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Central E-LinkWeekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference
March 2, 2006 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
Events this week(end): Open Door Service — Davis Memorial UMC (5301 Davis Blvd., North Richland Hills) invites all to their Open Door Service at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4. Music by Friends By Grace, who won the SGMA of Texas Group of the Year award in 2005. Come and hear some great music from this fabulous trio and an inspiring message by Ron Jehle. Food and fellowship afterwards. Contact the church at 817-281-0411 or visit the web site at http://www.dmumc.com
First Arlington UMC Lenten lunches/worship — All are invited to join First Arlington at noon each Wednesday during Lent for lunch and an inspiring message! For more information contact Ted McIlvain at ted@arlingtonmethodist.org.
March 8—Dr. Thomas Lane Butts — Pastor Emeritus, FUMC Monroeville, AL March 15—Rev. Thomas Q. Robbins — University Park UMC March 22—Rev. Ann Stevens — FUMC Poolville March 29—Dr. Tim Bruster — FUMC Ft. Worth April 5—Dr. John Feidler — FUMC Dallas
Polytechnic luncheon series — If you would like to be involved in a Lenten study/growth opportunity, Polytechnic UMC (1310 S. Collard St., Fort Worth 76105) invites you to be a part one every Wednesday (March 1-12) from noon to 1 p.m. and special services on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. “We are meeting in the Fellowship Hall to claim for ourselves a new faith, hope and love as outlined in God’s Word and offered to us on an ongoing basis. So if you have not yet reached perfection, but are determined to keep on reaching, do come,” states senior pastor Georgia Allen. A schedule of dates and speakers ran in the past two E-Links.
Hispanic Courses —
“Bridges” Ten-Week Spanish Course- Metro
Building begins March 7.
Please go to
conference web site Hispanic Ministry page for registration at
http://www.ctxumc.org/hispanic.asp.
March 5 preview at Lorena UMC offers 20% discount on VBS resources — Joyce Brown, Cokesbury curriculum consultant, will offer a hands-on preview of Cokesbury's 2006 VBS---Adventure of the Treasure Seekers (Exploring God's Promises) from 3 to 5 p.m. March 5 at Lorena UMC (300 S. Bordon, Lorena). A 20% discount will be given on all VBS resources ordered at this event. For more details contact Joyce Brown at 817-249-2526 or joyce@danbrownart.com.
Christian Educators Fellowship meetings
—
The next meeting of the
Christian Educators Fellowship will be 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday, March 6, at the
Metropolitan Board of Missions in Fort Worth. Bring your own lunch.
March’s round table discussion will focus on creative summer
programming. Bring ideas and samples of resources to share! If you would
like to receive e-mail reminders of CEF meetings and updates, contact
Carol Roberts at
carol@genesisumc.com. Mark your calendars for the Monday meetings in
April and May, same time and place as noted above:
Youth family reunion at First Keller — First UMC Keller (1025 Johnson Road, Keller 76248) extends an open invitation to their Family Reunion Sunday, March 5, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Family Reunion brings together youth groups from all the denominations together for a time of fellowship and fun! The event is open to all senior high and middle school youth (no one under 12 can be admitted), who are encouraged to bring unchurched and unsaved friends because we will have a 45 minute worship service with a gospel presentation and a time for commitment. The event is totally FREE, but everyone must have a ticket to enter. Tickets are available by contacting Chris Johnson at First UMC Keller at 817-431-1332. This is a time for fellowship, praise and worship, evangelism, and fun! There will be inflatable games, a coffee shop hosted by Starbucks®, a game room, a chat room, a time of worship in the sanctuary, door prizes, lots of food, and more. Donations will NOT be accepted - God’s grace is free and that is the theme for the night, so all the games, food, drinks, entertainment, and Starbucks® coffee are totally FREE!
Weekend Couples Retreat at Glen Lake March 3-5 — On March 3, couples will begin arriving at Glen Lake Camp for the annual “Celebrating Marriage Spirituality” weekend couples retreat, offered by the conference Marriage Ministry Advisory Board. The retreat weekend begins Friday evening and ends Sunday at noon. Couples at any age and stage are welcome to attend, although the registration is limited to 80 couples. Couples will enjoy thought-provoking expert speakers, time alone to discuss and enjoy one another’s company, excellent food, and of course the incredible beauty and peace of Glen Lake. Lodging is available at the Hunt-Francis Marriage Center onsite, and highly recommended for privacy. Cost for the on-site lodging and retreat weekend is $230 per couple but space is limited so you should book early (includes lodging and all meals at Glen Lake). You can also choose to stay at a Glen Rose hotel or B&B. A listing of off-site lodging is available, and the Glen Lake cost is then $95 per couple (includes program, lunch & dinner, lodging separate). Details and registration form can be found on the Glen Lake website, www.glenlake.org.
Holy Conversations: Leadership, Money, and Ministry — On March 6-7, the Texas Methodist Foundation will host a state-wide conference for UM clergy, laity, and institutional leaders at the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin. The two-day event focuses on a key challenge for churches and institutions: the need for a clearly envisioned future based on an in-depth understanding of identity, purpose and community. For more information and a registration form, visit Texas Methodist Foundation’s website http://www.tmf-fdn.org/NewsEvents/news.html#Alban.
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News
New pension program begins Jan. 1, 2007 General Conference 2004 approved a new United Methodist Pension Program for all eligible clergy … Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP). In order to introduce and explain this new pension program and its funding prior to its presentation at Annual Conference (June 4-7), the Central Texas Conference Board of Pensions has schedule an event in each district.
These district meetings are critically important for every clergy person and chairs of each local church Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Finance Committee, and business administrator. Put the appropriate date on your calendar and expect to attend: Fort Worth District March 23 – 7 p.m. Edge Park UMC Brownwood District April 2 – 4 p.m. Comanche UMC Mid-Cities District April 20 – 7 p.m. First Hurst UMC Temple District April 23 – 3 p.m. First Belton UMC Waco District April 23 – 6:30 p.m. First Waco UMC Waxahachie District April 24 - 7 p.m. First Waxahachie UMC Weatherford District May 7 – 3 p.m. Aledo UMC
Women in ministry experiences needed
The Commission on Inclusiveness is asking
for stories from laity and clergy, male and female, about how their
experience with a clergy woman - at some point along the way - was a
blessing. What about the first woman pastor you ever met? Or those
special "God moments" when your mind was changed about women pastors by
an act of grace? Was there a time that because of a clergywoman you saw
something about your faith differently? If you can add to this body of
information, please send your comments to Lisa Baumgartner at
revbaum@gmail.com
or
revbaum@earthlink.net or Lisa Baumgartner,
Bosqueville
UMC,
7327 Rock
Creek Rd, Waco TX 76708. She will be assembling a booklet of these
stories during the next month for distribution at Annual Conference in
June. Friendly reminder!!! Each local UMC in the Central Texas Conference should have its Safe Sanctuary/ Abuse Prevention Policy adopted, implemented, and submitted to their district superintendent’s office by May 1, 2006. This was proposed and adopted by the CTC Annual Conference at its last meeting in June 2005. For further information and resources, contact Karen Granderson, 817-877-5222, 1-800-460-8622, or Karen@ctcumc.org.
Celebrating the musical genius of Charles Wesley In 2007, we celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of one of the most prolific hymn writers in history — Charles Wesley. To celebrate the life, mission, and music of this great individual, Music Celebrations International is organizing a Choir Festival in the Lincoln Center in New York City and we are inviting Methodist choirs from across the country to come together in New York to fellowship through music and to share the message through song. A new commissioned piece entitled "Directions for Singing" will be premiered at this event with full orchestra. The goal is to have representation from each jurisdication at this event. We are trying to locate fine Methodist choirs who can participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. Contact: Luke Wiscombe, Music Celebrations International, 1440 S. Priest Dr., #102, Tempe, AZ 85281 • 800-395-2036, 480-894-5137 (Fax) • luke@musiccelebrations.com www.musiccelebrations.com.
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Volunteers needed for spring break child care United Community Centers, Inc. (UCC), the national mission institution of the United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, is gearing up for the Fort Worth ISD Spring Break. UCC will have over 300 children and youth for a week-long day camp at their 3 neighborhood center locations in Fort Worth. Volunteers to help with activities, crafts, reading and field trips are welcomed. Please contact Sherry Dunn, UCC director of programs, at 817-927-5556, ext. 113 if you are interested. If you have a place to host a field trip, please contact us. www.unitedcommunitycenters.org.
Keller FUMC – Serving God’s Family Series First UMC Keller (1025 Johnson Road, Keller) presents “Serving God’s Family,” an 8-week Wednesday night series where we will hear outstanding speakers tell of ministries that are crucial in today’s world. Those in attendance will be informed and challenged to “serve God’s family” even more fully. The series begins Wednesday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. Each week will be a different speaker. 3/22 -Keller Community Storehouse - Barbara Board 3/29 - Aldersgate Enrichment Center - Bill Shelton 4/5 - Metropolitan Board of Missions - Brenda Wier 4/12 - World Missions (Africa) - Jerri & Bill Savuto 4/19 - Kairos Ministry - Dan Hernandez 4/26 - FUMC Keller Outreach Ministries- committee members 5/3 - United Community Centers - Celia Esparza 5/10 - Justice for Our Neighbors - Mary Beth Albaneze
This series will inform and provide many opportunities for service and will create new ways of thinking of our neighbors and strangers we may meet. Nursery is available for young children and older children’s activities are planned during the mission program. Each Wednesday dinner is served from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Adults - $5 and children under 12 - $2.50. Dinner reservations required: 817-431-1332.
Congregational Health & Wellness Reserve October 8 -11 for the second annual health and wellness conference sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries Health and Wellness - Congregation Health Ministries team. The focus of this year’s conference, “Empowering Ministries of Health: Transform, Mobilize, Advocate,” promises to provide many “how to’s” for those working for health and wellness in their annual conferences and local churches. For more information, please visit the GBGM website at http://gbgmumc.org/health/congmin/secondnationalconference.cfm.
Invitation to all
United Methodist Women VBS Samplers (repeat) Bring your VBS workers and leaders to the 2006 VBS Samplers at 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at one of the following three locations: First UMC Hurst, 521 W. Pipeline, Hurst 76053 Lorena UMC, 205 Bordon St., Lorena 76655 Early UMC, 1073 Early Blvd., Early 76803
Participants will visit activity centers to sample and experience the music, crafts, games, snacks, storytelling and mission ideas for this year’s Cokesbury VBS curriculum, Adventure of the Treasure Seekers: Exploring God’s Promises. To register, contact Susan Briles at 817-877-5222, 1-800-460-8622, or susan@ctcumc.org. Please include how many children attend your local VBS. Be sure to bring your VBS Starter Kits with you.
Black Church Studies Program at Brite The Brite Divinity School Black Church Studies Program, under the directorship of Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas, announces its 2nd Annual State of the Black Church Summit and awards banquet on Friday, March 24, at Dee J. Kelly Alumni & Visitors Center at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. The theme for this event is “Linking Divine Justice to Social Justice.” The event will be an inter-disciplinary exchange involving scholars, church leaders, students, and members of the community.
The Summit—including a luncheon, panel discussion, community conversation and book signings— is 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The “Council of Griots,” a panel consisting of scholars, the honoree, and keynote speaker, and local pastors, will address topics related to theme “Linking Divine Justice to Social Justice.” After the panelists have completed their presentations, the audience (including college students, seminarians, church and lay leaders, community activists, and congregants) will enter into dialogue with their questions and comments. Cost: $15 per person.
The banquet is 6:30 -9:30 p.m. We will be celebrating the pastoral leadership of our honoree, Rev. Dr. Zan Holmes and the scholarly insights of our keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin. We will also be presenting $1,000 scholarships to both a deserving high school senior and a Brite Divinity School seminarian. The banquet includes a reception, catered meal, autographed book, musical tributes, and award presentations. Cost: $125 per person or $1,000 for a table of eight. Contact: Stacey Floyd-Thomas at 817-257-7580 or bcs@tcu.edu.
ABLC/Extension Ministries (repeat)
The annual meeting and
luncheon of those in “Appointments Beyond the Local Church/Extension
Ministries Annual Meeting and Luncheon, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday,
March 20, at Wesley Hall, First UMC, Fort Worth. The guest speaker will
be Cheri Lee, director of Community Health Initiatives at Texas Health
Resources. Parish nurses basic preparation opportunity (repeat) Faith & Health…..Dallas/Fort Worth Faith and Health Collaborative presents Parish Nurse Basic Preparation from the International Parish Nurse Resource Center Curriculum, June 4-9, at the Bishop Mason Retreat & Conference Center in Flower Mound. The application course fee is $675, which includes course materials, meals and lodging. Space is limited to 20 participants. The registration deadline is May 15 with the initial payment of $300 due by March 31 and final payment by May 15. For a brochure, application form and additional details, contact conference Health & Welfare chair Mona Bailey at 817-379-0959 or billmona_1@charter.net. The course objectives are:
Baylor University School of Nursing will be offering a course in Waco this summer (June/July) on two weekends (Friday-Sunday) and in Dallas on four weekends (Friday-Saturday) so folks can go after work Friday. The dates will be announced later, but the cost is usually $375 (meals and lodging not included). A portion of the Golden Cross Offering is used for the purpose of offering Parish Nursing scholarships to interested churches within the Central Texas Conference, so churches may want to include this in next year’s plans. The offering is still used primarily to help uninsured Methodists who find themselves in Harris Methodist Hospital. But in the spirit of preventative medicine and for the purpose of reaching out to other parts of the Conference, the scholarship program is also in effect.
FUSE celebrates Youth In Mission program (repeat) CTCYM invites everyone in the Central Texas Conference to FUSE (potentially the largest single event the CTC has ever had) at 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at the Heart of Texas Coliseum in Waco. FUSE will be an opportunity for celebration, reunion, and worship energized by the Central Texas Conference Youth in Mission program. The two-time Dove Award winning band By the Tree (http://bythetree.com) will be there leading us in worship and celebration. If you have ever been on one of our CTCYM trips, or have supported those who have gone, put this event on your calendar now! Contact: FUSE coordinator Steve Heyduck at sheyduck@sbcglobal.net or CTCYM coordinator Rachel Giessen at Rachel@ctcumc.org.
Youth mission
opportunity
(repeat)
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