http://www.txcumc.org/news_top.aspnothing provideden-usFri, 20 Nov 2009 21:00:00 ESTFri, 20 Nov 2009 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1401http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1401By Vicki Brown, UMNS One of her first appointments was to an inner city church in Cleveland in the midst of a school busing crisis. She lived in a parsonage across the street from an X-rated theater and a parking lot where a motorcycle gang hung out. But she was not alone, Minnesota Area Bishop Sally Dyck told more than 500 young adults contemplating calls to ministry at EXPLORATION 2009. ldquo;No one ever bothered my property or me,rdquo; she said. ldquo;It gave me religion, I learned to trThu, 19 Nov 2009 10:17:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1400http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1400Seventeen thousand people in 113 Zip codes. These are more than numbers to the Wesley Community Center, where these figures translate into transformed lives. From after-school programs to emergency assistance with food, clothing, utilities and transportation, the reach of the Wesley Community Center has been felt far and wide in the Houston area for more than 100 years. It is for that reason, that Bishop Janice Riggle Huie has challenged the Texas Annual Conference to give as generouWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:39:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1399http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1399By Eleanor L. Colvin, Director of Communications The three newest missionaries in the Texas Annual Conference are no strangers to service. With Methodist roots firmly planted in White Oak, Houston and Champagne, Ill., each is uniquely equipped to take the gospel all over the world. Missionary couple, David Goran, of Illinois, and Shannon Goran, of Texas, have been working among the roughly 150,000 college students in Lrsquo;viv, Ukraine, for the past year. While Joseph Bradley of White OaWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:36:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1398http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1398By Rev. Clay Whitaker, Texas Conference Disaster Response Anahuac Comeback was started under the direction of First United Methodist Church of Rosenberg Texas. Their vision is to help restore homes that were damaged/destroyed in Hurricane Ike. To be specific, this Fall they have targeted four houses to be repaired in just four months so that four families will be home for Christmas! These four homes have been identified as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The congregation of First UMC of RoWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:34:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1397http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1397By Thelma Jones, Editor, Cross Connection 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Godrsquo;s will for you in Christ Jesus. The congregation of First UMC in San Augustine, Texas demonstrated their understanding of this scripture when a fire destroyed the church on Ash Wednesday in February of this year. The church will celebrate its first worship service after the fire in the new sanctuary. ldquo;We are looking forwaWed, 18 Nov 2009 11:26:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1394http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1394Join Jones Memorial UMC on December 24th as they present ldquo;Baby Jesus ndash; The Best Gift of All.rdquo; The play will begin at 6:00 p.m. at their church. The address is 2405 Almeda Genoa Rd., Houston, TX 77047.For more information contact information contact Rev. Kenneth Levingston at 713-733-4360. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1396http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1396The Fellowship of Hispanic Ministry would like to invite anyone interested to meet and fellowship with Rev. Mamani on December 8, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.at the Methodist Service Center. We will share a meal and hear from Rev. Mamaniabout the work he is doing in Bolivia. There is no cost to attend.Please RSVP no later than December 1, 2009 to Shirley Broome in the Texas Annual Conference Center for Missional Excellence at sbroome@txcumc.org or by phone at 713-521-9383, ext. 301. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1395http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1395Join Jones Memorial UMC is working with Houston Community College to offer a free adult education G.E.D. prep course. It will run January 19 - June 17, 2010. Classes will be Mondays and Thursdays from 9-12 a.m. Orientation will be held December 11-14 from 9 a.m. until noon. Jones Memorial UMC is located at 2405 Almeda Genoa Rd., Houston, TX 77047 See Flyer For more information contact HCC at 713-718-5400. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1392http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1392By Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS In a day and age when just having a job is the new raise, it came naturally to the spiritual leaders of The United Methodist Church to take a pay cut. ldquo;Itrsquo;s as plain as the nose on your face,rdquo; said Bishop Peggy Johnson, Philadelphia Area. ldquo;It makes perfect sense.rdquo; In less than two months, Johnson and her fellow 49 active U.S. United Methodist bishops will open smaller paychecks and see about $5,000 less in 2010. Last May, the bishops voted tWed, 11 Nov 2009 10:05:00 ESThttp://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1389http://www.txcumc.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=1389 By Elliott Wright, GBGM More than $1.8 million in quot;mission opportunity grantsquot; were approved or confirmed by directors of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries at their annual meeting in Stamford, Connecticut, in mid-October. In addition, almost $400,000 in new grants was approved for projects in Africa and Armenia related to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The mission opportunity grants were for the first time organized around the denominationWed, 11 Nov 2009 09:23:00 EST