2010 AC approves one church closure

On recommendation of the Conference Board of Trustees, the 2010 session voted to close only one church—Nelta UMC in the former Paris-Sulphur Springs District. Only a small number of members remained, the report said, and they could not continue to support the church. Proceeds from sale of the property will be placed with the NTC Creating Congregations Team for new or existing ministries.  ...

C.C. Young CEO to retire after 27 years with agency

Kenneth Durand will retire as president and CEO of NTC-related C.C. Young Sept. 30 after 27 years of service with the retirement facility. Durand said, “We have built a visionary organization that is a leader in quality senior care. We have achieved this due largely to the support of our employees, board of directors and volunteers.” “The board accepts Ken’s decision to retire with a sense of loss but with enormous gratitude for his accomplishments and...

Fridays-out rate high with PT interns

By John A. Lovelace Special Correspondent Project Transformation’s ninety-and-nine summer 2010 interns went away from their four-days-a-week assignments Friday, June 25, as they do every Friday. It’s their weekly day out to visit a variety of ministries—United Methodist and others—up close and personal. On this particular Friday, some interns visited the Methodist Home in Waco. Others visited the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, famed for its annual sponsorship of the...

Good news: NTC apportioments decrease in 2011

In 2011, for the third consecutive year, local church apportionments will go down. NTC members during June 6–8 sessions in Wichita Falls approved the Council on Finance and Administration’s recommendation of a 3 percent decrease ($371,565 in hard numbers). CFA’s printed report said the council recognizes “that many families and some churches are continuing to struggle in the uncertain and challenging times in our nation.” The report added that the CFA recommends...

Grief author writes from experience

By John A. Lovelace Special Correspondent Personal, painful experience and subsequent, ongoing meticulous research stand behind Julie Yarbrough’s new book, Inside the Broken Heart. The subtitle rightly places the author within the target group: “Grief Understanding for Widows and Widowers.” Ms. Yarbrough is the widow of Rev. Dr. Leighton K. Farrell, a leading member of the North Texas Conference for more than three decades, senior pastor of Highland Park UMC for 23...

Memorial Service emphasizes new life now

By Joe Dan Boyd Special Correspondent Walk forth this day in courage, inspired by God’s own breath, To witness resurrection, in triumph over death; To strengthen all who languish, to comfort all who grieve. Walk forth this day in courage to live as you believe. —From the hymn, Walk Forth This Day In Beauty The familiar text, John 11:17–27, read by Rev. Beatriz Pacheco during the Annual Conference Memorial Service on June 8, detailed Jesus’ most startling...

Pastor, musician found 17 years of harmony

By JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent Julie Yarbrough describes her 17-year “daily mountaintop” marriage to the late Rev. Dr. Leighton K. Farrell this way: “He gave me his wisdom. I gave him my youth.” In her new book, Inside the Broken Heart, she writes this of the end of the “God-ordained marriage between two very unlikely people” when he was 73, she 55. “In January, 2004, I sat on a beautiful chaise in a luxury hotel in Maui, Hawaii, reading...

VIM recruiting Haiti team leaders

By Rev. Marji Bishir Associate Director/Missional Outreach The application deadline is Aug. 1 to apply for a January 2011 mission trip to Haiti organized by the North Texas Conference to give mission trip leaders experience necessary to lead their own subsequent teams. The team will be finalized by Sept. 1. The United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), a program under the Mission Volunteers unit of the General Board of Global Ministries, is organizing all United Methodist mission...

Around the Conference

  First UMC, Dallas, will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic “Oklahoma” July 16–18 at 7:30 p.m. at the downtown church, 1928 Ross Ave. This is part of the church’s long-standing Rotunda Theatre Series Summer Musicals. Admission is free.  Contact the church’s Music and Arts Office at 214-220-2727, ext. 218 or online at www.firstchurchdallas.org/music_rotunda_feature.htm. Birth Gage Michael Plata, son of Regan and Michael Plata and...

From Bogata to Burkburnett: Prayer! What is it good for?

By Richard B. Hearne NTC Board of Laity, Chair With apologies to Edwin Starr’s 1969 pop song, “War! What is it good for?” this has come to mind when I have discussed with some persons the future of the NTC after the passing of the new Strategic Plan at Annual Conference. Many are aware that the Core Leadership Team  had its initial meeting on June 17 (see article at www.ntcumc.org)  and the new districts went into effect on July 1. I believe that all of us serving...

The Bishop: Getting our priorities straight

By Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe North Texas Conference I noticed this past week that many transitions are taking place everywhere. Here in the Conference Ministry Center, new centers are being developed and established. Individuals are transitioning out of the office, and new people are transitioning into newly created positions. Change is in the air. I spoke with a clergyperson last week at Duke Divinity moving into a new appointment the same week. She had excitement and anticipation in her voice...