Council of Bishops to call for 2019 General Conference

The following is a press release from UMCOM: 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2016

Council of Bishops to call for 2019 General Conference
Sets forth actions to involve the whole church in prayer and conversation

St. Simons Island, Ga.: Through an affirmative vote at their fall meeting this week, the United Methodist Council of Bishops expressed their intent to call for a special session of the General Conference in either February or March of 2019 and asked the business manager of the General Conference to move forward with exploring venues and a bid search.

The Constitution of The United Methodist Church provides that the Council of Bishops may call a special session of the General Conference possessing the authority and exercising all the powers of the General Conference. Business to be considered during such a session would be limited to the purpose defined within the call, which also would include the time and place.

The Council’s action stops short of making the actual call for a special session, which is expected to come at some point after the Commission on a Way Forward begins its work.

The Council’s Executive Committee brought the recommendation to the full Council for consideration and action after exploring the feasibility of meeting in either 2018 or 2019.

“A requirement that materials be in the hands of delegates at least 230 days before such a session makes it unlikely that the Commission could complete its work in time to meet that deadline for a 2018 meeting, so 2019 seemed to us to be the best option,” said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council. “The purpose of broadening the time frame to either February or March is to afford more flexibility in finding a suitable and available location.”

Such a special session would be composed of delegates to the preceding General Conference – or their lawful successors – unless a conference prefers to have a new election.

The Council received a report from the moderators of the Way Forward about composition of commission membership, a plan for the first meetings and a strategy for communication.

The Council also voted to approve a recommendation from the Executive Committee to initiate a conversational process among clergy and laity within annual and central conferences that would parallel the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. Each bishop would be free to structure the process and timeline according to the specific needs and context of their area, using some suggested questions as a starting point.

Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and Bishop Al Gwinn, co-chairs of the Praying Our Way Forward Initiative, announced the second phase of the appeal, which involves each conference making a commitment to come together in prayer during a designated week. The effort would begin January 1, 2017 and continue into 2018. The first phase involved a commitment from bishops for daily prayer focused on the selection and initial efforts of the Commission.

“We want the church and the Commission on a Way Forward to be led by God. This prayer emphasis puts us in a posture where as a church we are asking and listening for God’s leadership,” said Bishop Wallace-Padgett. “Our prayer focus is two fold: We are praying that God will help us to more effectively fulfill the mission of the church.  And we are praying to be one in Christ.”

She said they are inviting persons to:

• pray daily for the church’s effectiveness in fulfilling our mission of making disciples and for the outcome of the work of the Commission on a Way Forward
• participate in their conference’s week of prayer;
• fast weekly as they are able for The United Methodist Church and our future

Bishop Gwinn said the Council is working in partnership The Upper Room, which has developed a website called UMCprays.org. “The website features many tools and resources to help you to plan your week of prayer,” said Bishop Gwinn. “Each week will feature information about what is happening in the conference that is praying that week, including a prayer-focused blog written by the bishop in that area.”

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Media contact:
Diane Degnan
ddegnan@umcom.org
615.483.1765 (c)

Bishop Ough Makes First Presidential Address to Council

The following article is from UMCOM: 

United Methodist Communications
Umcpresscenter.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2016

St. Simons Island, Ga: In his first presidential address to the Council of Bishops, Bishop Bruce R. Ough brought the bishops alternately to their knees in prayer and to their feet in resounding applause as he laid out a message of unity to a new Council.

Bishop Rosemarie Wenner and Bishop John Wesley Yohanna kneel in prayer at the Council of Bishops' meeting.

Bishop Ough of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area became Council president in May during the 2016 General Conference. Approximately 119 United Methodist bishops, including 15 newly elected jurisdictional bishops, are gathered at Epworth-by-the-Sea at St. Simons Island, Ga. to lay the foundation for working together during the 2017-2020 quadrennium.

Bishop Ough said the time together was designed to engage the bishops in exploring how the Council can lead in a time when "the entire United Methodist Church is holding its breath," and urged them to build and model unity within their own body.

"We clearly are at a crossroads. And, God is calling us to discover the right route for our souls," said Ough. But, he said, as we await the work of the Council and the Commission on a Way Forward, it's no time to stand idly by. Instead, we must lean into our mission.

"Let us resolve at this very gathering that we will not waver in claiming and living and preaching and teaching who we are and how God is using the people of the Methodist Way to form new disciples and change the world," he said.

Bishop Ough said that as the denomination moves toward the future, we must learn “to walk the wing,” referring to the act of wing walking during the early days of aviation when aerialists would climb out of the plane's cockpit during flight onto the wings for daring stunts.

"The wing-walker could only walk the wing if he was courageous enough to step into the gap between what was certain security and an uncertain future," said Ough. "We tend to forget that the very nature of the faith journey is to walk the wing ... Friends, we do not need to freeze by the cockpit holding tightly to the strut of fear, or doubt, or even certainty, because God is holding us tightly. That is the covenant promise!"

Bishop Ough repeatedly returned to the theme of unity during the address, but admitted it's not an easy task.

"Let’s admit it – this Christian unity stuff is difficult, in part because we tend to forget that authentic unity is a Spirit gift – not something we create or enforce by rules and law," said Ough, pointing to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. "I want to suggest to you this morning that authentic unity is essentially a Pentecost phenomenon. Authentic unity is ultimately a Fruit of the Spirit rather than a fruit of purity codes, polity systems, polite relationships or political compromises."

"Let us resolve at this very meeting that this Council of Bishops will, at all personal costs, “make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” said Ough. "Let us commit to one another that we will not give credence or quarter to schism in our ranks or in our residential settings or in the denomination. Let us affirm, unequivocally, that division is never the will of Christ for his church. Let us resolve, at this very meeting that the Council of Bishops is one body and we will stand together against anything that will divide us."

Bishop Ough then invited the bishops to kneel together in prayer, using their chairs as prayer altars. "I believe, with all my heart, that God is trying to do a new thing within and through The United Methodist Church and this Council of spiritual leaders. But, I also believe God cannot accomplish God’s purposes among and through us unless we assume the posture of confession and prayer – unless we are completely vulnerable to the transforming presence and power of Christ."

Read the address in its entirety.

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About the Council of Bishops
The Council of Bishops provides leadership and helps set the direction of the 12.3 million-member church and its mission throughout the world. The bishops are the top clergy leaders of The United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. The Council of Bishops is made up of all active and retired bishops of The United Methodist Church, and comprises 45 active bishops in the United States; 20 active bishops in Europe, Asia and Africa; plus 87 retired bishops worldwide.

Media contact:
Diane Degnan ddegnan@umcom.org
615.742.5406 (o) 615.483.1765 (c)

Council of Bishops Names 32 Commission Members

The following is a press release from UMCOM: 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2016

Council of Bishops Names 32 Commission Members

Washington, D.C. - The United Methodist Council of Bishops has announced the membership of the Commission on a Way Forward.

"After three months of diligent and prayerful discernment, we have selected 8 bishops, 11 laity, 12 elders and 1 deacon to serve on the Commission," said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council of Bishops. "This group is representative of our theological diversity."

Ough said the makeup of the 32-member commission is roughly comparable to U.S. and Central Conference membership. 

All of the members of the Commission have already indicated their willingness and availability to serve. The team of moderators --  Bishop Ken Carter, Bishop Sandra Steiner-Ball and Bishop David Yemba -- will soon convene the Commission to begin to organize their work and finalize their meeting schedule.

The Commission's mission is to  "bring together persons deeply committed to the future(s) of The United Methodist Church, with an openness to developing new relationships with each other and exploring the potential future(s) of our denomination in light of General Conference and subsequent annual, jurisdictional and central conference actions." 

The 2016 General Conference gave a specific mandate to the Council of Bishops to lead The United Methodist Church in discerning and proposing a way forward through the present impasse related to human sexuality and the consequent questions about unity and covenant. 

The Commission is a group appointed by the Council of Bishops to assist the Council in fulfilling this mandate. As such, the Council has appointed bishops from across the global connection to serve on the Commission alongside laity and clergy. While clergy and laity will vote at a General Conference on these matters, the bishops have the responsibility to lead the church. Thus, the Commission is designed to inform the Council’s leadership of the General Conference. After hearing concerns that the proposed composition did not include enough laity, three additional laypersons were added from the original pool of more than 300 nominees.

At their fall meeting (October 30 – November 2), the Council will make a decision about a called General Conference and will review a plan to conduct additional and complementary work in annual conferences designed to broaden the conversation with hundreds of lay and clergy members.

The members of the Commission are:

MEMBERSHIP

Jorge Acevedo
USA, Florida, elder, male

Brian Adkins
USA, California, elder, male

Jacques Umembudi Akasa
Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, laity, male

Tom Berlin
USA, Virginia, elder, male

Matt Berryman
USA, Illinois, laity, male

Helen Cunanan
Philippines, elder, female

David Field
Europe, Switzerland, laity, male

Ciriaco Francisco
Philippines, bishop, male

Grant Hagiya
USA, California, bishop, male

Aka Dago-Akribi Hortense
Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, laity, female

Scott Johnson
USA, New York, laity, male

Jessica Lagrone
USA, Kentucky, elder, female 

Thomas Lambrecht
USA, Texas, elder, male

Myungae Kim Lee
USA, New York, laity, female

Julie Hager Love
USA, Kentucky, deacon, female

Mazvita Machinga
Africa, Zimbabwe, laity, female

Patricia Miller
USA, Indiana, laity, female

Mande Guy Muyombo
Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, elder, male

Eben Nhiwatiwa
Africa, Zimbabwe, bishop, male

Dave Nuckols
USA, Minnesota, laity, male

Casey Langley Orr
USA, Texas, elder, female 

Gregory Palmer
USA, Ohio, bishop, male

Donna Pritchard
USA, Oregon, elder, female

Tom Salsgiver
USA, Pennsylvania, elder, male 

Robert Schnase
USA, Texas, bishop, male

Jasmine Rose Smothers
USA, Georgia, elder, female

Leah Taylor
USA, Texas, laity, female

Deborah Wallace-Padgett
USA, Alabama, bishop, female

Rosemarie Wenner
Europe, Germany, bishop, female

Alice Williams
USA, Florida, laity, female

John Wesley Yohanna
Africa, Nigeria, bishop, male

Alfiado S. Zunguza
Africa, Mozambique, elder, male

MODERATORS

Sandra Steiner Ball
USA, West Virginia, bishop, female

Kenneth Carter
USA, Florida, bishop, male

David Yemba
Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, bishop, male

Rio Texas Introduces New Project Transformation Associate Director

Kercida McClain will start her position as Assoc. Director of Project Transformation–Rio Texas on Nov. 15

We are excited to announce that Kercida McClain has accepted the position of Associate Director of Project Transformation–Rio Texas. She is currently the Director of Christian Education at Laurel Heights UMC in San Antonio and has served on the Project Transformation Advisory Board. She is one the lead champions of PT Rio Texas and has been since its inception.

Project Transformation already had two successful summers of connecting churches to communities. Project Transformation focuses on the three c’s: college, churches and children. 97 percent of PT participants at Rio Texas churches maintained or improved their reading levels. Click Here to learn more about Project Transformation.

This transition is exciting because Mrs. McClain’s past experience includes leading the new Rio Texas Children’s Initiative “Open the Umbrella.” The initiative was adopted by the Uniting Table and introduced at the 2016 gathering of the annual conference. It recommends that each congregation focus on how to best meet the needs of children in their church and neighborhood.

Rev. Laura Merrill, Executive Director of the Rio Texas Mission Vitality Center said, “Kercida’s presence on the Project Transformation team begins to align the work of PT with the overall vision of the Children’s Initiative."

Kercida begins her new position on November 15th.

Conference Leaders Elected to Serve on Wespath Board of Directors

Left to right: Teresa Keese, Bishop Robert Schnase, Wespath General Secretary and CEO Barbara Boigegrain

Two conference leaders were elected to serve on the new Wespath Benefits and Investments Board of Directors at their Sept. 7-9 meeting in Glenview, Ill. Bishop Robert Schnase will serve as Chair of the Wespath Board of Directors from 2016-2020. Teresa Keese was re-elected to serve on the board by the General Conference.  

Wespath, formerly known as the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, will have 32 members on the board. All were elected by either the Council of Bishops, General Conference or a Jurisdictional conference.

According to a press release, Wespath, “which has been in existence for more than 100 years, focuses on ‘caring for those who serve’ by providing benefits and investment services that enable over 100,000 clergy and lay workers to be secure during life’s transitions. 

Bishop Robert Schnase reflected on his election with the following statement:

"I count it a rich privilege to be invited to serve with the Wespath Board of Directors, formerly the Board of Pensions.   The Wespath staff are excellent, the mission clear, and the responsibilities immense.   Wespath provides for the financial security of over 92,000 clergy, lay church workers, and their surviving family members in the US and for another 8,000 clergy in conferences around the world, and they do so with excellence, with compassion, and with a conscientious commitment to the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church.  I look forward to working with General Secretary and CEO Barbara Boigegrain and Wespath Board of Directors during these next four years.”

Teresa Keese expressed her re-election with the following statement:

“I am thrilled to have Bishop Schnase serve as Chair of the Wespath Board of Directors this next quadrennium.  His leadership these past four years as Vice Chair has been essential in helping us have the larger conversations and keep a critical focus on the mission and needs of the church in all that we do.  He has the ideal gifts and talents needed to guide this important organization in managing the health and pension plans along with $21 billion in church assets.  Under Bishop Schnase’s expert leadership, Wespath will help lead our denomination into a brighter and more hopeful future of making disciples of Jesus Christ through caring for those who serve.” 

New national advertising messages and local church outreach tools offer opportunities for connection

The following is a press release from UMCOM:

United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
umcpresscenter.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2016

Nashville, Tennessee: The United Methodist Church launched a four-part advertising series across the U.S. this week, offering an invitation for seekers to connect with local churches. The ads are present on television, billboards, digital platforms and mobile devices.

The first set of ads, running now through mid-October, highlights the church’s role in disaster response and the importance of staying involved in recovery efforts until they are complete. The next two series of ads will focus on the denomination’s work in education and hunger relief.

“This campaign is an opportunity to tell the story of the good work that is happening throughout The United Methodist Church,” said Jennifer Rodia, chief communications officer at United Methodist Communications. “We hope that people will see these ads and gain a sense of how United Methodist churches offer opportunities to connect with their community and grow in their faith.”

In December, the campaign will shift to the Advent theme of finding the true meaning of Christmas: lending a hand to a neighbor in need, encouraging joy in the lives of others, and giving the gifts of time and care.

Local churches can take part in the campaign during the Advent season by utilizing customizable outreach tools, available in English and Spanish, which carry the national advertising message.

Resources available at UMCom.org/advent include:

• Up to 10,000 direct mail postcards for which churches only pay the mailing and postage costs
• Free door hangers and invitation cards
• Indoor and outdoor welcome banners and signs
• A free downloadable resource package, which includes videos, worship and social media graphics, and a printable bulletin cover, door hanger, postcard and invitation card

The national campaign is part of the Rethink Church ministry of The United Methodist Church, a movement to encourage local church congregations to look outside of their four walls, identifying needs in the community and then rising to meet them.

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About United Methodist Communications
As the communications agency for The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Communications seeks to increase awareness and visibility of the denomination in communities and nations around the globe. The Rethink Church initiative highlights the many opportunities available within United Methodist churches to engage with the world – from literacy programs to feeding the poor. At RethinkChurch.org, visitors may interact, learn more about the church, and search for involvement opportunities.

Media Contact:
Laura Buchanan
lbuchanan@umcom.org
615.742.5413

Rio Texas at Global United Methodist Clergywomen Gathering

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The following is an article written by Rev. Linda Montgomery: 

A gathering of Clergywomen from all over the world was held in Houston August 29-31.  About 450 clergywomen participated.  The Rio Texas Conference was well represented at the Global UM Clergywomen Gathering.  The gathering celebrated 60 years of Ordination to Full Connection of women as well as the 20 years ordaining Deacons to Full Connection.

Throughout the gathering, we heard stories from all over the world (and of course the nation) of how women in ministry are making disciples and transforming the world.  We also heard the stories of those places where women have to struggle to be heard because they are not accepted as pastors.  We discussed all kinds of discrimination both nationally and internationally.  And while we could celebrate progress, justice for all people continues to top the list of issues that desperately needs transformation. 

We, of course, were proud of the fact that included in leadership were two clergywomen of whom we can be especially proud.  The Rev. Dr. Kim Cape from Rio Texas is General Secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry sponsored the gathering.  Also present was Bishop Janice Huie who is “ours” and was participating in her last days as a bishop before retirement began on September 1. 
 
The Rio Texas Conference helped sponsor the event.  We also made it possible for a clergywoman from another part of the world to attend.  As a sponsor, we had a short time to tell those gathered about our new Annual Conference with our multi-cultural, multi-lingual ministry.  

Thank you to the office of Leadership Vitality for its work on our behalf to make sure Rio Texas was not only represented but helped make the gathering possible.  

Council of Bishops Introduces "Praying Our Way Forward"

The following is a press release from umc.org: 

Nashville, Tenn.: As plans are underway for the establishment of a Commission on a Way Forward, the Council of Bishops is setting in motion a parallel prayer initiative called “Praying Our Way Forward.”

“We are a people of prayer and enjoin the entire church to fervently pray that the Holy Spirit will breakthrough and lead us into a future with hope,” said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Council president, in a statement following a meeting of the executive committee in July.

Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett of the North Alabama Conference, who chairs the “Council Life Together” team, and Bishop Al Gwinn, who leads the prayer subcommittee of the Council of Bishops, were chosen to design and guide a complementary prayer component that involves the whole church. 

In the first phase of the endeavor, which has already begun and continues through mid-November, the bishops of the church were asked to pledge 15 minutes a day in prayer for the selection and initial work of the Commission on A Way Forward. 

Thus far, 84 resident and retired bishops have committed to pray for the work of the Commission for 15 minutes per day between now and mid-November.  This equals 1260 minutes/21 hours of prayer a day offered by bishops for the selection and initial efforts of the Commission. 

“This initiative provides an opportunity for every member of the Council of Bishops to participate in the important work of the Commission.  Our daily focused prayer is a way for us – individually and collectively – to actively seek God’s leadership at this critical juncture in the life of our church,” said Bishop Wallace-Padgett.

The entire church will be invited to take part during the second phase, the details of which will be announced in late September. The hashtag is #prayourwayforward.

Bishop Gwinn pointed to the success of the 131-day prayer observance for the 2016 General Conference as an indication of the willingness of church members to devote time to prayer for the church’s future.

“The people called United Methodists have always been a people who believe in the power of prayer,” said Bishop Gwinn. “Our recent 131 days of prayer for General Conference has reminded all of us that United Methodists have not lost their belief in calling out to God! So, it is only natural that we should include the whole family in special prayer as the Commission moves forward in its work!”

Members of the Commission on a Way Forward are expected to be named by the end of August, with a target date of October for the initial meeting. In November, the Council of Bishops will consider the matter of a called special session of the General Conference in 2018.

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Media contact:
Diane Degnan ddegnan@umcom.org
615.742.5406 (o) 615.483.1765 (c)

Get a Free Suite of UMC Branded Logos

United Methodist Communications wants to make branding easier for churches in our annual conference. For any church that adopts the denominational branding standards, United Methodist Communications will develop a free suite of logos for use in print and online — at no charge. There is no expiration date to this offer. The goal is to strengthen The United Methodist Church's identity through consistent design that gives top billing to local churches while paying respect to our global connection. 

Click Here to take advantage of this offer! 

Bishops' Statement on the 1966 Valley Farm Workers March

In the spring of 1966, farm workers in the melon fields of Starr County walked out to protest wages of 40 cents an hour and inhumane working conditions in the fields, including lack of sanitary facilities. Over four hundred workers organized a local labor unit related to the United Farm Workers of America. 

On July 4, 1966 they begin a March to Austin to demand a minimum wage of 1.25 an hour for farm laborers in the state of Texas. With the support of churches, religious leaders, labor leaders and students, they arrived in Austin on Labor Day, September 5, 1966 at the State Capitol. Nearly two years later, their efforts bore success when the State of Texas passed a minimum wage law covering agricultural workers.

This year, events in Rio Grande City in Starr County, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Austin are celebrating their courageous march for justice. We join with many other religious, civic, and community leaders in endorsing the 50th Anniversary celebrations. The people who marched were persons motivated by their faith, their desire for a new future for their children and grandchildren, and their embrace of the prophet Micah's call to "act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:6-8).

We affirm and celebrate the efforts of our local churches, pastors, and laity, who are joining in the celebrations and acts of remembrance as all of us continue to work for a more just and equitable future for all.

The Episcopal Leadership Team of the Rio Texas Conference

Bishop Janice R. Huie
Bishop J. Michael Lowry
Bishop Joel N. Martínez
Bishop Robert Schnase

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March of the Hopeful

bishop joel n. martínez talks to Rev. Arturo Mariscal, Mary Howard and Rev. Suzanne Isaacs about the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the 1966 Texas United Farm Workers March on Labor Day. The planning meeting was held on Thursday, July 28 at St. Paul UMC

A recollection by Bishop Joel N. Martínez

As a child, I picked cotton with my paternal Grandfather, Refugio Martinez, in Seguin. As teenager, I chopped cotton in West Texas one summer. As a college student, I worked with the National Council of Churches in Migrant Ministry in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the summer of 1958. Raquel and I later worked in Migrant Ministry in Indiana the summer of 1961.

So when I was invited to join the efforts of south Texas farm workers in their march for just wages and improved working conditions during my first pastorate in San Antonio in the summer of 1966, my faith, my life experience, and my heritage led me into a ministry of accompaniment of the poorest of workers in our state. As pastor of El Buen Pastor UMC in San Antonio, I helped organize the gathering of food, clothing, and funds for the families of the marchers. I marched in Kenedy, San Antonio, and Austin on that sunny Labor Day of September 1966 with 15,000 others up Congress Avenue to Capitol. 

What I remember about the workers I met was their faith and hope in the future. Many were grandmothers and grandfathers who wanted a new future for their grandchildren and their future great-grandchildren.  It reminded me about those summer days with grandfather Refugio and how he wanted me to succeed in school and how proud and hopeful he was about my future.

I marched in 1966 in honor and remembrance of generations of my family, in faithfulness to the Gospel, and solidarity with humble workers whose faith and hope helped to change me and my generation.

Bishop Joel N. Martinez

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Participate in the Labor Day Celebrations!

To march with your United Methodist brothers and sisters during the San Antonio Labor Day Celebration, please click the link below. The San Antonio Celebration starts with an interfaith mass at 10:00 a.m. at San Fernando Cathedral in downtown San Antonio, Texas and ends at Milam Park at 1 p.m. 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE SEPT. 5 MARCH IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO

Grant Opportunity with Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity

The Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity is offering three $1000 to groups that "strengthen ecumenical and/or interreligious relationships." 

Application deadline is Sept. 16. 

To learn more or apply for this grant, please click here. 

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie Welcomes Bishop Robert Schnase

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, Interim Bishop of Record for the Rio Texas Conference, welcomes Bishop Robert Schnase back to the Rio Texas Conference. Bishop Robert Schnase will begin his term as Bishop for the Rio Texas Conference on September 1. 

To learn more about Bishop Robert Schnase, please click here. 

Important Announcement Regarding Project Transformation Rio Texas

After two successful inaugural summers in the Rio Texas Conference, Executive Director of Project Transformation Rio Texas Nathaniel O’Dell is returning to Dallas as the Director of Development for Wesley-Rankin Community Center, a Methodist mission providing educational programming and resources to the people of West Dallas.

O’Dell led the birth and advancement of the summer literacy program from 2015-16.

“It has been such a privilege to help launch Project Transformation for the Rio Texas Conference.  Through the dedication and support of hundreds of individuals, the ministry is already changing lives,” said O’Dell. “I am excited to say that over my time with the organization, structures have been put in place to ensure that the ministry will continue to thrive and grow. I look forward to seeing all the wonderful things it will do in the future."  

Project Transformation Rio Texas has held two summers transforming lives by building relationships in the Rio Texas Conference thanks to the leadership of O’Dell.

Project Transformation Rio Texas accomplished these milestones for Summer 2016:

• 98 percent of participants entering first grade through sixth grade maintained or improved their reading levels
• Incorporated leadership development training for college-aged interns, on topics such as servant leadership, conflict resolution, personal life management and justice and advocacy.
• Wellness Program Coordinator added to track physical activity of children, coordinate with San Antonio Food Bank and Methodist Health Ministries Wesley Nurses to bring nutritional educators to camp.

Kercida McClain, Chair of the Advisory Board for Project Transformation Rio Texas, ensures a smooth transition and the formation of a search committee for the vacancy.

“As with all ministries, a part of our prayer was for the innovative leadership Project Transformation demands. Nathaniel O’Dell has been that kind of leader,” said McClain. “His willingness to pick up his family and move to San Antonio to help begin this ministry has been instrumental in the setting of the firm foundation we now have.”

May God bless Nathaniel and his family during this time of transition and for their fruitful ministries to the United Methodist Church. 

Read more about Project Transformation here

Click Here to watch a video about Project Transformation Rio Texas! 

Council of Bishops Executive Committee Affirms Unity, Moves Forward

July 25, 2016

Nashville, Tenn.: Meeting in Chicago last week, the Council of Bishops' Executive Committee approved a framework for implementing the Commission on a Way Forward and took a step toward a called session of the General Conference in 2018.

The Council acknowledged that the landscape of the church has changed dramatically since the General Conference approved the Council's proposal in May, but re-affirmed their commitment to lead the church forward.

"The reported declarations of non-compliance from several annual conferences, the intention to convene a Wesleyan Covenant Association and the election of the Rev. Karen Oliveto as a bishop of the church have opened deep wounds and fissures within The United Methodist Church and fanned fears of schism," said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Council president, in a detailed statement outlining the actions taken. "The church finds itself in an extremely fragile, highly contested season."

The statement further reads, "We affirm that, as disciples of Jesus, we are all called to maintain unity in the bond of peace.  As a Council, we re-affirm our commitment to lead the church in discerning and charting a way forward. We intend to do so with prayerful attention to both urgency and thoughtful preparation." 

The Council adopted a purpose statement for the Commission, including its mission, vision and scope, and determined that it will be composed of 20-25 members to be identified by August 31 with a target of October for an initial meeting. Each bishop will nominate up to five persons, and names that have previously been submitted to either the president or executive secretary of the Council will be considered as well.

A search is already underway for a professional facilitator to design and guide the Commission’s discernment process.  Bishops Ken Carter, Sandra Steiner Ball and David Yemba have been selected to serve as a team of moderators to preside, provide spiritual guidance and pastoral care. Updates on the Commission's actions will be provided through regular press releases every 4-6 weeks. 

An invitation to prayer for the Commission involving the entire church, called "Praying Our Way Forward," will be launched in October. More details regarding that initiative will be forthcoming.

The Executive Committee will bring the matter of a called special session to the full Council for consideration in November. Only the full Council could authorize such a session.

In a related action, the Council further voted to urge the Judicial Council to include the South Central Jurisdictional Conference's request regarding the election of Bishop Karen Oliveto on the docket for their fall meeting on October 25-28.

For additional, more detailed information, read the full statement.