United Methodist Reporter closes
Transcription
United Methodist Reporter closes
Hats off to the Nehemiah Group for planning and implementing an inspiring 2013 Annual Conference. This year’s event offered a smoother structure and flow of daily sessions, with inspiring worship, numerous “tool box” sessions — and food trucks. ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 HIGHLIGHTS from the June 2-4 sessions Bishop Mike McKee unveils his four Imagination Points, Page 2 Conference business: Target date of 2025 set to eliminate poverty in two NTC ZIP codes; 2016 General Conference delegates to be elected a year earlier; NTC committees on women and race reinstated, Page 2 New deacons and elders commissioned, Page 5 Laity urged to think no boundaries, Page 4 Pictures, Page 8 Annual Conference speakers stoke imaginations Message From The Bishop Michael McKee Culture change thrilling at Annual Conference While the polity of The United Methodist Church states that the “annual conference is the basic body of the church,” I had never quite experienced that reality being lived out in the manner that the laity and clergy of the North Texas Annual Conference did this year. Worshipping God together, learning together, renewing friendships, charting directions for our future, and ordaining five elders and four deacons, commissioning 12 provisional deacons and elders, and See CULTURE, Page 2 WELCOME TO THE NORTH TEXAS CONNECTION Despite the closing of the United Methodist Reporter, the North Texas Conference will keep publishing an NTC newspaper, moving to a monthly schedule. The sudden closing of the UMR required some time to regroup, but the aim is to publish the first week of the month. “When you use the word imagination, it provokes you to want to look into the future.” Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. of Oklahoma, opening worship preacher who urged United Methodists not to cling to the past What traits do video gamers have that Christians need? “Urgent optimism, a tight social fabric, blissful productivity and epic meaning.” Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, expert and author on youth and the church Photos by Mat Mathews United Methodist Reporter closes Last month’s news that UMR Communications, publisher of the United Methodist Reporter, would close on May 31 shocked many. After years of financial struggles, the board of UMR Communications unanimously voted May 16 to shutter the Dallas-based nonprofit group, ending a publication that had covered Methodism since 1847. In addition to publishing a national United Methodist newspaper in print and digital formats, UMR Communications provided printing and com- See stories on Bishop Hayes’ and Dr. Dean’s speeches, Page 3 munication services to churches, annual conferences and other nonprofits. The closing cost Spurgeon Dunnam was the mercurial the jobs of 26 employ- force behind The ees, some of United Methodwhom have ist Reporter in its worked with heyday. Page 6 the ministry for more than four decades. It also affected 45 annual confer- ence and church publications, which printed with UMR Communications and integrated the Reporter’s content with their own. At one time, the ministry published nearly 300 conference and church editions of the newspaper, Tom Palmer, the board chairman, said in the Reporter. Those editions have dwindled as more conferences and churches have opted to drop print and distribute information exclusively online as a less expensive and possibly “greener” See UMR, Page 6 INSIDE Who’s going where? List of NTC clergy appointments, Insert A -D Alyce McKenzie will pioneer the preacherin-residence concept at Christ UMC Plano, Page 7 Richard Dunagin will pull double duty doing research for the NTC on church plants, Page 7 NTC 2 Bishop McKee’s Four Imagination Points IMAGINE if each of us convened a guided conversation with parents and teenagers so that parents could tell their story of Jesus to their teenagers. IMAGINE if 10,000 United Methodists in the North Texas Conference gave up one meal a week during Lent 2014 and donated that money to help eradicate hunger or poverty in their area. IMAGINE if every church established a relationship with a public school and supported that school with volunteers, readers, and mentors. IMAGINE if each one of us worshipped this year at one of our new church starts — and let the church planter know you are coming as a prayer ambassador from your church. ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE Goal: End poverty in ZIP codes 75215 and 75426 by year 2025 The Center for Missional Outreach imagines the eradication of extreme asset poverty in two North Texas ZIP codes, 75215 in South Dallas and 75426 in East Texas by the year 2025. These ZIP codes have the highest percentage of extreme asset poverty per capita, meaning a family doesn’t have the assets to provide for basic needs over three months when no other sources of income are available. From a holistic perspective, the Holy Spirit works with and through the body of Christ so a family can attain self-sufficiency and a more hopeful quality of life. That hope allows the Holy Spirit to nudge the family and the Church to align in the mission of Jesus Christ. The three components of the initiative are: To increase awareness and focus resources and assistance on the counties and ZIP codes within the North Texas Conference that have the largest percentage of population affected by extreme asset poverty. To leverage community and church resources, both social capital and financial capital. To encourage and empower churches to be in ministry with the poor. Funding for this initiative will first come from the Center for Missional Outreach until firm partnerships are established with churches and nonprofit groups. Churches can get involved in numerous ways: Send a youth or adult mission team to build relationships with people and families living in the areas. Seek alternative or matching funds to begin a chain of care to the areas. Pray for the residents of the areas. Sign up for monthly email updates through the Center for Missional Outreach for opportunities to serve, pray, stimulate creative funding and more. Please visit www.ntcmission aloutreach.org. Committees on women, race are reinstated In accordance with the Judicial Council Decision 1225 dated Oct. 27, 2012, the Commission on the Status and Role of Women and the Committee on Religion and Race were reinstated. Since the inception of the Strategic Plan in 2010, the Center for Leadership Development had assumed the responsibilities for the work of these two committees. But the Judicial Council ruled that the committees must be maintained, clearly identified and defined, and the connectional relationships must be clear and obvious. Nomination and election of the members of the boards and committees of the operation agencies must be completed. Delegate elections are moved up to next year The 2012 General Conference gave Annual Conferences the option of holding elections for delegates a year earlier than before. The North Texas Conference approved a resolution to elect delegates for the 2016 General Conference at the NTC’s 2014 meeting. The earlier election gives the delegation more time to consider petitions it might submit, communicate with delegations and leaders from other annual conferences, and to study relevant material. The Bishop Culture change welcome at Annual Conference Continued from Page 1A recognizing the orders of one person symbolized the work we are called to do as an annual conference. Something was different, and the difference began last year when the lay and clergy of the NTC overwhelmingly approved the recommendations of the Nehemiah Group to change how the Annual Conference conducted its meetings. The goal was to recover Methodism’s early practices for an annual conference: polity, fraternity and revival. Nothing is perfect, but many of us thought this year’s annual conference was as close as we had experienced to perfection in an annual conference. In fact, a couple of people shared with me after the opening worship service that they had a glimpse of heaven. What made the difference is this year’s annual conference was a culture change. Instead of a business meeting focusing on legislative matters, it became a covenant body of Christ seeking to be the Church and to reach the mission field of North Texas. Certainly, the annual conference planning team did an excellent job in the charge given to them at last year’s annual conference: to reshape the annual conference experience. First UMC Richardson provided radical hospitality. But you, the laity and clergy of the North Texas Conference, were faithful, committed and flexible, knowing that we all were living into “a new thing.” The principle actions taken by the annual conference impact the future of our ministry and our witness. The first is the challenge to eliminate “extreme asset poverty” by focusing on two ZIP code, 75215 in urban South Dallas and 75426 in a rural East Texas. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, would call that a BHAG — big, hairy, audacious goal. That compelling vision challenges each church’s assumption about mission. The second action is the creation of two task forces to work on recommendations about how the NTC funds new faith communities and theological education for people called into ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church. Within the bounds of the NTC is one of the fastest-growing regions of the United States. How will we create the new places for new people? Coupled with that is the need for clergy to serve in those faith communities and in our existing churches. How can we support their theological efforts so that they are not crippled by debt? Work on both of these principle actions begins in earnest. Finally, I want to say thank you to the lay and clergy members of the North Texas Annual Conference for your wonderful spirit. All of you made it possible for us to begin to imagine what God can do through the faithful people and churches of the North Texas Conference. COMMUNICATORS FACEBOOK PAGE If you’re in charge of communications for your local church, search Facebook for the North Texas UMC Communicators page and ask to join. ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 At opening worship, Hayes prods Methodists to imagine the future By BILL FENTUM Special Contributor Members of the 2013 North Texas Annual Conference were invited to “imagine” vibrant days ahead for United Methodist mission and ministry in their region. Then they were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and make it happen. Bishop Robert Hayes Jr., who leads the UMC’s Oklahoma Area, issued that challenge in his sermon at the conference’s opening worship service June 2 at First UMC Richardson. “When you use the word imagine, it provokes you to want to look into the future,” Bishop Hayes told the crowd. “And therein lies one of the problems of the modern-day church: We can’t and don’t imagine anymore because we’re so often stuck in the past, not allowing ourselves to move beyond what once was.” He noted that during the Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. said this is no time for Methodists to dwell in the past but to step out of their comfort zones. First UMC Richardson mid-20th century, Methodism thrived in the United States and people flocked by the thousands to Methodist churches across the country. But the UMC started a decline in the 1970s, falling from 11 million members in the U.S. to 7.7 million today. “In our own United Methodist Church, it seems that we have lost the will and the desire to imagine what our denomina- tion could become if we allowed ourselves to get out of the memories of yesterday,” Bishop Hayes said. This is no time for fruitless nostalgia or surrendering to defeat, he said. “Don’t talk to me about the church dying. What are you doing to keep it alive?” The service was filled with rousing music, presented by a mass choir and a combined During the service, members of Project Transformation and other outreach ministries were commissioned for a summer of mission. Mat Mathews NTC 3 choir of youth from First Richardson, Custer Road UMC and Highland Park UMC. Several soloists also contributed, and an ensemble of North Texas church music directors sang “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical Rent. The faces of 22 North Texas Conference clergy and clergy spouses who died in the last year appeared on screens during a time of remembrance, accompanied by a moving solo from oboist Amanda Talley. Near the end of the two hours, North Texas Bishop Mike McKee led a commissioning ceremony for young people participating this summer in outreach ministries around the state, including Project Transformation, Bridgeport Camp & Conference Center, Connect to the Kingdom (C2K) and Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso. In this part of the service, participants were treated to muFirst UMC Richardson sic by a Scottish marching band, North Texas Caledonian Pipes and Drums the North Texas Caledonian played for the opening worship crowd. Pipes and Drums. In his sermon, Bishop for one afternoon to volunteer in Hayes gave thanks to North Texas relief operations. United Methodists United Methodists who responded to have called from around the world, the devastating tornadoes in Oklahohe said, wanting to help. ma in May with a “gracious outpour“It’s the kind of response that ing” of prayers and financial support. makes you proud to be a United “The people of Oklahoma are Methodist,” Bishop Hayes said. “And resilient and determined to pick ourso I ask you to continue your prayers selves up,” he said. for us as we rebuild on a foundation Bishop Hayes said that during that could not be swept away: Jesus the Oklahoma Conference session in the Christ himself!” May, participants suspended business Dean offers insight into video gamers, fleas and ‘nones’ Expert gives glimpse into minds of young Wil Murphy She spoke twice in plenaries and took part in a panel discussion in one of the Annual Conference “tool By SHERON C. PATTERSON box” sessions. Each Editor time, listeners were With Protestant churches on the edge of their across the nation growing grayer, seats, drawn in by members of the North Texas interactive addresses Annual Conference received expert punctuated with advice on retaining and inviting videos. young people to their churches One video: from Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean. How to train fleas. Dr. Dean, an ordained UMC Dr. Dean then pastor and professor at Princeton asked the audience to discuss “Is Theological Seminary, has the youth ministry at your authored numerous books on understanding and reaching young church like trained fleas?” Across the sanctuary, hearty discussion people. erupted. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean inspired And how are video game the crowd with videos, discusplayers role models for Christians? sions and audience participation. Because, Dr. Dean said, “they are filled with surprise and hope.” She offered four traits they possess that Christians need: “urgent optimism, a tight social fabric, blissful productivity [they are happy together playing video games] and epic meaning.” Many young people go by a “moralistic therapeutic deism,” she said. “They believe that being a Christian means being nice, being happy, and God stays out of the way — unless needed. We can’t condemn them for it because they got it from us.” As Dr. Dean challenged North Texas to reach out to young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, she cautioned that “young people will not save the church. That is a vampire theology that sucks life from them to keep the church alive. Also, appealing to youth does not mean acting like them. So put away your skinny jeans.” North Texans were deeply touched by Dr. Dean’s frank discussions regarding “nones.” Nones are people who check the “none of the above” box on religion. Studies show that large numbers of young people have drifted away from their childhood denomination. During her workshop, one participant tearfully shared that his grandchildren were nones and asked for advice. Dr. Dean said that she also has a son who is a none. The two embraced, and she encouraged him not to give up. NTC 4 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 Think no boundaries, no walls, laity are told By BILL FENTUM Special Contributor How much can United Methodists accomplish for God’s kingdom if we set no limits — none at all — on our imagination for ministry? Lay members of the 2013 North Texas Annual Conference explored that question in their afternoon laity session on the first day of the conference, June 2. Conference Lay Leader Linda Parks opened the pre-legislative briefing at First UMC in Allen by asking those gathered to envision a United Methodist Church with no boundaries to its mission. She then introduced Henry Lessner, the conference’s lay leader-elect, who emphasized that young people will be a key part of making that dream a reality. Lay members should keep their eyes open, Lessner said, and identify youth and young adults in their churches who might feel called to ministry as a vocation. “Your job as the laity sitting here, and my job, is to help encourage these folks and give them the opportunity to make the connection between ‘I’m feeling something,’ and then ‘Who do I talk to about it?’ ” said Lessner, who has served on the conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry. “If you know a young person who is going through this, get them to someone in your congregation, the pastor [or other mentors], who can get them connected to the system.” NTC churches will hold their first Call Sunday on Sept. 29, a day to focus on all people, of any age, who are considering careers in ministry. A second Call Sunday is scheduled for May 25, and those who respond will be recognized and honored at the 2014 Annual Conference. “This is something that is big time on the heart of our bishop,” said Lessner, “and it is our job as the laity to help.” Also during the laity session, two members of First UMC Allen were invited to talk about programs they lead as examples of lay ministry outside the four walls of the church. Tom Brian, a retired dentist, launched the nonprofit Send Hope in the early 1990s to help impoverished communities on the Mosquito Coast of Honduras; David Wuensch has coordi- Do something different — go visit one of the NTC’s new churches Here are the new churches that Bishop Mike McKee urges NTC members to visit: Connections (mother church: First UMC Paris) Planter: Kathy French 919 S. Collegiate Dr., Paris 75460 Email: [email protected] Cross Way (mother church: Grace Avenue) Planter: Chris Yost 1600 Navo Rd., Aubrey 76227 Email: [email protected] Living Life (mother church: First UMC Allen) Planter: Abe Smith McNeil Elementary School 3650 Hardin Blvd., McKinney 75070 Email: [email protected] First UMC Richardson An annual conference attendee snaps a photo with an iPad. nated the Change the World outreach weekend for the last two years at First Allen, expanding the annual event to involve several local churches, service organizations and businesses. Before they departed, Lessner urged lay delegates to “go out and think about how you can be involved in these ministries or some other ministry. The church isn’t right here, it’s out there somewhere. . . . Get out and go do Christ’s work.” Hello North Texas: Voices of NTC Laity Laity session an early start to inspiration We waited with anticipation for annual conference this year to experience the changes and remaking of the way we do the conference. As for me, I enjoyed the entire event and felt the modifications and adjustments are for the better. But for me, the inspiration did not begin with opening worship Sunday night. It actually began 3 1/2 hours earlier at the beginning of the laity session at First UMC Allen. Here are a few of the highlights that inspired me. As more than 325 lay people gathered, we began by showing a video created by the Northwest Lay Leader Tom Busby around our Annual Conference theme “Imagine.” It opened with two thought-provoking questions: Can you imagine the church God is calling us to be? Can you dream about being a part of the world God imagines? Then the video moved us into “Imagine No Boundaries” challenging statements and concluded with asking us to imagine God’s plan for our lives. Our opening devotion, presented by Northwest Youth Lay Leader Hope Rouse with prayer lifted up by North Central Youth Lay Leader Brooke Foster, continued our imagining and focused our thoughts for the afternoon. The laity session included a memorial service honoring Annual Conference lay members who have passed on in the last year. Melba Harris, East Lay Leader, led this touching service, which included two youth assisting by ringing a bell after each name and offering a prayer at the end. Henry Lessner, the Conference Lay Leader-Elect, arranged for two presentations from ministries started and led by lay people on the theme of “Laity Ministry Outside the 4 Walls.” We learned about Send Hope, a ministry directed by Tom Brian of First UMC Allen, and Change the World Weekend, headed by David Wuensch. These ministries are examples that other local churches can modify. Our session ended with the “rebooting” of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award. This award recognizes clergy, youth and lay people for outstanding service in evangelism. The adult recipient was Tom Brian. Kristen Whittaker of Hamilton Park UMC was the youth winner. Watch for an article with details about the Harry Denman award and the adult and youth recipients. Sara Finney, the outgoing chair for the Conference Council on Youth Ministries, led the closing prayer. Throughout our session, we had five youth members participating and providing leadership. Our conference is truly blessed to have youth who lead and serve by example. Our goal for next year is to have every Annual Conference lay member attend the laity session and use it as a time for inspiration. Linda Parks is the North Texas Conference Lay Leader. Contact her at [email protected] or ntclayleader@ntcumc. org. Melissa (mother church: First UMC McKinney) Planter: Alan Hitt McKillop Elementary School 3509 Liberty Way, Melissa 75454 Email: [email protected] North Central Korean (mother church: Korean Central) Planter: Nakhoon Cho Meeting at First UMC The Colony 4901 Paige Drive, The Colony 75056 Email: [email protected] St. Andrew Frisco (mother church: St. Andrew, Plano) Planter: Edlen Cowley Meeting at Pink Elementary School, 3650 Overhill Drive, Frisco 75033 Email: [email protected] Union Coffee House (mother church: University Park, Dallas) Planter: Mike Baughman 5622 Dyer St., Dallas 75206 Email: uniondallas.net The Village (recently chartered; daughter of St. Luke’s “Community” UMC Dallas) Planter: Derek Jacobs 1615 N. Hampton Road, Suite 140, DeSoto 75115 Email: [email protected] North Texas Conference Connection Communications Team Sheron C. Patterson, editor Linda Johnson, associate editor Duane VanGiesen, assistant editor 972-526-5000 800-969-8201 www.ntcumc.org ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 NTC 5 ORDINATIONS and COMMISSIONINGS Photos by Mat Matthews and First UMC Richardson Arms outstretched, the Rev. April Bristow lifts the communion elements as the Rev. Jan Davis holds the Bible. From left: Elders Rebecca Grogan of Archer City, Annelda Crawford of Pleasant Mound/Urban Park, Stephen Cotten of Kavanaugh UMC Greenville, Cheryl Jones of Tyler Street UMC and Sharon O’Connor of Custer Road UMC Plano From left: Omar AlRikabi, Mitch Boone, William Eason, Clay Horton and Zach Landis at their commissioning The Rev. Jack Soper and Metro District Superintendent Clara Reed flank newly ordained Elder Cheryl Jones in a tender moment. From left: Newly commissioned Carol Montgomery, Adam Spore and Cassie Wade Also commissioned: James David Allen, Timothy Edwin Marks, Marcus Graham Womack and Allen Todd Zugelter From left: Deacons Georgia Harrison of First UMC Wichita Falls, Patty Froelich of First UMC McKinney, Elizabeth Moseley of Highland Park UMC and Rebecca Walker of First UMC Dallas Recognition of orders: Larry Morris James NTC 6 In loving memory of the UMR Dunnam was warrior for UMR in its glory days By JOHN LOVELACE Special Contributor By SHERON C. PATTERSON Editor Thirty-four years ago, I was a newly minted seminarian with a firm grasp of God’s call on my life to be a religion communicator. The problem was that few people knew what that meant. That’s why I still thank God for the United Methodist Reporter. The UMR knew that real journalists did not have to write for secular publications. It understood that a journalist could write solely about the church. The day before the UMR shut its doors for good May 31, I dropped by the office to pay my respects. Yes, it was like a funeral. The death of a newspaper with an independent voice hurts. Declining sales and electronic media preferences signaled the paper’s end, but I will always remember the glorious past when the UMR was a thriving national business. There were about 400 local church, annual conference and district editions, for a total circulation of 457,594 in 1985. When the UMR spoke, people listened. The driving force of the UMR was the Rev. Spurgeon M. Dunnam III, who served as the editor and general manager. He was quirky, bombastic and highly opinionated. Sheron C. Patterson, a fledgling writer at the UMR, is now editor of the North Texas Connection. cover our church. He also helped me hone my writing skills. I worked four years in the UMR office near Hampton Road. My assignments were global. From a national youth conference in the Bahamas to a General Conference in Baltimore, I was on the move. Meeting so many United Methodists of every hue made an indelible mark on my life. One year, my beat was the General Board of Global Ministries; another year it was the General Board of Discipleship. These assignments gave me There are fewer delights in life tremendous respect for who we are than having your first job under the as United Methodists. tutelage of someone on fire for the People say that times have UMC 24/7! changed and that newspapers are Another fixture of the UMR no longer as vital to their lives as was John Lovelace, an active UMC they once were. Perhaps this is layman. He was the much needed true, but we United Methodists calm to Rev. Dunnam’s storm. should, at the least, bow our heads Lovelace was a longtime jour- and say a prayer, because the death nalist who knew how to deploy his of the UMR newspaper is like a team of writers across the globe to funeral. It’s simplest to describe the 1970s-1980s at the Reporter as the Keightley/Dunnam era. Interestingly, neither Carl Keightley nor Spurgeon Dunnam had extensive journalistic backgrounds. Keightley lifted the idea for local church front-page editions from the Fort Worth-based nondenominational All-Church Press. His signal contribution to The Texas Methodist was an occasional Page 2 photo/ text feature titled “Going Places With the Editor.” The most significant “place” he went was Perkins School of Theology to hire a young graduate named Spurgeon Murray Dunnam III. (Keightley ended his career with the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville.) “Energy” doesn’t describe Spurgeon. “Drive” comes closer – the drive of youth, superb intelligence, liberal theology and a love for words, whether in conversation far into the night or in pro/con positions on the editorial page. Dr Pepper and taco chips provided an outsize portion of his dietary sustenance, and argumentation – he printed a debate challenge to fundamentalist Jerry Falwell – enlivened him. Time magazine mentioned the ploy, though Falwell ignored it. Spurgeon loved his double title: editor/general manager. His 1970s1980s staffs included some of the keenest reporters and editors in religious journalism, and the news- paper’s content won numerous awards. One man whose principal job was to draft editorials for Spurgeon’s purview Spurgeon Dunnam said he frequently sat at his typewriter and cried while trying to write something the editor would print. (The writer later managed a daily newspaper in Indiana.) By the mid-1980s, desktop publishing pulled local church, district and conference editions from the UMR. UMR responses like the new nondenominational weekly National Christian Reporter and the biweekly United Methodist Review helped, but falling income and an ill-timed fundraising campaign to build new quarters led significantly to Spurgeon’s death in 1991 at 49. Ron Patterson, a vice president of the United Methodist Publishing House, succeeded Spurgeon. Under him, a functional headquarters was built a block from the cramped, dispiriting rented warehouse. But circulation losses, cut payroll and rising home site expenses forced a sale of the property and a move back to rented quarters. UMR, dating to 1847, closes in a troubled era for newspapers Continued from Page 1A alternative. UMR Communications’ closing comes about a month after the last of the denomination’s Cokesbury stores, the retailers of the United Methodist Publishing House, shut their doors. To help customers around the country, the United Methodist Publishing House now is relying on the Cokesbury website and community resource consultants. Like print publications, bookstores have been facing increasing financial pressure from online alternatives. For many United Methodists, the loss of the Reporter, valued for its independent voice, is a personal one. “When I heard the news, it was like the death of a family member or friend,” said Mary Brooke Casad, former executive secretary of the Connectional Table, which coordinates the denomination’s ministry, mission and resources. As a graduate of the journalism program at United Methodist-related Southern Methodist University, Casad wrote and edited institutional publications for the communications council that then oversaw the Reporter. She later served on the board in the 1980-90s, served as a sales representative and returned to the board in the early 2000s, eventually serving as chair. Her father, the late Bishop Benjamin Oliphint, helped raise money for the Reporter’s former building. “As a young person and young writer starting out, it gave me a place to tell my story and others’ stories,” she said. “It was exciting for me as a journalism graduate to see this was something we had … to help tell the story of The United Methodist Church.” The Rev. Connie L. Nelson, director of public affairs and alumni CEO Alan Heath oversaw the final days of the United Methodist Reporter as the last papers rolled off the press. Sheron C. Patterson relations at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology, said she received her first copy of the newspaper’s previous incarnation — Texas Methodist/United Methodist Reporter — as a conference youth leader in high school. She later worked as a copy editor at the United Methodist Reporter in the early 1980s and eventually edited local editions of the newspaper. “Not only did the Reporter educate, it energized: What I read week to week opened my eyes and challenged me to be part of this great story of United Methodism,” she said. “It was the vehicle through which many in the denomination began to understand the larger connection, that we were all part of a global church engaged in proclaiming God’s profound love around the world.” “It was ironic that I first learned that UMR Communications would be closing shop from a writer of United Methodist Communications [UMCOM] in Nashville,” said former UMR employee Denise Johnson Stovall of Dallas. “Reporter and UMCOM writers were friends and respected each other, but they were our competitors for stories within The United Methodist Church.” Stovall worked for The ReSee UMR, Page 7 NTC 7 McKenzie to pioneer concept of preacher-in-residence in Plano Dunagin to help with research on church plants The Rev. Richard Dunagin, newly appointed to Wesley UMC McKinney, will also be working with the Center on New Church Development and Transformation, helping with research and demographics. The assignment is a limited, part-time basis, and is separate from and in addition to his appointment. The Rev. Jim Ozier, center director, called Rev. Dunagin “adept at research, and he served previously in my job some years ago, so he knows how the center works. “Richard chaired the former Creating Congregations team and has a passion for new church starts. Also, Richard has accumulated a track record of growth over the years of his ministry,” Rev. Ozier said. Rev. Dunagin will be doing: Advanced research work on demographics and the strategic mission within the Annual Conference for a year-end report on the impact of new church starts. On-site visits to all the projects in July and August. Richard Dunagin Serving as the interim center director during Rev. Ozier’s October-to-December study leave. Rev. Dunagin’s work will allow Associate Director Gloria Fowler to focus on congregational transformation and getting the Healthy Church Initiative and the Smaller Church Initiative up and running. Rev. Dunigan, who has been involved in church planting for more than 25 years, says he is “delighted to participate in a more direct role once again.” “New church plants tend to be the single most effective way United Methodists reach new people for Christ. I count it a privilege to work in this arena in a more formal way — to be where the action is and to rub shoulders with my heroes in the ministry — new church planters,” he said. Christ UMC Plano has named the Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie its preacher-in-residence, a new organizational concept within The United Methodist Church. Dr. McKenzie, professor of homiletics at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, will take the pulpit at Christ UMC over the course of 10 Sundays throughout her one-year consulting term. She will also mentor the church’s preaching staff while continuing in her position at Perkins School of Theology, where she holds the George W. and Nell Ayers LeVan Endowed Chair of Preaching and Worship. Her first Sunday to preach at the church will be Aug. 4. The inspiration for the new position within The United Methodist Church comes from the Rev. Don Underwood, senior pastor of Christ UMC. “We live in a time that calls for bold and creative action if the church is to continue to shape the lives of the people we serve,” Rev. Underwood said. McKenzie, he said, “is highly regarded as The Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie’s online column Edgy Exegesis (patheos.com/AboutPatheos/Alyce-McKenzie. html) is a reflection in the weekly lectionary gospel text and attracts 2,000-2,500 readers a week. Her blog Knack for Noticing (patheos. com/blogs/knackfornoticing) features humorous wisdom for everyday situations. a preacher and lecturer who has the gift of making the gospel both powerful and relevant in the contemporary culture. Her presence will strengthen our pulpit ministry.” Bishop Michael McKee of the North Texas Conference called the concept of a preacher-in-residence another example of Christ UMC’s “bold and innovative approaches to ministry.” “Dr. Alyce McKenzie is the perfect choice for the position,” he said. “As a clergy member of the North Texas Conference, she has always been highly committed to local church ministry, and this is one more way in which she can offer her many gifts to Christ UMC and the churches of the North Texas Conference.” Through Dr. McKenzie, Christ UMC’s will also have a stronger relationship with Perkins by extension, said Dean William B. Lawrence. “The preacher-in-residence at one of our most vital churches is yet another example of the important partnership that exists between the academy and the local church,” he said. UMR closes, leaving behind a proud tradition Continued from Page 6 porter from 1987 to 2002, first as a staff writer, then the first black associate editor and later promoted to the new position of director of corporate communications. She fondly recalls traveling across the U.S. and around the world to South UPDATE Since the UMR newspaper closed May 31, it has partnered with the Circuit Rider media, and an electronic version is in the works. America, Central America, Europe, Great Britain and eight African countries covering ministries of “the people called Methodists.” “When I was first hired, I didn’t realize that The Reporter carried so much weight within our denomination,” she said. “So being on the writing staff was a tremendous responsibility. And being the only writer who was a person of color was a double burden because I quickly learned I had to be the ‘voice for the voiceless’ as well as people who looked like me.” NTC Bishop Mike McKee called the United Methodist Reporter “a staple not just for our denomination, but for me personally. I always read it, and I made sure that the churches where I served as a pastor had local editions of the paper. The paper gave us a strong connection and a fresh independent voice. It will be missed.” Heather Hahn’s article for UMNS contributed to this article. At left: The North Texas Conference Center for Leadership Development is among the sponsors of a free teen leadership event. Training for Excellence, a nonprofit group aimed at teaching life skills and job readiness for teens, is putting on the event. Peggy Sham NTC member gets social justice grant Peggy Sham, a member of the North Texas Conference, has been awarded the Methodist Theological School of Ohio’s C. Everett and Mary Milburn Tilson Social Justice Grant. The grant is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated, in practice and profession, a commitment to a prophetic vocation of compassionate justice. Sham received a master’s in counseling ministries at the school’s commencement May 18. NTC 8 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 Good times, good fellowship Photos by Wil Murphy and First UMC Richardson Doug Fox, elder at First UMC McKinney, is ready for a smashing cupcake from Jason McConnell, appointed senior pastor at Prosper UMC. Food trucks provided a trendy option for feeding masses of Methodists. Monya Logan (black dress) led choir members from her church, St. Luke “Community” UMC, and other churches in a combined choir. Pastor Levy LaGuardia, left, and members of Umphress Road UMC were on hand. The Sign Choir of Lovers Lane UMC inspired as well as communicated. In a fun exercise dreamed up by the Nehemiah Group, people were given purple paper and told to write the name of someone in the NTC who inspires them the most, fold the paper into planes and try to toss them into moving kiddie pools in the First UMC Richardson sanctuary. Names were drawn from the pools and prizes awarded. Girls from Christ’s Foundry performed on guitar. The church holds guitar classes as an outreach. A FL LM PD APPOINTMENTS 2013-2014 Full-time Local Pastor Certified Lay Minister Provisional Deacon RE RL ROE PE Provisional Elder PL Part-time Local Pastor RD Retired Deacon EAST DISTRICT District Superintendent LOCAL CHURCH APPOINTMENTS Victor E. Casad 1 PASTOR Aley .................................................................................................... (Eston Williams-FL) Annona/Boxelder/Lone Star...........................................................(Donald C. Benton-PL 1/4) Arbala/Gafford Chapel................................................................TBS by James Goodwin (RE) Avery/Williams Chapel............................................................................. (Jack Cloyd-PL 1/4) Becker ...........................................................................................(Robert Williams-PL 1/4) Birthright..................................................................................... TBS by Paul M. Bailey (RL) Blanton Chapel...........................................................................................TBS by David Riley Blossom/Shady Grove............................................................................ (Susan Leddy-PL 1/4) Bogata .............................................................................................................Elaine Bussey BONHAM: First ...........................................................................................................Dyan Dietz (PE) Wesley/Telephone..........................................................................TBS by Rickey Robbins Caddo Mills................................................................................................... (Debra Lyons-FL) Celeste/Kingston/White Rock.................................................................... (Jay Henderson-SL) Charleston......................................................................................... TBS by Gary Regan (RE) CLARKSVILLE: McKenzie Memorial............................................................................ (Jerry Colgrove-FL) St. Paul.............................................................................................(Ted Robinson-PL 1/4) College Mound...........................................................................................(Larry D. Davis-FL) Commerce: First................................................................................................. Valarie Englert Associate/Director Wesleyan Campus Ministry....................................Marc Corazao Como/Pine Forest............................................................................ (Beverly D. Olsen-PL 1/2) Cooper/Shooks Chapel...............................................................................(Steve Cook ¶346.2) Crandall................................................................................................(James Wilkins-PL 1/2) Cumby ................................................................................. TBS by F. Duncan Graham (RE) Cuthand......................................................................................... (John D. Purviance-PL 1/2) Deport ................................................................................................ (Debra R. May-PL 1/2) Detroit: Martin Memorial/Woodland...............................................TBS by Carl Sterling (RL) Ector/Mulberry......................................................................................... (Dee Morton-PL 1/2) Enloe/Ben Franklin.................................................................................(Stacey Smith-PL 1/4) GREENVILLE: Kavanaugh................................................................................................... Stephen Cotten Salem-Kinser/Floyd/Campbell/Caney..................................................... Billy M. Shaddox Associate....................................................................................(Pam Zolczer-PL 1/4) Wesley....................................................................................................... L. Gene Wisdom Westview................................................................................................ Veronica Greanead Grove Hill................................................................................................ TBS by Jim McIntire HONEY GROVE: McKenzie/Forest Hill..............................................................................Vivian J. Crowson Kaufman......................................................................................................... Elizabeth Kellner Associate................................................................................(Kathryn Curbo-PL 1/4) Kemp ..................................................................................(Elizabeth Glass-Turner-PL 1/4) Ladonia/Pecan Gap.............................................................................. (Michael Rowe-PL 1/2) Leonard ...................................................................................................Adam L. Spore (PE) Lone Oak.............................................................................................. (Susan J. Gross-PL 1/2) Mabank.................................................................................................................. Dana Coker Miller Grove............................................................. (Howard L. Strickland ¶346.1, 338.2 1/4) Mt. Vernon: First/Saltillo/Old Saltillo................................................................... John Wallace North Lamar Parish: Belk/Chicota/Powderly/Mt. Tabor-Sumner.........................(William Mark Hutchison-FL) Associate...................................................................................... (Betty Lyke-PL 1/4) Oak Grove: Wilson Chapel/Rosser: Certified Lay Minister.................................................LM PARIS: Calvary............................................................................................................. E. Ben Read First ................................................................................................ Robert Lee Spencer, Jr. Associate/Connections Ministry....................................(Katherine E. French-PL 3/4) Associate.....................................................................................(Ray Starnes-PL 1/4) Associate.......................................................................(William H. Coleman-PL 1/4) Mt. Zion.................................................................................................. Eddie Jean Adams Oak Park......................................................................................................Judith S. Brandt Pickton ................................................................................. TBS by Henry R. Suche Jr. (RE) Poetry .............................................................................................................................. TBS Quinlan: First............................................................................................................ Eric Rothe Roxton/Paris Jr. College Campus Ministry......................................... (Edrue W. Dodd-PL 1/2) SULPHUR SPRINGS: First/Sulphur Bluff/Tira............................................................................... Peter V. Adrian Associate.......................................................................................... Deborah Riggsby Wesley......................................................................................... Elwin N. Campbell (AM) YR 16 14 2 3 Retired Elder Retired Local Pastor Retired Elder of Other Conference SL TBS Student Local Pastor To be supplied TERRELL: First .................................................................................................... Charles L. Aaron, Jr. Warren Chapel................................................................................... (Doris Smith-PL 1/4) Trenton .................................................................................................Kathy McLean-Davis Virginia Point.............................................................................. (Louella K. Williams-PL 1/4) Windom/Lannius.................................................................................(Gerald Johnson-PL 1/2) WINNSBORO: First .................................................................................................Michael Langdon (PE) Tinney Chapel........................................................................................ TBS by Jim Hilton Wolfe City: First..................................................................................(Edward D. Lee-PL 3/4) 1 1 1 7 4 2 11 APPOINTMENTS TO EXTENSION MINISTRIES 1 1 1 4 1 4 5 26 4 4 4 4 6 10 6 8 17 3 30 1 4 5 6 1 3 1 2 2 2 3 9 3 10 5 2 1 3 8 1 12 3 3 1 3 6 2 (Robin Brake-PL 3/4) (¶316.1)..................................... Harris Methodist Hospital, Fort Worth Michael D. Moore (PE) (¶326.2)........... Chaplain, Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, Greenville 2 2 CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER (LM) ASSIGNMENTS Bonham First.......................................................................................................... Lori Massey Oak Grove: Wilson Chapel/Rosser......................................................................... Steve Gibbs METRO DISTRICT District Superintendent LOCAL CHURCH APPOINTMENTS Camille Gaston 1 PASTOR CARROLLTON Cambodian Fellowship...........................................................................TBS by Meng Top Holy Covenant................................................................................................ Carol Sparks Deacon in Full Connection............................................................ Deborah Chapman Wesley Korean...................................................................(Jin Hee Lee ¶346.1, 338.2 3/4) Cedar Hill................................................................................................................. Jeff Garrett DALLAS: Arcadia Park........................................................................................ (Katie Webb-PL 1/4) Camp Wisdom............................................................................................Janet Bell Odom Casa Linda.......................................................................................(David Rangel-PL 3/4) Christ’s Foundry Fellowship.............................................................................. Owen Ross Associate...................................................................................(Lucia French-PL 1/2) Cochran Chapel.........................................................................................Joseph B. Stabile Cockrell Hill............................................................................................TBS by Joe Zinser Community............................................................................................Harold Dangerfield Elmwood-El Buen Samaritano..................................................... (Sandra Cabrera ¶346.1) First ............................................................................................................. Andrew Stoker Associate....................................................................................John Wallace Cole III Associate.............................................................................(Jeanette Cobbins-PL 1/4) Deacon in Full Connection........................................................................Linda Roby Deacon in Full Connection.................................................................Rebecca Walker Glen Oaks............................................................................................ (Freddie Orr-PL 1/2) Grace................................................................................................................Judith Reedy Associate/Oasis African Fellowship................................................. Mary Miriti (PE) Greenland Hills.................................................................................................Kerry Smith Hamilton Park.......................................................................................R. Jeremiah Booker Associate...............................................................................................Lucretia Facen Associate/Warren.............................................................................. Jackie Wickware Associate................................................................... (Frances Cudjoe Waters-PL 3/4) Highland Hills.................................................................................... (Michael Greene-FL) Highland Park............................................................................................ Paul Rasmussen Associate.........................................................................TBS by W. Mark Craig (RE) Associate...............................................................................................John F. Fiedler Associate........................................................................................... Walt W. Marcum Associate...................................................................................... Barbara W. Marcum Associate..................................................................... (Matthew Tuggle (PE) ¶346.1) Associate....................................................................................................Jeffrey Hall Associate......................................................................................... Arville E. McLain Associate/Munger Place Extension.................... (David Andrew Forrest (PE) ¶346.1) Associate.............................................................................. (Dawn Anderson-PL 1/4) Deacon in Full Connection.................................................................... Terry P. Jones Deacon in Full Connection....................................................................... Susan Robb Deacon in Full Connection.............................................................Elizabeth Moseley Kessler Park.................................................................................................. David M. Carr Lake Highlands........................................................................................John M. Thornton Associate....................................................................................(Pamela E. Clark-FL) Associate................................................................................................ Monty Moore YR 1 16 16 2 1 9 4 12 2 10 4 6 1 12 2 5 2 2 3 3 1 5 7 1 2 1 1 1 22 21 2 11 6 4 2 10 5 3 4 10 17 3 Deacon in Full Connection......................................................................Nicki Lyford Lakewood........................................................................................................ Gayle Landis Lovers Lane.........................................................................................Stanley R. Copeland Associate...............................................................................................Tom Hudspeth Associate.................................................................................(T. Shante Buckley-FL) Associate............................................................................................Walt Lunde (PE) Associate.........................................................(Christopher Kudzai Chikoore ¶346.1) Deacon in Full Connection................................................................... Kay DeBlance Northaven.................................................................................................... Eric S. Folkerth Oak Cliff...................................................................................... (Edgar Bazan-Garza-FL) Associate..............................................................................(Pablo Guardiola-PL 3/4) Oak Lawn....................................................................................... Anna Hosemann-Butler Associate...........................................................................(Gregg Alan Smith-PL 1/2) Associate...............................................................................(JoAnne Pounds-PL 1/4) Owenwood................................................................................. (Denise B. Jacobs-PL 1/2) Pleasant Mound-Urban Park...................................................................Annelda Crawford Preston Hollow......................................................................................Michael L. Nichols Ridgewood Park..................................................................................................Ann Willet St. Luke “Community”...................................................................... Henry L. Masters, Sr. Associate......................................................................................... S. Dianna Masters Associate............................................................................................Sandra A. Minor St. Paul.....................................................................................................Elzie D. Odom Jr. Associate................................................................................(Harold Stinson-PL 1/4) Schreiber Memorial.............................................................................. Leslie A. Herrscher Deacon in Full Connection..............................(Bonnie Bridger-Coffman ¶331.7 1/2) Southwood....................................................................................... (Irene Jackson-PL 1/4) Spring Valley.......................................................................................................Clara Reed Associate............................................................................... (Carlos Nascimento-FL) Tyler Street................................................................................................. Edward F. Lantz Associate..................................................................................................Cheryl Jones Umphress Road.......................................................................................Levy E. Laguardia Associate............................................................................ (Edwin Zarate ¶338.2 1/2) University Park.......................................................................................... Matthew Gaston Associate..................................................................................... Rebecca Frank Bruff Associate............................................................................ (M. Benjamin Rigsby-SL) Associate/Union..............................................................(Michael Baughman ¶346.1) Deacon in Full Connection............................................................. Rachel Baughman Walnut Hill...........................................................................................Alexandra Robinson Warren.......................................................................................... TBS by Jackie Wickware Wheatland.......................................................................................(Peter McNabb-PL 1/2) White Rock.................................................................................................. George C. Fisk Associate..................................................................................... Mitchell Boone (PE) DESOTO: Church of the Disciple ........................................................................................Ouida Lee First ........................................................................................................... Kevin Strempke The Village...................................................................................................... Derek Jacobs Associate................................................................................... (Terri Phillips-PL 1/4) DUNCANVILLE: First ............................................................................................................... Frank Alegria Associate.............................................................................................. Marie Mitchell Jubilee........................................................................................... (Robert Davis II-PL 1/2) Trinity....................................................................................................Samuel L. Caldwell FARMERS BRANCH: Chapel Hill................................................................................................................Mai Le Christ.................................................................................................... Kenneth R. Dickson Associate................................................................... TBS by Robert L. Spencer (RE) Webb Chapel............................................................................... (Lynda Mayberry-PL 1/2) Ferris: God’s Kingdom......................................................................... (Sylvesta Shed-PL 1/4) GARLAND: Axe Memorial..................................................................................................James Minor Buckingham................................................................................................... Abril Goforth First .............................................................................................. Frederick L. Durham, Jr. Associate............................................................................................ J. Clay Womack Deacon in Full Connection.....................................................................Caroline Noll New World...........................................................................................Wallace A. Williams San Juan Fellowship.................................................................................Javier Q.Escalera St. Philip’s.................................................................................................. Jerry G. Putnam GRAND PRAIRIE: First ............................................................................................................ F. Gifford Long Associate.................................................................................Brian Paul Dierolf (PE) Associate/New Hispanic Ministry...............................................(Leonardo Haro-FL) The Woods............................................................................................... Jill Jackson-Sears Associate.....................................................................(Yvette Blair-Lavallais-PL 1/2) IRVING: First ........................................................................................................... Russell S. Floyd Associate................................................................TBS by Sammy A. Hargrove (RE) Immanuel Korean Fellowship.................................... (Seong Joon Park ¶346.1, 338.2 3/4) Kirkwood.....................................................................................................Preston Weaver Associate.............................................................(Albano Tayengo ¶346.1, 338.2 3/4) Korean Central..............................................................................................Sung Chul Lee Associate/North Campus........................................(Nakhoon Cho ¶346.1, 338.2 3/4) Northgate.................................................................................................... Gregory S. Neal 8 5 17 13 10 6 4 4 13 7 2 1 4 2 7 6 3 1 2 2 1 8 7 2 2 3 1 17 5 3 23 6 2 8 1 2 7 1 6 3 12 2 8 4 2 2 1 8 4 5 1 3 2 2 2 3 4 18 8 5 19 7 8 2 1 10 1 3 7 3 6 24 1 3 B Oak Haven..........................................................................................(Jane Graner-PL 1/2) Plymouth Park........................................................................................William E. La Barr Associate................................................................................................Dana Norton Lancaster: First................................................................................................ Rick L. Hawkins MESQUITE: First .................................................................................................................David Weber Associate................................................................................ (Tom E. Palmer-PL 1/4) St. Marks.................................................................................(Jacqueline Waiters-Lee-FL) St. Stephen............................................................................................... Nancy DeStefano Associate.....................................................................TBS by Kathryn Johnson (RD) RICHARDSON: Arapaho.......................................................................................................... John B. Soper Associate.......................................................................................... Julie Macpherson Faith................................................................................................................Edilson Volfe First ....................................................................................................... J. Clayton Oliphint Associate..................................................................................... Debra Hobbs Mason Associate.................................................................................. April Johnson Bristow Associate...........................................................................................Richard Rindfuss Associate....................................................................................... (Don Hood-PL 1/2) Associate..................................................................(Scot Bontrager (PE) ¶338.2 1/2) Associate.................................................................. TBS by Jimmie H. Mobley (RE) Deacon in Full Connection.....................................................................Joy Anderson First Korean.............................................................................................. Kwang Bae Park Seagoville...............................................................................................(David Yunker-PL 1/2) Sunnyvale: New Covenant......................................................................................... Reid Fade 1 9 8 6 3 9 4 1 22 4 2 13 18 12 4 2 1 17 13 4 2 APPOINTMENTS TO EXTENSION MINISTRIES Shawn Bakker (PD), Commissioned, Deacon Track (¶331.1b).Assoc. Gen. Sec., GBGM, NY 6 Laura J. Benson (¶344.1d)............................................Durham’s Partnership of Children, NC 4 4 Katherine Betz, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a, 331.7 1/2).C. C. Young Memorial Home George D. Bond (¶344.1a(3)).................... Prof., Dept. Religion, Northwestern University, IL 39 Veronica Brown, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a)..... Genesis Two/Hamilton Park UMC 8 William J. Bryan III (¶344.1a(3)). Director of Intern Prog. & Prof. Formation, Perkins, SMU 17 Charles R. Carnahan (¶344.1a(2))......................................General Board of Discipleship, TN 6 Erika Fadel (¶344.1d)......................................................Coordinator of Career Development, .......................................................................Univ. of Missouri School of Law, MO 3 Gloria Fowler (¶344.1a(1)) .............................. Assoc. Director of New Church Development ................................................................... & Congregational Transformation, NTC 2 Larry W. George (¶344.1a(1))........ Asst. to Bishop and Director of Missional Outreach, NTC 4 33 C. David Grant (¶344.1a(3))............................................. Prof., Chair Dept. of Religion, TCU Joel B. Green (¶344.1a(3))....................................Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary, CA 7 3 Lisa Greenwood (¶344.1b)...........................................................Texas Methodist Foundation Sheri Hollingsworth, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a)......................VA Hospital, Dallas 5 (Johnny “J.B.” Jackson-FL) (¶316.1)......................... Dallas Indian UMC, OIMC Conference 1 Larry James (PE) (¶344.1d)......................................................................... CitySquare, Dallas 1 Shonda Jones (¶344.1a(3))................................Assoc. Dean of Admissions, Wake Forest, NC 3 Dwight H. Judy (RE)............ Director/Assoc. Prof, Garrett Evang. Theol. Sem., Evanston, IL 10 Janette C. Kotey (¶344.1d).............................................. First Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL 14 Sarah Heaner Lancaster (¶344.1a(3)).................. Prof. Theol., Meth. Theological School, OH 17 William B. Lawrence (¶344.1a(3))........................... Dean, Perkins School of Theology, SMU 12 Thomas R. McKnight (¶344.1d)............................................The Methodist Church in Ireland 27 Timothy E. McLemore (¶344.1a(3))..................Assoc. Director Public Affairs, Perkins, SMU 4 Carol Montgomery (PE) (¶326)............................................Denton/TWU Wesley Foundation 1 Ugonna Onuoha, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a) ....................................................Staff Chaplain, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas 4 James P. Ozier (¶344.1a(1))......................................... Director of New Church Development ..................................................................... & Congregational Transformation, NTC 7 Beatriz Pacheco (¶344.1b)................................................... Methodist Medical Center, Dallas 6 Sheron C. Patterson (¶344.1a(1)).............................................. Communications Officer, NTC 4 James C. Pierce (¶344.1d)............................................ Westlake HS Naval Junior ROTC, MD 1 JamesPaul Qazilbash (PD), Commissioned, Deacon Track (¶331.1a)....................................... .............................................................................. Chaplain, Baylor Medical Center 2 Stephen Rankin (¶344.1a(3)).................................................... Chaplain and Minister to SMU 4 Kathryn Self Ransdell (¶344.1d)....................................United Church of Canada, Vancouver 3 (Caesar Rentie-FL) (¶316.1)......................................................Methodist Hospital, Mansfield 3 19 Joerg Rieger (¶344.1a(3))............................Professor of Systematic Theology, Perkins, SMU Andrew Roberts (¶344.1a(3))........................................................... Wesley Foundation, SMU 3 Carole Somers-Clark (¶344.1d)..................... V. P. of Pastoral Care, Methodist Health System 27 Martha A. Soper (¶344.1a(1))................................Director of Leadership Development, NTC 1 Sarah Squires, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a)................................. Executive Director, ............................................................................Wesley Rankin Community Center 5 Mark W. Stamm (¶344.1a(3))............................ Professor, Perkins School of Theology, SMU 6 K. Margie Steele (¶344.1d, 338.2 1/2)............................................................Odyssey Hospice 3 Gary Stephens (PD), Commissioned, Deacon Track (¶331.1a).................................................. ..................................................................... CPE/Methodist Medical Center, Dallas 2 John D. Thornburg (¶344.1d)........................................................Texas Methodist Foundation 1 Patricia Piron Thresher (¶344.1b)............................Texas Health Resources/Harris Methodist 2 C. Patrick Whittemore (¶344.1a(3))...Prof., Chaplain, Martin Methodist College, Pulaski, TN 23 Harry S. Wright, Jr. (¶344.1d)........................... Assoc. V. P., Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA 6 DEACONESS Omega Lee S. Ramos (¶1314.2)...Umphress Road/Congregational and Community Outreach Sandra Wilson Wickberg (¶1314.2)............Lake Highlands Librarian & Congregational Care 3 4 C NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT District Superintendent LOCAL CHURCH APPOINTMENTS Ronald D. Henderson 1 PASTOR YR ALLEN: Creekwood..........................................................................................Holly Gaskill Bandel 4 Associate.................................................................................... (Chad McSwain- FL) 2 First .................................................................................................................. Todd Harris 8 Associate......................................................................................Brian G. McPherson 11 Associate................................................................................(June A. Franck-PL 3/4) 13 Associate.................................................................................. (Maxie Moore-PL 1/4) 4 Associate/New Church Start N. Allen......................................... James Abram Smith 3 Deacon in Full Connection.........................................................Russell Herbert King 4 Suncreek................................................................................................ Keith Payne Boone 1 Associate.................................................................TBS by Milton P. Guttierrez (RE) Anna ................................................................................................................. Mark Moore 2 Argyle ............................................................................................... Christopher Schoolcraft 1 Aubrey...........................................................................................................(Joe Gist-PL 1/2) 6 Blue Ridge...................................................................................................... Daniel A. Gurley 4 Associate..................................................................................... (Dana Kay Kent-PL 1/4) 2 CARROLLTON: Aldersgate...............................................................................................Lyle Benson (LM) 3 First ........................................................................................................W. Douglas Miller 1 Associate................................................................................ James David Allen (PE) 1 Associate....................................................................................TBS by Peter Chiv In Celina ............................................................................................................... John Baldwin 3 Chambersville/Cottage Hill............................................................. (Samantha Parson-PL 1/2) 4 Copeville............................................................................................................................. TBS Coppell: First............................................................................................... Thomas O. Palmer 1 Associate............................................................................................ Ashleigh Joyner 6 Associate...........................................................................William Wayne Eason (PE) 1 Corinth: Faith................................................................................................. Rodney Whitfield 1 DENTON: Asbury.........................................................................................................Robert M. Price 6 Blue Mound.................................................................................................................. TBS Cooper Creek...................................................................................... (Katie Klein-PL 1/2) 5 First ............................................................................................................. Donald W. Lee 2 Associate............................................................................................... Jessica Wright 5 Associate....................................................................................(Deana Ferguson-FL) 4 Associate.......................................................................................... (Jon Kendzie-FL) 1 Trinity.......................................................................................................James B. Bowden 1 Fairview: Christ Church of North Texas.............................. (Duk Kun Kim ¶346.1, 338.2 3/4) 2 Farmersville........................................................................................... Thomas W. Waitschies 4 FLOWER MOUND: Flower Mound................................................................................................. Holly Gotelli 3 Associate.....................................................................................(Deniece Mason-FL) 2 Associate.................................................................................. (Bill A. Lewis-PL 1/2) 1 Trietsch Memorial......................................................................................John F. Allen, Jr. 7 Associate...................................................................................................Jay Cousino 1 Associate................................................................................TBS by Joe Shafer (RE) Deacon in Full Connection.............................................................. Karen L. Chraska 17 Deacon in Full Connection............................................................. Douglas A. Meyer 4 Deacon in Full Connection................................................................... Elizabeth Lutz 4 Forney .....................................................................................................Christopher L. Allen 2 FRISCO First .................................................................................................................Mark Vowell 1 Associate........................................................................................(Bill Meek-PL 1/4) 7 Associate.....................................................................................(Cathy Partridge-FL) 5 Associate................................................................................................... Keva Green 1 Grace Avenue.......................................................................................Billy Echols-Richter 16 Associate............................................................................(Laura Echols-Richter-FL) Associate/New Church Start.........................................................Christopher N. Yost 4 Associate................................................................................... Marcus Womack (PE) 1 Associate......................................................................... TBS by Joyce Cravens (RE) Deacon in Full Connection................................................................Joseph Stobaugh 2 GARLAND: Cornerstone..................................................................................................Walter R. Butts 7 Associate.............................................................................TBS by Lois Cooper (RE) Heath ...................................................................................................................Dean Libby 2 Josephine.............................................................................................. (Mark Newsom-PL 1/4) 7 Justin.....................................................................................(Emeral O. (Buster) Noah-FL) 9 Krum: First........................................................................................................ Christy Thomas 8 Associate.............................................................................. (David H. Taylor-PL 1/4) 2 Lake Cities....................................................................................................... Rene′ P. Lawson 7 Associate......................................................................(DonnaLea Sutton ¶338.2 1/4) 2 LEWISVILLE: Chinn’s Chapel...............................................................................(D. Paul McGarvey-FL) 5 First .................................................................................................. Andrew Joseph Lewis 2 Living Faith................................................................................................................... TBS Vista Ridge..............................................................................Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch LITTLE ELM: Button Memorial.............................................................................................Mel Caraway Elm Ridge..................................................................................................................... TBS Oak Grove........................................................................................... Elizabeth Ann Moen Lucas: Good Shepherd......................................................................................... Diane Presley MCKINNEY: First ....................................................................................................Thomas O. Brumett Associate.............................................................................................. Douglas J. Fox Associate...................................................................... (J. Christopher Rickwartz-FL) Associate........................................................ (Elizabeth Delaney-Greenwell-PL 1/2) Associate/New Church Start Melissa.................................................... Alan Hitt (PE) Associate...................................................................................(John Harman ¶346.1) Associate.................................................................................. (James Woods-PL 1/2) Associate............................................................TBS by Donald F. Renshaw, Jr. (RE) Deacon in Full Connection....................................................................Janet Cavalier Deacon in Full Connection............................................. (Patty Froehlich ¶331.7 3/4) Stonebridge.................................................................................................... John McLarty Associate............................................................................................... David Lessner Deacon in Full Connection..................................................(Dina Steiner ¶331.7 1/2) Wesley...................................................................................................Richard L. Dunagin Pilot Point..................................................................................................Penny Mitchell (PE) PLANO: Christ................................................................................................Donald W. Underwood Associate............................................................................................Stacey Piyakhun Associate............................................................................................Denise Peckham Associate/New Church Start Princeton............................................ Clay Horton (PE) Associate.....................................................................TBS by Walter R. Purkey (RE) Associate.................................................................TBS by A. Barton Smith, Jr. (RE) Associate.........................................................................TBS by R. Jerry Mahle (RL) Custer Road........................................................................................................ Kory Knott Associate............................................................................................... Frank Drenner Associate.......................................................................................... Sharon O’Connor Associate................................................................................... (John Richardson-FL) Associate....................................................................... TBS by Jack M. Gibson (RE) Deacon in Full Connection............................................................. Timothy Morrison First ...............................................................................................................Paul A. Gould Associate................................................................................................Melissa Hatch Associate.............................................................................................. Alice G. Coder Associate.............................................................................. (David Gonzalez ¶346.1) Associate...................................................................TBS by Pat Beghtel Mahle (RE) St. Andrew.......................................................................................... C. Robert Hasley, Jr. Associate/St. Andrew Frisco.............................................................Edlen O. Cowley Associate....................................................................................Stephen A. Robertson Associate.....................................................................................(Jennifer Arnold-FL) Associate.................................................................................................. Arthur Jones Associate............................................................................................ (Pam White-FL) Deacon in Full Connection............................................................ Janet Collinsworth Deacon in Full Connection............................................ TBS by Charles Stokes (RD) Pleasant Grove/Verona...............................................................................(David Judd-PL 1/4) Ponder ................................................................................................. Rocky Ellison-PL 1/2) Prosper ............................................................................................... Jason McConnell (PE) Associate/New Church Start..................................................... (Kevin McClain-FL) Rockwall: First......................................................................................................... Joe C. Pool Associate.............................................................................. Elizabeth LaBella-Foster Deacon in Full Connection....................................................................Alan W. Clark Deacon in Full Connection.........................................................Christina Hildebrand Deacon in Full Connection...................................................................... Paul Maletic Rowlett: First........................................................................................................ M. Jan Davis Associate.................................................................................. (Dretha Burris-PL 3/4) Associate............................................................................. Christopher John Everson Associate...................................................................................... (Ross Reynolds-FL) Associate....................................................................... TBS by Buist B. Wilson (RE) Royse City: First...................................................................................Timothy E. Marks (PE) Associate............................................................................ TBS by Dan Bruce (ROE) SACHSE First .............................................................................................................. Wendy Curran Associate............................................................................... (Katie Shockley-PL 1/4) Pleasant Valley.................................................................... TBS by Philip D. Mercer (RE) Sanger ............................................................................................... (Larry Rathbun-PL 1/4) Stony .................................................................................... (Michael Joel Scheller-PL 1/4) The Colony: First................................................................................Marsha Engle Middleton Associate..............................................................TBS by James Michael Miller (RE) Trophy Club: Fellowship........................................................................Daniel Drew Humbert Associate................................................................................. (Sonya Shahan-PL 3/4) Associate............................................................................. TBS by Robert Turk (RL) Wylie ........................................................................................................ Kathryn Strempke Associate......................................................................TBS by John Earl Taylor (RE) 4 1 4 1 7 8 5 4 3 2 1 5 3 1 6 6 1 3 31 5 1 1 1 1 1 16 17 2 4 8 11 28 8 6 7 4 1 5 9 7 1 1 8 4 17 8 5 5 6 3 1 1 1 2 2 1 3 8 2 7 D APPOINTMENTS TO EXTENSION MINISTRIES Omar Hamid Al-Rikabi (PE) (¶326.2)...... Exec. Director, Univ. Arkansas Wesley Foundation 6 Marjorie T. Bishir, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a) ...............................Assoc. Director, ............................................................................................. Missional Outreach NTC 7 Susan Bryan, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a)................CPE/Methodist Health Systems 1 Darrell Coats (¶344.1d)..........................................Suzan Carter Ministries, Texas Conference 3 (Claudia Megan Davidson-FL) (¶316.1).................... TCU Wesley Foundation/Palmer House 4 Aleze Michelle Fulbright (¶344.1a(1))......Assoc. Director of Leadership Development, NTC 4 Brian Hardesty-Crouch (¶344.1d)...................................................................... Holy Moments 14 Terrance L. Heislen, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a)...............................Voices Raising 11 (Peter Chiv In-PL 3/4) (¶316.1)..................................................................Heart for Cambodia 2 Wesley Magruder (¶344.1b)...................................................... Missional Wisdom Foundation 2 Alyce M. McKenzie (¶344.1a(3))...................... Professor, Perkins School of Theology, SMU 6 Kristie J. Rosset (¶344.1b).Director of Min. & Learning, Sacred Places Inc., Hot Springs AR 12 Jodi Smith (¶344.1a(1))................... Director of Connectional Resources and Treasurer, NTC 3 Duane VanGiesen (RE)..................................... BOM Officer, Leadership Development, NTC 10 Joe Zinser (¶344.1b)...........................................................................DFW Community Pastor 2 CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER (LM) ASSIGNMENTS Aldersgate............................................................................................................... Vic Sassone Lake Cities..............................................................................................................Virgil Aldag LOCAL CHURCH APPOINTMENTS 3 6 3 3 2 3 3 8 1 3 3 1 1 2 1 3 APPOINTMENTS TO EXTENSION MINISTRIES NORTHWEST DISTRICT District Superintendent St. James/Haven Chapel............................................................... (Commie Linson-PL 1/2) St. James/Certified Lay Minister...........................................................................LM Sunset/Garvin............................................................................. (Glenn David Waldon-PL 1/2) Tioga ................................................................................ TBS by Carroll A. Caddell (RE) Tom Bean....................................................................................(Donald K. Haywood-PL 3/4) Valley View........................................................................................................Cheryl Murphy Van Alstyne.......................................................................................... Scott Holcomb-McLain Whitesboro............................................................................................ Kenneth D. Hildebrand Whitewright/Marvin...............................................................................................Frank Rahm WICHITA FALLS: Beverly Drive..........................................................................TBS by Linda Marcum (RL) Falls Chapel Fellowship..................................................TBS by Louis A. Pearce, Sr. (RL) First ....................................................................................................... Paul Q. Goodrich Associate........................................................................................ Donald R. Pellikan Deacon in Full Connection...............................................................Georgia Harrison Floral Heights...............................................................................................David J. Turner Associate...........................................................................................Nancy Sherman Mt. Calvary.................................................................................... TBS by Cameron Greer St. Marks................................................................................ TBS by Merwin Turner (RE) Trinity.................................................................................................. (Justin A. Miller-FL) University............................................................................................... Tommy R. Medley Associate/Mt. Calvary/Midwestern Wesley Foundation.......... (Cameron Greer-FL) Wesley.................................................................................................. Cheryl Murray (PE) L. Marvin Guier, III 3 PASTOR YR Alvord ..............................................................................................Carolyn Allbritton (PE) Antelope.............................................................................................TBS by Lonny Hawkins Archer City....................................................................................................... Rebecca Grogan Bellevue/Vashti............................................................................................ (Greg Parr-PL 1/4) Bells .............................................................................................(Steven D. Martinez -FL) Bowie .....................................................................................................Mona Millard (PE) Boyd ............................................................................................................. Sara Hardaway Bridgeport............................................................................................................ David Rucker Bryson/Perrin............................................................................... TBS by Bob Bowling (ROE) Burkburnett..................................................................................................... Elizabeth Talbert Byers .............................................................................(Terri Hale Whitgrove ¶338.2 1/4) Callisburg................................................................................ (Karen Harris-Martinez-PL 1/2) Chico: Morris Memorial.................................................................................. (Rick Davis-FL) Collinsville..............................................................................TBS by V. Eugene Gordon (RE) DECATUR: First .......................................................................................................... Brian Bosworth Associate................................................................................... Zachary Landis (PE) Oak Grove.................................................................................... (Shelley McNew-PL 1/2) DENISON: Harless Memorial..........................................................................TBS by Bill Brown (RL) Price ...............................................................................................TBS by Jimmy Greene Trinity...............................................................................................TBS by Jimmy Greene Waples Memorial............................................................................................ Roy L. Spore Associate/Price/Trinity........................................................................ Jimmy Greene Electra ...................................................................................... TBS by Robert W. Lee (RE) Era/Rosston..................................................................................... TBS by Larry Kruger (RE) Forestburg............................................................................................... (Charles R. Jestis-FL) Friberg-Cooper....................................................................................... (Dan Conatser-PL 1/4) GAINESVILLE: First ............................................................................................................Don H. Yeager Mission/Sivell’s Bend................................................................... (Roslyn Eugster-PL 1/4) Whaley................................................................................................................Jerry Jones Henrietta.................................................................................................. Howard P. Hedges, Jr. Holliday ...........................................................................................(Paul Meyenberg-PL 1/2) Howe............................................................................................................... David T. Howeth Iowa Park................................................................................................. Jon Michael Eckstein Jacksboro................................................................................................. Charles Nelson Pierce Nocona ...................................................................................................... Scott Melton (PE) Paradise ............................................................................................. (Patti Mahaffey-PL 1/2) Petrolia ...........................................................................................(Alvin Easterling-PL 1/4) Pottsboro: Lakeway..........................................................................................Allen W. Snider Rhome .......................................................................................TBS by Fredric L. Utz (RE) Sadler ................................................................................. TBS by Doyle Henderson (RE) Saint Jo/Montague...............................................................................(Larry Coleman-PL 1/2) SHERMAN: First .................................................................................................................. Chris Dowd Associate..........................................................................................Cassie Wade (PE) Associate....................................................................... TBS by Joe Ed Goolsby (RE) Friendship........................................................................................ (Kathy Brown-PL 1/2) Grace ..............................................................................................................John Fleming Key Memorial.............................................................................TBS by Jim Welch (ROE) 2 1 1 4 1 2 3 Cathy Ann Bingman (¶344.1d)..........Community Church/Univ. of San Diego, Madrid, Spain 16 Jennifer Griffith Cobb (¶338.2 1/2, ¶344.1b)................ Seton Medical Center, Harker Heights 2 (Cameron Greer-FL) (¶316.1)...................... Midwestern State University, Wesley Foundation 1 Virgie Holbrook (¶344.1b)..................................................................... Visions of Sugarplums 5 Lydia Pellikan, Deacon in Full Connection (¶331.1a, ¶331.7 1/2)..............American Hospice, .............................................................................................................. Wichita Falls 3 CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER (LM) ASSIGNMENTS Sherman: St. James...........................................................................................David Linson Tioga ............................................................................................................Mead McGee SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS 1 2 1 4 Leroy “Lee” Elder (ME)................................................................ ¶346.1 to Texas Conference Julia Halstead (EA)........................................................... ¶346.1 to West Virginia Conference Traci Loveman (ME) (338.2)..........................................¶346.1 to North Alabama Conference John T. Mollet Jr. (NC)..................................................... ¶346.1 to Central Texas Conference Jerico Pagdilao (PE) (ME)............................................................. ¶346.1 to Texas Conference Stephen Sobczak (FD) (ME)............................................. ¶331.8 to Central Texas Conference Allen Zugelter (PE) (ME)......................................................... ¶346.1 to Missouri Conference 2 1 3 MILITARY CHAPLAINS: Leslie A. Janovec............................................................US Air Force (¶344.1b)................ME18 3 1 2 1 8 16 1 1 1 2 5 3 1 3 10 5 12 1 1 1 3 TO ATTEND SCHOOL Scot Bontrager (PE) NC 9 1 7 3 2 4 1 2 DISCONTINUANCE FROM PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP (¶327.6) Dennis Cates NW Michael Rowe Paul Kong ME EA CLERGY SABBATICAL LEAVE (¶352) Martha Myre (1-1-2013) ME 2 CLERGY VOLUNTARY LEAVE OF ABSENCE (¶354.2a) Tamara Bullard (FD) ME 3 Paul McKay (FD)NC Michael A. Green EA 3 Laura Rothe (FD) EA John Kay NC 4 Natalie Woods (FD) NW FAMILY LEAVE OF ABSENCE (¶354.2b) Paula Chambers (FD) NC 1 Jennifer Scott (FD) NC Shannon M. Hamrick (FD) ME 4 Troy Sims (FD) NW TRANSITIONAL LEAVE (354.2c) Lisa Marshall Blaylock NC INCAPACITY LEAVE (¶357) Connie Millsap ME Terry Ann Moore ME Lewis N. Stokes (FL) EA 2 1 6 3 1 1 Patricia Grable (FD) ME 2 6 4 4 L. Charles Stovall Larry D. Tinsley ME EA CLERGY RETIREMENT (¶358) Ann Barton W. Mark Craig John Dillard Keith Head Van Lazaroff JoNell Lindh Robin Lovin James Michael Miller John Peel James Pledger Norma Salinas Stanley Seat Dennis Wilkinson LOCAL PASTOR RETIREMENT (¶320.5, 358) Dennis Cates Linda Marcum Louis Pearce WITHDRAWAL/SURRENDER CREDENTIALS (¶361.4) Derrick Wright (¶361.3) (6-20-12) John Wilks (PE) (¶361.1) (12-11-12) 2 11