________________________PRAYER CONCERNS__________________________

FROM Lonna Nunn, Tex. Dist.
Please continue to keep Jackie Herring (Lone Star - Cason in the
Texarkana District) in your prayers. She has been moved to the rehab hospital
in Paris, TX after her hip replacement surgery last Monday.

_______________________________BIRTHS_______________________________


_________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS_________________________

FROM Jack Womack, Assoc. Pastor, First Laporte:
Prayer is requested for all of my wife's family upon the death of her
mother, Mary Kendall. The funeral will be in Henderson, Friday, December
16, 10:00 a.m., at Crawford, Crim -Bryan @ Main and Hwy 79. The
graveside service and burial will be in Conroe at the cemetary at 4:00 p.m. on
Friday.

_____________________CONFERENCE INFORMATION______________________


______________________NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS_________________________

FROM Linda Calvert, First Methodist Houston
Come join the First Methodist Family on Tuesday, December 20, at 7 p.m.
at First Methodist Houston’s Downtown Campus, 1320 Main Street, for the
Star of Bethlehem Presentation by Dr. Frederick Larson of Texas A&M
University. Scholars debate whether the Star of Bethlehem was a legend
manufactured by the early church or a miracle which marked the advent of
Christ. But if the star was a real astronomical event, what could it
have been? ome solve the mystery for yourself.
The Star demonstration is a multimedia presentation which begins
with the presentation of Biblical and other historical clues surrounding
the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. Larson will then pilot a computer
model of the universe across the skies of 2000 years ago, allowing the
audience to experience the celestial events the ancients saw.
For more information, call 832-668-1816 or email:
calvert@fmhouston.com

FROM Judy Gober, Dir. Children's Ministries, Cypres UMC
"This Day - How is it With Your Soul?" Please join us for the Texas
Conference Christian Educators Fellowship Annual Retreat, January 17 -
19, 2006 at Lakeview Conference Center. Our retreat leaders will be Rev.
Susan Keirn Kester and Rev. Mary E. Tumulty. Please contact Judy
Gober, jgober@cypress-umc.org, 281-469-0730 x 214, for registration
information.

ROM Tierra Dykes, Adkins Memorial United Methodist Church -
Major kudos to the First United Methodist Church in Newton (Pastor Joe
Miller) for their financial support. Major kudos also go to The First
United Methodist Church in Dickinson (Pastor Keith Cropper) for donating
a central air\heating unit. I also want to thank Mary Avis, James D.
Weatherly and Chris Radke for offering me guidance because of my
situation. A lot of help and work is still needed ! Once again, my name is
Tierra Dykes and I can be reached at (281) 272-2256 Home (281) 804-0660
Cell .

_______________________THIS WEEK'S EVENTS_________________________

FROM Frode Gundersen, Marvin UMC
You are all invited to the following special music offering at Marvin
UMC:
Sunday, Dec. 18 (8:30 & 10:55 a.m. traditional services)
A CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA!
featuring the Rose City Brass Quintet & Marvin Chancel Choir
Hear these two groups perform arrangements of holiday favorites.

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. this Sunday, 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.

_____________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR________________________

FROM Donna Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC, Houston
St. Paul's UMC, Houston, will hold a Service of the Longest Night at 6
p.m. Wednesday, December 21, in the Chapel. This will be a quiet,
meditative worship service to remember and acknowledge those places in our
lives that are difficult this holiday season so we might better prepare
our hearts for the coming of Christ.

FROM Donna Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC, Houston
St. Paul's UMC, Houston, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
congregation's initial worship service this Christmas Eve with four
worship services in the Sanctuary - at noon, 5, 7, and 9 p.m. Christmas
Day will be celebrated with one worship service in the Sanctuary at 10:30
a.m. All of the evening services will have congregational carol singing
and candle lighting. The individual services also will include:
" Noon. Service of Holy Communion.
" 5 p.m. Lessons and Carols with St. Paul's Chamber Choir.
" 7 p.m. Lessons and Carols with the full St. Paul's Choir.
" 9 p.m. Worship service with Holy Communion and the full St. Paul's
Choir.
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Houston, is at 5501 Main Street, 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 Rev. Thomas (Tom) W. Daugherty
Attention all appointees to Extension Ministry in the Texas Annual
Conference! Please MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The annual meeting with Bishop
Janice Riggle Huie, as provided for in the Book of Discipline, has been
scheduled for April 4, 2006. The meeting will be held at St. Paul’s
UMC, Houston, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please begin now making your
plans to attend.

______________________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 Jerry Anderson, Pastor
Music/Childen's Minister Wanted
Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church, located in Buffalo, Texas,
is seeking a
Mid-term graduate to direct Chancel Choir, Children's Choir, Children's
Programs, etc.
FULL-time position or will consider SEMINARY student.
Community has a 20% growth rate.
Buffalo is located on Interstate 45 & Hwy 79 halfway between Houston
& Dallas.
Contact at 903-322-4319 or E-mail smchurch@netzero.net.

FROM Tim Bruegger, Navasota UMC
Navasota UMC in Navasota, Texas, has need for a part-time
(approximately 20
hours/week) church secretary. Duties include answering phones, filing,
bulletin preparation, newsletters, keeping attendance records,
completion of vairous church forms, and more. Good computer and excellent
people skills a must. Direct resumes and/or inquires to the church office at
P.O. Box 169, Navasota, 77868 or email: navfumc@mscc.net; or fax:
936-825-6114.

FROM Bob Webb
A dynamic and Christ-centered congregation located in a high-growth
part of Houston, Texas, Westminster United Methodist Church, is looking
for a dynamic, Christ-centered person to serve as our full-time Director
of Youth and Family Ministries. The responsibilities will include
working closely with the pastor in directing both children and youth
ministries. A college graduate with 2 or more years experience in both youth
and children/family ministries is most desired. Please submit resume and
references to Bob Webb, at Westminster United Methodist Church, 5801
San Felipe, Houston, 77057; or e-mail: bob@wumc.com; or FAX:
713-977-0340. Salary is negotiable.

FROM Alan Van Hooser revavanhooser@aol.com
The Groves First UMC (Near Beaumont) has openings for a part-time Youth
Director and Choir Director. We also have a choir scholarship for a
talented college student! Please mail or e-mail resumes to Groves FUMC, PO
757, Groves, TX 77619.


FROM Rev. Roland Alsobrook
We are looking for a youth group leader at Holly Springs UMC. This
church is tied into the Martin's Mill School close enough that the youth
group potential is astronomical for someone who is called and equipped to
lead. This would be a paid position. The pay would be dependent upon
many factors, including experience, character, time spent, giftedness,
ect...
All inquiries can be made by email to Alsobrookfamily@aol.com, by
phone at (903) 963-7089 or by mail at Rev. Roland Alsobrook, 181 VZ CR
4418, Canton, TX 75103.

______________________WANT ADS (Items Needed.Wanted)__________________