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Central E-LinkWeekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference
September 29, 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
Missionaries from Kiev, Ukraine itinerating in Central Texas
General Board of Global Ministries
missionaries Bill and Helen Lovelace, currently serving in Kiev,
Ukraine, are itinerating in the Central Texas Conference. They
will be visiting churches in the Central Texas Conference and
surrounding conferences from Oct. 12 to Oct. 30. They serve in
church development and ministries related to women’s issues,
social outreach and ministries to families affected by drug and
alcohol abuse. You may hear them speak in engagements in the
churches listed below. For specific information about times, or
how you can support a GBGM mission, contact Dawne McAlpin, CTC
secretary of Global Ministries at
dawne@actonumc.org.
10-12 FUMC Georgetown
Concert at Crossroads UMC – Oct. 1
Crossroads UMC (200 S. Second St.,
Haslet 76052) is excited to host the first of many concerts.
Join us Saturday, Oct. 1st when
The Dave Boman Band
and The Rick Shivers Band
will lead us in a night of awesome praise and worship. Also
joining us that evening will be Guy Earle with
Team Impact.
Tickets are $10 each. You can pay for your tickets online via
Paypal or purchase them at Crossroads UMC. If you can drive or own a truck, and can deliver supplies from the Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La., to various areas in need of them, please contact Ronald Johnson at Sager Brown 337-923-6238 (office) or 337-380-7111 (cell). They are looking for individuals who can make a one or two-week commitment.
“Singing along the Trail” at Arlington Heights UMC — Oct. 2 Arlington Heights UMC (4200 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth 76107) will present “Singing along the Trail” with some 75 voices of the Chancel Choir performing its annual Lord’s Acre Concert. Stephen Simons will be conducting with accompaniment by Martha Michael at the piano. Western themes, along with a few popular pieces, will be sung.
Survivors of Suicide (repeat) First UMC Fort Worth will offer a new eight-week “Survivors of Suicide” group beginning at 7-9 p.m. Oct. 4 at University Christian Church (2720 S. University Drive, Fort Worth 76109). A professional counselor and a person who has had a family member commit suicide will lead the group. There is a two-year follow up to these groups that meets monthly for those who want it. The SOS group is one of only 196 groups nationally approved by the American Association of Suicidology. In Tarrant County alone, there are two suicides every three days. Pre-registration is required. For more details or to register, please contact Larry Grubb at lapat@airmail.net.
New community choir (repeat) Ken McIntosh, executive director for the Tarrant Area Community of Churches, reports a new opportunity for young people of various faith backgrounds in Tarrant County. “A group of retired musicians and choir directors has decided to start a new community choir, dedicated to the best in sacred and secular music. The choir is called Cantus Novus (Latin for "new song"). Details can be found at www.cantusnovusfortworth.org. The first meeting is Oct. 2 at First Presbyterian Church (1000 Penn St., Fort Worth).
New Testament
scholar at SMU
Brownwood District Advanced Lay Speaking Course (repeat) An Advanced Lay Speaking Course will be offered Oct. 15-16 at the First UMC, Comanche (Brownwood District). Scheduled times are 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2-5 p.m. on Sunday. The study will be “Lay Speakers Lead Worship” using the Contemporary Worship for the 21st Century as the study book. The cost of $20 and includes study materials. The sign up deadline is Oct. 1. Contact: Howard Hagood at 254-734-2977 or 254-734-5729.
Preparing for Thanksliving Offering (rewrite) While we as a nation have been consumed over the past couple weeks by Hurricane Katrina, people in Africa are facing famine and hunger every day! Isn’t it comforting that while we focus our attention on natural disasters close to home, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is ALWAYS at work in the most needy areas of the world? UMCOR is working to relieve famine in seven countries in Africa where people are dying because of severe food shortages. Niger, where drought killed off last year’s harvest of mostly small millet and pumpkin crops, has been among the more prominently reported African nations. Please urge your congregations to share their gifts in November with UMCOR Advance #101250, All Africa Drought & Famine Relief. A bulletin insert is available at http://gbgm-umc/umcor/print/bulletininserts/niger.cfm to assist in your promotion.
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News
UMCOR response (update) Assistant treasurer Thane Arther reports that as of today, Sept. 29, the conference has received $292,943 designated for response to 2005 hurricanes. As of this week, churchwide contributions to UMCOR for Hurricane Katrina relief totals just over $7 million. That figure includes donations made online, by telephone, and mail but does not include giving through Annual Conferences. (Hurricanes 2005 Global, Advance #982523)
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Messages from humanitarian services director Jennifer Coggins
THANK YOU for your continued
support of those affected by Hurricane Katrina and for your
wonderful response to those fleeing Hurricane Rita last week.
Please continue to let us know about your congregation’s relief
activities by sending an e-mail to
Carolyn@ctcumc.org
or to
jennifer@ctcumc.org.
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, Arlington to hold benefit Concert for Compassion St. Andrews 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.
LifePoint seeks launch team (repeat) The name LifePoint United Methodist Church has been chosen and work is well underway to begin our conference’s newest church start in North Fort Worth. LifePoint is currently forming a launch team, so if you or anyone you know in the North Fort Worth/West Keller area might be interested in signing up, please contact Thomas Childs at 817-602-8616 or e-mail Pastor@LifePointUMC.com. Short-term (6 to 12 months) commitments from partnering church members are requested as well in order to help LifePoint achieve “critical mass” for 6 to 12 months and then return to your home church.
Events scheduled to find a launch team began with a block part on Sept. 18 and now following with: • an 8-week Love & Marriage Seminar beginning Oct. 2 • passing out bottled water and an information booth at Saturday morning soccer games in the area • a Fall Festival on Oct. 23rd • involvement in the Keller Chamber of Commerce • extensive marketing • lots of prayer, and much more
The mission for LifePoint is “to grow a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming highly effective Christians.” And, the vision is to: (1) teach people about Christianity in positive ways; (2) offer meaningful and relevant worship in a state-of-the-art audio-visual setting; (3) disciple people in small groups; and (4) relieve suffering.
For more information about this new church start, to www.LifePointUMC.com.
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.
Holy Land
tour with Bishop Chamness
(repeat)
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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.
Children of Biblical Lands: 2005 Mission Study for Children. GBGM 2005 — This book is designed to enlighten children of all ages about the children that live in the biblical lands today. 24 pages. Illustrated.
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— Looking Ahead —
World Communion Sunday — Oct. 2 Connecting the Pieces: Body Mind & Spirit singles road trip/retreat — Oct. 7-9 at Mt. Sequoyah, Fayetteville, Arkansas Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center Golf Tournament — Oct. 21 Alarga Walk to Emmaus — Nov. 17-20 at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center United Methodist Student Day — Nov. 27 Spring Board of Ministry interviews — March 27-29, 2006 at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center
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Needs, Resources, Opportunities
Christmas
puppet show scripts
Loan of fish fryers (repeat) Kingswood UMC is looking for the loan of one or more fish fryers. If you or your church can help, please contact Mildred George at kingsumc@flash.net.
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.
United Christian Fellowship campus ministry director United Christian Fellowship (UCF) at Navarro College, Corsicana, seeks a campus ministry director to begin Jan. 1, 2006. UCF is an ecumenical ministry supported by the United Methodist, Presbyterian USA, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Roman Catholic, and Episcopal churches. Corsicana is located 1-hour drive south of Dallas.
Navarro College is a community college offering 2 and 4-year degrees with enrollment at 6,200. The UCF serves the campus by providing the opportunity for educational, social, spiritual, social justice and other new and innovative ministries. A new facility is currently under construction and there is a ministry assistant position working with the director. There is a tradition of teaching classes at the college if he/she is properly academically credentialed. Applicants should be committed to ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and social justice and have skills relating to students and community members without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or ethnicity. Candidates should have 3-5 years experience working with university students in a campus ministry setting. Preference will be given to applicants ordained in the UMC but consideration will be given to any applicants ordained in a supporting denomination. A M.Div. degree or its equivalent is required. This position will be appointed by the bishop of the Central Texas Conference to serve as campus minister and as pastor of St. Andrew’s UMC—an intentionally multicultural and progressive congregation of the UMC in Corsicana. The total yearly compensation package is $38,000 to $44,000 plus housing allowance and pension. Salary and benefits to be negotiated according to training and experience. Send application, a letter expressing your specific interest in the position, resume and professional references by Oct. 15 to Waxahachie District superintendent Georgia Adamson at Waxahachie@ctcumc.org (MS Word for letter, resume and references) or mail to P.O. Box 156, Waxahachie, TX 75165.
Director of
student (youth) ministries
Director of
music ministries
Program director Meadowbrook UMC in east Fort Worth has an immediate opening for a director of outreach, nurture and children’s ministries. Depending on time availability and experience, it can be full or part-time. For more details, contact Larry Van Zile at larry@meadowbrookumc.org or call 817-534-1741. Salary depends on hours available and experience.
Director of Music Ministries Christ UMC (3301 Sycamore School Road, Fort Worth 76123) seeks a part-time director of music ministries. Responsibilities include praise band, chancel choir and developing new music programs. For more information, contact Vaughn Baker at 817-346-2400.
Bell Choir director Smithfield UMC (6701 Smithfield, Fort Worth 76180) is accepting resumes for part-time Bell Choir director. If interested, please contact Tim Boeglin at pastor@smithfield.org or 817-281-0314.
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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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