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Young Adults Urged to Embrace Call to Ministry
Written: 11/19/2009 10:17:20 AM
By Vicki Brown, UMNS
One of her first appointments was to an inner city church in Cleveland in the midst of a school busing crisis. She lived in a parsonage across the street from an X-rated theater and a parking lot where a motorcycle gang hung out.
But she was not alone, Minnesota Area Bishop Sa...
TAC Members Called to Match $42,000 Gift
Written: 11/18/2009 11:39:07 AM
Seventeen thousand people in 113 Zip codes.
These are more than numbers to the Wesley Community Center, where these figures translate into transformed lives.
From after-school programs to emergency assistance with food, clothing, utilities and transportation, the reach of the Wes...
Young Missionaries Take Gospel to Ukraine, Cambodia and Beyond
Written: 11/18/2009 11:36:58 AM
By Eleanor L. Colvin, Director of Communications
The three newest missionaries in the Texas Annual Conference are no strangers to service. With Methodist roots firmly planted in White Oak, Houston and Champagne, Ill., each is uniquely equipped to take the gospel all over the world.
...
Mission Anahuac Comeback
Written: 11/18/2009 11:34:51 AM
By Rev. Clay Whitaker, Texas Conference Disaster Response
Anahuac Comeback was started under the direction of First United Methodist Church of Rosenberg Texas. Their vision is to help restore homes that were damaged/destroyed in Hurricane Ike. To be specific, this Fall they hav...
Rising from the Ashes
Written: 11/18/2009 11:26:07 AM
By Thelma Jones, Editor, Cross Connection
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
The congregation of First UMC in San Augustine, Texas demonstrated their understanding...
Jones Memorial UMC Offers G.E.D. Prep Course
Written: 11/12/2009
Join Jones Memorial UMC is working with Houston Community College to offer a free adult education G.E.D. prep course. It will run January 19 - June 17, 2010. Classes will be Mondays and Thursdays from 9-12 a.m. Orientation will be held December 11-14 from 9 a.m. until noon.
Jones Memorial ...
Hispanic Fellowship Event with Rev. Mamani
Written: 11/12/2009
The Fellowship of Hispanic Ministry would like to invite anyone interested to meet and fellowship with Rev. Mamani on December 8, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Methodist Service Center.
We will share a meal and hear from Rev. Mamani about the work he is doing in Bolivia.&...
U.S. Bishops Take Salary Cut
Written: 11/11/2009 10:05:04 AM
By Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS
In a day and age when just having a job is the new raise, it came naturally to the spiritual leaders of The United Methodist Church to take a pay cut.
“It’s as plain as the nose on your face,” said Bishop Peggy Johnson, Philadelphia Area. “It makes...
Global Mission Grants Cover Four United Methodist Priorities
Written: 11/11/2009 9:23:22 AM
By Elliott Wright, GBGM
More than $1.8 million in "mission opportunity grants" were approved or confirmed by directors of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries at their annual meeting in Stamford, Connecticut, in mid-October.
In addition, almost $400,000 in new gra...
UMW Assembly 2010: Faith - Hope - Love in Action
Written: 11/11/2009
April 30-May 2
With pre-conference events April 29
St. Louis, MO
America’s Center
United Methodist Women assemble every four years to celebrate, to lift up, to learn, and to return to their communities better equipped for mission. Tens of thousands of women hav...
New Disciple Study Guide for UM Men
Written: 11/11/2009
Bishop Richard B. Wilke, the principal architect and author of Disciple Bible Study, has produced a “Meditation and Action Guide” for UM men studying Disciple II. The guide offers personal meditations for men and weekly calls to action.
Nearly two million people in 10,000 congregatio...
Annual Conference Forms Online
Written: 11/11/2009
Meal Planning forms for both Annual Conferences 2010 and 2011 are now online.
Forms for TAC 2010: Please begin turning in your forms on or after December 1, 2009 for TAC 2010. These forms must be accompanied by a deposit for the set-up of the room, paid directly ...
Connectional Table OK's New Plan to Study Church
Written: 11/10/2009 9:44:34 AM
By J. Richard Peck, UMNS
The United Methodist Church is going forward with a plan to do a system-wide study of national and regional agencies and practices to reinvigorate a denomination that is growing older and smaller in the United States.
The Connectional Table at its Nov. 6-8 meeting agreed t...
Hispanic Ministries November Gathering - New Location
Written: 11/9/2009
The next Hispanic Ministries gathering will be November 11 from 10:00 am until noon. The location has been changed. The meeting will now be held at:
Holy Trinity UMC
13207 Orleans St.
Houston, Texas 77015
Feel free to invite others to join you for this time of...
November: Native American Heritage Month
Written: 11/9/2009
November is Native American Heritage Month and November 27 is Native American Heritage Day. Presidential Proclamation of November as Native American Heritage Month
CONAM's 5th Annual Powwow in Houston - November 21
GBOD Native American Worship Resources
Native American Comprehensive Plan
The Nat...
2009 Missional Excellence Year End Report
Written: 11/8/2009
Churches and pastors,
The 2009 Missional Excellence year-end report form is available. Before filling it out, please read this memo from Rev. Cynthia Harvey.
They request that you complete the report and email it to sbroome@txcumc.org any time between now and report day.
&...
Youth 2011
Written: 11/5/2009 10:37:35 AM
You think you are ordinary? Think again!!
Throughout the Bible, God chooses seemingly ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
The Story of God is filled with unlikely heroes.
The story is still being written, and you have a part to play. God wants to do extraordinary things thro...
Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday - November 8
Written: 11/5/2009
Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday, a United Methodist special Sunday observed as part of the National Donor Sabbath, is traditionally observed the second Sunday in November. The United Methodist Church supports organ and tissue donation:
We believe that organ transplantation and organ donation are acts...
DMYP and YouthWorks Work Together on Mission Experience
Written: 11/5/2009
The Division on Ministries with Young People (DMYP) and YouthWorks have partnered together to bring summer mission trips to Nashville, TN for your youth group!
Together, they are hosting a Denominational Mission camp during the summer of 2010 for the United Methodist Church. This is a great opp...
Goodpaster, Wenner Win Election to Lead Bishops
Written: 11/5/2009
By Kathy Gilbert, UMNS
Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster of Western North Carolina will be the next president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops.
The council at its fall meeting on Nov. 4 elected Goodpaster president and Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of Germany president-elect by a “staggering&rd...
UMCOM Offers Online Training
Written: 11/4/2009
United Methodist Communications recently launched a weekly series on communication ministry topics, tools, resources and tips. These are available as a live broadcast each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Previous topics are available as on-demand video to be viewed at your convenience.
Updating Your C...
New AIDS Resource for United Methodist Churches
Written: 11/4/2009
World Aids Day is December 1
A new online resource developed by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund team is now available for churches everywhere to educate individuals and communities about HIV/AIDS.
“Working Toward an AIDS-Free World: An Educational Kit for United Methodist Churches,&rdq...
Historical Marker Highlights 100-Year Celebration
Written: 11/2/2009 10:40:40 AM
Celebrating our past. From left to right: Former Mayor and Mrs. Lee P. Brown, Rev. Vickie Keys, associate pastor, Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Cox, Ms. Juanita Jackson co-chair, Mrs. Alpha Henderson, co-chair and church historian and senior pastor, Rev. Bryan K. Dalco and wife, Michelle.
By Van...
Bringing Hope and Help to the Heartland
Written: 11/2/2009
Rev. Ann Spears and Rev. Becky Hand carry a beam and some of the burdens of Iowa residents. They are working alongside Rev. Lawrence Young, Rev. Jerry Pennington and Rev. Tommy Myrick to build a fence.
By Eleanor L. Colvin, Communications Director
Some day, we’ll speak of it all ...
Hurricane Recovery Projects Still Plentiful in Terrebonne Parish
Written: 11/2/2009
Youth repair a home damaged by Hurricane Gustav. Volunteers are still needed in South Louisiana.
By Rev. Clayton Whitaker, TAC Disaster Response
Residents of South Louisiana braced themselves as Hurricane Gustav barreled
along the coastline, hoping it wouldn’t be another Kat...
Race Agency Creates New Positions
Written: 11/2/2009
By Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS
WASHINGTON (UMNS)—The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race will hire three new team leaders and add at least four other staff positions in a reorganization plan that will focus on the global mission of the agency.
On Oct. 12, the agency announced it woul...
TAC Communications Honored for Ministry Excellence
Written: 11/2/2009
“Worth the Wait” is the title of this photo taken in Cote d’Ivoire. It was named best photo taken by an Annual Conference by the United Methodist Association of Communicators.
Texas Annual Conference Communications won four awards at the United Methodist Association of C...
God Delivers the Call to Ministry in Countless Ways
Written: 11/2/2009
A picture is worth a thousand words. Jeremy Wester uses an illustrated book to share bible stories with a group of children during a mission trip to Chicago, Illinois.
By Jeremy Wester, Duke Divinity School
Former pastoral intern and TAC certified candidate for ministry, Jeremy Wester wrot...
Empty Pews - Houston Churches Survey Area Christians
Written: 11/1/2009
A group of Houston-area churches recently combined resources to find out why some Christians in the Houston area choose not to attend church.
The churches worked with the Barna Group to conduct a survey designed to tell them why many who identify themselves as Christians choose to for...
Notice to Group Health Benefits Participants
Written: 10/29/2009
Texas Annual Conference Center for Clergy Excellence Group Health Benefits Participants:
The Group Health Benefits committee has been advised that UniCare will no longer underwrite group health insurance in Texas as of January 1, 2010. However, UniCare will continue to pay claims through Decembe...
Rev. Ted Smith - Director of Spiritual Care and Education
The Methodist Hospital
Written: 10/28/2009
Rev. Ted Smith (courtesy photo)
By Brant Mills, Web Content Manager
This article is part of a series offering a snapshot of extension ministries of the Texas Annual Conference. Please watch the conference website and Cross Connection for future articles.
There wasn’t a specific event that...
Conference Addresses 120 Years of Methodism in Russia
Written: 10/27/2009 9:53:24 AM
By Sergei Pugachev*
A digital archive of Russian Methodist history is being created through a joint project of the Boston University School of Theology and the Russia United Methodist Theological Seminary in Moscow.
The project was announced during a recent international academic conference on &...
Archdiocesan Justice for Immigrants (JFI) Kickoff
Written: 10/27/2009
Do you care about immigration reform? Do you want to learn and do more? Would you like to be able to conduct workshops to better educate people on the current political and social situation of immigration? Join us for this training on teaching individuals how to hold successful workshops within thei...
CONAM Presents the 5th Annual Houston Powwow
Written: 10/27/2009
Saturday November 21, 2009
Experience art demonstrations, storytelling, dancing, powwow etiquette, & other educational activities.
The event will begin at noon at First UMC Houston - Westchase in the Quillian Center.
3660 Westchase Drive (Near Beltway 8 & Westpa...
Fall 2009 Judicial Council
Written: 10/26/2009 10:18:15 AM
The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council will be in session Oct. 28-31 in Durham, N.C.
From The Texas Annual Conference, the council will consider docket item 1009-9: IN RE: Review of a Decision of Law by Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of the Texas Conference Regarding Retirement Incentives...
Conflict in Congregations
Written: 10/26/2009
Join us in Houston January 11 or in Tyler January 12, as Dr. Craig Gilliam helps us ponder these questions:
As leaders, how do we frame conflict and anxiety so we do not fear it, but imagine it as part of growth and healthy community?
How do we create a culture of responsiveness, not rea...
Jerri Savuto - Maua Methodist Hospital
Written: 10/25/2009
Missionaries Bill and Jerri Savuto travelled throughout Texas and Oklahoma this fall sharing their testimonies of ministry at the Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya.
If you missed them and would like to know more about their ministry, you can watch the video below of Jerri Savuto as she talks about h...
Administrator for Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Written: 10/25/2009
The Center for Congregational Excellence is seeking an Administrator to help coordinate conference youth and young adult ministry programs.
Primary Responsibility:
To build a connectional working relationship with youth and young adult ministries across the conference ...
Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internships
Written: 10/22/2009
The deadline to apply for a 2010 Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internship is Dec. 15.
The program is for young people, ages 18-22, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.
Interns will work in social justice placements in the U.S. capital ...
Salon Owner Lifts Up Inner, Outer Beauty
Written: 10/22/2009
See UMNS Video Story
By John Gordon, UMNS
Beauty is in the eyes – and minds – of the beholder.
That is the philosophy Kathy Patrick, 53, has followed in building a literacy ministry from the foundation of a combination hair salon and bookstore in this small northeast Texas community...
Dabou Methodist Hospital
Written: 10/22/2009
Partners in Mission is working to revitalize the Dabou Methodist Hospital in Côte d'Ivoire. It is only running at about 30% capacity with minimal staff. The facility needs a makeover to fully meet the needs of those in its area. Needs include volunteers of all skill levels.
Watch th...
General Board of Pensions to Host Nov. 13 Public Forum
Written: 10/21/2009
The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits will hold a public forum at 11:45 a.m. Nov. 13 at the Sheraton Denver West, 360 Union Boulevard, in Lakewood, Colo.
The forum is designed to allow the board of directors to hear concerns of constituents from across the church.
Those wishing...
Tough Times Call for Tough Ministries
Written: 10/20/2009
By Mike Sims, Communications Director
The Woodlands UMC
Familiar worship song lyrics rise from the stage with spirit and rhythm; colored graphics move across the screen. An encouraging message is offered, then Holy Communion. The scene is familiar, and yet entirely different. A ...
Equipping Event to Help TAC Churches
Continue Journey of Transformation
Written: 10/20/2009
By Eleanor L. Colvin, Director of Communications
“Transformation has not stopped,” says Dr. Don Waddleton, director of the Center for Congregational Excellence.
Although the 3-year contract with transformation coach Don Nations comes to an end this year, the transforma...
Great Pumpkin Rumblin' Motorcycle Charity Ride
Written: 10/20/2009
First UMC Humble is hosting a motorcycle charity ride to benefit Methodist Mission Home San Antonio. It is scheduled to take place on October 24th from 9:30am - 2:30pm. The entry fee is $20.
All of us have been touched this year by the flood of images from tornados, hurricanes, ...
Charity Luncheon to Serve up Blessings Worldwide
Written: 10/19/2009 12:25:08 PM
First UMC Conroe is inviting all mission-minded folks to join them for the fourth annual Seasons Greeting Luncheon that will benefit charitable organizations from Conroe to Cote d’Ivoire.
Set for October 23, doors open at 11 a.m. for shopping and silent auction. Lunch will be served a...
Central Conference Pension Initiative Nearing Fundraising Goal
Written: 10/19/2009 12:16:08 PM
By Diane Degnan, United Methodist Communications
The Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) is 90 percent of the way to its fundraising goal, but still $2 million short of the minimum amount needed to establish pension funds in every central conference.
The initiative w...
Houston Woman Named First Female Scouting Ministry Specialist
Written: 10/19/2009 12:02:06 PM
By Rev. J. Richard Peck, Director of Communications
General Commission on United Methodist Men
Cindy King, a member of Spring Woods United Methodist Church in Houston, is the first female scouting ministry specialist.
A scouting ministry specialist is a new position within the Uni...
Old Things Made New at Crestmont Park UMC
Written: 10/19/2009 11:53:21 AM
By Thelma Jones, Cross Connection Editor
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
Crestmont Park UMC held a dedication ceremony to celebrate new signage outside the church and new pews inside the sanctuary. “We a...
Fresh Encounters Prayer Conference 2009
Written: 10/19/2009 11:49:31 AM
Are you hungry for an encounter with God? The Fresh Encounters Prayer Conference is designed to equip you for growth in your prayer life. Author, Daniel Henderson will be the keynote speaker for this event.
Rev. Henderson is president of Strategic Renewal, which exists to ignite person...
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