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instagram twitter facebook August 13, 2020

Houston Area Teacher Uses TikTok Cameos to Open Doors for Spiritual Conversations

Tricia Zinnecker’s 6th grade students aren’t surprised to see her singing along to a popular tune or being silly in a short video. In fact, she’s become their own TikTok sensation. This teacher, a member of Kingwood UMC, believes in meeting people where they are. And, she is opening doors for deeper conversations about the smart use of social media.
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How Pastors Arriving at New Church Meet Their Congregation

Usually, when a pastor leaves a congregation for a new appointment, handshakes, hugs and heartfelt goodbyes abound. Then, when starting at a new church, the pastor is greeted with a welcoming party, meeting members and staff face to face. There’s even the tradition of a “pounding,” when congregants give their new leader a pound each of flour, butter and other essentials for their pantries. During the coronavirus pandemic, however, all of these usual traditions have been stopped in their tracks. How do you leave a congregation when a goodbye is hug is prohibited for health reasons? How do you meet new people at a distance and remember new faces when they are partially obscured by masks?
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College Students Exploring Call to Ministry through Conference Sponsored Internship

Summers are the perfect time for college students to consider their callings, to contemplate a greater purpose. In the Texas Annual Conference, the College Pastoral Internship Project (CPIP) offers students a firsthand experience behind the scenes at a local church. Interns also benefit from the mentorship of an established pastor.
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Fair Haven Food Pantry at Chapelwood UMC has Served more than 100,000 People Since the Pandemic began

Houston resident Jake Aurelio, 13, wanted to earn his “Citizenship in the Community” Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts. There was only one problem. He could not find an organization open during COVID-19. Eventually, Jake found an answer in his own backyard. The church he attends, Chapelwood UMC, was organizing a drive-through food pantry on its Fair Haven campus, serving those in need in the community and beyond.
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Lakeview Takes a Financial Hit with Pandemic, Pastor Issues Financial Challenge

Jacksonville FUMC’s Rev. Doug Wintermute hopes other congregations in the Texas Annual Conference rise to the challenge his church recently issued, when presenting a check for $11,000 to Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in its time of need. “Lakeview has been there for us for years and years,” he said. “Now it’s time for us to be there for them.”
 

 

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Texas Annual Conference – One Day Away!

The 2020 Texas Annual Conference is only one day away – starting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. The Ordination and Commissioning Service is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 and will also be livestreamed on our website, www.txcumc.org. 
 
Only elected delegates (clergy and lay) will be eligible to participate in the Zoom session on, which will include live conversation and voting. If you are a delegate and have not received your invitation for our first virtual Annual Conference, contact jervin@txcumc.org.
 
Guests and observers are welcome to view the simulcast session our website.
 
This will be the first time a completely virtual event will be held online – designed to keep delegates and attendees healthy and safe during the coronavirus pandemic. The theme of the conference is “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.”

Helpful links for TAC 2020 are available at www.txcumc.org.
 

COVID - 19 Resources for Churches

Everyone is looking at ministry in a different context and trying to find ways to maintain community. These resources can help.
 

TMF announces second round of grants awarded from COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund

TMF recently awarded $345,000 to 33 not-for-profits and churches providing assistance to people most brutalized by the economic, health, and education inequities exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, including several from the Texas Annual Conference. 
 

Perkins to Assist COVID-19 Response Efforts Thanks to Luce Foundation Grant

Perkins School of Theology at SMU is distributing $155,000 to United Methodist Annual Conferences and other ministry partners during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to an emergency grant from The Henry Luce Foundation.
 

Whiteness 101 Webinar

The Texas Annual Conference is hosting a free three-part webinar series, “Whiteness 101: Equipping Pastors to Work for Racial Justice,” to provide the perspectives and skills needed for white clergy to build their racial stamina and lead their congregations.
 

Called to Serve

Feeling a call to ministry? The Texas Annual Conference has developed a video series, delving into the unique, personal stories of those called into ministry.  
 

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.
 

August 14-15
2020 Session of the Texas Annual Conference

Sept. 4-7
Family Camp at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center

Multiple Dates
Smaller Membership Churches of the Texas Annual Conference 
2020 Workshop Schedule 

Multiple Dates
Perkins Summer Webinar Series
   
   
 The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
5215 Main St., Houston TX 77002-9792 | Phone: 713-521-9383
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