'Connections' Haiti benefit sets record for band

More than 360 people packed the house to hear The Connections Band’s Jan. 22 “SuperHits of the 70s” show to benefit the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s work in Haiti. The show at Northaven UMC, Dallas, raised $13,883 in donations. Rev. Eric Folkerth notes that Connections, composed of NTC clergy and lay musicians, has been doing benefit oncerts for almost four years. Before the Haiti Benefit, the greatest single fundraising total was just over $7,000....

'New You' event at Methodist Charlton

Attendees at the recent “New Year, New You” event held at Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Dallas, learned how to reinvent themselves and take better care of their health, while being pampered and having fun. Physicians on the medical staff at Methodist Health System and Methodist Charlton Fitness Specialist Jessica Vaughn shared information on weight management, wellness for women, fitness, and cosmetic surgery. Lewis Pincus, DO, medical director of the Methodist Weight...

'Rock for Haiti' benefit concert

A “Rock for Haiti” benefit concert will be presented, Saturday, Feb. 13, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Bridwell Park of Wichita Falls, at Harrison St. near 11th St. Attendees should bring their chairs, and blankets. The concert will feature “Captain Amazing & the Fantastics” (a thoroughly unofficial band of Floral Heights UMC, including Rev. Marc Corazao, Randall Alvarez, Daniel Lebow, Lan Mai, and Christoph Wirp.) Also, “Three in One,” a possibly less...

Godsend story boosts PT recruitment

Almost all eyes - there’s one in every crowd - are on Sarai Gonzalez as she reluctantly agrees to be singled out for her re-entry into PT, Intern colleagues posing with her are, from left, Tasha Wright, Antwan Habersham and Mary Kate Fergeson. BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent Project Transformation’s recruitment staff has a new godsend of a story to share with prospective interns and their families. They’ll tell it often during this year’s multi-state...

Imagine no Malaria gaining momentum

BY RICHARD B. HEARNE NTC Board of Laity, Chair Do you, like me, know people that are totally oblivious and un-concerned about those in this world that suffer from hunger, poverty, disease and other inequities? I have had a hard time understanding how they can enjoy so many benefits and never even think of the plight of others. Almost two years of serving as the Lay Leader of NTC has given me a real insight as to why people are that way. Prior to being elected to this honored position, I...

New children's musical 'opens' possibilities

 When Kimberly Ingram, a Sunday School teacher and children’s choir director at First UMC, Garland, took up the challenge of visualizing a ministry and bringing it to life, she had no idea that her efforts would develop into a new children’s musical and a collaboration poised to grow into a rich resource for congregations. Ingram, who has led children’s choir programs for a number of years, says that she sometimes had trouble finding scripts that are a good fit for the...

Sarai Gonzalez, 'back home again' at PT

Sarai Gonzalez, age 19, remembers this about “the good old days” of Project Transformation, in the beginning, 1998: It was “the togetherness of the program, how everyone was so close and so friendly. ”As a PT “grad” returning to the staff, she’s back where she began, at Oak Cliff UMC as an intern in PT’s After-School Program. A Sunset High School graduate, Sarai is also a first year student in El Centro College’s pre-nursing...

St. Luke "Community" UMC hosts 2010 Music Seminar

St. Luke “Community” UMC, Dallas, will host a 2010 new music seminar Feb. 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. featuring clinician and series editor Dr. James Abbington, associate professor of church music and worship at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. The seminar will be of particular interest to church, high school, college or community choral musicians. Dr. Abbington serves as executive editor of the African American Church Music Series by GIA Publications...

Stewards of Children seminar

Longtime child advocate Jane Donovan will facilitate a “Stewards of Children” seminar April 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the NTC Ministry Center. As NTC churches prepare to be “safe sanctuaries” for children, staff and volunteers encounter the harsh reality that at times home is not a safe sanctuary for a child, especially one who is sexually abused. What is the appropriate course of action when someone suspects a child is being abused? All adults who serve...

Around the Conference

Birth Miller Matthew Herron, daughter ofSarah and Chad Herron,granddaughter of Sally and Rev. Doug Miller, First UMC, Frisco, was born Jan. 21, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz and measuring 191/2 inches. Positions available First UMC, The Colony, is seeking a part-time financial administrator. Persons interested may send resume to church4all@fumctc.org. *** Northgate UMC, Irving,is seeking a part-time administrative assistant. Persons interested may send resume to Rev. Margie Steele,...

The Bishop: Getting our priorities straight

BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference I want to share my excitement about an initiative that is starting as a grassroots effort in the North Texas Conference. Unlike previous efforts, this one began with a group of laity and clergy wanting to help make a difference in the lives of children. Now, their enthusiasm is catching on and spreading like a wildfire. This initiative is called Imagine No Malaria, or, as our newly formed task force refers to it, “ZAPMalaria!” On...