Jason Teague is still in need of camp counselors for the upcoming camp at Mt. Wesley. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Jason ASAP.

  There will also be an Emmaus gathering on June 21st at 6:30 p.m. at FUMC Mission.

  FUMC Weslaco has Group Publishing’s “Power Lab” Vacation Bible School props available. Large stage robot (not operational, just for looks), the huge beaker, all those character props for each day’s emphasis…. Contact: Rev. Roberta Goodman 956-968-7561

  I still have four $75 scholarships available for the SWTX Conference Youth camps scheduled for July 2008 at Mt. Wesley and HEB Foundation Camp.  Registration deadlines are fast approaching.  If you have youth (Grades 6 thru 12) that would like to attend camp this summer, but need assistance with the cost, please let me know ASAP. 
 

  McAllen District Superintendent’s Report to the 2008 Annual Conference

Subject: Mission Resource Center 2006 Reading Program Books -

  First UMC, Edinburg, was awarded $12,805 from the General Commission on Communication. The money is to help pay for a $25,611 lighted sign at the church.

Message from Larry
Jerry Evins, the spouse of Cathe Evins at FUMC McAllen, has contacted me about his willingness to do pulpit supply for vacationing pastors. I have not heard him preach, but I know that he has some years of experience as a Baptist pastor and missionary. So, I encourage your giving him a try. He is willing to travel an hour from McAllen, and might be persuaded to go more than that if the rewards are commensurate. Here is his contact info:  Jerry Evins   Home: 956-583-5787  Cell: 956-342-2002  Email: aceevins@aol.com

  I have had another request for the Advance # for the Myanmar Emergency. The number is 3019674. You can also read more about the needs at www.gbgm-umc.org

2008 Summer Camps
Adventure Camp for those going into Grades 4-6

Faith Camp for those going into Grades 7-12

More information here   Registration form here

Deadline for receiving registrations is
June 13, 2008

  A Message from Jason A. Teague, Dean of the 2008 5th and 6th grade Conference Summer Camp at Mount Wesley:

As you may know, I am serving again as Dean of the 2008 5th and 6th grade Conference Summer Camp at Mount Wesley, and I am still in need of some good counselors. The camp theme is Peace Talks. Please be advised that if you are sending a large number of campers from your church, you also should send some camp staff. We need adult counselors who can stay in rooms with the campers, as well as serve as discussion and activity leaders during the day.  read more...

   A message from Fernando A. Garza about “Christ Today for Tomorrow”

  Subject: Summer Camp Scholarships

The district office has received five scholarship coupons in the amount of $75.00 each for use for the conference camps this summer at Mt. Wesley and HEB Foundation Camp. If you know a youth that needs assistance in order to attend one of the following camps, please let us know.

The camp dates are as follows:

  JAM Camp June 29 thru July 3 Grades 6 thru 8 Mt. Wesley
  Jr. High River Camp July 13 thru 17 Grades 6 thru 8 HEB-
Linnets Wings
  Sr. High River Camp July 13 thru 17 Grades 9 thru 12 HEB - Comanche Outpost
  Quest Camp July 20 thru 24 Grades 9 thru 12 Mt. Wesley

  From: Donald Lantz <dlantz@swbell.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 2:56:06 PM
Subject: Lay Speaker registration

To all pastors in the McAllen District:

There will be a Basic Lay Speaker training class offered this June at Wesley UMC in Harlingen.

I am asking that you prayerfully consider those in your congregation who might make a good Lay Speaker. Keep in mind, that Lay Speaking is more than pulpit fill. Lay Speakers are trained in teaching, visitation, and leadership. In fact, almost any form of communicating the Word falls under Lay Speaking.

There are a few people in each congregation who qualify. In fact, the Discipline does say that your Lay Leader should be a Lay Speaker. So if your Lay Leader is not already a Lay Speaker, please discuss this training with him or her.

Click here for the registration form

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at dlantz@swbell.net or call me at (956) 423-8319.

  Subject: HEB Camp dates available

Hey friends

  This year's theme for summer camp at Mt. Wesley is "Peace Talks".  The dates are as follows:

 

3rd and 4th grades - June 15 thru 18  Registration deadline:  May 30th

 

5th and 6th grades - June 22 thru 26  Registration deadline: June 6th

 

To date I have not received any scholarships from the conference office but I will let you know when those become available.

Subject: Pre-Conference Addendum
 

 Reception of Love and Appreciation for Pastor Steve Purdy and Family held 5-29-08 - read more

E-mail glitch causes loss of petitions to ’08 meeting
If you submitted a petition to the 2008 General Conference via e-mail before July 27, you have to do it again.
Because of a technical glitch, legislative proposals sent to petitions@umpublishing. org before noon July 27 were lost.
“I have been assured that the e-mail address is now functioning properly, and I regret the inconvenience this situation has caused,” said the Rev. Fitzgerald Reist, secretary of the General Conference.
Deadline for submitting petitions for consideration by the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth is Oct. 26. Instructions are at www.umcswtx.org.

  Subject: Clergy Spouse Luncheon

Please see the attached flyer for the Clergy Spouse Luncheon at Annual Conference.

The address to send reservation is:
Corpus Christi District UMC
3510 Gollihar Road
Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 or they may call me at 361-852-8268 or email me at ccdistrict@bizstx.rr.com

  Don't forget, Tuesday, May 13th is the deadline for reservations for the district breakfast at Annual Conference.  

  Gifts to UMCOR Advance # 3019674, Myanmar Emergency, will help survivors of Cyclone Nargis.  Checks can be mailed to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068 , New York, NY 10087.  Write the Advance number and name on the memo line of your check.  Online gifts can be made at www.givetomission.org.-- Bishop Joel N. Martínez

  Don't forget, District Conference is Sunday, May 18th at 4:00 p.m. at FUMC Mission.  You should be receiving your pre-conference packet soon so be sure to bring it with you.

  Subject: McAllen District Breakfast

It's time once again to make your reservations for the McAllen District Breakfast at Annual Conference. I have attached the form for making reservations. Please be sure that each pastor and each delegate completes a form and mails a check for $8 made payable to the McAllen District and received no later than May 15th.

We are told that walk-ins to the breakfast will be charged $12.00 so please be sure to make your reservation in advance. 

We look forward to seeing all of you there.

If you have a delegate that does not have email access, please copy the form and pass it along to them.

On Tuesday, March 11, “Willie” Berman was commissioned as a United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) Missionary.  He has been appointed as the Mexican Methodist Border Mission Coordinator and will serve the Methodist Church of Mexico in the border region while based in Reynosa, Mexico.  Willie is a Mexican citizen and will serve as an “in-country missionary.”  read more...

  From Mary Catherine Edwards - Subject: Choir Rally

Calling all Churches of the McAllen District.. As host of the SWTX Conference Youth Choir Rally, we would like to extend an invitation for you to help the committee with some details. We need door prizes that could consist of anything from a box of candy or lollipops to a travel mug or t-shirt or gift certificates, or ??. We will have groups from the valley, San Antonio area, San Angelo, Houston, Kerrville, and other districts (hopefully). If there is anyone who would like to donate bottles of water or 3 liter bottles of soda, that would also be appreciated. Thank you for your cooperation and for your support of the Conference event in our area.

  PICTURES!    PHOTOS!   MOVIES!

Kingsville & McAllen Laity Banquets and Communications Seminar

Beginning in May 2008, Trinity United Methodist Church is becoming a host site for Angel Food Ministries. 

  This is a picture of one of El Mesias UMC Laredo’s home bible study groups.

  A message from Jason Teague: Dear sisters and brothers,

We still need adult male counselors, a camp nurse, and four junior counselors (two male and two female). The camp nurse would be given a stipend of $300.00 for his or her time, and all staff are exempt from paying the camp fee. Junior Counselors must be at least 16 years of age, and adult counselors must be 18 years of age. All camp staff must be willing to submit to a background check.

Camp can be an important formative experience in the life of a young man or woman, and can help guide young people in their journey of faith. I say this as someone who is very much the product of United Methodist Church camps, both in this conference and in the Illinois Great River Conference. I cannot underscore enough the importance of men of faith serving as positive role models for young men of this age. I myself am the product of a single-parent home, and I can tell you first-hand that men who have stepped into the gap in my life have been invaluable in guiding me into adulthood, and when there is an absence of this leadership, it is the young people who pay the price – both boys and girls. I see the fruit of male-absenteeism from the home, when I go and do jail ministry. I do not say this to be sexist. In fact, I am convinced that we would have just as dire a situation, were it the women who were absent instead of the men.  Please prayerfully consider who in your congregation might be good candidates for me to contact, and then send their contact information to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read and prayerfully consider this, and may God bless you, your families, and your ministries.

In Christ’s love and service,

Jason A. Teague, Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Goliad
P.O. Box 1223 • 134 W. Pearl St., Goliad, TX 77963-1223
Office: (361) 645-2546~ Mobile: (361) 652-2982~Home: (361) 645-3914

www.gbgm-umc.org/goliad   jteague@umcswtx.org

 
Subject: Men's Ministry Sunday worship services
 

P.S.  These documents are also on the GCUMM website if you are unable to open these attachments:  www.gcumm.org

  I am searching for a copy of a video called "A Tale of Two Churches."

 

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

To order all needed materials for the Capital Campaign from the Conference Office you must follow this instruction:

Go to www.thetransformedchurch.org
Click on "Capital Campaign" in the brown bar across the top of the page
Click on "Campaign Resource Materials"
On that page you will see the different materials listed.
Click on "Resource Materials Order Form" and print it out.
Fill it out and send it to the address on the form.
The form can be faxed to 210-408-4515.

Joe Vasquez from Weslaco and myself from McAllen are willing to help if you need it. Both of us are members of the Congregational Phase Committee. My telephone number is 956-687-2838. Email is fgarza10@rgv.rr.com. Joe's telephone number is 956-969-2294 and email is ildav@rgv.rr.com .

Please give me a call if you need additional information or Joe Vasquez at First Church Weslaco.

Blessing,

Fernando A. Garza

  We celebrate the ministry of our newly formed praise band-- we now have about 20 people participating in this ministry and they have already played for several services.  We are seeking used guitars in playable condition, and I was hoping to send word out to all the churches in the district-- if there are any folks out there who have a guitar they aren't using they would like to donate, we would be grateful
thanks--
Pastor Janna Hawes
Raymondville FUMC

  First United Methdist of La Feria is seeking guitarists and/or a pianist comfortable with blended and praise worship to help lead the contemporary/praise worship service on Sundays at 11 a.m. Please contact Pastor Ron Welborn, 956-797-1393

We already have lots of additions to the 2008 calendar. Please take a moment to update your calendar so you and your congregation(s) won't miss all the great things coming up in 2008.

District Conference has now been set for this year. We will meet Sunday, May 18th at 4:00 p.m. at FUMC Mission.

Keep in mind recently elected new Lay Members to Annual Conference do not take office until June 1, 2008. Those that attended Annual Conference last June 2007, are still the representatives for the District Annual Conference on May 18th.

If there are any corrections or additions to the district calendar, please let me know.

  A MESSAGE FROM LARRY TO:  All pastors,
At the last Pastors and Professionals Meeting where Joe Vasquez described the upcoming Capital Campaign for New Church Starts, Jenna Heart asked a question for which Joe and I had no clear answer.  So, in response to that concern, Mike Lowry has sent out the following outline to clarify the process for conducting the campaign in the local church, keeping up with the giving records and pledge cards, and sending in the receipts from the campaign to the conference office.

Thanks for your patience and interest in this important emphasis of our ministry together.

Larry Howard