and prepare to receive those in need of food. In the afternoon, volunteers assist with check-in, distributing the food, and carrying the food to the cars.
Austin
Special event March 28 features
Carol Howard Merritt
Calling Congregations and Austin Presbyterian Seminary are cosponsoring an event featuring the Rev. Carol Howard Merritt, author of Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation to explore how your church can welcome youth and young adults, and celebrate the gifts of all who gather at Christ’s table.
The event will be March 28 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 E 27th Street, Austin, TX 78705. Registration is $75 for two people and $85 for three. The registration fee includes a copy of the book for each team, a continental breakfast and lunch. Congregation teams of two or more are urged to attend. Free offstreet parking available.
To register online, visit www.thefund.org/programs/congregations_workshops.phtml or contact the District Office at admin@umcad.org or (512) 444-1983. A limited number of scholarships are available for congregations hoping to send representatives.
April offers opportunity to take
Basic Lay Speaking course
Leading, Caring, Communicating. These three words found in the lay speaking logo characterize the ministry of lay speakers as the United Methodist Church engages the world of the 21st century.
On April 18 and 25, the Austin District is hosting a Basic Lay Speaking certification course at Covenant UMC. This training event is the basic course designed to fulfill one of the two-part requirements of the Book of Discipline for recognition of Lay Speakers as certified lay speakers. This is a two-day course that will be held from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. The fee is $40, which covers meals and copy of the textbook Basic Lay Speaking Ministries, by Sandy Zeigler Jackson. Child care is available.
Lay Speaking Ministries is a program to provide training opportunities and experiences to equip disciples of Jesus Christ to realize and respond to their personal call to ministry. Since each disciple is ‘gifted’ with one or more spiritual gifts, Lay Speaking Ministries strives to help disciples become more aware of their particular gift or gifts by offering educational events to enhance and develop the skill level necessary for the full fruition of these gifts. It is an excellent vehicle for servant ministry skill development and has aided thousands of church members to be better servants of Jesus Christ, to become stronger church family leaders, and to more capably assist their pastors.
Sessions take you through reflection on what it takes to make a congregation an outpost for mission and transformation and the role you can play—even if public speaking isn’t your gift. Prayerfully consider this course for preparation to become a lay speaker.
To register, call Tami Anderson evenings or weekends at (512) 924-0316 or e-mail her at tamianderson2000@.yahoo.com if you have any questions about the egistration process. For course questions, please call Bill Cain at (512) 345-4953 or e-mail him at drbillcain@sbcglobal.net.
My Job: Risk-Taking Justice and Mercy set for June 27 Save the date for the next in the District’s series of leadership training events. My Job: Risk-Taking Justice and Mercy will be offered June 27. Additional details and publicity packets will go out in the next few weeks.
Austin Calendar
March
27-28 Austin District Youth Mission Weekend.
For more information, contact Amy Howell
at amy@umcad.org.
28 “Communion of Tribes: Congregations and
their Gifts for Ministry with Young Adults,” with
facilitation by Carol Howard Merritt, author of
Tribal Church.
April
9-13 District Office closed in observance of
Holy Week.
30 District Professionals meeting, location TBA.
May
2 Conference Coming and Going Event,
Alamo Heights
UMC, San Antonio, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
3 Austin District Confirmation celebration,
Oak Hill UMC, 5:30-7 p.m.
17 District Conference, Location TBA.
June
3-6 Annual Conference session, American Bank
Center, Corpus Christi.
11 Moving Day.
27 My Job: Risk-Taking Justice and Mercy,
details TBA.
July
9-12 Austin District preteen camp, Mt. Wesley
in Kerrville. For more details, contact
admin@umcad.org
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