35th Annual Schools of Christian Mission

35th AnnualSCHOOLS OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONNORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN WEEKDAY SCHOOLJuly 16-19, 2007 Monday-ThursdayLovers Lane United Methodist Church9200 Inwood Road at Northwest Highway, Dallas 75220 WEEKEND COOPERATIVE MISSION EVENT**July 20–22, 2007 Friday-SundayAustin College, Sherman900 North Grand Avenue, Sherman 75090**With General Board of Global Ministries Dean: School of Christian Mission Ann Kent 972-721-9316 ouok4me@aol.comAssociate Dean: Trining Yadav...

Cabinet members display 10th anniversary Amigos attire

NTC Appointive Cabinet members show off their 2007 Amigos Days shirts in support of the mission's tenth anniversary of "connecting churches and their communities." From left are Revs. John Rosenburg, Wichita Falls District; Keith Payne Boone, Paris-Sulphur Springs District; Fred Durham, Sherman-McKinney District; Amigos Director Rev. Diane Presley, Oak Cliff UMC, Dallas; Milton Guttierrez, Dallas South District; Pat Beghtel-Mahle, Dallas Northeast District; Bishop Alfred L. Norris; and Rev....

Registration discount extended for Gen X/Y Gathering, Mount Sequoyah

The $40 early registration discount for the "Generation X/Y Gathering" May 23-26 at Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center, Fayetteville, AR, has been extended until May 5. Tim Keel, pastor of the Emergent congregation, Jacob's Well in Kansas City, and Doug Pagitt, a pastor and author who was one of the founders of Emergent Village, are guest speakers for the event that will focus on young leadership. Cost, which includes registration, programming, lodging, and meals, is $320 for single occupancy; $275...

Around the Conference

First UMC, Blue Ridge, will celebrate the groundbreaking for its "first-ever" parsonage, April 29, 1:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Rev. John A. Johnson, 972-752-4245. *** Munger Place UMC,will host a "Cinco de Mayo" festival, May 5 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Performances will be made by Escuelita Preschool and the Latin Ensemble of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. For more information, please call 214-823-9929.  ***ArtSpirit Center for...

Bishop urges faith, trust in God as answer to fear

Lovers Lane UMC Lecture SeriesBishop urges faith, trust in God as answer to fear BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special CorrespondentWhen does a lecturer stop lecturing and start preaching? Any time he wants to if he's North Texas Conference Bishop Alfred L. Norris delivering the annual Holy Week Lectures at Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas. He did it three times - once on each of three days, April 3-5 - on his selected theme, "Confronting Fear."He framed two lecture-sermons around fears associated...

National Coalition of Latino Pastors

National Coalition of Latino Pastors Christ's Foundry congregation helps pastor participate Editor's Note: Rev. Owen K. Ross, pastor of the La Fundicion de Cristo (Christ's Foundry) Fellowship near Bachman Lake, Dallas, reflects on immigration issues and his trip to a meeting of  "The National Coalition of Latino of Pastors" in Washington, D.C. BY  REV. OWEN K. ROSSChrist's Foundry Fellowship, Dallas "Pastor, there are pastors gathering from all around the nation on March 22nd to...

Methodist Dallas Medical Center launches Alcohol Intervention Program

BY LYNETTE WILKINSONMethodist Dallas Medical Center Visit the emergency room at Methodist Dallas Medical Center on a busy  weekend night, and it becomes apparent that alcohol plays a major role in a number of injuries. In fact, the National Safety Council has estimated that approximately three of every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash at some time in their lives. Approximately 38 percent  of the approximately 1,500 patients treated in the Methodist...

First UMC, Quinlan - Frozen in time

Members of First UMC, Quinlan, "froze" their characters at the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday service last week while Rev. Wally Williams and Worship Chair Beth Ensor served communion to the congregation. One member described the experience as, "the most moving Maundy Thursday service I have ever witnessed.” From left are Charles Henderson as Simon, Joseph Armstrong as Thaddaeus, Brad Layton as James, Johnny Wallace as Peter, Chris Kiser as Jesus, Jeff Cleveland as John, Bill Slaughter as...

March to End Hunger

The Wilkinson Center's annual "March to End Hunger" campaign ends April 30. The Center has raised $142,000 towards its goal of $160,000, the amount to meet an increase of 43 percent more food pantry clients. Melissa deLeon, the Center's Development Director, says, "A generous response is needed because of recent developments.Our primary source for donated food cannot meet our needs, requiring us to make retail purchases in order to keep our pantry open." Director de Leon also reported that...

Mysterious Documents course offered

Rev. Martha Myre, First UMC, Bowie, will teach the online course "Mysterious Documents of Methodism," April 30 - May 19. Using the "Blackboard Academic Suite," participants have around the clock access to the workshop in which they are enrolled. They can log on in the convenience of their own home or office, download resources, and engage in discussion threads. The class will focus on how to use a Conference Journal, The Book of Discipline, and The Book of Resolutions. The Richard and...

NTC Laity invited to submit profiles for General Conference election

Billy J. Ratcliff, NTC Lay Leader, has announced that laypersons interested in being elected as delegates to the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth are invited to submit profiles, which will be assembled into a booklet for distribution to Annual Conference lay members at District Conferences in May. Those who have submitted profiles will also be allowed to address the Laity at the June 3 Laity Session prior to the opening of the 2007 Annual Conference. Profiles and photos should be...

First UMC, Dallas, combined choir gospel concert, April 22

The First UMC, Dallas, combined Chancel Choir and Variations Youth Choir will present a free concert, "Gospel at the Crossroads: A Salute to Service," on April 22 at 7:00 p.m. The concert will include a variety of Gospel selections in both old and new arrangements. The concert is part of the April "Mission Month" emphasis and the Chancel Choir set a goal of raising $10,000 to support the congregation's outreach ministry of Crossroads Community Services (CCS). Among the choir's projects was the...

Looking to the future...First UMC Seagoville, celebrates 125 years of ministry

First UMC, Seagoville, will celebrate its 125th anniversary April 22. The day will include a special morning worship service with the gospel group "Ransomed" leading singing. Following the service, there will be a festive luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. As First Seagoville turns 125, members are celebrating the past and looking forward to new growth and ministry. One of the plans involves growing its worship services, including developing contemporary worship experiences. Praise music is...

Bible-based social justice summer school seeks volunteer teachers

Volunteer teachers are sought to serve for one week as instructors for Vacation "Micah" School, a program by Warren UMC, Dallas, that teaches the importance of social justice from a biblical perspective. Vacation "Micah" School will take place Monday, July 23rd through Friday, July 27th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Warren UMC, 3028 Malcolm X Boulevard, Dallas. To obtain a Volunteer Teacher application, please call the church office, 214-928-7373 or e-mail: warrenumcsocialjustice@yahoo.com....

Around the Conference April 20, 2007

Highland Park UMC, Dallas, hosts "A Celebration with Larry Cox, Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, and the Juntos Servimos Board of Direc­tors," April 20, with reception at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Trinity UMC, Denton, announces the celebration of the "Feast of the Fatted Calf," May 20. For more information, please call Kristi Payne, 214-802-6041. Spring Valley UMC, Dallas, United Methodist announces a "Family Health Reporter Fair," April 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. with a...

Bishop's last words to church: "Keep making Disciples"

BY JOHN A. LOVELACESpecial Correspondent North Texas United Methodists said goodbye to their shepherd and servant leader, Bishop Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr., in a two-hour service of celebration of his life Saturday, Aug. 26, at First UMC, Richardson. Two 80-voice choirs and panoply of speakers spurred the congregation into repeated applause, laughter and Amens. Two speakers based their remembrances on decades-long acquaintance with the Moncure family. Others centered their remarks primarily on...

Remembering a bishop of 'Salt and Light'

Remembering a bishop of 'Salt and Light'BY JOE DAN BOYDTinney Chapel UMC, Winnsboro Less than 24 hours after Bishop Moncure's passing from this life, the radiance of a single oversized candle gleamed in memoriam from a massive light stand on-stage at the Paris-Sulphur Springs District Laity Celebration, where the Bishop's unique preaching style had headlined the same event a year ago. His sermon then was based on the "salt of the earth and light of the world" Scripture, Matthew 5:13-16, which...