_________________________PRAYER CONCERNS________________________

FROM Sally Couvillion~
Prayers requested for Thomas Knight, brother of retired pastor, James
Knight and brother-in-law of retired pastor, Sally Couvillion. He has
been diagnosed with a combination of Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's
Disease. The situation is very difficult for the family. Please pray
also for his wife, Marylee, and their children and families.

FROM Pat Travers, Administrative Assistant, Northwest District UMC~
Sharlott Prince, wife of Ray Prince (New Summerfield), is in ICU in
Jacksonville. Please keep them in your prayers.

___________________________BIRTHS/ADOPTIONS________________________

FROM Michael Hunter~
Prayer Request and Joy from Bobby and Kelli Griffin - We are so pleased
to let everyone know that we are expecting a new Griffin baby on
Easter Sunday April 8th. We ask for your prayers for the baby. We are all
very excited. Jenna is looking forward to being a big
sister...finally.

___________________________CONFERENCE NEWS_______________________

________________________ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS___________________

FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC,
Houston~
Woman to Woman, a group for women in their late 20s through 30s, will
resume weekly meetings at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 7, in the Parlor of
St. Paul's UMC.
Their fall study will be based on the book "Bad Girls of the Bible"
by Barbara Essex. They will discuss one stand-alone chapter per
session, enabling women to attend as their schedules permit without losing
continuity.
Available for around $15 through most book sources, the book was
described by one reader reviewer as "a must-read for all thinking people
of faith and for those searching for an intelligent treatment of the
Bible and women in it."
Childcare is available for participants who make reservations
through kshanahan@stpaulshouston.org within 24 hours of the meeting. For more
information, contact Donna Adair at dadair@stpaulshouston.org or church
phone 713-528-0527 or cell 713-705-6542.

FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC, "The
Rule of Benedict: Insight for the Ages" by Joan Chittister, O.S.B. The
study begins August 31 and will be directed by Rev. Gail Williford, St.
Paul’s Minister of Discipleship and Spiritual Development.
Study participants will be asked to read and reflect on these
readings on their own. After August 31, the group will meet semi-monthly from
September 14 through December 28, when they will discuss the texts and
their reactions to them.
The $20 book may be purchased prior to or at the first session. For
more information about this study, contact Rev. Williford at
713-528-0527 or gailwilliford@stpaulshouston.org.

FROM Dr. Frank Varro~
Westchase UMC is happy to announce the city-wide Rally for PASTOR YUN
from CHINA, on Friday, Sept. 8, at 7:00 pm, at Westchase UMC, 9603
Westheimer Road, in Houston.
Known as "The Heavenly Man," Pastor Yun was imprisoned three times,
persecuted, tortured, and starved, but the Lord miraculously delivered
him. He literally walked out (shades of Peter in Acts 12!) of a maximum
security prison from which no person had ever escaped, and guards lost
their jobs. He has since toured extensively in the U.S. and elsewhere,
and has a vision to carry the gospel around the globe in this
generation! Come hear this amazing Chinese pastor tell this inspiring,
life-changing story. The entire service will be interpreted in Chinese and
English. A love offering will be taken for Pastor Yun and his ministry.
Please come, and bring your church, and friends!

FROM Christi Conway~
The Extravagant Generosity Ministries and The United Methodist and
Texas Methodist Foundations invite you to take part in the Timeless Gifts
Workshop (Learning about Permanent Endowments) with special guest Susie
Ragsdale, Rev. C.J. Taylor, Darrel Loyless and Don Psenck. It will be
held on September the 16th from 10am until 4pm at St. Paul’s UMC in
Houston. Cost for the event is $35 for early registration and $45 after
Sept. 8th. For more information, contact Melvin Amerson, Extravagant
Generosity’s Chair at 800/933-5502.

______________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR_________________________

FROM Jan Imig, GHLES Design Team~
Have you registered your leaders yet for Greater Houston Leadership
Education School on September 9? Don't wait any longer. (Registration fee
goes up after August 31.) Let GHLES help to equip leaders of children,
youth and adults for their ministries this fall. Check out on line the
thirty plus workshops offered! A sampling of topics of adult workshops
includes gaining the courage to teach adults, creating settings for
worship, ministries with young adults and older adults, dealing with
conflict, mercy and justice ministries, our Social Principals, stress
reduction, and spiritual direction. This year's event, "Leading from the
Heart," takes place at Memorial Drive UMC from 9 am to 2:30 pm. Keynote
speaker is Chuck Simmons, senior minister of Memorial Drive UMC. For more
information and to register go to www.GHLES.org.

_________________________YOUTH NEWS & VIEWS_______________________

________________________RESTORATIVE JUSTICE_______________________

FROM John W. Harrington, SE TX District Restorative Justice Ministry
Coordinator~
TDCJ:
Russell McKinney, 8320 Ginger Lane, Lumberton,TX 77657,
409-755-1716.
Certified Brake Mechanic seeking employment.
Gist State Jail: Welcome Back and/or Operation Rebound -
Jason Andrew Alsup, 1119 One Oak Chase, Areola TX-----281-431-0612.
Has
completed course study in Cognitive Intervention and Changes.
Jason B. King, 1418 FM 2854. Conroe, TX 77301---- 936-294-0169
/936-760-1898
Douglas Martin, P. O. Box 1374. La Marque, Tx 77568----409-939-6643
Allen Friesenhahn, 617 West 9th, Freeport, TX 77541----
979-233-2702
Timothy Collins, 29811 Sweetwater, Magnolia, TX 77354----
281-152-4600

RJM Ministry Tip: A church can do an announcement that simply says,
"If anyone knows a person that is incarcerated that somehow is affiliated
with our church membership--please let the Pastor know. We want to
send them our newsletter and to make contact."
If you can get a name and release date, you can set up a Welcome
Home Party to initiate contact with the newly released person. What a
great Christian Action initiative!

______________________JOB OPENINGS/JOBS WANTED___________________

______________________WANT ADS (Items Needed/Wanted)________________

FROM Pastor Robert R. Jackson~
The Asbury Memorial UMC, 215 Medina in Houston, is trying to start an
AA program but we need material to do so. If anyone has used AA
material and would like to donate it to a worthy cause, please contact me at
281-282-0960 or713-926-5601.

FROM Gus Browning~
I have a custom-built computer I would be glad to donate to any church
that could use it, or will sell dirt-cheap ($25) to an individual for
personal use. Has 128 MB of memory, 40 gig re-formatted hard drive
(totally clean and open to installation of any operating system desired).
Also has an A drive and CD-burner drive with necessary software disc.
Note: Computer only (no keyboard, no monitor). Can bring to Lakeview
Oct. 3 - 6. Dr. Gus Browning (gusjacki@swbell.net or 512-249-2969).