'Biggest Loser' to appear at Methodist hospitals

 Bill Germanakos, the fourth season winner in the popular reality TV series The Biggest Loser will be the special guest at two weight management workshops Jan. 24 at Methodist Dallas and Methodist Mansfield Medical Centers. The workshops, hosted by Methodist Weight Management Institute, are designed to inspire, motivate, and educate people who want to make a healthy change through medically-managed and/or surgical weight loss. “I became half the man, so that I could be twice...

Rev. Joerg Rieger featured public radio

North Texas Conference clergy member Rev. Joerg Rieger, Wendland-Cook Professor of Constructive Theology at Perkins School of Theology, SMU, was featured on the Nov. 21 National Public Radio (NPR) weekly radio program, “Religion and Ethics News Weekly.” The program, which focused on the question of whether the United States can be defined as an empire in either a traditional or modern sense, cited both Dr. Rieger’s monograph, Christ and Empire, and his co-edited collection of...

Revs. Bishir, Spencer complete 'Disaster Academy'

Rev. Marji Bishir, NTC Disaster Coordinator, and Rev. Rob Spencer, senior pastor of Ridgewood Park UMC, Dallas, and the disaster coordinator for the Dallas Northeast District, recently completed four days of training at the 2008 United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) “Connecting Neighbors” Advanced Disaster Academy. The event, on the Baldwin, LA, campus of Sager Brown Depot, was designed to provide certification for attendees to teach local churches disaster preparation...

Stonebridge UMC goes on road with 'Godspell Jr.'

BY AMY PAWLAK Stonebridge UMC, McKinney Each year, the children’s and youth music ministry at Stonebridge UMC, McKinney, warms worshippers hearts with their performances on Sunday mornings and at special events. The church family hears the strong voice of God through their tender voices, but this incredible ministry doesn’t limit itself inside the walls of Stonebridge UMC alone. Every summer it reaches God’s people across the country as the Upper Alley Singers...

Around the Conference

Chapel Hill UMC, Farmers Branch, announces the workshop “Learn Your Spiritual Gifts,” Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The workshop will be led by Rev. Marilyn Dickson, First UMC, Richardson. For more information, call Sherry Vinyard, 972-241-3491. Sorrow Larry Bell, brother of Rev. Janet Bell Odom, Camp Wisdom UMC, Dallas, died Jan. 2. Funeral services were held Jan. 10 in Jacob’s Chapel UMC, San Antonio. *** James Marsala,...

Conference 2009 Calendar Highlights

Education, Growth Opportunities UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat Jan. 16-17, Prothro Center, Lake Texoma Town and Country Ministers Retreat Feb. 2-3, Prothro Center, Lake Texoma Perkins Ministers Week “Worship for the 22nd Century” Feb. 2-4, SMU UMCOR Train the Trainer Early Response Team Feb. 6-7, Plymouth Park UMC, Irving All Means All, Called to Witness Campaign Feb. 7, Northaven UMC, Dallas Clergy Women’s Annual Retreat Feb. 8-10,...

The Bishop : Getting our priorities straight

      BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference Well the holidays are behind us, and the New Year is before us. I’m excited about  the work that is before us. I will be getting out into the districts, visiting the churches, trying to put places to the many faces that I have met so far in the Conference. So many of you have greeted us with extravagant hospitality, and your letters, cards, and calls have made this transition a lot easier for us. Before I...