August 23, 2007

Central E-Link

Weekly Newsletter of the Central Texas Conference

Welcome! This is the conference’s weekly update to church leaders — lay and clergy. Articles/requests should be submitted to Carolyn@ctcumc.org by 12 noon Wednesday in order to be e-mailed on Thursday. Articles should be brief and include active links to websites or contact persons for details. Use this information for announcements, in church newsletters and/or bulletins. The E-Link and the Central Link newspaper are posted on the conference website at www.ctxumc.org. Read them online or download and copy to share with others. To add a colleague or church member to E-Link’s weekly distribution, send their addresses to susan@ctcumc.org.

— Editor: Carolyn Stephens Carolyn@ctcumc.org

Near-Time Items

[New and/or changed information is printed in blue.]

SPECIAL NOTE: Our apologies to those who may have been trying unsuccessfully to e-mail or phone the Conference office the last two days. Construction-related damage to critical communication lines in the CTC neighborhood had interrupted telephone and Internet services since mid-Tuesday but we’re fully operational as of this morning. Thank you for your patience.

Caribbean: Hurricane Dean response — Hurricane Dean tore through the Caribbean Aug. 19-21. Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula took the direct hit from Hurricane Dean after it had lashed the coastlines of Haiti, Belize and other Caribbean nations. This massive storm that struck Mexico as a rare category 5 hurricane weakened after crossing the Yucatan Peninsula.
UMCOR is contacting partners in the region to determine its response. UMCOR provides assistance for long-term recovery that lasts months and sometimes years after a major storm like Hurricane Dean.
Please pray for those thousands who are affected by Hurricane Dean. Your gifts are imperative to UMCOR's response. Funds for UMCOR's response to 2007 hurricanes are low as this is the first major storm of the season. Please give generously to support UMCOR's work through Hurricanes 2007, UMCOR Advance #982511. http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/advance/donate.cfm?code=982511&id=3019429

Peru: Earthquake recovery — UMCOR is responding to the massive earthquake that leveled several cities in Peru Aug. 15 with offers of aid to the Methodist Church of Peru and a planned grant to Action by Church Together (ACT), and international relief alliance. “As Christians we know that our love of God is reflected in our love for our neighbor as for ourselves,” writes Bishop Jorge Bravo-Caballero of the Methodist Church in Peru. “A sign of that love in this situation is to give them all the help we can offer.” The Methodist Church in Peru is organizing a shipment of relief supplies to meet the immediate needs of survivors as well as preparing for a long-term response to help Southern Peru to make a full recovery. UMCOR is supporting them in this important effort. You can join the effort by giving to International Disaster Response – Peru Earthquake, UMCOR Advance #982450. The online giving system does not allow for designations within an advance; however, gifts to International Disaster Response will go to where assistance is most needed. http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/advance/donate.cfm

UMCOR – India Floods by Max Marble (Aug. 9) — “Disasters are always larger than life in India where my father served as UMCOR director for 16 years. This morning’s NBC Today program reports that 19 million are homeless due to the monsoon flooding and the Columbia Missourian newspaper this morning reports that 1200 people have died already and these numbers will grow rapidly without help from outside. UMCOR is there and is working through CASA (Churches Auxiliary for Social Action) an organization that my father chaired for a number of years. UMCOR is providing food, medicine, water purification tablets and fodder for cattle. You and your congregation can help in this effort by giving through the UMCOR Advance Special #982-450 and designating your gift for India Floods. We in the U.S. have never faced a disaster of this magnitude.”

Fall fund raising event listing — Local churches and other ministry groups are invited to send information for the listing of their fall fund raising events. This listing will appear ONE TIME ONLY in the Central Link conference newspaper and then placed on the conference website so that interested persons might visit other churches in their area. The deadline for submitting information is Sept. 7 for publishing in the Sept. 21 issue. Information should include:

• name of church and the event

• day(s) and times of operation

• special activities, features — especially anything out of the ordinary

• food service, entertainment, etc.

• auctions/times

Send information to Carolyn@ctcumc.org or snail mail to Carolyn Stephens, 464 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth 76107 by Sept. 7 or bring Carolyn a copy at the Fall Leadership Summit Sept. 8 at Central UMC, Waco — you are coming to that event, aren’t you!

Singles Ministry Consultation — On Saturday, Aug. 25, the Task Force on Singles Ministry of the Conference Nurture Council will host a Consultation on Best Practices. It will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Library of St. John's UMC (311 E. University Ave., Georgetown — Take Exit 261 on IH 35, go east 4 traffic signals on Hwy 29 which is University, then turn left on Myrtle just after the Wesleyan Retirement Center). At the second green awning, you will find an entrance to the Church Library.] Call Wayne Ewen at 512-863-5886 for further information.

Blankets for Mexico! — Last call for blankets to Mexico! FUMC Mansfield will be delivering donated blankets to the Matamoras area next week. If your church is collecting blankets, please contact Jeanette Liukonen (817-453-0930) as soon as possible to make arrangements to send them with the team. All blankets are needed no later than Sunday, Aug. 26.

URGENT Update: Stewardship Development Programs that Really Work — The Central Texas Methodist Foundation will host a workshop on “Annual Stewardship Development Programs that Really Work” 10 a.m. – 12 noon Aug. 25 at Arlington Heights UMC (4200 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth 76107). The response to this program has been wonderful but in order to accommodate everyone, the location had to be change from the Conference Center to Arlington Heights UMC. There is no charge, but reservations are required — call 800-333-4096 or e-mail kathy@ctmf.org. This specific workshop is designed for pastors and committees of stewardship and finance. The ministry of stewardship development is most effective with a dedicated committee sharing the responsibilities and involving the whole congregation. Three of the most successful stewardship programs currently used by churches will be discussed and all the components of each program. One of the three programs is sure to be a good fit for your church. Directions to Arlington Heights UMC: From I30 – Exit on Montgomery St. Turn north to Camp Bowe Blvd. Turn West on Camp Bowie Blvd.
Go up several streets and the church is on the north side of the street.

Christian education/Celebrate the Return — The Conference Nurture Council reminds congregations that Sunday, Sept. 9, is Christian Education Sunday. On that day, all CTC churches are asked to emphasize Sunday school by “Celebrating the Return.” Ideas and resources can be found on the conference website (www.ctcumc.org - click icon on the front page). Please remember to take an offering to support the Christian education ministries of the conference and remit it to the conference treasurer for account 403-010-6.

News

General Conference petitions lost through e-mail

General Conference petitions sent via e-mail before noon Friday, July 27, need to be resubmitted due to technical problems, according to officials with the 2008 General Conference. The petitions were not delivered because of problems with the e-mail address petitions@umpublishing.org. Petitions submitted by U.S. mail to the petitions secretary, as well as petitions submitted through the General Conference website, are not affected, however. “I have been assured that the e-mail address is now functioning properly, and I regret the inconvenience that this situation has caused,” said Rev. Fitzgerald Reist, secretary of General Conference. For future submission, anyone who does not receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of a petition within three weeks should contact the office of Rev. Gary Graves, petitions secretary, at 270-274-4590.

Oct. 26 is the deadline for organizations, clergy members, and lay members of the UMC to submit a petition to the denomination’s top legislative body. The worldwide UM gathering will be April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth. Detailed instructions for submitting petitions are available online at http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2336161/k.1E1C/General_Conference_2008.htm.

Campus ministers/chaplains want to meet your students

September brings a new semester/year for college/university students. Your cooperation is needed for the Wesley Foundation and United Christian Fellowship units at schools/universities in the Central Texas Conference and beyond — and the two universities where we have chaplains — who would like to meet the students from your congregations who will be attending their schools. They want to help young people who have grown up in your churches to continue growing in their faith and have a "home away from home" while in college on their campuses. Campus ministers want to personally invite them to participate in their ministries that include worship, small groups, service projects, leadership opportunities, and lots of good fellowship. Please send their contact information to via email to the appropriate addresses below. Any contact information that you can send would be appreciated. Even if you only have their name, send that so they might be contacted them through the schools’ databases.

University of Texas: mail@texaswesley.com

Baylor University: baylorwesley@yahoo.com

Texas Christian University: l.d.churchman@tcu.edu

Hill College: unitedchristian@clearwire.net

University of Texas-Arlington: wesfnuta@swbell.net

Navarro College: ucfnav@earthlink.net

Tarleton State University: tsuwesley@earthlink.net

Weatherford College: jimatwesleyfound@yahoo.com

Texas Wesleyan University: gchilds@txwes.edu

Southwestern University: mckinnej@southwestern.edu

Events-Opportunities

Update on Fall Leadership Summit!!

Two weeks out from the Fall Leadership Summit there are already over 250 registrations. This year’s Fall Leadership Summit, scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Central UMC in Waco, will focus with the morning plenary on smaller-membership churches. Most of the afternoon workshops are applicable and beneficial for churches of all sizes. The keynote speaker for the morning program is Julia Kuhn Wallace, director of Small Membership Church Ministry for the General Board of Discipleship, who will help congregations be more relevant in their communities. She and others will conduct the afternoon workshops on:

“Strengthening the Small Membership Church” — Julia Kuhn Wallace

“Mom, Can We Go to Sunday School” — Barbara Bruce, educator in the PowerXpress curriculum and author of 7 Ways of Teaching Bible to Children

“Re-Discovering Our Greatest Unrealized Potential: Senior Adult Disciple Growth Within Small Membership Congregations — Dan Bonner, vice president of development at Wesleyan Homes and part-time associate pastor for evangelism and development at Wellspring UMC, Georgetown

“Giving a Meaningful Invitation: Providing an Opportunity for People to Follow Jesus” — Bishop Richard C. Looney, Episcopal director of the UMC’s Foundation on Evangelism

“Effective Missions in Your Own Community” — conference mission leadership to include Dr. Doyle Allen, Jeff Jones, Rev. Dawne McAlpin and Teresa Sherwood.

For more details or to register visit www.ctcumc.org or contact Susan Briles at 871-877-5222, 800-460-8622 or susan@ctcumc.org.

Author to lead series on Teaching Young Children to Speak Up
Grapevine First UMC (422 Church St., one block west of Main Street in historic downtown Grapevine) will host newly published author Ted McIlvain for a two-week series based on his book, Playground To Podium: Building Confidence for Speaking... A Parent's Guide, at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 and 12. McIlvain approaches the podium and delivers an informative look into the world of public speaking in Playground to Podium. Urging parents to enhance personal self-esteem while building confidence in their children, Playground to Podium engages the reader by simplifying the technical theories of human behavior for practical use. Child care will be provided at the church. For more information visit www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org or call the church office at 817-481-2559.

A Major National Event: GBCS hosts “Living Faith, Seeking Justice”

The General Board of Church and Society will host "Living Faith, Seeking Justice" Nov. 1-4 in Fort Worth, This event provides an opportunity to learn about mobilizing others to engage in advocacy and the work that transforms the world for Christ. The workshops offered will touch on issues such as:

• Gender Justice: Outreach to sex trade workers, AIDS and reducing violence. Learn how this model for mentors and peer companions can work in your congregation.

• Congregational Advocacy for Reproductive Health: Care for the body is central to our faith. Learn how congregations are educating communities in prevention and supporting responsible reproductive health care.

• Understanding Human Sexuality: What Can a Local Church Do? Learn how some congregations are promoting an inclusive vision of human sexuality for the common good.

For more details, visit GBCS at www.umc-bgcs.org or call 202-488-5600.

First Grapevine to host Thelma Wells at Women’s Event
Women of all ages are invited to attend “The Well” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at First UMC Grapevine (422 Church St., one block west of Main Street in historic downtown Grapevine). Thelma Wells will be the guest speaker. With upbeat, joyous enthusiasm, popular author, speaker and businesswoman Thelma Wells offers information, motivation, inspiration and encouragement to help people throughout the world “BEE” their best. She is the author of several books and is one of the featured speakers with Women of Faith ministry. She will be speaking at “The Well on the Women of the Bible” and how their story impacts the stories of women today. Tickets to this event are $15 and include a catered dinner, musical entertainment and the program by Thelma Wells. Advanced ticket purchase is required. Tickets are available online at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org or by contacting the church office at 817-481-2559.

Maximizing DISCIPLE in Your Church

A Workshop for DISCIPLE Facilitators by Bishop Richard Wilke, author of DISCIPLE, and Lisa Buffum, DISCIPLE facilitator. Discuss the Disciple program at your church with other participants and learn ways to use Disciple to perpetuate a movement! Enroll in this workshop to be held September 10-28, 2007! Materials need to be mailed, so enroll as early as possible.
          Worship Space 101: Designing and Renovating a House for the Church
Are you ready to update your worship space? Would you like to explore how to use the space you have? This online workshop for clergy or laity with Daniel Benedict will be held Sept. 24 to Nov. 10,.
          Becoming Perfect: Wesley's Understanding of Christian Perfection
In this workshop led by Dr. Martha Myre, participants will explore in depth Wesley's writings about Christian perfection, and how this doctrine can revitalize their own faith journey. The workshop will begin Sept. 3.
          CEUs are available for all IFD workshops. Visit www.BeADisciple.com for more information or to enroll in a workshop!

Bus to Singles Retreat at Mount Sequoyah
“Sequoyah Singles 2007 - Navigating the Single Life,” a retreat for singles in the South Central Jurisdiction, will be held Nov. 2-4 at Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center in Fayetteville, AK . The retreat features keynote speaker Ed Kilbourne and special musical guests "Sounds of Victory." UMC Singles - Tarrant Area is taking a comfortable, full-sized charter bus to Mount Sequoyah for the retreat. On the ride, there will be fellowship with other area singles, see the Ozarks at the height of fall color, and arrive rested and refreshed at the retreat and back home. The fee for the bus ride is $50, due Sept. 1.

Learn more about the retreat at www.sequoyahsingles.com. To receive a .PDF file flyer with details on the bus trip, email Singles@ctcumc.org, or for more information call Ellen Bauman: 817-564-5595.

Attention Youth Workers!
Ignite is here– register now! A Senior High retreat focused on “acceptance.”
Sept. 15 & 16 at Glen Lake Camp. Cost is $46.
Ignite starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and ends at noon on Sunday.
Get more info at www.ctcumc.org on the students page.
Register at www.glenlake.org.

UM: A Black Church Consultation

“United Methodists: A Black Church Consultation” is a project of the Urban Ministries Committee of the Conference Outreach Mission Council. The program, which will be held Friday-Saturday, Oct. 19-20, at St. Andrews UMC (522 Missouri, Fort Worth 76104), will be a time of celebration through worship and dialogue with seven distinguished leaders in ministry including Dr. James Hal Cone, the Charles A. Briggs Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary. The target audience for this event is clergy, laity, seminary students, professors, African-Americans and other church leaders seeking to discern the calling of God for these times for the Black UMC. For more details and a registration form, visit the conference website www.ctcumc.org and click on “Black Church Consultation.”

Texas floods — Urgent need for volunteers!

Volunteers are still urgently needed to help with flood recovery efforts — particularly in the Eastland area. Teams will be needed for some time to help with rebuilding in communities such as Eastland, Gainesville (North Texas Conference) and Marble Falls (Southwest Texas Conference). If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jennifer Coggins, director of humanitarian services, at jennifer@ctcumc.org, 817-877-5222 or 800-460-8622.

2008 New Church Start – East Mansfield

Want a hard job? Want a challenge? Would you like being a pastor with no money, no members, no land, no building but a great future and great possibilities? Does the possibility of being a founding pastor and helping set the DNA of a new church in the conference appeal to you? Can you relate to people who are not currently active in any church and to people who don’t have a church home? Do you have a passion for reaching new people for Christ?

Pastors, if this job description appeals to you, send your application to allen@ctcumc.org. Applications should state in no more than one page why you would like to be considered by Bishop Chamness, Cabinet and Church Growth & Development to start a new church in East Mansfield in June of 2008. Got questions? E-mail Allen Goss at allen@ctcumc.org or send snail mail to Allen @ 464 Bailey, Fort Worth 76107. Applications must be received before Oct. 1, 2007. Existing churches that feel called to help sponsor the new church start in East Mansfield in June of 2008 may also send applications to allen@ctcumc.org. Applications must be received before Oct. 1.

Items of interest from the Board of Ordained Ministry

The Board voted in February to change the deadlines for Spring Interview paperwork to the following:
   • Annual deadline for BOM to send out interview materials — Sept. 1 postmark
   • Annual deadline to submit interview materials — Jan. 15 postmark
Application form to request an interview is available on the Board’s website, www.ctcbom.org, under the Policies and Forms and Candidacy Information links.

Resources

Tips for starting a health ministry
Starting a health ministry can be as simple as cultivating a healthy environment at church to support positive lifestyle choices, says the Rev. Pam Harris, M.D., a physician and United Methodist clergywoman. Find out what people want, present it in a non-threatening way, make it fun and provide support, advises Harris, associate medical director of Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care and minister of health at Leawood (Kan.) United Methodist Church. She will be among the speakers at the third annual National Congregational Health Ministries Conference Sept. 23-26 in Wichita, Kansas. Read more tips from Harris and learn more about the conference in a new web-exclusive feature at Interpreter On-Line at http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=12290

General Board of Discipleship offers input and resources

SURVEY OF FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE HYMNS OF UNITED METHODISTS

www.gbod.org/favoritehymns.html. You are invited to participate in an online survey by telling us your 10 favorite hymns. You may choose any 10 selections in any combination from The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) and/or The Faith We Sing (2000). The survey consists of the alphabetical listing of both books’ contents and a check box for each title. You simply click on your 10 selections. You may find it helpful to think about your selections prior to actually completing the survey, perhaps even by browsing through the hymnal and making a list.

After selecting up to 10 of your favorites, you will then be asked to select up to 10 selections of your LEAST favorite hymns and songs, or titles that you wish had not been included. Once again, you may select up to 10 titles from either or both books in combination. The survey will not allow you to select more than 10 titles. After choosing your selections, you will be asked to respond to five demographic questions that will help us in analyzing the survey. Your participation and responses are confidential and anonymous. You will not be asked for your name or identifying personal information.

This information will be used to help GBOD plan for future resources in congregational singing and in identifying changes and trends in musical style. GBOD is grateful for your participation and ask you to encourage your friends, your children, your congregation, Sunday school classes, students, professors, pastors, choir members, church staff, -- any UMs – to participate. To take the survey, go to www.gbod.org/favoritehymns.html.

MUSIC RESOURCES FOR WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY, OCT. 7

The following music for congregation, choir, or soloist are free music downloads from the General Board of

Discipleship music website http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?loc_id=17,897,951&act=nav_loc:

Congregational Communion Responses Based on Familiar Hymn Tunes

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=15326&loc_id=17,897,951

“In Christ There Is No East or West,” arr. Dean McIntyre

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=13931&loc_id=17,897,951

tune, SANTO, SANTO, SANTO; arr. Dean McIntyre

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=14552&loc_id=17,897,951

“O, How I Love Jesus,” arr. Dean McIntyre

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=14572&loc_id=17,897,951

“It Is Well with My Soul,” arr. Dean McIntyre

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=14581&loc_id=17,897,951

“We Shall Overcome,” arr. Dean McIntyre

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=14685&loc_id=17,897,951

“Steal Away to Jesus,” arr. Dean McIntyre

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=15325&loc_id=17,897,951

tune, HYFRYDOL; arr. Lewis Worthington

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=22650&loc_id=17,897,951

contemporary musical responses by Jerome Malek

Music for Choir

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=13971&loc_id=17,897,951

“O Lamb of God” (Agnus Dei), SATB choral setting by Dean McIntyre

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=10212&loc_id=17,897,951

“Christ, We Do All Adore Thee” from SEVEN LAST WORDS by Dubois; SATB choir

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=10495&loc_id=17,897,951

Communion music for contemporary worship, by Steve Parnell

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/music/youholy.pdf

“You Are Holy,” contemporary song based on Psalm 99, by Steve Parnell

Music for Congregation or Choir

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=22649&loc_id=17,823

a setting of the Kyrie by Jerome Malek

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=26089&loc_id=17,897,951

“Celebrate Our Lord’s Communion,” a Eucharistic hymn by Richard Turner; tune, BEACH SPRING

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=16560&loc_id=17,897,951

“The Four Words: Take, Bless, Break, Give,” a solo song or hymn by Michael and Cynthia Marion

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=16036&loc_id=17,897,951

“I Am the Bread of Heaven,” a new communion hymn by Sandy Willard Rogers

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=10187&loc_id=17,897,951

“May Christians All With One Accord,” tune GELOBT SEI GOTT; introit for Communion

- http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=10602&loc_id=17,897,951

The Great Thanksgiving, contemporary musical setting in pdf and midi by Ryan Neaveill;

Includes The Lord Be With You; Holy, Holy, Holy; Christ Will Come Again; Amen

Charge Conference Forms and the Stewardship books
The new Charge Conference forms AND the Stewardship books are on the conference website www.ctcumc.org. For the Charge Conference forms, remember, some MUST be submitted online. (The most direct way to get to the forms is to type in www.ctcumc.org/ccforms.) As of Aug. 13, the new Stewardship Books for 2008 are also available online. You can go to the conference website and navigate to stewardship books, or a more direct way is to type in www.ctcumc.org/districtstewards. You then may print out the number of copies you need for your church. Another great advantage of having this on the website is that if you find you need another copy later in the year, you can simply retrieve one online.

Conference Resource Center

New resources highlighted at the Conference Resource Center this week are described below. There are always new resources; check them out! For these and many more resources, contact Carol Roszell at 817-877-5222 or 800-460-8622.

Orphan Train Rider: One Boy’s True Account. Andrea Warren. Between 1854 and 1930 over 200,000 children were sent west on “orphan trains” to new homes in the country. This book recounts the history of the orphan trains along with one “orphan’s” personal, moving story.

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. 13 teaching sessions on DVD. Video based curriculum designed to help Christians experience authentic transformation through engagement with classic Christian Disciplines. Includes leader’s guide.

GBOD Review: Worship in Small Membership Churches

By Robin Knowles Wallace and Terry R. Heck

http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=416212&ep_id=1500

http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45191

Lyle Schaller, author and consultant, wrote in the 8-3-07 issue of Newscope that in 2004 there were 169 UMC congregations (0.5% of the total number of UMC congregations) reporting an average attendance of 1,000 or more, and there were 10,976 UMC congregations (32.2% of the total UMC congregations) reporting an average attendance of fewer than 35. This is a book written for those nearly 11,000 small-membership congregations as well as for the thousands of larger small membership churches. The authors believe that small-membership churches are the perfect size for a variety of worship experiences, that each congregation has gifts for worship, and that small membership churches can meet and deal with any challenges that come their way. They make these points while providing a wealth of information and suggestions in many different areas relating to worship, preaching, and music. In this small 80-page book they discuss every topic for church operations. Though intended for small-membership churches, there is much in this small volume to commend itself to churches of all sizes. This book will help your congregation to achieve the primary goal of worship – to bring the people into the presence of God among the people of God. Robin Knowles Wallace is professor of Worship and Music at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. For more information on this book, or to order, visit http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=416212&ep_id=1500.

Nothing But Nets T-shirts available

Cokesbury Bookstore is supporting the Nothing But Nets campaign by offering T-shirts for sale. The entire $20 goes to the purchase of a mosquito net for a family. Please stop by the store and learn more about how you can help save lives.

Jurisdictional Retreat Center opportunities

For the latest program opportunities at Mount Sequoyah, our South Central Jurisdiction retreat center, check out their current newsletter posted on their website at www.mountsequoyah.org.

Depression: Support your own support group

Depression Connection Team now has 11 groups spread out across Tarrant County. By calling Depression Connection at 817-810-9599, people may be referred to an appropriate group. If your church would like to

sponsor a support group, contact Ed Jones at the same number or email depressionconnection@ce-corp.net.

Calendar

Women of Faith Conference — Aug. 24-25 at American Airlines Center, Dallas

Journey to True Financial Freedom — Aug. 25 at St. Andrews UMC, Arlington (contact: 817-465-3043 or www.sa-umc.org)

Trout Fishing in America singing duo — performance at 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at Acton UMC (contact: 817-326-4242)

Aging in the 21^st Century & Beyond - SCJ Leadership Training — Sept. 3-5 at Mount Sequoyah Conference & Retreat Center, Fayetteville, Ark. (www.mountsequoyah.org or 800-760-8126)

Fall Leadership Summit — Saturday, Sept. 8, at Central UMC, Waco (Contact: Susan@ctcumc.org)

Dick Ramsey’s Financial Peace University — Alliance UMC hosts 13-week video curriculum on Mondays Sept. 10-Dec. 3. (contact: Sandi Mitchell at sandimetchell@sbcglobal.net or 817-281-3741)

Creative Worship and Design Matters Workshops by Midnight Oil Productions — Community of Hope UMC hosts Creative Worship on Sept. 17 and Design Matters on Sept. 18. (http://www.midnightoilproductions.com/seminar/mansfield.php

UMW College Women Retreat — Sept. 21-23 at Camp Hoblitzelle (near Midlothian)

Divorce Recovery Seminar — Sept. 22 at Trinity UMC, A

3^rd Annual National Congregational Health Ministries Conference — Sept. 23-26 at Wichita, KS

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/health/events/conferences or jftruitt@comcast.net)

Special Pre-GC08 Training for Pastors — Oct. 9 at First UMC, Arlington and Oct. 10 at Cogdell UMC, Waco (contact: susan@ctcumc.org)

Equipping Church Members for Pastoral Care Conference — October date at King’s Daughters Hospital – Harris Community Center in Belton (contact: Vic Killian at 254-771-8699

Globalization: The Challenge of Global Community — Oct. 14-19 at New York City www.primetimers.info)

Senior Adult Retreat — Session 1 – Oct. 15-18 and Session 2 – Oct. 22-25 at Mount Sequoyah Conference & Retreat Center, Fayetteville, Ark. (www.mountsequoyah.org or 800-760-8126)

Thanksliving Offering for “World Hunger/Poverty” — any Sunday in November

Living Faith, Seeking Justice — Nov. 1-4 at Fort Worth (contact: mharrison@umc-gbcs.org

Navigating the Single Life retreat for singles — Nov. 2-4 at Mount Sequoyah, Fayetteville, Ark. (www.sequoyahsingles.org)

Conference Marriage Retreat — Jan. 18-20, 2008 at Glen Lake Camp (contact: Karen Granderson at

817-877-5222)

CTC UMC Men’s Fishers of Men Retreat — Feb. 1-2 at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center

Needs, Resources, Opportunities

NOTE TO LISTERS: Please contact Carolyn Stephens at Carolyn@ctcumc.org to pull your listing when your opening has been filled.

CTC Executive Assistant

The conference director of Stewardship, Finance & Administration seeks applicants to the position of executive assistant. Along with the standard administrative assistant skills, applicants must have exceptional technology skills in Microsoft Office with a working knowledge of database concepts and Access software capabilities; exceptional organizational skills with the ability to multi-task projects; and attention to details. Publishing software experience would be a plus. Resumes will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 31. Contact: Harvey Ozmer, 464 Bailey Ave., Fort Worth 76107, Harvey@ctcumc.org or 817-877-5222.

CTC Executive Secretary

The conference Church Growth and Development Office seeks applicants for executive secretary. The primary role of the executive secretary is to help fulfill the CG&D mission of Church Growth “to grow and develop churches that offer Christ, make disciples and transform the world.” This is a professional position demanding the highest ideals of Christian character, behavior and standards. The highest level of confidentiality and hospitality are expected and required. Duties and responsibilities:

1) Maintain a professional office, general secretarial task including filing, response to telephone calls and emails.

2) Computer skills that include use of, but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, website care and maintenance, email, calendar coordination and related programs.

3) Must be team player and able to attend district events.

4) Work with CG&D director on sale of church properties and keep accurate financial records.

5) Receiving and depositing funds from Shareholders and compiling financial statements for commission meetings.

6) Serve as secretary for commission and committee meetings, record minutes of meetings, prepare materials and send notices.

7) Secretarial duties for director of CG&D and missionary for Hispanic Ministries

Persons may obtain a full position description by contacting director of Church Growth, Allen Goss, at 817-877-5222 or allen@ctcumc.org. Resumes accepted through Friday, Aug. 31.

Director of Music

Lakeside UMC, a beautiful new church on the south side of the Richland-Chambers Reservoir, (about 30 miles south of Corsicana) seeks a qualified, forward-thinking, flexible, part-time (approximately 6-8 hours per week) Director of Music to grow and direct our adult choir. Applicants will need to demonstrate a commitment to Christ, knowledge of the flow of a properly conducted worship service, knowledge of both traditional and contemporary music, and a theology compatable with the UMC. Applications or inquiries may be submitted to lakeside_umc@yahoo.com <http://us.f332.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=lakeside_umc@yahoo.com> or by calling Sandra Hippman at 903-599-3040.

Director of Development

The UM Communications Foundation seeks applicants for director of development in Nashville.

External Posting: August 13 – Sept. 7

Closing: Sept. 7

All resumes must be post marked by the closing date.

Any interested applicants should apply to the Human Resources Office, P. O. Box 320, Nashville, TN 37203 • 615-742-5137 • fax resumes to 615-742-5428.

Christmas Cantata for Children’s Choir

Laura Hudson, Children’s Choir director at First UMC in Hamilton seeks a Christmas Cantata for their Children’s Choir. If you have one that your choir enjoyed performing and can either loan or donate it to First Hamilton, please contact laura@htcomp.net.

Full-time Director of Youth Ministry
Acton UMC (1,900 members, Granbury area 30 miles southwest of Fort Worth) is currently seeking God's person to give leadership to the ministry to junior and senior high youth and their families. Applicants must have theology compatible with UMC doctrine. Great staff to work with, great separate youth facility, vibrant ministry opportunity. Salary negotiable and competitive. Contact church@actonumc.org or 817.326.4242.

Pianist for Worship
Two Fort Worth area congregations need a pianist to help lead worship through music. Worship services are 9 to 10 a.m. at Bethel UMC and 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Wesley UMC. There is one choir practice per week except in summer. Needed is an energetic, self-motivated, talented musician to play for worship and help the choir learn music. Please call Patti Waser at 817-246-1242 or 817-313-1021.

Youth Director

Western Hills UMC, Fort Worth seeks part time (10 – 15 hours a week) youth director. This position will be supported by a church that provides a healthy atmosphere for young people to grow spiritually and to have a safe and fun place to gather. This location gives provides an opportunity to minister to a multi- cultural community. If you feel that this might be your calling, please email pastor@westernhillsumc.org or call Landy Senter at 817-244-1153.

Part-Time Assistant Children's Director

First UMC Hurst seeks an energetic, creative person who is passionate about ministry with children and families to fill the part-time position of assistant children's director (20-25 hours/week). Good communication and organizational skills are important as this position involves working with children, parents, and volunteers, along with/for the children's minister in an established children's program of over 400 families. Primary responsibilities would be leading preschool children's worship, working with younger children's Sunday school classes and teachers, family ministry activities, along with other projects that involve children and families. For more information, contact Holly Dittrich (formerly Holly Brothers), minister to children and their families, at 817-428-9301, ext. 27 or hdittrich@fumchurst.org.

Full-Time Director of Student Ministries

Stephenville First UMC seeks a spiritually grounded, energetic, personable self-starter with experience in building a strong, dynamic youth ministry. This church of 1250+ members is located in a college town 60 miles SW of the Metroplex, and has a youth program that is ripe for growth. Contact the Search Team at fumc@our-town.com. Salary negotiable and competitive.

Coordinator of Children & Youth Ministry

Aldersgate UMC Arlington has established this new position to better serve their neighbors by rejuvenating their children and youth ministry. The largely Hispanic neighborhood is filled with children of all ages who need direction and encouragement to become part of the church. Building on successful outreach programs such as HOPE after school tutoring and English as a Second Language classes, Aldersgate will now focus on door-to-door recruitment of children and youth in the immediate East Arlington area. This staff leader, under the direction of the senior pastor, will help develop the plan, implement the program and be responsible to carry out the mission. Interested applicants should be a committed Christian, innovative and energetic, and be sensitive to the impact of change on a mature congregation that has responded to this call to mission. Spanish and English fluency is required, as well as a background check. Present funding supports a part-time position (about 20 hrs/week). Contact Pat Reddy, ereddy@sbcglobal.net for an application form and job description.

P-T Music Director/Pianist

Part-time music director/pianist needed for The Church of the Good Shepherd UMC in Arlington. Candidate must be able to direct and accompany choir. Responsible for music selection and leading worship for two services on Sunday mornings. Good sight reading skills are a plus. Please submit a resume to jonathangeer@sbcglobal.net <http://us.f309.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jonathangeer@sbcglobal.net>.

P-T Director of Student Ministries
St. Andrew’s UMC Arlington seeks a qualified person to guide, grow, and nurture their youth program. This is a part-time position, 12-15 hours per week. St. Andrew’s UMC is a multi-ethnic congregation located in South Arlington. Applicants should be comfortable working in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural setting. For questions or to submit resumes, please contact Richard Reed at richard@sa-umc.org or 817-465-3043.

Youth Director

First UMC, Corsicana seeks a full time youth director. Applicants will need to demonstrate a commitment to Christ, a passion for youth ministry, and a theology compatible with the UMC. Experience in providing a dynamic youth ministry is required. Housing is provided as a part of the compensation package. Resumes or inquiries may be submitted to mikea@fumccorsicana.org or by calling Mike Alexander at 903-874-5656.

P-T Youth Director

Eastland First UMC seek a part time Youth Director. Eastland is located 1 hour from Weatherford and 1 hour from Abilene on I20. The congregation is committed to youth ministry and a great deal of potential exists in

building the program. Salary and travel allowance are negotiable. For more information please contact the church office at 254-629-1022 or jbpatrick97@hotmail.com.

Choir Director

Silver Creek UMC seeks a part-time choir director with skills in leadership and team-building. Individuals interested in leading a growing program within a quickly-changing ministry should submit resumes to jason@silvercreekumc.org. Candidates should be available for long-term employment and be willing to adapt and grow with an expanding church.

If you know someone in your church, district or even outside the

Central Texas Conference who might appreciate receiving this weekly

electronic newsletter — or to unsubscribe your own listing —

please contact Susan Briles at Susan@ctcumc.org.

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world