__________________________PRAYER CONCERNS________________________

FROM Thomas Hill~
Darwin Andrus, the oldest member of the Texas Conference, was recently
moved to Arlington to be nearer his wife, Hilda’s family. Yesterday, he
fell, broke his hip and is currently hospitalized at Arlington Memorial
Hospital in Room 2116. His condition is unknown but due to past heart
problems I am being told that surgery is not going to happen. Please
hold Darwin close in your prayers.

FROM Nita Newman~
I received a message from Genoa United Methodist in Houston that
Rev.Wayne Calder is in ICU Hermann Hospital. He has a blood infection. His
kidneys are not functioning and he is in a drug-induced coma.

FROM Elaine at SMUMC~
Susie Teddlie of Stewart Mem UMC had a slight set back over the
weekend. She had to have surgery to drain an abcess on her liver.
I visited her at Scott & White Temple on Monday and she was still
groggy from meds. But Carolyn (her daughter) said they were supposed to
get her up later in the PM.
Please continue to have her in your prayers.

__________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS________________________
Here is a more detailed notice concerning Audrey Barfield:

FROM Lonna Nunn, North District Office -- Texarkana Location~
We are all saddened today. Audrey Barfield, wife of retired minister
and former District Superintendent, John Barfield, died this morning,
July 31, 2006 in Texarkana, TX.
There will be a private burial in Red Bayou (just outside of New
Boston) early Wednesday morning under the direction of Texarkana Funeral
Home, 3515 Texas Blvd., Texarkana, TX 75501; 903/794-1200. A memorial
service will be held at Williams Memorial UMC inside Wesley Hall, 4000
Moores Lane in Texarkana on Wednesday at 11:00 am.
Memorial gifts may be made to Williams Memorial UMC, 4000 Moores
Lane, Texarkana, TX 75503; Tapp UMC, P.O. Box 35, New Boston, TX 75570; or
to Red Bayou UMC, 102 S Park Drive, New Boston, TX 75570.

__________________________CONFERENCE NEWS________________________

FROM Dr. Karen Dorris, Dir. Congregational Excellence~
We are excited to announce the "Extravagant Generosity Workshop" being
taught by Cliff Christopher from Horizon Stewardship on the following
dates:.

October 14, 2006 9:00 am to 3:00 pm St. Paul's UMC in
Houston

October 15, 2006 2:00 to 6:00 pm Marvin UMC in
Tyler

Cost is $10.00 per person for the event.

We are delighted to have Cliff Christopher come and share his wealth of
knowledge. He is an excellent speaker and teacher to clergy as well as
lay persons in the church. He will talk about Annual Stewardship
Campaigns, Building Relationships with people who can make a difference, and
Capital Campaigns.
Please put this in your District newsletters and on the calendars as
each church will want to send representatives to attend this
informative teaching event being offered by our new "Congregational Excellence"
department. Registration information will be available shortly.

FROM Dr. Karen Dorris, Dir. Congregational Excellence~ The Center For
Congregational Excellence has received a request for information about
persons who dress in costume as John Wesley and do presentations of
United Methodist history and understanding. Please email Karen Dorris at
kdorris@txcumc.org if you have contact information that would be
helpful.

____________________NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS___________________

FROM Dr. Glenna Kyker Brayton~
A reminder to all clergy and staff who complete the church report for
inclusion in the conference journal: Please give members of the
congregation an opportunity to identify themselves as Native American.
Last year's composite report shows there are only about 450 Native
Americans in Texas Conference churches. That is probably off by more
than 1000 %. Because there is no blood quantum requirement or
qualification, anyone with Native American ancestry may be included, e.g.,
registered with federally-recognized tribes and having CDIB cards, registered
with state-recognized tribes only, voting tribal members,
TINEA-registered, non-registered, freedmen and -women, and "Black Indians."
If you would like to learn more about Native American ministry in
this conference, please call Dr. Glenna Kyker Brayton at 281-391-5797 or
713-557-8756. You will be connected with a committee member close to
your area.

FROM Kenneth Tielke~
There will be an East District UMM meeting - open to all men in the
district - at Lufkin First UMC, this Saturday, August 5, from 3 - 4:30
P.M.

FROM Cindy Masterson~
Celebration Women’s Ministry presents a Leadership Connection Event,
"Equipped to Pray," Saturday, August 26, 2006 at FUMC, Longview, TX.
Time: 9:30- 3:30/Cost: $20.00, which includes breakfast and lunch. Barbara
Byerly will be our guest speaker. Barbara has traveled extensively
both nationally and internationally in her teaching ministry.
We invite all women to come be equipped and inspired. There will be
worship, teaching, prayer time, and training for local chapter
Celebration leadership. Workshops on Prayer, Worship, Officer Training, and
Ministry Teams will be offered. All women are invited to "experience
Celebration," benefit from Barbara’s teaching on prayer, and learn more
about this exciting ministry. For information about registration, email
clmasterson@cableone.net.

______________________JOB OPENINGS/JOBS WANTED___________________

FROM Charles Greene~
Children's Director position to be open in September at Crosby UMC.
Must be experienced in children's ministry, ages nursery through 6th
grade.
Duties: Staffing nursery, providing children's sermon presenters,
after-school fellowship (with light meal) on Wednesdays, organizing
Summer Vacation Bible School and van driver. Must have taken Safe Sanctuary
course and received certificate.
Flexible hours, office and phone provided. Pay according to
experience. Contact Charles Greene, Pastor, Crosby UMC: 281-328-2616 or Skip
Greenwade, Chairman, Staff-Parish Relations Committee: 281-328-5447.

Rev. Greg Megill, First UMC, Center~
First UMC in Center is seeking a part-time Director of Youth and
Children's Activities. Salary is based on experience. Qualified applicants
should send their resume to Rev. Greg Megill at FUMC, 211 Porter Street,
Center, TX 75935, fax to 936-598-2708, or email to
fumccenter@sbcglobal.net.

FROM Karen Helton, vice president for institutional advancement, at
Wiley College~
Position: Director of Development -
...will be responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive
fund-raising program targeting corporations and foundations. The
successful applicant is expected to make 40-50 calls annually and follow-up
with high-quality appeals, as well as, continually cultivate prospective
major gifts donors.
... A Bachelor's degree is required with a minimum of five years of
successful fund-raising experience. Should have strong-to-excellent
written, oral and, interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work
as a member of the Advancement team, as well as maintain professional
work relationships with internal and external publics. Must be capable
of handling sensitive and confidential information. Preferred
qualifications: major gifts and capital campaign experience.
Interested persons should submit a letter of interest, resume and
portfolio to the:
Office of Human Resources; Attn: Mary Mearlon Dees; Wiley College; 711
Wiley Ave.;
Marshall, TX 75670 - PHONE (903) 927-3345 - FAX (903) 927-1145 -
Email: wwinkley@wileyc.edu