Schertz UMC Helps Veterans with PTSD Adopt Dogs

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Schertz UMC hosted a dog adoption event in junction with Operation Battle Buddies on March 26. Operation Battle Buddies is a ministry that provides service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Mrs. Kathy Golliher, who raises Black Labrador retriever dogs, presented 4 puppies that were donated to veterans who have completed an OBB application and are in treatment for their PTSD.

Kathy, in keeping with tradition, named the first litter of puppies in honor of a fallen hero, Cody Board, Private 1st Class, assigned to the Apache Unit 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.  Cody, a friend of Mrs. Golliher's son, was 19 years old when he was killed during deployment to Afghanistan in June 2010.

Cody’s father, Chris, gave a short narrative about his son, sharing that Cody always wanted to join the military to serve his country. As a ministry under Schertz United Methodist Church, Cody’s litter and future litters will be offered to veterans for the treatment of PTSD.

Donations to support this ministry can be sent to Schertz United Methodist Church 3460 Roy Richard Dr., Schertz, Tx. 78154 or schertzumc.com/giving.  

Hill Country District Churches Pack Trailer with Clothes

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The semi wasn’t quite as full this year as it was last year, but the Seventh-day Adventists did have two trucks making the pickups, so the total collection was a bit larger than the last one.

The idea is to collect used clothing for disaster survivors before a disaster occurs, so the Seventh-day Adventists have time to sort, sanitize, package and store each item of clothing in their warehouse in Alvarado, TX. Then, when disaster strikes in or near Texas, they can deliver needed clothing to shelters the next morning.

The idea to do the collection in advance of need started here in Johnson City five years ago, when the First United Methodist Church did a three-day campaign. That has grown since then to include more than 20 Hill Country churches, especially in Johnson City, where participants included First Baptist, First Christian, First UMC, Good Shepherd Catholic, and Trinity Lutheran churches — plus the Red Door resale shop.

“This has grown way beyond just one church or even one denomination,” said Pastor Lee Romero at First United Methodist Church, Johnson City. “And that’s as it should be. The need is too great for one to do alone, and no storm victim has ever asked which church gave them the clean shirt they’re putting on.”

The beneficiaries of people’s generosity include survivors of fires, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, and not just in Texas. The Adventists’ trucks have carried donations as far as New York following 2012 Hurricane Sandy. 

“This past year, most of your clothes went to Louisiana,” recalled driver Dale Janes. “We made many trips over there for the terrible flooding they had across south Louisiana, and then again when the tornado went through New Orleans.”

The Adventists remarked that of all their collections, this is the one that consistently produces the most clothing, as well as the highest quality. 

The trailer also made stops at Rio Texas Churches Center Point UMC and Boerne UMC (pictured above). 

Other Rio Texas churches participating in this year's drive: 

  • Bertram UMC
  • Boerne FUMC
  • Medina Valley UMC, Castroville
  • Center Point UMC
  • Gaddis Memorial UMC, Comfort
  • Fredericksburg UMC
  • Highland Lakes UMC
  • Hondo UMC
  • Johnson City FUMC
  • St. Paul UMC, Kerrville
  • Lakehills UMC
  • Northshore UMC
  • San Marcos FUMC
  • Wimberley UMC
  • Yancey UMC
  • St Luke UMC, Austin
  • Burnet FUMC
  • Cross Tracks UMC, Liberty Hill

It is, appropriately for a church-based campaign, a marriage made in heaven.

The following article was written by Mr. George Barnette

UMNS: Churches, ministries see fear over immigration policy

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Photo courtesy of umns

Photo courtesy of umns

Abel Vega, Director of Outreach Vitality at the Rio Texas Mission Vitality Center, Rev. John Feagins, Pastor of La Trinidad United Methodist Church in San Antonio, and other members of the Rio Texas Annual Conference were recently featured in a piece from United Methodist News Service.

The piece from Sam Hodges of the United Methodist News Service highlights the complexities of how the immigration overhaul affects the San Antonio-region that is 63 percent Hispanic with a number of undocumented immigrants. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE. 

 

A Methodist Border Ministry: Cubanos en la Frontera

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Read more from United Methodist News Service: Offering solidarity to Cubans stuck at border.

Through Holding Institute Community Center in Laredo and in collaboration with the Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, our local partners in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, we are supporting the preparation and serving of hot meals to desperate people on a daily basis. This ministry began in late January and continues now.

Your donations are making a difference in the capacity to purchase grocery items in Mexico such as meat and dairy products, along with hygiene items and supplies for partner kitchens. Rice and beans are being donated by compassionate persons in Mexico.

Rev. Jaser Davila posted these pictures along with his comments on March 3, 2017 from Nuevo Laredo, Texas. The people you see standing in line to receive a hot meal are primarily Cuban refugees who were stranded in Mexico when the USA entry policies for Cubans changed in January.

The current estimate of Cubans in Nuevo Laredo is approaching 1300. Most are sheltered. Churches and other immigrant centers are beyond capacity.

As the Cubans now realize that a crossing into the USA is very unlikely, many are investigating avenues to stay in Mexico and obtain temporary work while pursuing their immigration options in Mexico.

In Nuevo Laredo, our pastor and church partners are continuing to feed the hungry. Several new elements of this ministry are now being revealed that we want to share with you.

First, some of the people in line for food are Mexican. Some are local and some are recently repatriated into Mexico from the USA. As the number of persons being deported from the USA is on the rise, several Mexican cities are the outlets for this repatriation. Nuevo Laredo is one of these cities.

Second, compassion is transforming all of us. Cubans are cooking and sharing in daily tasks in this ministry. A small group of Cubans staying with one pastor partner are now forming a worship team. Another group is accompanying their supporting pastor to feed hungry persons in other parts of Nuevo Laredo.

Third, Christ is being offered in daily living. One of our partner pastors recently shared, “These Cubans were angry when their access to the USA was stopped. Now they are beginning to return to happiness. They are now asking about God and faith.”

Fourth, there is a need for BUNK BEDS in several of our partner locations in Nuevo Laredo. We seek the assembly plans of bunk beds that other border ministries have used in the past. If this caught your attention, pray about this and call me.

This is a very brief update on a very complex situation. Your partnership in ministry is very important to us and we appreciate your donations and your prayers. May God Bless You!

This article was written by Rev. Paul Harris, Pastor at First United Methodist Church, Laredo
If you or someone you know would like to donate Bunk Beds, please contact Rev. Harris at pharris@riotx.org

WANTED: Vehicle for Life in the City Children Ministry

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Life in the City UMC, a new Church start in Austin, is looking for a van or bus to help transport children to the church for worship, Sunday School and a creative arts class.

Once a month, Life in the City goes to the Meadowbrook Apartments down the street from the campus to host a creative arts class. Approximately 30 children from this low-income community participate once a month. Children as young as four and as old as eleven started to ask volunteers for rides to the church because they wanted to participate in worship services.

“We do music on Sunday morning for them. Then pull-out chapel time during the sermon,” said Rev. Val Sansing. “We feed them too. There’s a lot of food issues with kids in these situations. We’re very conscious to give them good nutrition. We send them home with a sack-lunch as well.”

Life in the City hopes to expand this outreach mission with a donated bus or van, or one at the lowest price possible. The church realizes that the larger financial burden will be paying for the insurance.

Diverse Hispanic, White, African American and Muslim children are expected to receive blessings from this ministry as the program grows. Currently, 3-5 volunteers drive their own vehicles to Meadowbrooks to pick up the children. Life in the City realizes that the only way this ministry will continue expand is with a donated vehicle.  

If you would like to donate your church’s unused vehicle, please contact Rev. Val Sansing at 512-963-1631.

 

 

 

Disaster Response Teams Respond to Tornado Damage in San Antonio

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Antonio Garcia was picking up the remains of his backyard north of San Antonio, full of broken fences and collapsed trees, when someone from the Rio Texas Disaster Response team came and offered to put tarps on the roof of his home in the anticipation of future rainfall. Mr. Garcia told the team he could not afford to install the tarp. He was delighted when the team told Mr. Garcia there would be no charge.

We always need Early Response teams! Get your training at this link. 

Are you and your team ready to be deployed? Contact Eugene Hileman at aehileman@riotexas.org

Youth Set Free by Christ at Midwinter

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214 youth representing 18 congregations attended the Coastal Bend and El Valle District Midwinter at Camp Zephyr on Feb. 10-12. The youth participated in a variety of activities, including a ropes course, yaga balls, archery tag as well as a gymnasium to play various sports.

The retreat’s theme was “SET FREE” from John 8:26. Worship and praise was supplied by Rev. Paul Allan and the youth band All4Him. Rev. Bill Duke also spoke to the youth and stressed how Christ sets us free from sin. Richie Reitmann and Veronica Dillon spoke to the young Christians.

“The retreat was important because it helps youth understand that they are not alone,” said Rev. Linda Marrow. “They are able to make new Christian friends both youth and adults to walk with and talk with allowing them to live daily FREE to be those who love themselves, love others and love God.”

Lake Travis UMC Hosts Forum After Mosque Fire

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Lake Travis United Methodist Church hosted an interfaith forum on January 15 after the nearby construction of the Lake Travis Islamic Center burned to the ground on the morning of January 7. 250-300 people attended the forum for a time of prayer and community building. Jewish, Islamic, Christian and secular groups were present.

Rev. Laura Walters of the Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis and Dr. Rehman Siddiqi of the Islamic Center reached out to Rev. Ray Kiser of LTUMC because of the size of their facilities, and asked if a forum could take place. Since then, the Lake Travis communities have been offering their support for the Lake Travis Islamic Center.

“The purpose of the forum was to share concerns for the Islamic Center and the Islamic Center to let the community know more about who they are,” said Rev. Kiser. “It was an opportunity for us to reach out to the larger community to share in fellowship and prayer, as well as make new acquaintances.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives have not reached any conclusion about the cause of the fire. Congregants from LTUMC have already started to contribute to the rebuilding of the Islamic Center.

“We continue to pray for peace and stand with each other in solidarity against acts of violence and evil and terror. We continue to offer our hospitality if they so choose to accept that hospitality.”

Click Here to read an article about the interfaith forum from the Austin American Statesman
Click here to watch a video from KXAN 

Responding to Cuban Migrants in Nuevo Laredo

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UMCOR blankets were taken to the Holding Institute [1] as an offering of support for the arrival of Cuban migrants who are on hold in Nuevo Laredo and various parts of Mexico as a result of the January 12th change in policy regarding Cubans seeking asylum in the U.S. - known as “dry foot – wet foot” [2].

A truck in transit from Las Vegas to Laredo carrying donations [3] collected by the Cuban American communities in the Southwest U.S. contacted media outlets in Laredo. The volunteers were looking for assistance in getting the cargo across the border to Nuevo Laredo, where many Cuban immigrants are being held. That news story led them to the Holding Institute. Since then, response has broadened. Additional supplies arrived from Houston and more supplies are expected to arrive this week from Oklahoma and Miami.

Cuban American restaurant entrepreneur Sergio Perez continues to generate national response and support from the Cuban American community, the United Methodist Church and the Methodist Church of Mexico are engaged in conversations on how best to respond. The work of the Methodist Border Friendship Commission [4] is happening in real time. The Commission is defined as the churches of the Rio Texas Conference and the Eastern Conference of the Methodist Church of Mexico – located essentially within 25 miles on each side of the U.S. / Mexico border.

As the Methodist Churches in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo respond through receiving, sorting, and delivering relief supplies to the need-at-hand; First United Methodist Church, Laredo is coordinating logistics with the nearby Baptist church in providing daily meals and whatever assistance is needed. There is consideration of Connecting with the Mexican legal community to offer insight to this situation because the Cuban refugees are limited in the time they may stay in Mexico. The Cuban immigrants are not being allowed entry into the U.S. prior to the policy change. At some point, they may be facing possible deportation back to Cuba. If that may be the case, many expressed fears that they face even hardships in Cuba upon their return [5], [6], & [7].       

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

This response effort is fluid. As more supplies arrive to FUMC, Laredo, they are working to organize storage in the basement of the church as well as storage units in the church’s parking lot. At the moment, the following support is needed over the next 30 days.

  • Volunteer Teams are needed to help organize the donations received in preparation to take donations over to Nuevo Laredo trip-by-trip.
  • A long-term volunteer(s) is needed now for the month of February to serve as a logistics coordinator at FUMC, Laredo. The church has RV connections on the premises if that is helpful to potential volunteers. This could be a response of long-term volunteers who may be able to stay for the month or a series of volunteers staying weekly.
  • PRAY for a just resolution to this situation and pray for all who wait upon the Lord. PRAY for your part in this ministry along with the other volunteers.
  • GIVE MONEY to First UMC, Laredo “Finding A Way” Designated Account to help with storage, utilities, cash for food and hygiene items that must be purchased, detergent, fuel for transporting hot meals, calling cards, labor, etc.

NOTE: Clothes or bedding is not needed those are only allowed in small personal use amounts and must be new. It is asked that anyone crossing aid over to Nuevo Laredo should be coordinated through the Holding Institute. 

To offer and coordinate your support, contact Rev. Paul Harris at 956.436.4255 / blue2dude@hotmail.com. 

District and Conference Visit Border Ministry

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Rev. Robert Lopez and Susan Hellums of El Valle District organized a one-day visit with the Methodist Church of Mexico, in particular to visit the network of ministries through Manos Juntas [Hands Together Ministry – Advance #3020527].

Manos Juntas seeks to address the lack of proper housing, access to schools, and health services affordable to the poor of Mexico. By partnering with different institutions like local churches, schools, the Red Cross, Rotary Clubs; and even local, state, and the federal government; Manos Juntas implements programs that educate, inform, and empower people to make better decisions for their daily life.  

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In Pharr, Texas – A group of El Valle District pastors and District Superintendent Rev. Robert Lopez and Missions Coordinator Susan Hellums pray for the day’s visit to Reynosa and Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Led by Willie Berman, Global Ministries missionary and director of Manos Juntas, the group spent the day visiting the network of ministries in the area responding to community and migrant needs.

Pastor Hector Silva shares about the ministry of Senda de Vida [Life Path], an ecumenical and UMC / Methodist Church of Mexico supported ministry. Senda de Vida receives migrants and refugees who have had an arduous journey through Mexico, many coming from Central America fleeing violence and economic hardships. Some endure violence and robbery on their journey. Senda de Vida is a place of respite where sojourners can stay and be refreshed spiritually and physically. 

At a migratory high point, Senda de Vida has hosted about 500 people. On this day, the Guatamalen men prepare to go to work to restore a home of a family in the neighborhood that burned down. Pastor Hector says that all who are part of this community have gifts to offer. 

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Some migrants look for work in Reynosa while others contemplate going across into the United States. In spite of their journey struggles, having a transitional spiritual home and community of faith brings a sense of joy and comfort.  After hearing a testimony of one of the sojourners, Rev. Lopez offers a prayer for all on the journey and gives thanks for this ministry. "The border is a complex and unique place, I do not pretend to understand it all but it was a humbling experience to offer prayers of comfort to the men, women, and children housed at Senda de Vida ministry in northern Mexico."

Willie Berman speaks about one of the clinics under the direction of Manos Juntas. Rio Bravo offers affordable healthcare services for the community under Centro Medico. All medical staff are indigenous with the exception of those coming from the U.S. offering specialized services.

Manos Juntas engages in the UMC outreach effort In Mission Together [1]. It strives for mutual partnerships with the communities and the congregations of the Methodist Church of Mexico and the UMC. Likewise, Rio Texas churches are engaging in ministry in the colonias [2] on the U.S. side as well ecumenical collaboration responses in offering hospitality to refugees arriving weekly [3].

To capture this border reality in person via a ministry exploration site visits, contact Susan Hellums of El Valle District at 956.648.8509 / shellums@mcfirst.com and Willie Berman of Manos Juntas at 956.648.8712 / wberman@prodigy.net.mx.

This article was written by Abel Vega, Director of Outreach Vitality, Mission Vitality Center, Rio Texas Conference, United Methodist Church

 

NOTES

[1] http://www.umcmission.org/Get-Involved/Partnerships/In-Mission-Together    

[2] colonia = In the United States, colonias are unregulated settlements that began to emerge with the advent of informal housing. Colonias are considered semi-rural subdivisions of substandard housing lacking basic physical infrastructure, potable water, sanitary sewage, and adequate roads.

[3] https://riotexas.org/news/2016/12/14/our-context-for-refugee-immigration-and-border-ministries

Bracken UMC Serves Need with Food Drive

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Over 160 families living outside the San Antonio city limits were greeted by men, women and children volunteers from Schertz, Texas’ Bracken United Methodist Church on November 23 at Pickrill Park. For approximately five years, Bracken UMC has been working with the San Antonio Food Bank to provide food for families living near the intersection of three Texas counties: Bexar, Guadalupe and Comal.

“[San Antonio] Food bank was having trouble meeting needs people in outlying zip code area,” said Rev. Chris Bistline of Bracken UMC. “We heard of the need through our Wesley Nurse at the time. People became passionate and started contributing specifically so we can have need met in our own community.”

The once-a-month Bracken UMC food drive, in cooperation with the San Antonio Food Bank, has been growing steadily over the years. They have been serving around 120 families for the past 24 months.

The recent Thanksgiving Holiday brought more families in need, and the school holiday brought more volunteers.

“Usually these people [picking up food at the drive] are just like you and me except they are working two or three jobs; and aren’t able to feed children,” said Rev. Bistline. “We’re passionate about helping serve this need.”

Volunteers like Barbara Gordy are also passionate about “serving this need,” for people living north of San Antonio.

“We’re the hands of Christ,” said Gordy. “We don’t advertise who we are. They see that we are Christian and that we are here [for them]. We actually are Christ in a sense.” 

Valley Praise UMC Hosts Second Pilgrimage to New Campus

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The congregants at Valley Praise UMC in Harlingen walked, cycled, pushed strollers, and drove 10.5 miles to their new campus on October 29. Waiting at the former site of Santa Rosa UMC, volunteers prepared a community pancake breakfast. This is the church’s second pilgrimage to a new campus in two years. 

Valley Praise started as a New Church Start in 2010. They have expanded their campus twice now. They started at a local elementary school, and then moved to a building on Jefferson in 2014. Over 100 people attended that pilgrimage in December 2014. Since then, they have added two licensed local pastors and three worship services. They later found the former Santa Rosa UMC to be implemented as Valley Praise Santa Rosa Campus. 

“Our vision is to develop our Harlingen Campus into the epicenter from which sites may be connected to,” said Senior Pastor Rev. Aaron Saenz. “As far as necessity, we believe that it is our call and our mission to grow and reach more and new people with and for the Gospel of Christ.  In our eyes, expansion is about us living into the necessary call of Christ.”

Campus Ministry Hosts Religion & Politics Forum on Election Day

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San Antonio United Methodist Campus Ministry hosted a forum at San Antonio College called "How Politics Influences Religion" on Election Day 2016, November 8. Represented were Sister Patricia Connolly, Counselor at St. Vincent de Paul; Mehmet Oguz, San Antonio Dialogue Institute of the Southwest; Rabbi Marina Yergin, Temple Beth-El; and Rev. Ben Trammell, University UMC, San Antonio. 

This forum was in partnership with Texas Public Radio's #DareToListen Campaign. 

idaretolisten.org

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Celebrates Las Misiones Outreach

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Colonial Hills UMC NOVA Sunday School took home the "Friend of Wesley" Award. 

Colonial Hills UMC NOVA Sunday School took home the "Friend of Wesley" Award. 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries celebrated two Las Misiones churches during a Thursday, Nov. 3 Family Wellness Programs banquet at the Wesley Health and Wellness Center in San Antonio.  Colonial Hills UMC received the “Friend of Wesley” award for their NOVA Sunday Schools’ efforts in assisting a family in need. 

The Sunday School class met the family during an annual Christmas outreach effort.

“When members of the Sunday School class delivered their gifts to the family they adopted through the Wesley Health and Wellness Center Meld program, a large, loving, multigenerational family with two special needs children, the NOVA class observed that the home appeared to be in great need of repair,” said Senior Pastor Rev. Diana Philips.

The class determined household repairs needed to include a lack of a working toilet. The class paid for a plumber to fix the issue. Other repairs that the class worked on included a leaky roof and no working hot water or electric stove.

Las Misiones District Superintendent Rev. Carl Rohlfs with Ignacia Ballesteros, recipient of the 2016 Child Care Provider of the Year Award." 

Las Misiones District Superintendent Rev. Carl Rohlfs with Ignacia Ballesteros, recipient of the 2016 Child Care Provider of the Year Award." 

“As the NOVA Sunday School class moves forward in their partnership with this family, they continue to keep in constant consideration the respect for dignity that should always be foremost in one’s heart,” said Philips.

According to MHM, the Friend of Wesley award honors individuals or organizations that “has made significant contributions toward strengthening families by advocating for children and their families.”

Also recognized at the banquet, Ignacia Ballesteros of El Buen Samaritano UMC received the “2016 Child Care Provider of the Year Award.”

 

 

Bethany UMC Consecrates new Worship Center and Celebrates 40 Years

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Bethany United Methodist Church, Austin celebrated several special events on Sunday, October 16. The church consecrated their new Worship Center and celebrated 40 years as a body of Christ. 
 
Bishop J. Michael Lowry, bishop of the Central Texas Conference and former Bethany pastor, came back to preach a sermon. They also consecrated their financial commitments for 2017, and joined together in fellowship with a special brunch.
 
Special guests also included District Superintendent of the Capital District Rev. Teresa Welborn, charter members, and former pastors. The services included the chancel choir and praise band, as well as the orchestra and handbell choir. 

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Northern Hills UMC Celebrates Groundbreaking of Ministry Center

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Northern Hills United Methodist Church, San Antonio celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony of their new Ministry Center.

The church saw an opportunity to convert the old warehouse that sat across the street located next to a bus stop as the perfect opportunity for an outreach ministry.

The church, as well as Methodist Health Ministries and the Texas Diaper Bank, hope to reach middle-to-low income residents on a daily basis to figure out the needs of the local community.

Distinguished guests attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Check out what San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor had to say about the Ministry Center below

Check out what District Superintendent Carl Rohlfs had to say about the Ministry Center below.

Check out what Mel Amick from the Texas Diaper Bank said. 

 

 

McAllen UMC's Reach Out to Community

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Check out this slideshow of El Divino Redentor UMC, St. Mark's UMC and First UMC McAllen serve their communities! 

The first half features El Divino Redentor UMC and their food pantry, and the second video shows all three churches participating in the SOS "Save our Schools" program to help beautify schools in the McAllen ISD! 

Special thank you to Carlos Hinojosa for providing the videos!

Letter from Conference Lay Leader: Focus on Laity Leadership

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As we move into this season of church and charge conferences, there are congregations that welcome this time of year as an opportunity to celebrate what a year of successes and eagerly plan for the future. However, far too many of our churches reluctantly enter this season, seeing it as a struggle to come to grips with a year of failures past and a questionable year to come.

“Our church could do so much better, if only the Bishop would send us a better pastor!” After more than two decades serving the United Methodist Church, I have encountered this concern more than that of any other. Even the absolute best pastors offer no guarantee that his or her presence will be the sole remedy for a marginal or struggling church!

Time and time again, I have seen pastors who seemingly “failed” at one church move on to another congregation and helped to turn a dying church into a thriving congregation. Conversely, I have witnessed formerly successful pastors totally flop at a new church!

During my career in the military, I stressed to those under me the importance of NOT designating a “most important person” in an organization…and this includes the church! Whether it is the pastor, lay leader, or even the music director, every part of the Body of Christ is of critical value. The scriptures remind us of the unity of the Body and the value of its various components. We, the Church, have need in every part…lay, as well as clergy! And, I portend that any church that fails to understand this simple fact will not reach its full potential.

Pssst…. Just in case you are wondering, there are, indeed, pastors who say, “I could do so much better, if only the Bishop would send me to a better church!”

Our pastors (as wells district superintendents and bishops) bring with them the components of preaching and teaching the Word, providing pastoral care and counsel, administering the sacraments, and ordering the life of the church for service in mission and ministry. The ministry of the laity is the work of mission or ministry to which each believer is called. As Christians we are all called to this ministry or priesthood – not just clergy. Each of us has a responsibility to proclaim the Good News and reach out to others in love.

To that end, I challenge all of our churches to create or expand opportunities for laity of all ages to train for and function in roles of leadership and service in worship, discipleship, Christian formation, administration, evangelism, and ministry. I am certain that EVERY congregation has a wealth of untapped gifts and graces that are just waiting for the opportunity to make a difference!

Accordingly, the Lay Leadership Team of the Rio Texas Board of Laity has adopted a 2017 focus of helping to equip, empower, and challenge our laity to be more proactive and effective as true disciples of Jesus Christ…and not merely “church-goers”. It is our vision that, through the opportunities that we’ll present to the laity, every church in the Rio Texas Annual Conference will be much better prepared to face the 2017 church/charge conference season with celebration and hope! 

This letter was written by Ralph Thompson, Lay Leader for the Rio Texas Conference