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Transcript of North District Newsletter
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 Distr ict ,
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
the North District by 4:00
p.m. This is a non-negotiable
deadline. All transcripts,
responses to questions, men-
tor meetings, letter from
your mentor,
psychological exam, Oxford
background
check, charge
conference
approval, letter from your
SPRC, and any other discipli-
nary requirements must be in
your file. Please do not delay!
If you are interested in an
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
Are You Working on Ministry Certification?
Missionary Intern Program
McMurray Scholarship
If you have questions about
candidacy, please check out
our website:
www.ctcNorthDistrict.org
North Distr ict News
Please don’t keep this a secret!
Let your youth know!
Page 2
Verge 2013
Page 3
*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/
VERGE www.vergenetwork.org
Five Star Mission Award Each year at Annual Conference, the
Central Texas Conference recognizes churches who have successfully
ministered in five foundational mission ways . . . 100% connectinal mission giving, a contribution of some
size to a United Methodist missionary, local mission ministry, mission education, and giving to an Advance
giving opportunity. The application for the 2013 awards can be found on the Central Texas Conference
website CLICK HERE The application deadline is April 15. If you have questions about the Five Star
Award, please contact Rev. Dawne Phillips at [email protected].
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
Glen Lake Camp
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.
Educational Opportunities - Keller, First UMC
What are you learning
that is brand new? Are
you being challenged
by a new learning?
How have you grown
in the past month?
The past year?
Director of Youth Ministries
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].
Group Leaders, it is VITAL that
you register YOURSELF as soon as
possible so you will begin to
receive a weekly report of
everyone from your group who has
signed up. Please download and
print out 8 Steps to Online
Registration (also found on the
front page of the CTCYM web-
site). This guide to online
registration will be helpful to you,
your youth, and their parents, as
CTCYM Individual Registration
opened 01/01/13! If your group is
signed up for CTCYM 2013, your
individual participants may
now go online and register - - it
takes 5 minutes or less! Youth will
need to be registered by their
parent/guardian; adult participants
may of course register themselves.
Go to the CTCYM website to
register: www.ctcym.org
you all complete the registration
process.
Group Registration closed on
01/13/13.
Please do not hesitate to contact
MaDora Ratliff with any questions:
817-877-5222 or
CTCYM Individual Registration
P.O. Box 67
(driving) 1421 Sloan St.
Weatherford, TX 76086
817-599-9541
(fax) 817-599-9547
Tweet: @NorthDistrict
Equipping and Energizing Local
Congregations
North Distr ict ,
Central Texas
www.ctcNorthDistrict.org
Prayer Concerns
Employment Opportunities
Mary Gean Cope’s (Crowley First UMC) mother - broken hip
Stephen Schmidt (Grace, Copperas Cove) - daughter Samantha is
hospitalized with a blood clot in her lung.
Ken Bergeron
Jim Olney
Reed Justus - Major surgery this past week
Bob and Mary Weathers on the death of her granddaughter
Remember to mark your calendars! April 27th
- Financial workshop with Clif Christopher author, teacher, and expert on helping
churches get fiscally fit! Acton UMC.