__________________________PRAYER CONCERNS________________________

FROM Houston NW Dist & E.B. Beasley, Jr., Terrace UMC~
Rev. Lewis Risinger, a retired minister in this conference, is in
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, Room 2South23-B, with a diagnosis
of pneumonia. Direct phone: 713.295.8284.

______________________________BIRTHS______________________________

FROM George and Jan Atkinson~
We are pleased to announce the arrival of our second grandson, Ryan
Angel Hernandez, Wed., March 22, at 12:40 p.m. He is healthy, weighs 6
lbs., 12 oz., and is 19 inches long. Mother and father, Jennifer and Ray
Hernandez, are also doing well. Rejoice!

_________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS_________________________

FROM Barbara Franklin, Houston South Dist.
Rev. Warrell Kimble was killed last night in an automobile accident. We
will give additional information when we receive it. Please remember
the family in prayer.

FROM David Urban - First UMC, Murchison; durban@smu.edu;
dkurban@tyler.net~
Xin Du Memorial Fund
The Southern Methodist University Chinese Students’ Association and
Global Connections (the SMU organization of international students)
wish to solicit contributions to the Xin Du Memorial Fund.
As many of you know, Xin Du died tragically on Sunday, March 19th
when she was swept away by the flood waters of Turtle Creek. Xin Du was
23 years old, and had begun her Ph.D. studies in molecular and cell
biology at SMU in January. The entire SMU family has lost a promising,
spectacularly bright student, and Xin’s family has lost their only
daughter.
In order to help with the significant costs associated with this
tragic accident, donations to the Xin Du Memorial Fund are being accepted
at the SMU International Center, The Blanton Student Services Building,
Suite 216.
Donations may also be sent to:
"Xin Du Memorial Fund" - Bank of America; 5116 Greenville Avenue;
Dallas, TX 75206
Tel: 214-527-3561 - Account Number: 004883322668 -
Routing Number: 111000025 (for wire transfers to the account)

_____________________CONFERENCE INFORMATION______________________

________________NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS______________________

FROM the Bryan District~
Wesley UMC in Bryan will host the Labyrinth April 28-30.Please call
979-279-4095 or the church 979-778-1554 to schedule a time to walk
privately or for a group. On April 29th, Saturday from 10 a.m. -2 p.m., there
will be a workshop on prayer which will include an introduction to the
labyrinth and experiential prayer exercises. Everyone is invited.
Wesley UMC Pastor Lois Boyles will be presenting. She has studied
prayer and Spiritual Direction at Anglican School of Theology and with
Sister Macrina Weiderkehr.

FROM Stephanie Griffin~
A Retirement Party for Rev. Dr. James and Diane Ballard as they retire
from full-time ministry -
Saturday, May 20, 2006 - from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - First UMC
Lindale - Family
Ministry Center - 402 W. Hubbard Street; Lindale, Texas 75771
Refreshments will be served. Attire is casual to complement the
county western theme. Please no gifts. There will be a "giving tree" that
you can fertilize with green to make it grow.
There will be a time to share your memories, roast the honoree and
record a video message as a keepsake. If you are unable to attend the
festivities, you are invited to mail your greetings or video to:
Attention: Stephanie Griffin; First United Methodist Church; P.O.
Box 367; Lindale, TX 75771

________________________THIS WEEK'S EVENTS_________________________

FROM Mark W. Pickett~
LENTEN ORGAN CONCERT 3-26-06 at 6 PM Huntsville FUMC -
FUMC, Huntsville extends an invitation to all to experience a Lenten
Journey through the power and majesty of the varied sounds of the pipe
organ. This special event will be provided through the gifts and talents
of Dr. Ruth Bakke of Norway.
Ruth has studied at the Bergen Music Conservatory, the University of
Oslo, and came to the States on a Fulbright Grant where she continued
her studies at Converse College, S.C.; Texas Lutheran; University of
Redlands, C.A.; and at Washington State.
She has composed a large amount of church and chamber music and
several of her works have been commissioned. Ms. Bakke likes to incorporate
color using power point presentations with her music and regards color
and rhythm as playing central parts in her compositions. She is also
very interested in improvisation, which she uses quite effectively as a
church organist.
The concert will be held on Sunday evening, March 26th at 6 PM in
the sanctuary of FUMC Huntsville. Call 936-295-5441 or email
mpickett@huntsvillefumc.org for more information.

FROM Clear Lake UMC~
It's not too late to get tickets to Matt Neely's full-band cd release
concert at Clear Lake UMC this Sunday night at 6:30pm. A pastor right
here in the Texas Conference, Matt has just released a new cd of worship
songs which has received strong reviews by worshippers around the
country. You can hear these new songs and more this Sunday night. So call
281-488-5110, ext 135, and talk to Cari to have tickets reserved for you
at the door for $5. But if you forget, you can still just show up and
pay the $7 at-the-door price. We hope to see you Sunday.

FROM Committee on Native American Ministry~
Your offering on Native American Ministries Sunday, the third Sunday of
Easter or any Sunday you choose for your congregation, nurtures mission
with Native Americans and provides scholarships for United Methodist
Native American seminarians. Please give generously. Your gift makes a
world of difference! Our goal is to increase ten-fold the number of
churches contributing in 2005 from 65 to 650.
The Committee on Native American Ministry [CONAM] seeks to use your
sacrificial gifts to assist Native Americans in the task of reclaiming
and reaffirming their spiritual heritage, bringing the circle into
balance. Our other immediate goal is to help United Methodists of Texas
Conference have a greater understanding of issues relating to Native
peoples.
If you wish to have a Native speaker or CONAM member visit your
congregation, please contact Dr. Glenna Brayton 713-557-8756 or
Kyker.brayton@juno.com

FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC,
Houston~
David Lyon, senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, will preach at
the 11:05 a.m. worship service at St. Paul’s UMC, Houston, on Sunday,
March 26. This is part of the Anti-Defamation League’s Pulpit Exchange.
St. Paul’s senior minister, Dr. L. James (Jim) Bankston, will preach at
Beth Israel’s 6:30 p.m. Shabbat service on Friday, April 28.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Bankston at
713-528-0527.

FROM Randy Young~
Come join Wesley UMC in our Spring Revival Theme:(SPIRITUAL GROWTH WITH
HOPE) March 27-29, 2006.
Guest revivalist is the Rev. Ronnie Booker of Greater St Matthew's
Baptist Church. Time is 7:00pm nightly.
Address - 7225 Homestad Rd. Houston, TX 77028.
Directions to the church are: From 610 (north or south) exit Homestead
then proceed north to the Church. We will be looking for YOU!

_________________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR_______________________


FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC,
Houston~
We have several events going on in the life of our church that we think
would be of interest. The dates are listed below and you will find more
information about each event listed on our Web site,
www.stpaulshouston.org, on either our Home Page or on the Calendar. You are cordially
invited to attend and we hope you join us as follows:

> March 26 - St. Paul’s Choir to Sing Evensong Service - 4 p.m. -
> March 30 - Lenten Recital Series - Harp & Piano Artists - 12:15
p.m. -
> April 4-6 - Lenten Recital Series - Madrigal Singers - 12:15
p.m. -
> April 5 & 12 - Parent Education Lecture Series - "Mothering
Daughters" will be on
April 5, "Mothering Sons" will be on April 12. - Both
dates 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. -
> April 6 - Tour St. Paul’s Church with Prime Timers - 11 a.m. -
> April 6 - Director of Accreditation for the National
Association for the Education of
Young Children, Kim Means - 7 to 9 p.m. -

St. Paul’s, 5501 Main Street, is on the corner of Main and
Binz/Bissonnet, across from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

FROM Kathie Mann, Director, Partners In Mission~
Cameroon Consultation -
HEAR DIRECTLY FROM GBGM MISSIONARY Rev. Wes Magruder and CAMEROON
PASTOR Simeon Nomo how your congregations can HELP newly forming Churches in
Cameroon, Africa BECOME METHODIST!
Date: May 5-6, 2006-
7:00 pm Friday to 2:00 pm Saturday afternoon-
Location: First United Methodist Church of Allen, Texas (near
Dallas); 601 South Greenville Avenue, Allen, TX 75002.
Phone: (972) 727-8261 FAX: 972-727-7348-
See website for map & directions: www.fumc-allentx.org.
Registration Fee: $25.00 per person , includes Friday Dinner,
Saturday: Breakfast &
Lunch.
Childcare: $10.00 per child (includes meals)
Lodging: Hotel near Allen UMC (make your own reservations)
Enjoy: Photos, Music & Food from Cameroon, Africa.
Register & Information on Cameroon Website: www.gbgm-umc.org/Cameroon/
Contact: Rev. George & Wanda Holcombe (512) 252-2756.


_____________________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 Mary Jane Van Dussen, Pastor~
St. Mark’s (Pecore) is accepting applications for anyone interested in
a part-time (10-15 hours/week) position as Director of Children’s
Ministries. The growth of our congregation is reflecting the demographics of
the Heights area and is a wonderful opportunity for someone wanting to
develop a program. Please call the church office (713/861-3104) or
email (office@smumc.org) to receive more information and a detailed job
description.

FROM FUMC Lake Jackson, TX~
DIRECTOR of MUSIC MINISTRIES
First United Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, Texas, is currently
accepting applications for the position of Director of Music 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.
Email resume to Deana Keller @ ljfumc@swbell.net or mail to FUMC,
404 Azalea, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

FROM Quinn Edmondson, Business Administrator, Cypress UMC~
Church Financial Secretary -
Location: NW Houston -
Salary Range: DOE -
Budget: $1.7MM -
Church Members: 2,300 -
DESCRIPTION: Full- or part-time position, depending on experience,
to work with Church Administrator and supervise one accountant.
Responsible for preparation of monthly financial statements and analysis for
management and leadership through comprehensive understanding of the
Shelby System software; oversight of all data activities relating to the
financial activity of the church; reconciliation of bank accounts and
loan balances. Some evening work required to meet with Finance Committee
and others as needed. No relocation expenses.
REQUIREMENTS: College degree in accounting or finance. Advanced
Shelby knowledge and experience through working in a church environment for
6 or more years and a teamwork attitude. CPA or accounting degree a
plus.

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 Mary Lee Lawson~
Business Manager for John Wesley UMC
3200 member church in northwest Houston, TX seeks a full time Business
Manager. Responsible for operational and administrative affairs of the
church. Position to include building operations/maintenance, financial
planning/management and personnel management. Email resume to George
Schmidt at george.schmidt@earthlink.net.

______________________WANT ADS (Items Needed/Wanted)________________

FROM Dave Avis~
Here's a "for sale" item that may interest many people:
1838 Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal, ladies purse size 2"x 3 1/4"
leather - $65.
1807 Methodist Pocket Hymnbook, leather, 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" $85.00
Contact Rev. Dave Avis, 281-420-3806 or clergy@houston.rr.com

FROM Charles Jordan~
Lake Houston UMC has a Conn Organ that we would like to donate to a
church - it needs a little work on the peddles - but works for the most
part - please email me at lhumcpastor@nctv.com.


FROM Paula Ryburn, Mt. Pleasant, St. Andrew UMC~
DO YOU KEEP YOUR OLD V.B.S. MATERIALS?
If so, I am looking for the daily programs (the gatherings) and arts &
crafts projects from the 1999 SonCastle Faire by Gospel Light. If you
have yours and are willing to share, please contact me this week at
903-572-8264 or paula.ryburn@sbcglobal.net .