Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
A Message Regarding the Robb Elementary School Shooting
/“Our hearts are broken for the people of Uvalde, Texas. We are devastated over the multiple lives lost during the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School. We mourn those who died today and fervently pray for the families of the victims and surround the larger community of Uvalde in prayer. We have been in touch with our own Rev. Steve Peyton and are grateful for his presence and the presence of other clergy on the ground. We are grateful for those who care for the wounded and care for the families. More details will come forth, and we know more will need to be done, but for now the grief is indescribable and deeply painful. Lord have mercy; hear our prayers.”
Robert Schnase
Bishop
Rio Texas & New Mexico Annual Conferences
Delegate Do's and Don'ts for Annual Conference
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Each local United Methodist congregation elects a Lay Delegate, or Lay Delegates, to represent the church at Annual Conference. This election took place at your Charge Conference, for most churches that was in the fall of 2021. The form in your Charge Conference packet should have been returned to the Conference Secretary as outlined in the instructions on the bottom of the form.
Since these are elected positions, a church cannot just decide to send someone else. Lay Delegates must be elected at a Charge Conference. That is why churches are asked to also elect an Alternate Delegate. So, if First UMC elects Jane to serve as Delegate and John to serve as Alternate Delegate and Jane cannot attend, the pastor can notify the Conference Secretary in writing (npyle@riotexas.org) that John will be serving in place of Jane. However, if both Jane and John decide on June 6 to fly to Africa for a mission trip on June 7, First UMC will not have the time to hold a Called Charge Conference and elect a new delegate. No Lay Delegate will represent First UMC at Annual Conference 2022.
In much the same way, District At Large Delegates are elected by the districts. Alternates can be last minute substitutions, but new names cannot be added without an election.
A previous Unidos article outlining FAQ’s about Lay Delegates can be found here
Thank you for planning ahead to make sure your congregation is represented at Annual Conference 2022!
Monday Morning Reflections - Borders
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Bishop Schnase filmed this video at the border of El Paso and Juarez, Mexico. He discusses various considerations about borders including the idea that Jesus was the ultimate border crosser.
Read MoreMonday Morning Reflections - Children are Verbs
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I just watched all this motion and all of us were enjoying the moment, all of us who've had children and grandchildren. I was reminded of someone who once told me, “children are verbs.”
Read MoreMonday Morning Reflections - Easter Monday
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Breathe deeply. Spend some time with your family. Have dinner with a friend. Take a walk. Put your feet up. Rest. You need to experience some of the new life and renewal you have been preaching or teaching to others over this last week. Thank you for all that you do.
Read MoreMonday Morning Reflections - Cross
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What struck me so deeply is how, if we're not careful, we celebrate with palm leaves and children: the Palm Sunday. And then a week later, we have Easter and the Easter celebrations and the Resurrection. But what struck me is how little attention we sometimes give to the reality of Jesus’ suffering and death.
Read MoreMonday Morning Reflections - Gifts
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“What is the gift that has been given to you? What is it that you have received that must be passed along and move through you? You have been given a gift that has been cultivated and shaped by hundreds of people throughout your life and thousands of experiences…”
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