Dallas South churches join celebration

BY BRENDA THOMAS Lambuth UMC, Dallas When the North Texas Annual Conference celebrated the success of the Bishop’s Initiative for Africa University at the June 9 “Africa Night” at Hamilton Park UMC, no group was more proud than the churches of the Dallas South District. NTC launched the initiative in Dec. 2007 and Bishop Alfred L. Norris instilled within the minds of members that Africa University in Zimbabwe is a successful institution and the conference could provide...

DNE Lay speaking courses set

The Dallas Northeast District Lay Speaking Ministry will offer the adult basic Lay Speaking course and the advanced course in teaching adults on July 19 and 26. Classes will be conducted at St. Stephen UMC, Mesquite, with on-site registration set for 8:30 a.m. Applicants should bring their registration with the pastor’s signature on the first day of training. Books will be available for purchase at registration. Cost of the adult basic book is $12 and the teaching adults book is $15. For...

Around the Conference

Births Hannah Louise Miller, daughter of Katie and Rev. Justin Miller, Arbala/Gafford Chapel Charge, was born June 24, weighing 7 lbs. 10 oz and measuring 19 inches. *** Wesley Trent Stoker, son of Megan and Rev. Andy Stoker, First UMC, Denton, was born June 25, weighing 9.1 lbs and measuring 19 inches. Positions available First UMC, Allen, is seeking a church administrator. Persons interested may submit a resume to toddh@fumcallen.org. *** First UMC, Plano, is seeking a scheduling...

Staring reality in the eye...

BY REV. JIM OZIER New Church Development Officer You remember “The Stockdale Paradox” cited in Jim Collin’s “must-read” book, Good to Great? It refers to Admiral Jim Stockdale, held as a prisoner of war in the “Hanoi Hilton” for more than eight years. He suffered brutal torture and bouts of hopelessness – but through his ordeal he learned vital lessons. First of all, “you have to be realistic and honest about your situation,” he...

Creating Congregations team offers hope

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent On the 2008 Annual Conference opening day, June 9, the NTC followed the bad news of the statistician’s report with good news from the Creating Congregations Team, then heard how even the City of Dallas appreciates good news among United Methodists. Team Chair Rev. Matt Gaston, First UMC, Denton, and Rev. Jim Ozier, NTC New Church Development Officer, talked about a new strategy to leverage church planters. As an example they cited the...

Celebrating memories during 'the tender hour'

   White roses placed one by one in a vase symbolized the North Texas Conference’s June 10 remembrance of 14 ordained clergy and five clergy spouses who have died within the past year. The 2008 deacon and elder candidates, who would be ordained that evening, placed the roses as a symbol of continuity in ministry. Wichita Falls District Superintendent John Rosenburg delivered the Memorial Service sermon, taking the Gospel text of the woman who touched Jesus’ robe,...

Statistician's report reflects increasing concerns

Conference Statistician Rev. Marvin Guier and Bishop Alfred L. Norris both responded strongly to 2007 data showing decreases in all three primary units of measure for the North Texas Conference: Total membership, average worship attendance and average Sunday School attendance. Dr. Guier told the conference’s opening business session on June 9 that the results are “simply not acceptable.” Bishop Norris said, “I hate that this happens on my watch. God knows I hate...

Conference honors retiring clergy

The 2008 NTC Annual Conference honored eleven clergy who are retiring in 2008. Retirees were invited to address the June 10 session of annual conference. They were also recognized at the annual luncheon and participated in the services of commissioning and ordination. To view an on-demand webcast of the retirees speeches, log on to www.ntcumc.org and select the 2008 Annual Conference link Members in Full Connection Charles Edward Cox - 33 Daniel Frank Dalton - 14 Dan Leppin Hoke - 36...

'UM Men need relationships'

 BY REV. JOHN KAY First UMC, Iowa Park “The number one crisis in Christianity is the lack of men and lack of men growing,” according to the General Secretary of United Methodist Men. Rev. David Adams told those attending the United Methodist Men’s luncheon on Tuesday at the North Texas Annual Conference, “We need to extend grace to more men because not enough men are in church.” Outgoing NTC President of United Methodist Men, Todd Bristow described Adams...

Youth leaders draw conference applause...express thanks to adult workers

Conference youth leaders – one stepping out, one coming in – received the NTC’s standing ovation following their reports on June 9. Brian Tan, whose one-year term ended with this meeting, thanked God “for giving me opportunity to share my life.” Tan said he has learned that “enough is never enough for Jesus” and that there’s “no room for hatred in the church.” He is a member of Faith UMC, Richardson. Chidi Anyadike, incoming Youth...

Around the Conference

Tyler Street UMC, Dallas, will host tenor Scot R. Cameron, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. as part of the seventh season of its “Summer Classic Series.” Cameron is a classical artist, conductor, vocal clinician and church musician. The one hour solo concert is free. For more information, please call 214-946-8106. *** St. Andrew UMC, Plano, announces a presentation by Michael Dowd, at its “Author Series Program,” July 17 at 7:00 p.m. in Wesley Hall. For more information, please...

First UMC, Denton, captures 2008 'Kate Warnick Award'

First UMC, Denton, won the “Best Local Church History” award among the churches of seven conferences participating in the Texas United Methodist Historical Society for their book, Open Hearts: the First 150 Years. Those people attending the Commission on Archives and History luncheon meeting on June 9 during the North Texas Annual Conference in Plano learned of First UMC, Denton’s receiving this award. This history won because of its excellent storytelling. The congregation...

Deacons explain distinctions of special calling

BY REV. MARJI BISHIR Associate Director of Connectional Ministries There are many United Methodists who are still unclear about the two ordained orders in the denomination, even as the Order of Deacon enters its second decade. In 1996, General Conference created a permanent order of those called to a specialized ministry called the Order of Deacons. Those who join this order have chosen to focus on one particular type of ministry, such as pastoral counseling, church musicians, church...

Linda Evans Shepherd lectures at Lovers Lane UMC

 McCormick Lecturer Linda Evans Shepherd brings energy, humor and sincerity to her May 5 luncheon presentation at Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas. The Beaumont native, who has dealt with tragedy in her own life, including the debilitating injury and ongoing care of her daughter, is a prolific author and speaker. Her presentation focused on how to free oneself of “what-ifs,” bitterness and sin. The Lovers Lane Foundation presents the annual lectures, held to honor James C. and Barbara...

Commissioning class of 2008

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent Twelve candidates for ministry in the North Texas Conference promised during their commissioning service June 9 "to seek peace, justice, and freedom for all people." Responding to this and other portions of the traditional service were: Deacon track: Shawn Stephanie Bakker and Stacy Lee Pell. Elder track: Jay Cousino, Annelda Joy Crawford, Wendy Gale Curran, Dyan Marie Dietz, Christopher John Everson, Aleze Michelle Fulbright, Holly...

Order of Saint Luke gathering set for north Metroplex area

Local members of The Order of Saint Luke are planning a gathering on July 7 for worship, including the Eucharist and discussion about forming a chapter of the Order, which emphasizes liturgy and worship, in the northern sector of the Dallas Metroplex. Details on the event, which is being planned for mid-day, will follow. For more information contact either Rev. Rebecca Grogan, 972-625-1281, e-mail:education@fumcthecolony.org, Rev. John Earl Taylor, 972-248-1202, e-mail: jetvct@att.net; or...

Lay Leader's address lifts up shared abundance

On the theme of living the abundant life, Conference Lay Leader Billy Ratcliff ended his Billy Ratcliff ended his four-year term by telling the opening session June 9 that "I have had a more abundant and better life than I ever dreamed." He added, "Falling in love with Jesus is the best thing I've ever done. But falling is fairly easy. Staying is hard." Toward that end, he announced that he intends to follow three simple rules spelled out in a recent book of that same...

AC endorses Rev. Jim Dorff's candidacy

Rev. Jim Dorff, NTC Area Provost, addresses those at the Annual Conference after being endorsed as a candidate for bishop. The selection of bishops will be held during the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in Dallas, July 16-19. Three new bishops will be elected at the conference....

The Dream Is Alive!

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent The drums boomed, the dancers swooped and swirled and the voices rang out, none more fervently than that of Bishop Alfred L. Norris. This was the North Texas Conference on a colorful, Africa-themed Monday night, June 9, at Hamilton Park UMC, Dallas, celebrating ties with United Methodism's Africa University half a world away in Zimbabwe. This was a grateful university accepting North Texans' check for $500,000 and promising to use it to start...

Around the Conference

Sorrow Clara Reese Topper, wife of Rev. George Topper, NTC Retired, died June 7. Services were held in First UMC, Garland, June 9. Positions available First UMC, The Colony, is seeking a part-time organist. Persons interested may call Sonja Roebuck, 972-625-1281, or e-mail:sprmusic@verizon.net. *** Suncreek UMC, Allen, is seeking a part-time communication administrative assistant. Persons interested may call Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball, 972-390-1695....