FROM Nancy Hinshaw, Houston Area Episcopal Office
Melvin Dillard is still recovering from his stroke. He is making
progress, but encouragement is always important. You can send cards and
letters to the following address:
3361 Ozark
Houston, TX 77021
FROM Pat Travers, Tyler District UMC
Jay Jackson’s (Quitman) mother, Betty Jackson, is recovering from hip
replacement surgery in Clarksburg, West Virginia. She is in her third
week in the hospital due to complications from her surgery on January
21st. She may need to be hospitalized several more weeks. She is a
surviving spouse of a United Methodist pastor as well as the mother of one.
FROM Donna Alexander, Houston North District
Please remember Mr. Duffy Monroe, father of Revs. Malcolm Monroe
(Houston: Airline) and Sharon Sabom (Dickinson: First), in your prayers. He
was diagnosed with colon cancer on Friday and is slated for surgery
today at 1pm in Edinburg, Texas.
FROM Jamie Filis:
Please put David Filis on the prayer list. He will be undergoing
another surgery on his vocal chords. This time it is with a new doctor in
Dallas and in a new facility. We would just ask for prayers that
everything goes well and this new doctor can accomplish longer times between
surgeries.
______________________________BIRTHS________________________________
__________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS_________________________
_____________________CONFERENCE INFORMATION______________________
________________________NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS_______________________
FROM Rev. Peter J. Cammarano, First UMC - Brazoria, TX
CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE
The call comes late at night from Florida or another state. The caller
is polite and mentions that he and his family have been in your church
recently. He mentions names, roads, landmarks enough to make you think
he knows your community. Then he tells a story of a trip, a death in
the familiy, a broken down car and a need for bus fare. He gives an exact
amount needed and a phone mumber to wire the money. Sound familiar?
This scam is still going on. Peter Cammarano and Scott McKay are
researching this story for an article and would like to hear from others who
have had this same
experience. Email us at
jscottmckay@sbcglobal.net.
________________________THIS WEEK'S EVENTS_________________________
FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC,
Houston
St. Paul's School will host two lectures in mid-February for parents of
young children. On February 15, Dr. Arturo Volpe will present "The
Importance of a Healthy Diet to Your child's Well-Being." A doctor in
private practice, Dr. Volpe specializes in holistic solutions to chronic
health problems.
On February 16, Dr. Myron Friedman will present "Helping Young
Children Develop Self-Control." Director of Psychological Services at
Edu-Clinic, Inc., Dr. Friedman will talk about the normal development of self
control, what may interfere with this, and how it can be improved.
Both lectures are free of charge and will be from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m.
in the Jones Building Room 204. Childcare is available by advance
reservations to the school at 713-528-6779 or spschool@stpaulshouston.org.
The first school in Houston accredited by the National Academy of
Early Childhood Programs, St. Paul's School is affiliated with St. Paul's
United Methodist Church, Houston.
FROM Judy Hedderman, Bryan District Lay Speaking School Co-Director,
Aldersgate UMC College Station - (bhedd1819@aol.com) 979-693-8655
Bryan District Lay Speaking School, to be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at
Christ UMC in College Station, still has room for more students.
E-mail or call me if you would like to attend so we can have enough meals.
Cost: $25.00 for the class and books (<$20.00) are extra. Time: 8:30
am to 4:00 pm both days. Cost includes breakfast snacks and hot lunches
both Saturdays.
Basic Class in English and Spanish
ADVANCED CLASSES:
Lay Speakers Are Accountable Disciples
Lay Speakers Lead in Mission Outreach
Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts
Lay Speakers Cultivate Christian Community
SPANISH ADVANCED: La Vida de Devocion en la Tradicion Wesleyana
Completion certificates from the Bryan District can be given to your
District Superintendent or District Lay Speaking Coordinator to receive
credit for initiation or continuation of your Lay Speaking credentials.
A Lay Speaker Annual Report signed by your pastor and DS is not
required at our door to take a class, but must be presented at your district's
appropriate time.
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 832.668.1800 no later than Wednesday, February 15.
_________________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR_______________________
FROM: Billy Watson, St. Peter’s UMC, Katy -
Digital Storytellers Media Ministry 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 Jennie Good, Director of Christian Education, Hallsville First UMC
Attention: Christian Educators -
Five Stars of Excellence in Christian Education is sponsored by the
Division of Education and is administered by the Texas Chapter of the
Christian Educators Fellowship. The goal of the program is to encourage,
promote, strengthen and facilitate the growth of Christian Education
programs and more specifically, the Sunday Schools of our churches.
The Five Stars of Excellence in Christian Education program runs
from June 1st - April 1st each year. All churches wishing to be
considered for recognition should submit their information and completed form to
the program administrator by April 1st. Awards are presented at Annual
Conference each year.
Five Stars of Excellence in Christian Education forms are now
available on the Texas Conference Web site: www.txcumc.org
FROM Debby Burnham
Greater Houston Leadership Education School will be held on September
16, 2006.
In 2007- GHLES will be held on September 15, 2007.
_____________________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. Richard L. White -
Tomball United Methodist Church is searching for full-time Director of
Congregational Care. Applicants must have college degree, great people
skills, gifts of compassion and mercy, and an ability to organize
systems that enable caring for and caring through the laity. Please fax
resume in care of Dr. Richard L. White, or email resume to:
richard.white@tomballumc.org.
FROM Deana Keller, First United Methodist Church, Lake Jackson
Receiving applications for
DIRECTOR of MUSIC and ARTS MINISTRIES
First United Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, Texas, is currently
accepting applications for the position of Director of Music and Arts
Ministries to provide leadership for the church services and music and arts
activities of the church, working with the Senior Pastor. Full-time
position with health and pension benefits. Church membership of 1,500.
Lake Jackson has population of 27,000 and is an hour's drive south of
Houston.
Contact Deana Keller @ ljfumc@swbell.net or FUMC, 404 Azalea, Lake
Jackson, TX 77566
______________________WANT ADS (Items Needed/Wanted)________________
