Fresh Expressions Through a Wesleyan Lens

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So many churches have had to slow down the ways to reach new people in the last 9 months and yet…SO MANY OF YOU have continued to be innovative and bold in reaching out.   I celebrate how brave many of you have been!  

I also know that this past year has wreaked havoc on many of our Fresh Expressions and plans on continuing to reach new people, so I am excited about this 9 month course (February – October 2021) that Discipleship Ministries and Fresh Expressions (US and United Kingdom) are offering.  

This course is for church teams (clergy and laity or laity alone) to deepen planning, and executing those plans even in this time of uncertainty!  

The course includes some video learning, cohort discussion, and group coaching.  The total cost of the course is $300, but if you register a team, the office of Creating and Vitalizing Congregations and Developing Leaders will reimburse the church $200.  

You can find more information at https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/introducing-new-people-new-places-a-wesleyan-lens-of-fresh-expressions.

And you can register for one of the 3 Informational sessions.  The training begins Feb. 2021.

After you have attended one of the information sessions, let me know if you are interested in registering for the course! Please contact me at khoran@riotexas.org.

God’s peace,

Rev. Karen Horan – Rio Texas Conference

Creating/ Vitalizing Congregations and Developing Leaders

From the Rio Texas Cabinet: Encouraging diligence through rise of Covid-19 cases

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From the Rio Texas Cabinet: Encouraging diligence through rise of Covid-19 cases

Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, the people of the Rio Texas Conference have worked to share ministry in ways that protect the health of all the people in our communities, especially the most vulnerable. We are proud of your creativity, and we know it is easy to grow weary. Now, as many churches have returned to in-person worship, and the number of new COVID-19 cases begins to rise, we write to encourage your continued safe practices.

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Where Does the Money Go? AND Health Insurance & You

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Where Does the Money Go? AND Health Insurance & You

Rev. Kendall Waller, Director of Administrative Ministries, along with Debbie Steinbach, Chair of Finance Table, and Adria Gomez, Comptroller, will present the 2021 annual conference budget with time for questions and answers.

This will be followed by Isabel Munoz, Associate Director of Human Resources and Benefits, leading an informational presentation on the changes to next year’s health care options for clergy, family, and lay employees. This is a great workshop for Finance and S/PPRC chairs so that churches will be prepared for their 2021 budget.

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A Conversation on Racism

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Join Bishop Schnase as he welcomes Bishop Tracy Smith Malone to a live online conversation about racism, especially as it is manifested in our work together as United Methodists. Bishop Malone served as a pastor and District Superintendent in the Northern Illinois Conference and is Bishop of the East Ohio Conference. She and Bishop Schnase will explore what is helpful in identifying and dismantling racism in conference operations and practices, and what simply does not work. What do we need to learn? What is the best approach for bringing change that makes a difference?

Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m.
Register HERE

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Bishop Tracy S. Malone is the resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. She provides spiritual oversight; shares in equipping, teaching and encouraging mission, outreach, witness and service; and serves as a shepherd of the church in providing a prophetic witness of justice, mercy and unity.

Malone serves on the Boards of Trustees at the United Methodist-affiliated colleges, seminaries and organizations in East Ohio. She also is currently the president of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the secretary of the Council of Bishops, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Africa University.

Malone has a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Sociology, with a minor in Computer Science, from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She holds a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and earned her Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Malone grew up in The United Methodist Church and accepted her call to ministry at the early age of 13. She and her husband Derrick are the parents of two daughters.

Warming hearts at Texas State University!

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by Rev. Todd Salmi, United Campus Ministry at Texas State

For more than 90 years, the United Campus Ministry at Texas State has partnered with The United Methodist Church to welcome all students in the love and grace of Jesus Christ. With a diverse school enrollment of over 39,000 students, including 40% first-generation in college, the UCM cares for individual students, creates disciples, and serves our neighbors in the name of Jesus. 

If you know a student at Texas State, or want to make a positive impact with emerging young adult leaders of the church, please contact Todd Salmi (todd@ucmtxstate.org) and visit www.ucmtxstate.org. You can also find us on Instagram which is our main social media account: www.instagram.com/UCMtxstate.

The United Campus Ministry at Texas State is a mission of the Río Texas UMC and connected to the Wesley college ministry network.

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