Prayer Concerns & Announcements--December 6, 2005

________________________PRAYER CONCERNS__________________________

FROM Alan Van Hooser FUMC-Groves -
Reverend John Wilkins, now retired and formerly of Lufkin but now
living in Pt. Arthur, is in the South East Texas Medical center recovering
from surgery. Please keep him in your prayers!
[revavanhooser@aol.com]

FROM Rev. Carol Clifford Turner, First UMC, Lufkin -
Please, add the Rev. John Wilkins to the prayer chain. He is in
Southeast Medical Center in Port Arthur. He had a stint put in his heart and
is having hip surgery Monday evening. [cturner@lufkinfirst.com]

_______________________________BIRTHS_______________________________


_________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS_________________________

FROM B.T. Williams, Dir. Ministerial Services, Texas Annual Conference
The family of James "Jim" Gordon, husband of Martha "Marty" Gordon, a
member of our staff, will receive friends Wednesday, December 7, from
6-8 p.m. at SouthPark Funeral Home on Highway 35 in Pearland, Texas. A
celebration of life will be Thursday, December 8 in the chapel at
SouthPark Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at SouthPark
Cemetary.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Marty, five children
and eleven grandchildren. Please keep the Gordon family in your
prayers.

_____________________CONFERENCE INFORMATION______________________


______________________NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS_________________________

FROM Kevin Otto
Wesley UMC in Nederland ('tween Beaumont and Port Arthur) is preparing
for its 17th annual Live Nativity production on Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday, December 9, 10, and 11. Entitled "Journey to Bethlehem," the
production involves weeks of planning and preparation, as the front lawn
is transformed into the countryside of Israel 2000 years ago. Complete
with live animals (including a camel!), the 20-minute production will
take place every 30 minutes beginning at 6 pm and ending at 9 pm.
Children and their parents are also invited to make crafts and to sample
foods of the era. All activities are free. For more information, call the
Wesley UMC office at 722-7065 or visit us at 3515 Helena Avenue,
Nederland, TX 77627

FROM Dr. Williams, Pastor
McKinney Memorial United Methodist Church will celebrate its Christmas
Gala December 11, 2005. Come join us with Christmas Caroling,
refreshment and children's Christmas event. This celebration will take place in
the Community Fellowship Wing in LaMarque Texas.


FROM Michael Hunter
I have had so many call and ask about these dates, I thought I'd better
send them out again.
Retreat dates for:
7th & 8th Grade (Winterfest)
Senior High (Mid-Winter)
Winterfest Retreat - Junior High
January 13-15, 2006
January 20-22, 2006
Lakeview Conference Center

Mid-Winter Retreat - Senior High
January 27-29, 2006
February 3-5, 2006
Lakeview Conference Center

For more info contact: Michael Hunter at Home--254-359-4356,
Cell--903-388-1246
email: mhunter@aciglobal.com or
Sandra Roberson at 281-492-8031- sroberson@stpeterskaty.org

FROM: Billy Watson, St. Peter’s UMC, Katy -
Digital Storytellers Seminar, February 25, 2006 -
You and your media ministry team are invited to Midnight Oil
Production’s Digital Storytellers Seminar on Saturday, February 25, 2006, 8 a.m.
- 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s UMC in Katy. Len Wilson and Jason Moore (both
formerly of Ginghamsburg UMC, and co-founders of Lumicon) established
Midnight Oil Productions in 2002 "to further the vision of worship for
the digital age through ideas, resources and seminars that work for local
churches." The cost for the event is $109 for individuals and $89 per
person if 2 or more come from your church. This includes 4 sessions with
Len and Jason, a digital film festival, seminar related materials, a
meal, refreshments, and more. For more information about Midnight Oil or
the Digital Storytellers Seminar, visit www.midnightoilproductions.com.
For more information about the event in Katy, contact Billy Watson at
bwatson@stpeterskaty.org or 281-492-8031, ext. 304.

FROM Chris Radke, Property Manager, Cramer Retreat Center
The new Cramer Retreat Center newsletter is available online at
http://www.CramerCenter.org/newsletters/newsletter.pdf, including part
1 of a 2- part article on meditation by Rev. Kimberly Orr. Please
share this with staff and laity responsible for direction of spiritual
formation and small group ministries.
For past issues and stories as well as RSS news feeds to keep you up
to date with Cramer, visit the newsletter page on our website at:
http://www.CramerCenter.org/newsletters - 281-350-1355

_______________________THIS WEEK'S EVENTS_________________________

FROM Michael Hunter
REMINDER: Below are dates for Conference Safe Sanctuary Training:
Where: Lakeview Conference Center
When: Thursday, December 8, 2005 and Thursday, January 5, 2006
Time: 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
Who needs to attend: Anyone that will be attending any Conference
sponsored event/camp/retreat where you will be working with children or
youth.
Example of camps: Winterfest, Mid-Winter, District Church Camp,
District retreats or outings.
For more information, contact : Michael Hunter, email
mhunter@aciglobal.com -
Call Home--254-359-4356, Cell--903-388-1246

FROM Mike Tyson
Come join us at FUMC-Lufkin's Twentieth annual Evening in Old Bethlehem
as we focus on the reason for the season.
The event will be held December 9th & 10th at the Expo Center
starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. We invite you to travel the
streets just as they were on the night that Christ was born. Watch the
townspeople as they search for the star that lights the way to the live
nativity. You'll see Wise men, basket weavers, live animals, even Roman
soldiers! The tax to enter the city is just .50¢. Come with us and
celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

FROM Rev. J. C. Dorman at Galveston Central UMC
We are now celebrating our 120th anniversary at Central UMC in
Galveston.
On Saturday, December 10th at 2:00 PM, there will be a piano recital
in Stokes Hall with refreshments following. On Saturday, December 17th
at 10:30 AM, there will be a live musical extravaganza in the Sanctuary
with a luncheon to follow. The church is located at 3308 Avenue O 1/2
(corner of 33rd St. and Avenue O 1/2). For additional information call
409-762-2138 or email revjcd1@aol.com.

FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul’s UMC,
Houston
Advent Meditative Retreat at St. Paul's UMC, Houston
To add peace, well-being, and understanding of the Advent season,
St. Paul's UMC is offering a women's Advent silent half-day retreat.
Based on the Benedictine theme of hospitality, it will be at the church on
Saturday, December 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The morning will be dedicated to meditation, concluding with a
wrap-up lunch and conversation. Participants will need to bring socks, warm
clothes, pillows to sit on, a wrap for keeping warm, and journaling
material.
The cost is $10, and childcare is available through the church's
December Kids Day Out program. For more information or to register,
contact Rev. Gail Williford at 713-528-0527 or
gailwilliford@stpaulshouston.org.
For a complete listing of Advent-related activities at St. Paul's,
please see www.stpaulshouston.org.
St. Paul's is on the corner of Main and Binz/Bissonnet, across from
the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. It is within one block of both Museum
District MetroRail stops, and free parking is available in two lots
across Fannin Street from the church.

FROM Donna Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC, Houston
St. Paul's UMC, Houston, will hold an Advent Lessons and Carols service
at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 11. The service will include anthems by
the St. Paul's Choir, congregational hymns, scriptures, and prayers.


_____________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR________________________

FROM Donna Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC, Houston
St. Paul's UMC, Houston, will hold a Children's Candlelight Service in
the Sanctuary at 4:30 p .m. on December 18. The children will lead the
service, including music from the Children's Choirs, a live nativity,
scripture reading, carol singing, and the lighting of individual
candles.

FROM Michael Hunter
Due to many things happening in our conference in the past few months,
we have decided to change the due dates for Winterfest and Mid-Winter
retreats. We want everyone that can attend be able to attend these
exciting retreats. The new due dates are Postmarked by December 19, 2005.
All late fees are waved. Last date to register postmarked December 30,
2005. After that no more registrations will be accepted.
For more information, call:
Michael Hunter, Home--254-359-4356, Cell--903-388-1246
email-- mhunter@aciglobal.com - or
Sandra Roberson, 281-492-8031
sroberson@stpeterskaty.org

_________________RESTORATIVE JUSTICE NOTICES______________________


_______________________JOB OPENINGS/JOBS WANTED__________________

Below are the most current openings and job information. Previous job
postings can be located on the conference website: www.txcumc.org.
Thank you


FROM Dr. George Wesley Welborn -
First United Methodist Church of Brenham is looking for part-time choir
director to lead music in two traditional Sunday morning worship
services. Please contact me at pastor@startel.net.

FROM Joel McMahon IV -
First United Methodist Church of Hawkins, Texas is looking for someone
to serve as a part-time youth director. This is a paid position with
experience being a factor in determining the salary level.
All inquiries can be directed to Joel McMahon IV be e-mail at
JMCMAHONIV@aol.com, by phone at (903)760-2973, or by mail at 149
Paradise Lane, Hawkins, TX 75765.

______________________WANT ADS (Items Needed.Wanted)__________________