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Week of July 4 - July
10,
2010
I see in your newsletters that some of you
have an upcoming VBS. Have all of your volunteers had a background
check and gone thru the conference child safety training? Please
let me know if you would like to schedule a training class for your
group. I am available during the month of July most any time, day
or evening.
=======================================
Central Christian Church in Brownsville is
hosting Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit on August 5 and 6.
The Summit runs from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. for both days.
The cost is $99. To register go to
cccbrownsville.org
Information on the Summit is found at Willow Creek-Summit
It is my understanding that this Willow Creek Leadership training
has been offered in Brownsville for the past few years.
Sue Huntsman
=======================================
A reminder that the district office is
closed during the month of July. If the need arises to contact Rev.
Laura Merrill, her email address is
lmerrill@umcmcdistrict.com,
home phone 956-421-3630 or cell phone 512-393-9460. I check email
constantly and my contact numbers are home: 956-423-1459 or cell
phone 956-367-0317. Have a great July and see you in August.
=======================================
If you can help Carole please contact her direct at
santarosaumc@sbcglobal.net
Greetings, friends,
If anyone has the leaders guide and DVD for
any of the Short-Term Disciple Bible Studies, especially Invitation
to the Old Testament and Invitation to the New Testament that are
not currently being used in your church, I would appreciate
borrowing them for one-time use at Santa Rosa. If you can help,
please email me or call me at (956) 310-3378. Many thanks,
Blessings to you,
Carole Lahti
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Week of June 28 - July
3,
2010
Well, the Cone of Uncertainty has fallen upon
many of us in the most decisive way--what a welcome to the
Valley/South Texas for us newbies! I just wanted to be in touch
(while we all still have power) to make a couple of things clear:
1) According to the file in our office, most
of the churches of our district have disaster preparedness policies.
I encourage you to refer to those. Of course, paramount is either
following the instructions of local authorities with regard to
evacuation or, if you don't leave town, being prepared for loss of
power with emergency kits. In the end, you should make decisions
based on your needs and those of your families. Pastors need to be
available over the long term; riding out a storm in a heroic way is
not necessarily the best way to serve the people of the church.
2) That said, do be concerned with those most
vulnerable in your church and community. Use your plans and your
congregation to check on these folks before and/or after the storm.
3) In the event of any damage to your church
or parsonage, or if there is help you need beyond that of first
responders, please be in touch with me. My cell phone number is
512.393.9460. My home phone is currently out of order (!) but
hopefully will be back up soon: 956.421.3630, and the office number
is below.
I do not believe that God sends hurricanes,
but I do believe that God is always in the storm with us, our refuge
and strength. As shepherds of your churches, take good care of
yourselves as well, and let me know how you are doing as this event
progresses.
Peace,
Laura
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Weeks of June 13 - June
27,
2010
The Early Response Team Training scheduled for Saturday
June 26th has been postponed due to lack of registrations.
=======================================
Attached is the
appointment information that
will be published in the 2010/2011 district directory.
Please
look over your information and let the District Office know ASAP if
there are any corrections or changes that need to be made. Thanks for
your help.
=======================================
PLEASE NOTE: Laura has a new
email address:
lmerrill@umcmcdistrict.com
Please correct your records. Thanks.
=======================================
A Hearty Welcome to our New Pastors for McAllen
District
Alice - Jim Noble
Harlingen 1st - David Payne
Harlingen Wesley - Carolyn McGuire
Mission - William "Bill" Duke
Donna - Vanessa LeVine
Kingsville Christ/Riviera - Linda Baumheckel
McAllen-Trinity/San Juan - Danette Howell
Pharr/Mercedes - Melanie Monroe
Raymondville - Devlon Goodman
Pharr/Mercedes - Melanie Monroe
Details regarding our new pastors
will be provided
upon receipt in the District Office
=======================================
There will be an
Early Response Team Training held on June 26, 2010 at FUMC McAllen
from 8:30 am. to 4:00 p.m. Please watch for a brochure in the mail.
" the class will cover
team member responsibilities, how to equip a team, how to prevent
further damage (the four basic jobs) and more."
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR
ATTENDANCE WITH THE CONFERENCE OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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Weeks of May 31 - June
12,
2010
" We are Americans and this
is what we do" the video says, and I am moved and honored
that this is so. I am truly proud to be an American.
As I ponder on the role of The UMM
and indeed the Methodist Church as a whole I wonder again and again
why we do the things we do. My only answer is that it is because we
are Christians and that is what we do. We are called to feed the
hungry, shelter the outcast, and protect the weak and innocent. Time
and time again I see our Christian heritage in the actions of our
young men and women and it makes me proud. Our politicians can deny
our Christian roots if they wish but you can see them in almost
everything we do. The young corpsman in the video says "We are
Americans and this is what we do" he could have just as well said we
are of Christian heritage and this what we have been taught to do. I
doubt that you would have seen one of the Iranians running to the
aid of one of our boys. You might but I just sort of doubt it.
From Haiti to Chile you see our
country and our people rushing to aid those in need. We deny our
Christian roots and yet they are so ingrained in our psyche that we
respond with out thinking whenever we see pain and suffering.
I am proud to be a Christian and I am
proud to be an American and I hope that someday we who are in the
UMM will turn and automatically respond to questions about why we
rush to other peoples aid, whatever the trouble, with the response
of "We are Christians and this is what we do"
Jim Callaway Pres. McAllen
Dist. UMM
=======================================
Greetings and Salutations:
It is time to unveil the coming of the 1st annual SWTX Conference and
McAllen Dist. all night fishing event. Yep you heard right we are gonna
fish our way through one entire night in down town Port Mansfield. Your
Methodist Men have obtained permission to use an apartment on the water
with private fishing pier and swimming pool for the entire evening.
Festivities will start about 6PM on Friday August 6th and end up around
the same time on Saturday August 7th.
I am still working on the event and there will be more communications to
come but for right now just put it on your calendars and get ready. As I
said we have a private fishing pier to use and I am trying to find some
folks who might want to bring their boats to this event so I will give
everyone updates as we get closer to August 6th.
If there are any of you guys out there who might want to help with this
event we could sure use you. So, contact me at 956- 492-5888 or email me
at trvresorts@sbcglobal.net I'd really like to here from you.
Jim Callaway Pres. McAllen Dist. UMM
=======================================
If you were at the district conference Sunday at FUMC McAllen, you saw the
presentation made by Dr. Kim Cape.
One of the items that was included in the video is each church that has
a Prayer Shawl Ministry is asked to bring a prayer shawl to the Laity
assembly Wednesday afternoon of annual conference. If your church has
this ministry please be sure to bring a prayer shawl with you.
=======================================
I understand some of you have not received a copy of this year's
district camp registration
form. I have attached the form to this email. If you have trouble
opening it or still have not received the registration form please let
me know. Thanks.
=======================================
You are invited to an Open House Honoring
Pastor Bob and Donna Clark
Sunday, June 6, 2010 - 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Pharr United Methodist Church Family Life
Center
119 E. Kelly, Pharr
Please join us in expressing our appreciation and
love for Pastor Bob and Donna as they prepare for their exciting move to
San Antonio.
Come and go as you can; refreshments will be
served
=======================================
Please respond directly to me (pastor.cynthia@earthlink.net).
Thanks! Cynthia
---------------------------------------
Dear Clergy Brothers and Sisters of the McAllen District,
I am looking forward to being with all of you again next week at Annual
Conference. One of the discussions we have had in the Order of Elders
Advisory Board this past year has dealt with how clergy can sometimes
isolate, especially when they are separated by distance from
colleagues. We know that colleagues are not the only source of
Christian friendship and wisdom, but we wanted to get a glimpse of how
we are doing as a conference--not just elders, but also Associate
Members and Local Pastors (Don Snyder, the President of the Fellowship
of Associate Members and Local Pastors as well as Russell Miller,
the Chair of the Order of Deacons also sit on the Advisory Board).
Could you take just a moment to email me your response to these quick
questions? I know that I have asked them in a more informal way at a
District Professionals meeting, but we are also looking for hard data as
well! You can email me directly at pastor.cynthia@earthlink.net. Our
covenant is that we will not follow up with you or use your name
specifically unless you desire us to--we just want the information if at
all possible. Thank you!
Peace and joy, Cynthia Kepler-Karrer
ORDER OF ELDERS SURVEY
Are you a part of a small group where the question is asked, “How is it
with your soul?” For example: a lectionary group, an Emmaus reunion
group, a fellowship group, or a prayer/accountability group. It could
also be visiting with a spiritual director or professional counselor on
a regular basis.
YES NO
If you don’t have a group, would you like some help finding one?
YES NO
=======================================
Special Bible Study Class being offered
=======================================
The American Red Cross South Texas Chapter has been providing disaster relief
services throughout the Rio Grande Valley since 1917. In all dangerous
weather conditions, including hurricanes and floods, the American Red
Cross is always there to open shelters and provide food to those who are
in need. These services are made possible by support from the community
and our excellent team of volunteers, which make up the backbone to our
organization.
This year, we are aiming to expand our disaster relief team to about
1,000 newly-trained shelter volunteers by June 1st, 2010. To help build
our team we would like to recruit volunteers from within your religious
organization. This can be done by either having a Red Cross
representative speak to your congregation or by you allowing us to post
an ad in your weekly bulletin.
These disaster volunteers would be required to first pass a background
check and then complete a free three hour training course which would
certify them to help run the Red Cross shelters in times of need
specifically after a hurricane makes landfall. Volunteers would be on
call and contacted only as needed to open and run shelters.
Attached please find a brochure for
our HAT program the volunteer application. Please contact Aurora
Klien at 956-423-0523 or 1800-785-7851. Thank you for your time
and we look forward to hearing back from you! Sasha Cruz,
Director of Emergency Services, American Red Cross - South Texas
Chapter, P.O. Box2202, Harlingen, TX 78551-2202, 956-423-0523,
scruz@bizrgv.rr.com,
www.southtexasredcross.org
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Week of May 23 - May 29,
2010
Greetings and Salutations:
It is time to unveil the coming of the 1st annual SWTX Conference and
McAllen Dist. all night fishing event. Yep you heard right we are gonna
fish our way through one entire night in down town Port Mansfield. Your
Methodist Men have obtained permission to use an apartment on the water
with private fishing pier and swimming pool for the entire evening.
Festivities will start about 6PM on Friday August 6th and end up around
the same time on Saturday August 7th.
I am still working on the event and there will be more communications to
come but for right now just put it on your calendars and get ready. As I
said we have a private fishing pier to use and I am trying to find some
folks who might want to bring their boats to this event so I will give
everyone updates as we get closer to August 6th.
If there are any of you guys out there who might want to help with this
event we could sure use you. So, contact me at 956- 492-5888 or email me
at trvresorts@sbcglobal.net I'd really like to here from you.
Jim Callaway Pres. McAllen Dist. UMM
=======================================
If you were at the district conference at FUMC McAllen, you saw the
presentation made by Dr. Kim Cape.
One of the items that was included in the video is each church that has
a Prayer Shawl Ministry is asked to bring a prayer shawl to the Laity
assembly Wednesday afternoon of annual conference. If your church has
this ministry please be sure to bring a prayer shawl with you.
=======================================
I understand some of you have not received a copy of this year's
district camp registration
form. I have attached the form to this email. If you have trouble
opening it or still have not received the registration form please let
me know. Thanks.
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Week of May 16 - May 22,
2010
Message from Larry Howard:
I am pleased to invite you and your guests to a celebration ceremony
honoring the meaningful work of Camp Thicket and transferring the
camp from the United Methodist Church to the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department on May 24th. There will be a time during the
ceremony for brief sharing of memories as well as transfer of
symbols to Emmaus and youth and the state parks department.
=======================================
MYF @ Camp Thicket
May 23, 2010 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Todd Jones & Selina Brandon will be leading off with some ice
breakers.
Main Event: AMAZING RACE!
Wesley’s men’s group will be preparing dinner for us.
The goal of this event is to get our kids together for a night of
Christian fellowship and hopefully get some friendships started for
future district events.
=======================================
Greetings and Salutations:
It is time to unveil the coming of the 1st annual SWTX Conference
and McAllen Dist. all night fishing event. Yep you heard right we
are gonna fish our way through one entire night in down town Port
Mansfield. Your Methodist Men have obtained permission to use an
apartment on the water with private fishing pier and swimming pool
for the entire evening. Festivities will start about 6PM on Friday
August 6th and end up around the same time on Saturday August 7th.
I am still working on the event and there will be more
communications to come but for right now just put it on your
calendars and get ready. As I said we have a private fishing pier to
use and I am trying to find some folks who might want to bring their
boats to this event so I will give everyone updates as we get closer
to August 6th.
If there are any of you guys out there who might want to help with
this event we could sure use you. So, contact me at 956- 492-5888 or
email me at trvresorts@sbcglobal.net I'd really like to here from
you.
Jim Callaway Pres. McAllen Dist. UMM
=======================================
If you were at the district conference at FUMC McAllen, you saw the
presentation made by Dr. Kim Cape.
One of the items that was included in the video is each church that
has a Prayer Shawl Ministry is asked to bring a prayer shawl to the
Laity assembly Wednesday afternoon of annual conference. If your
church has this ministry please be sure to bring a prayer shawl with
you.
=======================================
I understand some of you have not received a copy of this year's
district camp registration form. I have attached the form to this
email. If you have trouble opening it or still have not received the
registration form please let me know. Thanks.
Once again, it's time to come asking for
much
needed help providing video to the Annual Conference.
We need 4
individuals (3 cameras and 1 assist. for each of the 5 business
sessions. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this
opportunity to serve please let me know ASAP. TIA
Randy Mahoney
Producer, Visual Communications
Office of Communication & Public Witness
SWTX Conference, United Methodist Church
361 550 5281, 210 408 4539
=======================================
Rusty Freeman will be coming down on Tuesday
May 18th for this month’s DYPS meeting.
We will meet at 11:00 at First UMC La Feria
for about an hour and then head out for lunch.
Hope you can join us.
(331
South Main Street, Phone: (956) 797-1393)
=======================================
Annual Conference items for
youth, young adult and young clergy
Hey friends,
We need these items in the hands of our young adults, young clergy and
youth leaders. Can you help get this out to them? Thanks -
Rusty
1) Joshua Group Dinner & Hang Out
Dinner at Macaroni Grill on SPID in Corpus, Tuesday June 1 at 7 PM.
Starbucks to follow. (RSVP with Rusty at rhf143@aol.com)
2) Southwest Methodist Renewal Movement
presents Rev. Dr. Steve Wende “A Call to Engagement”
Thursday, June 3, 2010 - 7 – 9 AM - Selena Rotunda room of the ABC
Center
Breakfast included, Cost: $10, Register online at:
www.register.uchurch.tv
(find the event under June and click on “register here”)
Space is limited to this much anticipated event, so register soon!
3) Youth and Young Adult Lunches (all are invited!)
Youth Lunch, Thursday, June 3 12:30 at Jasons Deli on Staples
Young Adult Lunch, Friday, June 4 12:30 at Chilis on SPID (RSVP with
Rusty at rhf143@aol.com)
Hope you all can join us for these events! Its sometimes hard to feel
connected as a youth or young adult at Annual Conference. If you are
going to be at Annual Conference we would love to hang out with you!
For more questions call Rusty at 210.382.4581.
Blessings!
Rusty Freeman <rhf143@aol.com>
www.reachingyouth.org
=======================================
Please
find attached
the invitation to
Eddie Valverde's farewell reception.
=======================================
The
following was sent to us
as a "just in case it's true" measure. It was received by the office
personnel at the Good Neighbor Settlement in Brownsville. You might want
to pass this info along if you have mission teams in the area or youth
trips planned for this weekend. Better safe than sorry.
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Week of May 9 - May 15,
2010
Hi friends,
Dale and I have new cell phone numbers....Please change your phonebook
for me/us.
CAROLE (956) 310-3378
DALE (956) 310-3377
Thanks!
Carole Lahti
=======================================
A nnual
Chapter Luncheon of SWTC Christian Educators Fellowship
Attached is a
luncheon reservation flier
if you’re interested in attending the annual Chapter Luncheon of SWTC
Christian Educators Fellowship on Thursday of Annual Conference. All are
welcome and this year it will be held in the American Bank Center.
Please forward this to Christian Educators and Children’s Ministers you
believe may be interested in connecting or re-connecting. Among other
luncheon news, we’ll have an exciting announcement about Children’s
Ministry Forum 2011!
You’re invited to bookmark the web link for SWTC CEF: http://www.umcswtx.org/christian-educators-fellowship.html
=======================================
The 2010
Pre-Conference Journal
is now available
on the conference website (www.umcswtx.org) for you to download and print. This email has also
been sent to your 2010 delegates that I have an
email address for. If your delegate does not have
email, please print an extra copy for them. Thanks.
=======================================
There is still time to register for the McAllen District
Breakfast at Annual Conference. I have attached the
registration form
for your convenience. Please
complete the form and mail it along with your check to
the district office. I have also sent this info to all
delegates with email addresses. If your delegate does
not have email, please print an extra copy of the
registration form for them.
P.S. Thank you to all of you that have registered. You
do not need to register again.
=======================================
Please find attached the
registration form for this year's Clergy Spice
(Spouse) luncheon at Annual Conference. If you cannot open the form,
let me know and I will mail it to you. Thanks.
=======================================
The FCA will be hosting the third annual Los Fresnos National Day of
Prayer at the Leo Aguilar Stadium on Thursday May 6, 2010 at 6:30 pm –
8:30 pm. We are trying to get the word out to as many people in the
community as possible. We hope to have a strong community showing for
this great day. Please, pass the word on to other people who may be
interested in sharing in this event.
=======================================
MYF @ Camp Thicket
May 23, 2010
3:00 – 6:00 pm
Todd Jones & Selina
Brandon will be leading off with some ice breakers.
Main Event: AMAZING
RACE!
Wesley’s men’s group
will be preparing dinner for us.
The goal of this
event is to get our kids together for a night of Christian fellowship
and hopefully get some friendships started for future district events.
=======================================
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Week of May 2- May 8,
2010
Hi friends,
Dale and I have new cell phone numbers....Please change your phonebook
for me/us.
CAROLE (956) 310-3378
DALE (956) 310-3377
Thanks!
Carole Lahti
=======================================
A nnual
Chapter Luncheon of SWTC Christian Educators Fellowship
Attached is a
luncheon reservation flier if you’re interested in attending the
annual Chapter Luncheon of SWTC Christian Educators Fellowship on
Thursday of Annual Conference. All are welcome and this year it will be
held in the American Bank Center. Please forward this to Christian
Educators and Children’s Ministers you believe may be interested in
connecting or re-connecting. Among other luncheon news, we’ll have an
exciting announcement about Children’s Ministry Forum 2011!
You’re invited to bookmark the web link for SWTC CEF: http://www.umcswtx.org/christian-educators-fellowship.html
=======================================
The 2010
Pre-Conference Journal
is now available
on the conference website (www.umcswtx.org) for you to download and print. This email has also
been sent to your 2010 delegates that I have an
email address for. If your delegate does not have
email, please print an extra copy for them. Thanks.
=======================================
There is still time to register for the McAllen District
Breakfast at Annual Conference. I have attached the
registration form for your convenience. Please
complete the form and mail it along with your check to
the district office. I have also sent this info to all
delegates with email addresses. If your delegate does
not have email, please print an extra copy of the
registration form for them.
P.S. Thank you to all of you that have registered. You
do not need to register again.
=======================================
Please find attached the
registration form for this year's Clergy Spice
(Spouse) luncheon at Annual Conference. If you cannot open the form,
let me know and I will mail it to you. Thanks.
=======================================
The FCA will be hosting the third annual Los Fresnos National Day of
Prayer at the Leo Aguilar Stadium on Thursday May 6, 2010 at 6:30 pm –
8:30 pm. We are trying to get the word out to as many people in the
community as possible. We hope to have a strong community showing for
this great day. Please, pass the word on to other people who may be
interested in sharing in this event.
=======================================
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