JFON celebration honors staff & volunteers, marks decade of service to community

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent A smiling young lady known as “The Attorney” led a parade of recipients May 3 at the 10th anniversary celebration of Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON). JFON is an international United Methodist Committee on Relief program sponsored locally by the North Texas and Central Texas United Methodist annual conferences. Mary Beth Garcia’s certifi cate and plaque of appreciation expressed it clearly: “With gratitude for her dedicated...

Krum UMC...little church realizes big dreams

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent The first surprise as you approach the new home of First UMC, Krum, is how far back the cream-brick single-level, 10,000-squarefoot building sits from the road connecting the Denton County town to I-35 three miles east. But, like everything else associated with “The Little Church That Dared to Dream” and pledged more than $400,000 to make the dream a reality, it sits back there on purpose. “We’ve left room for another...

NTC Spiritual Formation planning team schedules opportunities to grow

The NTC Spiritual Formation Planning Team has four exciting opportunities to learn and grow in relationship with Christ during the months ahead. The events are open to both clergy and laity. The schedule includes: Praying the Scriptures, Rev. Brian Hardesty-Crouch, presenter, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sept. 15, or 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Sept. 26, Creekwood UMC, Allen: Rev.Hardesty-Crouch is president of “Holy Moments Curriculum, Training and Retreats.” He is an active spiritual...

Stewards of Children seminar planned

While churches prepare to be “safe sanctuaries,” there are sadly times when home itself is not safe for a child, especially one who is sexually abused. It is hard to know what to do when one suspects that a child is being abused. It is important to have clear and accurate information. All adults, clergy and lay, who serve children or youth in NTC churches are invited to attend the Sept. 17 “Stewards of Children,” a half-day workshop that will help educate adults to...

Around the Conference

The NTC Clergywomen have announced the Fall-Winter 2009-10 schedule. Meetings are from 12:30-2:00 p.m. at First UMC, Richardson. The following meetings have been scheduled: Sept. 24, offi cer nominations; Oct. 22, offi cer elections; Dec. 3, Christmas Luncheon, location to be announced; Jan. 28, first meeting of the new year; and Feb. 7-9, retreat at Prothro Center with Dr. Elaine Heath. The NTC Equipping Disciples Team is off ering a repeat of the Homebound Communion Training with Dr. Mark...

Instructor training set for marriage seminars

Clergy and laity are invited to participate in a ‘train the trainer’ Growing Love in Christian Mariage (GLCM) event at the Ministry Center on Oct. 1 and Nov. 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This training equips churches to offer GLMC and qualify as an offi cial TWOgether in Texas certifi ed site. It’s an opportunity to learn how to use GLCM as an effective outreach resource for congregations. The seminar will be presented by GLCM author Dr. Richard Hunt, UM Ordained Elder, and...

NTC Spiritual Formation planning team schedules opportunities to grow

The NTC Spiritual Formation Planning Team has four exciting opportunities to learn and grow in relationship with Christ during the months ahead. The events are open to both clergy and laity. The schedule includes: Praying the Scriptures, Rev. Brian Hardesty-Crouch, presenter, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sept. 15, or 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Sept. 26, Creekwood UMC, Allen: Rev.Hardesty-Crouch is president of “Holy Moments Curriculum, Training and Retreats.” He is an active spiritual...

...From Bogata to Burkburnett: Facing poverty and making a difference

BY RICHARD B. HEARNE NTC Board of Laity, Chair Upon the recommendation of the Senior Associate Pastor of my church, Rev. Rebecca Frank, I recently purchased a book titled The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision U. S. While waiting in line at my local bookstore I casually opened the book and my eyes fell on the following anonymous quote— “Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about...

The Bishop: Getting Our Priorities Straight

BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference Have you ever expected one thing and experienced another? I had that happen a few weeks ago. I was invited to preach at St. Luke “Community” UMC in Dallas. I was prepared to Bishop Besdoe preach at the 11:00 a.m. worship service, but learned that I was scheduled to preach at the 8:00 a.m. service as well. Thoughts of traditional and typical early morning worship in a United Methodist congregation ran through my mind. Most, if not...