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April 1 2009
Central E-Link
Weekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference
Welcome! This is the conference’s weekly update to church leaders — lay and clergy. Articles/requests should be submitted to Carolyn@ctcumc.org by 12 noon Tuesday in order to be e-mailed on Wednesday. Articles should be brief and include active links to websites or contact persons for details. Use this information for announcements, in church newsletters and/or bulletins. The E-Link and the Central Link newspaper are posted on the conference website at www.ctcumc.org. Read them online or download and copy to share with others. To add a colleague or church member to E-Link’s weekly distribution, send their addresses to susan@ctcumc.org. Editor: Carolyn Stephens Carolyn@ctcumc.org News Briefs — The Conference
Annual Conference Business, Award Nominations & Other Information Due to the growing length of Annual Conference information, it has been moved to the end of this E-Link. Please check deadlines for scholarship applications and award nominations. Rev. Roderick Miles Named to Cabinet Bishop Mike Lowry has appointed Rev. Roderick (Rod) Miles as superintendent of the Waco District, effective June ___. Miles is a second-career clergy who worked previously in the real estate business. He has been senior pastor at Campus Drive UMC, Fort Worth, for the past 18 years and currently serves as vice chair of the Mission Ministries’ Witness Council. Conference Offering Benefits Four Related Groups The Mission Leadership Team selected a group of four ministries that comprise justice ministries in the Central Texas Conference area to be recipients of the Annual Conference offering. These ministries are in fellowship with one another to serve in Restorative Justice Ministry together. More information will be available to local churches prior to the Annual Conference. The total offering will be equally distributed to each of the following ministries: • Crime Victims Council — Sandra Lydick, Exec Dir/Victims Chaplain This council helps crime victims cope with their suffering and pain with pastoral care, support groups, community education, training for Stephen Ministries and nurture groups. • Tarrant County Restorative Justice Center/Home of Greater Joy — Penny Yaites, Exec Dir The center serves as the central site coordinating the Prisoner Reentry Support System of various churches and ministries of the CTC, serving as the first line of support for individuals released from the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice plus state and local jails. • Methodist Justice Ministry — Brooks Harrington, Legal Dir This ministry provides free legal protection and representation, financial support and pastoral care for abused women and children in poverty and homeless men and women being cheated and exploited by unscrupulous day labor operators. • Parents & Children Together — Suzie Boeglin, Exec Dir PACT goal is to prevent the incarceration of future generations by encouraging stronger, healthier families of those currently incarcerated. “A Great Day of Service” Is a Mission Blitz in the Metroplex — April 4 Over 200 are registered so far for "A Great Day of Service," an open invitation to serve in a mission project from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4. The event will open at Polytechnic UMC, Fort Worth, with breakfast and worship, then break off into small groups to serve the many ministries of the Metropolitan Board of Missions. For group registration forms and for more information, please visit www.ctcumc.org/greatday. If you can’t be present to serve in this rally, you can participate with your prayers and promoting the event in your church. ZOE VBS Mission Moments Ready in April Herstory Begins Copies Still Available In 2006 the Commission on Inclusiveness collected and printed a book called Herstory Begins: The Legacy of Ordained Women in the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. There are some copies available in the conference office, if anyone would like one. There is no charge for the book if it is picked up. If mailed, postage will be charged. Contact: Janet Wood at jan@ctcumc.org. The Conference Nurture Council seeks information on the pre-marriage practices and curriculums being used by pastors in CTC. The council would like to plan an educational event for pastors, so that more can know what curriculums are available and what new state laws will apply. Please respond to Karen Granderson at Karen@ctcumc.org with your answers to the following: UMW College Age Mission TRIP — May 11-14 Conference United Methodist Women will sponsor a college age mission trip to Lake Charles, La., for hurricane recovery work May 11-14. The cost is $50/person which includes transportation, food and housing. If interested, please contact Cynthia Rives at Cynrives@yahoo.com. Glen Lake Executive Director Eager to Talk to Your Congregation Steve Nance, executive director of Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center, is eager to come to your church and share the stories, celebrations and future plans of Glen Lake. With a new look and feel to summer camp, exciting new additions such as zip lines and the tranquil offerings of Still Water Lodge for retreats, there is reason for the excitement. Whether a 10-minute announcement or a full, Bible-based message, Steve will come to your church or Sunday school class with fresh enthusiasm and fervor to share God's work for 70 years in this most sacred place. Call him at 254-897-2247 for details and to schedule your church or group. UM Theology of Mission — April 25 “A United Methodist Theology of Mission,” offered through the General Board of Global Ministries’ Academy of Mission Renewal, will be held 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Acton UMC. This study is designed for local church mission team members or for anyone who desires to be an instrument of God’s mission in the world. Dawne McAlpin, GBGM Academy interpreter and CTC secretary of global ministries. Contact for registration ($20/person) before April 21: Kendall Grober at 817-326-4242 or kendall@actonumc.org. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Observance — April 26 The National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be observed in Tarrant County with a worship event at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at the Garden Community Center of Goodwill Industries (4005 Campus Drive, Fort Worth 76119). CTC is among the sponsoring organizations with support from the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Dept. of Justice. For more details, contact Sandra Lydick at sandralydick@crimevictimscouncil.org. Seeking Young Adult Leaders for Living Justice Seminar — June 13-17 / Deadline May 1 Are you a young adult age 20-30 seeking greater theological clarity on issues of social justice? Or, do you know someone in your congregation who fits these criteria? This year's “Living Justice Seminar” program will address the theme of "Eradicating the Diseases of Poverty: Women, Children, and the Struggle for Wholeness," which reflects one of the current priorities of the UMC. The program, to be held in New York City, is open to women and men of the stipulated age range living in the U.S. Application deadline: May 1. For more details on the program and the application process, contact Becky Louter at deaconess@gbgm-umc.org or 212-870-3850. You may download applications and reference forms at http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/pr.cfm?articleid=5349&CFID=15444343&CFTOKEN=45858645. You are urged to prayerfully consider this opportunity to participate and bring back information to the CTC regarding how young adults can become more engaged in this mission and ministry area. Please contact Jennifer Bellamy at jennifer@ctcumc.org or 800-460-8622 should you be accepted for the seminar. Lilly Endowment for Clergy Renewal Program — Deadline May 14 7th Annual Glen Lake Golf Classic — April 30 How to Get Involved in CARE — May 5-6 Save the date for CARE’s national conference and celebration on May 5-6. Join other CARE supporters in Washington, DC, in a series of workshops and discussions that explore a variety of international development issues and meet with your members of Congress to impact U.S. policies that empower women worldwide. For more information about CARE and the 2009 conference, visit www.care.org. News Briefs — The Denomination
To Lunch or Not to Lunch on World Malaria Day — April 25? Skip a lunch. Send a net. Save a life. The people of the UMC are marking the lead up to April 25, World Malaria Day, with a renewed call to members and friends to support Nothing But Nets, a grassroots anti-malaria effort which allows anyone, for $10, to send a lifesaving bed net to a family in Africa. Bed nets protect children and their families from the bites of malaria-infected mosquitoes. “Malaria is a crisis that is threatening many of God's children across the globe,” said Bishop Thomas Bickerton, referring to malaria’s rank as Africa’s leading killer of children under age five. “Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are the most scientifically proven way to stop its spread.” Bickerton, chairperson of The United Methodist Church’s Global Health Initiative, joins with the people of the UMC in urging everyone to forego a lunch out, and to direct that $10 savings toward the purchase of a bed net. “We’re asking people to ‘skip a lunch, send a net, save a life,’” said Bickerton. Dubbed “To Lunch or Not to Lunch?” the campaign highlights how $10, the cost of lunch, is all that it takes to provide a potentially lifesaving bed net to an African family. A $10 donation at www.umcnothingbutnets.org covers the cost of the bed net, its distribution, and education on its use. New downloadable resources are available at www.umcnothingbutnets.org for churches to use for World Malaria Day 2009, including a bulletin cover, door hanger, web banner, poster, and postcard. Obama staff member describes faith community role — urges engagement with neighbors and Oval Office WASHINGTON, DC (UMNS) — People of faith have a tremendous responsibility to keep the struggles of their neighbors’ daily lives in front of the U.S. president, Senate and House of Representatives. Directors of the UM General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) heard that message repeatedly as they visited legislators from their states and districts during their March 18-22 spring meeting in Washington, DC. Michael Strautmanis, a member of President Obama’s administration urged board members to remain engaged with their communities and the Oval Office. “We need your help to keep our voices from being drowned out by a culture that has been successful in thinking a certain way,” said Strautmanis, chief of staff to Valerie Jarrett, the assistant to the president for intergovernmental relations and public liaison. He said the office would be changing its name from “public liaison” to “public engagement.” For the full story, visit: http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5064047&ct=6864221&printmode=1. New Mexico repeals death penalty SANTA FE, NM — Gov. Bill Richardson signed legislation repealing New Mexico's death penalty last week. This makes New Mexico the second state to cease capital punishment since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling reinstated the penalty in 1976. New Jersey repealed the death penalty at the end of 2007. Fourteen other states do not impose capital punishment. Several other states, including Colorado, Kansas and Montana have been considering changes to their capital punishment laws. Several other states … have been considering changes to their capital punishment laws. Maryland failed to repeal the death penalty earlier this year. Its legislature did impose more stringent rules on its application, though. The prosecutor who has used it the most in Maryland declared the changes to the law so restrictive as to preclude any one being sentenced to the death penalty. Three years ago, New York legislators declined to revive that state’s death penalty statute. With more than a decade of new information about how it worked in practice, its high costs and the inherent risk of executing innocent people, legislators concluded that maintaining it could not be justified, according to her. Bill Mefford, director of the UM General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) work area on civil and human rights, called the repeal “terrific.” He coordinates UM Against the Death Penalty (UMADP), an advocacy group. “We can say we helped in this,” Mefford said. “We were able to send out a last minute action alert to UMADP folks in New Mexico on Monday.” The president of GBCS’s board, Bishop Deborah Kiesey, said the UMC has stood against capital punishment for more than 50 years because the death penalty “denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings.” (By Wayne Rhodes, Editor, Faith in Action) For the full story and contact information for Bill Mefford and others, visit http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5064047&ct=6864265e. Educational Opportunities Beyond Central Texas FOCUS ’09: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made — July 21-24 Focus 2009 provides innovative workshops, unique worship experiences, inspiring preachers, dynamic speakers, relevant resources, and networking opportunities that support creating, renewing and revitalizing ministries locally and globally. The primary audience for FOCUS is local church staff and laity involved with children’s ministries including Sunday school teachers and weekday ministry staff; district and conference staff, coordinators of children’s ministries; and clergy. For registration information, go to www.ctcumc.org and click on FOCUS link. To apply for scholarship assistance, contact Karen Granderson (817-877-5222 • 800-460-8622 • karen@ctcumc.org). Some scholarship money is available from Christian Education Day funds, especially for small and ethnic churches. News Briefs — Local Congregations & Ministry Groups
Supporting New Day UMC Church Start New Day UMC, the new church start in Mansfield, has 2 opportunities for you to show your support. Simply eat at Moni’s Pasta and Pizza (1730 W. Randol Mill Rd., Arlington 76012) on any Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or at the Daily Grind Coffee House (2751 E. Broad St., Mansfield 76063) on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Just say “New Day” when you order and a percentage of your bill will be donated to help us reach out in love to others. Get the word out to your friends, family, and co-workers. For more information, go to www.newdayumc.com <http://www.newdayumc.com> or contact Rev. Sheila Fiorella at Sheila@newdayumc.com or at 817-368-8252. We appreciate the support of our Central Texas Conference! Care & Support Events at White’s Chapel White’s Chapel UMC in Southlake offers a number of care and support events that are open to all interested persons. For more details on any of these special ministries, visit whiteschapelumc.com. The contact for these events is Mary Ann Zrake at 817-481-4147, ext. 242. Update in Endocrinology; Diabetes, Thyroid and More — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2. Give (Blood) in About an Hour — 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. Go to www.carterblookcare.org to register. Body by God: Extreme Makeover Challenge — starting 7-8:15 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Register online at www.whiteschapelumc.com. Infection Prevention for the Community — 7-8 p.m. Thursday, April 30. The Gift of Gratefulness Spiritual Retreat — 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Contacts: Sarah DeKoven at 817-656-3262 or Josh Allard. Praise Phest — April 25 Praise Phest 2009 at Christ UMC. Worship bands from the area will play a free concert under the church pavilion at 3301 Sycamore School Road, Fort Worth, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25. Food, fun, and fellowship will accompany a day of high-energy worship. Come for the day or for an hour – you will be blessed! Friends of Latvia Meeting — April 22 North Texas Friends of Latvia invite all interested persons to meet Gita Mednis, district superintendent of Latvia and pastor of two UM churches. Mednis will be in the DFW area on Wednesday, April 22. Two opportunities are available to hear about the work of our connectional UM churches in Latvia. • White’s Chapel UMC (185 S. White’s Chapel Blvd., Southlake) will have a mid-week meditation at 12:15 p.m. followed by an opportunity to “meet and greet” Mednis. • Meadowbrook UMC (3900 Meadowbrook Drive, Fort Worth) will have a weekly Bistro meal at 5:30 p.m. followed by Gita sharing about The Hope Center at 6:30 p.m. Please call the church office to make reservations for dinner. “5 Love Languages” Offered at St. Phillips UMC, Round Rock — April 13-May 18 Diane and Gordon Leeks will be facilitating a class based on the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman (http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/learn.html) beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, April 13, and continue each Monday through May 18. The class will be at St. Phillips UMC in Round Rock. All are welcome. For additional information, please contact 5lovelangstp@gmail.com or call 512-244-2175. NOTICE: This class will NOT qualify for the Twogether program http://twogetherintexas.com/UI/HomePage.aspx since it only covers communication. Basketball Tournament to Benefit Laura Edwards — May 2 The Fourth Annual Laura Edwards Christian Early Learning Center Basketball Tournament will be held May 2 at the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. Activities begin at 8 a.m. for all interested teams for this single elimination/consolation bracket basketball tournament. Each team in guaranteed two games. The cost per team is $150 with a registration deadline of April. Call 254-776-8742 to register. The Laura Edwards Center has been serving the Waco community with quality childcare and education for many years. Proceeds from this year's tournament will help to provide a new commercial stovetop range that costs about $6,000. Mission Opportunity Chaplain Rich Stoglin and members of St. John the Apostle UMC invite others to join their missions team trip to the Oklahoma Conference where they will visit the Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries office, Exodus House and Redemption Church. Exodus House is one of 4 UMC halfway house ministries for inmates making their transition to life on the outside. Redemption Church is one of the conference's 4 places of worship for ex-offenders and their families, certain pre-screened inmates and the non-incarcerated. Stoglin, a retired UM chaplain with the Federal Justice System and the US Navy, is coordinating this trip which is intended for those who are interested in discovering how the Criminal-Restorative Justice can assist the church in its efforts to establish effective opportunities to address comprehensive justice issues. For more information, contact Joe Stenger, leader of the SJA Missions Team, at 817-478-3626. Acton UMC Invites Practice of Community by Reading Sc, ripture Together Join Acton UMC in a practice of community by reading Scripture together and sharing our stories through an online Lenten Reader. Find a link on Acton’s homepage at www.actonumc.org or go directly there at www.actonreader.blogspot.com/. Eureka UMC Cross Walk Eureka UMC (located at 14 miles south of Corsicana on Hwy. 287) has again prepared the Cross Walk to share with the community. The display of 40 crosses represents the 40 days of Lent. They have been decorated by families in the congregation as a way of sharing the message of Jesus’ love and hope with others. Each unique cross has been made to praise and bring glory to God. Path walkers are invited to meditate on the devotions, inspirational messages and prayers with the hope that visitors to the Cross Walk will be blessed and share the love of Christ in the world. The Cross Walk will continue through Easter. Jesus Seminar on the Road — April 3-4 Time to register for the April 3 - 4 Jesus Seminar on the Road at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (14311 Wells Port Drive, Austin). The program includes begins Excavating Jesus lecture, Jesus in the First Century workshop and concludes with The Jesus of the Twenty-first Century. This seminar features Roy W. Hoover (Th.D., Harvard University) who is Weyerhaeuser Professor of Biblical Literature and Professor of Religion Emeritus, Whitman College and Thomas Sheehan (Ph.D., Fordham University), Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Register for the entire seminar or for separate lectures at www.westarinstitute.org or at the door. For local information, contact frajul2@verizon.net. Walk to the Cross — April 3-4 First UMC Weatherford Presents “Come, Touch the Robe” — April 5 Come, Touch the Robe by Pepper Choplin will be presented by the Sanctuary Choirs of First UMC of Weatherford on Sunday, April 5 at the 8:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. worship services. Celebrate the ministry of Jesus and his passion, death, and resurrection with this amazing new cantata! For information, see the church’s website at www.fumcweatherford.org. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week/Tarrant County — April 26 Even if you rarely thought about spirituality or your own faith before becoming a crime victim, you probably thought about it afterward. The National Crime Victim’s Rights Week / Tarrant County will host a worship service for crime victims, their families and friends and the community on Sunday, April 26. The worship begins at 2:30 p.m. with a pre-service concert at the Garden Community Center of Goodwill Industries (4005 Campus Drive, Fort Worth 76119). The worship service begins at 3 p.m. Among the sponsoring organizations are several UM area churches and the Metropolitan Board of Missions. Palmer Youth Mission Opportunity — June 25-28 Palmer announces PUMP 2009 - a 4-day mission weekend sponsored by FUMC Palmer for youth groups from across Texas. Youth entering grades 4-12 and adults are given the opportunity to serve those in need living in the Palmer area. In addition to the mission projects, there will be small group studies, daily worship, music provided by Mikeschair of Nashville and many planned activities designed to help everyone let loose, experience God and have fun. Good mission trip for first-timers and/or small youth groups. Contact: Debbi Mitchell at 214-683-1501 or palmerpump@yahoo.com. Space is limited so act early so a registration brochure can be sent to you! Deadline: May 25. Resources
Free Online Resources for Church Leaders “Leading Ideas” provides thoughtful, relevant, and succinct information for church leaders. Delivered by e-mail every two weeks, the e-newsletter features articles, book reviews and leadership vignettes that bring the best leadership resources to the task of revitalization of churches. Sign up to receive this free resource at www.churchleadership.com. Conference Resource Center New resources highlighted at the Conference Resource Center this week are described below. There are always new resources; check them out! For these and more resources, contact Carol Roszell at 817-877-5222 or 800-460-8622. Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior and Character in 5 Days. Dr. Kevin Leman. Tired of defiant attitudes and power struggles with your kids? With his signature wit and wisdom, internationally recognized family expert Dr. Kevin Leman reveals why your kids do what they do and what you can do about it. He gives you simple principles that can give you results in as little as 5 days. DVD kit with six 30-minute video sessions, workbook and leader’s guide. 2009 New LOGOS Ministry E-Letter Take a look at HEARTFELT, the new LOGOS Ministry e-letter designed for busy families who want to grow body, mind and spirit, and who want support and encouragement. Each edition will have information for parents and for children around a timely topic, and a session of "Family 'Round the Table" which will include a dinner theme and menu, activities for families to do together, a Bible study, and a framework for family prayers and worship. Subscribe by clicking http://www.thelogosministry.org/heartfelt.html. Plan Your Fall Stewardship Campaign Now Are Proper Procedures in Place? Crime Victims Council Information at www.crimevictimscouncil.org The new Crime Victims Council website (www.crimevictimscouncil.org), sponsored with a generous grant from Downtown Fort Worth Rotary, offers many resources. If you are a survivor who would like to share your story or pass along a word of encouragement to one of our survivors or post a picture and other information about a victim, please email your submission to encouragement@crimevictimscouncil.org. Needs, Resources, Opportunities NOTE TO LISTERS: Please contact Carolyn Stephens at Carolyn@ctcumc.org to pull your listing when your opening has been filled. Faith-Based Instructor (Part-time/20hrsweek) F.M.C. Carswell Fort Worth (Women's Federal Prison) Hours: 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (30 min prep/wrap-up, as needed) Hourly employee, rate of pay contingent on degree Qualifications: (1) Possess at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in religious studies, religious education or related field, (2) member in good standing with Protestant Christian community and extensive leadership experience, (3) licensed or ordained, (4) provide 2 letters of reference, (5) provide 1 letter of endorsement from pastor or supervisor. Must pass federal background check and screening. Security training and curriculum provided by prison. On-site visit arranged to view class structure and meet program director and prison chaplain. If interested, contact Penny Yaites at 817-719-5978 or 817-921-4730 immediately to schedule and appointment/visit. Director of Children’s Ministries Christ UMC of Fort Worth seeks an energetic individual who loves children and the church. Our position of director of children's ministries is part-time work with full-time fun. For information contact Vaughn Baker at 817-613-7659. Choir Robes New Bethel AME Church is Stephenville needs choir robes. If you have some you can share, here's what they need: approximately 15 for adults and 8 for children. Please call Brenda at 254-485-3913. Music Director Stephenville First UMC seeks a full-time music director for their 1300-member church in rural north central Texas. Duties will include oversight of the entire music program (including part-time positions for pianist and contemporary music leader), conducting the chancel choir, recruiting and resourcing volunteer directors of children’s, youth and handbell choirs, and leading or assisting with a variety of special programs or services throughout the year. Salary will be commensurate with experience and skill level. Health insurance and other benefits included. Motivated, organized servant leaders who enjoy creating excellent worship should apply. Contact Search Committee at fumc@our-town.com or 254-965-5046. The full job description is available at www.fumcville.org. Administrative Assistant Bedford, First UMC seeks a talented and enthusiastic person to fill an immediate opening in the senior pastor’s office. This administrative assistant position will be three days a week (20-24 hours) taking care of the appointment calendar, mail and greeting appointments to the senior pastor’s office. As a part of the program/administrative team, this person will be asked for creative and logistical response to program planning and daily ministry. Salary is commensurate with training and ability. Please send resume to Lynn D. Moore at LMOORE@fumcbedford.com. Music and Worship Leader | Co-Director of Youth Ministries St. John’s UMC in Georgetown (311 East University Avenue) seeks a committed follower of Christ who is passionate about leading creative contemporary worship in a local church setting for a part-time (10 hrs/wk) music and worship leader. Position requires a dynamic individual who will design and implement musical elements of contemporary worship and provide leadership for a praise team. Submit inquiries or cover letter and resume to justin@stjohnsumc.cc. St. John’s UMC seeks a part-time (20 hrs/wk) co-director for their Youth Ministries. The position is responsible for planning, leading, and organizing the Youth Ministry for junior and senior high youth groups. Contact St. John’s United Methodist Church at 512-863-5886; rosie@stjohnsumc.cc; or 311 University Avenue, Georgetown, TX, 78626. Classical Guitarist Classical guitarist Gil Wade seeks opportunities to share his talent. Classical music, especially played on guitar, can be calming and relaxing … lowering stress levels and blood pressure. Classical guitar music works well during the quiet times in worship like communion or taking the offering. He can be contacted at ghwade3@yahoo.com or at 817-925-3801. Professional Pianist Professional Pianist Reginald Lee is interested in opportunities to play for weddings, meetings, corporate events, fundraising galas, conferences, etc. He has a demo and resume for interested persons. Contact: hattie.lee74@yahoo.com. Youth Director The First UMC of Brownwood (2500 11th St., 76801 - 325-643-1555 or 325-642-6197 - don.umc11@verizon) seeks a full-time youth director. Please contact Don Scroggs, senior minister, with questions and send resume to his attention. Praise Team Leader (Part Time-20 hrs./wk) Director of Youth Ministries Return to Top Annual Conference Business / Awards / Recognitions If you are planning to attend Annual Conference and need a hotel reservation, please visit http://www.ctcumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=1334 for suggested hotels near the meeting site (White’s Chapel UMC, Southlake). Scholarships Available Through BOM — Deadline March 31 The conference Board of Ministry is accepting applications for the several scholarships it administers. Applicant must be a certified candidate for clergy, currently enrolled in a seminary approved by the University Senate. Applications must be post-marked by midnight Tuesday, March 31, or delivered to the BOM office on the Texas Wesleyan Campus by 5 p.m. March 31 to be eligible for consideration. The application form is located at www.ctcbom.org on the Board Policies and Forms page. The form can be completed electronically, printed, signed and mailed. Scholarships will be awarded at Annual Conference in June 2009. Five Star Recognition — Deadline April 15 It’s time for congregations to be recognized for their efforts in reaching out to others in need and supporting UM missionaries committed to serving some of the most vulnerable of our sisters and brothers across the globe. The Conference’s Five Star Program recognizes churches that accomplish the following requirements: Morris Walker Award Nominations — Deadline April 20 Each year the Conference Board of Laity recognizes outstanding service and accomplishment with the Morris Walker Awards — one award to a layperson and one award to a clergy person. Conference Lay Leader Steve McIver is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Morris Walker Awards which will be announced at Annual Conference June 7-10. This award recognizes the "above the ordinary" service of lay and clergy to their local church and within the Conference and community. The award carries with it a special plaque and a $500 scholarship for continuing spiritual education. Nominations are normally a letter of recommendation signed by one or more nominators and accompanying back-up materials or other letters of recommendation. Nominations should be mailed to CTC Lay Leader Steve McIver at P.O. Box 545, Ferris 75125 or SMcIver635@aol.com. Newgate Award Nominations — Deadline April 20 Each year the Conference Restorative Justice Committee recognizes outstanding service for individuals serving within any area of Restorative Justice ministry. Penny Yaites is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Newgate Award that will be announced at Annual Conference. The Newgate Award acknowledges exemplary service of individuals, teams or congregations, within the conference, who go "above and beyond" in service to the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, victims, justice workers or victim/offender families. Nominations should be mailed to Tarrant County Restorative Justice Center at P.O. Box 163674 Fort Worth 76161-3674 or email to . gimlmak@sbcglobal.net. Disability Education/Awareness Leadership Grants — Deadline April 30 The Committee on Disability Concerns is accepting applications for their D.E.A.L. college grants. Their goal is to educate and create an awareness of handicapping conditions and issues with two grants to upper classmen or returning UM college student. One grant is for a student with a handicapping condition and the second to a student with a declared major in assisting individuals with handicapping conditions (i.e., special education, speech pathology, hearing/visual impairment, social work, counseling, physical/occupational therapies, etc.). For more details, visit the conference Web site at http://ct.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/DEAL_Grant_2009_CSGVJXBW.doc or contact Jane Gates at jane@pasotx.com or 254-853-2976. Information/application for Limited Disability Accessibility Grants is available at http://ct.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ. Merit, Stephens and Brown Scholarships — Deadline April 30 The Conference Higher Education Task Force is accepting applications for several scholarships to UM students. The categories are: Merit Scholarship to a first-year student attending a UM-related college or university (amount of scholarships to be determined by conference wide contributions to the 2008 Student Day offering) Stephens Scholarship for a UM student majoring in business or accounting ($1,000) Stephens Scholarship for a UM student majoring in journalism or public relations ($1,000) Dr. G. Alfred & Opal Brown Ministerial Scholarship for a student planning for ministry as an elder in the CTC at seminary approved by the UM University Senate ($5,000) For more details about each of these scholarships, please visit the conference Web site at www.ctcumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=930 or go to www.ctcumc.org under Ministry Area scroll down to Higher Education and click on “United Methodist Scholarships” on the left hand menu. Remember, eligibility for the Merit and Stephens scholarships requires the applicant’s home church’s participation in the previous year’s Student Day Offering. Bishop’s Award for Ecumenism — Deadline April 30 The Commission on Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns recognizes a person, clergy or laity, who exemplifies an ecumenical spirit in their local community and/or in their local church and conference relationships. For nominating, send a letter of recommendation outlining the contributions your nominee has made and is making in the area of ecumenism to: Bishop’s Award for Ecumenism, c/o Susan Briles, 464 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth 76107; susan@ctcumc.org. Clergywomen’s Annual Conference Luncheon — June 8 Clergywomen of the CTC are invited to this annual luncheon which will be held at 12:15 p.m. Monday, June 8, at First UMC Colleyville. Lunch from Panera will cost $10. Program details and menu options will be available soon, but please reserve the date and time now! If you know someone in your church, district or even outside the Central Texas Conference who might appreciate receiving this weekly electronic newsletter — or to unsubscribe your own listing — please contact Susan Briles at Susan@ctcumc.org. |
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