Celebration creates unity in diversity

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent For all their differences in language, music, dress and cuisine, some 300 United Methodists found no problem on Sunday evening, Dec. 7, in sharing two things: Oneness in Christ and a meal unique to some, yummy to all. This was the International Christmas Celebration, sponsored by the North Texas Conference’s Project Pentecost and hosted by Faith UMC (Filipino) in Richardson. As host pastor Rev. Jerry Pagdilao expressed it, “We declare...

Dallas South churches show giving spirit

When it comes to the Christmas spirit of giving in Christ-like love, two small KaufmanCounty United Methodist churches have set an example that has literally transformed thelives of a struggling young family and a high-spirited senior citizen who doesn’t want the loss of his leg to diminish his zest for life. In both instances, the two Dallas South congregations, Becker UMC and Aley UMC, took on tasks that might appear daunting for much larger congregations. Becker reaches out Becker...

Missionary's story motivates support for apportionments

It is the time of year when many congregations’ thoughts turn to apportionments. As the Jan. 12 deadline nears for churches to submit their 2008 apportionments to the NTC Treasurer’s office, it is important to take a moment and consider the wonderful ministry that occurs through these funds which allow United Methodists to do so much more together than could ever be achieved alone. One great story of the difference apportionments make comes from Rev. Jason Mc-Connell of Princeton...

Muti-ethnic worship training offered

Dr. Michael Hawn, Professor of Church Music and Director of the Master of Sacred Music program at Perkins School of Theology, SMU, will be one of the leaders of “A World of Worship, Biblical, Global, Mulltiethnic” Jan. 16-17 at Meadows Baptist Church, Plano. Pre-registration cost for the event is $15. It is a ministry of the International Council of Ethnodoxologists. Topics of the ecumenical event will include: how to understand foundational principles of biblical worship that...

Around the Conference

Tyler Street UMC, Dallas, will sponsor the rock band “The Signs” from Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, in a free concert Jan. 31 at 8:00 p.m. The school educates middle and high school students from both sides of the border in preparing them for higher education and leadership. Sorrow Jeremy Taylor, nephew of Rev. Clara Reed, NTC Sherman-McKinney District Superintendent, died Dec. 24. Memorial Services were Jan. 3 in Columbus, OH. Appointments Lois Cooper to Cornerstone UMC,...

Annual Conference Audio Visual Training

A free “hands-on” training session will be presented at  the NTC Ministry Center on the operation of multimedia techniques and preparation of media materials planned for the 2009 Annual Conference. All agencies and groups submitting media to the 2009 conference are expected to send a representative. • How the process works • How to prepare effective presentations • PowerPoint Presentation Requirements • How to make it POWERFUL! Saturday Feb. 7 •...

.....From Bogata to Burkburnett : Lessons learned from a life well lived

BY RICHARD B. HEARNE NTC Board of Laity, Chair As we turn our attention to the New Year of 2009 and all we hope to accomplish as an annual conference and in our local churches, I think it is worthwhile to cast a final glance back to a very significant event of 2008. Surely it is in all of our strategic plans for the coming year to establish more relationships with persons in our communities and to grow ourselves spiritually and our churches both spiritually and numerically. As I reflect on...

The Bishop: Getting our priorities straight

BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference Are you trying to do everything by yourself? Sometimes, we have the tendency to think  that unless “I” get it done, it won’t get done or won’t get done right. At least that is the attitude some of us take with regard to work in the Church. Carried to the extreme, individuals work long and hard trying to do the work of many by one person. Have you noticed that there is no “I” in teamwork? Ministry in the...