'Summer of Excellence' Series

Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas is featuring a "Summer of Excellence" series each Sunday thru August 12 at 6:00 p.m. in Asbury Hall to share excellence of Word and worship.   July 15 - Rev. Sheron Patterson, pastor of Highland Hills UMC, Dallas, and host of the syndicated radio show "Love Doctor."   July 22 - Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball, pastor of Suncreek UMC, Allen, and clergy delegation leader to 2008 General Conference.   July 29 - Rev. Neil Tomba, pastor of Northwest...

Children's Camp Added

Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center August 13–17 Monday - Friday Terri Swan • Scott Livingston   For more information or to register, download form www.bridgeportcamp.com/images/Camp2007.pdf...

Future events at Mount Sequoyah

Course of Study/Formation Event - Sept. 4-11 for persons who need to fulfill their Doctrine and Polity requirements in the Course of Study.   Interim Ministry Training - Phase I & III will be held Sept. 25-28 and April 1-3, 2008. Phase II is a 5 month period of work in one's home parish.   SCJ Senior Adult Retreat – Leaves of Gold – Session 1: Oct.15-18. Session 2: Oct. 22-25. Navigating The Single Life - SCJ Singles Retreat -Nov. 2-4 Caring for Creation Conference - March...

GBOD Upper Room Ministries presents 'Helping children experience God' workshop

The General Board of Discipleship's Upper Room Ministries presents a one-day "Way of the Child" training July 21 at Sierra Vista UMC, Sierra Vista, AZ.   A new children's spiritual formation resource, "The Way of the Child: Helping Children Experience God," is part of the "Companions in Christ" series published by the Nashville-based agency.   Author Wynn McGregor is the leader for the training event designed for parents and Christian educators of children ages 6-11....

NTC Bishop's Appeal on flooding

The NTC Disaster Relief Team is working in coordination with the local leadership in Wichita Falls, Gainesville, Sherman and other communities affected by the local area flooding.   Churches wishing to send teams are invited to contact Associate Director of Connectional Ministries Rev. Marji Bishir at 972-526-5000, 800-969-8201 or send e-mail to bishir@ntcumc.org.   All contributions to the Bishop's Appeal for the Flooding go directly to the areas affected by these unprecedented...

Preparing a church emergency plan

The NTC Disaster Response team will sponsor a free training session on "Developing a Plan for your Local Church" on August 9 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the NTC Ministry Center, located at 500 Maplelawn Drive in Plano.   Trustees, clergy and church staffs are especially encouraged to attend this important event. "The first step to being prepared is recognizing that a disaster can happen at any time --- and it can happen to you!" says Rev. Marji Bishir, Associate Director of...

Rains challenge Sherman Great Days of Service

BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Correspondent Because of heavy rains, Great Days of Service (GDS), Sherman's showpiece of inter-church cooperation and community leadership, almost became Great Days of Survival during its 12th season, June 27-30.   Rain forced teenage volunteer would-be house painters to tote their buckets and swish their brushes in dormitory hallways on June 28, at nearby Grayson County Community College. In the city's oldest sections, some residential yards that...

Service with a smile from a community that cares

JOE DAN BOYD  Special Correspondent "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."– Hebrews 13:16 It was a day when everything, and nearly everyone, worked! The first Annual Winnsboro Community Service Day (WCSD), June 23, attracted 90 eager volunteers to a 6:00 a.m. breakfast in Wesley Hall at First UMC, Winnsboro, where this idea had blossomed, months earlier, in the vision of pastor, Rev. Allen Snider. First UMC men cooked...

Singer and songwriter retreat, Mount Sequoyah Center, Aug. 17-19

Mount Sequoyah Conference & Retreat Center will host a weekend singer/songwriter retreat Unplugged, Aug. 17-19, at the center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The retreat will feature three-time Grammy winners Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet of the group "Trout Fishing in America" as leaders.   The NTC's own Rev. Eric Folkerth, senior pastor of Northaven UMC, Dallas, will be a workshop leader for the event. Among scheduled activities are a workshop and "Trout Fishing in America" concert...

Words of the Shepherd King

Artist/Designer Marilyn Eitzen Jones, a longtime member of Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas, stands with her four canvasses displayed at the May 4- 10 juried art show at Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCPC), Dallas.   The show was part of the PCPC Arts Festival which focused on Exploring the 23rd Psalm. Each artist was asked to depict a theme reflective of Psalm 23 and include an inspirational statement.   For her four-canvas dis play, Jones chose to use various translations of...