THE HILLTOP NEWS Laredo Dr., Fort Worth, Texas March 3, Reflections

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1 THE HILLTOP NEWS 2820 Laredo Dr., Fort Worth, Texas March 3, 2009 The purpose of Western Hills United Methodist Church is to continue the ministry of Jesus by making disciples through faith, hope and love. Tuesday March 3 9:00 a.m. to noon, Food Pantry 7:00 p.m., Cub Scouts Wednesday March 4 9:30 am, English as a Second Language Class 6:00 pm, Youth 6:15 pm, Bible Study 6:30 p.m., Handbells 6:30 pm, Elementary Choir 7:30 pm, Chancel Choir Thursday March , Food Pantry open 7:00 p.m., House of Mercy of Church Sunday March 8 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS 9:30 a.m., Sunday School 10:50 a.m., Morning Worship 1:00 p.m., House of Mercy Church 2:00 p.m., Bible Study 4:30 p.m., Youth 6:00 p.m., Church Council Meets Monday March 9 9:30 a.m., ESL Class 6:30 p.m., Girl Scouts Meet 7:00 p.m., Trustees Meeting Tuesday March 10 Meals on Wheels 9:00 a.m. to noon, Food Pantry 7:00 p.m., Cub Scouts Meet Wednesday March 11 9:30 a.m., English as a Second Language Class 6:00 p.m., Youth Group 6:15 p.m., Bible Study 6:30 p.m., Elementary Choir 6:30 p.m., Handbell Choir 7:30 p.m., Chancel Choir Reflections Several years ago, I invested in a flat screen HD TV set. It was an investment alright! I have enjoyed the TV -- if only the programs had improved as much as the technology! I have enjoyed sports particularly. Besides being able to see the artistic tattoos on the athletes arms, sometimes it feels like that I am right there at the game, looking through a window onto the playing field or court. I am not a technical person, but I understand that the more pixels or color dots, the higher the definition or the better the picture. I read an article the other day that said, in just a few years, the pretty TV's will have twice the resolution as the ones today. Wow. What in the world does this have to do with writing a paragraph for a church news letter? I see Western Hills as a High Definition Church. If you look around, you will find many people involved in ministry and mission. I am amazed when I see so many faithful people finding their place and being faithful in service. Thank you! The more people in ministry the higher the definition of the Kingdom of God. One new area of ministry that is just getting off the ground is our Parish Nurse ministry. The Parish Nurse ministry is an opportunity to express compassion for those who have been ill and to take care of the health we have. Jesus touched those who were sick and they discovered new health. We are to take care of bodies because they are a gift of God. I hope you will find out more about this ministry and be watching how our Parish Nurse can be helpful to you. Who is our Parish Nurse? The answer can be found in this News Letter! The Parish Nurse is for our church family and for our larger community. Each person doing something for others is a witness to a needy and lost society. Are you a part of the High Definition? The writer of Hebrews, after going through the faith witnesses of the Old Testament says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance, the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1, 2) Landy

2 Current Concerns In Sympathy Death of Denise Moore s mother Dale Austin II, Dale & Tim Austin s father, has pancreatitis Harlene Cornett, is now home from the hospital Ted Evans, Anna Fry s nephew Stacy Ewing, daughter of Carole & Robert Mrs. Chris Green, friend of Roy and Beverly Newman Jann Green, who is recovering from surgery David Harris, Anna Fry s brother Janis Jacquot, Roy Newman s sister, recovering from surgery Gene Lindsey, Roy & Bev Newman s friend Mike Long, friend of Ken and Barb Leach Jadyn Meyer, granddaughter of Edna & Terry Meyer Nina Moore, friend of Al & Becky Riibe, who has cancer Dorcas Neuman Kay Newman, Roy & Beverly Newman s Family Tom Newman, Roy Newman s cousin, who is recovering from surgery Pops and friend Jeanne, friend of Anna and Jerry Fry Agnes Powell Pete Revello, friend of Roy Newman, who has cancer Fern Smith, Bev Newman s step-mother, who is recovering from a broken hip Dr. Doug Spear, Al Riibe s cousin, recovering from a stroke Kent Stilwell, friend of Roy Newman, receiving chemotherapy Carolyn & Pete Taylor, Nikki Taylor s grandparents Tania Williams, Harlene Cornett s friends daughter Juanita Wilson, friend of Gerry Marten, had a massive stroke Families of the crew of two helicopters that crashed and perished in Iraq. They are from the same unit as Daniel Newman, Roy and Beverly Newman s son Our Missionary: Sam Rodriguez Prayer Lists On Going Prayer List Health and Healing: Odean Allison, Orene Beatty, Janie Bielefeld, Florine Brooks, Debra Brown, Katherine Busby, Kristi Butler, Larry Cornett, Martha Davis, Mariann Deering, Anne Ellison, Robert Ewing, John Fant, Elmo Livingston, Fred Marten, Doug McGlaun, Elli McKillips, Roy Newman, Bill Newton, Sarah Odom, Eric Paige, Agnes Powell, Al Riibe, Zebula Robinson, Marissa Steward, Jan Stockton, Josh Taylor, Ronnie Thelman, Leanne Roth, Earl Van Roosenbeek, Kristi Vickers, Tristan Watkins, Tom Wilson Military: Josh Boston, Sam Brooks, Jason Busby, Sarah Davis, Dan Fagan, Sarah Harris, Daniel Kinnibrugh, Nicholas Minotti, Jesse Mistic, Thomas Morton, Robert Newman, Daniel Newman, Nicholas Perez, Jacob Rangel, Alex Ruth, Robert Smith, Chris Sotello, Michael Stricklin, Brandon Wilson Worship Attendance: February 22nd: 113 March 1st: 116 Sunday School Attendance: February 22nd: 70 March 1st: 65 February 22nd: General Budget $ 4, Apportionments $ March 1st: General Budget $ Pastor s Emergency Fund World Service Apportionments

3 March Birthdays 1 Nikki Taylor 1 Betty Jo Robinson 2 Debra Rue 8 Bill C. Whittle 9 Allan Johnson 10 John Gulley 12 Jacob Mallard 17 Mary Hoffman 19 Ethel Meads 21 Mike Elrod 23 Frankie Adams 23 Beverly Newman 23 Kirsten Bartlett 23 Henri Zombil 25 Dwaine Robinson 26 Randall Brown 27 Opal Spencer 28 Kim Livingston 29 Rodger Busby 31 Julie Mistic 31 Allison Mallard March Anniversaries 5 Jerry & Anna Fry 19 Erick & Adrainne Pruitt 25 Ralph & Jann Green 28 Charles & Jennifer Rieves Youth Bake Sale The youth will be handing out brownies on Sunday, March 8, for a donation to the Youth Program. The money raised through these donations will help to send them to camp this summer. Last summer we sent 9 youth and children total through scholarships alone, and this year we are trying to do fundraisers instead of strict donations, as well as getting scholarships from Glen Lake. The deadline for the next newsletter is Monday, March 16, 2009! Youth to Participate in 3-month Claim the-name Confirmation Class Our youth began a 3-month Claim-the-Name Confirmation Class at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday School hour on March 1. In the class, youth will examine the Christian faith---discussing what it means to love God, to love neighbor, and to bear "good fruit" as disciples of Jesus Christ. Topics will include: Believing in God Believing in Jesus Sin and God's Gift of Grace The Gift of New Life in Jesus The Gift of the Holy Spirit The Gift of Worship and Sacraments The Gift of our Bible The Body of Christ in Action United Methodist Heritage United Methodist Beliefs Claiming the Name Christian Claiming the Name United Methodist Confirmation means to "make firm." Youth will examine the idea that God has always been working in their lives. In our May 31 (Pentecost Sunday) worship service, they will be invited respond to God s work and "make firm" their decision to follow God in Christ Jesus. If they choose to do so, they may also join our church as full professing members that day. United Methodist Women The UMW are going to tour the Union Gospel Mission on Thursday, March 12th. They will meet in the church parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and carpool down. They will get to see the new Deborah Hall Memorial Chapel at the Mission. Afterward, they will stop at the Montgomery St. Antique Mall for lunch.

4 Church Council meets at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 8--- everyone welcome to attend. Rose Ann, our Parish Nurse, is at the church every fourth Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you have any questions, her at: nurse@westernhillsumc.org

5 JANUARY 11, 2009 WESTERN HILLS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Chair Joyce Brown called the meeting to order and Edna Paige offered the opening prayer. The minutes of the Oct. 12, 2008 regular meeting, the Nov. 2, 2008 Charge Conference and the called Church Council meeting Dec. 21, 2008 were approved. The council elected Lola Mae Fant to be recording secretary. Harlene Cornett reported that the Nurture area was proceeding with the already in progress activities and that the committee is working on augmenting the stewards program. Jann Green reported on Outreach activities. Methodist Men is continuing to meet; ESL will be meeting on Mon. and Wed. mornings as in the fall until two weeks before the end of school. Rose Ann Beckwith presented further information concerning the Parrish Nurse Program that she is leading. Following are goals for 2009: Monthly blood pressures and blood sugar checks as soon as machines are obtained; A Health Fair to be conducted on April 4; A Parrish Nurse Booth at National Night Out; A first aid booth at the Fall Festival; Flu shots when they become available (usually in October); A CPR class in July or August. She related that she has acquired a blood pressure monitor and a scale with height rod. Needed equipment includes a pulse oximeter and a glucometer. Supplies needed will include band-aids, alcohol pads, hand-wash and bottle, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, tape, gauze and triple antibiotic ointment. She plans to offer tips to the people. An example is the process of putting a complete list of medications in a prescription bottle and placing it in the freezer. First responders are trained to look for that info in the freezer if the patient is unresponsive. George Hanson reported the Witness group will be advertising all upcoming events. They plan to meet at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 to develop the activities and advertising plans for the year. Tina Shaw reported that the web site is growing and now includes a "library" of files for members use. She also reported that new audio equipment of a different frequency is going to have to be obtained due to the changes of available frequencies with the oncoming digital TV change. John Fant reported the good news that the church paid the apportionment of 2008 in full. He commended the members for their generosity in Dec. that allowed the church to go into 2009 in much better financial condition than last year. Total expenses for the year were approximately $260,000 and income was approximately $277,000. Conference "askings" were also paid. Ralph Fagan reported that the December offerings totaled about $50,000. Dan Brown presented the outline of the stewardship campaign to be conducted beginning Jan. 25 and ending Feb. 15 when commitment forms will be turned in. There will be a covered dish dinner and the total for the day will be announced. The theme is "Giving back to God" with emphasis on the vows taken to uphold the church with our prayers, presence, gifts and service. Mail-outs will include forms for member s monetary pledge and commitment to areas of work and service. Dan also pointed out that the campaign will continue during the year with other emphases on stewardship. Jean Adams reported in the absence of Doug McGlaun for the trustees. The group continues with the plan to control rodent infestation and is making progress. The large 6 burner gas cook-top in the kitchen is a source of much heat put out especially in the summer. Jean is working on a system to make the unit less heat producing but still very usable. He talked of the possibility or the Fellowship Class providing a ping pong table for the youth. Discussion followed concerning the fact that it would have to be in another room than the present game area. This would necessitate further staff to meet the requirements of the safe sanctuary policy. Some discussion followed about possible reallocation of space. The council decided to ask the trustees to assess the situation and move forward with possible solutions. Landy Senter addressed the fact that Western Hills will be celebrating 50 years of continuous service as a worshipping, serving congregation in Sept. The second Sunday in Sept is the tentative date. He expressed the need for a committee to begin the plans. Several members volunteered. These include Rose Ann Beckwith, Jean and Frankie Adams, Tina Shaw, Harlene Cornett, Barbara Leach and Julian Rodriquez. He also announced that the House of Mercy congregation is now meeting here and that two Girl Scout groups are meeting on Mon. nights. Justin Lane reported on youth. He apologized for poor deportment shown by some youth at the Christmas Eve service and said that the youth had been reminded of the code of conduct and that cooperation is expected. The youth had a worship service which Julian Rodriquez led. More are being planned. They have elected officers and plan to have youth council meeting every other month. He hopes to institute prayer partner program where church members would accept youth names to have to pray for. Information on the youth would be given to the prayer partner adults so that a closer contact might be part of the program. The youth are planning a Super Bowl Party at the Shaws. Terry Meyer reported that the Bible Study group handed out flyers one or two weeks before Thanksgiving. About 200 flyers were distributed and they were able to talk to some of the residents who were at home. He encouraged all adults to be in a Bible Study this year in addition to Sunday school. Those attending were John and Lola Mae Fant, Tina and Chester Shaw, Lou Strack, Rose Ann Beckwith, Edna Paige, Brenda J. Mills, Terry Meyer, Justin Lane, George Hanson, Dwaine and Betty Jo Robinson, Jann Green, Gerry Marten, Jean McGlaun, Jean and Frankie Adams, Barbara Leach, Harlene Cornett, Ralph Fagan, Julian Rodriquez, Landy Senter, Dan and Joyce Brown and Jennifer Morton. Respectfully submitted, Lola Mae Fant, recording secretary

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