________________________PRAYER CONCERNS__________________________

FROM Donna Alexander, Houston North -
I just spoke with the Barfields and they are en-route to their
Texarkana home. Please continue to keep both Audrey and John in your prayers. I
ask specifically for prayers for Audrey's speedy recovery from the
surgery and for renewed strength and hope for both she and John.

FROM Doris Folser Houston Northwest District -
Update on Rev. Wayne Harberson, Pastor at Rose Hill UMC in Tomball.
Rev. Harberson was to have surgery yesterday for cancer of the liver but
cancer was found on both sides of the liver making it inoperable. At
this time, other treatments for the cancer are being explored. Please
keep Rev. Harberson, his wife Diane and his church family in your
prayers.

_______________________________BIRTHS_______________________________

__________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS_________________________

_____________________CONFERENCE INFORMATION______________________

______________________NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS_________________________

FROM Dr. Steve Wende @ FUMC, Houston -
DR. BEN WITHERINGTON of Asbury Theological Seminary will be the
annual "Great Minds of Methodism" speaker for First Methodist Houston on
SUNDAY and MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19-20, 2006. Well-known for his writing and
speaking on various topics, he is most recently nationally recognized
for his analysis of and rebuttal to "The Da Vinci Code." His work on
various subjects has landed him spots on several television programs,
including "60 Minutes," CNN specials and A & E specials.
Dr. Witherington will preach the 9:00 a.m. service at our Westchase
location and at 11:00 a.m. in our DOWNTOWN Sanctuary. Then, Sunday
evening, February 19, at 6:00 p.m., he will present a lecture on his
investigation into "The Da Vinci Code" in our Downtown Sanctuary (directions
at our website: www.fmhouston.com). This event is open to the public.
On Monday morning, February 20, conference clergy are invited to
spend some time with Dr. Witherington at a FREE BREAKFAST beginning at
8:00 a.m. at our Downtown location. He will speak on "Objective Truth in
a Subjective Society" as well as answer questions about "The Da Vinci
Code." RESERVATIONS for the breakfast on Monday should be made through
Myra Higginbotham at 832.668.1839 no later than Wednesday, February 15.

________________________THIS WEEK'S EVENTS_________________________

FROM Frode Gundersen -
Marvin UMC Concert Series - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 7:00 p.m. - in
the Chapel - [300 West Erwin ,Tyler, Texas] -
Join Judith P. York and Frode Gundersen (and a few of their favorite
musical friends!)* as they present a candlelight recital in Marvin’s
beautiful chapel. This program will feature the chapel’s pipe organ,
piano, and harpsichord. Hear music by Domenico Scarlatti, John Stanley,
G.F. Handel, W.A. Mozart, and Léo Delibes. This recital is FREE and open
to the public.
*Sue Bugg, flute, Debra Scroggins Sowerwine, mezzo-soprano, Andrea
Trent, soprano, Judy Wilkins, piano

FROM Lonna Nunn, Texarkana District Office -
TO All churches in the Texarkana District:
A reminder that Tapp UMC will host a regional Restorative Justice
Ministry Awareness Conference on Saturday, January 28th. Speakers from nine
different prison ministries and one TDCJ warden will present
information on a variety of topics, such as:
The Importance of Volunteers, Why the Church Should Be in Prison
(Ministry), Aftercare, Mentoring, Ministering to Inmates' Hurting Families,
Bringing Church to the Inmates, etc.
Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and the conference begins at 9:00. Cost
is $10.00 and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and a packet of
information on beginning a prison ministry. Advance notification of
attendance would be helpful in preparing the lunches.
For more information, call Jeff Hastings at 903-628-2381 or
903-277-3607.

FROM Donna Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC, Houston -
St. Paul’s UMC, Houston, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a
special worship service and "Sunday Dinner" at the George R. Brown
Convention Center in downtown Houston on Sunday, January 29, beginning at
10:30 a.m.
Bishop Janice Huie and Houston Mayor Bill White will make brief
remarks in recognition of the occasion.
Prepaid reservations are necessary for those who wish to attend the
dinner following the service. The cost is $15 for adults and $7.50 for
children age 12 and under. Maximum cost per immediate family is $45.
Call 713-528-0527 to make reservations.
Young children are invited to celebrate the occasion at St. Paul's
UMC with a special "100th Birthday Party." There will be no nursery or
child care at the convention center. The children will play games
popular in the early 1900s, have their photos taken wearing clothes from past
eras, and help blow out the 100 candles on St. Paul’s birthday cake.
Lunch will be served to the children.
For more information or to make reservations, call 713-528-0527.

FROM Mac Vaughn
United Methodist Motorcycle Enthusiasts [Cypress & the greater Houston
Area]- Chapter Dedication & Bike Blessing Sunday January 29, 2006
@11am. Ministry Activity Center Cypress United Methodist Church 13403
Cypress N. Houston Road, Cypress.
All motorcycle enthusiasts are welcome, regardless of denomination
or church affiliation. We will gather around 8:30 to 8:45am and line up
and display the bikes in the front of the Ministry Activity Center.
January Ride: January 28th - 8:00am - Skeeters- 290 and 1960 route
will ride the Yankee's Trail towards Carlos, Texas.

_______________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR________________________

FROM Connie Scroggins, Ministry Assistant
On February 5th, First United Methodist Church in Daingerfield, Texas
is beginning a Praise & Worship service. If any of your churches
currently have a separate P&W service, would you please email us with any tips
you may have, your order of worship, or anything else you think we
might need to know to make our new ministry a success. We appreciate all
of your input!! Email to: daingerfieldfumc@aol.com

FROM Rev. Margaret Carrell -
Smyrna UMC, in the Longview District, will host a Health Fair
Saturday, March 25th. Many assorted health booths will be set up and free of
charge to anyone. For more information, please call Rev. Margaret
Carrell, 903 736-5572

FROM Michael Hunter -
Hello all. Here is a great time and way to learn about being more
effective in your youth ministry. SPIRIT OF YOUTH MINISTRY - Thursday,
April 27 - 7 p.m.
The training will cover:
1. Effective practices for quality youth ministry.
2. Qualities of effective youth ministry.
3. Faith assests for youth ministry and congregations.
4. What do congregations with exemplary youth ministries have in
common?
Plus, it is being held at the wonderful Mt. Sequoyah Conference and
Retreat Center in Fayetteville AR.
Here is a link to the website: www.okumc.org/youth/home.htm


_____________________RESTORATIVE JUSTICE NOTICES__________________
See New Announcements

_______________________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 Diana Hearn
Job Opening from Shalom Mobile Health Ministry -
TITLE: Patient Coordinator/Coach Operator
Full-time position provides support for the Family Nurse Practitioner
and LVN and is responsible for maintenance of the patient medical
record, appointment scheduling, statistical recording, and the operation
(driving) of the mobile clinic.
QUALIFICATIONS: Biligual (English/Spanish), proficient Microsoft
Word/Excel, experience working with the public (strong people skills),
willing/able to get CDL and train to drive 36ft motor coach, willing/able to
be trained to draw blood for lab (phlebotomy certification training),
medical records/medical terminology exp. desired but not required (will
train).
HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 7:30am-5:30pm (must be available to work 3 or 4
Fri's. or Sat's. per year as assigned)
BENEFITS: Paid health insurance, vacation/sick/holiday time, pension
plan, competitive pay.
Looking for high energy, extremely organized individual to join our
team! EOE
Fax resume to Diana Hearn (713-926-3948) or e-mail
dianaehearn@sbcglobal.net

______________________WANT ADS (Items Needed/Wanted)______________