By the time you read this newsletter I’ll be sitting in Austin, having breakfast, and drinking… drinking a cup of coffee! I know, that should- n’t seem like such a big deal – but it is. For the past 21 days (since Epiphany Sunday) a colleague and I have been practicing what we preach by utilizing the Daniel Fast. I’ve fasted before in many ways and on many occasions. I’ve even done a complete fast from anything but water for three days. I highly recom- mend the Daniel Fast. Here it is in a nutshell: No sugar. No dairy including eggs, cheese, butter, etc. No meats: fish, chicken, beef, etc. No wheat. No preservatives, colorings, additives. Nothing made with any components of the previous ingredients. Nothing to drink but water and whole fruit juice. What’s left? Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains other than wheat. That all was okay – but no coffee? No Coffee?!! (No teas either just in case you are thinking “herbal!”) And lots of staying at home and not going out to eat! (I did break-fast when I went out for three different lunch- es. I stayed to the menu, but not so sure about the preservatives and additives.) Why? Why would one fast? First of all, as United Methodist clergy we vow that we will practice fasting and teach it. And second, because it is a spiritual discipline. (Maybe those are in reverse order.) As we hunger for… coffee… we have the opportunity to fill ourselves with God in a way that we were not doing. When we read scripture to fill our hunger we have the opportunity to hear it with empty ears. The reason I chose to fast in this way at this time was get reoriented and to have the opportunity to at least symbolically stand in solidari- ty with those who do not have the luxury of eating meat, eggs, or cheese for protein. In a way I think that CHECK OUT! part backfired on me as I looked at the “organic” foods that are available and the cost (just think $3.19 for a can of beans). Which then causes me to think about how family economics drives nutrition and healthy eating. I’ve also had the opportunity to pray for children who can’t think clearly and who are lethargic because they have not eaten an adequate breakfast, for mothers who forage for food that is economic and healthy, for men and women strug- gling to make ends meet and thus never have any meat. Now what? The fast is over. Yes! And I think the program will stick with me. I may add one cup (only one!?) of coffee each morning. Gen- erally speaking I may have found a new grounding in simplicity. I suspect during Lent the coffee may go away again (oh no!) as I continue to see what God has in store. It is an honor and blessing to be with you all! Shalom in Christ, Ginger The EZRA Data Man- agement tool is ready for your “Church Checkout” data. Just as we did in 2012, the Central Texas Conference (CTC) is employing the EZRA statis- tical reporting system from the General Council of Fi- nance and Administration (GCFA) to do the end of year “checkouts.” The deadline to enter your 2012 statistical data is Jan. 31. You may access the EZRA tool before by going to ezra.gcfa.org. For first-time login instructions, general help guides and/or tech support information, visit: ctcumc.org/checkout2013. North District News From the Spice Cabinet... January 28, 2013 LISTEN UP! Congratulations to Marlene Richardson of Crowley, First UMC. Marlene is the first Certified Lay Minister of the North District and perhaps of the CTC! North District, Central Texas Annual Conference, United Methodist Church Attention Pastors! On Friday, February 8th we will join together for dinner, a time of fellow- ship, and a little bit of learning on the side. Please participate! We need all of you there to make it work. Dinner is catered by Chef Alan Lutes; served at Universi- ty UMC around 6:30 p.m. Child care is available and you may dress as you like - for candlelight supper or in jeans! Spouses are encouraged to come. There will be a table for them to learn more about the spouses organization with JoLynn Lowry and Todd Evers! This is our one district dinner for the year! Please come! RSVP: ctcNorthDistrict.org
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appointment, please make sure you contact Dr. Ginger
Bassford before February 1st!
If you are interested in
becoming a certified
candidate, April 1st is the
deadline to get your folder
completed. In other words,
prior to April
1st you must have your work
and all
documentation
submitted to
Young Adults have until Feb. 15
to apply for Mission Intern pro-
gram. Young adults may now apply
for the 2013 class of Mission Interns
and US-2s. The deadline to submit
application materials for these
long-term mission assignments
through the United Methodist
General Board of Global Ministries is
Feb. 15. Mission Interns commit to
25 months of service, including 20
months of international service,
followed by two and a half months of
integration and interpretation in their
home country. US-2s will continue to
commit to two years of service in the
United States. Young adults are
encouraged prayerfully to consider
applying for these programs if they:
are between the ages of 20 and
30;
have a bachelor’s degree or
equivalent life experience;
feel called to address the root
causes of injustice;
are open to
new settings and
new perspectives;
want hands-
on experience
living in Christian
community; and
feel called to
serve with, not to
or for others.
Organizations interested in being a
placement site are encouraged to
apply before March 24. For more
information and an application, please
e-mail the young adult mission
service office. Please share this
information with any
young people whom
you think might be
interested.
Click here for program
details or visit the
Global Ministries web-
site.
Deadline for scholarship applications to McMurray University is Feb 1. McMurry University’s Honors Program offers academic scholarships up to full-tuition for four years to outstanding incoming freshmen. The deadline for application is Feb.1, 2013. For more information, e-mail Kim Poligala or call (800) 460-2392. To learn more about the Honors Program at McMurry University, visit mcm.edu/honors
*ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT! Early Registration RATE ENDS FEB. 1
Francis Chan, David Platt, Matt Carter, Dr. John Perkins, Alan Hirsch, Michael Frost, Jo Saxton,
Dhati Lewis, Neil Cole, Hugh Halter, Mike Breen, Aaron Ivey, Propaganda, & many more! *After FEB. 1st the pricing goes up so REGISTER NOW to take advantage of this price! $129 \ Group Price $159 \ Individual Price
Pre-Conference Intensives
a customized learning experience to help you leave with a strategic
plan and tangible next steps
limited to 12 participants
one-on-one interaction with experienced practitioners
$250
The 2013 Perkins School of Theology Ministers Week is Feb. 4-6. The theme for the 2013 Ministers Week is “Hope for a Restless Church: Ancient Wisdom for Contemporary Leaders.” All lectures will be held in Perkins Chapel or Elizabeth Per-kins Prothro Hall, at Perkins School of Theology on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Ministers Week begins with registration at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 4, and adjourns at 12:30 p.m., Feb. 6, following closing worship in Perkins Chapel. A list-ing of speaker, registration links, pricing, event details and lodging information are available at smu.edu/perkins/mw. For additional information, call 214.768.2251 or e-mail [email protected].
Perkins Ministers Week
Brite Ministers Week Monday, February 18 to Thursday, February 21, 2013 University Christian Church On behalf of the students, faculty and staff of Brite and TCU, we invite you to campus for three days of inspiring worship, thought-provoking lectures, enriching workshops and a world-class organ recital. As in years past, we will be graciously hosted by University Christian Church. Salvation and physical wholeness appear to be linked in much of scripture and the church's tradition. This year's conference explores some of the pastoral challenges encountered in relating salvation and healing. How do we address hidden wounds? What does salvation or healing mean for the chronically ill or those who view their impairments as part of who they are and not some-thing to be healed? Rita Brock examines moral injury; Deborah Creamer considers how Christians have talked about disability; Jeremy Schipper examines healing stories from Hebrew scripture in light of disability studies; Anthony Bailey brings his background in parish ministry, community transformation, and pastoral counseling to the Wells Sermons. This event is a gift from Brite and TCU, there is no general registration fee; however, pre-registration is encouraged, as we
anticipate a large attendance. We look forward to seeing you at Ministers Week 2013! http://www.brite.tcu.edu/
Saturday, February 16, 2013 from 9am-7pm @Saginaw UMC Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course by Sandy and Brian Jackson (required for Certification as Local Church Lay Servant) Cost: $15.00 (includes participant's book, coffee/tea, snacks and Subway sandwich lunch) Course led by Pam Phinney, North District Director of Lay Servant Ministries Registration @ 817-271-6372 or [email protected] Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 9am-7pm @Joshua UMC Advanced Course - Afire with God by Betsy Schwarzen-traub Certification for Certified Lay Servant (prior completion of Basic Course required) Cost: $19.00 (includes participant's book, coffee/tea, snacks and Subway sandwich lunch) Course led by Pam Phinney, North District Director of Lay Servant Ministries Registration @ 817-271-6372 or [email protected] Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 9am-7pm @Saginaw UMC Advanced Course - Dancing with Words by Ray Buckley Certification for Certified Lay Servant (prior completion of Basic Course required) Cost: $18.00 (includes participant's book, coffee/tea, snacks and Subway sandwich lunch) Course led by Pam Phinney, North District Director of Lay Servant Ministries Registration @ 817-271-6372 or [email protected]
Please register for classes at least one week before scheduled date if possible so that the participant's book can be sent to you prior to the class. Checks for the classes should made to: North District UMC Call Pam if you are interested in leading a class at your church ... and keep watching the newsletter for additional classes as they are offered.
Five-Star Mission
Lay Servant Ministries Courses
(formerly called Lay Speaking)
Are you engaged in
service to God and to
others?
North Distr ict News
Page 4
Please help get the news out
and connect with others!
Time is running out to take advantage of Glen Lake Camp’s early bird special! Register and pay in full for Summer Camp 2013
before February 1st and receive a $20 Cashcard to use on Glen Lake memorabilia, snacks and crafts!
Registration can be completed online at glenlake.org/summer
Perkins announces Hispanic-Latino/a Lay Missioner & Pastor/Mentor training. The Perkins School of Theology is offering a bilingual training module for laypersons and their pastor/mentors who wish to participate in Hispanic-Latino/a ministries as a part of the National Plan for Hispanic-Latino/a Ministry. The training is part of the National Plan for Hispanic-Latino/a Ministry of The United Methodist Church and provides participants with the experience of practical curriculum and guidelines for use in the development of ministries with Hispanics-Latinos/as. For information, costs and registrations, visit the SMU Perkins website.
Racial/Ethnic Minority Summer Internship application deadline is Feb. 1. Deadlines have been announced to apply for a 2013 Ethnic Young Adult Social Justice Summer Internships. The summer internship, which runs May 29 - Aug. 3, is for young adults, ages 18-22, and rep-resents the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African-Americans and Asian-Americans. Applicants must be full members in The United Methodist Church. The application dead-line for those living in the U.S. is Feb. 1. To read more about the internships, click here. More details and application forms in both
Educational Opportunities - Alban Institute
Daunting organizational issues standing between your congregation and its mission?
Tackle them this year with the help of experienced Alban consultants. Which of these learning events can help you better focus resources and passion on mission?
Budgeting, Investments, and Financial Leadership in Congregations Leader: Dan Hotchkiss, Alban Senior Consultant and Author February 19-20, 2013, Doubletree Airport Hotel, Nashville, TN
Stepping up to Staffing and Supervision Leader: Susan Beaumont, Alban Senior Consultant and Author March 5-7, 2013, Doubletree Airport Hotel, Nashville, TN OR Same Event October 1-3, 2013, Hilton Gardens Airport Hotel, Phoenix, AZ
Strategic Planning in Congregations Leader: Dan Hotchkiss, Alban Senor Consultant and Author April 16-18, 2013, Doubletree Airport Hotel, Cincinnati, OH
Raising the Roof: The Pastoral-to-Program Size Transition in Congregations Leader: Alban Consultant Sarai Rice July 16-17,2013, Doubletree Airport Hotel, Cincinnati, OH
Inside the Large Congregation Leader: Susan Beaumont, Alban Senior Consultant and Author October 29-31, 2013, Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ
Educational Opportunities
Page 5
March 12-14/2013—workshop led by Rev, Dr. Leanne Hadley on "Understanding the Spiritual Development and Healing of Children and Teens.” Rev. Dr. Hadley is a nationally recognized leader in this area of faith development.
Christian Educators Fellowship Spring Lunch to be held on Thursday, March 14 from 12:00 noon - 2:00 PM immediately follow-ing the Hadley workshop. The 3-day workshop is open to any Central Texas Conference educators who want to attend only this session at no charge. The topic for the lunch session will be "Ways of Including Children in Worship." For more infor-mation please CLICK HERE.
Alliance UMC, a young, active congregation in far north Fort Worth, is seeking a part time Director of Youth Ministries. This position re-quires an energetic, organized person with a passion for youth minis-try to organize and facilitate all facets of ministry with and for youth from 7th grade to 12th grade. This ministry touches the life of the entire congregation including fellowship, worship, discipleship, mis-sion, and evangelism. Thus, the Director of Youth Ministries may be engaged in each of these areas as they relate specifically to youth and their families. If interested, please contact Rev. Jim McClurg at (817)581-1688 or [email protected].