We are offering several counselor training/information sessions this year. In the North District the training is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, at Daingerfield First United Methodist Church, 306 Scurry St. in Daingerfield. In the Northwest District the training is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, at Chandler First United Methodist Church, 507 Broad St. in Chandler. The times for each of the training sessions are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 10-noon we will go over new things and changes that apply to all camps.

At noon we will break into age-level camps to eat lunch (you can either bring your own lunch or purchase a lunch at a local establishment) and cover things specific to each camp. For those attending the training at FUMC Chandler, we will be providing a meal! We will need an estimate of those attending for the meal, so please email Tommy Earl Burton by Wednesday June 12th if you are attending training at FUMC Chandler.

By attending one of the training sessions (you can attend either one) you will learn about what is new and improved at camp this year, tips on how to be a better counselor, and receive information on the Biblical theme and messages. This will give you more time to prepare, especially if you are leading small group studies. We want to see your smiling face at one of these sessions! Also, bring a friend!

Forward this message to people you know who might consider attending camp as counselors for the first time. Please let us know that you are coming by emailing Doug Wintermute in the North District or Tommy Earl Burton in the Northwest District!

Doug Wintermute – dwinterm@yahoo.com Co-Coordinator, North District

Jay Barnes – jaybarnes@winterfieldumc.org Co-Coordinator, North District

Jeff McDonald – jeff@chandlerfumc.org Co-Coordinator, Northwest District

Tommy Earl Burton – tommyearlburton@gmail.com Co-Coordinator, Northwest District

Carla is a 2013 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist and a member of the Christian Authors Network (CAN). She has been a featured author at the Pulp-wood Queen’s Girlfriend Weekend. Copies of Sweet Dreams and her other books, including Stardust, which was inspired by Jefferson, will be availa-ble for purchase at the event.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.jeffersonfumc.com, at Beauty and the Book, or at First United Methodist Church in the church office.

For more information, call 903-665-3268 or email fumc@jeffersonfumc.com

Be sure and set aside June 9th – 12th for SYNC Retreat Week hosted by The North District Youth and Williams Memorial UMC. A week of worship, Bible talks, fun and service to the least of these who live in the Texarkana area. Cost stays the same at $60.00 per youth, 2 free adults for every 10 youth.

Here is a basic layout of what is planned.

May 3rd - Online Registration Begins

June 3rd - registration cut off

June 9th – SYNC Rally and SYNC Retreat Week Kick Off 5pm at Williams Memorial UMC

June 10th – work site projects during the day, teaching, worship and bowling that night

June 11th – finish work site projects, serving Community Cafe and food pantry clients at Williams that evening followed by worship under the stars at Red Lick UMC led by Cody Lee

June 12- final worship and teaching session and dismissal by 11am

You can register your group online by clicking this link

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEpXeVIxQ3FubzNaLTFjVzlSbkJ5dUE6MA#gid=0

For questions or more info contact Aaron Dudley

Thirteen ladies represented Texas at the conference this year. Here are the topics of the workshops presented: Copyright and Licensing Issues, Turning up the Fire in Your Church’s Ministry, Finding Mary in a Martha World, What Would you do if…? This last one was interesting as the speaker presented several scenarios on problems that arise at the church from building issues to pastor staff concerns which we all discussed and several attendees offered helpful and interesting solutions. 

If you have every had any questions about music licensing and rights, the following website was given for information on Church Copyright Licensing:  http://www.ccli.com.  Also for religious service exemptions visit http://christiancopyrightsolutions.com/ .  How about questions on the use of the United Methodist Logo visit www.umw.org enter cross and flame in the search box. 

Here is a new idea we gathered from one of the many vendors at the conference. A great way to make donations to your local church that is approved by the UMC’s General Council on Finance and Administration. Sign up at www.UMCmarket.org and shop from stores in many different categories. UMC has partnered with hundreds of online stores that are donating a portion of your purchase back to your home church. It is a way of saying “thank you” for referring you as a customer to them.  You will find everything from books, movies, fashion, to sports equipment and food for your pet. Including an online travel agency which gurantees the best price on flights, hotels and care rentals. This is secure online shopping program is an easy way for church members and their friends to support the mission and ministries of their local church. 

From one of our morning devotionals:  Found on church signs – “The Holy Spirit isn’t a medium, it’s a large”   “Free Faith Lifts”

Visit www.PAUMCS@org and make plans to join us all next year in Asheville, North  Carolina April 3-6, 2014.

Write or call if you have any questions.  God Bless

Annual festivity has something for everyone.  Enjoy slow-cooked BBQ beef brisket(chopped or sliced), beans & potato salad with all the trimmings.  Indulge in the fresh-baked, homemade cakes, pies and cookies, along with ice tea and coffee.  This year will once again feature Cajun-boiled crawfish.  This treat, added just a couple years ago, has become a popular attraction.  The Louisiana crawfish are big, they are spicy and they are delicious.  Rodney Thibodeaux & Tout Les Soir will return for an encore performance. This Cajun band wowed the crowd for the last two years, and as recently as March of this year, with their unique style and flavor.  Tout Les Soir hales from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but they have entertained audiences all along the Gulf coast and across America. 

Pirtle United Methodist Church – The location is 3.5 miles south of Kilgore by-pass road on highway – Turn left (east) on county road – One-half mile road ends at the property - For more information call the church office at (903) 984-9555.

2013 Hispanic Luncheon

RJM Breakfast – Bill Kleiber

Attached are the flyers for the three meal events the Center for Missional Excellence has planned for annual conference.  We are taking registrations in advance but payment for the event may be made at the door.  The Hispanic Luncheon is $15.00.  The cost is low to benefit those with limited funds who may want to attend.  The Restorative Justice Breakfast and the Church & Society and Race & Religion Committee Breakfast are $20.00 each.  Checks to these events need to be made to TAC with the event name in the notation.  Please let us know if your district superintendent plans to attend any of these events.  Thank you for your reply. 

Blessings,

Shirley Broome

Center for Missional Excellence

Administrative Assistant for Rev. Diane McGehee

& Golden Cross Administrator

Texas Annual Conference

5215 Main St.

Houston, TX  77002

Office: 713/521-9383  Ext. 301

Fax: 713/521-3724

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> Attached to this email are several documents which were not received in time to be included in the printing of the Pre-Conference Journal.  Please refer to these as additional items for consideration and decision.

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> There are two blank pages at the end that wouldn’t delete, please disregard them.  It is not an error.

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> B.T. Williamson

> Assistant to the Bishop

Dear TAC 2013 Delegate,

We are delighted that you will be serving as a delegate to the 2013 Texas Annual Conference and we want to do everything we can to assist you in preparing for this responsibility. May 26^th is fast approaching so we want to make you aware of several important upcoming activities.

First of all, next week we will be mailing the Pre-Conference Journal to all lay and clergy delegates.  It will contain all the materials related to our story as an annual conference, orientations to the physical setting of this year’s conference, as well as resolutions and action items that you will be asked to consider. We hope that you will take the time to review these materials in order to make informed decisions.  If your pre-conference journal has not arrived by April 30^th, please contact your district office for assistance.  We’ll also post the Pre-Conference Journal on our web site as well as some addendum items which were received after the deadline of publication. You will also receive these addendum items via email.

Second, we look forward to your participation at the district pre-conference meetings.  Attached please find this year’s schedule, which highlights the locations and times for these meetings.  In the event you cannot participate in your specific district, please feel free to attend any of the meetings scheduled.

And last, but certainly not least, our mission project for this Annual Conference will be the collection of gift cards to provide to the homeless and to victims of human trafficking.  We ask that congregations participate by sending each delegate with as many gift cards as possible.  These cards can be from restaurants like McDonald’s or Whataburger, Target or CVS, anywhere that food, toiletries or clothing can be purchased.  It is our prayer that this project will broaden participation in Annual Conference so that all congregations will be a part of our annual connection and service to “the least of these.”

Look for a reminder notice a week prior to your district pre-conference meeting.  Thank you again for the gift of your time and leadership in the Texas Annual Conference.

B.T. Williamson

Assistant to the Bishop

Location for May 4 is White Oak UMC with Rev. Dr. David Banks and May 11 will be held at Ore City First UMC with Rev. Doug Smith. New registration forms are available with Anna Rohde atarohde@txcumc.org or 903.758-7003. If you have already registered, I have your information and you do not need to do anything further.  Old dates: 4/27 and 5/4   NEW DATES:  5/4 and 5/11.

Spring 2013 Brochure

Lay Servant Training Academy  May 17&18

In 2012 the General Conference of the United Methodist Church approved legislation to change the name of Lay Speaking Ministries to Lay Servant Ministries.  Basic and Advanced  courses will be offered at the upcoming training to be held in Lone Star, Texas at Lakeview Baptist Assembly. These are 10 hour courses,  rooms are available for overnight attendees. Fee for commuters is $40 and includes meals.    Registration forms are available in the district offices. May 6 is the deadline for registration.

Certified Lay Minister Module I Training

Module I “History, Polity and Doctrine”

Part One – History & Polity on May 11th at Ore City First UMC

9:00 am to 4:00 PM  Instructor: Rev. Doug Smith       

Part Two – Doctrine on May 4th at White Oak UMC

9:00 am to 4:00 PM Instructor: Rev. Dr. David Banks

Registraton form available in the district office in Longview. Fee $40 Contact CLM Registrar Anna Rohde for requirements to participate in the CLM program at 758-7003 or arohde@txcumc.org

Annual Conference Breakfast

Monday, May 27, 2013

Hilton of Americas Ballroom

$16.00 (or $10.00 to receive automatic scholarship)

Send check to FUMC, Alvin,  611 W. South,

Alvin Tx 77511

Registration deadline May 15^th

* * * * * * * * *

Gathering 7:45am

Tempered Steel Gospel group singing

Breakfast 8:00am

Menu: Sliced Fruit and seasonal berry display, breakfast breads, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, hickory smoked bacon, coffee, water

PROGRAM

Devotional- Dr. Jimmie Reese

Greetings from Board of Ordained Ministry-

Rev. Carol Bruse

Introduction of newly licensed pastors-

Dr. Jeff McDonald and Rev. Jerome Brimmage

Update on COS- Rev. Danny Barrett

Survey results- Rev. Linda Snow, Chair FAMLP

Note: We have received a gift underwriting nine breakfasts.  We do not want the cost to keep anyone away.

Contact lindasnow@alvinmethodist.org for information