_________________________PRAYER CONCERNS________________________

FROM Pat Travers, Administrative Assistant, Northwest District UMC~
Voncille Howard, aunt of Nick Sholars, had a stroke. Please keep her
in your prayers.

Mary Palmer, wife of Richard Palmer (Athens Wesley/Crescent Heights)
broke her arm. Please keep her in your prayers.

__________________________DEATHS/FUNERALS________________________

FROM Donna Moody, Administrative Assistant, Southeast District~
Prayers requested for the family of MiMi Nichols, retired Diaconal
Minister, from the Southeast District. MiMi served in several districts
throughout the conference. MiMi was laid to rest on Monday, August 28th.

Prayers requested for Rev. Rob Fisher, pastor of First UMC-Orange, and
family. Rob's mother, Mrs. Charlene Malfer, passed away on Thursday,
August 24th, and was buried on Monday, August 28th, in Las Cruses, New
Mexico.

FROM East District UMC~
Prayers are requested for the family of Rev. George Wilson. His
sister, Carol Whitehead, passed away on Saturday. Her service will be on
Thursday, August 31 in Houston. George is pastor at Lake Rayburn UMC,
East District.

___________________________CONFERENCE NEWS_______________________

________________________ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS____________________

FROM Rev. Guy Williams, John Wesley UMC~
I'm presenting a seminar at the GHLES and would like some input from
folks on their Safe Sanctuary implementation experiences--the good, bad,
and ugly.
I have a simple three-question survey that will only take a few
minutes to complete that would be most helpful to me in making the
presentation. Please email me today thru Friday for the survey and I'll email
it back to you in an attachment. My email address is:
guymwilliams@gmail.com - Thanks.

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 Sheri Kelley, Memorial Drive UMC, Houston~
MDUMC will be hosting GOT HOPE! on Sun., Sept. 17, for those in the
grieving communities who have attended or are interested in attending
either Grief Share or DivorceCare. This event will be held at 5:30 p.m. in
Wesley Hall. New individual sessions of Grief Share and DivorceCare
will begin Sept. 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the MDUMC Connection Center. The
afternoon sessions of Grief Share will begin on Sept. 28 at 1:30 p.m. also
at the Connection Center. If interested in attending GOT HOPE! or the
support groups, please contact Sheri Kelley at 713/468-8356, ext. 119 or
sherikelley@mdumc.org.

The fall series of support for Family & Friends of Gays & Lesbians will
begin on Tues., Sept. 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Drive UMC
Connection Center. This five-week program offered each fall and spring
welcomes speakers as well support and encouragement to family and friends who
are beginning to understand a reality that many never anticipated. For
more information, please contact Sheri Kelley at 713/468-8356, ext. 119
or sherikelley@mdumc.org.

The Memorial Drive UMC Singles Ministry is searching for talented
individuals who would like to perform at their Fourth Friday Coffee House
held at the MDUMC Connection Center. Singers, musicians, comedians,
magicians, poets, etc. are all welcome to get their names on the list to
perform. Please contact Sheri Kelley at 713/468-8356, ext. 119 or
sherikelley@mdumc.org.

FROM Partners In Mission~
"Passport to Missions" - September 15-16 at The Woodland UMC
Registration begins at 4pm on Friday September 15 and the evening
will begin at 6pm with supper featuring Bishop Janice Riggle Huie in
our opening session with worship led by the Windsor Village Praise
Singers and Praise Dancers. Dessert and coffee follows, along with the Global
Village displays.
The cost is $45 (includes workshops & meals); registration forms
are online
at the Texas Conference webpage, www.txcumc.org, Partners in Mission
section.
Questions? contact Rev. Wineva Hankamer, winevah@yahoo.com, or 281
360-4500, or Kathie Mann at 713 521-9383, texaspim@methodists.net.

FROM Kenneth Tielke, President, United Methodist Men~
Fall Conference - at St. Paul's UMC, 5501 South Main - Houston /
Saturday, September 23, 2006 /
ALL MEN and ALL CLERGY are Invited and Encouraged to attend!
"Taking IT Downtown"
Speaker - Dr. Robert Stutes
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Schedule your local unit September meeting for September 23rd and "take
it downtown". There will be a slot of time set aside for local unit
meetings
Cost is $30, which includes breakfast and lunch.
Register on-line at www.tcumm.org

______________________MARK YOUR CALENDAR_________________________

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~
The 2006 Greater Houston Leadership Education School takes place
September 9 at Memorial Drive UMC. Register by August 31 to take advantage
of the $25 registration fee. For information and to register, go to
www.GHLES.org. Workshops for leaders of youth focus on chemical dependency
("There Are Elephants in the Room" led by John Cates) and creative
worship experiences with youth (led by Rev. Lani Rousseau). For leaders of
children, there are a wide variety of workshops for new and experienced
leaders working with young children through Tweens. Check out the web
site for a listing of all workshops for leaders of adults, youth and
children. Dr. Chuck Simmons will be our keynote this year on the theme of
"Leading from the Heart." Also part of this event is a marketplace of
displays and vendors and wonderful opportunities for fellowship and
networking.

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.

_________________________YOUTH NEWS & VIEWS_______________________

________________________RESTORATIVE JUSTICE_______________________

______________________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.
In addition, if you are seeking a position that involves working
with children or youth in any capacity, bear in mind that if accepted, you
will be required to be certified through the Conference's Safe
Sanctuary policy. Thank you.

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.

FROM Monroe Walker~
Wanted: Food Service Director at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center
in Palestine, TX. Hiring and supervising food service staff, planning
menus, and ordering food/supplies are some of the responsibilities of
this full-time position in a 1,100 capacity facility. On-site housing,
benefits available. Resumes and inquiries may be mailed to 400 PR 6036,
Palestine, TX 75801; faxed to 903-538-2797; or emailed to
lakeviewmethodistcenter@hotmail.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.