2021 [Virtual] Annual Conference

Rio Texas Conference Delegates/Delegados de la Conferencia Río Texas, 

Our 2020-2021 Annual Conference year is in full swing, and ministry continues to impact lives and communities in the name and power of Jesus. As the Rio Texas Conference continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 virus, and the number of persons infected by the virus continues to grow, leaders from throughout the Conference have discussed the effect that this may have on conducting the 2021 Annual Conference in June. After discussions with the Uniting Table, the Cabinet, Bishop Schnase, and other district and conference leaders, it has been decided that we will hold a virtual 2021 Annual Conference. Planning is already underway. Our session will incorporate learnings and feedback from our virtual Annual Conference in October 2020, including a new voting system, improved processes for delegates to be recognized from the (virtual) floor, and opportunities for delegates to connect with one another. Information on these tools will be posted on the website and emailed to delegates as planning develops, so preparations can be made for our virtual time together.  

Nuestro año de Conferencia Anual 2020-2021 está en pleno apogeo, y el ministerio continúa impactando vidas y comunidades en el nombre y el poder de Jesús. A medida que la Conferencia Río Texas continúa siendo afectada por el virus COVID-19, y la cantidad de personas infectadas por el virus continúa creciendo, los líderes de toda la Conferencia han conversado sobre el efecto que esto puede tener en la reunión de la Conferencia Anual 2021 en junio. Después de conversar con la Mesa Unida, el Gabinete, el Obispo Schnase y otros líderes de distrito y de la conferencia, se decidió que llevaremos a cabo una Conferencia Anual virtual de 2021. Su planificación ya está en marcha. Nuestra sesión incorporará las lecciones aprendidas y comentarios de nuestra Conferencia Anual virtual en octubre de 2020, incluyendo un nuevo sistema de votación, mejorados procesos para que los delegados sean reconocidos desde el piso (virtual) y oportunidades para que los delegados se comuniquen entre sí mismos. La información sobre estas herramientas se publicará en el sitio web y se enviará por correo electrónico a los delegados a medida que se desarrolle la planificación, para poder hacer preparativos para nuestro tiempo virtual juntos.

Pray for the Rio Texas Conference as we continue our ministry in new and exciting ways. Pray for the team that is putting together our worship, teachings, workshops and business sessions for Annual Conference. Celebrate with us the opportunities all of us have to be creative in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. I look forward with eagerness to gathering, learning and celebrating in new, profound, and creative ways with you at our virtual 2021 Annual Conference in June. 

Ore por la Conferencia Río Texas mientras continuamos nuestro ministerio de maneras nuevas y emocionantes. Ore por el equipo que está organizando nuestra adoración, lecciones, talleres y sesiones de negocios de la Conferencia Anual. Celebre con nosotros las oportunidades que todos tenemos de ser creativos al compartir las Buenas Nuevas de Jesucristo. Espero con entusiasmo reunirme, aprender y celebrar de maneras nuevas, profundas y creativas con ustedes en nuestra Conferencia Anual virtual 2021 en junio.  

In Service/En servicio, 

Rev. Mickey T. McCandless 
Conference Secretary/Secretario de la Conferencia

PDF in Spanish
PDF in English

Fresh Expressions Through a Wesleyan Lens

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

A Conversation on Racism

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

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!

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.