PDF Version - North Texas Conference
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PDF Version - North Texas Conference
Two Sections – Section A Volume 154 Number 23 072000 October 12, 2007 City joins in Oak Cliff UMC 120th celebration BY JOHN A. LOVELACE Special Contributor F or its two-day 120th anniversary celebration, Oak Cliff UMC first looked outward – across the street, specifically – then inward. Saturday morning, Sept. 29, at the church’s initiative, the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department rededicated the restored Turner Plaza as a public park. Three months of fervent volunteerism and generous partnerships timed to the church’s anniversary had turned a nondescript plat into a greenspace jewel at the intersection of Marsalis and Jefferson, across from the church. Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia, speaking alternately in English and Spanish, praised the community spirit behind the project, wished the church a “Happy 120th” and praised it for “making a difference in this community.” City Council member David Neumann, whose District 3 includes part of Oak Cliff, also commended the gift to the community and expressly thanked Oak Cliff UMC Senior Pastor Rev. Diane Presley for her leadership. Rev. Presley, in turn, identified the new associate pastor, Rev. Edgar Bazan, as having originated the idea for the park restoration effort. Rev. Presley, in her fifth year at Oak Cliff, said she exclaimed “Get real!” to Rev. Bazan, appointed to Oak Cliff in June. But as the hour-long Sept. 30 dedication program ended, she asked the crowd of 100 or so, “We did ‘get real,’ don’t you think?” Lusty applause provided the answer. As symbols of community cooperation and ownership, a four-member honor guard from the Adamson High School ROTC crisply presented the U.S. and Texas flags; four little girls from the School of Liberal Arts and Science housed at the church stole hearts with their unison reading of thanks to the church and the city, and a 17member choir from nearby brand-new Felix G. Botello Elementary School chanted an uplifting declaration ending “I am a miracle . . . we are a miracle!” The Dallas Police Department sent a friendly Bishop Alfred L. Norris, left foreground, and Dallas South District Superintendent Rev. Milton Guttierrez, join with “Oak Cliff ConeXion” praise band in singing a celebration hymn. squad who placed special “Dallas Police” stickers on children’s welcoming limbs and garments. Sponsors in addition to the church and the City of Dallas included the Tornado Bus Co., an international line that shares a city block with the Church; Methodist Health System, whose central hospital has been an Oak Cliff/Dallas landmark for decades; the North Oak Cliff Greenspace Group, Friends of Oak Cliff Parks and the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League. Next day, Sunday, Sept. 30, the tree-shaded park gleamed like new as hundreds of members, former members, friends and guests gathered at the church angled on the northwest corner of the Jefferson/Marsalis intersection. The sanctuary dates to 1915, two years after the name change to Oak Cliff Methodist Episcopal Church South — and, coincidentally, two years after the City of Dallas took ownership of what now is the newly rededicated Turner Plaza. As worshipers gathered, more than one person was heard to say, “We were married here.” A typical conversation went like this: “It’s so good to see you.” “It’s good to be seen.” Rev. Presley, welcoming the congregation of approximately 300, said, “Isn’t it wonderful what God is doing with this church at this time?” She invited everyone who wanted to get monthly e-mail updates to fill out request cards in the pews. A call for all former members to stand brought perhaps See “Oak Cliff” on Page 8A Churches offered new Home for Christmas/Watch Night opportunities The NTC Igniting Ministries (IM) team is offering local churches new Home for Christmas/Watch Night resources and planning new marketing and advertising strategies for the 2007 Advent/ Christmas season. Once again, all NTC congregations are offered complimentary oversize postcards in a variety of designs. Each church is eligible to receive cards equal to one and one half times its average worship attendance as recorded in the 2007 Journal. Churches may select from several Advent/ Christmas theme designs that are displayed on The Crouch Group Website: African American Watch Night postcard design. www.thecrouchgroup.com. The IM team is particularly proud to offer additional ethnic ministry resources, including a Spanish language version of one of the most popular Christmas designs. A special run of the new Watch Night look designed in consultation with African-American members of the IM team is also scheduled. It is very important that NTC Communications have a sense of the demand for these designs in order to determine how many cards to print. It will be most helpful if those interested in either of the designs will contact the Communications Office, 972526-5000, 800-969-8201, or email: [email protected]. All card orders are available through The Crouch Group, and church representatives are invited to consult with Tim Crouch or Ron Ray regarding their advertising plans and which products will best enhance their efforts. Please call 888-211-0273, or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]. Also new this year is a userfriendly order form for the complimentary cards and other Home for Christmas/Watch night promotional products. The form is available on the Website: www.thecrouch group.com. There are some changes in the distribution process this season, so the following information is of great importance. See “Churches” on Page 5A 4 A NTCcircuit Stonebridge UMC, McKinney Mission golf tourney - 100 holes in a day BY AMY PAWLAK Stonebridge UMC, McKinney F or those who feel there is no such thing as too much golf, you are needed Oct. 23 at the Hills Golf Course at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. The Mission Ministry team at Stonebridge UMC (SUMC), McKinney, will host its second annual Mission Golf Marathon benefiting the group’s local Disaster Relief, international Proyecto Abrigo in Juarez, and Living Water International in El Salvador mission teams. “The SUMC Mission Golf Marathon provides family, friends, co-workers, and McKinney an opportunity to support those in our church and community that are passionate about missions, specifically the international and disaster relief ministries of SUMC,” Trey Worley, SUMC Mission Team co-chair, said. “Like any other ministry of the church, Missions relies on the service, prayers, and financial support from the community of faith. Some are called to go and serve, but many are unable to go and feel led to support missions through with their monetary gifts,” Worley said. Funds collected from the Mission Golf Marathon will help build homes for those in need of adequate shelter in Juarez, Mexico, drill water wells to provide clean and sanitary drinking water in Central America, and provide supplies and support locally to victims of natural disasters. So far in 2007, the church has already sent 120 adults and youth on to Juarez to build 16 homes. An additional 70 will be heading back there in November. In August, 10 adults drilled water wells in El Salvador - with another trip scheduled for Guatemala in October- and just over 50 people are currently certified for the Disaster Relief team. This group has made several trips up to Gainesville, Sherman, and Oklahoma and even down to the coastal communities to help with Hurricane Rita relief efforts. To participate in the marathon, golfers are asked to raise a minimum of $500 in pledges to be turned in the morning of the event. All golfers in the community are welcome to participate. “In March 2006, this event raised close to $30,000 with only 20 players,” Dave Omholt, SUMC member and Mission Marathon golfer, said. “This year we are hoping to exceed that number to $50,000 with 50 golfers.” The Mission Golf Marathon will be played in shot-gun format beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, October 23. Players will play in groups of two. Each player will play one ball on par 4’s and 5’s and three balls on par 3’s. Since the hills course is 27 holes, 39 holes of golf will be played each time players complete the course. “I can’t imagine a better way for golfers, their sponsors, and other mission supporters to work together to share God’s joy with our neighbors near and far. Raising these much needed funds will help change the lives of many of God’s people.” Rev. Leslie Herrscher. For more information, please call the church office, 972-5295601 or e-mail Trey Worley, [email protected]. Special Needs Ministry resource guide How best to serve special needs persons and their families is an important priority among NTC congregations. To meet this need, the NTC Connectional Ministries Office has engaged Rev. Liz Moen to develop a Resource Guide for Special Needs Ministry. She is planning to develop a guide that will include examples of Best Practices around the NTC and resources outside the conference as well. This is a month-long endeavor, so Rev. Moen needs quick cooperation in order to Poetry UMC Women’s Fellowship sews gifts Poetry UMC Women’s Fellowship members meet every Wednesday morning to sew gifts of love to be distributed throughout the community and to NTC-related agencies. The photo at right shows off a lap quilt and stuffed animals created to bring comfort to children and others who need a warm, cuddly gift. Shown above from left, are Janice Bentlley, Claire Harper, Esta Basye and Janet Moon. In the photo at left, Basye, Poetry UMC outreach coordinator, presents a donation of animals, tote bags, lap quilts and other items for victims of domestic violence to Mary Clemons of Healing Hearts Ministry. (Photos courtesy of The Terrell Tribune.) O CTOBER 12, 2007 | N ORTH T EXAS C ONFERENCE N EWS From left, Darryl Livingston, Jay Prudhomme, Trey Worley, and Paul Lastrapes played 100 holes of golf on the Hills Course at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club at the 2006 annual benefit for the Mission Ministries Team at Stonebridge UMC, McKinney. accomplish her task. One way congregations can both help and share their own ministry efforts is by completing the survey that was emailed to all churches on Oct. 2. The survey form is also available on the Website: Rev. Moen www.ntcumc.org. The questions are simple and to the point. Rev. Moen will follow up with the contact persons indicated on the form. Her original goal was to have all responses by Oct. 10; however, she welcomes additional responses while she continues to pursue the project. For more information, please call Rev. Moen, 972-526-5000, ext. 216, or email: [email protected]. Bishop William Willimon to be Shipp Lecturer, Lovers Lane UMC Dr. William H. Willimon, • Oct 29: 7:00 p.m., Asbury Bishop of the North Alabama Hall, “Who Will Be Saved?” Conference, will The author of present the 2007 over sixty books, Tom Shipp Bishop Willimon Lecture Series, was elected to the Oct. 28 and 29 at episcopacy in July Lovers Lane 2004 and leads the UMC, Dallas. 157,000 MethodThe church is ists and 792 located at 9200 pastors in North Inwood Road at Alabama. He was Northwest Bishop Willimon Dean of the Chapel Highway. and Professor of Bishop Willimon will offer a Christian Ministry at Duke fresh look at the issue of University, Durham in NC. Christian salvation and its The Tom Shipp Lecture implications for living as Series is sponsored by the Christians today. Lectures are: Lovers Lane UMC Foundation. • Oct. 28 worship services: The series is offered free to the 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and public through the generosity 11:00 a.m., “Short Salvation” of Phil and Teresa Lack who • Oct. 28: 7:00 p.m., Asbury established the series in 2001. Hall, “Salvation in Jesus For more information, Christ: The Particularity please call the Foundation Christian Salvation” office, 214-706-9561. NTCcircuit 5A Wesley Rankin benefit, An Evening Under the Stars, at Frontiers of Flight Museum, Nov. 9 Wesley-Rankin Community Center, Dallas, will host “An Evening Under the Stars” as its 2007 annual benefit, Nov. 9 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, located at 6911 Lemmon Avenue, near Love Field. The heavenly evening will include a silent and live auction along with dinner, music and dancing. Tickets are $75 per person, or $750 for a table of ten. The evening festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a silent auction. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. The Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts jazz band will keep the evening swinging with live jazz music. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and his wife, Laura, are honorary chairs for the 2007 Wesley Rankin benefit. Kay and Duncan Fulton are the benefit chairs of the event. For a preview of the event, and an opportunity to bid online for the auction, visit www.wesley rankin.org from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8. For reservations or ticket information, please call Dana Harkey, 214-739-3494. For other information, please contact Priscilla Sanchez, 214-742-6674, ext. 101, or visit the Website www.wesleyrankin.org. Churches offered new Home for Christmas … Continued from Page1A • Deadlines for ordering cards that are imprinted or require other special handling at the church’s expense is Nov. 19. • Deadline for complimentary cards delivered to district offices is Dec. 3. Complimentary postcards may be ordered after Dec. 3; however, these cards will go directly to the churches and postage will be at the church’s expense. Lawn banners have been very popular ways to advertise Christmas Eve candlelight services. For the first time The Crouch Group is offering double sided full-color vinyl lawn banners. Single sided mesh banners are also still available. Congregations continue to request copies of the Home for Christmas/Watch Night workbooks. These are available through The Crouch Group for $25, which includes postage and handling. Every church will have the opportunity to advertise their Christmas season (including Watch Night) worship services in newspaper ads purchased in urban, ethnic and rural media markets throughout the conference. Churches will register the time and place of these services through the district offices. Nov. 28 is the deadline to get information to district offices. One different strategy will be to regionalize the Dallas Morning News advertising with placement in the zoned metro pages. Over the years this ad has become unwieldy and difficult to read. Dividing the churches according to region will not only allow each church more prominent placement, but it will more precisely target persons most likely to attend a church in a particular area of the city. There is also a possibility that there will be more targeted e-mailings using professional services that have lists of individuals who have indicated openness to receiving such mailings. More details on the final marketing package, which is always dedicated and directed to the same goal of making disciples of Jesus Christ, will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. Anyone with questions, ideas, or who would like more information is invited to contact the NTC Communications Office, 972-526-5000, 800-969-8201, or e-mail: [email protected]. Walnut Hill UMC, Dallas, Christmas and More Bazaar 2006 Project Transformation interns created this colorful mural for the Wesley-Rankin youth center. The window frames volunteers from the May 2007 Highland Park UMC WillieBuild project painting an adjacent room. Programming for children and teens are high priorities for the Wesley-Rankin ministry. New Spanish language oversize post card design. Around the Conference First UMC, Seagoville, announces its “Annual Barbecue,” Oct. 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with live entertainment and children’s activities. For more information, please call 972-287-2228. *** Perkins School of Theology, SMU, Dallas, announces its”Ministers Week,” Jan. 2830, 2008, and “Perkins Theological School for the Laity,” March 6-8, 2008. For more information, please call 1-888-843-6564. Sorrow Marlin Joyner, father of Rev. Ashleigh Joyner, First UMC, Wichita Falls, died Oct. 3. Services were held Oct. 6 at First UMC, Coppell. Positions Available From left are Grace Buddin, Frances Hill, Berle Jackson and Dorothy Cox of Walnut Hill UMC, Dallas, preparing for the “Christmas and More” bazaar Oct. 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A special feature will be a Tea Room with servings of entrees, soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The bazaar will offer a wide variety of handcrafted items made by women of the church during the last three years. Books, baked goods, and caricatures will also be on sale. Shoppers may stroll outdoors to purchase pumpkins to compliment the fall season. An on-site supervised playground will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, please call 214-357-5656. Asbury UMC, Denton, is seeking a part-time pianist. Persons interested may call Rev. Jerry Simmons, 940387-6487. *** First UMC, Mt. Vernon, is seeking a youth minister. Persons interested may send a resume to Andrea Abbott, [email protected]. Creekwood UMC, Allen, is seeking a part-time director of preschool ministries. Persons interested may send resume to Rev. Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch, mcrouch@ creekwoodumc.org. *** Wellspring UMC, McKinney, is seeking a part-time choir director. Persons interested may call Rev. Andy Lewis, 972-741-9035. North Texas Conference United Methodist Reporter Joan Gray LaBarr editor Lee Zastovnik prod. assistant Milse Furtado, staff writer Becki Ozmun circulation [email protected] P.O. Box 866128 Plano, Texas 75086-6128 972-526-5000 • 800-969-8201 Fax 972-526-5003 www.ntcumc.org NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE NEWS | O CTOBER 12, 2007 8 A NTCcircuit City joins in Oak Cliff UMC 120th… Continued from Page 1A three-fourths of the crowd to their feet. Similarly recognized were 12 to 15 former members of Boy Scout Troop 8, chartered in 1936, and a halfdozen or so members of Warren UMC in south Dallas who found a temporary home at Oak Cliff UMC within the past 10 years after their church near Fair Park was destroyed by fire before it was replaced by new facilities. Current Oak Cliff UMC members, asked to stand, totaled a few dozen. Rev. Presley called them “stalwart saints . . . dear, dear people.” Former pastors who helped lead the service were Rev. Noel Bryant (1954-1961), Rev. Ben Shinn (1986-1993) and Rev. David Blackmon (1995-1999). Before reading the Old Testament text from the Psalms, Dallas South District Superintendent Milton Guttierrez commended Oak Cliff for “daring to believe what God will continue to bless this church to do.” Special music was provided by the 11-member Chancel Choir, a predominantly Hispanic praise band and singers named “Oak Cliff ConeXion” with Rev. Bazan on drums, the Carillon Ringers bell choir with Rev. Presley ringing two bells, flutist Mary Shinn and guest organist Margaret Gumma. Rev. Bazan’s invitation to the children’s sermon produced something of a twodozen rainbow. After a brief message, he had them join hands for a prayer. Bishop Alfred L. Norris and the North Texas Annual Conference announce a reception honoring Mary Brooke Casad, NTC Director of Connectional Ministries Sunday, October 28, 2007 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the NTC Ministry Center, 500 Maplelawn Drive Plano, Texas Please bring cards or other expressions of gratitude to the reception. A gift will be presented on behalf of the conference, honoring her ten years of service as she leaves to become Executive Secretary of The United Methodist Connectional Table Bishop Alfred L. Norris, who had participated patiently during the first hour, noted with a grin that “it’s after 12 and I’m just getting up to preach.” He jokingly asked ushers to “lock the doors” and explained “I’m gonna be here a few minutes and I want you here with me.” Throughout his 20-minute message, numerous “Amens” and occasional applause indicated that they were, indeed, “with him.” As his text he took the 10 verses of First Thessalonians Chapter 1. Noting that the Apostle Paul had changed the order from his “faith, hope and love” letter to the Corinthians, the bishop preached on “the three-dimensional church” built on, in this order, faith, love and hope. In the “love” section, referring to “people who don’t look like us,” he admitted “I almost shouted” when the children came forward at Rev. Bazan’s invitation. The bishop added, “If the children can model for us, then God be praised.” The congregation applauded. Concluding, the bishop commended Oak Cliff UMC “on your faith, love and hope. The people of the North Texas Conference are praying with you and for you. They believe in you, and they celebrate with you . . . Thanks for inviting me to your party.” Applause at 12:25 p.m. seemed to indicate the celebratory congregation’s appreciation. Rev. Presley, noting the abundance of people and promising an abundance of food, followed with explicit directions to restrooms, stairs, an elevator and lunch available in Wesley [fellowship] Hall and several classrooms. The old walls hadn’t been so joy-filled in a long time. Craft Bazaar 19th Annual Harvest 7700 Spring Valley October 20 • 9:00 am – 4:00 pm First UMC, The Colony 4901 Paige Road • 972-625-1281 Over 70 crafters featuring jewelry, embroidery, knitting, ceramics, quilts, sports memorabilia, baby and children’s items, scrapbooks, candy, stained glass, home decor, holiday decorations, yard art. Kettle Korn, and more! Please bring a non-perishable food item per family for the Food Bank in exchange for a ticket to the Opportunity Drawings O CTOBER 12, 2007 | N ORTH T EXAS C ONFERENCE N EWS Dallas Park Board member Delia Jasso (at the podium) praises Oak Cliff UMC for the Turner Plaza project as District 3 City Council member David Neumann, right, listens to the presentation. DBC children’s Star-Lit Festival St. Andrew UMC, Plano, Oct. 20 The fifth annual Star-Lit, a Children’s Literary Festival benefitting Dallas Bethlehem Center (DBC), will be Oct. 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew UMC, Plano. Children of all ages, parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians are especially invited. This year’s outstanding authors and illustrators include Laura Numeroff (author, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), Will Hillenbrand (illustrator, The Biggest, Best Snowman), Kimberly Willis Holt (author, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town), Bryan Collier (author, Rosa), Dee Scallan & Daniel Myers (Moby Pincher’s Hurricane Adventure), Kim Brown (inspiration for D.W. in Marc Brown’s Arthur series), Cynthia Leitich Smith (author, Jingle Dancer), Greg Leitich Smith (author, Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo), and Tracy Dockray (illustrator, Ramona the Brave). Starlene Stringer, morning show co-host and news director for 94.1 KLTY radio, will serve as Honorary Chair for the festival. Activities include presentations by all attending authors; an on-site bookstore sponsored by Borders; book signings by all authors; food, face painting and balloon animals; and a scavenger hunt. Participants can win prizes, such as a Nintendo Wii, I-Pod, Webkinz and more. A unique aspect of this literary event is that participants will be able to attend small group gatherings with the authors/illustrators with plenty of time for questions and personal interaction. In celebration of Star-Lit’s fifth anniversary, admission will be free to the public. Concessions will be available for purchase throughout the event. A bonus to the festival is the chance to join authors and illustrators for the annual “Breakfast with the Authors,” from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Only 100 tickets will be sold which includes breakfast with attending authors, a book to have signed by one of the guest authors and an event goodie bag. Tickets are $30 each and may be purchased online: www.dallasbethlehemcenter.org/ star-lit/ticket.html. Star-Lit is a family event that benefits the DBC, a notfor-profit organization dedicated to providing the children of South Dallas a positive environment for growth, regardless of their economic status or family situation. All of the event proceeds go to DBC. St. Andrew UMC is located at 5801 Plano Parkway, Plano. For more information, please contact Gina Eckerman, [email protected] or call 214-868-7500.
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