New Program for DCM Participants

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Volunteers in Mission Positions Available

The positions of Haiti Volunteer Financial/Hospitality Coordinator and Haiti Volunteer Management Coordinator have been re-posted.   If you are interested or know of someone who would qualify for either of these positions; send a letter of introduction and resume to Susan Meister haitivolunteers@yahoo.com .   NOTE:  These positions report to GBGM-Mission Relations. They are funded through UMCOR with the approval of the governing body of the General...

Rethink Church Resource, Seeker Website Addresses Change

Congregational resources for the Rethink Church advertising and welcoming campaign have moved to a new website address: umcom.org/rethinkchurch, though the site content remains the same. The website that previously housed congregational resources, RethinkChurch.org, will become the primary seeker site that is featured in Rethink Church advertising, beginning this fall. “Research shows that RethinkChurch.org resonates most strongly with the seekers we are trying to reach with our...

Churches in Africa Desire Equal Voice

ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) - African United Methodists desire a greater voice, more sharing of power and the ability to adapt some church rules to local contexts. And a study committee exploring the global nature of the denomination is listening. After meeting with church leaders throughout the continent, the Committee to Study the Worldwide Nature of The United Methodist Church decided to work toward goals that include defining the covenant that unites the global...

District Laity Meetings - Leading Change in the Local Church

Bishop Huie, Conference Lay Leader Leah Taylor and Assistant to the Bishop Rev. B. T. Williamson will be coming to your district in September to be in conversation with you about leading change in the local church.   They want to listen regarding the challenges congregations are facing and hear your suggestions about how the conference might best help you. They will also share information learned regarding fruitful congregations changing lives and reshaping futures for Jesus...

Haiti - PIM Organizing Teams

Working with the UMVIM Haiti office, Partners In Mission is rapidly qualifying team leaders for Haiti. Each team leader must have previous experience in Haiti and have recently completed Team Leader Training before the Volunteer Coordinator for Haiti, Susan Meister,  will schedule a team.    So far two teams from our Conference have served in Haiti. Each team member committed to lead a team from their own church or district in the next few months. ...

Missions Forum – October 2, 2010

Lakewood UMC at11330 Louetta Road in north Houston, will again host the Mission FORUM. The FORUM is our yearly mission conference to educate and organize missioners within our Conference.   “Thy Kingdom Come” is this year’s theme.  Each participant will be able to choose three of eight workshops.  The fourth workshop will bring everyone to the Global Village to have a first hand look at the myriad of mission ministries offered through our Texas Annual...

Preparing for Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season began on June 1st and for those along the Gulf Coast it is past time to check our hurricane preparedness lists. We have already responded to flooding from Hurricane Alex in south Texas. TACCOR (Texas Annual Conference Committee On Relief) is encouraging each family, church, district and the Conference to prepare now. Inter-Faith Ministries for Greater Houston offers “disaster preparedness” for local church’s and families.  Training can be arranged at the...

Missions is a Journey

For years we have used the term “Mission Trip.”  But anyone who has served on a team knows that it is not a vacation!  Each mission is a journey that only you and God can make together.  Climbing up a mountain at 7000 feet through the tea fields to build an orphan home is a journey.  Holding the hand of a child who’s parents are buried in the back yard is a journey.  Sleeping in tents and understanding on the most elemental level what the Haitian...

The General Board of Pensions Offers Financial Planning Assistance

  Have you taken advantage of the free financial planning services of Ernst & Young?   The General Board of Pensions offers Ernst &Young financial planning assistance free of charge to eligible plan participants in such areas as investment decisions, retirement planning, debt management, tax issues, insurance and home purchase!   Additional information is available at: http://www.gbophb.org/sri_funds/planning.asp.  ...

Interim Ministry Training Seminar in November

An interim ministry training seminar will be held Nov. 8-11, 2010. Phase 1 Training will be held at the United Methodist Service Center in Houston.   If interested, please contact Dr. Suzan Carter at szncarter@aol.com or 713-859-7070.   Registration is due by Sept. 30. Additional Information  ...

Last 3 Chances for 2010 GHB Wellness Program Clergy Rebate

Time is running out to receive the rebate for the increase in your GHB clergy contribution for 2010 or the 2010 Wellness rebate for first-time TAC clergy.    Register by Sept. 2 for the September 16 A Day of Wellness with Methodist Hospital at St. Paul’s UMC, Houston. Registration is also available for the final October 12 and November 9 events at St. Paul’s UMC, Houston. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.    Additional information: GHB...

2010 Missions Conference: “The Great Commission—People Helping People”

All believers are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the widows and orphans and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are numerous ways to accomplish The Great Commission including through art, dance, music as well as healing, preaching, teaching and living a life that is a witness to the unsaved.    At the 2010 Missions Conference: “The Great Commission—People Helping People,” you can explore the many ways to reach the...

Lon Morris College Wins First Game with New Football Program

Lon Morris College won its first football game this weekend. The Bearcats defeated Monterrey Tech, 49-0. It was the first LMC football game in 70 years.   The next home game is Saturday, September 4, 2010 against Arkansas Baptist in the Tomato Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 pm. The tailgate party will begin 2 ½ hours prior to kickoff in Sadler’s parking lot at the Landmark. We hope you will make plans to join us for the tailgate party and game. Come and cheer on the...

UMCOR Advance: Ways You Can Make a Difference

AFGHANISTAN: UMCOR RESPONDS TO FLASH FLOODS The same torrential rains wreaking havoc on Pakistan are also causing destruction and displacement in neighboring Afghanistan. Some 106 people died and thousands of homes were destroyed in 15 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces due to flash flooding over the past month.   The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), together with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), provided tents to the 800 affected families in the Mohammed Agha...

Opening Doors to People with Disabilities

The United Methodist Church promises “open doors,” but many people with disabilities and their families perceive barriers to full life in the church. The problem is often one of attitude, said the Rev. J. Eric Pridmore, a United Methodist pastor in Mississippi and co-chair of the United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities. “I think more than anything else what families and individuals want is a welcoming attitude,” he said. “Usually, the...

Last Chance to Register for Upcoming Retreats

There are many opportunities available to get away and connect with your peers over the coming months. Here are a few upcoming retreats you may be interested in: Clergy Gathering at Lakeview September 20 – 22, 2010 Gather for renewal and inspiration led by Rev. Grace Imathiu, an international preacher and Bible study teacher. The theme for 2010 is “Before the Well Runs Dry.” Register by August 31.     Retired Clergy and Spouses Retreat...

Mission Efforts Go North to Alaska

During the summer months, the climate in Houston, Texas can become almost unbearable. Mission workers from three states, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas found a way to beat the summer heat. For their mission trip, this group of United Methodists went to Nome, Alaska.   The area surrounding Nome, Alaska has ice and snow on the ground for most of the year, so, the summer months are the only time for outdoor construction, maintenance and repair work can be done.  The...

Extravagant Generosity: The Goal for Conference Ministries

At Annual conference in 2009, a task force was established for the purpose of determining if there are any ways of approaching the financial support of our conference ministries that are more in line with our core value of extravagant generosity. The task force has been meeting throughout the past conference year. At our most recent annual conference we were authorized to continue doing our work for another year.  In the spring of this year we created and distributed a survey to the...

Summer, Spiritual Education at Lakeview Prepares Youth for School, Service and More

Nearly 4,000 youth found friendships, fun and faith at Lakeview Methodist Assembly this summer. Summer camping attendance is steadily increasing – with 3,837 kids at camp this year, up from 3,630 in 2009.     And, like attendance, the spiritual formation of youth is on the rise as well.   “I feel like the unconditional love of God is made the most clear when you’re in community with people for a set period of time – camp offers that,” said...