Make plans now to attend the Five Day Academy at the Oblate Retreat Center in San Antonio.

The theme is “Salt & Light: Taking in and pouring out as Gospel Living” (Matthew 5:13-16)

August 27 – Sep 1, 2018

For More Information Contact Rev. Donna Strieb
Coordinator, Academy for Spiritual Formation in the Rio Texas Conference dstrieb@ahumc.org

Transformational Communities of Praxis program

RIM Meeting

On September 29-30, 2017 FaithTrust Institute and InFaith Community Foundation are offering a groundbreaking training to infuse faith communities with the tools and knowledge they need to address domestic violence, child abuse and other forms of relationship violence. "Safe and Healthy Churches: Ending Family Violence" Training focuses on educating a team within each church community, to create a core leadership with a shared mission of preventing violence, supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

This training has been offered regionally in several locations across the U.S. including Minneapolis, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle. The 2017 training will be held in Austin, TX. The regional approach is part of an ongoing effort to create a broad-based response to the issues, and build an ecumenical network for education, training, support, and activism within and amongst the churches.

TRAINING DETAILS:

This two-day training, offered by InFaith Community Foundation and facilitated by FaithTrust Institute, is designed to help Christian pastors and lay leaders understand the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence and the ramifications of violence on individuals, the church and the community. It also equips churches to develop protocols to protect victims, prevent future harm, and respond effectively and sensitively to victims/survivors, their families, and abusers.

The training will also address issues particular to individuals serving in leadership roles, including four break-out sessions that focus on:

• Domestic Violence Response: Pastoral Care

• Child Abuse Prevention and Response

• Healthy Teen Relationships

Who should attend: 
This training is for church teams of two-four people. Leaders such as a pastor, a youth or children's pastor, a lay leader from the church council, a Christian education leader and/or Sunday school teacher, and/or a parish nurse.

InFaith Community Foundation is generously covering all training expenses for attendees (including one night’s hotel) as a means to further individual Christian church responses to family violence, and also reinforce an ecumenical response within the region. Churches from Texas are invited to apply.

Online registration here

InFaith Community Foundation is a national charity with a mission to serve donors, spread joy, and change lives through charitable giving. To learn more, visit:  www.InFaithFound.org .

Announcing October 2017 Educational Opportunity: The Apostle Paul’s 4th Missionary Journey Cruise! With special guests: Worship Leader Bishop Mike Lowry (From our Conference, currently serving as Resident Bishop of the Central Texas Conference) and Drs. John McKellar and Todd Renner, Co-Pastors of White’s Chapel UMC)

This is your invitation to join Tour Host Pastor Diana Phillips, as we embark on a fascinating and inspirational journey following Paul’s missionary voyages. This 8-day program sails from Rome to Athens stopping at the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Valetta, Chania and Santorini! Experience the sights sounds, and scripture as it comes to life during times of practical Bible study, powerful worship opportunities and fun-filled fellowship. More than the places we visit, the people to whom we meet/visit will make all the difference during this once-in -a lifetime pilgrimage of faith!

Your pilgrimage departs the US on October 1, 2017 returning to the US on October 10, 2017. (There is an optional Rome Pre-Tour and an Athens and Corinth Post-Tour please see the brochure for more information).

If interested, or the least bit curious, please contact Pastor Diana Colonial Hills UMC office # 210-349-2401, or diana@chumc.org and she will be happy to provide you all the details!
 
You can also check out the EO website http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/pauls-4th-missionary-journey-cruise#.WHbcpvkrLIU  I am told this modern/luxury 690 guest—Azamara Journey -our home for the eight-day pilgrimage, is a small adventure in itself!

Important Registration Information:
Tour Host: Rev. Diana K Phillip
Host ID# 54082
TOUR: Pj17 

The 2017 Symposium - "Reimagining Faith Formation with Children and Youth - will explore the lives of today's children and youth (and their families) and propose new approaches for developing innovative approaches to fostering faith maturing.  

The $325 registration fee includes the new book, all materials, refreshments, and 5 meals: Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast-lunch-dinner, and Saturday breakfast. 

Clergy Spouse Retreat

2017 Clergy Spouse Retreat

Introduction to the Enneagram: A Tool for Self-Discovery and Spiritual Transformation

The Enneagram, an ancient and newly discovered tool, can help us answer questions and so much more. It represents nine distinct strategies for relating to self, other and the world. Each of the nine strategies has a different pattern of thinking, feeling and acting that comes from a deeper inner motivation. The introduction to the Enneagram will focus on its use as a tool for understanding ourselves and those who are important to us. 

Presenter: Julianne Hunnicutt

 When: October 6-8, 2017  

Location: Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center,                                                                       1225 County Rd., Weimer, TX 78962   (979) 263-5935                                                               

Cost: $115 per person                                                                                                                Limited full and partial scholarships are available. 

COME JOIN US!  REGISTER TODAY!

Click here to register at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clergy-spouse-retreat-tickets-35460356882

For more detailed information about the clergy spouse retreat and a list of items to bring with you, please see brochure. Click here: Clergy_spouse_retreat_2017brochure

Contact Person: Clergy Spouse Retreat Coordinator:  Rebecca Sweet                                   Email: rebecca59sweet@yahoo.com

Conference Staff: Eve Albert  Email: evealbert@riotexas.org /210.408.4551

RIM Meeting

The 2017 Symposium - "Reimagining Faith Formation with Children and Youth - will explore the lives of today's children and youth (and their families) and propose new approaches for developing innovative approaches to fostering faith maturing.  

The $325 registration fee includes the new book, all materials, refreshments, and 5 meals: Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast-lunch-dinner, and Saturday breakfast. 

RIM Meeting

Register and more information at smu.edu/perkinsyouth

Early Bird Registration is August 22, 2017

The Las Misiones District Winter Retreat for students grades 6-12 will be January 12-15, 2018 at Camp Zephyr near Mathis, TX. The Holy Spirit was certainly present at last year’s Winter Retreat and we expect God will certainly move this year as well!

We’ll have times of worship and teaching, as well as breakout sessions, fun games, talent shows, karaoke, meals together, and so much more. The whole weekend will be about encouraging students to follow Jesus with the entirety of their lives so they might go back to their homes and schools to help others follow Jesus.

The cost will be $160.00 per person and scholarships will be available and can be requested on the online registration page. It is expected that churches send at least 1 adult for every 5 students going. Registration will be available on the conference website by August 28.

Questions can be directed to Clay Smallwood at clay@theu.org.

Save the date! More details to follow. 

 Annual Conference