Bishops consider 3 models for church future

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Bishops consider 3 models for church future

By Heather Hahn
Nov. 9, 2017 | LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)

United Methodist bishops are exploring three possible models for how the church should handle LGBTQ inclusion.

The models come to the bishops from the Commission on a Way Forward, which has the task of trying to find a way for the church to stay together despite deep divides over homosexuality.

The bishops have been meeting in closed session Nov. 6-9 to discern whether the commission is heading in the right direction. The bishop-appointed commission has three more meetings planned early next year, and the bishops do not plan to develop any final recommendations until May 2018.

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Rio Texas Responds to Violence

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Rio Texas Responds to Violence

As worship services wrapped up Sunday morning, November 5, 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.

In response, Rio Texas Churches have reached out in support of the church and community. Churches have also sought support in ways to be in ministry with those who grieve and to ensure the safety of congregations. These resources are being provided to help local churches respond.

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Las Misiones Pastors Explore Cultures at Encuentro in Monterrey

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A small group of Las Misiones District preachers traveled to Monterrey to take part in a national gathering of Methodist pastors to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the protestant reformation. Seven annual conferences were represented at Encuetro: Nacional de Pastores held at the Iglesia Metodista la Trinidad.

La Trinidad UMC, San Antonio Pastor John Feagins; Westlawn UMC, San Antonio Pastor Lilliana Padilla; Emanuel UMC, San Antonio Pastor Jose Mercado; La Trinidad UMC, Laredo Pastor Cesar Duran; and Coker UMC, San Antonio Pastor David Blanco attended the gathering.

They heard several lectures from premier scholar Justo Gonzalez. He preached about Martin Luther’s hammer and nailing of the Ninety-five Thesus and its connection to the hammer and nails that went through Jesus’ wrist.

They also compared the differences between American and Mexican United Methodist cultures. “We saw another side of the picture between both cultures in the U.S. and Mexico,” said Emanuel UMC’s Pastor Jose Mercado. “It helped me understand the more about the culture as a Puerto Rican pastor.”

“It reminded us of the power of the connectional system and the connectional church we are a part of,” said Coker UMC’s Pastor David Blanco. “Overall, it was an amazing, fantastic experience.”

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.