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It Worked For Us
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Meet the Messengers

Alicia D. Hines-Kelly wrote on 4/26/2008 7:47:39 PM

One of the most exciting things that I have experienced in my life happened just a few days ago. I was at the general conference for three days. I am a local licensed pastor and have been in the Methodist Church all of my life, but other than answering God's call in my life to servanthood, the opportunity to go to the first few days of the general conference and to serve in the prayer space as a volunteer has been nothing less than awesome. I have been to many annual conferences, but my first experience at the General conference is truly a blessing. I do thank God for letting me volunteer in the prayer space. The space itself is full of the power of the Holy Spirit and my prayer is that everyone who comes to the conference will take time to visit the prayer space Alicia

Meet the Messengers

May Wang wrote on 4/22/2008 3:05:58 PM

I wish to express my opinion on the petition for hymnal revision that will be discussed in the 2008 General Conference. I am not sure if this is the proper place for me to express my opinion. However, I tried to open the http://gc2008.umc.org website but my computer would not connect me. I then talked to the UMC Info Service to see how I can connect to the address of any GC delegate, and I was advised to try to connect to the delegates from my own district. Hence, my apologies if I am sending this email to the wrong address. I would appreciate your help to convey my message to the delegates in the committee that is considering this petition on hymnal revision. My opinion and suggestions: There is really no need for a new hymnal as there are many good hymns, including hymns by Charles Wesley, in the current UMC hymnal that we have not yet learned as we seldom sing them in our church services. If a new hymnal is officially adopted by the General Conference, all the United Methodist congregations, I assume, will be strongly encouraged or required to purchase the new hymnal. However, each new hymnal will probably cost at least $10.00. Buying a hundred copies for our congregation would cost at least $1000.00, which our church can better use for other purposes, such as paying our apportionments, benevolence and/or other outreach concerns. Two days ago, at Sunday worship service, the pastor’s sermon and the entire program including a special anthem by the choir emphasized Earth Day celebration and reminded us of our responsibilities toward being good stewards of this earth that God created. We are not exercising our responsibilities to God by throwing away thousands of usable though old hymnals and printing thousands of new hymnals that are not essential to our being good followers of Christ. All the new hymns you plan to include in a new hymnal can be published as a separate and much thinner supplement that each congregation can decide to buy or not. This thinner book, hopefully, will be considerably less expensive than a full hymnal, and definitely will take fewer trees to produce. In this way, we can still keep our current hymnal with the psalter responsive readings, the liturgies for the sacraments, the Affirmations of Faith, the old hymns we love and the new hymns we have not yet learned but should, and add a thinner separate supplement with contemporary hymns if we want to. In addition, we should remember that many hymnals were bought in memory or in honor of certain individuals. Throwing away these books desecrates such memories and honors.

44 Bishops to Preach April 20

Judy & Bob Atkinson wrote on 4/19/2008 5:08:23 PM

We had the delight to host 12 women Bishops here at The Iron Horse Inn in Granbury for two days April 15-17. Being Methodists, it was great to not only meet these busy, responsible Bishops, but also to get to know most of them in a quiet, relaxed setting. Thank you for sharing some time with us. Do come back!

Temple District Listening Posts

Pat Capin wrote on 3/6/2008 5:35:13 PM

The Church really needs to address how we move pastors from one location to the next – the one-hour window between the outgoing and the incoming pastor is, well, ridiculous. I know a little something about moving (nearly 27 years in the Army) and we Methodists move our pastors “Grapes of Wrath style” in borrowed trailers, open trailers, with used boxes, improperly packed house-hold goods, etc. It’s like we want them to get to the new posting, but don’t really care how they do it. Additionally, it’s a real burden on the church members who have to help the incoming and outgoing pastor’s move. Three years ago our church figured it spent several thousand man-hours moving the two pastors and trying to get the parsonage ready. I’m a loyal servant, but, I really think we send the wrong message to our pastors when we move them; and while they put up with it, I don’t think they should have to, nor do I think the parishioners should, either. We need to get a whole lot smarter about moving folks than we are today.

Temple District Listening Posts

Pat Capin wrote on 3/6/2008 5:13:30 PM

Before the conference in Fort Worth in late April, early May, I would really like the church to reconsider the "cookie baking effort". First of all, it's sexist to ask the Methodist women to bake a "gazillion" cookies. More importantly, perhaps, even though 1/4 of the cookies will be sugar free, we Methodists have a weight problem and any cookies suggest that healthy snacks (like apples, celery sticks, raisins, etc.) are not a priority item. We want our members to be healthy and then we offer snacks at a world-wide conference that aren't. I think that's the wrong message. Besides, half our delegates probably didn't grow up eating chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies. Please, I really urge you to reconsider this cookie plan and move our church's conference-snacks into the 21st century.

Fifth Annual Meeting of Lay Speakers

Lauren Savell wrote on 1/24/2008 1:39:40 PM

I am interested in becoming a Lay-speaker for our district-I am at FUMC-Killeen- Is this retreat appropriate and can I still attend? Please e-mail me and let me know.

Fifth Annual Meeting of Lay Speakers

Valerie & Larry Stowe wrote on 1/20/2008 4:48:09 PM

Sandra Oliver -- I FINALLY found the Lay Speakers' Retreat info; however, I don't see any way to register... PLEASE let us know. It's possibly too late now anyway. We've both asked several times to be included in any news related to Lay Speakers. You have our e-mail address above; I hope you'll respond. THX!

Deacon Groups

Karen Granderson wrote on 1/2/2008 5:39:09 PM

Oh, no!! I mean, January 3!!! What a way to start the new year!!

Deacon Groups

Karen Granderson wrote on 1/2/2008 5:37:57 PM

Oh, good grief!! I mean January 10, of course.

Deacon Groups

Karen Granderson wrote on 1/2/2008 5:37:05 PM

Don't forget our "peer group" meeting tomorrow, Dec. 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the conference office. See you then...

Deacon Groups

Nancy Bennett wrote on 12/18/2007 10:39:10 AM

This comment is simply to be sure I am connected per suggestion of Karen. I have recieved a note from her and plan to be at the meeting on the 3rd of January. As a retiree this will provide a continuing connection.

Deacon Groups

Karen Granderson wrote on 12/11/2007 4:06:50 PM

Here's where we are: I've had 6 responses, 5 of which said "yes" to Thursday, Jan. 3. The sixth likes Thursdays, but will not be able to attend on that day. So, I'm going to unilaterally decide that we will meet to organize ourselves somehow on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 10:00 at the Conference Office. If we want to go out to lunch afterwards, we can do that. I hope I haven't taken too much on myself, but at least this will, as Jim says, move us forward. Karen

Deacon Groups

Jim Terry wrote on 12/10/2007 3:13:21 PM

Thanks, Karen, for getting this back on the move. Of those who responded to the deacon webpage Bobby set up, Thursdays seemed to be a common thread. Based on that, and to help get the ball rolling again, I’ll toss the Thursday, Jan 3rd date into play. I’ll leave the place up to others; although I will extend an open invitation: you are always welcome to meet here at First Fort Worth. The webpage also included responses from Nancy Bennett, Dub Shepherd, and Nathan Firmin who are not in the “To: listing” of Karen’s email and I don’t have them to insert. (I will attempt to post this to the webpage…Bobby, will you help if need be?) I know we are all too busy helping others, but maybe we need to look out after ourselves a little bit, too. Let your fingers do some talking…reply. Thanks, --Jim ________________________________________ From: Karen Granderson Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 1:28 PM To: Bobby; Brenda; Dawne; Dian; Jim; Karen; revk; mnichols; suzanne; thomasstandefer Subject: FW: peer group OK, I’m getting back to this and hoping to set up something to help us get started after the 1st of the year. What if we all (the 9 of us, until Tommy is ready to join in) get together for lunch either Thursday, Jan. 3, or Monday, Jan. 7? If we can’t work something out for one of those two dates, it looks like the last week of January on my calendar. What do you think? At that time, we can organize ourselves into two groups, or decide to stay as one. We can do it here at the conference center, or find a restaurant in the area. Let me know what you think. Hope your Advent season is meaningful and you’re finding some time to do some “preparation” yourselves! Karen Rev. Karen Granderson

Central Texans Sow Seeds for GC08

Marcia McFee wrote on 11/24/2007 10:28:51 PM

If you would like to receive seeds to plant, let me know! worshipworkshop@aol.com

Central Texans Sow Seeds for GC08

Deborah wrote on 11/16/2007 5:35:09 PM

This is so wonderful! Someone from our church probably already knows about this but how would I find out more for myself.

Deacon Groups

Nathan Firmin wrote on 11/1/2007 10:53:37 AM

I think all Deacons, active or retired, probationary or ordained, and Diaconal Ministers should be part of the group. It would be interesting to see if elders were inclined to be part of this gathering. Any understanding and support that can be developed will only help the Order as we find our place in the UM.

Deacon Groups

Dub Shepherd wrote on 10/31/2007 7:24:40 PM

In response to Nancy's question, I would hope these groups would be inclusive of any Deacon, active or retired. Which raises my question ... do we desire for these groups to be exclusively Deacons? Deacons in Full Connection? Deacons in process? Diaconals? What about other clergy? I would be interested in a Thursday group, either morning or afternoon, once or twice a month.

Deacon Groups

Nathan Firmin wrote on 10/31/2007 10:56:03 AM

Thursdays after 9am work for me.

Deacon Groups

Nancy Bennett wrote on 10/30/2007 9:44:54 AM

Am I the only retired Deacon who is interested in connecting? Is this group inclusive of retired persons? I missed Annual Conference this year and have had to miss the October meeting for the last several years (that commitment ended this year) and I feel really out of touch with what is happening in the wourld of Deacons and to some degree in the Conference in general. Day, time place are pretty open for me. From previous experience I do agree that 5-7 is a nice group.

Deacon Groups

Jim Terry wrote on 10/29/2007 2:51:18 PM

My thanks to Bobby and Karen for taking my request by the horns and putting the wheels in motion. (Too cliche-ish?) OK. My thanks to Bobby and Karen for moving this idea forward. Size-wise, I would think ten would be a (not absolute) maximum. In my previous experience, five to seven works better; especially after the group begins to feel "comfortable" or "safe" and a dialogue begins to flow. Too large a group limits the time for each person to share; too small a group may become a burden. Having persons in a direct supervisory relationship in the same group usually does not work well; even having persons from the same church sometimes does not work well. Both of these situations depend in part upon the personalities involved. Geographical spread does cause some problems. Perhaps, all those who are interested could indicate an initial preference of times, days, and weeks; e.g., as a starting point: Tuesday or Thursday mornings after 9:00 would work BEST for my schedule, and I would be interested in once or maybe twice a month. I would also be interested in visiting the work places of others in my group on occasion, even if it meant a longer drive every so often, rather than a central meeting point. Perhaps Bobby could tabulate this type of information (he's good at that sort of thing, I have heard) and natural groups may "appear." I hope we can get something started. I believe we could all gain from it, even if it is out of our comfort level.

Deacon Groups

Karen wrote on 10/25/2007 3:04:26 PM

10 people at our deacon meeting said they would like to be in some sort of covenant group. I have some questions: Do you think 10 is too many for a good sized group? If we split into groups, should we put colleagues or persons in a direct supervisory relationship together? Someone mentioned that we should sort into groups geographically. That sounds good in practice, but it doesn't give Dawne and Suzanne much chance to be in relationship with us in the metroplex unless some are willing to make that drive occasionally. What do you think?

Deacon Groups

Bobby Cullen wrote on 10/25/2007 12:48:32 PM

I'm interested in being with a group that meets periodically to share how ministry is going.

Order of Deacons & Diaconal Ministers' Meeting

leotia howard wrote on 10/11/2007 12:05:46 PM

Posting my new e-mail address: h333t@aol.com

Marriage Ministries Advisory Council Meeting

Richard Hunt wrote on 9/27/2007 11:52:04 AM

Hi to all... It was difficult to find the MMAC info on the CTC website. 9-27-07 See you all at Glen Lake on Oct 20. Richard & Joan Hunt

Marriage Ministries Advisory Council Meeting

Richard Hunt wrote on 9/27/2007 11:51:37 AM

Hi to all... It was difficult to find the MMAC info on the CTC website. 9-27-07 See you all at Glen Lake on Oct 20. Richard & Joan Hunt