'Inspiration' brings congregation to new day: Aldersgate UMC, Carrollton

/files/oNews_PJAYMY/Carrolton1_EJQXVMJX.JPG BY DR. JOAN G. LABARR Editor When Aldersgate UMC, Carrollton, celebrated the Oct. 5 consecration of its new building at 3926 Old Denton Road, members could look through the sanctuary’s beautiful clear windows and see their former church home some 50 yards to the south. “It is only about 50 yards from there to here, but it is a long 50 yards,” says senior pastor Rev. Woodrow (Woody) Weilage. The...

OAK HAVEN UMC 'HAM SMOKE 2008'

The Oak Haven UMC, Irving, United Methodist Men continue a tradition of more than 40 years as they prepare for “Ham Smoke 2008” to raise funds for church ministries, including the apportionments.    The men smoke the hefty hams (average weight 21 pounds) before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Price is $55 due at pick up. Thanksgiving hams are available Nov. 21 from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Nov. 22 and 23 from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Christmas hams are available Dec. 12 from...

Rev. Andy Stoker appointed Associate Director

Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe has announced the appointment of Rev. Andrew Craig (Andy) Stoker as NTC Associate Director of Connectional Ministries with Children, Youth, Family and Camping Ministries, effective Jan. 1, 2009. Dr. Stoker has been serving as Associate Pastor for Christian Formation and Community Outreach at First UMC, Denton, and also as an adjunct professor in the Department of Family Studies, Texas Woman’s University, Denton. “Andy brings passion, vision, and a...

So how was your trip? - Giving hope to Africa's AIDS orphans

Editor’s note: Greenland Hills UMC member Dawn McMullan reflects on a Sept. 5-15, 2008, mission trip to Rwanda, Africa, which included team members from her congregation and Arapaho UMC, Richardson. BY DAWN MCMULLAN Greenland Hills UMC, Dallas Although I actually thought through the question above on the plane trip home from Rwanda, I’ve been baffled as I tried to answer the many times I’ve been asked since I got back in mid-September. I can’t blame the jet lag...

The Bishop: Getting our priorities straight

BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference Have you ever experienced radical hospitality? I experienced hospitality in a radical way a few weeks ago in the Sherman-McKinney District. I traveled with Joan LaBarr to First UMC, Sherman, for a media conference. Driving into the city I looked up and saw my picture on a giant billboard with the words: “Grayson County Methodists Welcome Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe.” We were then interviewed by two local television stations, the local...

Around the Conference

First UMC, The Colony, announces guest speaker, Matt Lepsis, former Denver Broncos offensive tackle, at its Nov. 16 10:30 a.m. worship services. For more information, please call 972-625-1281. Birth  Chloe Faith Chraska, daughter of Dan and Rev. Karen Chraska, Trietsch Memorial UMC, Flower Mound, was born Oct. 24 weighing 7 ibs. 5.6 oz and measuring 20 inches. Sorrow Norris Waitschies, father of Rev. Thomas Waitschies, Trinity UMC, Duncanville, died Oct 17. Services were held Oct. 21...