EDI Conference in Chicago

Written by Miguel Padilla

CHICAGO — One of my frequent Bible verses I use to open Sunday worship, or a church gathering, is Matthew 18:20. For me it is a reminder that it is a holy time when two or three gather to pray, to holy conference, or worship. However, I think it is an appropriate verse for the time I spent in Chicago October 23-26.

I was appointed this past July to be the EDI Conference Staff of the Rio Texas Conference. Soon after I was appointed, Bishop Laura Merrill and Rev. Ronald Henderson (from North Texas Conference) connected me to a monthly Zoom gathering with other conference coordinators. They were planning to meet in Chicago to share what they were doing and what roadblocks they had encountered. This group is made of recently appointed, like me, and few with more experience in their positions. I was invited to be part of a National gathering for Conference coordinators who deal with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in their respective Conferences. It was the first time for me, first time for the group, and the first time of a meeting of this type.

One day before my flight to Chicago I received an email from the organizer Amania Drane, a lay person from Northern Illinois Conference, asking that if we arrive early in the morning to participate in an event happening in the historic St. Paul AME Church at Glencoe, Ill. The North Illinois Conference anti-racism team had a series of training sessions with North Shore UMC (NSUMC), a predominant Anglo congregation, early in the year.

The closing remark of Dr. Richard Guzman, leader and facilitator from the Anti-racism team, at the last session was “Now that you have done some work, please do not do anything. Please reflect, listen, seek relationships with minority groups, support and advocate.”

As a result of this training and following Dr. Richard’s advice, the members from NSUMC started conversations and fellowship with St. Paul AME. After both congregations worshiped, ate, and got to know each other, both churches led a local campaign to include the history of the church and the African American community’s presence and contribution to Glencoe community in the local museum.

The day I arrived at Chicago, they gathered at St. Paul. The leaders from both congregations and city authorities participated. St. Paul’s members shared personal stories about their experience growing up in the church and in the community. They expressed how the St. Paul community helped them find their identity and equipped them to thrive because St. Paul leaders exposed community members to faith, arts, education and mentors.

They also raised the question about the reduction of people of color in the neighborhood. They challenged the church and government to find a way to make Glencoe more welcoming for people of color, to create a support system for small business owners who are people of color, and recruit and offer good salaries to people of color in education and public service.

The mayor’s secretary and a few council members present at the event set dates to come up with an action plan on the demands from the members of these two churches and invited them to be part of those conversations.

For me personally, it was a holy moment to witness how people of faith working together can bring new possibilities and create access to those who otherwise are put aside or ignored. I am pretty sure the journey that led to this point wasn’t easy or pleasant. They probably had to confront their prejudices and misconceptions. There were probably some uncomfortable stories. But because they gathered and allowed their faith become their common ground, we were—at this moment at St. Paul church—witnessing the work of God and his disciples in action.

The next two days, the conference coordinators spent time visiting FUMC in Chicago, where we had conversations with some members of the Anti-Racism Task force of the conference. They shared their work and experiences. We visited Garret Evangelical Seminary and learned about the University as well as the efforts they were making to offer more flexible and inclusive classes. The Dean and staff shared their desire to close the gap between Academy and local church. They were planning record videos that local leaders could easily access.

They were also contemplating the possibility of bringing voices from Central America, Africa, or other parts of the world to enrich the theological conversation. We gathered via Zoom with the leadership from GCORR and people doing EDI working around the country. We talked about Youth ministry and EDI. We learned from each other and shared experiences. It helps to know that there are others who are willing to cooperate in order to expand God’s kingdom.

That is why I said the verse from Matthew has more relevance for me. It reminds me that when two or three gather to pray, to have conversation, to work and cooperate in God’s presence, His Kingdom is proclaimed to everyone. While I enjoy having partners in ministry and a wealth of wisdom, the most impactful moment was when I witnessed in St. Paul AME Church the possibility of God’s disciples working on their faith while they impact the lives of many families. May we be willing to do the hard work—not because it is good or feels good but because it is our call. We welcome God’s presence in our communities.

2022 Harvest Sunday Special Offering - Sunday, November 6, 2022

Used by Permission Buda United Methodist Church Food Pantry

“In 2021, 53 million people turned to food banks and community programs for help putting food on the table.” https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america.

Since 2011, Feeding America has conducted an annual Map the Meal Gap study to improve our understanding of food insecurity and food costs at the local level. To learn more about hunger in areas of the Rio Texas conference and your own community visit: https://map.feedingamerica.org/.

Support the work in our Districts and through global ministry advance projects by participating in the 2022 Harvest Sunday Offering on Sunday November 6, 2022, however, participation may occur at any time throughout the month of November. Offerings should be sent directly to your local church through online giving, or by check. Remember to designate that your gift is for “Harvest Sunday” and all remittances returned to the Conference office by the end of the first week of December.

Your Harvest Sunday Gift in 2022 will be allocated as follows:

1. 1/3 of proceeds shall be allocated for hunger initiative projects along the Texas-Mexico border areas that are 2 situated, and served within the El Valle, Hill Country, Las Misiones, and West Districts.

2. 1/3 of proceeds shall be returned to participating districts. Funds shall be distributed, in consultation with district 5 mission committees, and the District Superintendent, focusing on projects that promote nourishment and well-being of 6 our brothers and sisters.

3. 1/3 of proceeds shall be equally allocated among the following 5 Global Ministry Advance Projects also focusing 8 on nourishment, well-being, and economic empowerment.

   1. Advance #3021566 Indigenous Women Vegetable Gardening and Leadership Project Guatemala

   2. Advance #07629A Give Ye Them To Eat - Mexico

   3. Advance #2016 Rio Texas Methodist Border Friendship Commission

   4. Advance #1428 El Valle District Border Refugee Ministries

   5. Advance #1530 Mission Border Hope

I thank all of you in our conference who work so hard and those who give. You make the difference.

Diana Woods, Harvest Sunday Coordinator

Deaconess, Rio Texas Conference

Rio Texas Creation Care Cohort Begins September 2022

Fire and Freeze

Floods and Droughts

Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Our congregations are being increasingly harmed by extreme weather events. When our congregations were threatened by COVID-19, we did whatever was needed to keep our people safe. How are we responding to the rapidly changing climate?

While politicians, activists, economists, and scientist debate the climate crisis, the church remains remarkably silent. And yet we know according to Paul in Romans that “creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Romans 8:19-23).

Our first commandment before the fall was to care for creation. Like the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Luke 20:9-16), we were given dominion over creation (Gen. 1:26) to “till it and keep it” (Gen. 2:16). And like the parable, our sin warped that original call to one of exploitation, greed, and gluttony. The climate has become an outward and visible sign of our sin which creation can no longer bare. The climate crisis is a spiritual crisis, and we will be judged (Rev. 11:18).

While in this fractured world we may not agree on the same response, we are called as faithful disciples to respond to the spiritual crisis at the root of the climate crisis. You are invited to join with others in the Rio Texas Conference to explore ways to respond that are appropriate for you and your congregation. A series of virtual meetings every other month beginning in September will explore the following topics:

1) Using the General Rules, what is the correct response in my context?

2) What is the scriptural basis for a spiritual response to climate change?

3) What resources are available for preaching and teaching a spiritual response?

4) What traditional spiritual practices can be used for a faith response?

5) What opportunities are available to engage my church and my community in a response?

If you are interested in joining a cohort that will meet virtually from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on the second Thursday of the month (September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8, 2022 and January 12, 2023)  to explore these questions, please email Rev. Mark Brechin at revbrechin@gmail.com.

Participants will be invited to join the Rio Texas Creation Care Team as together we spiritually respond to this climate crisis threatening all of us.

Register via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/343232958017

Bulverde UMC Blesses Classrooms

Bulverde UMC was invited to "anoint classrooms " in the Comal Independent School District. Teachers were allowed to have their room blessed by church members.

Here's is a description of the experience by Rev Hannah Hedgepeth:

"We were able to deliver 11 blessing baskets to our local schools and go into 7 schools where we were given a list of classrooms to pray over and anoint. It is truly a blessing to be able to love on our community. The Holy Spirit took over and gave us the words that the teachers needed to hear, many had tears from the blessing and were given peace, and desks were anointed that later the teacher mentioned - that’s the exact student that needs prayers. We prayed for protection for each and every school and that God’s love would be felt. I’m not sure our total number of classrooms and offices anointed, but it would be well over 250."

Written by Las Misiones District Superintendent Rev. Greg Hackett

Word of Gratitude Regarding Annual Conference 2022

I want to compliment all of you on our recent session of Annual Conference. I have to admit that I had reservations about going to McAllen. I did not enjoy the drive, but the facilities were excellent. The accommodations were actually more convenient than other places we have used. The staffing at the Convention Center, as well as the hotels, were top notch and highly appreciated. The Learn & Serve Mission experiences on Friday morning received high marks from my delegates. Several of them found those experiences very eye-opening. We had some really good conversations around those and I won’t be surprised to hear that continuing…

Worship was great and I enjoyed it. Valley Praise – what can I say? – they were outstanding. Can we get them back? Having the full band there really rounded out the sound. I enjoyed them every time. Then, there was the choir from Edinburg FUMC. Simply amazing. They, literally, had people tearing up when they sang “I Will Rise.” Rev. Paul Escamilla’s ordination sermon was outstanding. He touched all our hearts. For the first time in a number of years, it seemed like the technical aspects all worked well. There may have been a few slips, but nowhere near what I have seen in past years. Kudos to whomever was running with that…

This was my 41st Annual Conference. The thought that we might be dividing brings a great sadness to my heart. But if we have to do that, doing so in love and appreciation—instead of acrimony—will ease a lot of the pain that many of us are feeling. Please hear my deep appreciation and love for each of you. This is what true leadership, under duress, should look like.

Be Blessed,
Tom Deviney
Lead Pastor
Bethany UMC
Austin, TX

Annual Conference is More than a Business Meeting

In a recent conversation with a lay person from another denomination, I asked the question, “So, how would you compare your church today to what it was a year ago?” After a short pause, her answer was, “Oh, about the same.”

I must admit that I was not particularly surprised about her response, as I hear it time and time again. Being established members of established churches, it is easy for us to fall into the “routine” of doing church that we slowly drift away from joy of being the Church. Especially when we are consumed with everything from the order of worship to meetings and ministries being on strict schedules, our world view can become constrained to tunnel vision by all of the “tasks” of doing church.

So, I asked, “Have you lost members during the past year?” “Yes,” she replied. “Have you gained any members?” “Yes.” “Has anything significant changed in the community surrounding your church?” “A new housing complex opened,” she said. I continued with several other questions, until she said, “I think you are about to make a point, aren’t you?”

“It seems that your mission field, your resources, and your possibilities may have constantly changed without you even realizing it.”

For many of us, the Church is in suspended animation, as we wait for some form of legislation to tell us where we should go next. Micah 6:8 informs us about next steps, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

The current fragility of a great number of our congregations, when combined with the hindrances of the pandemic and the stagnation of ministries while awaiting GC2024, just might leave congregations ineffective beyond 2024. What can congregations do to prepare for whatever the future of the United Methodist Church holds?

I am excited about the opportunities that our upcoming Annual Conference gathering will give us to realize the urgencies that persist in our mission fields TODAY. I pray that clergy and lay attendees will return to their congregations with renewed energy and the desire to revitalize, create, and expand their missional footprints and be the Church where and when it is needed…here and now!

I ask all who attend Annual Conference to participate in the excursions, take photos, ask questions, and make notes. Look and see if you are inspired to seek out opportunities for justice and mercy ministries while at McAllen. Exchange ideas and form alliances with others as you seek and offer resources for the greater good.

Annual Conference is not merely a business meeting. It is an opportunity to build up the Body of Christ in this mission field we call the Rio Texas Annual Conference. I hope to see you there!

Ralph Thompson
Conference Lay Leader

Edna First UMC Hosts Mid-Winter Retreat for Community

God placed an idea into one faithful servant about Edna First UMC hosting our own Mid-Winter retreat around 2018. We have youth active in athletics. With Friday night basketball games, especially away games, it would be too late when they returned to Edna. The families drove four hours before Mid-Winter church staff received the youth members for the retreat. As an experiment, we hosted our first Mid-Winter retreat in January 2019 with God’s help and the help of the congregation. We invited youth from the community and nearby towns to participate. We have had approximately 30 youth register each year. 

Brackenridge Park is 12 minutes south of Edna. It includes a historic church to worship, cabins to sleep in, facilities to cook and eat, as well as gathering spaces. It has plenty of space to run around, basketball and volleyball courts, space for "capture the flag" or scavenger hunts, and more. The Brackenridge Park staff have been great over the years.  

The church was able to keep the registration fee low-cost by hosting nearby; donating snacks; members providing meals; grants from Formosa Plastics Religious Trust; and church members donating time, talent, and treasure (prayer, plan, preparation, t-shirt design, set up, decorate, registration, worship prep & practice, small group leaders, games leader, cook, clean up, undecorate, pack up, lay speaker to preach on Sunday so the pastor could be at Mid-Winter, etc.). Brackenridge Park is far enough away to feel like we are away making it easier to connect with God, and close enough to send someone to retrieve items from the church campus or purchase items from H-E-B in town. 

We have been blessed for God to be at work through our labor, discipline, and generosity that youth and adults have grown closer to God. Dr. Tanya Campen asked me to write a summary about this experience these last four years that it may inspire or encourage other churches to dream, follow through on God’s prompting, and increase awareness of possibilities that may be closer than you realize. 

Grace & Peace, 

Rev. Kelli Williamson 

First UMC Edna 

Clergy Convocation 2022 Slideshow

TCN Transforms Loaves & Fishes at Universal City UMC

Since incorporating some of the practices and tools learned through Transformational Communities Network (TCN) Trainings, Rev. Cynthia Engstrom, pastor of Universal City United Methodist Church, is seeing a renewed energy active in the congregation. Members are saying, “There is a spark! There’s a buzz!” 

Sara Holland, coordinator for Universal City’s TCN team, appreciates that the TCN approach of building on what you have and making small, incremental changes that will lead to deeper community engagement and connection.

Building upon a pre-COVID Wednesday night supper, the Universal City TCN team launched Summer Suppers. The old Wednesday night suppers catered to church members; which a modest attendance of 25 people. It required reservations and fees for dinner. Opportunities to work in the kitchen were restricted to a handful of volunteers who had performed this function for years.

The TCN team sparked the imagination of the church by asking, “how can we adapt this inward focused dinner to become a time that welcomes the community?” Could the congregation re-energize and invite more people to participate through their acts of service? 

The Summer Suppers has taken off with over 100 people in attendance. Families from the community are attending.  The local firefighters are attending. The staff from the local library are attending and helping to invite others. New volunteers are serving with a sense of excitement. New connections are being made. No reservations are needed. No fee is required.

Holland said that there was some angst within the church as these changes were being discussed. Where would the money come from? How would the program break even? Holland and the TCN team invited the congregation to embrace the changes with a “loaves and fishes” vision.   

Rev. Engstrom says, “The reshaped Wednesday dinners were an experiment. The experiment has turned into a regular event that reminds the congregation how to believe in possibility. It is changing every conversation we are having, even at the Governance Board. I recommend TCN to all churches everywhere!”

Holland says that the Summer Suppers has also had a ripple effect on the community. Strangers at the grocery store are recognizing the Summer Supper t-shirts and striking up conversations with church members. More neighborhood youth are finding their way to the church campus, even if it is just to sneak a soda. 

Rev. Engstrom and Holland agree, “We see all of this as an opportunity!”  Where the church once saw scarcity, they now see and trust in God’s abundance. “God just keeps handing us opportunities to connect with our community,” says Rev. Engstrom. 

What’s next? Through the new connections made, the Universal City TCN team sees an opportunity for the church to provide a community art studio. The team is just at the beginning of repurposing an existing church space for the community’s use.

Once again, this TCN team is building on what the church already has and making small, incremental changes that will open more and more opportunities for ministry and connection to the community.

If you’d like to hear directly from Sara Holland, please watch this video talking about the Summer Suppers.

If you’d like to learn more about how your church could get involved with the Transformational Communities Network, please contact Abel Vega at avega@riotexas.org / 210.421.9588.

Justice For All Immigrants - October 28 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

JFAI Executive Director Manne Favor explains the legal immigration services now available at El Parian Avenida Business Center across from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.

Justice for All Immigrants is an affiliate of the Justice For Our Neighbors network. Justice For All Immigrants provides low-income individuals and families with affordable, high-quality immigration legal services while engaging in immigration education and advocacy.

JFAI provides Know-Your-Rights training to help immigrants understand their basic rights under U.S. law, educate our community about the value of immigration, and advocate for compassionate immigration reform.

Free and low cost legal services are available thanks to the financial support JFAI receives from individual donations and grants.

Las Misiones Churches Distribute Backpacks

Coker UMC

This year, under the leadership of lay leaders Lori Armstrong, Linda Nolder, and others from our Coker Food Pantry and outreach teams, Coker United Methodist Church safely and successfully distributed 720 backpacks to our clients' children and other students in the community. Each was prayed over. Clients, students, and teachers were all invited back to the Coker campus on Aug 15th for the blessing of the backpacks. The Pastors and the worship teams offered a special time of prayer and blessings over everyone in the congregation before students and teachers were invited to receive individual prayer and get a special backpack tag! After the blessing of the backpacks- Coker hosted a Coker Park Cook-Out and back to school bash with worship leader Holly Tucker (as heard on “The Voice”), BBQ, Ice Cream and water-fun to beat the heat. It was a wonderful way to reach out and gather in. 

We are very thankful for all the monetary contributions and the volunteers that helped to make all of this possible. 

St. Paul UMC

The Young Adult and Adult Ministry at St. Paul UMC, San Antonio coordinated a Back-to-School Supply Drive. Members and friends coordinated over 110 backpacks with school supplies given to students at Herff and Bowden Elementary Schools, St. Paul Church students and homeless children. Their generosity will positively impact the lives of these students.

Epworth UMC

Epworth United Methodist Church, Methodist Health Ministries and community partners worked together to donate 175 backpacks on Saturday, July 31st.

The backpack distribution was scheduled in the church parking lot as a safe drive thru event.

The United Methodist Women and the Girl Scouts Troop #133 assembled all 175 backpacks. 

Christ UMC, Stockdale

Our blessing of the backpacks at Christ UMC Stockdale involved all students, teachers, and staff to come forward and kneel/stand at the altar. Both kids and adults brought their bags! The pastor prayed for them, and the church gave each a backpack tag. It was a special moment. 

Oxford UMC

Oxford United Methodist Church, San Antonio distributed 170 completely filled backpacks to McDermott elementary school which is in the Northside Independent School District. This is the school closest to our church. As always, we were blessed to be a blessing.

Bulverde UMC

Children’s Center Los Ninos and Bulverde UMC joined to bless our community with back to school items on Saturday, August 21. Backpacks, school supplies, clothes, socks and more were distributed. God’s provision allowed us to bless all who came through the drive through and to pray with each family. 

Ressurection UMC

Resurrection UMC provided 72 backpacks for kids who attended Camp Agape, a camp for the children of incarcerated parents which was held June 25-27 at Knott Creek Falls Campground. We partnered with Prison Fellowship, Still Water Camps, FUMC Boerne and Mt Zion First Baptist Church to create Camp Agape. There were nine children from Resurrection UMC who participated.

Others

Westlawn UMC distributed 140 backpacks with school supplies

St. Andrew’s UMC, San Antonio distributed 150 backpacks for Wiltshire Elementary school

El Divino Salvador UMC, San Antonio distributed 150 backpacks to Woodlawn Academy and Women’s Leadership Academy. Watch their video of the back to school event

University UMC, San Antonio assembled and distributed about 380 backpacks full of school supplies to students Pre-K through High School.

First UMC Cotulla gave 301 backpacks with back-to-school supply kits.

Coker UMC, San Antonio distributed 280+ backpacks at our Back to School Drive-Thru event.

River Baptism of College Students

By Rev. Todd Salmi - United Campus Ministry at Texas State

This Easter Season, the United Campus Ministry at Texas State baptized two college students in the San Marcos River. Young adults also reaffirmed their Baptismal promise to care and nurture one another in the love of Christ.  See more at https://www.ucmtxstate.org/news/river-baptisms

For more than 50 years, the United Campus Ministry at Texas State has partnered with The United Methodist Church to welcome all students in the love of Christ. To connect a student with this ministry, or make a donation in support of college ministry, please contact Rev. Todd Salmi (todd@ucmtxstate.org) and visit www.ucmtxstate.org.

Ps. If you have any specific suggestions on how we can connect with churches and graduating high school seniors coming to Texas State, please let me know. We’d love to welcome them with some free SWAG and connect our students to answer any questions they might have. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Ministry Spotlight: 2021 Appalachian Trail Chaplain Chris Estus

Chris “Bone Spur” Estus has been accepted as an Appalachian Trail Chaplain, a ministry of the Holston Conference UMC. He will start his six-month, 2,193-mile journey in May starting at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Mount Katahdin, Maine and “flip-flop” back down to Springer Mountain, Georgia.

Chris Estus started his ministry in July 1999 with a call to fellowship of those interested in the biblical roots of the 12-step movement. Alamo Heights UMC later adopted his unique ministry in 2011 and he became the Director of Recovery Ministries for the church.

Pastor Scott Heare invited Chris to a study tour of Israel later that year. This was Chris’ introduction to long trail hiking. They hiked from the northern Galilee to the southern part of Negev desert over two weeks. During that journey, they climbed the Qumran Mount Arben and Masada National Park.

Since then, Chris has hiked Big Bend National Park and the Colorado trail in multiple segments.

Chris’ new “physically daunting” backpack journey will be documented with daily videos on the Appalachian Trail Chaplain Facebook and website.

“I wasn’t sure where I was going to hike next after my 2020 trip to Colorado. Out of the blue my sponsor called and said I ought to hike the Appalachian Trail next to carry the good news. I was skeptical,” said Chris. “Then I was looking at my Facebook feed one day, and up pops a post that said the Appalachian Trail Chaplaincy was accepting applications for 2021. The first requirement was familiarity with recovery ministry and Wesleyan theology. Every other requirement fit me perfectly. I saw it as a call and said ‘I can’t not do it.”

Chris will start slowly at 10-12 miles per day at two miles an hour. He hopes to increase his pace after the first month.

“If you are starting to hike, start slowly and set reasonable daily mileage goals with an average speed. Walking this trail will give me an opportunity to listen to and speak into the lives of people affected by substance abuse disorder.”

Read more: UMC Names Its Ninth Appalachian Trail Chaplain

UMCOR Sunday 2021

March 14, 2021

Please support UMCOR Sunday generously. The Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Ministry has responded to various disasters over the years, be it fires, floods, hurricanes, the recent winter storm crisis, or asylum-seeking migrants arriving at the border. Rio Texas has benefited greatly from your local church’s financial support for UMCOR. We have received abundantly from UMCOR, in the form grants, support for the work of case management, construction recovery, and for fulfilling unmet needs as well as hygiene kits. To learn more about the work of UMCOR, go to UMCOR Sunday Overview & United Methodists: UMCOR's "Feet on the Ground".

Texas Severe Winter Storms Response Program

The Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Ministry is establishing a program to partner with local churches as they assist vulnerable families impacted by the Texas Severe Winter Storms of the week of February 11, 2021. Our objective is to support churches in providing financial support for unmet needs to families in their communities.

We seek to support churches who are recruiting volunteers, providing information and referrals to partner agencies, and offering hospitality within their facilities to these impacted households. In order to supplement these efforts, we can provide limited financial assistance, which local churches can offer to eligible families who request funds. The types of assistance include, but not limited to home repairs, temporary housing, replacement of damaged furniture and debris removal.

Homeowners wishing to apply for this program should contact their local Rio Texas Conference United Methodist Church.

District Superintendent Offices will send program information / application process and forms directly to local church pastors to begin offering this resource to those in communities served. Any questions or concerns regarding this program should be directed to Eugene Hileman, Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Coordinator at 210-557-8698 or aehileman@riotexas.org.

Transformational Communities Network Begins 5th Year

The Transformational Communities Network, formerly known as Transformational Communities of Praxis, begins its 5th year bringing together a cohort of four church / community teams: Chapel Hill UMC - San Antonio, Emanuel UMC - San Antonio, Schertz UMC, and Universal City UMC.

The program is designed for a church and community resident team to engage in the process and application of asset-based community development tools with the end goal of effecting measurable transformation within a given community. It is hoped that through this program, models of ministries applying community development principles and processes will emerge to serve as reference points and even teaching centers of spiritual transformation within the church and community.

The program’s vision is to see transformational communities, made up of local churches and community residents and partners, actively seeking shalom through learning, relationship-building, community development, and mutual support. Its mission is to build a network of transformational communities by equipping locally imbedded leaders with training and ongoing support for the work of shalom. 

Seeking the shalom, holistic peace, well-being, abundance of the community is our Biblical mandate as described in Jeremiah 29:7 – “But seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its shalom you will find your shalom.” Therefore, as the church engages its community, the ministries are called to be relational, mutual, and shared.  

The program works with the assumptions that: churches have a charge to seek the well-being their geographic communities, every person has gifts, talents, knowledge, and dreams to contribute and is of sacred worth, community change is complex and requires multi-sector collaboration, and every community has within its bounds the requisite assets for transformation.

Since 2017, thirteen churches have been trained in the Transformational Communities Network process: First UMC / Mission Border: Hope – Eagle Pass, First UMC / HOPE Outreach – Brackettville, Pollard Memorial UMC – San Antonio, Parker Lane UMC – Austin, University UMC – San Antonio, El Valle District Ministry Center – McAllen, First UMC / Poteet Ministerial Alliance – Poteet, First UMC – Portland, Bethel UMC – San Antonio, Gruene UMC, Trinity UMC – San Antonio, Evans Chapel UMC – Gonzalez, and Henson Chapel UMC – Gonzalez. 

Now having lived through a year within the realities of a pandemic, the program has evolved to teaching in a flipped classroom model and meeting via ZOOM for cohort discussed of lessons learned. After May and throughout the rest of 2021, the TCN teams will begin the process of discovering their communities more deeply through existing and new ministries and relationships working mutually to seek the shalom of their communities.     

To begin a conversation on exploring how your church might connect to the Transformational Communities Network, contact Abel Vega, program coordinator at avega@riotexas.org.