May 8, 2009

Volume 155, Number 53


2009 Pastoral Appointments Announced
By Thomas Monahan
Director of Communications
Bishop Jim Dorff has announced his intention to make the following pastoral appointments during the Southwest Texas Annual Conference session:

  • Bill Johnson currently serving Bastrop will be moving to St. Paul in Kerrville.
  • Andy Smith currently serving Lake Travis will be moving to FUMC Bastrop.
  • Ray Kiser currently serving FUMC McAllen will be moving to Lake Traivs.
  • Ricky Sanderford currently serving Sierra Vista in San Angelo will be moving to FUMC McAllen
  • David Gilliam currently serving St. John in Austin as the associate, will become the senior pastor.
  • John Hargis currently serving Leander will be moving to Oxford in San Antonio.
  • Tim Abel currently serving Industry will be moving to Leander.
  • Kim Burke currently serving in Buda will be moving to FUMC Boerne
  • Eric Vogt currently serving another denomination will be starting a new church plant in the Austin District
  • Steven Sweet currently serving Manchaca will be moving to Sierra Vista in San Angelo
  • Nancy Day currently serving Luling will be moving to St. Luke in San Angelo
  • Laura Adam currently serving FUMC Brownsville will be moving to Manchaca
  • Pamela Kilpatrick currently serving FUMC Gonzales will be moving to FUMC Brownsville
  • Andy Smith currently serving Castroville will be moving to FUMC Gonzales
  • Carlos Cloyd curently serving Parker Lane in Austin will be moving to Goldthwaite
  • Judith Sellers currently serving Schertz will be moving to FUMC Luling
  • Linda Montgomery currently serving as Assoicate in Seguin is moving to FUMC Schertz
  • Ron Welborn currently serving LaFeria will be moving to FUMC Seguin as Associate minister
  • Harold Dailey currently serving in Kyle will be moving to LaFeria
  • Liz Kevelius currently serving Carrizo Springs will be moving to Industry
  • Wade Linstrom a seminary graduate will be moving to North Shore in Canyon Lake
  • George Barcus currently serving in Freer & Bruni will be moving to Fannin & Telfner
  • Jerrell Sharp currently serving Fredericksburg will be moving to FUMC Victoria
  • Jason Fry currently serving FUMC Victoria will be moving to Fredericksburg
  • Patrick Glazner-Cooney currently serving in Godthwaite will be moving to Castroville & Medina Valley
  • Barbara Aziz is currently serving Bishop will be moving to Kyle
  • James Sweet currently serving Decker will be moving to Buda to be the Associate minister
  • Damon Relder currently serving Wesley in Corpus Christi will be moving to Coker in San Antonio to be the Assoicate minister
  • John Valles currently a retired minister from the California Pacific conference will be moving to Wesley in Corpus Christi
  • Paul Allen a new appointment will be moving to Freer & Bruni
  • Anita Valles currently a retired minister from the California Pacific conference will be moving to Oak Park in Corpus Christi
  • Tina Carter currently serving The Rock in Cedar Park will be moving to Parker Lane Austin
  • Chreyl Broome currently serving Hyde Park in Austin will be moving to The Rock in Cedar Park
  • Kathryn McNeely currently serving St. John in Austin will be moving to Hayde Park in Austin
  • Sharon Stewart currently serving Coker in San Antonio as an associate pastor will be moving to Schertz as an associate pastor
  • Alex Alvarez currently serving Rio Grande City will be moving to Carrizo Springs
  • Stephen Echols a new appointment will be moving to Fentress
  • Celia Kitchens a new appointment will be moving Lometa & Bend
  • Claire Richardson currently serving McCamey & Iraan will be moving to Rockspring & Barksdale
Emily Smith a new appointment will be moving to Bee Creek to be the associate minister
This is not a complete list, not all of the appointmetns had been announced at the time the paper went to press.


 “It’s always something...”

Bishop Dorff


Dear Friends,  What an amazing world we live in. Every time it seems that all is well (or at least better), something else emerges to let us know there is more to come. Where did the Swine flu come from? It’s three weeks after Easter. The economy seems to be awakening. San Antonio celebrates Fiesta Week. Our churches across the Area have been seeing lots of folks for worship and study. I’ve been to confirmation celebrations in several districts. There have even been clouds in the sky and even rain showers in the air. Joy abounds! I ask again….where did the Swine flu come from? Every time it seems things are looking up we get blind-sided by something or somebody. Now it’s the swine variety which causes us to think seriously about canceling worship of Almighty God!

I must admit that sometimes it just makes me shake my head in disbelief. However, I guess there really is something to the old adage, “ it’s always something.” It seems to me our task is to stay together as the church regardless of any bizarre circumstances or worldly machinations. In fact isn’t that what the church has been doing for over two thousand years?

I am reminded regularly that to be a part of the church of Jesus Christ is to commit ourselves to stay in relationship with the One who is never amazed at the craziness of the world. This One who is the only constant in our lives. From this perspective I still shake my head in disbelief occasionally, but as I do I tend to smile to myself, look upward and say, “ I wonder what’s next?”
In the meantime we continue to find our joy in each other, the One who created us, the One who sustains us in all things, and the One who is in the midst of everything. Thanks be to God for the Risen Christ.

Blessings. Jim


Three Weekday Ministries Conferences coming this summer
By Linda Keen
Leadership Development



People are bringing their kinder and pre-kinder children to United Methodist churches in order that they might be touched by Christ. How are we doing? The ministries in which we receive children take a variety of shapes, such as weekday preschool, day care, after school programs, parents’ day out, nursery school, and before school breakfast club. There’s no doubt about it, to such as these the kingdom of God belongs.

Affordable, quality leadership training for those who serve young children has consistently been offered by the SWTX Children’s Council. Three Weekday Ministries Conferences will come your way this summer. They provide six hours of continuing education workshops for teachers and care providers for young children in church & day care settings, emphasizing Christian learning and values. In recent years, the conferences have become ecumenical and have begun to reach out to non-church-related day care centers. Yes! We are offering Christ to all!

Day care consultant Lynn Houston, will appear at each event. Her keynote address will touch on Love, Joy, and Peace—the Spirit of the Classroom. Houston is also a sought-after motivational speaker  and author of six books for teachers. She follows a long line of extraordinary saints and professionals who lead the field of early childhood development.

The Central conference will be held Sat, July 25, at Windcrest UMC, San Antonio, hosted by a design team led by Marcy Williams, 210-654-0404 and Michelle De Leo is co-chairing. The popularity of the Central event has necessitated setting an attendance limit of 400 this year. Participants are urged to register early. South conference is Sat, Aug 1, at First UMC Kingsville, led by Marge Peterson and a design team of children’s coordinators & childhood development experts. Contact Marge: 361-592-2632. North conference will be Sat, Aug 8, at Sierra Vista UMC, San Angelo, led by Randi Havlak, Kelly Duke and a design team of preschool & kids’ day out directors. Contact Randi: 325-949-1545. All three Saturday trainings will be 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. South and North events are limited to 150 persons each. Click on Children’s Ministries at.

The positive impact of early childhood development programs is well documented, and so are the challenges of congregations with tuition/fee based ministries for children and families. How goes it with your child care? Oftentimes, church space is shared by the weekday school, typically with a director and a board who oversee their program ministry. The Sunday school program typically links indirectly through a ministry council to the church board of trustees. Teachers and care givers in both settings are background-checked, trained for volunteer or paid positions, yet may never meet or know each other although they share space and may care for the same children. In most settings, both the school and church must meet high standards for operation & certification. The Weekday Ministries workshops address a variety of these issues.

Today, Jesus would not use the archaic language “suffer” the children in Mark 10, but his message is loud and clear:  Children are not to be regarded as non-persons. Disciples are challenged to lead young children into God’s vision calling them forth into lives that flourish – into a future with hope. All belong to the kingdom of God.


Caregiver education being brought to rural Texas
Morningside Ministries announces opening of first
elder care resource and training center in Uvalde



In a state with one of the largest aging populations in America, Morningside Ministries today announced the official dedication of the permanent home for the Georgie Briscoe Resource Center, a  training center in west Texas that provides educational training and support to caregivers that address the physical, mental and spiritual needs of elders in care.  The  center addresses the growing demand for caregiver training in rural Southwest Texas and the quickly intensifying challenge of care for an aging population. 

“The Georgie Briscoe Resource Center was designed to provide professional, family and pastoral caregivers the training and support they need to give the highest quality of care possible to older adults,” said Nancy Dunn Thompson, Executive Director of the Elizabeth McGown Training Institute at Morningside Ministries.  “It is especially important to provide this kind of support to those in rural areas, who often do not have access to educational resources or support groups.”
“We hope to apply what we learn in Uvalde to future rural senior care resource centers in other parts of Texas,” continued Thompson.
The Georgie Briscoe Resource Center in Uvalde offers specialized training in senior care for medical professionals, family caregivers and pastoral care providers.  On-site classes include topics ranging from handling common geriatric emergencies to aging and spirituality.  Caregiver support groups will be hosted on a monthly basis.  
In partnership with the Elizabeth McGown Training Institute at Morningside Ministries, the center offers online and on-demand access to training courses on the internet. Free online videos at www.mmlearn.org allow caregivers to access information and communicate with presenters and facilitators in San Antonio and other cities.

All online resources and most on-site classes and support groups are offered free of charge.  The rest have a minimal fee.
“One of our primary goals is to help caregivers cope with the very significant stresses they experience while providing care.  Depression and chronic illness rates increase for caregivers when compared with non-giving peers,” said Thompson.  
The official dedication and open house for the Georgie Briscoe Resource Center took place on April 7 with Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa acting as the keynote speaker.  The center is named for the mother of former Gov. Dolph Briscoe, who donated his late mother’s home to St. Philips Episcopal Church, which is leased by Morningside Ministries at the rate of $1 a year.  Additional support is provided by The Briscoe Ranch, AT&T and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. To arrange a visit, learn more about the center or inquire about classes, contact Morningside Ministries at (210) 734-1211 or visit www.mmlearn.org.
 

 
Pharr Literacy Project Brings Hope to Colonia Residents



Hurricane Dolly is but a distant memory for many residents in the Rio Grande Valley; but, for residents in rural colonial areas, her impact still remains. An outlying Colonia located in a rural area of Hidalgo County was flooded from heavy rains, and because of poor drainage, remained under water for almost two weeks after the hurricane. Located outside of zoning regulations, flood waters were contaminated with sewage and resulted in unsafe drinking water and other health hazards. Many residents lost their homes, their clothes and their possessions. Their household items, clothing and supplies for school were beyond salvage. Isolated from the areas which were receiving assistance from FEMA, this Colonia was left without help from the outside community, complicated by loss of electricity to preserve food and with roads that were impassable. In time, a work team from a local United Methodist Church was able to come to their aid to help them repair damage to their houses. But, residents requested more. They needed assistance to help to repair their houses but they also wanted the creation of a worship and prayer group which would meet weekly to help them find peace in the midst of chaos. The Pharr Colonia Outreach Project began in response to their request for a Community of Faith.

The Pharr Literacy Project and Cultural Arts Center is a part of the United Methodist connectional system as a Southwest Texas Conference Advance Special #2028 and it is sponsored by the McAllen District of the United Methodist Church. PLP also collaborates with many churches from the Rio Grande Conference as a part of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry. With the recent approval of funding from the Southwest Texas Conference, the General Board of Church and Society, the General Board of Discipleship, the National Plan for Program at El Paraiso Colonia and is now planning to begin a third program at La Mesa Colonia as well. With direction and supervision from a RGC United Methodist Missionary and a SWTC Lay Missionary, these Colonia residents will have opportunities never before offered: spiritual growth, and renewal, ESL and Citizenship, GED, Cultural Arts, and Leadership Teams. But we need help from other congregations. Please consider supporting this project (Conference Advance Special #2028) by a mission’s donation to match the salary for our part-time Missionary and to provide supplies for activities at this new site. If your church is located in Hidalgo County, we need more volunteers to teach ESL, GED and guitar; to facilitate parent support groups and to assist in the training of Leadership Teams composed of Colonia residents; or your church could plan a one-time event, such as a garage sale or loose change collection fiesta, with the proceeds going to the Pharr Literacy Project to support this new Colonia program which brings hope and life transformation to the poorest of the poor in the Rio Grande Valley. Make your check payable to the Pharr Literacy Project with the notation “Colonial Outreach”. Mail to the Pharr Literacy Project, PO Box 1752, Pharr, Texas 78577.


Prospective New Church Start Pastors meet with Bishop



One of the most important issues in new church growth and development is recruiting and training pastors who have the gifts and graces to plant new churches, and recruiting and training churches to consider acting as parent congregations.  Recently Bishop Jim Dorff and Dr. Kim Cape invited several prospective new church start pastors to lunch.  They included:  Stella Burkhalter, Julia Chinn, Ray Altman, Stephen Curry, Phillip Hefner, Mark Montgomery, and Tamara Strehli.  Bishop Dorff spoke about the need for a missionary heart to respond to the spiritual needs of the numbers of persons God is sending to our area.  He also spoke of the excitement of serving as a United Methodist pastor whose ministry will be in many different settings and roles during a life-time of ministry.  Dr. Cape outlined the process we are following to train our new church pastors.  Pastors who are appointed to plant new churches in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference attend the New Church Leadership Institute at Mt Sequoyah sponsored by Path 1.  Path 1 is our denomination-wide emphasis on new church starts whose purpose is to re-evangelize America.  To learn more about Path 1, please visit www.path1.org.

After completing the NCLI, and receiving an appointment to a new church start, the new church pastors and parenting congregations will be supported by a coach who can offer practical help each step of the way.  Please pray for the new churches started in 2008.  They are: Northeast Community UMC, pastored by Emerson Allen, Lago Vista UMC, pastored by Richard Selke, and The Journey UMC, pastored by Kyle Toomire.  Because of your support of the Offering Christ Today for Tomorrow, we will be able to start one new church in 2009, in partnership with the Austin District.  Rev. Eric Vogt, who is a recent Duke graduate will be the pastor.  Thank you for your prayers and gifts.  Is God calling your church to act as a Parent Congregation??


10 Things Every Youth Leader Should Never Do

Rusty Freeman


1.    Never show up at the office at 8 AM. Now most people expect you to be there, but come on, your ministry is reaching students – and if you show up first thing in the morning, then certainly you weren’t up late hanging out with them (either at Taco Bell or on Facebook). Arriving early just says, at least to me, that you aren’t doing your job.

2.    Never put programming ahead of people. Planning and programming is good and can be great. But your calling is to “relationship evangelism” not program pastor (Jesus never planned a “lock-in!”) Cancel a program if it distracts you from spending time, growing, nurturing and disciplining the students God has placed in your path.

3.    Never argue for a budget increase -- make your Senior Pastor do that. Not many people will listen to you, especially if you are young. Therefore, help your pastor and your youth parents to see the need (or hear it from you) and “go to bat” on your behalf.

4.    Never leave the church van dirty. You may laugh at this one but it tells the rest of the congregation that you don’t care enough to clean it. Pay $25 and have a car wash help you out before you return from paint balling.

5.    Never put yourself in a compromising situation. In today’s society, just the impression of impropriety can get you in trouble. Therefore, always make sure you have another adult with you or that you are in public when counseling with a student. Make sure your pastor and sponsors know where you are and what you are doing.

6.    Never have a food fight in the sanctuary. (I hope this is a no-brainer, but wanted to see if you were still paying attention!)

7.    Never feel like you have to explain to the church secretary why you didn’t come in until 10 AM. Your boss is God, then the pastor. Make sure your pastor knows where you are and what you are doing in your ministry. Send a weekly email just as a matter of updating him/her on your status.

8.    Never apologize for the outward appearance of youth in your church. If you are fortunate enough to have students enter your church, especially on Sunday morning, don’t apologize if they are not dressed “down” or have strange hair or tats. The church must embrace, welcome, and be hospitable to all young people if they want to grow – even if the students look differently then them.

9.    Never forget your ministry is to youth AND parents. Parents want and need to know what is happening, what you are doing, and what is coming up in your program. Also, parents need your encouragement and spiritual support as well. (They have to live with teenagers!) A good youth pastor not only loves youth, but their parents as well.

10.    And finally, never forget to trust the Lord with every decision you make. No matter how unpopular or how misunderstood you may be, remember Jesus has called you to be radical, sold-out, and a little crazy. Christ is the source of all your help and strength. Trying to do it on your own (skipping morning devos for example) will only leave you struggling and frustrated. Trust Christ implicitly.

For more information on
SWTC Youth Ministry visit
 www.reachingyouth.org.


A new church experience in Tuxpan

Virgilio Vazquez-Garza


Acacia and I were driving in Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico. We had gone there because of a beautiful reef that is a few miles from the beach, in the gorgeous blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As we moved slowly down the street we saw something that is familiar to us: the cross and the flame. It was a hand-made sign, stating that there was a Methodist church down the street. Intrigued by the sign, we followed the direction but found nothing resembling a church in the next several blocks, not even a house. We were puzzled and drove some more in the area, but nothing, so we went diving.

One evening, we passed by the same area and saw a group of persons under a huge mango tree. They were sitting on portable chairs of all styles, sizes and colors. Some kids were sitting on the ground and others were playing near the group gathered under the mango tree. We could see guitars and congas. They were clapping and singing under that tree with a light breeze that made the heat and humidity a little more tolerable. We realized then, where the Methodist church was: Under the Mango Tree! There was no high steeple; there was no parking lot for a certain percentage of those attending; there was no coffee and doughnuts; there were no hymnals and no screen with the lyrics being projected; there was no sound system. But if you stopped and walked toward the group, all of them would welcome you and greet you and made you feel that you were loved.
Rethink church!


Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition

On Saturday, April 14th, a group of intrepid folks braved stormy weather to spend a Sacred Saturday at Oak Meadow UMC learning to lead from a God centered perspective. The first session was presented by Dr. R. L. Bramble - author, educator, business executive, management consultant, and active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He shared about scripture-based leadership from his book, Leadership Lessons from the Bible: 40 Timeless Principles for 21st Century Leaders, and how those principles established so many generations ago, prepare us for leadership still today. Dr. Bramble presented a copy of his book to each person in attendance.

The second session, led by the Rev. Suzanne Isaacs, pastor at Helotes Hills UMC, offered a look at how John Wesley’s understanding and practice of the spiritual disciplines grow us into grounded, spirit-led and spirit-fed leaders, providing a “method” for leadership development.

Rounding out our study of leadership, the Rev. Mickey McCandless, pastor at Bracken UMC, shared insights on family systems theory and its application to leadership in the church, drawing from Edwin Friedman’s book, “Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue.”

This was one of a continuing series of Sacred Saturdays that are being offered within the San Antonio District designed to prepare and grow leaders in our churches. Keep an eye on the San Antonio District edition of the “Witness” for information regarding future Sacred Saturday training events.


Celebrating the confirmation class of 2009

Confirmation


On Saturday, April 25th, the greater United Methodist Church welcomed and celebrated this year’s new Confirmands with worship and a yoking ceremony that included Holy Communion. With District Superintendent Virgilio Vazquez-Garza assisting, Bishop James Dorff, Episcopal leader of the Southwest Texas and Rio Grande Conferences, blessed each of the Confirmands and yoked them with olive wood crosses from the Holy Land. The lively worship service, filled with current Christian music led by Ben Toalson and the band, Progeny, filled Windcrest UMC’s sanctuary with joy and celebration as over one hundred young people, plus at least two-hundred-fifty sponsors, family members and friends, celebrated their personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as lord and savior. In his message, Bishop Dorff reminded the Confirmands that just as the cross is a sign to us of God’s love, we are called to be a sign of God’s love and commitment to the world.

Confirmation is the visible fruit of those who labor in the vineyard. We are called by Christ to be about the business of making disciples, baptizing in His name, and teaching His way. Our Confirmands have been through a period of study and discernment leading them to the place of decision to accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. It is a good thing for the people of God to welcome and celebrate those who have responded to the call of God in their lives. So, congratulations to all of this year’s Confirmands! May God continue to be at work in your lives and the lives of those you touch.


Summer Fest ’09

Chapel Hill UMC is hosting a free concert for the youth of our District on June 20th. Youth groups and families are invited. Entertainment will be provided by Alison Broussard, a member of University UMC. This evening of fellowship and fun will include great music, basketball, volleyball, games, face painting, food, drinks and door prizes. You will also want to stay for the late night outdoor movie!

The San Antonio Missions’ “Ballapeno” will make an appearance in honor of this year’s theme of “SPORTS.”  So, be sure to wear your favorite sports jersey and come on out. There will be plenty of free parking. Tickets at $1.00 each will be available to purchase for food and drinks.

To RSVP your group or for additional information, contact the church office at (210) 673-0000. Chapel Hill UMC is located at 4114 S.W. Loop 410, just south of the intersection of Hwy. 90 and S.W. Loop 410.


People Will Come If They Are Invited!

By the Rev. Terrence Hayes
Victoria District Superintendent



Hebrews 12:1 [God Disciplines His Sons & Daughters] therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Perseverance is the race we face in promoting our faith. 

If I had the opportunity to talk to Britney Spears about the love of Christ I would. I believe that most Methodist probably would have talked to Anna Nicole about her life style.  Perhaps she and her son would still be alive if someone from the Victoria District would have invited her to church.  Perhaps if someone from just one of  the Victoria District United Methodist Churches had talked to Tina Turner perhaps she would still be in the Christian Church.  And perhaps she would have never had to have taken the spousal abuse that she did. 

Now all of these are celebrated people whose story we know from the tabloids but what about your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors? Are their children going to Sunday School? We are losing ‘perfectly good ‘people every day to drugs and loneliness because we have not introduced people to a Savior named Jesus Christ.  People need you and they need the fellowship of the Local United Methodist Church.We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses that believe in God.  Our mothers and forefathers all believed in God, God’s son and the United Methodist Church. We must persevere in our faith and our beliefs. The situation we face is not just of war and rumors of war. We are in a real battle between good and evil.  And we have to be on the side of ‘good’.  I would ask you to double the number in attendance in your church this Sunday by witnessing Christ and by inviting ten people to church. 


Leta Reeves Retiring



Leta Reeves has decided to retire. She and her husband plan to travel some. She said it was a difficult decision because the job has been a “dream job”, says Leta. She says she has never worked with a greater group of people and will certainly miss this job and the people. We will miss her just as much.

After observing Leta in the office and the nature of the job is such that no amount of money Leta received is compensation for her people skills, her diplomacy, and the smoothness in which she handles the most difficult and sensitive situations. The nature of her job was in practical measure in balancing of clergy, their families, district superintendents, their families, hundreds of United Methodist Laity from 52 churches, their boards, agencies, the three Bishops, Conference personnel, accountants, the typing, the management of office costs, district billing, annual conference billing, new and old technologies, new trends, converging with old trends, clergy deaths, and the practical management of Cathedral Oaks.

She worked with program management, fiscal management groups.  Her work ethic is beyond reproach.  Leta always has an exceptional attitude. The job has made her self-confident; Erick Fromm said,” Only the person who has faith in himself is able to be faithful to others.”

Miss Leta has been faithful to our system, hundreds of pastors, thousands of Cathedral Oaks visitors, three District Superintendents.

She has managed two offices single handedly and has done the “very best” she knew to do!
Our future as The Victoria District has depended on Leta.  Our future also now depends on how we treat one another without Leta.


 
Teacher Training Planned

“In times of economic uncertainty, there is nothing more important or strategic that we can be doing to ensure continued business success than talent management. Now more than ever we need to be focusing on high performers and developing talent.” - Tess Reinhard,  Director of Organizational Capability CD.
                                                                              
There is a lot of truth in Reinhard’s statement. However, in the church we do not always ask for talent. I believe that talent in the church is in most places with most people. What better place to find high performers from all walks of life than in the church!
I believe that Christian education is the source of and development that we often ignore. We do not recruit our best talent for and we die from ‘spiritual starvation’. Laity and clergy know that one of the most important things in life is an acknowledgment of the spiritual.  

Many of us seek a spiritual atonement with God. Alternatively, an atonement with something greater than themselves that will bring fulfillment, “Psalm 119; 165 those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.” We search for peace.  We look for communities of love and acceptance.

 We look at church for the “Call.”  The call is not really a mystical thing.  Christians are a peculiar people and very often desire mystical foundations. I believe we are called to ministry by the mysterious. As the People called United Methodist, the body of Christ calls us to ministry. There is nothing mystical about that we are simply people of God. We are high performers developing our talents because we believe God calls us through our talents.

The question for me is do you want your church to be meaningful in this new century? Then you need to train your people, friends, family, and associates in Christian Education.

Several weeks ago in the Victoria District, Team Victoria with the Assistance of Linda Keen and Austin Frederick entertained the beginnings of what we feel will be most helpful to our district. Dr. Diana Hynson gave two weekend retreats on Christian Education from a new perspective. It was great! She managed to give a new melody on an old theme. She proposed it as a Regional Teachers’ Academy for the Conference. Her presentation was an entrée to the fall where she will teach six modules in two separate locations. 

{Times dates and places will be announced!}


Victoria District happenings

Victoria District UMC Dividing Churches Into Clusters
We have decided as the District Superintendent and Trustees of the Victoria District for your benefit to divide into clusters. There will be a Cluster Head. This person will work with each church pastor in their cluster. And Clusters will share resources.

We are also attempting to develop a commission of Staff Pastor Parish Chairs from each local church. This group will be formed to assist in training in local church issues.

  • The reason for the divisions into clusters and in the organizing SPPRC Chairs is to work with the churches. Help churches in visions and become involved in ministries that they would not do individually.
  • To heighten visibility of the churches in their communities.
  • For instances, could we have a district float that travels from community to community.
  • Contribute to the spiritual growth of the churches.
  • Makes connectionalism come alive among the churches.
  • Contribute to the growth of church membership.
  • Makes more resources (facilities, financial, equipment, etc.) available to the churches.
  • Expands peoples’ understanding of what it means to be the United Methodist Church
CAMP ROCK
Basic Training Camp 2009
June 7 - 10, 2009, Cathedral Oaks
Current 3rd - 5th grade students


 Everywhere A Metaphor!

By the Rev. Bobbi Kaye Jones
Austin District Superintendent


So there I was flying down a pretty big hill and screaming. Not a dream (my dreams are Much Crazier). Having bought a bike about 2 months ago and committed to the Hill Country Ride for Aids about 2 months before that, I was now contemplating my mortality with an immediacy I’ve not often experienced. 

I completed the ride, achieving about 40 of the 45 mile route and I’ve gotta tell you that I feel great.  For three years I had wanted to ride and finally I accomplished this goal, even if not perfectly…..even if I had to get off and walk my bike up several of those hills.  And at the end I had my reward from ride director David Smith (grandson of Bishop A. Frank Smith) who gave me a huge embrace, a radiant smile and said, ‘well done.’

Everywhere a metaphor. 

An Irish blessing says, “may the roads rise to meet you” and throughout the Austin District in past months the roads have risen, indeed. The wind may not have always been at our back, but the Spirit has certainly been blowing us forward. We have set goals and made commitments and I do believe we are on track for a beautiful ride.

One of the very best bits of the Hill Country Ride for Aids is constant support, cheerful encouragement and regular food. In that way it is a lot like church. People of all different abilities can participate.  Ditto. Even if not perfectly, each of us applied our feet to the pedals, contributed our strength and our heart to meeting the challenge of the ride. 

We each face challenges every day in our congregations and in our communities. I believe it is my job to both encourage you and to invite you to take on the difficult hills.

Several groups are convening in coming months to ‘train’ together in specific and relevant ways for the particular hills they face. I don’t know how many miles lie before us, but I anticipate the end of the journey where there is One who offers embrace and Good Words. 

When I signed up for the HCRA I had NO idea if I could finish it. (and neither did anyone else) That’s why I keep Jim Wallis near me, “hope is believing in spite of the evidence and watching the evidence change.”  Eyes forward, friends. Let’s ride.


Austin District happenings

District young adult explores calling
with help from pilot program
Kallie Green, a recent high school graduate and member at Berkeley UMC, is the first participant in a pilot program to pair young people interested in ordained ministry with local churches for a twelve-week internship.  The internship was sponsored by the Austin District and the Juanita Peterson Fund.

Kallie was placed at Oak Hill UMC and has worked with Pastor Jim Roberts and Pastor Pam Sheffield this spring. In the course of her internship, she has routinely lead portions of the worship service as well as participated in many other aspects of the life of the church. The Austin District hopes that Kallie will be the first of many such interns and is grateful for the support and enthusiasm that she has received as she explores God’s call in her life.

Below Kallie shares about her internship experience:

“I have had the chance this semester for twelve weeks to be an intern at Oak Hill UMC through the Austin District . As a young person considering and discerning becoming a pastor, it has been very beneficial and fun.

Starting out I didn’t even know where the office was. I was worried that I wouldn’t have much to offer, but I have found that I had more than I thought, and also that Oak Hill had more to teach me than I thought. I have worked with the pastors and sometimes other staff doing a variety of things, sometimes as an observer, like at a funeral or district meeting, but most of the time as a very involved person doing things such as organizing a service, leading children’s time or writing a sermon. Some fun and some scary, each task has stretched what I thought I could do…or taught me how.

No matter where life takes me I am thankful for how much I have grown and learned both about the UMC and myself. I hope that other young people like me, who have some trepidations and even just questions about working in a church, will have a similar opportunity.”

Youth play hoops, provide hope
through Nothing But Nets campaign



Nothing But Nets, not the NBA, was the focus of a successful 3 on 3 basketball tournament, Saturday April 19th in Pflugerville, Texas—a tournament organized by a high school sophomore who put her faith in action to save lives on the other side of the world.

The tournament raised funds and awareness to assist families in Africa for the prevention of malaria. The ‘nets’ (Nothing But Nets) are for mosquito ‘nets’ purchased for families from the proceeds of the tournament. Each net costs $10.  Therefore, teams entered the tournament with a $10 fee and spectators paid $5 at the door. This event was hosted by the youth of the First United Methodist Church of Pflugerville.

Julie Issleib, one of the youth group members at First UMC, organized and planned the event because she is passionate about saving lives from malaria. During a mission trip last summer, she felt God’s call to do something about the wide-spread malaria in Africa. Julie is not one to ignore a call to help others! This fall she began preparing to host the Nothing But Nets basketball tournament. About 50 people gathered on April 18th to support the cause.

Not only were folks brought together as a community in Pflugerville to support the cause, 87 lives in Africa were changed for the better! A total of eleven youth and adult teams came out and enjoyed playing ‘hoops’ to raise money for mosquito ‘nets’. Proceeds to date are $870, which equates to 87 nets for families, which also equates to countless lives saved from potential malaria. The nets are made to last up to 10 years. What an awesome event for the young and ‘older’ athletes of Pflugerville to be supporting. For more information regarding ‘Nothing But Nets’ check out: www.nothingbutnets.net.



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