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Central E-LinkWeekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference
October 13, 2005 Welcome! This is the conference’s weekly update to church leaders — lay and clergy — for things you probably need to know. Information to be shared must be submitted to Carolyn@ctcumc.org by 4 p.m. Wednesday in order to be e-mailed on Thursday. Articles should be as brief with active links to websites or contact persons for details. Use this information for announcements, in church newsletters and/or bulletins. The E-Link and the Central Link newspaper are posted on the conference website at www.ctxumc.org. Read them online or download and copy to share with others. To add a colleague or church member to E-Link’s weekly distribution, send their addresses to susan@ctcumc.org.
— Editor: Carolyn Stephens Carolyn@ctcumc.org.
Shortcuts: Top News Events Resources Calendar Needs ______________________________________________________________________________ For worldwide news of our denomination click here! www.reporterinteractive.org
Near-Time Items
Do you have a story to
tell? If you have an appropriate story, contact Stephen Drachler, UM Communications executive director of Public Information, at 615-742—5411 (office), 615-456-4710 (cell) or sdrachler@umcom.org.
Children’s art exhibit
at First Colleyville
Jerusalem Women Speak Three remarkable women with a shared vision for peace with justice in Israel and Palestine will be speaking at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at Trinity Lutheran Church (3621 Tulsa Way, Fort Worth 76107). “Three Women Speak: Three Women, Three Faiths, One Shared Vision” is a project of Partners for Peace, and is sponsored in Fort Worth by the Interfaith Network for Peace & Justice of Tarrant Area Community of Churches. For more details, visit www.partnersforpeace.org.
Crawford celebrates 125 years Crawford UMC will be celebrating 125 years of ministry on Sunday, Oct. 23, during their 10:55 a.m. worship service. Bishop Ben Chamness will be preaching and Sidney Roberts (reared in Crawford) will give a history of the church. Eight other former pastors will also participate in the service. A catered meal will follow the service. For details, contact Buncho5berrys@umconnect.com.
McMillan has 21st
anniversary
(repeat)
Morningside revival Morningside UMC is hosting a “Fall Revival” Sunday-Tuesday, Oct. 16-18, beginning each day at 7 p.m. Special music and praise groups will participate and Derrick Wright, associate director of African-American Ministries & Church Revitalization in the Texas Conference, will be preacher. Contact: Gale Nealy at galemyers88@yahoo.com.
Glen Lake Golf Classic The Third Annual Glen Lake Golf Classic tournament is fast approaching. This year it is being held on Oct. 21 and is honoring the life and ministry of Rev. Terry Nelson. The tournament is being expanded to include both Squaw Valley courses, located just outside of Glen Rose. Squaw Valley is rated as one of the top 10 public golf courses in the great State of Texas. Come join us for a wonderful day of golf, friendship, good food, and relaxation as you help support the ministry of Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center. Visit www.glenlake.org for more details and to register.
First Corsicana’s Allen Edens Memorial Golf Tournament
Attention golfers! Call your friends and
sign up for the Allen Edens Memorial Golf Tournament Oct. 15 at
Oaks Trail Golf
Course in Corsicana. The tournament is a four-person scramble at
$50/player. All proceeds support the FUMC Corsicana youth’s mission
efforts. For more information or to register, call 903-874-5656.
United Nations Sunday
observance
Ellsworth Kalas preaching at First Arlington Author J. Ellsworth Kalas will be guest preacher at First UMC Arlington (313 N. Center St., Arlington 76011) Sunday, Oct. 23, talking on “The Eternal Umpire” from Job 9:25-33. Dr. Kalas has authored numerous books and adult study quarterlies for the UM Publishing House, and is the author of “Christian Believer,” an intensive study of Christian doctrine. There will be a dinner and book signing. For more details, contact the church office at 817-274-2571.
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News
UMCOR, relief agencies respond to Asia earthquake UMCOR and ecumenical partner agencies are responding to the Oct. 8 earthquake that shook Pakistan and India, leaving a death toll that some reports place at more than 30,000. UMCOR is sending aid to the region through its partners, the International Blue Crescent and Church World Service. (Source: UMNS)
UMPH provides support Some of the most heartbreaking pictures of destruction confronting UM churches after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are water-soaked and ruined Bibles, UM hymnals and other worship resources. The board of the UM Publishing House, meeting in Nashville Oct. 3-5, voted unanimously to spend up to $500,000 to restore those lost resources. “We will work hand in hand with the bishops and cabinets of those annual conferences most affected to plan for efficient and timely help for as long as it takes,” said Neil M Alexander, president and publisher. “Our aim is to support their work of rebuilding vital centers of worship, Christian formation, evangelism, and mission.” (Source: UMNS)
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FUMC Corsicana to hold “FAUX ROAD SHOW” (repeat) The FUMC Corsicana’s Bus Task Force and UMW members are sponsoring a “Faux Road Show” at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 21, to raise money for a new bus for the church. This “just for fun” event is designed as a community-wide occasion that focuses on antiques. A brunch will be followed by a lively and spirited talk on the topic of antiques by Jo Ann Altenau of Dallas. Guests who would like an appraisal “opinion” by members of the Corsicana Antique Dealers Association (coordinated by Blanche Kevlin of the ASEL Group, Appraisal Specialists) are asked to bring their items to register at 10:30 a.m. and enjoy coffee until the brunch starts. These will not be “official” appraisals but, as Kevlin states, “Think of it as a ‘discovery forum’ to learn more about your antique items.” Tickets for the brunch are $10 each, and for each appraisal opinion an additional donation is requested. For more information or for tickets, call 903-874-5656.
Power Team Crusade First UMC of Keller (1025 Johnson Road, Keller 76248) is sponsoring the Power Team Crusade Oct. 26-30. This is a group that performs feats of strength while serving as witnesses for Christ. They will be delivering an anti-drug message in Keller and Southlake schools Oct. 25-28 in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week. They will then invite the kids back to see more in the evenings at First Keller for five evenings (Oct. 26-30). The Power Team Crusade is designed to get unbelievers into the church, so please pray for this crusade and ask the Lord to bring in a great harvest.
Lay Speaker Training The Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course will be offered in the Waco District Nov. 6, 13 and 19 at Bracks UMC, Waco. For more details on course focus, trainers and how to register, contact the district office at waco@ctcumc.org.
Happily Ever After White’s Chapel UMC in Southlake requests the honor of your presence at a special bridal show, “Happily Ever After,” from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. There will be fashions and a wide variety of vendors to help brides in their wedding-related planning. For more details and registration, visit www.whiteschapelumc.org.
Junior High Youth Rally (repeat)
68º is a Junior High Youth Rally Nov. 11
and 12 at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center. Registrations were e-mailed
to local churches and can be downloaded from the conference website at
www.ctcumc.org/youth.asp#68_Degrees.
The theme for this year’s event is “Finding God in the World.” Our
speaker is Adam Jungeblut and our music leader is Wayne Kerr, both from
the Houston area. For more information, please contact Doug Vaughn,
director of student ministries, at 800-460-8622, 817- 877-5222 or
doug@ctcumc.org. Hurst 3D Youth presents “Pressure Points” 3D Youth First Hurst presents “Pressure Points” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. “Pressure Points” helps your students identify the pressures in their own lives. They will learn that pressure in and of itself is neither good nor bad and, let’s face it, it never goes away. But taking control of the pressure in their lives and understanding it can help them grow more than they thought possible. The event is free, but reservations are needed by Nov. 15. It is encouraged that you bring senior high youth and their parents to this presentation. For those that would like to come who aren’t in the Metroplex, locations have been secured for housing groups. An invitation is being mailed to each local church, and you will be able to find information online at www.fumchurst.org.
Messages from humanitarian services director Jennifer Coggins UMCOR Relief Supply Collection Campaign (NEW):
We will be hosting another conference-wide
collection for vital UMCOR relief supplies on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 1 to
6 p.m. at First UMC Fort Worth. UMCOR’s top needs right now are: health
kits, flood buckets, school kits, new blankets and new air
mattresses. To find out what is required for each kit, visit the UMCOR
website at
www.umcor.org. We will also need volunteers to help unload and load
supplies. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Chuck
Graff, conference disaster response coordinator, at
cgraff@fumcftw.org
or Jennifer Coggins, director of humanitarian services, at 817-877-5222
or jennifer@ctcumc.org.
The Central Texas Conference will be
taking a work team to East Texas to help with relief efforts in the
Kirbyville/Jasper area! We will leave at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, and
return by 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. The cost will be $100 per person,
and work will include clean-up activities as well as work at a food
distribution center—or whatever else the community needs. More details
will be announced as the trip plans develop, but the deadline for
signing up is Monday, Oct. 17. To sign up or for more information,
please contact Chuck Graff, conference disaster response coordinator, at
cgraff@fumcftw.org
or Jennifer Coggins, director of humanitarian services, at 817-877-5222
or jennifer@ctcumc.org.
Spots on the work team may be limited, so first come, first serve! Greg Jenks, director of the Zimbabwe Orphan Endeavor (ZOE), will be visiting the Central Texas Conference during the week of Nov. 13, to speak to churches about ZOE’s ministry through the UMC in Zimbabwe. Several CTC churches have recently begun to support ZOE, including University UMC, Fort Worth, which took a mission team to Zimbabwe in July to establish a new feeding site for AIDS orphans at a Methodist mission school. He will be speaking at University UMC at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. If you would like for Greg to speak to your congregation about how you can support this vital ministry to children in Zimbabwe, please contact Teresa Sherwood, conference UMVIM coordinator, at 817-473-6650 or Jennifer Coggins at 817-877-5222. For more information about ZOE, visit www.zoeministry.org.
Older Adults Advent
Service
Lay Speaker event next February Training is planned for United Methodists who wish to become lay speakers and lay speakers who wish to fulfill renewal requirements. Lay Speakers who have not taken a basic or an advance course since February 2003 should sign up for one of the advanced courses. Basic and advanced courses will be available, all held at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Glen Rose. Applications can be attained through the district direct of lay speaker ministry or online at www.ctxumc.org.
Friday, 2-24-06 — registration starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, 2-25-06 — all day instruction Sunday, 2-26-05 — check out by 1 p.m.
Fall golf tournament for St. Stephens UMC St. Stephen UMC in Arlington will be holding a Fall Golf Tournament Saturday, Oct. 22, at Timberview Golf Course. The format will be a four-person scramble. Awards will be given for longest drive and closest-to-the-hole along with free food and door prizes. For more information, please call the church office at 817-460-8655 or email ssumc@sbcglobal.net.
St. Andrew’s to hold benefit Concert for Compassion St. Andrew’s UMC (2045 SE Green Oaks at New York Ave., Arlington 76018) is sponsoring a Katrina/Rita Benefit Concert for Compassion Oct. 22 opening with Michael Earhart and featuring OneWill music group. Paul Mallory will emcee. This is an open invitation to attend a special evening of exceptionally outstanding Christian entertainment. You will truly be blessed and will experience emotions from great joy, to crying, to even wanting to dance praises to our Lord. For more details, visit www.sa-umc.org. Tickets are bracelets that can be ordered through the church office at 817-465-3043. Advance sales: adults $8; at the door $10; youth (11-17): $5; child (10 and under): free.
Sexual Harassment Misconduct Prevention Training (repeat) The Central Texas Conference is sponsoring Sexual Harassment Misconduct Prevention Training at two locations this fall and next spring: Oct. 18 at First UMC Hillsboro and March 18 at St. Andrews UMC in Fort Worth — both at 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is recommended that clergy, local church staff, district office staff, church daycare/nursery workers, staff/parish relations committees, campus ministry staff and all volunteers should attend this workshop.
This experience will help people define and understand sexual harassment and misconduct. The presenters will provide information that will help individuals be better aware of issues of power and misuse of power, and be able to identify unethical conduct/potential abusive situations within ministerial relationships. The cost is $25 for the workbook (at least one per five people is recommended) and $7.50 for lunch. If you have questions, please contact Susan Briles at 800-460-8622, 817-877-5222 or susan@ctcumc.org.
Renewal of the Graying Church (repeat) Renewal of the Graying Church: Is Discipling Elders Worth the Effort? is an event offered by the Central Texas Conference Mission Ministries Nurture Council and the Wesleyan Home in Georgetown. This event is just right for you if: • 25% or more of your congregation’s active membership is 45 or older • your community’s median age is 45 or higher • your congregation’s leaders still long to reach new people for Christ and His church • your congregation’s leaders believe meaningful life does not end at retirement • growing in discipleship is a life-long process • you are clergy or laity • you want to be part of the solution
Dr. Richard Gentzler, director of aging and older adult ministries for the General Board of Discipleship, and Dr. Dan Bonner, vice president for development at Wesleyan Homes, will lead the program from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 12 at Central UMC, Waco. Gentzler’s ministry involves providing resources and training support for leaders of midlife and older adult ministries. Bonner is an experienced pastor of renewing and growing congregations in which elders play important ministry roles. A brochure for this event is available on the conference website (www.ctxumc.org). If you have questions, contact Karen Granderson at 817-877-5222, 800-460-8622 or Karen@ctcumc.org.
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Resources
‘Sharing Christmas’ from SOSA “Sharing Christmas” is an Advent devotions program designed to help prepare our hearts through prayer and reflection for Christmas and the coming of Jesus. This free, comprehensive program, available from the Society of St. Andrew (Advance #801600), helps individuals and church congregations focus and reflect on the Christmas story. By selected scriptures, it also challenges the reader to share in the work and mission of the baby in the manger who is Immanuel, “God with us.” The introductory kits are available upon request (all materials free): 800-333-4597 (phone), 434-299-5949 (fax) or e-mail church@endhunger.org. More information about the nationwide hunger relief work of the Society of St. Andrew is available online at www.endhunger.org.
Cokesbury.com resources With the Advent and Christmas gift-giving season approaching, Cokesbury is introducing a number of resources as good prices, most meeting the needs of congregations and individuals during this festive time of the year. Cokesbury invites you to avoid the holiday shopping crunch by taking advantage of a number of online tools and product specials. www.cokesbury.com.
Resource Center new arrival New resources highlighted at the Conference Resource Center this week are described below. For these and many more resources, contact Carol Roszell at 817-877-5222 or 800-460-8622.
How Not to Lead a Small Group. A training video for small group leaders. Laurie Polich. You can become a better small group leader by observing what makes a poor small group leader. In this video, you’ll see the 5 common mistakes small group leaders make and how to avoid them when you lead a small group. Five scenarios and helpful tips for how to improve your leadership skills. A great tool for youth leaders, volunteers and anyone else who wants to lead a small group. 2000. 30 minute.
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— Looking Ahead — Sexual Harassment Misconduct Prevention Training — Oct. 18 at First UMC Hillsboro Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center Golf Tournament — Oct. 21 68º Junior High Youth Rally — Nov. 11-12 at Glen Lake Camp Renewal of the Graying Church — Nov. 12 at Central UMC, Waco Alarga Walk to Emmaus — Nov. 17-20, 2005 event postponed to Nov. 16-19, 2006 at Glen Lake Camp United Methodist Student Day — Nov. 27 Spring Board of Ministry interviews — March 27-29, 2006 at Glen Lake Camp
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Needs, Resources, Opportunities
P-T youth director Wesley Memorial UMC seeks an energetic part-time youth director for their existing program. Interested applicants with a UMC background can contact the church at 1200 W. Kilpatrick, Cleburne 76033 or Wesley_cresson_umc@sbcglobal.net for a job description.
Pews needed Cresson UMC is seeking pews (blond or light colored, if possible) for their sanctuary. The church can arrange labor and transportation. Contact: Bob Beeman at 817-240-7411.
Color printing service available If your ministry routinely uses the services of a print service provider such as Kinko’s, please check us out. We have color equipment that allows us to offer great prices on items such as posters, newsletters, brochures, etc. Call Hilarie at First UMC Bedford at 817-283-5536 for more information.
Children/youth music director First UMC Red Oak (600 W. Red Oak Road, Red Oak 75154) seeks a children's/youth music director for an average of 10 hours/week plus VBS/Summer Music Week/special season programs. Choral/handbells/chimes. Positive atmosphere, supportive staff and volunteers. Growing church in growing suburb south of Dallas. 972-617-9100 or e-mail pstpxtn@aol.com.
New pews needed Trinity UMC in Ennis is looking for new pews. If your church is in the process of remodeling and you would like to make a donation, please contact pastor Karen Griffith at 817-645-3361. 20 sections needed -- each 8 ft. 8 in. Thank you!
Christmas puppet show
scripts
Part-time youth minister / children’s choir director Valley Mills UMC (Waco District) seeks applicants for two positions. The youth minister should be an energetic Christian able to translate the Christian faith to youth grades 7 – 12. Responsibilities include creating a viable youth program for Sunday morning and evening between two UM churches. Youth from both churches attend Valley Mills ISD. Send resume to Christie Robbins at fumcvalleymills@netzero.com or P.O. Box 277, Valley Mills 76689. Contact: 254-932-5576.
The children’s choir director’s responsibilities include 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and one Sunday per month to create a children’s choir ministry between two churches. Children through sixth grade from both churches attend Valley Mills ISD. Applicants must be able to direct children’s choir music, teach chimes, and organize volunteers. Send resume to Christie Robbins at fumcvalleymills@netzero.com or P.O. Box 277, Valley Mills 76689. Contact: 254-932-5576. Return to Top
If you know someone in your church, district or even outside the Central Texas Conference who might appreciate receiving this weekly electronic newsletter — or to unsubscribe your own listing — contact Susan Briles at Susan@ctcumc.org |
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