News about The Word newsletter from the Senior Pastor As we strengthen for our mission at

Transcription

1 VOLUME 19 NUMBER 3 FEBRUARY 4, 2011 News about The Word newsletter from the Senior Pastor As we strengthen for our mission at Westbury UMC, one of the critical pieces is our communications, both internal and external. After a period of discernment and some conversations among staff and laity, our Word Newsletter will now be published in two forms. There will continue to be a mailed out piece, which will be mailed once a month. Therefore this edition is our February edition. In time, it will come to have more in depth articles, feature pieces, bigger picture items and a look ahead. It will also include stewardship and goals reporting. The second form will be the return of a Weekly Word newsletter, available on the church campus on Sunday morning of every week. For those of you who enjoy a weekly newsletter piece, it s back! It will be a single sheet, front and back, with all the pertinent information you are accustomed to receiving. It will it will take the place of our Sunday School Announcement Sheet and will include our weekly Living Water Prayer List and short articles on the most current news at your church. The Weekly Word will be in Sunday school folders and available in the narthex, the entrances, and the children and youth wings of the church. In addition, we are working to have the Weekly Word hand delivered from time to time, to our Nursing Home and Retirement Home residents as well as our homebound members. We believe this will sharpen and focus our internal communications tremendously. Rather than looking for separate printed items for prayer, Sunday school and other announcements, you will have one piece with a great deal of information. We thank Martha Upton, our Communications Staff Assistant for her work on this. Stay tuned for more news for our web communications and other online communication s pieces. Our Staff Parish (personnel) Committee has also worked on locating some part-time communications staff to direct our efforts. That announcement will come at another appropriate time. Please let Martha or other staff know how this new format is working and thank them for their ministry. Called Charge Conference to vote on changes in governing structure On Monday night, February 28, 2011, at 7pm, a Charge Conference has been called to consider and vote on a proposed change in the way our church governance is organized. Our current Purpose Council has already met to give feedback on the proposed plan, and our Administrative Board Chair, John Patlan and Lay Leader Dan Garza, along with the Purpose Council as a whole, agree with proceeding. The new plan aligns us with our new mission, to make followers of Jesus Christ who transform the community and the world through God s love. We believe it is a stronger United Methodist way of organizing. It returns us to one Church Council which brings all the committee chairs together, administrative and ministry, and designates more than the required number of at large members, so the church will be adequately represented. It is an exciting time to be at Westbury United Methodist Church. It is a privilege to be your Senior Pastor. We are off to a strong start in every way in the year 2011 thanks to the grace of God and your commitment. See you Sunday, Tommy Our District Superintendent, Rev. Lawrence Young, has approved the calling of the conference and in accordance with the United Methodist Church s Book of Discipline, has appointed our Senior Pastor, Rev. Tommy Williams, to preside at the conference. The Book of Discipline allows the D.S. to appoint an elder to preside. For a meeting on a single matter, such as this, it is customary for the D.S. not to attend and simply commission one of the pastors to preside. All members of the Administrative Board and Purpose Council are voting members of a charge conference. All full members of the church are welcome to attend and to have voice. We celebrate this as one more step forward in aligning our church with the mission God has given us. Page 1

2 Valentines! From Me To You For Others! On this Valentine s holiday, remember Your Valentine with a Gift from the Heart! Honor your Valentine with a card and a gift to a ministry that demonstrates Christ s love for others. What better way to celebrate our love for each other, and God s love for all? Gifts from the Heart is a mission project of Westbury UMC, sponsored by the Global Ministries Committee to provide alternative, Christ-centered, non-commercial gifts, which honor the person who receives the gift in their name while helping minister to the needs of those less fortunate in our hurting world! Stop by our display tables in the East Foyer or near the Library, on Sunday morning before Valentine s Day and make a donation in honor of your Certain Someone through Westbury to one or more of a number of available charities listed in our Gift Catalog. Then choose one of the lovely Valentine s Day cards provided! The card will indicate that a gift from you has been made to a particular charity, in honor of your Certain Someone, and will help Others who are in great need! An insert for the card will provide an explanation of the charity chosen. Checks should be made payable to Westbury UMC, however, 100% contribution will go to the chosen charity! Suggested charities for Missional Giving this year include: Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, our Conference Missional Excellence focus which includes the hospital in Cote d Ivoire (The Ivory Coast), the World Services Fund, our missionaries Jerri and Bill Savuto at the Methodist Hospital in Maua, Kenya, and Christian Alliance for Humanitarian Aid, which helps build medical clinics from 40 foot shipping containers and distributes aid in crisis situations and food for the hungry. Bless You, for being a Blessing to Others on this Valentine s Day---with a Gift from the Heart! From Me To You For Others! Sponsored by Global Ministries Committee Parents Night Out: Treat your spouse to some adult time. On Friday, February 11, we are offering a chance to treat yourself AND your children. For $10 for your first child and only $5 per sibling, your child(ren) can come to the church at 6 pm and stay until 11 pm and have a HUGE amount of fun. Spaces are limited. Contact Katie at katie1@ westburyumc.org to make your reservation. Payment will be due by Sunday, February Lenten Season - Freedom Ash Wednesday - March 7pm Sermon Series for the New Year February 6 Covenant: GIVE (2 Corinthians 8: 8-14) February 13- Covenant: SERVE (also Scouting Ministries Sunday) Matthew 25: February 20 Covenant: WITNESS (Mark 5: 35-43) Loaner Closet Westbury has equipment that you may need to use. In fact the closet is overflowing right now. This might be a good thing. But if you need a walker, some crutches or a wheelchair call the office and we can find it for you Page 2

3 Show our community that we love them with More Than Enough Love Day Please save the date of Saturday, March 26, Westbury UMC will host a More Than Enough Love Day, a day of community service. We are inviting as many WUMC members as possible to participate in this opportunity to show our community we love them by employing our hands and feet to serve them. Spreading God s love through service is our goal and we want all to take part. There will be at least five service projects happening simultaneously and work for all age groups and levels of ability. Look forward to more information detailing the projects. Romonica Malone-Wardley Rev. DeAndre Johnson s first Sunday is Feb. 20 His calling is to engage worshippers through passionate and meaningful worship experiences that are intentionally inclusive of all people and all ages for the sake of God s kingdom and the transformation of the world. Rev. Johnson is just the right music and worship pastor to lead Westbury UMC in offering diverse worship experiences in our diverse community. Commissioned as a deacon in June 2010, DeAndre is proficient in piano, organ, guitar DeAndre Johnson voice, and choral conducting. He is proficient in various sacred musical styles/genres including plainchant, early and classical European music, southern and black gospel music, Contemporary Christian and global hymnody and has extensive experience in creating and designing multimedia and multi-sensory worship experiences as well. His education includes the Centenary College of Louisiana where he attained a Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music and in 2008 achieved a Master of Sacred Music and Choral Conducting from Southern Methodist University s Perkins School of Theology. DeAndre is married to Kelsey and they have two small children. We welcome the Johnsons who are moving from Bryan, Texas in February. His first Sunday at Westbury will be February 20th. There will be a reception right after the 11 o clock worship service, to welcome the Johnson family. Sunday February 6th is Super Bowl Sunday, but it is also Souper Bowl Sunday. Place monetary donations in the baskets in the children s wing of the church or non-perishable food in the container in the east foyer on Sunday. (these donations will be presented to Braes Interfaith Ministries) Choose to display your flowers There are many dates open from which you may choose to sign up for flowers to honor or memorialize someone you love. Or if you just want to provide flowers on a given Sunday, sign up on the flower calendar in the church office. Here are the open dates: February 6; March 6,13,27; April 3, 10,17; May 1,8; June 5,19,26; July 17, 31; August 7,14,21,28; September 11,18,25; October 2,9,16,23,30; November 6,27; December 4,11,25.You may also call the office at Page 3

4 Westbury Methodist Day School and Mother s Day Out Open House and Registration Information You are invited to Westbury s Open House on Thursday, February 10, Come any time between 9:15 a.m. and noon to tour the school. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit our school and watch how our children actively participate in center-based learning. The teachers will be happy to meet you and answer any of your questions. We will accept applications for the school year from WUMC members and current school families during our In-House registration which begins on February 15, Community registration begins February 21, Our Day School and Mother s Day Out programs provide a loving preschool experience for children beginning at 18 months through 4 years of age. Our Day School is nationally accredited through NAC, National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. We are in excellent standing with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and we served as a training school for their representatives this year. We strive for excellence in serving our community s families. Every class is staffed with two teachers, including Spanish and Music. We are blessed with a loving and dedicated staff, whose average tenure is 9. 4 years! Our Day School offers the option of 3 day and 5 day classes as well as extended care before and after school. If you are interested in additional information, please call the school office at or visit the website at www. westburyumc.org. The Day School and Mother s Day Out links can be found under the Children s Ministries section. Please encourage your friends who are looking for a loving preschool experience for their children, to call for a tour of our school. Contact us at or us at susan1@westburyumc.org. Youth Rockets Fundraiser The youth are putting on a Rockets fundraiser. The Rockets and Westbury Youth will be working together to raise money for Love 146 and the Westbury youth department. Each ticket is $25 and proceeds will go to Love 146 and the Westbury Youth department. The date of the game is Sunday March 20, vs the Utah Jazz. You must contact Cody Cruise for tickets in order for the youth and Love 146 to get credit. For more information or to order tickets Cody at: codycruise@gmail.com or by phone at EXT: 206. Think about Spring Break! Get ready for Spring Break because there are plenty of things going on for the youth. On March 13, the youth will go to Dave and Busters. March 14, will be a Mission and Service day. March 15, will be paintball, and March 16 will be open gym. Come to all of these exciting events!!!! Cody Cruise At the Westbury UMC Day School the learning is made fun! Retreat date is February The Confirmation Retreat will be here before we know it. This is for all students involved with the confirmation program. The retreat date is February and the cost is $90. Please pick up paperwork on our youth website at < cmyouth.com/> or in the youth area. This is going to be an amazing experience for these students! Page 4

5 Day School hosts Rodeo Trail Riders on Friday, February 25 Again the children in the Day School and any adults can celebrate Go Texan Day. On February 25, around 10 AM the Rodeo Trail Riders, Los Vaqueros, drive into Westbury UMC s parking lot with wagons and horses. Cowboys answer questions from the children, show off their hats and let the children mount the horses and look inside the covered wagons. Pictures are by Susan Edge, Day School Director, from previous years. Rob Landes to play for Prime Timers Need prayer? In time of need you may call the Church Office at Monday, February 28: Westbury Prime Timers will meet in Humphrey Hall at Westbury United Methodist Church. Membership is open to all persons over 50 years of age regardless of church affiliation. Dues are only $5.00 per year. Come join us for Games at 9:30 am; Meeting at 11:00 a.m. and Pot Luck Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Rob Landes is the featured guest for the February program. Everyone in the church is invited to hear Rob at 12 noon in the Worship Center. Who: What: Westbury Methodist Day School and MDO Family Fun Night at Los Tios Mexican Restaurant! Friends, family, and neighbors of Westbury Methodist Day School and MDO Come for dinner and enjoy an evening of Fun, Food, and Fellowship while supporting our school. When: Tuesday, February 8th anytime between 4:00p.m.-10:00p.m. Where: 4840 Beechnut (across from Meyerland Plaza) Why: Los Tios will generously donate 20% of your bill (excluding alcohol) to our school. Bring your family for a delicious Mexican dinner, and support our school at the same time. Not able to dine in? Take out orders will count as well! Please bring in this ad, or look for a flier at the restaurant. The flier must accompany your dinner check for the school to receive a donation. To be completed by Los Tios: Thank you for supporting the school! Total bill $ Page 5

6 T 455 Scoutmaster promotes 13th Live Aboard trip at USS Lexington over 24 hours. The crew of the USS Lexington awarded Troop 455 with 30 hours of community service hours with a formal certificate. At the conclusion of this trip the boys were able to present the crew with Troop On the Trail to Eagle T-shirts and an honorary membership in the Old Crab Patrol with Old Crab Patrol T shirts for each staff member as well. It was a terrific weekend who participated. Any boy age 11 and above are invited to join Troop 455 and be part of the 56 years scouting tradition that continues. Contact SM Derek Durling or drop by the scout room at Westbury Methodist church located at Willowbend and Bellfort around 7:30pm. Starting Feb 1st troop will be meeting every Tuesday night. All Webelos are welcome to visit the troop. Derek Durling, Scoutmaster Troop 455 Bonnie Fraley and sons Boy Scout Troop 455, sponsored by Westbury United Methodist Church, recently conducted a weekend trip to the USS. LEXINGTON in Corpus Christi, TX. on the 15th-16th of January and was a wonderful experience for scouts from Cub Pack 705 and Troop 455. For the past 12 years, Troop 455 has been involved with the Live Aboard program at the USS Lexington- a decommissioned WWII aircraft carrier. The crew of the USS Lexington recognized the dedication and commitment of Troop 455 and requested that they retire the American flag at the conclusion of Saturday night s ceremony. Troop 455 Scouts lowered the flag, folded it with the proper 13 folds, and returned the flag to the crew as taps were played. In addition, the T 455 scouts requested an opportunity to honor Kenny Adams, a longtime staff member of the USS Lexington prior to his death in The boys knew Kenny very well and wanted to do something befitting of their time aboard the ship. Kenny had a tendency to inspire scouts to grow and reach beyond what they thought possible, strive to always do your best and think about others. Their request was accepted by the crew and Troop 455 scouts provided safety/fire watch overnight on the ship while the rest of the 524 live aboard participants soundly slept in their berths below. A truly difficult task for boys their age, staying awake and alert for ATTENTION ALL SCOUTS February 13, 2011 will be Scouting Ministry Sunday at Westbury United Methodist Church. We will have a special celebration at the 11:00 am worship service for all Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Adult leaders. I want to remind everyone we will be honoring and recognizing all scouts at this special Sunday worship service, and invite all past and present members of the scouting program to join us on this day. We invite all WUMC members who are registered in scouting or who help in some way with the scouting program at our church or somewhere else to attend and be a part of this special worship service. We wish to recognize each church member in our scouting family and want to include their names in the Scout Sunday worship service program. All youth Scouts and adult leaders are requested to wear their scout uniform to this worship service. Please fill out the form below and return it to Donald Scherer- WUMC Scouting Coordinator. (Please leave in the church office, return in your Sunday School attendence folder or mail to be received by Feb 6th. Donald Scherer at Hoggard, Meadows Place, Texas Please call me at (281) if you have any Questions NAME (Cub Scouts) (Boy Scouts) (Girl Scouts) Circle one (Pack) (Troop) circle one Unit Number (Adult) or (Youth) circle one (Youth Rank) (Adult Position) Phone Address City Zip I am a member of Westbury United Methodist Church I am not a member of Westbury UMC. Yes include me in the Feb. 13, Scout Sunday celebration. I will be in attendance for the 11:00 am worship service. No, I will not be able to attend this year. Replys must be received no later that Sunday Feb 6, 2011 Page 6

7 Our Shared Ministry Those in the Hospital Our Sympathy for Ron Branch whose mother, Martha Branch died 1/23/2011 Sunday School 1/23/2011 Children...44 Youth Adults Total Worship 1/23/2011 8:30 am :00 am Total Operating Budget for 1/23/2011 Budget for January...68,584 Received Jan ,566 Total Received in Jan...44,148 Operating Budget for 1/23/2011 Endowment... 5 BIM Apportionments Living Water Caring Ministry Sunday School 1/30/2011 Children Youth Adults Total One Worship Service 1/30/2011 8:30 am :00 am Total A snap shot of Westbury UMC s Income to date $62,583 Expenses $54,800 Got treasures? Find out their value at Braes Resale and Consignment Shop on APPRAISAL DAY Friday, February 25, 2011, 11AM to 2 PM. Appraisals of your items will be made by experienced antique dealers. There Village News / Southwest News features Handymen Perhaps you saw the article in the Village News about Westbury s Handymen. In the Village News / Southwest News issue dated January 25, 2011, under the headline Westbury Handymen Make Sure Church s Needs are Covered, Craig Howard wrote that the Handymen at Westbury are a dynamo that help keep Westbury United Methodist Church and Day School running smoothly. Check it out at Village News/Southwest News and then go to page 6 for the whole story. In Honor Ted and Jane Doerr s 50th wedding anniversary from Jack and Linda Tollefson Don and Louise Miller s 60th wedding anniversary from Jack and Linda Tollefson of Carl and Wava Fick in support of Global Ministries from Jack and Linda Tollefson of Diane Sindelar (for Christmas) from Jack and Linda Tollefson In Memory of Donna Vokaty from Janet Delhomer, Jack and Linda Tollefson of Bill Moner from Al and Ida Bathey of Bessie Camp from Jack and Linda Tollefson are some rules: a maximum of 3 items per person for appraisal; no framed art, dolls/toys or furniture. there is a request for a $3 (per item) donation to the shop Where is the Braes Resale and Consignment Shop? The address is South Post Oak, Houston, TX and the telephone number is if you have questions. A Thank you to Nancy If you would like to send a thank you note to Nancy Fauber-Hoh for her time in ministry at Westbury, please mail to: Nancy Fauber-Hoh Nova Drive Houston, TX Pray for our Soldiers Mavis Arthur, U. S. Navy; Robert Behrman; Clint Caughman, Marine; Caleb Crosby, U. S. Army; Chris Croxson, U.S. Marine Corp; Dale Dumo, U. S. Marine Corp; Benjamin Goodhart, U. S. Navy; William LeFiles, US Army; Toni Coleman, U. S. Air Force; Sean Neufeld, U. S. Navy; Michael Palazzotta, U.S. Marine Corp.; Robert Scherer, U.S. Navy; Daniel Smith, U. S. Marine Corp; Ben Steves, U.S. Navy; Eric Swearingen, U. S. Army; Hamal Winkel, U.S. Navy Pray for the returned Armed Forces representatives too, because they have to restart and get their lives back to normal. Page 7