BMCR plans forum on Strategic Plan

The NTC Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) will host a forum for discussion of the proposed Strategic Plan for the conference at 7:00 p.m. April 28 at St. Luke “Community” UMC, Dallas. SPT members Revs. Sheron Patterson, Highland Hills UMC, Dallas; John Fiedler, First UMC, Dallas; and Tyrone Gordon, St. Luke “Community” UMC will be present to discuss the plan and respond to questions. BMCR has issued a special invitation to church lay leaders, Annual Conference...

Changing the World: NTC churches launch local, global outreach

South African singer and malaria ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka (left) visits with United Methodist Bishops (from left) W. Earl Bledsoe, Thomas Bickerton, James Dorff and David Yemba at the provincial governor’s mansion in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Chaka Chaka, government officials and five United Methodist bishops as well as religious leaders from other faith groups kicked off the distribution of 30,000 long-lasting insecticide treated nets in the Bongonga community of...

Local Authors set for Cokesbury book signing

BY KATIE SHOCKLEY Manager, Dallas Cokesbury This spring is big for several North Texas authors. Meet some of these authors at Cokesbury in Dallas on Saturday May 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a book signing event. Authors scheduled to attend are James Moore, Paul Escamilla, Richard Mabry, and Ronie Kendig. James Moore celebrates the release of two new books this May. He co-authored Lord, Give Me Patience! . . . and Give It to Me Right Now! with his brother Bob Mabry Moore, who serves...

Mentoring citizens to be...a labor of love

A handshake across the table symbolizes successful completion by Jaime Salazar (left) of the U.S. citizenship class taught by Rev. Fred Durham. Salazar answered all 10 questions correctly on his citizenship exam and was sworn in as a U.S. citizen Jan. 25. gual women who make up the staff of JFON (Justice for Our Neighbors), a ministry shared by the North and Central Texas Conferences) sure hope so. They are Mary Beth Garcia, immigration law specialist; Amy Spaur, outreach coordinator assigned...

Around the Conference

NTC Clergy Spouses will hold their 72nd annual luncheon at 11:30 a.m. June 7 at Floral Heights UMC, Wichita Falls. Tickets will be available at District Conferences. Contact Pamela Shamblin, 971-367-2767 or e-mail: pshamblin@frymire.com for more information. Sorrows Rev. William F. (Bill) Upchurch, NTC Retired, died April 12. Memorial service was held April 17 at First UMC, Garland. Rev. Joe Funk, Retired Local Pastor, died April 13. Funeral service was April 16 at Elm Ridge UMC....

NTC to offer Web Seminar 'Planning your 2010 VBS program'

Date: May 4—Time: 7:00 p.m.—Cost: Free! Summertime is fast approaching and this means Vacation Bible School Time in NTC churches. The Lay Speaking Ministries and Cokesbury are teaming up for a web seminar, or webinar, to help planners make this VBS a stellar experience for children and adult and youth volunteers. Join Joyce Brown, Cokesbury Curriculum Consultant for Texas churches, as she shares new ideas and discusses themes for this year’s Cokesbury VBS program—GALACT...

The Bishop: Getting our priorities straight

BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference “Bishop, do modern day miracles still occur?” asked the 50-something year old man sitting at table with me in Africa. My answer was that it depends on how you define a miracle and whether you believe in the power of God to make a difference in the lives of God’s people. I believe modern day miracles do occur, and I am witnessing one in the making today in Lubumbashi, in the province of Katanga, in the country of the...