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instagram twitter facebookJanuary 28, 2021

Church begins 4-Acre farm run by and benefitting local refugees

Crops to plant, seeds to sow -- that’s the main topic of conversation lately for the Congolese Women’s Empowerment Group (WEG) of FAM Houston. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the nonprofit, which started as a ministry at Westbury UMC, broke ground on a garden. WEG members named it “Shamba Ya Amani,” which translates from Swahili to the “Farm of Peace.”

Sharing your faith can happen anywhere, says Texas roller derby pastor

Strapping on her skates and heading into the rink for a roller derby match, she becomes Slaydie Hawkins, number 23 on the Spindletop Rollergirls team. The rest of the time, however, everyone knows her as Rev. Sadie Brink, the Senior Pastor at Silsbee FUMC. She explains that roller derby provides an outlet for camaraderie, for promoting health and for evangelism, far outside her church walls.

Upcoming webinars with Bishop Jones, Facebook executive and Thom Rainer

The Texas Annual Conference is hosting a series of upcoming webinars. Bishop Scott Jones and a roster of other distinguished speakers will cover a variety of topics, ranging from the organization of the United Methodist Church, to social media, to the future of the post-pandemic church.

How a 40-year old church pre-school escaped closure

Closing the doors at Spring Woods Christian Academy seemed like the only option. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, operating the pre-school at Spring Woods UMC in north Houston was creating a deficit that the church could not absorb. Senior Pastor, the Rev. Steffon Arrington thought he had exhausted every possibility to keep the school open – until nothing short of a modern day miracle occurred.

New student internships being offered in music, youth and children’s ministry

The Texas Annual Conference’s Center for Clergy Excellence is debuting a new and improved College Pastoral Internship Project this summer – CPIP 2.0. Enhancements to the program will provide new opportunities for college students to discern their callings.

Other News

Opportunities

Find Worship Online

Looking for a way to worship without leaving the house?

A number of churches in the Texas Annual Conference are posting sermons online.

You don’t have to miss a service if you’re out of town or if you prefer to stay at home. Viewers can also enjoy multiple preaching styles and even virtually “attend” different churches. There’s a lot going on Sundays in the TAC that you won’t want to miss. 
Sermons are often available to livestream on Sunday and several congregations also record services for on-demand viewing. Check them out at: https://www.txcumc.org/sermons 

We would like to include your church in this list. Please let us know if you are posting a resource online by sending a link to: tgriffin@txcumc.org

 

Churches in the News 

United Methodist Churches are making headlines – leading the way through ministry, outreach and discipleship. Amazing stories about our local congregations in the Texas Annual Conference are popping up – and news publications around the country are spreading the word about UM churches. Read all about it.
 

N95 mask package for caregivers of family members

Texas Congregational Disaster Readiness is helping to provide PPE for those in need. If you know families in your community who are caring for COVID 19 family members, please help us get these protective masks to them.  Click here to complete information for mask package delivery 
If you have any questions please email:
 
 

Rev. Karen Jones Instillation Service

We invite you to view the recorded service and welcome Rev. Jones as Superintendent of North District.
 

TMF (formerly Texas Methodist Foundation)

TMF is here to assist the churches of the Texas Annual Conference to achieve their "God-appointed mission." As your area representatives, we invite you to contact us if you would like more information on how TMF can be a conversation and resource partner for your church.

Jan. 16 - Mar. 13
The Lydia Patterson Institute is now offering our friends and supporters within the UMC the opportunity to learn  Spanish within a conversational setting.

Feb. 15 - March 12
BeADisciple.com is holding an Introduction to the Enneagram workshop and retreat.

Feb. 3
PPP loan webinar presented by Horizons & CapinCrouse, explaining what's new and how you can apply.

Feb. 20             Feb. 27
Lay Leadership Training and Lay Servant Ministry Certification.

Loving Houston Loving Houston has multiple upcoming workshops on church school partnerships & leadership gatherings. 

Jan - April Ongoing
The Laity Empowerment Academy (LEA) will identify practices to help leaders to create contextual ministry tools to support African American communities which are in rural, semi-rural, urban, and gentrified areas within the Texas Annual Conference.
 The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
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