Dr. Ernestine Gray Clark Dixon has joined the Church Triumphant. She was the wife of late Bishop Ernest T. Dixon. Dr. Dixon lived in California at the time of her passing.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s UMC, 522 Missouri Ave, Ft. Worth TX 76104, 817-336-2117.
On Sunday, June 21, 2015, Pharr UMC held a service of discontinuance of the congregation and deconsecration of the church property. It was a brief but emotional service, after 103 years of active ministry. What is important, however, is the way the faithful people of Pharr UMC came to their decision, and the legacy they are sharing with the church at large.
Pharr UMC was long a church that took seriously the needs of its neighbors. In 1973, they gave birth to what would become the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, where 1 of every 2 children lives at or below the poverty line. The church served as home to the Pharr Literacy Project and launched the Pharr Community Outreach Project as a Shalom Zone of the General Board of Global Ministries. English as a Second Language and Citizen Preparation classes were standard fare, and the church was home to sewing classes, computer classes, a thrift shop, a home repair program, Justice For Our Neighbors immigration legal aid, a food pantry that recently engaged as many as 70 people in worship, and Sunday worship that was intentionally bilingual, with translation equipment and bulletins prepared in both languages. Members included Anglos who had belonged since the 1940s, Valley native Latinos, and newer immigrant families.
The liabilities of the church were two main things--the building and the lack of a stable financial base. In 2013, the church agreed to conduct a self-assessment and shared the results with me. They found that everything the church was receiving in offerings each month went to insure, light, cool, heat, and constantly repair the aging structure. What little salary the church could afford to pay its pastor and devoted secretary and to use for non-building expenses came from special donations and the proceeds of various fundraisers during the year. After much conversation, deliberation, and prayer, the congregation came to the decision this spring that the faithful path would be to end the life of Pharr UMC, in order to allow its ministries to continue.
In the aftermath of that decision, Pharr UMC has been the giver of great gifts for ministry. Weslaco First UMC has received a freezer for their food pantry, as well as the Bernina sewing machines, with plans of starting sewing classes there. They also hope to house the home repair program. Manos Juntas, in Rio Bravo, Mexico, has received a sound system, computers and a printer, tables and chairs and a set of handmade chancel furnishings. Computers and children's books will be held in reserve by El Mesías UMC for a hoped-for chapter of Project Transformation. Altar candles, acolyte robes and hymnals went to Los Wesleyanos UMC in San Juan, Mission First UMC received Godly Play materials, and St. George Orthodox Church received tables. Pharr La Trinidad UMC has warmly received the transfer of many Pharr UMC members and is hosting the food pantry, as they discern ways to make it even more fruitful. Many kitchen items and the main chancel furniture have also found their home at La Trinidad. It is a complex process to find a new church home, especially after the loss of one so dear. But these faithful United Methodists are praying and working to find the path toward a new future, for the sake of the community Christ has called them to reach.
The order for disbanding a congregation ends with the following declaration:
This congregation...was God's gift for a season.
We are thankful for the many ways it has served the mission given to it by Jesus Christ.
It has accomplished its purpose.
We declare that it is no longer a United Methodist congregation and is now disbanded.
But Christ's holy Church is of God,
and will be preserved to the end of time...
We remain part of Christ's ongoing Church,
and as we scatter into other congregations
we shall be one with Christ, one with each other,
and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
May it be so.
This article was written by El Valle District Superintendent Laura Merrill.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The just-issued ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States has settled the issue of whether or not same-gender weddings can be barred by actions of the states. The Court has ruled they can not. Therefore, same-gender couples may legally marry in the state of Texas in the very near future. There are currently 21 other countries and 37 states which permit such marriages. This issue is not new. It has been under discussion across our country and across the church for many years. The action of the Supreme Court, however, is definitive. From the perspective of the government, the issue has been settled.
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 25, 2015
[Click Here for a PDF version of this News Release]
Rio Texas Conference to Commemorate Valley Farm Workers’ Union 1966 March in Kenedy, TX this Saturday
SAN ANTONIO (Thursday, June 25) –The Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Valley Farm Workers’ Union 400-mile march to the State Capitol this Saturday. They will also be celebrating the induction of a Texas Historical Marker at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church, Kenedy, TX for its involvement in the march.
The 400-mile march stopped at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church in August 1966. They were invited by Rev. Isabel Gómez, (pastor of El Buen Samaritano) and Rev. Roy Fisher (pastor of First United Methodist Church, Kenedy), for a brief service of scripture and worship. It was the only protestant church that welcomed the marchers. After stopping at Kenedy, they also stopped at the Alamo in San Antonio and met Cesar Chavez at the Capitol in September 1966.
“We are going to memorialize the people that died for that march,” said Retired Bishop Joel Martinez. “They put hard work into raising that cause for higher wages and better working conditions. We must not forget them.”
The celebration this Saturday will include a service of remembrance and thanksgiving. Speakers include Rev. Isabel Gómez, Doris Hudspeth Miller (widow of Rev. Roy Fisher), Retired Bishop Joel Martinez (former Bishop of the San Antonio Episcopal Area from 2000 - 2008) and Bishop James E. Dorff (San Antonio Episcopal Area Bishop). A fellowship luncheon will follow the worship service.
This open event will take place at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church in Kenedy, TX (249 Booe St., 78119) this Saturday, June 27 starting at 11 a.m. Multimedia professionals are welcome.
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ABOUT:
The Rio Texas Annual Conference aims to reach out to people of South and Central Texas. Some of our churches are located in some of the fastest-growing areas of the country. Others are located in areas where people are struggling with issues of poverty, lack of affordable housing, and a loss of hope. We are committed to providing vital missions, vital congregations, and strong leaders to connect our churches to the people. Our churches are in large cities and small towns from Austin to McAllen, from San Angelo to Victoria in vibrant cities, historic small towns and struggling communities. Our churches and congregations meet annually during the month of June to conduct the business of the conference and gather for worship in Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center. Our Bishop is Bishop James E. Dorff, who has presided as Bishop of the former Southwest Conference and the Rio Grande Conference (now Rio Texas) since 2008. For more information about the conference or our bishop, please visit http://riotexas.org and follow us on Twitter @RioTxAC.
CONTACT:
Rev. Will Rice
210-408-4500 Ext. 505
wrice@riotexas.org
16400 Huebner Road
San Antonio, Texas 78248
Project Transformation Rio Texas Executive Director Nathaniel O'Dell was on the 6:30 p.m. News 4 San Antonio broadcast on Thursday, June 18. Click the image above to watch the interview!
Click Here if you want to learn more about Project Transformation Rio Texas.
Click Here if you would like to volunteer for Project Transformation Rio Texas.
Click Here if you would like to contact someone about signing up your child for Project Transformation Rio Texas' literacy camp.
Follow Project Transformation Rio Texas on Facebook and Twitter.
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
First Inaugural Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church held at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi
SAN ANTONIO (Tuesday, June 16, 2015) – The Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church held its first annual meeting at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi from June 11-14. Over $13,000 was raised for the Spring floods that devastated victims in San Marcos, Wimberley, Blanco, and others across the conference.
Approximately 1500 United Methodist delegates plus friends, family and other Methodists gathered to participate and witness the historic gathering. This is the first conference since the Southwest Texas Annual Conference and the Rio Grande Annual Conference voted to become the Rio Texas Annual Conference in June of 2014. The Southwest Texas Conference and Rio Grande Annual Conference became the Rio Texas Conference on January 1, 2015.
San Antonio Episcopal Area Bishop James E. Dorff presided over the four-day meeting.
Bishops offer Communion during the Opening Word and Table Worship Service on June 11 at Selena Auditorium in Corpus Christi. Left to right: Bishop Robert Schnase, Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Bishop Joel N. Martinez, Bishop Dan E. Solomon, Bishop James Dorff, Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, Bishop J. Michael Lowry, Bishop Janice Riggle Huie.
“The work of United Methodists has been alive and well in this region for well over 150 years. The names, the forms, the languages, the missional outposts (or churches as we now call them) and the annual conferences have all been in transition during these many years,” said Bishop Dorff. “This transitioning continues through the Rio Texas Annual Conference. In the midst of these transitions and this newness of life, one thing has held steady: our purpose. We have been here all these years to live out the Biblical mandate to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As we gather for session number one, our task is the same. May we never lose sight of our calling. It is what has brought us this far, by God’s grace.”
He was joined by seven bishops for several worship services held at the Selena Auditorium in Corpus Christi. They all have strong ties to the former Rio Grande and Southwest Texas Conferences.
Bishop Robert C. Schnase of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church (former pastor of First United Methodist Church, McAllen) encouraged United Methodists to take action while acting as the new Rio Texas Conference.
“You’ve had the courage to take this step; now lead us. In this fast-growing part of the country, become leaders in starting new congregations,” said Bishop Schnase. “Become leaders in multi-cultural and bi-cultural ministry. Become the leaders in reaching young people. Become the leaders in social justice. We need you to do that for us.”
Worship was at the heart of the gathering. Bishop Minerva Carcaño of the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church (former pastor in the Rio Grande Conference) preached at the traditional Memorial Service and Bishop J. Michael Lowry of the Central Texas Conference (former pastor of University United Methodist Church, San Antonio) shared the word at the service of Baptismal Renewal.
Bishop Joel Martinez of the former Rio Grande and Southwest Texas Conferences joined Bishop Dorff in presiding over the ordination of the first deacons and elders ordained in the Rio Texas Conference.
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ABOUT:
The Rio Texas Annual Conference aims to reach out to people of South and Central Texas. Some of our churches are located in some of the fastest-growing areas of the country. Others are located in areas where people are struggling with issues of poverty, lack of affordable housing, and a loss of hope. We are committed to providing vital missions, vital congregations, and strong leaders to connect our churches to the people. Our churches are in large cities and small towns from Austin to McAllen, from San Angelo to Victoria in vibrant cities, historic small towns and struggling communities. Our churches and congregations meet annually during the month of June to conduct the business of the conference and gather for worship in Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center. Our Bishop is Bishop James E. Dorff, who has presided as Bishop of the former Southwest Conference and the Rio Grande Conference (now Rio Texas) since 2008. For more information about the conference or our bishop, please visit http://riotexas.org and follow us on Twitter @RioTxAC.
CONTACT:
Rev. Will Rice
210-408-4500 Ext. 505
wrice@riotexas.org
16400 Huebner Road
San Antonio, Texas 78248
correction: the last paragraph was corrected to add "deacons." The bishops presided over the ordination of deacons and elders.
Dear Pastors and Youth Workers of the Rio Texas Conference,
This letter is written on behalf of the Rio Texas Conference Student Design Team. The conference is currently working on a set of common, conference wide values for the Mid-Winter retreats that will be occurring in the 2016 season.
The Conference has secured dates and locations for the Mid-Winter retreats which will be made available to the Districts through a meeting with the District Superintendents. Registrations can then begin for the Districts that choose to attend after the Design Team meets with the District Leaders to discuss the context of the Mid-Winter retreats.
We will be in touch with more details soon. Look forward to hearing from our team as God shapes the Mid-Winter retreats ministry, we will continue to update you so that you can be part of the dialogue. If you would like to contribute any input, please feel free to reach out to Bob Allen (ballen@riotexas.org), Aaron Buttery (aaron@theu.org) or any of us on the team. We are striving hard to listen to the voice of God in our midst, and it could very well be coming from you!
Please be in prayer for us and for our new conference, and know that we are praying for you. Thank you for your ministry and your commitment to see young people thrive in faith. May God bless you and your endeavors.
Blessings on behalf of the Rio Texas Conference Students Design Team,
Pam Dwyer and Christian Moore
We are trying to stay connected, as best we can, to relief efforts throughout the annual conference. Our District Superintendents and District Disaster Coordinators are coordinating information and efforts at the district level. Meanwhile, our Conference Disaster Relief Coordinator is coordinating the work of the districts and the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
We have people throughout our conference and throughout the connection who are interested in hearing about the current situation. If you are in a position to share reports, photos or video, you are welcome to post them here in the comments or email them to us at media@riotexas.org.
We continue to pray for those who are suffering and those who are serving.
Friends,
As you know, over this past weekend, many parts of our Annual Conference have experienced severe storms and historic flooding. In the wake of the violent weather, many in our mission field have lost their homes and more have been forced to relocate. Tragically, lives have also been lost.
As United Methodists, we want to do all we can to show grace and mercy to those affected by the storms and floods. We are currently coordinating with our Conference Disaster Relief Coordinator, Eugene Hileman, our District Disaster Relief Coordinators, the District Superintendents and the United Methodist Committee on Relief to determine how we can best aid those in need. We are already delivering supplies in the form of flood buckets. Two Early Response Teams and one Chainsaw Team are currently working in Wimberley. We are now organizing more Early Response Teams and offering more Early Response Team trainings. Click Here to sign-up for the ERT training in Wimberley this Saturday.
We know there is a great need, and we know there are many hands willing to help. We also don’t want to be in the way or obstruct the work of communities and agencies already on the ground. For most of us, here are some of the best ways we can be help:
You can find more information on how you can help on our website at RioTexas.org. Keep up-to-date with the relief efforts by clicking here.
Our God is a God who speaks order over the waters of chaos, who brings calm to the storms of life. While we offer our hands, feet and money to aid those in need, we will also trust in God to bring peace and calm to our communities.
Bishop James E. Dorff
Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Click The Picture Above to see the most updated information about the floods in Texas.
Over the weekend, record flooding has caused widespread damage throughout the conference. The worst damage has been in Wimberly, San Marcus, Blanco and other parts of Hays County along the Blanco River. At least one person is dead, more are missing and over 1,000 people are housed in shelters in Hays County. 400 homes have been destroyed, and many more are damaged.
Rio Texas Disaster Response Coordinator, Eugene Hileman is already coordinating with local officials to plan our response. While details continue to unfold, here are some ways you can help immediately:
The Rio Texas Conference is excited to welcome Lamar Davis as our new Disaster Recovery Coordinator. Lamar brings a wealth of experience in crisis management and a deep sense of calling to serve. He will guide our Conference through the long-term work of recovery and resilience following recent floods.
With 150 years of history, Memorial UMC joins Restore Austin to celebrate a new chapter of ministry, mission, and witness in the heart of Austin.
Restore Austin—a vibrant, inclusive church community—will soon join The United Methodist Church and merge with Memorial UMC to form a new congregation in Northeast Austin. This Spirit-led partnership marks a fresh chapter of shared mission, expanded ministry, and hope for the future.
