'Silent Sermon' shares Gospel in seven languages

BY DR. JOAN G. LABARR Editor Picture a silent sermon.If this appears to be a contradiction in terms, imagine that this sermon preached in seven languages, five in sign languages and two in spoken languages, all simultaneously. And the preacher never “said” a word. The scenario is real. On Aug. 5, Rev. Tom Hudspeth, an associate pastor and director of the Deaf Ministry at Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas, preached for the second World Methodist Mission Conference of the Deaf at Kwanglim...

First UMC, Alvord: New facilities open church to future ministry

BY DR. JOAN G. LABARR Editor September 2009 marked the fulfi llment of a dream and the completion of a three-year project for First UMC, Alvord. The 125-year old church in rural north Wise County has finished a $325,000 capital project including a new multi-purpose building with Fellowship Hall and renovation of the rest of the facilities. The historic 1892 First UMC, Alvord, church bell, signals a new day for the church with its remodeled 1960’s sanctuary building, left, and new...

Isasi-Diaz lecture, Oct.29

Dr. Ada María Isasi-Díaz, professor of Social Ethics and Theology at the Theological School of Drew University and visiting professor at Perkins School of Theology, will present “Reconciliation: The Face of Justice in the 21st Century” at 7:00 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall at Perkins School of Theology. The lecture is made possible by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, and is sponsored by the SMU Center for the Study of...

Quilters top totebag goal five-fold

Rev. Tom Waitschies, pastor of Wesley UMC, McKinney, consecrated quilts, toys, books and other gifts for “Project Night Night” during the church’s Sept. 20 worship service. The next day the bounty was delivered to Samaritan Inn, Collin County’s only homeless shelter. Some 33 children are among Samaritan Inn’s residents. “Project Night Night” is dedicated to improving the lives of these homeless children, one sweet dream at a time, with conviction that...

Yam Jam 2009 - Oct. 17 in East Texas

Helping Hands Gleaning Ministry will host the 2009 Yam Jam Oct. 17 in a field off Highway 69 in the Emory/Alba area of East Texas. Volunteers will gather at the field to pick up sweet potatoes left behind after harvest to donate to agencies that provide food for people in need. At the 2008 Yam Jam, 278 volunteers gleaned 56,500 pounds of sweet potatoes and donated them for distribution to food pantries and outreach centers throughout north Texas. This day’s work provided over 42,000 meals...

First UMC, Alvord, 'Lord's Acre' Oct. 24

First UMC, Alvord, will celebrate its 2009 Lord’s Acre from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in the church’s new Fellowship Hall and remodeled sanctuary. There will be items for sale in the “Country Shop” and “Just Like New Shop” and a silent auction. A turkey and dressing meal will be on sale for $7 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with no cost to children four and under. For more information, contact Judy Nivens, jnivens@wisewb.com....

Churches share more VBS successes

Following up on the Aug. 21st Vacation Bible School issue of the NT United Methodist Reporter, two Sherman-McKinney District churches report exciting, learning-filled weeks. Wesley UMC, McKinney, offered Group’s Power Lab curriculum, drawing more than 100 children. The participants were divided into multi-age crews, enjoying a variety of games and crafts and a daily Bible story drama presentation. They participated in two mission projects, bringing canned fruit for the  McKinney...

Columnist shares reflections on topic 'The Shack'

Editor’s Note: Parts of the following article appeared in the “United Methodist Reporter” column, “Wesleyan Wisdom” by Dr. Donald W. Haynes. Wm. Paul Young’s book, “The Shack,” continues to be a run-away best seller. Young is now touring the country with a series of lectures and will be hosted by Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation in May 2010. The Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation is honored to combine the annual Tom...

Lovers Lane UMC to combine lectures: Columnist shares reflections on topic 'The Shack'

Editor’s Note: Parts of the following article appeared in the “United Methodist Reporter” column, “Wesleyan Wisdom” by Dr. Donald W. Haynes. Wm. Paul Young’s book, “The Shack,” continues to be a run-away best seller. Young is now touring the country with a series of lectures and will be hosted by Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation in May 2010. The Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation is honored to combine the annual Tom...

The Bishop: Getting our priorities straight

BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference How many friends do you have? As I shared in my last article, I am learning toblog and use a new communications tool called Facebook. I must confess that my blogging has been delayed a bit because of time constraints, but the Facebooking is going well. I now have several friends on Facebook all across the country. It works like this – you set up your profi le on Facebook, send a request to all the people you might know or want to know...

Christmas Eve/Watch Night 2009 resources available: 'Incarnation to Transformation' moves celebration forward

“Incarnation to Transformation” will be theme for the 2009 NTC Home for Christmas/Watch Night campaign. Updated inviting and welcoming resources will soon be on the www.ntcumc.org website, so congregations will have ample time to make plans to invite and welcome guests during the season when statistics show people are most likely to visit a church. In all of the planning for the seasonal celebrations and worship, it is also important for churches to have vibrant worship and...

'Keep Scattering Seeds,' Bishop tells Church on 50th Anniversary

From the left is Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe Jr. and former St. Stephen UMC pastors, Rev. L. Marvin Guier III, Rev. David Carr, Rev. William K. McElvaney and Rev. Dwight Judy.   BY CYNTHIA B. ASTLE Special Correspondent A three-day celebration marking fifty years of faithful and sometimes controversial ministry by St. Stephen UMC, Mesquite, culminated Sept. 20 with a 90-minute worship service led by NTC Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe. Highlighted by Holy Communion, the service drew some...

Interfaith Dialog workshop, Oct. 24

Dr. Robert Hunt, Director of Global Theological Education at Perkins School of Theology, SMU, will be featured presenter at a workshop Oct. 24, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall. The workshop will frame the context of Interfaith Dialog and offer ideas on ways to be in conversation with other faith traditions in appropriate and productive ways. Following lunch, there will be an opportunity to visit local mosques and synagogues. Clergy and laity are encouraged to...

Golfers set sights on 'Methodist Cup'

Golfers set sights on 'Methodist Cup' The 2009 Fellowship and Fairways United Methodist Cup will be the coveted prize as golfers from the Lewisville/Flower Mound/Denton area gather at Bridlewood Golf Course Oct. 18 to benefit the “Denton County Friends of the Family.” The tournament honors the memory of the late Larry Sexton, a devoted United Methodist who left a big void in the hearts of his church and Emmaus community friends. “He was a great friend and an extremely loyal...

Wendland-Cook Professorship:Lecture commemorates new chair

Perkins School of Theology, SMU, Dallas, announces a lecture by Rev. Joerg Rieger, commemorating the establishment of the Wendland-Cook Professorship at Perkins. Dr. Joerg Rieger is the first scholar to hold that professorship. The lecture, “Speaking Truth to Power—With a Twist: Re-envisioning the Task of Theology and the Academy,” will be presented Oct. 8, at 5:00 p.m. in the new Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall. A reception will follow in Kirby Hall. In the spring of 2008...

'Community Movie Night' in Plano

BY REV. JOHN KAY Special Correspondent “Star Wars” is a hit in our home. Our seven-year-old son, my wife and I moved a month ago to Allen from Iowa Park so that I could attend graduate school. As we drove to Allen, we spotted a banner hanging near the intersection of Legacy and Custer Road in Plano. The message read, “Movie Night, ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ 8:30 p.m., Friday, August 14.” Our boy counted the days until he could go to the park and watch...

'WEAVING A WEB OF CONNECTIONS' Seminar for more effective ministry

Almost 100 participants filled the NTC Ministry Center meeting room for the Sept. 12 “Weaving a Web of Connections, Using Internet Technology for Effective Ministry,” led by Cheryl Hemmerle and a team from United Methodist Communications. The primary focus was local church websites, including an overview on the nature of web ministry, user-centered design, welcoming the seeker, tools and tricks of the trade, communications planning and how to optimize a church’s presence on...

St. Andrew UMC outreach helps replace despair with new hope

BY REV. JANET COLLINSWORTH St. Andrew UMC, Plano Editors note: This is the first in a monthly series of articles from the NTC Health and Welfare Team. Donna barely made it inside the door of the Seven Loaves Food Pantry at St. Andrew UMC, Plano, before she broke down in tears. “Could you please help,” she asked, “I’ve driven here from Rockwall because my grandbaby needs food.” Immediately the volunteers hovered around Donna, much like the spirit of God hovered...

Vacation Bible School 'Camp E.D.G.E.' takes kids, adults on 'Extreme' journey

When summer heats up, so does the excitement of exploring God’s Word through Off-Campus Ministries (OCM). This year three of OCM’s off-site fellowships hosted Camp E.D.G.E. Vacation Bible Camp (VBC), July 15 through July 18, recycling and repurposing curriculum, supplies and decorations from Lake Highlands UMC’s Vacation Bible School. With OCM, which serves the underserved, the mission aspect of VBC actually is directed toward all those who attended camp. At OCM’s...

Breadbasket celebrates Backpack Giveaway: Need for support continues

Methodism’s Breadbasket held its annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway on Aug. 13 at the Zan W. Holmes, Jr. Community Life Center. More than 200 children ages 5-18 received backpacks, school supplies, and uniforms, along with cheer and encouragement for a great and productive school year. In its fourth year, the “Backto-School Backpack Giveaway” was established by Breadbasket Director Cynthia Martin, with the assistance of Rev. Paul Rasmussen and Rev. Elizabeth Ethun,...