Across the District→

Across the District→ May 2009

FROM CHURCH TO CHURCH, AMEN!

AMEN to Pharr Literacy Project, a mission supported by the McAllen District, for having completed the training to become a Community of Shalom.

AMEN to Hebbronville FUMC who celebrated their sunrise service ecumenically (St. James Episcopal and Baptist) at a member’s ranch. Following their regular worship service, the community was invited to share in their Easter meal whether they had come to worship or not.

Hebbronville FUMC Easter Sunrise

Hebbronville FUMC Invitational Sign

AMEN to Pharr UMC who just started a UMW unit.

AMEN to Los Fresnos UMC who had 53 at their Saturday Night Spanish Language Service recently. Their attendance has also increased in their Sunday Worship Service and Sunday School.

AMEN to Zapata UMC who were happy to have 7 new members come into the church in April.

AMEN to Mission FUMC whose construction on their welcoming center is coming along well.

Mission FUMC glassed in their breezeway for welcoming.

AMEN to Edinburg FUMC who will soon have a portable office building they have been raising money for. The building will allow the church to house their present offices of pastor, secretary and mental health provider and add a space for a Wesley Nurse. Present office space will then be designated space for children and youth.

AMEN to St. John who use proceeds of their annual ONION sale to help pay apportionments and purchase materials used by the Nomad groups to repair and refurbish homes.

AMEN to Falfurrias FUMC for installing a new sound system and a new video system. With the new system they were able to offer “Fireproof Your Marriage,” a major motion picture focused on making marriages stronger, as a free gift to the Falfurrias community.

AMEN to McAllen FUMC’s Day School children who combined a learning experience with a giving experience. They learned about tricycle and riding toy safety and then had their Trike-A-Thon to raise money for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

AMEN to the McAllen District Churches for their outreach efforts over the Easter Season.

Mercedes FUMC Easter 2009

AMEN to Zapata UMC for continuing their curb side welcome with new doors across the front of their building. The doors were installed as a memorial (to Maggie Burton) and will be dedicated at the end of May.

AMEN to ST. Mark UMC for holding a STUDY CAFÉ for their youth. Space will be available for study groups, individual studying, and study breaks as the youth begin their finals week.

AMEN to Mission FUMC for continuing their Dinner With Friends. Each Friday evening they serve the neighborhood a free meal.

AMEN to Raymondville FUMC for sponsoring an interdenominational (ecumenical) study group.

Raymondville FUMC study group

AMEN to San Benito for offering suggestions for better ways of helping the indigent: buy them breakfast at a local fast food, offer them a sack lunch which is available in the church office, or refer them to the staff for ideas of agencies that can help meet unmet needs.

AMEN to St. Mark UMC who are using their discussion of each aspect of the FIVE PRACTICES OF FRUITFUL CONGREGATIONS to inspire their planning and visioning.

AMEN to Harlingen FUMC who continue to offer choices in worship. Every Sunday they have 2 services in their sanctuary, one in their fellowship hall, and 2 at Gutierrez Middle School.

AMEN to Harlingen FUMC’s NuLife for including Journey Pre-K in their Palm Sunday Services.

AMEN to Falfurrias FUMC’s Wesley Nurse who is on the Nutrition and Fitness Committee. Wesley Nurses are developing new programs to use. Falfurrias is offering “Eat Well To Stay Well” where healthy meals are prepared and discussed. The small group stays for Bible Study with the pastor.

AMEN to Bruni UMC for continuing to be faithful to the Kairos Ministry, an Emmaus-like experience for the incarcerated. They were recently serving in Beeville prison.

AMEN to Zapata UMC for continuing their jail ministry. They include community volunteers in this ministry.

INFORMATION: Look for these AMENS in the JUNE WITNESS. We are going to an every-other-month format in the WITNESS. The next emailed AMENS will be out in August.

Do you have an AMEN to share about the McAllen District? If so, contact Mary Howard by phone or email. (956-421-3630 or yard23@aol.com)

PLEASE PASS THESE ON TO OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS. THANKS