Rio Texas Responds to Sunday Violence

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Rio Texas Responds to Sunday Violence

As worship services wrapped up Sunday morning, churchgoers across the conference began to hear the terrible news out of Sutherland Springs. The tiny town about 40 miles east of San Antonio was rocked this morning when a gunman opened fire inside First Baptist Church, killing at least 26 and injuring 20 more.
 
Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference called Aguilar upon hearing the news to offer the support of the Conference. Schnase said, "This was an outrageous, senseless, and tragic act. We pray God's blessings on families, friends, and the entire community. We pray for those who will face rebuilding their lives after such deep loss. We pray for those who were injured, that God's healing grace may be upon them."

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Rio Texas Leaders Gather at Leadership Institute

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128 people from the Rio Texas Conference gathered at the 2017 Leadership Institute at The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.  Clergy and lay people alike gathered to learn more about how to revitalize their community and lead in their current context. Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference and Rio Texas’ own Ruben Saenz, Jr., Bishop of the Great Plains Annual Conference were at the opening session to welcome and encourage the group. 

Attendees took home new knowledge and information to put into action to make their congregations more fruitful in the future. Mark your calendars for next year's Leadership Institute September 26-28, 2018.
 

We Are More Receives Emmy

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The red carpet, the cameras, the celebrities! Most are familiar with the glamorous presentations of the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Daytime Emmy Awards. However, there are a number of different Emmy Categories whose awards are presented throughout the country at different times of the year.

At the Mid-America Emmy® Awards Gala on September 9 in St. Louis, the award for Short form Program went to "We Are More - Beyond The Walls" featuring Rev. Robert Johnson. The short film is a part of the United Methodist We Are More campaign. The campaign was developed under the leadership of Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference, during his time as Bishop of the Missouri Annual Conference. Kim Jenne, Schnase's Director of Connectional Ministries in Missouri, led a team of communicators from across the South Central Jurisdiction and worked with Antidote Studio to produce the videos. These stories of ministry were shared on the web, social media, and at churches and conferences around the country.

All of the We Are More Videos can be viewed online at wearemore.faith.
 

Encuentro Brings UMC Leaders Together to Support Rio Grande Valley

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50 UMC leaders from across the South Central Jurisdiction were in the Rio Grande Valley at Encuentro on Oct. 13 to learn about Hispanic culture and issues facing this rapidly growing demographic.

This group of folks included most of the bishops of the South Central Jurisdiction. They came with a wonderful spirit of openness to new possibilities regarding Hispanic ministries and a desire to see with new eyes.

They listened and learned from social scientists, medical professionals, local clergy, advocacy groups, and community center leaders. They visited different locations along the border, including a special worship service and meal at Los Naranjos colonia.

We celebrate this wonderful Encuentro experience and it gives us hope!

Creo que los posibilidades son grandes porque fue un Encuentro de esperanza! 

A follow-up Encuentro meeting will be scheduled for Spring 2018. 

Written by Robert Lopez, District Superintendent for the Coastal Bend and El Valle District. 

Global Migration Sunday set for First Sunday in Advent, December 3

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Global Migration Sunday set for First Sunday in Advent, December 3

Global Migration Sunday has been set for December 3, the first Sunday of Advent. On this date, all United Methodist churches are asked to gather an offering dedicated to responding to human suffering caused by migration. bUnited Methodists will have an opportunity to support millions of displaced people throughout the world, as well as deepen the church’s understanding of the biblical call to welcome and care for the displaced.

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Rio Texas Young Adult Ministry Council Applications Available Now

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This team will consist of young adults, ages 18-30, from across the Rio Texas Conference (¶ 256.3, United Methodist Book of Discipline). 

Together members of this council will work to create a Young Adult Ministry Council (YAMC) for the Rio Texas Conference. 

The purpose of a YAMC is "to strengthen the young adult ministry in the local churches and districts of the annual conference." (Book of Discipline, Paragraph 650.1) 

Interested young adults must have completed high school and be an active member in their local United Methodist Church. 

Feeling called to join this team? Apply now!

or

request a paper application form: 

Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen
16400 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, TX 78248  
tcampen@riotexas.org

Questions? Contact Tanya at the Conference office, tcampen@riotexas.org.

 

Asset-Based Community Development program to begin 2nd year – APPLY NOW

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Asset-Based Community Development program to begin 2nd year – APPLY NOW

Through support funding from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., The Mission Vitality Center / Outreach Vitality Office & Transforming Communities Vision Team announces the Transformational Communities of Praxis program.

Applications are now being received for the 2nd- year class of this program. The program is looking for church and community resident teams to participate in this program of learning processes in Asset-Based Community Development [ABCD]. Class size is limited to four teams.

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Moving On to Recovery

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Moving On to Recovery

By Laura Bray

The soggy sheetrock and insulation is removed. The carpet is gone and the mud slopped out. 56,000 feet of tarp are on damaged roofs. The fallen trees are cut and stacked at the curb. Now what?

Once the Early Response Teams (ERT) have completed their work, the next phase begins–recovery. United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) sends groups of volunteers to repair home storm damage in affected communities to help residents get back on the way to a normal life. This process can take years: residents of Wimberley, TX still need assistance more than two years after the devastating 2015 Blanco River floods destroyed so much property.

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Harvey Disaster Recovery Leaders to Come Onboard

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Harvey Disaster Recovery Leaders to Come Onboard

In response to Hurricane Harvey, the Mission Vitality Center brings on board two key positions to lead the disaster recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Harvey. This is as a result of assessment and consultation with Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference; Cabinet; the Conference Disaster Response Committee and the United Methodist Committee on Relief [UMCOR].

Vicki McCuistion will serve as Disaster Recovery Asset Manager and will begin this work full-time in mid-October. This role will manage the assets offered by partners both within and outside of the Conference through donations and volunteer teams. This role will also gather stories and updates that invite continued support and involvement over the long-term timeline of recovery.

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Youth Ministries Council Now Accepting Applications

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This team consists of youth (6th-12th grade) and adults from across the Rio Texas Conference.

These youth are leaders who want to make a difference in the United Methodist Church. Youth are confirmed members in their local church and serve in their local churches, their district, the conference, and beyond. The council consists of youth from each of the seven Rio Texas conference districts and reflects the diversity of our conference.

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