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May 20, 2021

God multiplies giving for new church building and clinic

When Rev. David Briggs was first appointed to Abundant Life UMC in the summer of 2014, the church stood alone on 10 acres of land. Parishioners had a vision that one day, the property would be home to a larger sanctuary. Briggs, however, believed the extra space was calling out for a different purpose – to serve the community. Today, that dream has been realized – with the help of the Permanent Endowment Fund, the Texas Methodist Foundation and the TAC. Abundant Life’s campus now houses a bustling clinic, and the congregation is putting the finishing touches on a preschool, set to open in the fall.

Community prayer nets catch on in Kilgore

At first inspection, the structures at both the front and back of St. Luke’s UMC in Kilgore could be mistaken for a soccer goal. A second look would reveal brightly colored ribbons tied to the netting. A sign reads “Community Prayer Net” and invites visitors to fill out a request card located in the box below. Ribbons await in the box, for each person to tie to symbolize their prayer request.

Justice project important part of multicultural congregation

Westbury UMC’s tagline is “a church for all people with more than enough love to go around.” The congregation fulfills that promise by being intentional about welcoming all persons. The goal is to mirror the diversity of the kingdom of God. Being truly inclusive, however, requires further analysis and reflection. Westbury is now embarking on a journey to find new ways to build equity and promote social justice – and is inviting others to join them.

Lakeview’s popular summer camp is back after the pandemic

Josh Pulver, the president and CEO of Lakeview Methodist Conference Center, had only been on the job a few months when the pandemic brought the country to its knees. By mid-March of 2020, when the spread of COVID-19 was officially declared a national emergency, it was clear that Lakeview, the 74-year-old camping ministry in the Piney Woods of East Texas, was careening toward a summer like none before. At its April, 2020 meeting, the center’s board of directors made the inevitable official: Summer camp, a beloved tradition for generations of Texas youths, was canceled.

Tech support keeps Annual Conference virtually trouble-free

When it comes to tech-support for Annual Conference 2021, Zach Anderson is hoping for the best and preparing to assist delegates that might encounter tech problems this year with nine extra district tech support volunteers. At last year’s Texas Annual Conference, Anderson, connecting ministries pastor at Covenant UMC in The Woodlands, agreed to help the Conference work through the frozen screens, muted audio, log-in missteps as some 1,458 clergy, and lay delegates, got together online for the first time via Zoom.

 

  
 
Other News

Opportunities

Two New Chairs Highlight Perkins’ Wesleyan Connections

Perkins School of Theology announces the appointment of two new holders of two endowed chairs: Dr. Rebekah Miles as the Susanna Wesley Centennial Professor of Practical Theology and Dr. Ted Campbell as the Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies. Both appointments begin on June 1, 2021. The recommendations were made by Perkins Dean Craig C. Hill and supported by the unanimous vote of those holding chairs at the Perkins School of Theology.
 

Churches meeting 100 percent apportionments

The Texas Annual Conference would like to thank all of the churches that met 100 percent of their apportionments this year.
 
 

TAC 2021 FAQs 

Last year we introduced our virtual session of Annual Conference with the acknowledgement, “We’ve Never Done It This Way Before.” This year’s session will be more like, “Didn’t We Do Something Like This Last Time.” Our amazing Tech Team helped to develop a list of Frequently Asked Questions to make this year’s session easier for you.

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: communications@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.
May 30 - June 1
Texas Annual Conference 2021

June 13 - 16
The 2021 Texas Annual Conference Local Pastor Licensing School is set for Sunday, June 13 thru Wednesday, June 16 and registration is now open.

June 14 - 26
Texas Youth Academy draws the best students, staff, professors, & artists from across the country.  Form Faith friendships with others looking to deepen their discipleship. 

Multiple Dates
Loving Houston has multiple upcoming workshops on Church School Partnerships & Leadership Gatherings.
 The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
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