Ministers Week 2016 is coming to Perkins School of Theology Monday, February 1 through Tuesday February 2. Featured speakers this year include Prof. Walter Brueggemann, Bishop Janice Huie and Rev. Dr. Loida I. Martell-Otero.
Learn more about the event and sign up.
Read MoreDisaster Response is currently responding to the floods that occurred in Eagle Pass last week.
According to Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Eugene Hileman, 150 homes were flooded and an additional 200 suffered water damage when nearly 10 inches of rain came through leaks in roofs and windows.
209 flood buckets and 80 health kits were delivered to the area immediately. The supply of flood buckets is still more than adequate due to the great response following the Blanco River Flood last May.
People wishing to respond to either the fires or the floods near Smithville should send gifts to the Rio Texas Conference Disaster Fund.
If you have not already started planning for Advent and Christmas, now is the time! The Advent season is a tremendous time to reach out to your community. People without a church home are the most likely to accept an invitation to visit a church during the Advent and Christmas season.
Read MoreThe prayers of the Rio Texas Annual Conference are being lifted on behalf of the residents in the path of the fire outside of Smithville, Texas. Many churches have already reached out to offer aid in any way they can.
Read MoreTake a moment to get to know Rev Bob Allen, Director of Congregational and New Faith Community Vitality.
You can learn more about the Congregational Vitality office here.
You can learn more about Membership to Discipleship here.
You can contact Rev. Bob Allen at ballen@riotexas.org
Today we begin our "Rio Texas Local Church Technology Survey." We are seeking 100% participation from our churches.
Read MoreThe Rio Texas Media Center has been encouraging local churches to make sure they have a modern, up-to-date, website to serve as a modern "front door" for people looking for a church. If your church is not there yet, I hope you will take advantage of a free an easy way to make sure your church can be found.
United Methodist Communication's "Find A Church" platform is a free resource that allows every United Methodist Church to have a presence on the web. It also lists your church in the "Find A Church" portal meaning that you can be found by people searching for a church through umc.org and riotexas.org.
The good news is that your church already has a listing. The question is "Is your church information correct and up to date?" Why not find out today? Go to "Find A Church" and enter your church's city, town or zip code. Make sure all of your information is up to date. You can also customize your welcome message and add more detailed information about your church. There are even places to add photos, show your social media links and list your events and activities.
Does your church already have a web page? It is still important to update your "Find A Church" page. When people find your church through umc.org or riotexas.org, their first stop will be your "Find A Church" page. Make sure it is up to date and has the correct link to your website.
Need help? Watch this short video on updating
It is with a great deal of sadness I write to inform you that after a four-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, on October 4, 2015, Mary Lavelle Owen, wife of the late Bishop Ray Owen who served the Southwest Texas and Rio Grande Conferences from 1992-2000, passed away peacefully at home into the glorious presence of God. At her request and instruction, a private family service is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2015.
Please keep the family in your prayers.
In lieu of flowers, I have been informed that memorials could be made to:
Hospice of Green County
11205 S. Boston Avenue, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74119
918-747-2273
Bishop James Dorff
San Antonio Area
The United Methodist Church
The Rio Texas Conference's Office of Leadership Vitality's Clergy Wellness Program is excited to offer a workshop by Reah Ministry. The workshop, Take A Day Apart, will focus on spiritual formation.
The three-part workshop will be held at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio on October 22, 2015; January 28, 2016; and April 28, 2016, respectively.
Please Click Here to download the flyer above.
To register, please click here. Ticket sales for Physical Well-Being will end on Oct. 14.
The Rio Texas Conference's Office of Leadership Vitality's Clergy Wellness Program is excited to offer a workshop by Reah Ministry. The workshop, Take A Day Apart, will focus on spiritual formation.
The three-part workshop will be held at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio on October 22, 2015; January 28, 2016; and April 28, 2016, respectively.
Please Click Here to download the flyer above.
To register, please click here. Ticket sales for Physical Well-Being will end on Oct. 14.
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.
