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Central E-LinkWeekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference
October 20, 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
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.
United Nations Sunday
observance
(repeat)
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.
Greater St. Stephen First Baptist Church, 3728 E. Berry Street, Fort Worth Rev. Dr. Carolyn Knight, assistant professor of homiletics at Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Ga., and an ordained Baptist preacher who has served in pastoral ministry Shiloh Institutional Church of God in Christ, 1270 Woodhaven Blvd., Fort Worth Bishop Jerry W. Macklin, founding pastor of Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ of Hayward, Ca. Community Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church, 1800 E. Vickery Blvd., Fort Worth Rev. William L. Lee, moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada and pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church in Roanoke, Va. for 28 years Carter Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 4601 Wichita Street, Fort Worth Rev. Dr. Cain Hope Felder, professor of New Testament language and literature and editor of The Journal of Religious Thought at the School of Divinity, Howard University. Carr Chapel Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, 2800 S. University Dr., Fort Worth Rev. Albert E. Chew, Brite’s 2005 State of the Black Church honoree and pastor of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
Hear God’s Voice
program
Why settle for a “good” marriage when you can have a “great” marriage You can make the leap from just "good" to “great” on a weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones — and focus only on each other. If you'd like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference a Marriage Encounter weekend can make! The next Texas Methodist Marriage Encounter weekend in Irving is Nov. 11-13. Registration closes in early November, so a quick response is encouraged. For more information or to register, contact Russ & Linda Smariga at 817-337-8979 or e-mail to linda@smariga.com.
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News
UMC launches newspaper “advertorials” On Oct. 21, the first of two paid commentaries, or advertorials, outlining a UM perspective on rebuilding after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, will appear in the Washington Post, the New Orleans Times-Picayune and Baton Rouge Advocate in Louisiana, the Mobile Register in Alabama, and the Biloxi-Gulfport Sun Herald and Jackson Clarion Ledger/Hattiesburg American in Mississippi.
“These commentaries are an important part of the church’s mission. As Christians, we stand at the intersection of the concerns of the world and the concerns of the church for the world,” said Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of UM Communications. “The rebuilding efforts pose tremendous challenges, but also remarkable opportunities. It’s important to stand with those who are poor and vulnerable and too often forgotten by society,” he said.
The commentaries were developed by UM Communications in consultation with bishops of the affected regions, the officers of the Council of Bishops, agency heads, and UMCOR. The first commentary encourages broad local input and participation in the rebuilding process. “Involving people from all walks of life in the reconstruction of areas devastated by the hurricanes will provide the insight and creativity to create communities that are stronger and more vital than ever before,” said Jim Winkler, general secretary of the denomination’s General Board of Church & Society. “Functional cities and neighborhoods will emerge if residents are given a voice in planning and rebuilding.” The second commentary will focus on rural redevelopment. To obtain more information and add your voice, visit www.umc-gbcs.org/afterthestorm.
Judicial Council to hear sensitive cases Next week the Judicial Council of the UMC will hear oral arguments in three high profile cases from it fall docket. The hearings are scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 27 on the Westchase Campus of First UMC in Houston. The first case is that of Irene Elizabeth “Beth” Stroud, a clergywoman who was found guilty in a church trial (Dec. 04) of violating UM law that forbids ordination and appointment of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.” The trial court’s decision to revoke her ministerial credentials was reversed in April by the Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals, which cited legal errors and reinstated Stroud’s clergy standing. Bishop Marcus Matthews of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference subsequently filed an appeal of the decision with the Judicial Council.
The second case pertains to a request for a declaratory decision about the formula for allocation of members on the boards and agencies of the church and whether church law should be interpreted to allow for greater representation from areas with more members.
The third case concerns the validity of two decisions of law made by Bishop Charlene Kammerer of the Virginia Conference relating to a pastor who was suspended for one year after he denied church membership to a gay man. The first decision of law under review relates to the question of whether the matter was beyond the disciplinary purview of the Conference Relations Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry and failed to afford the accused with fair process rights. The second decision concerns whether a pastor has the right and responsibility to exercise responsible pastoral judgment in determining who may be received into local church membership. The Judicial Council reviews all decisions of law made by bishops.
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United Community Centers Christmas fundraiser United Community Centers, Inc., a national mission institution of the UMC located in Tarrant County, is selling Christmas cards to benefit UCC’s programs for children and families. Each package of 12 cards has inspirational photos of six Tarrant County churches (2 photos each) or you can purchase a package of 12 cards of one church. These churches are First UMC of Fort Worth, First UMC of Hurst, St. Andrews UMC Fort Worth, All Saints Episcopal Church Fort Worth, First Presbyterian Fort Worth, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Keller. $15 per package. To sell or purchase the Christmas Cards, please contact Susie Reyes at 817.927.5556, x115 or sreyes@unitedcommunitycenters.org. To view the cards, visit www.unitedcommunitycenters.org.
Congress on Evangelism
location shifts from New Orleans to Nashville 21st Annual Monster Mash Dance Richland Hills UMC’s Annual Monster Mash Dance will be 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and feature an inflatable obstacle course, dancing, game room, sodas/food, and a Karaoke room. The cost is $10/person or $8/person in a reserved group of 10 or more. For questions and reservations, contact: Ryan Cazzell at spacemonkey619@charter.net or Michael Baughman at mbaughman@rhumc.net. Costumes are encouraged and all funds raised go to support mission work.
Singles book study at St. Barnabas The Singles of St. Barnabas UMC in Arlington will begin a book study at 7 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 10. Single adults in the area are invited to join the group. Free childcare will be provided. The goal is to connect with other singles and form more Christian friendships while growing in our walk with God and others. E-mail Sheila@sbumc.org for more information and to indicate interest in this type of activity.
Dispelling Myths: Building Families
First UMC of Waxahachie (515 W. Marvin,
Waxahachie) will join the Christian Coalition for Adoption Awareness in
co-sponsoring the Dispelling
Myths:Building Families workshop on Saturday, Nov. 12. The
keynote speaker will be nationally known author and lecturer Dr.
Randolph Severson with special guest Brendan Higgins, Channel 5 NBC news
anchor who is an adoptee himself. Registration and continental
breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. with the workshop ending at 1:30 p.m. For
registration information contact Karen Pfeifer, R.N., St. Joseph's
Catholic Church at 972-938-1953.
Power Team Crusade (repeat) 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 (repeat) 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 (repeat) 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” (repeat) 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:
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. Mission Education Opportunity (repeat): 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
(repeat)
Lay Speaker event next February (repeat) 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.
Sexual Harassment Misconduct Prevention Training (revised) The next Central Texas Conference-sponsored Sexual Harassment Misconduct Prevention Training will be March 18 at St. Andrews UMC in Fort Worth 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 if you have not already completed the October training event.
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
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.
Lead Like Jesus - Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, Lee Ross, Avery Willis. This study is designed to be the beginning of a new exciting chapter in a personal journey to becoming effective servant leaders. The study includes an introductory session and eight weeks of group study sessions. DVD. Leader’s guide, study guide, DVD video illustrations and DVD guidance for group leaders.
CROP WALKs help end hunger This fall, tens of thousands of people in communities across the U.S. will be doing something Americans usually do for recreation or exercise. They’ll be walking miles and miles through the streets of their communities to raise money to fund the domestic and international poverty and hunger relief efforts of Church World Service, the relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the U.S. For more information about CROP WALK or to locate a CROP WALK in your area, visit www.cropwalk.org.
Baby Boomers Rule Baby Boomers, persons between the ages of 43 and 60 — some 70 million in the USA — are now entering their prime years of influence, power, authority, and wealth. They own the companies and businesses, run the governments, control the institutions, and spend the money. In the church, they are the senior pastors, district superintendents, bishops, members of General Conference, committee chairs, general agency heads, and main financial contributors to church offering plates. Baby Boomers are just now at their peak of influence. They will never be more influential than they are today. Who are the Baby Boomers? What do they want and expect from the church in worship and music and continued programming? To find out, read this short article on the General Board of Discipleship worship-preaching-music website: http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?loc_id=17,1003&act=nav_loc. The GBOD website is http://www.umcworship.org.
Cokesbury.com resources (repeat) 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.
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— Looking Ahead — Crawford 125 celebration service — Oct. 23 United Nations Sunday observance — Oct. 23 Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center Golf Tournament — Oct. 21 Power Team Crusade — Oct. 25-28 at First UMC of Keller Hear God’s Voice — Oct. 28-29 at Christ UMC, Fort Worth UMCOR relief supply collection — Oct. 30 at First UMC, Fort Worth UM VIM training — Nov. 5 at First UMC, Mansfield Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course — Nov. 6, 13 and 19 at Bracks UMC, Waco Marriage Encounter — Nov. 11-13 at White’s Chapel UMC, Southlake 68º Junior High Youth Rally — Nov. 11-12 at Glen Lake Camp Renewal of the Graying Church — Nov. 12 at Central UMC, Waco Zimbabwe Orphans Endeavor (ZOE) — Nov. 13 at University UMC, Fort Worth 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 Congress on Evangelism — Jan. 3-6 at The Opryland Hotel, Nashville Hurst 3D Youth presentation: Pressure Points — Jan. 15 at First Hurst UMC Conference Lay Speaker Annual Training Event — Feb. 24-26 at Glen Lake Camp, Glen Rose Spring Board of Ministry interviews — March 27-29, 2006 at Glen Lake Camp
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Needs, Resources, Opportunities
Mother's Day Out
Director
Volunteer Tutors H.O.P.E. Tutoring Center, Inc. in Arlington is in need of volunteers to commit one to two hours a week to tutor 4th through 8th graders. Interested persons will receive an orientation and may contact Amanda Burns, volunteer-student coordinator at 817-860-7757 or coordinator.hope@sbcglobal.net. For more information about the program, please visit the organization’s website at www.hopetutoring.com.
Secretary/Receptionist
Part-time Organist First UMC in Midlothian seeks a part-time organist. Responsibilities include service playing for two Sunday morning worship services (8:30 and 11 a.m.) and all special services (Christmas Eve, Good Friday, etc.) as well as accompaniment of the adult Chancel Choir on Wednesday evening rehearsals. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, but will most likely be in the area of $11,000. Please submit resume and any other appropriate supporting documentation to: Organist Search, First UMC, 800 S. Ninth St., Midlothian 76065.
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. 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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