Mexico Covenant Committee

Central Texas Conference Chair, David Chavez, 817/386-7782, 487-3466;  chavezsr1965@charter.net

This committee observes a covenant relationship with Eastern Mexico.  The interaction and the pursuit of the connectional table enable the Central Texas Conference to have a pivotal role in the Hispanic Community.  2006 marks the 10th anniversary of the ratification of the Covenant between the Eastern Mexico Annual Conference of the Methodist Church in Mexico and the Central Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Over these past ten years the relationship has been one of dialogue and sharing.  Each year the EMAC has had a representative at our Annual Conference Session and we have reciprocated by sending a representative to the EMAC Conference Session.  We have also supported ministerial education for students of the Juan Wesley Seminary, located in Monterey by providing a scholarship of $2500 each year.

           COVENANT RELATIONSHIP
      between the
    Central Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
           and the
    Eastern Annual Conference of The Methodist Church of Mexico

PREAMBLE: It is always easier to discuss changes we would like to see occur in the church; it is something quite different to take an active step toward turning obstacles into achievements. Every conference, every church, every Christian struggles in the tension between "things hoped for" and the daily reality we encounter each morning. We seek to establish this covenant relationship because we believe that our churches, members and ministries have much to offer each other. Our goal is to establish a covenant that is dynamic, growing, expanding, and beneficial to both conferences. This action is to renew the original covenant for an additional five years, from 2001 until 2006.


THEREFORE: we encourage exchanges between our conferences (including, but not limited to):
 reciprocal visitation
 reciprocal work/mission teams
 prayer requests exchanged through regular correspondence
 the exchange of pastors, youth and adults in the areas of evangelism, nurture and outreach projects
 dialogue and education on issues of common interests
 celebrating the creative work of the Holy Spirit at work in both conferences
 creating partner relationships between local churches in both annual conferences

OUR COMMON GOALS:
The Mexico Covenant Committee of the Central Texas Conference and the Comisión de Enlace of the Eastern Annual Conference, desire to see a closer relationship between our two Annual Conferences. We understand participation in this covenant relationship by local churches and members in both conferences to be based on these common goals:

Whenever possible, all financial gifts shall be channeled through the General Board of Global Ministries as Advance Specials utilizing the Partnership In Mission catalog, otherwise, financial gifts between the Central Texas Conference and the Eastern Annual Conference will be channeled through the respective conference offices and following accepted procedures, toward priority needs as identified by the respective conference.

Volunteers in Mission or other volunteer teams shall provide labor or services only under the direction of the conference, agency, or local church of the receiving conference, and shall be sensitive to indigenous labor needs.

Our goals of mutual sharing shall work for improving the spiritual, physical, and emotional condition of life. All programs will be socially just and ecologically sustainable. All programs are to be designed to strengthen the church.

Changes in the covenant may be offered by either conference and negotiated between the respective designated conference representatives.

Upon acceptance by both annual conferences, this covenant relationship will continue for five years. At the end of five years the covenant relationship would be reviewed by both conferences and appropriate recommendations exchanged for continuation or cessation of the covenant.

OUR COMMITMENT: This relationship is a covenant of prayer, a covenant of commitment, and a covenant offered to each other in response to a desire to grow in the Christian faith. May God graciously bless this covenant relationship, binding our hearts and service through the Holy Spirit.