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Central E-LinkWeekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference
November 10, 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
Mission
education opportunity this weekend
(update)
GBGM missionaries
Bill/Helen Lovelace visit Central Texas
Canned food drive for Tarrant Area Food Bank A canned food drive will be held Nov. 12 at the Texas Christian University’s football game (TCU v. UNLV at 6 p.m.) benefiting the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Three cans of food = coupon for: Buy one ticket, get ONE FREE (any available seats). For every 3 cans you get a coupon good for “buy one ticket, get one free” ticket to the UNLV game. Food will be used to replenish the Food Bank supply for the upcoming holidays. Look for Tarrant Area Food Bank truck in Frog Alley (close to the East side ticket office) and bring your canned goods to get your coupon. This event is sponsored by the Wesley Foundation at TCU -United Methodist Campus Ministry and the TCU Athletic Department. For more information call or e-mail: 817-924-5639 or methodist@tcu.edu.
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News
Leadership change at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center Terri Ford is departing Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center after 16 years in programming and administration to become advocacy program coordinator at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. We wish her well in this fresh endeavor and know that GLC will continue to grow and flourish under new leadership. (See “NEEDS” listings to apply for this position.)
Holiday Six Flags tickets available at discount Tickets for Six Flags Over Texas Holiday in the Park are now available for $10 each. These are valid for one day only during the weekend of November 25, 26, 27 or December 16, 17, 18, 2005. Please contact Lisa McCutcheon at Lisa@ctcumc.org or 817-877-5222/800-460-8622 if you are interested in purchasing tickets.
Encourage the “quitters” in your congregation The Great American Smokeout is Nov. 17, and the American Cancer Society offers resources to help people quit and opportunities to advocate for smokefree policies. For more information visit www.cancer.org/docroot/SPC/spc_0.1.asp. Call 1-877-YES-QUIT to get help quitting, and please support smokefree policies.
Texas Church & Society statement CORRECTION: The statement run in last week’s E-Link came from the Texas Conference of Churches Board of Church & Society. We apologize for the leaving out the “of Churches” part of that group’s name.
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Marriage ministry opportunities The Conference Marriage Ministries Advisory Council asks that church leaders reserve these dates: • January 14 -- Marriage Ministries Workshop and Summit for clergy and/or laity who (1) are interested in beginning marriage ministries in their congregations or (2) have begun marriage ministries and would like to learn from other churches. Speakers will address the theological undergirding of marriage ministries and resources for addressing spirituality types in marriage, family emotional process, finances and communication. Then there will be time to learn what other congregations are doing. This area of ministry is often a "gap" in many congregations. The workshop and summit is at Glen Lake Camp from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $15 or $20 a couple. For more information, please contact Dr. Katie Long at kfmalong@yahoo.com or 817-320-2123. • March 3-5 -- Conference Marriage Retreat. This will be an opportunity for couples to attend helpful workshops, as well as having time to reflect with each other. Workshop sessions, led by a team of well-qualified presenters will include spirituality types, family emotional process, communication, blended families and sexual/spiritual intimacy. This retreat format received high marks from participants when it was offered for the first time last year. It will be held at Glen Lake Camp (with an option for staying in Glen Rose motels or bed and breakfasts) from 7 p.m. Friday through 11 a.m. Sunday. Cost is $95 per couple, or $230 with lodging at Glen Lake. Please get the word out to your congregations. For more information, please contact Dr. Katie Long at kfmalong@yahoo.com or 817-320-2123.
Large Church Initiative (repeat) The Large Church Initiative and Cokesbury’s Worship Connection invite worship teams and other interested persons to a worship conference designed just for large churches. The event will be Jan. 17-19, 2006 at First UMC, Grapevine. Updated information is available at www.worshipconnection.com.
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.
Singles book study at St. Barnabas (repeat) 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.
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 (repeat) 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.
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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.
A Place to Pray: Conversations on the Lord’s Prayer. Bondi, Roberta C. 3 VHS tapes. Tape 1- “Our Father” (25 min.) and “Hallowed Be Your Name (28 min.) Tape 2- “Your Kingdom Come” (25 min.) and “Give Us This Day” (28 min.) Tape 3- “Forgive Us as We Forgive” (26 min.), “Lead Us Not Into Temptation” (27 min.) and “Glory Forever” (27 min). In this series the author talks about each of the phrases and with four others discusses a range of personal and social issues, all connected to the Lord’s Prayer. Published in 2000.
Digital music downloads for UMs There are hundreds of FREE digital downloads of music for The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing available now at http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=15198&loc_id=17.823. In addition, hymns and songs for handbells, choirs, children’s events, instruments, praise bands and teams, Psalm singing, communion responses, solos, choir music, piano and organ music, and much more are available on the General Board of Discipleship website (www.umcworship.org) plus links to digital music from Cokesbury.
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— Looking Ahead — 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 Metropolitan Board of Mission “Gift of Love” annual fundraiser — Dec. 3 ( 5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Meadowbrook UMC, Fort Worth 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
Part-time Secretary Ridglea UMC is accepting applications for a part-time secretary to work 20 hours a week. If you are a dedicated, disciplined and dependable mature Christian, please send us your resume. You will need good telephone and computer skills, and to be knowledgeable of office routines. To apply, please forward your resume to: idlegate@aol.com or Ridglea UMC, c/o Idella Gates, 3040 Tex Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76116-4222
Director of connectional ministries West Ohio Conference seeks to employee a director of connectional ministries to direct its Connectional Ministry Council, agencies and staff to resource districts for the purpose of implementing the following conference priorities: (1) new church development and church reproduction, (2) local church discipleship systems for local church transformation and growth, and (3) strengthen and ensure connectional ministry and mission. The context for these three (3) priorities ("pathways") is more fully described in the "2001 Episcopal Address" given by Bishop Bruce Ough. Interested applicants will also find it advantageous to be knowledgeable of information contained in the "Progress Report on Alignment" document by John Keeny. The desired starting date is April 1, 2006. The salary range is $68,000-$72,000. The deadline for applications is Dec. 15. Please submit any other documents of information with your application that you believe would be helpful in explaining or demonstrating your qualifications for the position. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in late January or early February, 2006. For more details, contact Joyce Fry by email at jfry@wocumc.org or by phone at 800-437-0028.
Teachers needed for Korean school Teachers are needed to work in a United Methodist-supported school in Korea. Those who apply need a college degree, but don't have to be certified. The commitment is for a year or just 6 months. Teachers receive a salary and housing. Those staying for a year also receive round-trip plane fare. The school is hoping to expand classes to include science, music, and art classes taught in English. Please consider the ministry of teaching in this church school in Korea. For more information please email Leta Gorham at lbgorham@msn.com.
Glen
Lake Camp & Retreat Center director
Associate CORR General Secretary The General Commission on Religion & Race has launched a search for an associate general secretary position for the Northeastern Jurisdiction and the White Constituency Portfolio. This is one of five associate general secretary positions on the Commission staff. For more details, visit www.gcorr.org or contact Kimberly Dixon Harris at kdixon@gcorr.org or 202-547-2271.
Director of Music Grace UMC (101 West Avenue F, Copperas Cove 76522) seeks applicants for director of music position to lead the congregation in worshipping the living God through the gift of music by planning music, rehearsing and directing all choirs. Part-time, salaried position requiring 15-20 hrs/week. Requires degree in music and/or minimum of three years experience in conducting choral church music. Job description available at the church of by calling 254-547-3729.
Small Wurlitzer Organ
Available
Children’s Church
Coordinator
Hispanic Ministry
Coordinator/Youth Coordinator
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. 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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