A Message Regarding Migrant Deaths in San Antonio

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Our hearts are broken over the news from San Antonio last night of the deaths of at least 50 migrants, with more hospitalized. The mass loss of life in our state, including children, yet again is overwhelming to process. We grieve their loss and will continue to work for justice through our United Methodist connection. Hebrews 13:12 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Our conference and church have a long history of working with partners throughout the connection and the border to provide safe and welcoming places of care and dignity. Clearly, there is much more work to accomplish. I am grateful for the ministries like Corazon Ministries at Travis Park Church, under the leadership of Pastor Gavin Rogers, who works directly with our migrant community.

Pastor Gavin states, “At least fifty lives were lost in San Antonio! Dear God, hold everyone close. Words cannot express the hurt our region has felt over the last weeks. At this tragic time, we stand and support our migrant siblings seeking to find better lives. The lives lost in a trailer in San Antonio is devastating and our hearts grieve with every family affected. May we all find the compassion and grace to continue to care for migrants in ways all are honored and respected. Our prayers extend to all at the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services, city leaders in San Antonio District four, Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, and Mayor Ron Nirenberg during this time. We also pray for the Corazon migrant overnight staff for caring for our siblings each night in our basement so that some have a chance of safety.” 

Our United Methodist social principles remind us that, “We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.”

I pray for the families and first responders and for all who have experienced loss and pain from this tragedy. I pray we continue to work towards justice so that these kinds of occurrences will not happen again. Lord, in your mercy, hear our pain and prayers.

 

Bishop Robert Schnase
Resident Bishop
Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church

A Message Regarding the Robb Elementary School Shooting

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“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!

Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church announce new appointment of Director position

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2022

Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church announce new appointment of Director position

New appointee succeeds Rev. Mickey McCandless after more than a decade of service

Rev. Aaron Gonzalez

March 15, 2022 (San Antonio, TX): Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas and the Rio Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church announces the appointment of Rev. Dr. Aaron A. Gonzalez to the role of director of church connections and spiritual care at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The appointment comes after the current director Rev. Mickey McCandless—who served in the position for over a decade—announced his plans to retire later this June.

“We celebrate Rev. McCandless for the faithful service he has provided to both the Rio Texas Conference and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. His leadership within both institutions has been instrumental,” said Bishop Robert Schnase. “Rev. McCandless has paved a solid foundation for Rev. Gonzalez to embark upon as he steps into this new role. We look forward to continuing the good works Mickey was so pivotal in shaping with the Rio Texas Conference with Aaron.”

Rev. Mickey McCandless

Rev. Gonzalez currently serves as Pastor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. He joined the organization in 2015 under Rev. McCandless’ leadership. In his current role, Rev. Gonzalez provides pastoral care and counseling for all team members and to patients and clients served at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ primary care clinics. As Director, Rev. Gonzalez will serve as a member of the organization’s executive team and primary liaison to Rio Texas Conference. Prior to joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Rev. Gonzalez served as Pastor at Resurrection United Methodist Church and Shepherd’s Gate Community Church in San Antonio.

“We at MHM have been incredibly blessed to have had Rev. McCandless’ counsel and fellowship for the last ten years,” stated Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ CEO Jaime Wesolowski. “The work he has done to strengthen our organizational culture and the connections we have to the faith community across all denominations in South Texas has been invaluable, and we feel incredibly fortunate that Rev. Gonzalez will step into this role and continue building up our ministries in all the communities we serve.”

According to Wesolowski, the director of church connections & spiritual care position is distinct within the organization as it is appointed by the Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference.

“The collaboration with the Bishop is exceptional and underscores the importance of our connection to the church,” stated Wesolowski.

For 27 years Methodist Healthcare Ministries has created access to care for the underserved in South Texas through direct services, public policy analysis and research, strategic grantmaking and community partnerships. Its history goes back much further to 1955 when the former Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church established a charter creating the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital—that hospital would eventually become Methodist Hospital. Later in 1995 the Methodist Hospital’s Board of Trustees formed a 50-50 partnership between HCA Healthcare which created the Methodist Healthcare System. The hospital’s board of trustees also transformed into the Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ board of directors which continues to operate under the first charter issued by the former Southwest Texas Conference [now known as the Rio Texas Conference], as amended.

Bishop Schnase underscored the importance of the relationship. “The ministries which have been made possible for the least served in communities across South Texas through the pastors and churches within the Rio Texas Conference that work alongside Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a tribute to the promise John Wesley asked us as faithful followers of Christ to make. Truly through our shared history and connection, we are doing all the good we can in all the ways we can. I know Rev. Gonzalez has a servant leader’s heart and through his leadership within the Conference—and certainly in his new role at Methodist Healthcare Ministries—will be marked by grace and love for Christ at the center of his work.”

Rio Texas Conference Announces Interim Communication Consultant

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Mary Catherine Phillips

(San Antonio, TX) – Bishop Robert Schnase is pleased to announce an interim communication consultant for the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Mary Catherine Phillips, current director of communications for the Alabama-West Florida (AWF) Conference, will serve in this role on a contractual basis. Phillips has served in this capacity in the AWF Conference for eleven years and will continue that responsibility.

“Mrs. Phillips was highly recommended to me from a trusted colleague and coach, and I am delighted that she will join our team,” said Bishop Schnase. “She is a life-long United Methodist and understands the challenges and opportunities in our denomination. Her primary duty will be assisting me with critical communications pieces, but I also anticipate she will offer a fresh perspective to our overall communications plans. While she will be working for two conferences, I am confident she will be able to give us both the attention we need to effectively communicate our mission and priorities. We welcome her into our Rio Texas family and offer her our prayers and support.”

Mary Catherine is a graduate of Methodist-affiliated Birmingham-Southern College and has worked for a national publisher and a regional advertising agency before her tenure at the Alabama-West Florida Conference. She received her on-boarding certification in 2017 and was awarded “Communicator of the Year” from United Methodist Communications in 2019. Her communications team has been honored with multiple awards the past eleven years for their creative and inspiring work.

Phillips resides in Montgomery, AL, with her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Mary Catherine is an active member at First United Methodist Church, Montgomery and in her community. She enjoys walking, Crimson Tide sports, traveling and antique shopping.