News

While firefighters have control and extinguished most of the wildfires that raged across the western part of Texas last week, the Central Texas Conference remains in prayer for all those affected. Tens of thousands of acres have been burned along with several homes and public buildings. Much of the damage occurred in the western part of our conference – with Eastland, Erath and Hood Counties bearing the brunt of most of the losses and damage. There is much to be done in the short- and long-term ...

Make plans to swing by the UTA Wesley, Sunday, April 3 for a Farewell & Welcome Celebration. The Mitchell Family Rev. Thomas Mitchell, who has served as the director of the UTA Wesley Foundation since July 2018 was recently appointed to First Methodist Mansfield as an Associate Pastor. Thomas and his family will officially begin their ministry at First Mansfield beginning May 1. The Jones Family  Last month, the Roberts Center for Leadership and Administration announced Rev. ...

COB seeks Judicial Council Guidance on Jurisdictional Conferences by Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga, COB Director of Communications March 16, 2022 The Bishops of The United Methodist Church in their March 15 called meeting discerned pathways for churches choosing disaffiliation and separation. The bishops have met two consecutive weeks to discern pathways forward in these changing times. The bishops affirmed by an overwhelming majority that paragraph 2553 in the Book of Discipline would be the ...

by Dr. Maidstone Mulenga, Communications Director for the UMC Council of Bishops March 8, 2022 The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is requesting a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether an annual conference can separate from the denomination under the provision of the Book of Discipline.  During a special meeting COB held via Zoom and through electronic balloting, the bishops approved a request to ask the church’s top court to address six questions:        ...

As the pandemic continues and the wait time for visas stretches to over two years in some countries, the Commission on the General Conference announced today that the 2020 General Conference cannot be held in 2022 due to COVID-related and governmental policies/constraints.  Commission members received a report based on conversations with multiple officials of the U. S. Department of State outlining the massive backlog of visa applications in some areas. This backlog has led to wait times up to...

The Central Texas Conference welcomes new District Administrators Kara Miller (South/Central) and Melissa Shamburger (East) as Della Connor and Amy Robbins transition into new roles. District Superintendents Beverly Connelly (South/Central), Leah Hidde-Gregory (New Church Start) and Philip Rhodes (East) have announced the following District Administrator (DA) changes effective February 15: East District - Melissa Shamburger will succeed Amy Robbins, who assumed the role of Conference ...

The Central Texas Conference (CTC) is excited to announce Amy Robbins as the Coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This position, which is aligned with the Central Texas Conference Episcopal Office, was created in response to the report and recommendation of the Inclusiveness Umbrella Team during the 2021 Annual Conference (page 130-132 of the 2021 Central Texas Conference Journal). The Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is responsible for providing leadership in ...

Maria Shupe will join the GLC team Dec. 1 and is excited to continue and build upon “a very strong foundation” set forth by exiting Executive Director Natalie Davidson and the GLC staff and board. Maria brings 30-plus years of Christian Education ministry experience (with nearly 20 years in camp, retreat and conference ministries). Nov. 3, 2021 The Central Texas Conference and the Glen Lake Board of Directors is excited to announce Maria Shupe as the next Executive Director of Glen Lake Camp. ...

The Central Texas Conference continues to monitor the ongoing Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Bankruptcy as the CTC and the local churches of the conference work through different and forward-looking ways to continue to safely, carefully and effectively be together in ministry with BSA troops and packs. The conference was recently informed by the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee* that thousands of United Methodist churches across the U.S. will soon receive a Disclosure Statement Package related to...

Meeting to be held via Zoom beginning at 7 p.m.  Register Here Last month (Sept. 22), the conference announced AACtion! Strengthening Our African American Witness – a one-million-dollar initiative imagined by the Central Texas Conference Cabinet. The aim of AACtion! is to grow and strengthen our African American Churches’ witness and fruitfulness in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As a follow up to the information and resources about AACtion! already ...

Mandatory Active Clergy meetings set for Oct. 14, 18 & 28 via Zoom. Register Here Last month, Bishop Lowry sent a letter to Central Texas Conference clergy, lay leadership and Trustee chairs directing all churches, faith communities and ministries of the CTC to end all chartering agreements with the Boy Scouts of America by Dec. 31, 2021 and establish a Facility Use Agreement with their BSA troop or pack(s).   Beginning Oct. 14, Jeff Roper, Executive Director of the Roberts Center for ...

Rev. Lance Marshall and Dr. Bruster to be named Co-Senior Pastors on Nov. 1, with Lance as Senior Pastor following Tim’s retirement next June. Oct 4., 2021 On Sunday October 3, 2021, Dr. Tim Buster, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, announced his plans to retire from active ministry in June 2022. Tim has served as senior pastor of First Forth Worth for the past nineteen years. Rev. Lance Marshall has been announced to succeed Tim as senior pastor. Lance will assume ...

New, part-time position to support, enhance and grow impact of Campus ministries as well as increasing opportunities to reach and encourage young adults considering a call to ministry. September 30, 2021 The development of the next generation of clergy and lay leadership is a long-standing core conviction and driving force in the Central Texas Conference’s mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. “Bishop Lowry has repeatedly reminded us on the Cabinet, as ...

As circumstances regarding a proposed legal settlement by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) regarding ongoing litigation involving alleged sexual misconduct in scouting continue to evolve, Bishop Lowry issued the letter below to the clergy and Trustee chairs of the CTC directing all churches, faith communities and ministries of the Central Texas Conference to end all chartering agreements with the BSA by Dec. 31, 2021 and establish a Facility Use Agreement (FUA) if the church chooses to maintain ...

Sept. 15 - Wespath has released information regarding updates to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program that creates an opportunity for clergy and other faith-based, non-profit employees to potentially have certain student loans forgiven. Effective July 1, 2021, eligibility rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program have been changed. This change creates a new opportunity for clergy members and other employees of not-for-profit organizations engaged in faith-based ...

by Maddie Pittman* (more photos from the event are available on the CTC Facebook page) Congregants and honored guests of Mooreville United Methodist Church gathered to consecrate a brand-new sanctuary Sunday, Aug. 29. This long-time-in-the-making triumph began in tragedy more than two and a half years ago. On Feb. 7, 2019, the church’s 108-year-old sanctuary erupted in flames and burned to the ground due to an electrical issue. All that was left of the historic sanctuary was an angel, it’s ...

Natalie’s positive influence on Glen Lake Camp began in 2009 as Program Director   Davidson to work with Glen Lake Board and Search Committee throughout transition process Sept. 2, 2021 A calling to serve children, youth and the young-at-heart adults who attend Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center which began more than 12 years ago will soon come to a very successful end. Natalie Davidson has announced that she intends to step down from her role as Executive Director of Glen Lake Camp (GLC).   “I ...

Many plans are in a person’s mind,     but the Lord’s purpose will succeed. Proverbs 19:21 Rev. Beverly Connelly was officially installed as the District Superintendent of the South and Central Districts during a powerful and moving service on Sunday, Aug. 22 at First Methodist Waco. While the service proceeded like a well-orchestrated event with fantastic music and wonderfully preaching, to say that the events which led to this day were part of anyone’s 2021 plans would be quite the stretch.   ...

June 28, 2021 The Strength of Our Source In a service rife with joy, memories and emotion, Rev. Philip Rhodes was installed as the next Superintendent of the East District Area on Sunday, June 27. The event was beautifully hosted both in person and online by First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Rev. Rhodes will officially assume the DS duties from Dr. Randy Wild (who is making his at least his second attempt at retirement) on July 1.   Bishop Lowry recalled his first meeting with Rev. ...

Bishop Saenz, Episcopal Leader of the Great Plains Conference UMC, will succeed Bishop Mike Lowry, who recently announced his plans to take vocational retirement, until the South Central Jurisdictional Conference can convene and elect a permanent bishop for the Central Texas Conference.  June 3, 2021 The United Methodist Council of Bishops (COB) today announced that Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has been designated to cover the episcopal duties for the Central Texas Conference (CTC) upon the ...