_________________________PRAYER CONCERNS________________________

FROM South & East Districts~
Prayers are requested for Beulah Lea, who is having bypass surgery at
St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Beaumont, Tuesday, August 29, 2006. Beulah is
mother of Rev. Jamie Lea, Mt. Belvieu UMC.

FROM Pat Travers, Administrative Assistant, Northwest District UMC~
Nancy Haynes, wife of Jesse Haynes (Oakwood/Lanley), is in Mother
Frances Hospital - Jacksonville for tests. Please keep her in your prayers.

FROM Rev. Tom Stephenson, Atascocita UMC~
My mother, Betty Stephenson, is in Memorial Herman Southwest Hospital.
She has Parkinson’s and would appreciate prayers. She and my father are
members at FUMC, Sugar Land.

__________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS________________________

FROM Michael Hunter~
Marie Shugart (Meismer) has passed away. The visitation will be held
Wednesday, August 30, 2006, at Baker Funeral Home, 118 W. Texas St in
Brazoria, from 5pm to 8 pm, with family visit from 4pm to 5 pm. The
funeral service will be held Thursday, August 31, 2006, at First Baptist
Church of Shady Acres on County Road 463 in Brazoria, at 10 am and
interment will follow at Sweeny Cemetery in Sweeny, TX.

___________________________CONFERENCE NEWS_______________________

________________________ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS____________________

FROM Rev. Susan Grittman~
New Speech Craft Workshop to Prepare Laity for Ministry -
Too many Christians are afraid to speak up among Christians, let
alone reach out to those outside the Church in the name of Jesus. This
two-part seminar will help laity to develop confidence to share their
testimony, pray out loud, lead a small group, or help lead worship in
church. The seminar teaches basic speech skills and gives participants
opportunities to practice these in a non-threatening environment. Visit our
website at fmhouston.com or contact Rev. Susan Grittman for more
information at sgrittman@fmhouston.com or 713-458-4772.
This class will meet August 31st and September 7th from 6:00-9:00
p.m. at First Methodist Houston-Westchase in the Stansbury Building
located at the Sam Houston Tollway@Westpark Dr.

FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC~
St. Paul’s, Houston, is offering a four-month study based on the book
"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 Rev. Bill Jenkins, pastor~
"Termite" Watkins to Speak at League City UMC, 1411 W. Main St., on
Sunday, Sept. 10 at 4 PM.
"Termite" Watkins is a native of Galena Park, TX, and was a national
amateur boxing champion and successful professional boxer. After his
boxing career, he became a top salesman with a strong six-figure income,
which he gave up to follow his dream and his calling.
A series of events led him to Iraq as a pest exterminator. In a
short time, he became a leader and champion among the Iraqi people. They
didn’t understand the American culture, but they understood this man who
stood up for his beliefs and who tried to unite people in the midst of
war to become champions in their own right. His remarkable story of
faith and hope while putting together an Iraqi boxing team for the 2004
Olympics inspired the world and will soon be made into a motion picture.
This event is open to all who wish to hear an extraordinary story.
For more information, go to www.termitewatkins.com.
Mr. Watkins' presentation is part of the "Sundays in the Sanctuary"
series at League City UMC.

FROM Jill Krone, Director for Communications, First UMC Henderson, TX
(East Distr.)~
New Studies Offered...
First UMC of Henderson is offering the newest Beth Moore study. This
12-week study on the Book of Daniel is being offered on Monday nights
from 6:30 - 8 pm beginning September 11. The focus is on teaching
participants how to "Shine for Christ." Contact Pastor Sherry (903.657.6588) to
register or for additional information.

Disciple Study's Invitation to the New Testament now offered by First
UMC, Henderson. This short-term Disciple Bible study (eight weeks)
presents the Bible as the primary text, features a weekly two-hour meeting
based on small group discussion, includes a video component for making
available the insights of Biblical scholars to set the Scriptures in
context, and has as one of its goals the enhancement of Christian
discipleship. Required student books will cost approximately $ 8.00. To
register - ASAP - or to get more info, please call Pastor Sherry
(903.657.6588).

FROM Donna V. Adair, Director of Communications, St. Paul's UMC~
The Choir of St. Paul's UMC, Houston, will sing a Service of Choral
Evensong in the St. Paul's Sanctuary at 4 p.m. Sunday, September 24. For
more information, contact Donna Adair at 713-528-0527.

______________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR_________________________

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 Dr. C. Chappell Temple~
Want to know more about Methodist history and doctrine? Or simply try
out a seminary-level class to see if it "fits? Houston Graduate School
of Theology will offer a fall course in "United Methodist History and
Doctrine" that meets the requirements for ordination candidates and is
applicable to a M.Div. at HGST or for transfer to Perkins or other
seminaries. The class will meet on Friday afternoons at 1:30 at Lakewood
United Methodist Church on the northwest side of Houston, beginning on
September 8, and will be led by Dr. C. Chappell Temple, adjunct professor
at HGST.
To find out how to register for credit or audit, visit the HGST
website, www.hgst.edu or call Pastor Temple at 281.370.2273.

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_______________________

______________________JOB OPENINGS/JOBS WANTED___________________

FROM Rev. Deborah Proctor~
Positions: Director of Youth MInistries, St. John's Texas City. -
Looking for the right person to lead our youth program. Church
attendance average 150. Currently about 30 active youth. Email Rev. Deborah
Proctor at pastor@stjohnsumctc.org for details and job description.

FROM John Reasons~
Rapidly growing Faith UMC in the Spring/Woodlands area seeks a
part-time Director of Youth Ministries, as well as a part-time Director of
Children’s Ministries, to help develop new programs and also grow our
existing programs. We have moved into our new facility and are seeing many,
many new families join the church. Applicants should have a strong love
of Jesus and people, be able to work in dynamic situations, develop and
lead teams, and have a good sense of humor. For more information or to
submit resumes and references, contact Rev. Debbie Drost 2403 Rayford
Road, Spring, TX 77386 - (281) 367-7776 or fax them to 281-298-0459 or
e-mail to RevDeb2004@aol.com.

______________________WANT ADS (Items Needed/Wanted)________________

FROM Mark Woodward~
West University UMC will be celebrating their 70th anniversary and is
interested in having a John Wesley presentation. If you can refer us to
someone who does a Wesley portrayal, please call 713-666-8111.

FROM Connie Swanson~
Does anyone have Alter parament sets, new or gently worn, that they
want to donate to the Lovelady, TX circuit of four churches? All colors
needed . Please contact Connie Swanson, connswonson@aol.com or
713-503-1124,713-649-4860. Thank you in advance.

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.