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Central E-LinkWeekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference
March 30, 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): Veritas … a new worship gathering — Now offered Saturdays at 6 p.m. is Richland Hills UMC’s Veritas... a new worship gathering. This is an interactive worship experience (including interactive sermons) that is liturgical, post-modern, emergent, engaging and fun — and it comes with coffee and snacks. Renovations have been completed to install a new sound system, screens and more so that the congregation can host this Saturday evening worship. Veritas... will be a great opportunity to worship for anyone who cannot attend Sunday morning worship, including clergy who are looking for a place that takes an honest look at the challenges, as well as blessings of faith (as if the two are different), where they can worship without having to worry about leading. For more information, contact Mike Baughman (mbaughman@rhumc.net) or visit www.xanga.com/veritasgathering. Veritas... is held at Richland Hills UMC, 7301 Glenview Dr, North Richland Hills.
Blazing New Trails at MCH — Methodist Children’s Home will host a one-of-a-kind event this Saturday, April 1, at the MCH’s Boys Ranch just outside of Waco. The event, “Blazing New Trails,” will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The evening will feature a vision for the Home’s future that includes doubling the number of children in care; a retrospective; and testimonies from residents who benefit from the support of UMs throughout Texas and New Mexico. There will be a chuckwagon catered meal, entertainment by Grammy Award-winner Art Greenhaw and members of the Light Crust Doughboys, a silent auction, and dinner with residents from the Ranch. Tickets are $20 each or a table of 8 for $160. If you can attend, or know of other individuals who would benefit from attending this event please contact development director Trey Oakley at 254-750-1388 or treyoakleymch@yahoo.com.
Health Fair & Beacon House Thrift Store sale April 1 — Martin UMC (2621 Bedford Road, Bedford 76021) will hold their 3rd annual health fair and thrift store sale at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1. There will be free health screening and health information. For more details, contact the church at 817-354-9038 or www.martin-methodist.org.
Mandatory pension programs — 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 scheduled 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
Christian Educators Fellowship — The next Christian Educators Fellowship meeting at 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday, April 3, will be at the Metropolitan Board of Missions in Fort Worth. Bring your own lunch. Mary Langley, UM deacon currently working at the New Life School, will discuss children’s spirituality. The New Life School is a Fort Worth ISD alternative school for pregnant and parenting teens. Future meetings: May 8 — Resources for spiritual growth in all ages plus new and updated study and curriculum materials.
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. April 5—Dr. John Feidler — senior pastor at First UMC, Dallas
Youth Second Chance Store at Blooming Grove —The youth of Blooming Grove UMC will launch their annual “Second Chance Store” on Thursday, April 6, and Friday, April 7, (if not sold out on April 6) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No item is priced so make us an offer! All proceeds benefit the youth summer mission trip to Oklahoma where the youth will be doing home repairs for the elderly, the handicapped and the indigent. The store will be located behind the church at the corner of Third & Kerr streets in Blooming Grove. For questions or donations, call Beth Bennett at 903-695-2579.
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News
UMs pushing power of
prayer in TV ad
campaign
A brand new television campaign by the UMC encourages
people to “believe again” in the power of prayer. The denomination
launched a $1.7 million national advertising purchase on March 29 that
continues through April 15. An additional $750,000 will be spent on
local campaigns utilizing a variety of advertising mediums. A new
television commercial entitled “Prayer” is the latest element of the
UMC’s “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.”
media campaign. In the television spot, a boy carefully
writes a note on a piece of paper, then grabs a kite and heads outside.
He attaches his handwritten note to the body of the kite and, with great
expectation, sends it soaring into the sky. As he brings the kite back
to earth, he excitedly gazes heavenward trusting that his hopes and
aspirations have reached their intended audience. “The commercial seeks
to inspire us to claim the hope that prayer offers and to embrace prayer
as a source of strength, guidance and comfort. Its message reminds us to
‘believe again,’ and to know that God cares about the desires of our
hearts,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist
Communications. “Likewise, we want people to know that United Methodist
churches are places where people deeply care about and support one
another. We invite anyone who wants to regain a sense of hope to visit
one of our churches.”
NOTE CHANGE: Next
Sexual Harassment Misconduct Prevention Training
(repeat)
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Good Friday service St. Stephen UMC, Arlington will hold a noon worship service on Good Friday based on the seven last words of Jesus from the cross. This is an abbreviated 60-minute version of the traditional noon to 3 p.m. service. The following ministers will be preaching: Luther Henry, Jacquetta Chambers, Clifton Howard, Kennedy Jones, Rochelle Carr, Chauncey Nealy, and Debra Crumpton. Each minister will preach a 3- to 5-minute sermon on one of the phrases. The service will be followed by a time of fellowship with lunch provided. Please come and bring a friend.
A “Central Celebration”
First UMC, Arlington hosts “Letters From Dad” Men from all churches are invited to attend a free (donations accepted, but not required) Bar-B-Q at First UMC of Arlington to learn about this great Christian Legacy program for Dads. The BBQ will be on Tuesday, May 2 and starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Music, fellowship, and information from Greg Vaughn, the founder of Letters From Dad will be the highlights of the evening. Letters From Dad was highlighted by UMR Reporter Robin Russell on November 23, 2005. We encourage the men and leaders of churches to visit the UMR Interactive site to review that article and visit www.lettersfromdad.com for additional information. To reserve seats for the men in your church contact the church at 817-274-2571 or Ted McIlvain at ted@arlingtonmethodist.org.
St. James, Waco music ministry Ralph Steele, senior pastor St. James UMC, Waco, invites all interested persons to a special music ministry program at St James at 6 p.m. May 19 with Lee Williams. Tickets are $20 per person, $25 at the door. For tickets and details, contact St. James at 254-752-4294.
Ministering to Hispanic children
“Bridges” Ministering with Hispanic
Children Workshop- Metro Building Saturday April 8. More information
forthcoming. Visit
http://www.ctxumc.org/hispanic.asp. Christian Youth Weekend at Six Flags Christian Youth Weekend at Six Flags is the weekend of April 14 and 15. Audio Adrenaline and Kutless will be in concert Friday evening. Saturday features Mercy Me. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the conference office for $26 that includes one-day admission to the park and the concert. These are blocks of assigned seating so that large groups can sit together. Tickets must be purchased prior to Friday, April 7. Season pass holders may purchase concert tickets for $8. Contact Lisa McCutcheon to purchase your tickets.
Glen Lake Camp Golf Classic (repeat) Join other golfers (and “phantom golfers”) for the 4th Annual Glen Lake Golf Classic April 28 at Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose. Visit www.glenlake.org for registration forms and sponsor information or contact Grant Harris at 254-897-2247 or email grant@glenlake.org. Registration fee includes green fee, cart and lunch provided by the Ben E Keith Monster Grill.
Sabbaticals for
Christian pastors
(repeat)
Congregational Health & Wellness (repeat) 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.
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.
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 4t– 9, at the Bishop Mason Retreat & Conference Center, Flower Mound. The application course fee is $675, which includes course materials, meals and lodging. Space is limited to 20 participants. Registration deadline is May 15. The initial payment of $300 is due by March 31, with final payment due by May 15. You may pay by check or by credit card. Mona Bailey, the CTC Health & Welfare Chair, has a brochure with an application form, as well as other specifications for anyone wishing to enroll. Call her at 817-379-0959, or e-mail to 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 consisting of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And in Dallas they do 4 weekends of Friday and Saturday so folks can go after work Friday. We don’t have dates for those as of yet, but the cost is usually $375, as this is not a meals and lodging inclusive package.
As you may remember, we have started using a portion of the Golden Cross offerings for the purpose of offering Parish Nursing scholarships to interested churches within the Central Texas Conference, so be thinking about including this in your plans for next year. The offering is still used primarily to support the provision of “charity care” delivered by Harris Methodist Hospitals… (Please note that this is a correction from the last printing) 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) 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.
Mission messages
Local assistance for
hurricane survivors: CTC churches have the opportunity
to provide continued support for domestic displaced persons who have
relocated to Tarrant County after last year’s hurricanes. Many of our
guests are still struggling to get back on their feet, and Tarrant
County Human Services anticipates that a number of individuals and
families may be evicted from their apartments and hotel rooms beginning
in April when FEMA discontinues its rent assistance program. Tarrant
County Human Services has agreed to provide half of one month’s rent for
clients who have demonstrated the ability to pay rent on their own after
this first month, and is seeking partner organizations and churches that
might be able to assist with the second half of the month’s rent. TCHS
caseworkers will also encourage the clients to pay what they can toward
the rent, even if it is marginal, so the total that will be requested of
partners may be less that half the month’s rent. This will be requested
on a case-by-case basis. If your congregation still has funds left for
hurricane survivors and would like the opportunity to provide this type
of assistance, or if you would be interested in helping to raise money
for this cause, please contact Jennifer Coggins, Director of
Humanitarian Services. You may reach her at
jennifer@ctcumc.org or 817-877-5222.
Assistance to Louisiana churches affected by Hurricane Katrina: The
Louisiana Conference UMC is providing opportunities for churches outside
of their conference to partner with churches in Louisiana that were
deeply affected by Hurricane Katrina. Partnering churches can commit to
provide prayer support, volunteer support, and various types of
financial support to a local church or cooperative parish. If you are
interested in partnering with a church in Louisiana, you may do so by
going to the Louisiana Conference Disaster Recovery website at
www.laumcstormrelief.com.
You will find a link for “Partnering with Louisiana Churches.” If you
have further questions, please contact Jennifer Coggins at
jennifer@ctcumc.org
or 817-877-5222. Also, we would love to hear stories about the work you
are doing, so please let us know the results of your partnership
efforts. Older youth and adult UM Volunteers in Mission trip: In celebration of a 10-year covenant with the Eastern Mexico Annual Conference, an UMVIM team from the Central Texas Conference will be serving in Reynosa, Mexico from July 23-29, 2006. The trip is open to individuals age 16 years and older. The team will be working on a construction project at a local church and will also lead Vacation Bible School for the children in the community. No experience is necessary, but we would like to have some team members with expertise in tiling, sheetrock installation, and other carpentry. For additional information, contact Jennifer Coggins or Janet Wood at the Central Texas Conference Office. 817/877-5222, 800/460-8622 or jan@ctcumc.org or jennifer@ctcumc.org. Download a registration form at www.ctxumc.org/missions/vim.html.
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Resources
What’s New at the Resource Center 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. New arrivals include: Two new titles in the popular “Faith Lessons” series with Ray Vander Laan. Faith Lessons in the Dust of the Rabbi: Becoming a Disciple. DVD. Come discover how to follow Jesus, as you walk with teacher and historian Vander Laan through the breathtaking terrain of Israel and Turkey and explore what it really means to be a disciple. This sixth faith lesson volume takes you to Galilee where Jesus called his first disciples to follow him then on to Priene and Didyma. 5 sessions. 2 hours total running time. Includes discussion guide. Faith Lessons Walk as Jesus Walked: Making Disciples. DVD. Come and discover the passion of our early Christian brothers and sisters. Follow in their footprints, as they loved the Messiah with all their heart, all their soul, and all their might. This seventh faith lesson volume takes you into Asia Minor where disciple like Paul and Timothy traveled, spreading news of Jesus and bringing new disciples to follow him. 5 sessions. 2 hour total running time. Includes discussion guide.
D.E.A.L. Grant available UM students are invited to apply for two $500 grants. These grants will be awarded to an upper classman or returning UM college student. One grant is to be awarded to a student who has a handicapping condition and a second grant to a student who has a declared major in assisting individuals with handicapping conditions, i.e., special education, speech pathology, hearing and visual impairment, social work, counseling, physical and/or occupational therapies. Both grants will be awarded in May 2006 and presented at CTC Annual Conference in June. Applications must be postmarked no later than Apr. 30, 2006. Address applications to: Jane Gates, c/o Central Texas Conference, 114 Rebecca Rd., Moody, TX 76557-3546 Email: jane@pasotx.com Phone: 254-853-2976
If you have a deserving student in your congregation who would benefit from a scholarship, check out the Conference Merit Award scholarship of $500 for first-time students attending a UM-related school or university. New this year is the $1,000 Stephens Scholarship in Finance/Accounting offered to a UM student preparing for a career in finance/accounting. For this scholarship, the applicant is asked to provide a statement on how their education will help to undergird good stewardship in the church today and in the future. Information on these programs and application forms have been e-mailed to all pastors and is also available by contacting Susan Briles at 817-877-5222, 800-460-8622 or susan@ctcumc.org.
Depression Connection support groups (repeat) Depression Connection Team collaborates with churches to develop and operate support groups for people with depression, bipolar disorder, and related conditions. People suffering from these disorders are more likely to achieve recovery when participating in small peer support groups. Presently, we have five groups and we are developing three new ones to begin this month. Would you like to consider having your church sponsor a group? For additional information please contact Tony Campbell at Tony@depressionconnection.org or call (817)-810-9599.
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— Looking Ahead — Conference Spring Leadership Summit — April 1 at Central UMC, Waco South Central Jurisdiction workweek — April 3-7 at Mount Sequoyah, Fayetteville, Arkansas Deadline for CTC Merit Award and Stephens Finance/Accounting scholarship applications — April 15 Sager Brown (Baldwin, LA) mission trip — April 20-23 VBS Samplers — 3-5 p.m. April 23 at 3 locations: First Hurst, Lorena, Early Youth Choir Rally — April 29-30 at Granbury First UMC Changing Lives Through Stewardship training — April 29 and 30 (two locations) Start-Up Seminar — May 2 at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center UMW Assembly at Anaheim, Calif. — May 4-7 FUSE – reunion/celebration of CTCYM — June 4 at Heart of Texas Coliseum, Waco Central Texas Annual Conference — June 4-7, Waco Convention Center GBGM Health & Wellness – Congregation Health Ministries (see article) — Oct. 8-11
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Needs, Resources, Opportunities
NOTE TO LISTERS: Please contact Carolyn Stephens at Carolyn@ctcumc.org to pull your listing when your opening has been filled. Discipleship Minister / Associate Pastor St. Philip's UMC NW Austin metro area, seeks a motivated and creative person to join our staff team. Primary responsibilities include coordinating Connecting Ministries (Evangelism and Assimilation) and Member Care, and resourcing Education Ministries. Deacons are especially encouraged to apply. Click here for position description.
Client Intervention Specialist / Mission Intern United Community Centers, Inc., a national mission institution of the General Board of Global Ministries, seeks a part-time Client Intervention Specialist (25 hours per week) to work as a mission intern. Duties include working in the emergency food and clothing services at the Bethlehem UCC, 970 E Humbolt, Fort Worth 76104. High School diploma or GED and computer skills required; college degree or hours preferred and bi-lingual (Spanish) preferred. Fax resume to 817-924-3992 or email to probledo@unitedcommunitycenters.org
General Conference 2008
Volunteer Opportunity (repeat)
Hospitality Assistant (repeat)
White’s Chapel UMC at Southlake seeks a
motivated individual for a full-time (35 hours) hospitality assistant.
He/she must, first and foremost, possess a heart for ministry and
service. This position will report to director of hospitality and will
assist in the kitchen with food preparation, dining room preparation,
serving, and cleanup. Individual must be available for variable hours
including weekends and some evenings. For more information to apply,
contact Vicki Johnson at
vjohnson@whiteschapelumc.com or by calling
817-481-4147. Nursery Attendant (repeat) Heritage UMC in Grapevine seeks a loving and dependable person to take care of our children under 5 years old on Wednesday evenings and/or Sunday evenings. Applicants must be over 18 years old and must submit to a criminal background check. Please call Lynn Carter at 817-571-1111.
Praise Band Leader (repeat) First UMC Alvarado has an immediate opening for a Praise Band leader with contemporary worship experience. The right person will play a musical instrument and be comfortable in leading the congregation in singing. The individual will also have responsibility for leading our youth choir. Alvarado is located 20 minutes south of Fort Worth on I-35W. For job description and requirements contact the church at fumcalv@sbcglobal.net.
Nursery Staff
Position
(repeat)
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