Cross Connection September 24, 2015 - txcumc.org · Cross Connection – September 24, 2015 2 pioneering new ways to work out an arrangement. All of our meetings were covered in prayer

Cross Connection – September 24, 2015

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New Campus Partnership Exemplifies the Strength of the UMC Connection Mutual goals lead Covenant Glen UMC Missouri City and First UMC Houston into a strategic campus-sharing partnership. From a young age, we are taught to share. As we grow older we call it collaboration and it is especially powerful in the context of Kingdom work. First UMC Houston (Central South District) and Covenant Glen UMC Missouri City (Southwest District) have recently collaborated in a way that's resulting in 1) a positive future and faith energy for both congregations, 2) the chance to grow the church in a more diverse setting and 3) serving as a new ministry model leveraging cooperation. The Back Story: Needs Become Opportunities Having outgrown its worship space, Covenant Glen UMC, under the leadership of Dr. Robert Childress, sought a new “home.” Relocating in 2015 would allow the sale of the original campus and give the congregation time to raise money for a new campus. According to Dr. Steve Wende of FUMC Houston, the 2200-seat worship center on First UMC Houston’s Westchase campus was a perfect fit for “such a time as this.” Task forces determined there was sufficient space for both churches to host their normal events while sharing the campus and a unique partnership agreement took effect this summer. “From its very beginnings,” Dr. Wende shares, “First Church has been a city church, ministering across lines of culture, race and background in the name of Christ. The new venture with Covenant Glen UMC sharing our Westchase campus is in some ways groundbreaking, but in other ways simply a continuation of that tradition. There are different worship services, styles and languages, but all are one in the Lord Jesus! The spirit of both churches is excellent, and the openness and hospitality being shown by the members of both churches is inspiring. We truly believe that this is the start of something that can make a huge impact for God’s Kingdom in West Houston and the world.” Connection for the Cause of Christ Central South District Superintendent Rev. Andy Noel was integral to the formation of this creative new partnership model. “The First United Methodist/Covenant Glen United Methodist West Campus Partnership represents one of the best working aspects of being a United Methodist -- how we work as a connection for the cause of Christ, “ he observes. “From the very first meeting there was a clear compatibility of the needs and interests of the two congregations. FUMC had a strategic initiative to better utilize its West Campus facilities and to identify strategic partners for Kingdom work. Covenant Glen was constrained by its Missouri City campus. Its interior space and limited parking for its large congregation had become an obstacle to growth in recent years.” Adds Andy, “What I saw from the outset were two leadership teams who were committed to finding common benefits, a shared solution, and were creative in


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pioneering new ways to work out an arrangement. All of our meetings were covered in prayer and thoughtful conversation. As we imagined this revitalized campus we developed a rallying cry in creating a kind of ‘food court for Jesus’ by offering several worship choices. This image provided energy to work through all the complex logistical and financial details.” Kickoff Sunday Leaders agree that God has richly blessed the first month of this shared solution. “Over 1600 were in attendance at Covenant Glen's first service on August 16,” adds Andy. Rev. Robert Childress adds, “The congregation’s response to this solution has been superb. The majority of members have made the transition with us and others are trickling back every week. Over 30 have joined since our initial service which indicates the harvest is still huge in this area.” Additionally, FUMC's The Vine praise service is already expanding to a second service. “In one of my recent Sunday visits,” explains Andy, “I saw a spirit of Christian fellowship as both congregations live into this new arrangement. Bishop Huie was critical in getting the conversations started between the two leadership teams and her energy and vision sustained us through several months of meetings and the difficult work that emerged to achieve this common vision.” Rev. Jay Jackson, Southwest District Superintendent says this cooperative arrangement “represents the best kind of Kingdom work that I have recently experienced.” Adds Jay, “Two very different United Methodist congregations with very different traditions have united to provide a shared ministry at the Westchase campus that will strengthen both congregations and better serve the wider mission field they now share. Enough appreciation cannot be shared about the leadership and vision of Bishop Huie and the assistance of Rev. B. T. Williamson and Dr. Elijah Stansell in this process. Clergy and lay leadership from both congregations were instrumental in working cooperatively and constructively to achieve a stronger and more diverse United Methodist presence in this vital mission field.” Jay also cites the leadership of DS Andy Noel, Dr. Steve Wende, and Dr. Robert Childress for being engaged in making this dream a reality for some time. Notes Jay, “After a long process of discernment and congregational buy-in, both Covenant Glen and FUMC, Houston, will be stronger and more effective partners in the greater work of Jesus Christ in this wider area of influence for both congregations. I hope that it will act as an inspiration to other congregations who could make greater impacts on underserved mission fields through cooperative ministry. We are finding that God is calling us to live outside of the comfortable boxes we too often create for ourselves. This cooperative type of creative ministry will be vital to our faithful and fruitful ministry into a rapidly changing world.” Adds Robert, “Covenant Glen believed that a partnership with First Methodist Houston could benefit both campuses in a practical way as well as create a new model for revitalization and growth through all of Methodism. I applaud the


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leadership of Bishop Huie and both District Superintendents for supporting such a bold endeavor.”

Conference Hosts REFRESH To Celebrate Ministry Milestones A blessing from the Bishop is just one of many special activities that ordained and licensed clergy experience by attending REFRESH to celebrate special ministry anniversaries.

"Frankly, I didn't know what to expect from REFRESH,” admits recent attendee Rev. Irv White, Windsor Village UMC. “My first thoughts had nothing to do with personal benefits: How am I going to manage a two-and-a-half day getaway in the middle of the week? I wouldn’t be available to get my daughter to and from school and ballet class, not to mention the work I would miss and have to complete upon my return.” He reasoned that, although none of those reasons had anything to do with the value of REFRESH, they were real and they represented the day-to-day obligations that forced him to seriously question whether he was going to participate. “I had to come to the realization that it is responsibilities like those along with the ‘24/7ness’ of ministry that lead to burnout and I was feeling the burn. With my family’s help, we were able to work out my getaway plan and I got away--- and glad I did.” The Texas Annual Conference (TAC) hosts this annual event for clergy celebrating a ministry milestone of continuous appointment of ordination (5, 10, 15 years etc). TAC Center for Clergy Excellence Director Rev. Gail Ford Smith says, “REFRESH is a gift to our clergy because they are our best resource. We know these are challenging times and our clergy give of themselves in such powerful ways. We want to offer them a time away for reflection and renewal about their call from God among friends and colleagues.” The REFRESH Class of 2015 includes:

5 Years Rev. Patty Bergfield Rev. Patrick Evans Rev. Hazel Jackson Rev. Tommy Myrick Rev. David Urban Rev. Deborah Vaughn Rev. Virginia Wall Rev. Kristin Bogart Rev. Verronda Flanagan Rev. Sarria-Anaya Rev. Larry Shows

10 Years Rev. Jesse Brannen


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Rev. Donald Brown Rev. Kevin Gilmore Rev. Cathy Richardson Rev. Matt Thomas Rev. Frank Varro Rev. Irv White 15 Years Rev. Jerome Brimmage Rev. Peter Camarrano Rev. Stacy Pever Anzick Rev. David Banks Rev. Kristin Bogart Rev. David Brasher Rev. Kenneth Green Rev. Laceye Warner 20 Years Rev. Malcolm Monroe Rev. Elijah Stansell 30 Years Rev. Dan Hannon Rev. Harry Vein Rev. Clay Whitaker 35 Years Rev. Will Reed Rev. Wesley Welborn “Ideally,” adds Gail, “our special guests experience refreshment through rest and worship, conversation and quiet, resources and fun. The Center for Clergy Excellence deeply appreciates the ministry of each and every pastor and REFRESH is one way we have to thank them for their faithful witness." Personal and ministry assessments offered during REFRESH include the Birkman Method, led by certified proctor Rev. Peter Cammerano, Chapelwood UMC, Lake Jackson. “The retreats expose participants to Birkman personality and leadership results to encourage them to think about what the next five years will bring them in ministry,” he says. “The Birkman is an opportunity to notice how their personality effects the way they see the world.” Participant Irv White describes his experience saying, “The Birkman assessment read me like a book. I am using it to guide me toward a better understanding and appreciation of myself, my style of leadership, and the stressors that can keep me from being my best, especially to my family."


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Retreat Takeaways

In spite of all that was on his TO DO list, Irv appreciates having the opportunity to get away. "Among the takeaways for me was a greater understanding of some of the challenges and rewards of ministry. I gained a greater appreciation of the commitment to ministry made by some of my peers." Rev. David Banks, Greggton UMC agrees, “I loved visiting with other clergy and I now have a new appreciation for the Birkman assessment as a tool, and the many application options.” "REFRESH is a certainly a gift to clergy from the Annual Conference,” adds Peter. “The retreats are time for rest, re-creation, and growth. During the retreats participants gather in ordination reunion groups, share stories of their call to ministry and create a dialogue about things that have 'killed them with delight' during ministry. And, we spend time planning elements of the second retreat during the first."

Community Leaders Discuss Immigration Reform at UMC Service Center Elected officials and church leaders are working together to facilitate immigration reform in a unified manner.

Global hospitality. Since this is a vital part of the United Methodist belief system, the Texas Conference welcomed a group of bipartisan city leaders to an immigration reform roundtable September 2 to discuss “nontraditional” solutions. This idea grew out of a community assessment project headed by Consultant Daniel Diaz who has been working with TAC and Justice For Our Neighbors Director Brenda Diaz. The Center of Missional Excellence helped sponsor the immigration roundtable to discuss some of today’s pressing issues that affect immigrant communities. Notes Daniel, “Senator Sylvia Garcia (D) and State Representative Gilberto Pena (R) had a dialogue with community advocates Martina Grifaldo and Claudia Rios, JFON staff and board; church leaders from UMC about how we can change the current narrative the media is portraying about immigrants,” explains Daniel. According to Brenda and Daniel, immigration has found its way to the top of the national political dialogue, especially in presidential election politics. Notes Daniel, “Immigration is a very important issue to the progress of this country, especially when most of us in the United States have ancestors who were immigrants. Although the immigrant experience has played a major role in the identity of our country, it is unfortunate that much of the current dialogue on immigration is led by fearful and discriminatory language. With much of the national narrative in immigration painting the immigrant as a criminal instead of a human being seeking a better life, this caused concern amongst people who understand the complexities of immigration. The immigration roundtable provided a safe space for discussion of


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immigration for a diverse group that included church leaders, political leaders from both parties, and community advocates.” JFON board and advisory members were invited to participate in this unique opportunity as passionate advocates for global hospitality. “It makes sense to connect civic leaders with JFON leaders as a resource,” adds TAC Missional Excellence Center Director Diane McGehee. “Our trained facilitator Daniel Diaz is helping us form listening groups and develop relational trust,” she says. “ As Methodists, we sometimes think we know what people need, but if we don’t confirm by listening we will continue to be ineffective. This gathering of elected officials serving in the East End, Houston provided an opportunity to share ideas collectively and try to effect positive change by addressing actual needs within the community.” Immigration reform will continue to be a top priority for the task forces and think tank members of the Missional Excellence Committee. Notes Daniel, “The clear consensus among all members of the roundtable is their commitment to work together and to change the current negative narrative that discriminates against immigrants.”

How the Texas Conference is Partnering with Congregations to ‘Invest in the Young’ Youth/Young Adult Ministry Director Eddie Irwin says the “forecast” for youth ministry across the conference is a good one. When asked who was most influential in their faith formation and vocational ministry choice, a room full of Christian educators and youth workers at St. Paul’s UMC, Houston recently shared an array of personal stories that often pointed to youth leaders and teachers from their childhood. One participant at the lunch joked that her dad made her attend UM ARMY, under duress, yet after several camps, she felt the call to keep working with youth and does so decades later. The group laughed at another attendee who admitted, “I got into youth ministry when I received a postcard in the mail from the Nominations Committee.” Yet others mentioned special spiritual inspiration coming from confirmation teachers, parents and grandparents, friends, youth directors and even “an aunt and uncle with a station wagon that pulled up in our driveway every Sunday whether I wanted to go to church or not!” Ironically, shared another, “my kids were the ones that brought me back to church.” Guest speaker Eddie Irwin, Youth/Young Adult Ministry Director, used this exercise to remind attendees that they are all continuously impacting young people through their vocations, in life changing ways. “In terms of how the Texas Conference is going to be partnering with you to Invest in the Young in the next year and beyond,” he says, “it will be through a number of different ways -- ranging from special events to training to leadership development.”


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Annual Events “The conference hosts a number of events year after year that will continue to take place, but we will be working to improve them and working on ways to encourage students to have more input going forward,” notes Eddie.

NOVEMBER 2015: The Big Event (6th graders across the conference) FEBRUARY 2016: Lakeview and Forest Glen camps for middle schoolers SUMMER 2016: Texas Youth Academy (two-week spiritual formation

workshop for sophomores and juniors that apply and get accepted) Training Equipping leaders across the conference will include both nationwide events and local training that focuses on the specific situation of each of the churches involved.

UM Discipleship (GBOD) is hosting a Children’s Ministry Forum in Little Rock in November 17-19.

TAC is hosting the Elephant in the Sanctuary event January 16, featuring youth expert Kenda Creasy Dean who will facilitate new ideas for the new generation, and discuss possible ministry “incubators” to give participants ideas for their congregations. “We aren’t advocating changing the message of the gospel, just presenting it in new and relevant ways,” adds Eddie. “For example, one church started a food truck ministry, and hearing about that in a forum such as this might encourage another church to try something similar.”

Youth Advisory Connection (YAC) is being reinvigorated to provide more opportunities for student input in the ideas, speaker topics, t-shirt designs and more for their unique youth events.

CYC – Conference Youth Council will encourage youth to lead retreats and other activities that give them successes and growth opportunities with others. “We will seek out these kinds of opportunities to engage young people – much like little petri dishes of ministry where they can grow in their faith,” adds Eddie.

Boost Young Adult Connectivity – Explains Eddie, “We want to connect young adults that are in various pockets of the conference – to each other in new ways and expand intern training opportunities. Any training we provide will help them feel comfortable jumping in and leading.”

Eddie acknowledges that each district and church is unique, so the conference will seek to be locally-focused on ways to strengthen the connectional bonds. “For example, churches in the South District are meeting together on a monthly basis to strengthen relationships and share ideas,” he says. “And the East District just hosted a youth rally with 200 students from a number of churches.”


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Improving Communication The conference, under the Center for Congregational Excellence, will be establishing a monthly email newsletter on the first Tuesday of each month, to include what is going on at the conference level and include information from churches desiring to publicize their youth rallies, concerts and other things they have planned. “We also communicate via a Youth Twitter account and Facebook,” he adds, “but we are open to new apps or even handwritten letters if that is deemed most effective.” “Our role in the conference office is to help the local church make disciples by being in partnership in that mission,” Eddie explains, showing the group an image of Queen Elizabeth, Europe’s longest reigning royal family member. “It’s my job and mission to help boost your staying power in youth ministry -- reaching young people, and I will do anything in my power to help.” Eddie shared the umconnector.org website as a shortcut for ministry resources. “The UM Communication folks have put mission opportunities, curriculum and ideas in one place to streamline and make it easier on all of us.” Adds Eddie, “Not everyone these days has a grandma reading to them from the Bible as might have been your experience,” he says. “So, let’s consider how to pour into these new generations – together.”

New Spiritual Formation Programs Draw Youth to Faith UMC Dickinson Extending God’s love to children has always been a core value of Faith UMC Dickinson. This value readily surfaced over four years ago during the congregation’s participation in the Church Unique self-evaluation study. After the study, Jesus and Me (JAM) ministry coordinator Helen Childs says the church intensified its dedication to put faith into action through its children ministries. “I am more than proud to be a part of the revitalization of our church,” she says. “I, like other members, grew concerned about the absence of youth in the congregation. The church evaluation opened my eyes as to our unique kingdom purpose. God spoke to my heart about activating youth ministries. Responding to the pastor's messages on God's call to discipleship has infused new life into Faith church. This summer

Faith UMC’s JAM (“Jesus and Me”) Day outreach ministry continues to attract community youth. At the beginning of summer, the JAM Day outreach ministry offered 17 children a day of bowling, and laser tag fun at a local recreation center. This ministry, now in its third year, has introduced a spiritual development component through informal mini discussions. The program has adopted the Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed for Youth learning material as a guidance tool. Children are encouraged to imitate the teachings of Jesus Christ by applying his greatest commandment expressed in Mark


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12:29-31. This scripture “To love the Lord thy God… and your neighbor as yourself” is the Jesus Creed. Faith ended the summer ministry program, with A JAM back-to-school play day held the Saturday before school start. The youth enjoyed basketball, board games and great snacks. They were once again introduced to a sprinkling of spiritual teachings during lunch. Rev. Diedra Walters, Faith’s associate minister, was among those on hand to support this ministry.

Faith UMC took 10 youth and a new youth counselor, DaShae Gray, to experience the South District Lakeview Camp. Senior minister, Rev. Lorraine Brown says, “The youth and their parents always express such gratitude for this fulfilling experience.”

Back-to-School

This was the 10th anniversary of the church’s Free School Shopping Spree that has long provided families from Dickinson and the surrounding Galveston County communities with new school clothes for over 100 area children. “It is always so heart-warming to see Jesus’ love at work through the eyes of excited children who receive brand new clothes,” says Rev. Brown. “We continue to see the need for this ministry as parents and children fill the church to capacity, year after year, to receive this blessing.”

The following Sunday was dedicated to providing back-to-school blessings for children and educators. The pastor extended an altar invitation specifically to those returning to school whether student or teacher. The sermon was dedicated to the children, encouraging them to be the best that they can, reminding them that they are representatives of Jesus Christ, and re-enforcing Christ’s love (and their church’s love) for them. The blessing ended with anointing each child, educator and parent with the blessing of the Jesus Christ as they entered the new school year. According to Rev. Brown, Faith’s dedication to its children ministry has yielded good fruit. “The church, once almost void of children, now has teens serving as ushers, singing in the choir, and attending both Sunday school and worship service. Faith UMC is truly a thriving living church thanks to its outreach of love through service to children. Through its youth ministries, Faith continues to fulfill its mission of Exemplifying the Love of Jesus Christ to Bring Hope to the Hearts of Everyday People.”

Hungry in Haiti Kingwood UMC consecrates its new Commons facility by packaging meals for Missions for Hope Haiti.

What better way to consecrate a new gathering space (built to help connect the church to the community) than to conduct a church-wide mission project? Blessings and joy abounded as 250 members of Kingwood UMC (KUMC) came together on Saturday, August 29th to serve together in the name of Jesus. Cathy Parva, KUMC


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Missions Director invited the entire congregation to stop by and help package meals of vitamin enriched rice, dehydrated vegetables and soy to help mission partner “Mission of Hope Haiti” with the ongoing food shortage. “I was happy to see so many of our young families take on a 2-hour shift working alongside their kids,” says Cathy. Stark fact: Mission of Hope feeds 91,000 children per day, and estimated at the beginning of the year that they would be 6 million meals short, Cathy explains. “Their goal is really to feed 100,000 kids a day because so many are on the waiting list,” adds Cathy. With each meal costing about a quarter to package and ship, KUMC initially committed to funding and packing 40,000 meals. “However, through a generous congregation and daily donations during VBS, KUMC was able to raise enough money to afford 55,000 meals to be shipped to Haiti,” she adds. The final number packaged during the event exceeded that goal by almost 2,000; the church shipped 56,808 meals. KUMC, along with FUMC Houston and FUMC Conroe, is part of the Church Advancement initiative through Mission of Hope Haiti. Cathy explains that, “Church advancement is the Church of North America partnering with Mission of Hope, Haiti to serve the Church in Haiti. Church partners work hand-in-hand with the local Haitian pastors and Mission of Hope’s Village Champions in various ways, including short-term trips, child sponsorship, and village projects. Through this progress, the goal is to see the church in Haiti strengthened, villages changed, the Gospel proclaimed and lives transformed.” Through this essential project, the Kingwood UMC congregation has furthered one of the Texas Conference goals by “Investing in the Young” -- both at home and abroad.

Case Study: Back to Church Sunday Yields Record Attendance Quitman UMC members are still celebrating the joy of inviting people to church – some that visited for the first time and others that returned after long absences. Rev. Dr. Richard White breaks into a big, wide grin when he thinks about Sunday, August 30. “In response to our Vibrant Church Initiative recommendations over a year ago, Quitman UMC formed a laity team to help the church create bridges out to the community,” he shares. “I get excited just thinking about how our small-but-significant VCI Bridge to the Community Team organized a Back to Church Sunday that produced amazing results on August 30 and beyond.” According to team member Mary Ann Nichols, the team took a “divide and conquer approach” by starting campaign planning about a month before the event. Notes Mary Ann, “We had a meeting with our very creative and very organized committee. We brainstormed. We assigned jobs. We met two times to organize and once to stuff


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bags.” She adds, “We set the date and determined every member should be urged to invite two people. We publicized in church newsletter, bulletin, Facebook, flyers around church and phone tree.” The key components included:

A catchy flyer that created a consistent look for the event, and was useful

as a poster in adult classrooms and hallways, as a bulletin insert and

newsletter article, and an event posting on the church website and

Facebook

A postcard that was sent to inactive members and previous visitors

A Phonetree message reminder

During worship services prior to the event: Prayer cards were passed out and members were encouraged to prayerfully

consider whom they should invite.

Each of the 3 Sundays prior to the event, funny announcements were made,

including a prompt for people to raise their hand if they had invited a guest.

Day of Event: A tent was set up near the entrance to the church where visitors were

greeted and provided with coffee, donuts, and a gift bag that included: a

handwritten thank you note from the pastor, flyer announcing our mid-week

Wednesday Night Live (WNL) program for fall and a coupon for a free WNL

dinner, business card showing church Mission and Vision statements,

brochure showing map of the facility and listing of regularly scheduled

activities, a notepad and church pencil and candy.

Glorious Results According to Dick, “About 190 people attend Quitman UMC on a typical Sunday, but on Back to Church Sunday, attendance hit 273! Our Sunday school average is about 110, but we were ecstatic to have 156 in Sunday school that day, and see former members we had not seen in quite a while.” Team member Kathy Vargas reports that the classes showing the largest number of visitors were the young adult (31 up from 20) and youth (22 up from 10). “Overall, this was a one day increase of over 40% and we anxiously anticipated who would come back to our Wednesday Night Live service three days later,” she says. Dick adds, “I am happy to report that we served 101 at that following Wednesday Night Live, about 20% above last year’s average. The following Wednesday, the youth continued to be strong with attendance of over 30. And, in the past about 12-15 adults attended a Wednesday class, but we have since had 30 adults which is at least a 50% increase.” He is most excited to report, “One class had seven non-members.”


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World Communion Sunday

Around the globe, countless gifted and qualified people face financial obstacles that hinder them from preparing for the vocation God has given them, especially youth and young adults. For ethnic students who will be the first generation in their families to attend college, or for those people of color who haven’t historically had access to resources that make higher education possible, the road toward education has often been unwieldy.

What would it look like if the church today imitated Jesus’ affirmation of the full dignity and God-given potential of all women and men—especially those who’ve historically been assigned to the world’s margins? On World Communion Sunday your giving helps to provide scholarships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn and to serve.

Equipping Disciples Like Mary Grace to Serve in Jesus’ Name

As a small child Mary Grace Galapon labored as a housemaid in exchange for food and clothing. Yet, allowed to attend church, she found hope. As a member of The United Methodist Church, your giving on World Communion Sunday has allowed this deaconess, of the Mindanao Phillipines Annual Conference, to pursue an education that is now changing her community as she works to eliminate poverty.

Mary Grace’s work, and the impact of hundreds more like her, are possible because you give.

Will You Equip World-Changers?

Will you give generously on World Communion Sunday to make education and vocational impact possible for more students, like Mary Grace? Will you equip gifted and qualified students from around the globe to become the world-changers God created them to be?

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” And because the people of The United Methodist Church believe that all of God’s children have been created and gifted to build the kingdom Jesus ushered in, we’re resourcing them to do just that. Because of your giving on World Communion Sunday, the most powerful tool to change the world is in more hands.


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Documents

Cross Connection September 24, 2015 - txcumc.org · Cross Connection – September 24, 2015 2 pioneering new ways to work out an arrangement. All of our meetings were covered in prayer