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Volume 156 Number 28 072000 November 13, 2009 Two Sections – Section A See “NTC churches…” on Page 8A BY BILL FENTUM  Special Correspondent Bishop Bledsoe The Bishop Have you ever witnessed rsthand how tamales are made? It’s quite a process. Those of us who at- tended the San Juan Hispanic Fellowship worship service at Axe Memorial See “The Bishop…” on Page 4A UMC last month had the op-  portunity to not only witness how tamales are made, but to participate hands-on in the  process. It was a glorious service of worship shared in both English and Spanish, com-  plete with a Mariachi band. The San Juan fellowship is supported by many con- gregational partners in the conference in an effort to reach the growing Hispanic  presence in our midst. Rev. Javiar Escalera serves as the  pastor who not only preaches the gospel and cares for the growing congregation; he also spearheads the effort to make thousands of tamales to help support the ministry. Many of the partner congre- gations lend their support by taking orders and purchasing dozens of tamales. I am reminded of what Paul said in I Corinthians 9:19-23, “Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreli- gious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoral- ized - whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ - but I entered their world and tried See “Local churches…” on Page 4A NTC churches reach out to typhoon victims an Juan United Meth- odist Fellowship, a Hispanic-Latino congregation in Gar- land, survives each month on sales of its cel their orders in months when they sign up “to buy.” San Juan also receives a total of $7,000 a year in support from ve churches; an extra $787 was raised through a special offering at the service. Bishop Bledsoe told the  people gathered he would love to see more multicultural ties in the conference. “Sometimes we have dif culty joining with others outside of our comfort zones,” he said, “but when we  break down dividing walls, we’re lifting up the cause of Christ in our midst.” San Juan members meet on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall at Axe Memorial UMC, and in small Bible study groups throughout the week. Their ser- vices are contemporary in style, with a praise band and non- liturgical orders of worship. The congregation also gathers on the rst Friday evening of each month, for a program led alternately by United Methodist Women, UM Men, youth, and children. “I try to incorporate ev- eryone in the life of the church,” Dr. Escalera said in an interview. Local churches support, celebrate ministry of San Juan Fellowship From left, Miguel Angel, treasurer for the San Juan congregation, observes as Dr. Javier Escalera, right, demonstrates tamale- making for Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe. BY STEVE R AYNOR  Highland Park UMC, Dallas “What’s the best way to stay in ministry? To become one church with two services—one in English and one in Spanish? We ’re exploring all possibili- ties,” said Dr. Escalera. Whatever happens, he wants to nd more ways to help local Hispanic-Latino communi- everal United Meth- odist Churches in the Philippines were either destroyed or badly damaged by recent ty-  phoon [hurricane] force BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE  North Texas Conference Getting our  priorities straight Before San Juan Fellowship came to Axe Memorial, it was housed at three other churches in the conference. For a while, at least, the Fellowship hoped to move to a property of its own; but the current economy has prevented that, so an Axe Memorial-San Juan task force is studying more options. Rev. Mark Craig, senior  pastor of Highland Park UMC, Dallas; Rev. Levy Laguardia, senior pastor of Umphress Road UMC, Dallas, and Rev. Jericho Pagdilao, senior pastor of Faith UMC, Richardson, and their hardworking staffs and volun- winds, land and mud slides, and four to twelve foot high ood waters cascading or pooling throughout densely populated areas, as well as devastating villages in rural mountain and valley areas. Hardest hit were the coastal fresh water rice growing elds  just weeks away from harvest. Although the Japanese gov- ernment has purchased a two week supply of rice for 670,000 Filipinos, that food will be gone within a week. teers, have undertaken various fund raising efforts in order to assist many of the men, women and surviving children whose livelihoods, homes, beds, cloth- ing and food washed away or were buried under two to ten feet of salt water sludge. In one orphanage receiving Highland Park support, water damaged computer servers, caused the collapse of the structure’s retaining wall and destroyed the bedrooms and kitchen. The children had to scramble to the safety of the second oor, where they prayed for more than 24 hours as the typhoon raged. In addition to the destruc- tion at the churches and orphanage, two Highland Park-support ed microlending S delicious homemade tamales to other churches. But until re- cently, most San Juan members hadn’t met their brothers and sisters around the conference. That changed on Oct. 25, in a celebration service hosted  by San Juan at Axe Memorial UMC, Garland. Visitors attended from at least a dozen churches, along with Bishop W. Earl Bled- soe and his wife, Leslie. The fellowship, founded in 1996, serves the large Hispanic  population in the northeastern Dallas area. “We work with low-income families who can’t contribute much money, so the tamale sales help keep us go- ing,” Rev. Javier Escalera, San Juan Fellowship’s pastor, said during the service. That’s why it’s critical, he noted, that churches don’t can- S Responding to crisis in Philippines… Representatives of the Manila Episcopal Area of the UMC pass out flood relief supplies in a devastated Manila neighborhood.

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Volume 156 Number 28 072000 November 13, 2009

Two Sections – Section A

See “NTC churches…” on Page 8A 

BY BILL FENTUM

 Special Correspondent 

Bishop Bledsoe

The Bishop

Have you ever witnessedfirsthand how tamales aremade? It’s quite a process.

Those of us who at-tended theSan JuanHispanicFellowshipworshipserviceat AxeMemorial

See “The Bishop…” on Page 4A 

UMC last month had the op- portunity to not only witnesshow tamales are made, butto participate hands-on in the process.

It was a glorious serviceof worship shared in bothEnglish and Spanish, com- plete with a Mariachi band.The San Juan fellowship issupported by many con-gregational partners in theconference in an effort toreach the growing Hispanic presence in our midst. Rev.Javiar Escalera serves as the pastor who not only preachesthe gospel and cares for thegrowing congregation; healso spearheads the effort tomake thousands of tamalesto help support the ministry.

Many of the partner congre-gations lend their support bytaking orders and purchasingdozens of tamales.

I am reminded of whatPaul said in I Corinthians9:19-23, “Even though Iam free of the demands andexpectations of everyone,I have voluntarily becomea servant to any and all inorder to reach a wide rangeof people: religious, nonreli-gious, meticulous moralists,loose-living immoralists,the defeated, the demoral-ized - whoever. I didn’t takeon their way of life. I keptmy bearings in Christ - but Ientered their world and tried

See “Local churches…” on Page 4A 

NTC churches reach out to typhoon victims

an Juan United Meth-odist Fellowship,

a Hispanic-Latinocongregation in Gar-land, survives eachmonth on sales of its

cel their orders in months whenthey sign up “to buy.” San Juanalso receives a total of $7,000a year in support from fivechurches; an extra $787 was

raised through a special offeringat the service.

Bishop Bledsoe told the people gathered he would loveto see more multicultural tiesin the conference. “Sometimeswe have dif ficulty joining withothers outside of our comfortzones,” he said, “but when we break down dividing walls,we’re lifting up the cause of Christ in our midst.”

San Juan members meet onSundays in the Fellowship Hallat Axe Memorial UMC, andin small Bible study groupsthroughout the week. Their ser-vices are contemporary in style,with a praise band and non-liturgical orders of worship.

The congregation also gatherson the first Friday evening of each month, for a program ledalternately by United MethodistWomen, UM Men, youth, and

children. “I try to incorporate ev-eryone in the life of the church,”Dr. Escalera said in an interview.

Local churches support, celebrate ministry of San Juan Fellowship

From left, Miguel Angel, treasurer for the San Juan congregation,observes as Dr. Javier Escalera, right, demonstrates tamale-making for Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe.

BY STEVE R AYNOR 

 Highland Park UMC, Dallas

“What’s the best way to stayin ministry? To become onechurch with two services—onein English and one in Spanish?We’re exploring all possibili-ties,” said Dr. Escalera.

Whatever happens, he wants

tofi

nd more ways to help localHispanic-Latino communi-

everal United Meth-odist Churches in thePhilippines were either destroyed or badlydamaged by recent ty- phoon [hurricane] force

BY BISHOP W. EARL BLEDSOE North Texas Conference

Getting our priorities straight 

Before San Juan Fellowshipcame to Axe Memorial, it washoused at three other churchesin the conference. For a while,at least, the Fellowship hopedto move to a property of itsown; but the current economy

has prevented that, so an AxeMemorial-San Juan task forceis studying more options.

Rev. Mark Craig, senior  pastor of Highland Park UMC,Dallas; Rev. Levy Laguardia,senior pastor of Umphress Road

UMC, Dallas, and Rev. JerichoPagdilao, senior pastor of FaithUMC, Richardson, and their hardworking staffs and volun-

winds, land and mud slides, andfour to twelve foot high floodwaters cascading or poolingthroughout densely populatedareas, as well as devastatingvillages in rural mountain and

valley areas.Hardest hit were the coastal

fresh water rice growing fields just weeks away from harvest.Although the Japanese gov-ernment has purchased a twoweek supply of rice for 670,000Filipinos, that food will be gonewithin a week.

teers, have undertaken variousfund raising efforts in order toassist many of the men, womenand surviving children whoselivelihoods, homes, beds, cloth-ing and food washed away or were buried under two to tenfeet of salt water sludge.

In one orphanage receivingHighland Park support, water damaged computer servers,caused the collapse of thestructure’s retaining wall anddestroyed the bedrooms andkitchen. The children had to

scramble to the safety of thesecond floor, where they prayedfor more than 24 hours as thetyphoon raged.

In addition to the destruc-tion at the churches andorphanage, two HighlandPark-supported microlending

Sdelicious homemade tamalesto other churches. But until re-cently, most San Juan membershadn’t met their brothers andsisters around the conference.

That changed on Oct. 25,in a celebration service hosted by San Juan at Axe MemorialUMC, Garland. Visitors attendedfrom at least a dozen churches,along with Bishop W. Earl Bled-soe and his wife, Leslie.

The fellowship, founded in1996, serves the large Hispanic population in the northeasternDallas area. “We work withlow-income families who can’tcontribute much money, so thetamale sales help keep us go-ing,” Rev. Javier Escalera, SanJuan Fellowship’s pastor, said

during the service.That’s why it’s critical, he

noted, that churches don’t can-

S

Responding to crisis in Philippines…

Representatives of the Manila Episcopal Area of the UMC pass outflood relief supplies in a devastated Manila neighborhood.

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4A NTCcircuit 

NOVEMBER 13, 2009 |  NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE NEWS

 Jaynes

From left, San Juan’s secretary Antonia Hernandez, member Ber-

tha Pena and Dr. Escalera prepare the ingredients for tamales.

Local churches support, celebrate ministry…

Trietsch Memorial UMC Women’s Fellowship plans

‘A Christmas to Remember’ with author Sharon Jaynes

Continued from Page 1A

ties. That’s not always easy,at a time when unemploymentstill runs high and the need for social services increases daily.

Some parishioners move outof the Dallas area, looking for  jobs elsewhere. Others need fi-nancial aid after undocumentedfamily members are deported,often leaving their dependentswith no source of income.

Planting a church in thatenvironment, according to Dr.Escalera, takes a lot of hardwork—sometimes more thandenominational leaders are will-ing to invest.

“With an Anglo church start,”he said, “they send a pastor anda team of people to help, andsupport it for three-to-four years.That strategy works in stablecommunities, but not where the population is more fluid.”

It’s too common, he added,to see churches closed after several years and written off asfailures because they weren’tyet economically self-sup- porting. “The message we’re

sending,” he said, “is that we’ll plant a Hispanic Methodistchurch in a neighborhood, but itmay not be there tomorrow.

“Establishing credibility isthe main thing. People need to

Continued from Page 1A

The Bishop…to experience things from their  point of view. I’ve become justabout every sort of servant there

is in my attempts to lead thoseI meet into a God-saved life. Idid all this because of the Mes-sage. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in onit!” [The Message]

I believe God uses manyways to carry out the work of Christ in our world. San JuanFellowship does it through themaking of thousands of tamalesto further the work of reach-ing Hispanics with the gospelof Jesus Christ. If you wouldlike to help, contact Rev. Javier Escalera at 972-278-2175, or e-mail: [email protected]. Ask him, “How well doesthe bishop make tamales?”

know the church is going to be there for them and for their children, the next generation.”

San Juan does its best, pro-viding ESL classes and counsel-ing to help immigrants adjustto life in the United States.“Lifestyles and social structureshere are so different than in

Mexico or Central America,”Dr. Escalera said. “So we of-fer education, and a place for  people to feel safe, acceptedand respected.”

A dozen United Methodistchurches in the NTC were hon-ored at the celebration servicefor their support of San Juan Fel-lowship, including: First UMC,Garland; First UMC, Richard-son; University Park UMC,Dallas; Lake Highlands UMC,

Dallas; Custer Road UMC,Plano; Christ UMC, Plano; St.Andrew UMC, Plano; Flower Mound UMC; Fellowship UMC,Trophy Club; First UMC, Allen;Suncreek UMC, Allen; and First

UMC, Rockwall.Jim Nyfeler, who chairs the

Hispanic ministries commit-tee at St. Andrew UMC, Plano, praised the congregation atAxe Memorial, San Juan’s host

church. “They have opened their doors to strangers and developed bonds of friendship,” he said.“Whether you talk of San JuanFellowship or Axe Memorial[UMC], I believe they are one.”

Mr. Nyfeler also presentedBishop Bledsoe with a min-iature plow, symbolizing the bishop’s work in “plowing newground for the United Method-ist Church and making disciplesfor Christ.”

For more information, or to place tamale orders, call Dr. Es-calera, 972-278-2175 or e-mail:[email protected].

Trietsch Memorial UMC,Flower Mound, Women’s Fellowship will present renownedChristian author Sharon Jaynes on Dec.12 in an event featuring, “A Christmas toRemember” beginning with praise andworship 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., and her pre-sentation from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Therewill be a book signing and refreshmentsafterwards. The cost is $10 for early reg-istration, or $15 at the door.

Tickets are available on-line at www.tmumc.org or at the church office. Formore information, please call Lisa Wor-ley 972-539-8547 or e-mail: [email protected].

Breaking Bread and BarriersDallas Justice for Our 

 Neighbors (JFON) and the

United Methodist Women of the NTC will host a “BreakingBread and Barriers” event Dec.1 at Pleasant Mound/UrbanPark UMC, Dallas, at 6:00 p.m.

 Native citizens and immi-grants from around the worldwill gather for an evening of communion and a candlelight prayer service, followed by a potluck meal.

For more information,contact Amy Spaur at 214-381-

0901 or e-mail: [email protected].

To view a video of theAugust “Breaking Bread andBarriers” celebration, log onto the www.ntcumc.org web-site and select the NTC VideoCenter icon on left menu of thehomepage.

Christ UMC, Farmers Branch, slates

international market as missions benefitOn Dec. 5-6, the Local Mis-sions Committee of Christ UMC,Farmers Branch, will transformthe church’s Family Life Center into an internationalChristmas market withall proceeds benefittinglocal and internationalnonprofit organizations.The market will be openfrom 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 8:30

a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dec. 6.Gifts for sale will

include hand-carved olive woodart from the Holy Land, Africanclothing and crafts, handmadeitems by gifted artisans around theworld, and gift baskets.

Many of the items come fromTen Thousand Villages, an orga-nization which works with morethan 130 artisan groups from Asia,

Africa, Latin America,and the Middle East.Ten Thousand Vil-lages builds long-termrelationships withartisans, enabling themto earn fair wages, and provides them with the

opportunity for a better quality of life.

“Many of these items weremade in thatched huts in third-world countries,” explained ChrisBowles, co-chair of the eventalong with her husband, Joe.

Attendees also will be ableto make a donation to local andnational service organizations inthe name of a special person andwill receive an attractive card thatcan then be given as a gift.

Agencies benefitting from proceeds will include: TenThousand Villages, Lost Girlsof the Sudan, Metrocrest SocialServices, Senior Adult Services,United Methodist Committee

on Relief (UMCOR), and localchurch mission trips.

Christ UMC is located at 2807Valwood Parkway. For moreinformation, call 972-247-6136 or log on to website: www.christ4u.org.

Jim Nyfeler, a member of St.  Andrew UMC, Plano, recog-nized 12 local churches thatsupport the ministry of SanJuan Fellowship.

Participants enjoyed a multi-cultural pot luck at the August 11“Breaking Bread and Barriers”evening at Pleasant Mound/Urban Park UMC, Dallas. A second event is planned for Dec.1. All are invited.

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 NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE NEWS | NOVEMBER 13, 2009

5 Acircuit 

 Around the Conference

Rev. Lisa Greenwood, center, fields questions “Tweeted and texted” from retreat participants.Seated behind her are, from left, Revs. Billy Echols-Richter, Charlie Lofton and Rick Bezet.

First UMC, Richardson,announces NTC Children’s Minister’s Network, Nov. 19from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.For more information, call Rev.Andy Stoker, 972-526-5000.

***Community UMC, Dallas, an-nounces its “First Worship An- niversary,” Nov. 22 at 4:00 p.m.with guest speaker Rev. Tyrone 

Gordon. For more information,please call 214-372-4669.

SorrowPhuong Le, mother of Rev. Mai Le, Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas,died Oct. 28. Memorial serviceswere held Nov. 2.

***Jena Roberson, mother ofRona Fleming, wife of Rev.John Fleming, BuckinghamUMC, Garland, died Oct. 29.Memorial services were held

Nov. 3 at Buckingham UMC.***

Rev. Royce Riley, NTC Re-tired, died Nov. 4. Funeral ser-vices were held Nov. 7 at FirstUMC, Mabank.Sunny Davidson, wife of Rev.

Ray Davidson, NTC diaconal,Retired, died Nov. 5. Memorialservice was held Nov. 7.

Position availableFirst UMC, Cedar Hill is seek-ing a Director of Children’s Enrichment Program. Personsinterested may call Rev. ChrisAllen, 972-291-1711.

 Appointment

Laura Rothe, to First UMC,Whitewright, effective Oct. 1.

In one of the clergy retreat’s lighter moments,Rev. Lucretia Facen, right, tells a “fish tale” toconvince the judges that she caught a bigger fishthan Edgar Bazan, left, as Rev. Billy Echols-Richterponders which tale is the real “whopper.”

Tuesday night worship leaders gather as the boxesrepresenting a wall of distrust and alienationbecomes an altar of hope and promise.

P.O. Box 866128

Plano, Texas 75086-6128

972-526-5000

800-969-8201

North Texas Conference 

United MethodistReporter

Joan Gray LaBarr  editor 

Lee Zastovnik  prod. assistant 

Jo Ann Hayes circulation

www.ntcumc.org

2009 Clergy Retreat moves toward strengthening covenant

he 2009 Clergy Retreatoffered a time of respite, renewal and

reflection for deacons,elders and local pastors

and provided valu-able laity perspectivethroughout, reportson the SPT presen-tation to both the pastors and the laitythe following week-

end in his columnon page 8A in thisedition of the NorthTexas ConferenceUM Reporter.

Rev. Rick Bezet,lead pastor of NewLife Church in Con-way, AR, and CharlieLoften, campus pastor of Fellow-

night worship when the worship

leaders prayed for the districtsuperintendents, who in turn, prayed for participants.

Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles, NewTestament professor at PerkinsSchool of Theology, SMU,led Bible study and discussionon Wednesday. Her topic wasJohn 13-17, Jesus’ FarewellDiscourse. Dr. Clark-Solesexplained that John is theGospel of relationships, and her focus followed the theme of the

retreat – the crucial importanceof establishing and maintainingrelationships where clergy can be real.

A major point of Dr. Clark-Soles presentation is that“abide” is a key word in John’sGospel. The Word became fleshand dwelt among us, meansabide. The term is found in 16of 21 chapters and is used over 40 times. The idea of abiding

means that the Gospel’s em- phasis is not on human beingsgetting to heaven to God, butrather that God comes to usthrough Jesus.

Dallas South District Super-intendent Rev. Milton Guttier-rez led the closing worship, preaching from I Corinthians12:12-26. He began by talking

about the popular domino game

“42,” where score is kept by“Us” and “Them.” His pointis that all clergy are part of theBody of Christ, and therefore, belong to one another.

Therefore, clergy cannot dis-miss nor do things that diminishone another. A powerful mo-ment came at the end of the ser-mon when he asked participantsto turn to those with whom theywere sitting and say: “I am a part of you.” “I belong to you.”

“I need you.”Rev. Diane Presley, Tri-

etsch Memorial UMC, Flower Mound, notes, “People did it.We looked each other in theeyes, took each others’ hands,and spoke those phrases fromthe heart. It was a power-ful culmination to the entire

retreat.

For me, I began realizingthat every time I avoid a hardconversation with someone,I am writing that person off.And, I just can’t do that withmy clergy brothers and sisters.I returned to my appointmentconvinced that I must initiatethe hard conversations with mycolleagues because we belongto each other in the Body of Christ. And, for the first time,I wanted to do that. Truly my

spirit was changed.”2009 Retreat Committee

members included: Revs. BillyEchols-Richter, Debbie Chap-man, Lucretia Facen, LisaGreenwood, Shannon Hamrick,Doug Meyer, Maxie Moore,Jim Ozier, Kathryn Ransdelland Ann Willet.

BY DR . JOAN G. LABARR 

 Editor 

Tgathered at Tanglewood RetreatCenter on Lake Texoma.

Theme for the Retreat was“Rethink Covenant…And AreWe Yet Encouraged?” Present-ers from outside the UnitedMethodist Tradition offeredopportunities to view covenantand local church leadershipfrom a different perspective.

Other highlights includedan update on the NTC strategic planning process from Rev.John Fiedler, who chairs the NTC Strategic Planning Team(SPT) and Fiona MacleodButts, energizing worship andrecreation opportunities.

Lay Leader Richard Hearne,who participated in the retreat

ship Church in Cabot, AR, are

 both from rapidly-growingnon-denominational congrega-tions. They addressed the needfor close relationships withinchurch staffs and among clergy,urging clergy to risk being trust-ing and transparent in covenantwith one another.

A deeply moving part of theretreat came during Tuesday

NTC

Rev. Charlie Loften, campus pastor of Fellowship Church,Cabot, AR, prays over Paris-Sulphur Springs District Superin-tendent Dr. Keith Payne Boone. After the superintendents wereblessed, they in turn, prayed over participants who processedto the altar area.

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A NTCcircuit 

NOVEMBER 13, 2009 |  NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE NEWS

8

Hearne

From Bogata to Burkburnett - Get into the game

Dr. John Fiedler, First UMC, Dallas, and Fiona Macleod Buttspresent the Strategic Planning Team report at the Monday evening

clergy retreat session.

NTC churches reach out…

Manila Area Bishop Lito Tangonan, center, gathers with staff and volun-teers who are preparing to distribute relief supplies on behalf of the UnitedMethodist Church. Thanks to Rev. John Mark G. Cajiuat and Amor Siblagfor providing photos taken by colleagues in the flooded areas.

“It is not the critic whocounts… where the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongsto theman whois actu-ally in thearena…” TheodoreRoosevelt

This isa portion

Continued from Page 1A

of one of my favorite quotesand it comes to mind when Ithink about the response that weshould have as laity and clergywhen we consider the strategic planning process in which the North Texas Annual Conferenceis currently involved.

I have had the opportunity tolisten to the presentation of thechairs of the Strategic PlanningTeam (SPT), Dr. John Fiedler and Fiona Macleod Butts at the2009 Clergy Retreat and at theLay Leaders Coffee with Bish-op W. Earl Bledsoe. (I am noton the team). As I listened to

the update, I was impressed thatone of the requests made by Dr.Fiedler and Butts was that we(North Texas United Method-ists) would agree to “put asidewhatever negative thoughts youmight have about this work of “strategic planning”: maybe it’sdisappointment that you’re nota member of the team; maybeit’s doubt that anything of last-

ing value will come from thiswork; perhaps it’s just weari-ness. Set it aside and dreamwith us a little.”

As I heard this it reminds meof a fault that many of us have,

“OK” maybe just me, to sit onthe sidelines during the pro-cess and then being critical of whatever suggestions are made.At times, upset that I didn’t feellike I had a voice in the deci-sion, I don’t give enough atten-tion to the information given tome during the process and then just make critical remarks whenI do see the recommendations.Our Strategic Planning Team isasking that we get into the gameand be involved as participantsand not sideline sitters.

A review of where we are,how we got here and where weare going offers very promisingresults. As you may recall, our Annual Conference approvedthe formation of a broad basedinclusive Strategic PlanningTeam (clergy, laity, gender, age,racial, urban, rural) and issuedan invitation to hope, dream

and engage in Holy Conferenc-ing. This team which is beingfacilitated by Christie Latona isseeking to discern God’s call-ing for us as a Conference andidentify key strategic priorities.To seek input from all segmentsof the North Texas Annual Con-ference the SPT has receivedHopes and Dreams cards andfacilitated 24 Holy Conferenc-

ing groups for 90 minutes atannual conference in which me-ticulous notes were taken. Thisinformation was then separatedinto four areas that match upwith the four focus areas of the

Council of Bishops: (1) devel-oping principled Christian lead-ers, (2) creating new churchesand renewing existing ones, (3)ministering with the poor and(4) improving global health bystamping out killer diseasesof poverty – provide hope toa world hungry for God, food,health, justice, peace, commu-nity, hope and love.

Dr. Fiedler and Butts re- ported that the strategic plan building blocks include, basedon the above input, Hopes andDreams, Gaps and Issues, Ideasand Actions and Discernmentand Feedback. Every facetof the operation of the NorthTexas Annual Conference is“on the table”–in other wordsthere are no “sacred cows.” Itis the hope that a shift will oc-cur from isolation and redun-dancy to connectional ministry,

from isolation to collaborative partnerships (lay and clergy),from maintenance to mission,from detachment from the poor to relationship with the poor,from overwhelm to focus, fromadministration of programs toleading ministry moments, fromfiefdom building to kingdom building and from transactionalto transformation ministry.

Our SPT has already metfor over 40 hours and believethat they are strongly rootedin Scripture and our Wesleyanheritage. Three importantcomponents are being realized.First, an emergent vision of Being the Transformation GodWants to See Through Cov-enant Relationships with Christ,our mission field and one

another. Second, our missionis To Make Disciples of JesusChrist for the Transformation of the World. Third, the drivers of this process are Spirit-led, loveand compassion for the MissionField, fruitfulness, account-ability and shared leadership between Lay and Clergy.

The goal of this process is tohave a strategic plan preparedto be discussed, voted upon,

and it is hoped, approved atannual conference in June 2010.To accomplish this and to makesure that everyone has input andvoice, the SPT will continue toseek feedback and discernmentfrom November 2009 throughFebruary 2010 from conferenceCommittees, Boards and Con-gregations plus on line inputthrough www.HolyConferenc-

ing.com.In January 2010, there will

 be additional Listening Postand Training for church coun-cil chairs and pastors in eachDistrict. By the end of Februaryfeedback from congregationsand youth will be received, andMarch 9-10 the feedback fromthe Listening Post and trainingwill be incorporated. All thismust be compiled by April 27,so that it can be included theAnnual Conference Workbooksand discussion at the Pre-AnnualConference District Meetings.

We who are not on the SPTare being asked to do our duediligence study prior to An-nual Conference – to “get intothe game.” Be watchful for opportunities to participate and“be a player.” Any questions

you may have can be directedto me at [email protected] or 214-505-2324 and I willdirect your question to the ap- propriate person(s). God tellsus in Jeremiah 29:11 that Hehas “plan for our welfare andnot for harm, to give us a futurewith hope.” God calls us to pray and seek Him and He willreveal His plans for us.

Bridgeport Summer CampsBridgeport Camp is pleased to announce Bridgeport

Camp 2010 Summer Early Registration has begun.Early Bird registration will run until February 28 -offering a savings of $24 per child.

Registration is available on-line or from printabledownload at the website: www.bridgeportcamp.com/register.

Don’t have computer access? Call the BridgeportCamp of fice toll free at 1-877-683-2555.

 projects at Cabanatuan City andCordillera Province were alsoaffected by the typhoons.

Highland Park has addedthe Philippines Ministry to itsannual Holiday fund raisingevent, “Gifts of Grace,” wherechurch members are requested todonate to this ministry on behalf of family and friends. Five dol-lars will feed one precious child

for a week. Twenty five dollarssaves the life of one small childthrough preventative medicineto kill water borne “rat dis-ease,” leptospirosis, which theUnited Nations Children’s Fund predicts will kill many Filipinochildren before Christmas. Fivehundred dollars will buy a com- puter server replacement , a veryimportant step in restoring thechildren’s educational process.

Umphress Road UMC andFaith UMC have each collectedand sent several thousand dol-lars to be immediately distrib-uted through Philippine BishopRudy Juan who spoke with our own Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, atthe July 2009 Filipino-Ameri-can Convocation in Dallas.

Donations to the UnitedMethodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) flood response

should be sent tothe North TexasConference Trea-surer, P.O. Box866128, Plano, TX75086, with Philip- pines Emergency,Fund 268, in thememo line.

For more infor-mation, or to join

in the HighlandPark UMC mis-sion, please e-mailSteve Raynor [email protected].

South Central JurisdictionEXTREME YOUTH CAMP for the DEAF

June 24-27, 2010, at Cross Point Camp, KingstonOK, for ages 7 to 17.

Visit website: www.missionumc.com/extremecamp