West District United Methodist Church of the Texas Annual Conference

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1 January - February 2012 West District United Methodist Church of the Texas Annual Conference From the Five Foot Shelf of Books Texas Annual Conference June 4-7, 2012 HOST FACILITY: Galveston Convention Ctr 5600 Seawall Blvd Galveston, TX HOST HOTELS: The San Louis Resort Hilton Galveston Island Resort Holiday Inn Resort On The Beach West District Office 4205 State Hwy 6 South College Station, TX Office: Fax: Rev. Joe W. Fort, Jr. District Superintendent jfort@txcumc.org Debbie Keim Administrative Assistant dkeim@txcumc.org Linda Tatum Office Assistant ltatum@txcumc.org I have in my library a set of the Harvard Classics. These came to me by way of my father s library, and his father s before him. The Harvard Classics contain an assortment of great literature spanning the ages. They advertise themselves as the five foot shelf of books. (Actually, I think it actually measures closer to six feet, but never mind.) Sometimes I think it is interesting to reflect as a pastor what my personal five foot shelf of books would contain. In other words, if I had to streamline my entire library into five feet (about two shelves worth) of books, which ones would I select? Well, obviously I would include a few different translations of the Bible and a handful of biblical reference books, such as a concordance, dictionaries, etc. Perhaps my bibles and reference books would take up about one third of the five feet allotted. So then, what books would occupy my other feet of shelf space? I m thinking that with some being paperbacks, I could include around thirty books altogether. This being the case, which ones would I choose to include in my essentials list? I think I would start with the Essential Works of John Wesley volume that we gave out at the Christmas party (Congratulations! You ve already got a head start on your five foot shelf! ). That one book packs quite a punch in terms of covering lots of ground with Mr. Wesley. I would also look to include a fair number of works that are true spiritual classics. These books are timeless and to me merit re-reading every few years. A Kempis The Imitation of Christ (we gave it to you last year) would be on the shelf, as would A Short Method of Prayer by Madame Guyon and The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. From the twentieth century, I might include Evelyn Underhill s The Spiritual Life and Thomas Kelly s A Testament of Devotion. It would be difficult not to include a couple of Bonhoeffer s writings, as these have made a deep impact upon my own life. Probably the two I would include are The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together. I would put in a few works by Thomas Merton, as well. My number one selection from Merton would be The New Seeds of Contemplation. I would also throw in a short book such as Spiritual Direction and Meditation, and probably one or two others, as well. I like Henri Nouwen well enough to fit in a few of his writings. Among these, perhaps The Way of the Heart, In the Name of Jesus, and The Return of the Prodigal Son would all be squeezed into my five foot shelf of books. The above list would not exhaust all of my space, so if I had more time I d throw out another group of titles that I also wouldn t mind having in my concise library. Two books, however, would definitely be there. One is the Essential Works of Andrew Murray, who has come to be my favorite spiritual writer. While this is only one volume, it includes about a dozen of Murray s works. Most of them I personally regard to be spiritual classics. The one short book by Andrew Murray that the above compilation regrettably omits is my all-time favorite, Humility. To me, it has been a truly life-changing writing, and I find myself returning to its pages again and again. Let me conclude my offering some of its wisdom, which I give to you as thoughts to begin your New Year with:

2 The life God bestows is not imparted not once for all, but each moment by the unceasing operation of his mighty power. Humility, the place of entire dependence upon God, is from the very nature of things the first duty and highest virtue of his creatures. And so pride the loss of humility is the root of every sin and evil. Humility is the only soil in which virtue takes root; a lack of humility is the explanation of every defect and failure. All the wretchedness of which this world has been the scene, all its wars, all its selfishness and suffering, all its vain ambitions and jealousies, all its broken hearts and embittered lives, with all its daily unhappiness, have their origin in what pride our own or that of others has brought upon us. Manifestations of temper and irritation, feelings of bitterness and estrangement, have their root in nothing but pride. There can be but one answer to the root and essence of Christ s character as our Redeemer: it is his humility. It is his incarnation emptying himself to become human flesh, his life on earth, his taking the form of a servant, and humbling himself to become obedient even to death his atonement. There may be enthusiastic and active practice of Christianity while humility is still sadly lacking. External teaching and personal effort are powerless to conquer pride or create a meek and lowly heart in a person. For three years the disciples were in the training school of Jesus but all was to no avail. No outward instruction, even by Christ himself, no personal effort, however sincere and earnest, can cast out pride. It is only by the indwelling of Christ in his divine humility that we can become truly humble. It is a solemn thought that our love for God is measured by our everyday relationships with others. Amid temptations to impatience and irritableness, to hard thoughts and sharp words that come as a response to the failings and sins of others, the humble person carries the oft-repeated injunction in their heart and it shows in life: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as the Lord forgave you. The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is its lack of humility. The holiest person will be the humblest. There is no pride so dangerous, so subtle and insidious, as that of self-righteousness. Those in the spiritual professions do not always bear spiritual fruits themselves. Flee to Jesus and hide yourself in him until you are clothed with his humility. That alone is holiness. God s blessings, Joe W. Fort, Jr. District Superintendent THANK YOU! to First UMC of Caldwell for hosting our Christmas Clergy Lunch this year! Food, Fellowship & Fun was enjoyed by all! Clergy Meeting Date: Wed., February 15, 2012 Time: 2:00 PM Place: College Station First UMC 1125 Welborn Rd, College Station 77840

3 THE CONGREGATIONAL EXCELLENCE TEAM Invites You To: L.E.A.D. INSTITUTE Featuring Workshops that will: Inspire You Inform You Empower You Rev. Jim Leggett And Send You Forth with Ideas of for ministries your church CAN DO Grace Fellowship United Methodist Church to share the Good News and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Katy, Texas DATE/TIME: Sunday, January 29, 2012 For Further Details: PLACE: Christ UMC College Station Contact Ellen Willett at (936) As the seasons of Advent and Christmas are upon us and the year 2011 draws to a close, our thoughts are turning to how we can make 2012 a banner year for God and for God's love expressed through our churches. The West District's annual L.E.A.D. Institute wants to help you and inspire you to do just that. On Sunday afternoon, January 29th, we will gather at Christ UMC in College Station for an exciting training event for preachers, teachers, leaders of youth and leaders and members of committees and small groups. Our keynote speaker will be Rev. Jim Leggett of Grace Fellowship UMC in Katy, Texas. His message will inspire us and help us focus on how each one of us can share the good news of Jesus Christ through our worship, our personal stories and the ministries of our churches. Following Reverend Leggett's keynote address, participants will have an opportunity to take part in workshops that will inform and empower your ministry --- ideas for youth ministry and missions, ideas for caregiving and restorative justice and much more. You will learn not only of ideas, but of actual programs that are already working and producing fruit in our district and our conference --- things your church CAN DO to further the kingdom. Save the date now; talk it up with your church; and watch your mail for a registration form in January. Christ UMC is offering free child care for LEAD participants' children if children are registered at. Texas Annual Conference Mid-Winter Clergy Spouses Gathering Purpose of the gathering: To provide a time of fellowship and fun so that more clergy spouses will connect and support one another! DATES: Friday - February 3 - Supper To: Sat - February 4-3 PM PLACE: Lakeview Methodist Conference Center - Palestine, Texas REGISTRATION: OrgKey=e92d a8-403b-acaf-238db237c528 *Optional massage, $30/half hour or $60/hour, schedule and pay at The Gathering.

4 Report Day for the year 2011 is on Monday, January 9, Auditors will be available at the Hub locations from 8:30 am to 11 am on January 9 th. If you had not paid out your Conference Apportionments by Dec. 12, 2011, you must come to your Hub location on Report Day. You will need to bring your signed Report Day Report along with any apportionment payment you are making. If you need help with Report Day, the Auditors are available to assist you before Report Day. The following are hub locations and auditors assigned to each hub. Please contact them before Report Day. Hub Locations: BCS and Normangee Hub Churches will report to the District Office Auditors Mac Vaughn ( ) Jeff Dungan ( ) Cathy Richardson ( ) Marlin and Rockdale Hub churches will report to Cameron FUMC Auditors Chuck Bratz ( ) Jeff Stull ( ) Centerville and Huntsville Hub Churches will report to Huntsville FUMC Auditor s Gene Bixler ( ) Richard Prather ( ) Navasota and Brenham Hub Churches will report to Brenham FUMC Auditors Robert Stutes ( ) Vickie Simons ( ) This year the report is located in a new system called EZRA located on the GCFA website. There is a web video that shows you how to access and enter information into the new Report Day system. The training video is located at: Along with the Report Day report, you will need to submit: 1) Transformation Survey is on the TAC website at: 2) Missional Excellence Report return to Shirley Broome sbroome@txcumc.org. The West District Office Staff is here to help! Please give us a call for assistance. Anderson UMC Anderson Circuit: Yarborough UMC McKenzie UMC Bedias UMC Bellville UMC Blue UMC Bremond: Grace UMC Brenham Circuit: Pleasant Grove UMC Mt Zion UMC Richard Grove UMC Bryan: Lee Chapel UMC Bryan: Alexander UMC Wesley UMC Bryan: First UMC Caldwell: First UMC Calvert Circuit: St. James UMC Cameron: First UMC Cedar Springs UMC Centerville: First UMC Centerville Ct: Hopewell UMC St. Matthew UMC Chappell Hill UMC College Station: A&M UMC Aldersgate UMC Thanks to the churches that have paid 100% of their 2011West District Apportionments as of December 15, 2011 Christ UMC First UMC Cooks Point UMC Donie Memorial UMC Elwood UMC Evans Chapel Franklin UMC Flynn UMC Gause UMC Giddings: First UMC Hearne: Grace UMC Hempstead: Bethlehem UMC Hempstead: First UMC Huntsville: Farris Chapel UMC Huntsville: First UMC Iola: Zion UMC Kosse UMC Leona UMC Leona Circuit: Hillary Chapel UMC Tanyard UMC Two Mile UMC Lexington: First UMC Lynn Grove UMC Madisonville: First UMC Marlin: First UMC Marlin Circuit: Chilton St. Paul UMC Satin UMC Marquez UMC Major s Chapel UMC Maysfield UMC Milano Ct: Chriesman UMC Millican UMC Navasota Circuit: Lee Tabernacle UMC Pleasant Grove UMC Stonehamville UMC Navasota: First UMC Normangee: First UMC Paige UMC Reagan UMC Richards Ct: Richards UMC Bays Chapel Rockdale: St John s UMC Shiro UMC Sneed Memorial UMC Somerville: First UMC Stoneham UMC Thorndale: Pleasant Retreat UMC Friendship UMC Wheelock UMC

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6 Lay Speaking School 2012 Dates: February 11th and February 18th Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Location: Christ UMC - College Station On behalf of the Lay Speaking Team, I would encourage you to invite leaders in your congregation to consider attending Lay Speaking School in This is a great opportunity for church leaders to now only be better prepared to fill in for the pastor when he/she is away, but also to learn valuable tools to serve in church leadership, lead a small group or serve the church in other ways. lease help us spread the word, and feel free to have them either contact me or other Lay Speakers in your church with any questions or for more information. Scott Atnip, District Lay Leader Registration forms are available at the District Office Or CONTACT: Scott Atnip at scottatnip@yahoo.com Reasons to Attend! Are you: Leading a Sunday School class, Bible Study/Small Group? Serving as a liturgist in worship? Helping with preaching? Witnessing to and mentoring young people? Visiting nursing homes or those in prison? Growing in knowledge of Jesus Christ through Bible study? Seeking to know more about the heritage and doctrine of the UMC and founder, John Wesley? Seeking to experience Spiritual growth?

7 WEST DISTRICT CALENDAR December 2011 thru February 2012 Sun - Dec 25 Dec DECEMBER Merry Christmas OFFICE CLOSED January District Office will be CLOSED: December 26th thru 29th See you on January 2, Sun - Jan 1 Have a Blessed New Year Mon - Jan 9 REPORT DAY Sat - Jan 21 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM - West District Mission Forum - Christ UMC - College Station Sun - Jan 29 3:00 PM - Lead Institute with Rev. Jim Leggett - Christ UMC - College Station Tues-Fri - Jan 31-Feb 3 Cabinet Meeting Thurs - Feb 2 Fri -Sat - Feb 3-4 Sat - Feb 11 and 18 Wed - Feb 15 Mon-Wed - Feb FEBRUARY Sexual Ethics Training - Christ UMC - College Station Winter Gathering for Conference Clergy Spouses - Lakeview Lay Speaking School - Christ UMC - College Station 2:00 PM - Clergy Meeting - First UMC - College Station Cabinet Meeting Rev. Dan Conway - Director of Youth/Young Adult Ministry dconway@txcumc.org Website: Ignite Mid-Winter Youth Retreats - ipromise 5 Feb Forest Glen Retreat Center - Huntsville Feb Lakeview Methodist Conference Center DISTRICT SUMMER CAMP July West District COLLIDE 2012 June Galveston CHOIR CLINIC June TEXAS YOUTH ACADEMY June 25 - July 7 Southwestern University Georgetown, TX YOUTH MISSION TRIP July 1-7 Mountain Top United Methodist Camp - Tennessee Sponsored by Bellville UMC Teens - Grades 7-12 Robert Stutes (979) or robertstutes@hotmail.com and ANNUAL COAT DRIVE - Now thru FEBRUARY 2012! Contact: Rev. Mark Pickett, (936) phone First UMC Huntsville Please put a box out for your congregation to bring in their coats for the inmates that are being released from The Walls Unit in the coming days. Meetings are held at District Offices : 4205 State Hwy 6 South, College Station, TX View calendar -

8 The West District Office Of the United Methodist Church 4205 State Highway 6 South College Station, TX Nonprofit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Bryan, Texas Permit No. 55 Return Service Requested Retired Ministers Monthly Luncheon Notices Jan 16 GUY & BETTY PRY Gatti Town - College Station Note: February TO BE ANNOUNCED Luncheons begin at 11:30 AM unless otherwise noted. Please keep in your prayers: CONGRATULATIONS ON NEW ARRIVALS! Rev. Ferel Little s wife, Nita People of Cote d Ivoire, The United Methodist Rev. Todd & Stephanie Jordan on the birth of a Church in Cote d Ivoire and the Leaders of the people. young lady named Skylar Jane on November 11, Mary Reed Rev. Sid Akin Rev. Ann Worrell, a new granddaughter on Vicki Bailey - loss of her husband December 8, Nancy Hinshaw