District Work Day Saturday, April 14^th from 9 am to 3 pm

Galilee United Methodist Church, Texas City – South District Partners in Mission Spring Project

One of our historic South District churches, Galilee UMC in Texas City, received major damage from Hurricane Ike.  Galilee UMC is a lively, growing congregation with a strong focus on working with young families, children and teens as led by Rev. Keith Bell, Sr. Pastor and Rev. Deidra Walters, Associate Pastor.

Insurance claims were just recently settled so that the repair work on this beautiful building can now proceed – but we need the help of our South District churches to make this happen!  Buildings that were already in need of repairs suffered heavy damage when Ike blew through Texas City.

According to Rev. Keith Bell, Senior Pastor, “Hurricane Ike did major damage to our church roof and destroyed stained-glass windows, which resulted in severe water damage to the interior walls. The floor is separated from the walls of our church about a quarter inch all around the structure. Until recently we had 3 1/2 of our 4 A/C units out. Making minor repairs as we could, we donated portable A/C units to the church to help cool the Fellowship Hall for the children’s Sunday School. Ike also severely damaged the roof of the parsonage. The electrical system is badly damaged and very hazardous. We have had to use our facilities as little as possible.

“The litigation from Ike has been settled and we are now working with engineers to assess the structural damage and develop a long-range plan of repair. Our windows are in desperate need of repair, but we also need electrical repair, sheet rocking all over, painting, and trim.”

If your church’s Mission Team is interested in working on April 14th, please call the District Office (281-998-8993) or Rev. Kay Alewine, (409-392-5561) Missional Excellence representative for the South District.  John Skidmore, League City UMC, is the Project Manager.  Please call soon and sign up your Mission Team to help Galilee with this desperately needed work.

Who should come?

• Children?s Sunday school leaders
• Student and adult Sunday School leaders
• New teachers
• Seasoned teachers
• Bible study leaders
• VBS teachers
• Small group leaders
•  Homeschooling parents
• Anyone called to spread the Gospel of Christ to the world

Instructors

Gary Holmes, Ed. D., has 37 years of experience in secondary and university education. As a public school educator, he has served as an outstanding classroom teacher and building administrator in the Dickinson and La Porte school districts. Post-secondary teaching includes San Jacinto College, University of Saint Thomas, and the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Currently, Gary is an adjunct professor at UHCL teaching gradu-ate-level education courses. He is a member of FUMC Mont Belvieu and is an adult Sun-day school teacher.

Rev. Jamie Lea, an Ordained Elder in the Texas Annual Conference of the UMC, currently serves at the pastor at FUMC Mont Belvieu. Jamie graduated Cum laud from Stephen F. Austin University with a major in sociology and a minor an gerontology and received his seminary training at Saint Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri and Duke Divinity School. Jamie loves preaching, teaching, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Stephanie Rainey is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University. She is a substitute teacher with Dayton ISD, chairperson of the Children’s Ministries at FUMC Mont Belvieu, and a Cub Scout Den Leader. She has been married ofr 11 years and has 2 boys aged 9 and 5.
Please bring a Bible, note-taking materials, and (for March 31) any curriculum you are currently using or considering.

Schedule

9 am-1:30pm

January 28, 2012
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”

• Gaining a great identity as a teacher
• Understanding the purpose of Christian education/formation ministry
• Personal assessment of skills for teaching

“If You Intend to Build the Tower, First Estimate the Cost”

• Teaching the basics: the Seven Smarts
• The importance of having a plan and knowing how to form a plan
• What it means to “do no harm” and “do all the good you can”

March 3, 2012
“If Anyone Is in Christ, There Is a New Creation”

• Basics of classroom management
• Teaching for discipleship and transformation
•  How to move from information to application

“Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly”

• What it means to be a United Methodist teacher
• Incorporating the means of grace in the teaching setting
• Using UM-specific resources in learning sessions

March 31, 2012
“When Your Children Ask You in Time to Come, „What??”

• Establishing learning goals
• Working with curriculum
• Adapting curriculum to your setting

“Speaking the Truth in Love, We Must Grow Up in Every Way”

•  Understanding how different biblical approaches affect our theology and teaching
• Becoming acquainted with different stages of faith and how persons grow spiritually

Other Information

• Lunch provided
• $15 requested to defer cost of food and copies
• Scholarships available
• RSVP requested but not required to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Child care available upon request
• For questions specific to this training, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Directions

From I-10, exit #800 to FM 3180 and head north 2 miles on FM 3180/Eagle Dr. The church is on the left at the corner of Eagle Dr and Trinity Drive, right before the US Post Office.
10629 EAGLE DR, MONT BELVIEU, TX

:: download the flyer for your church

It's time for the South District Clergy & Spouse Christmas Party!

Saturday, December 3rd from 11:30 am to 1 pm

Friendswood UMC, Wesley Hall 110 N. Friendswood Dr. Friendswood, TX 77546

RSVP by Tuesday, November 22nd – must provide a headcount to caterer.

Stacey’s Creative Cuisine will cater a buffet meal beginning at 11:30 am with Hors D'oeuvers. At noon, a yummy buffet line will open with a choice of two entrees - Chef Marshall's Beef Bourguignon Stroganoff or Flame Grilled Chicken Breasts with Artichokes, Capers & Mushrooms with Lemon Garlic Sauce, classic Caesar salad, fresh green beans, bowtie pasta, a combination of Lemon Crunch Cake and Triple Chocolate Cake and drinks.

Childcare for ages nursery - 5th grade will be provided by reservation only. Please give
children’s ages when you RSVP. Pizza will be served. If your child
is unable to eat pizza, please provide a sack lunch.

Click here to RSVP.

2012 Leadership Training

When: January 21st

• Registration and Gathering at 8:30
• Training Begins at 9 am
• Closing Prayer at 11 am

Where: Pasadena First UMC

Look for more information in your Church’s bulletin

The Theme of Her Visit is Fruitfulness  

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

(John 15:1-2 ESV Bible) 

Clergy and Laity will have an opportunity to meet with Bishop Janice Riggle Huie on Wednesday, October 26th. (Please save this date on your calendar!)

The key to fruitfulness is not effort, circumstance, wisdom or charisma, although all of these will make individuals and ministries more fruitful.    Please join Bishop Huie as she shares inspirational thoughts. Those unable to attend in their own District are welcome to attend the appropriate session in a neighboring location.

Clergy Meeting: 2 to 4 pm

Laity Meeting: 7 to 9 pm (all laity are welcome)

Clear Lake United Methodist Church

Wesley Center

16335 El Camino Real

Houston, Texas 77062

(Please contact Cindy Hassey at (281) 998-8993 for more information.)