January/February

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 77551
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 77845
Office: 979-690-5627
Fax:
979-690-7914
www.west-district.org
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:
“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!
Clergy Meeting
to First UMC of Caldwell
for hosting our Christmas
Clergy Lunch this year!
Food, Fellowship & Fun
was enjoyed by all!
Date:
Time:
Place:
Wed., February 15, 2012
2:00 PM
College Station First UMC
1125 Welborn Rd,
College Station 77840
THE CONGREGATIONAL EXCELLENCE TEAM
Invites You To:
L.E.A.D. INSTITUTE - 2012
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) 295-5441
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 .https://christumc.wufoo.com/forms/lead-institute/
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:
https://public.serviceu.com/RegistrationForm/5698640-211788039/?
OrgKey=e92d5642-16a8-403b-acaf-238db237c528
*Optional massage, $30/half hour or $60/hour, schedule and pay at The Gathering.
Report Day for the year 2011 is on Monday, January 9, 2012. Auditors will be available at the Hub
locations from 8:30 am to 11 am on January 9th. 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 (936-825-3342) Jeff Dungan (979-574-6210)
Cathy Richardson (979-690-4673)
Marlin and Rockdale Hub churches will report to Cameron FUMC
Auditors – Chuck Bratz (254-482-0471) Jeff Stull (903-452-8641)
Centerville and Huntsville Hub Churches will report to Huntsville FUMC
Auditor s– Gene Bixler (254-275-9006) Richard Prather (979-218-7545)
Navasota and Brenham Hub Churches will report to Brenham FUMC
Auditors – Robert Stutes (281-300-9277) Vickie Simons (281-773-4234)
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: http://www.txcumc.org/pages/detail/1386.
Along with the Report Day report, you will need to submit:
1)
Transformation Survey is on the TAC website at: http://www.txcumc.org/pages/detail/1181
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.
Thanks to the churches that have paid 100% of their
2011West District Apportionments as of December 15, 2011
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
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
“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 2012.
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 281-728-4593
Email:
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?
WEST DISTRICT CALENDAR
December 2011 thru February 2012
DECEMBER
Sun - Dec 25
Dec 26 - 29
District Office
will be CLOSED:
December 26th thru 29th
See you on
January 2, 2012.
Merry Christmas
OFFICE CLOSED
January
Sun - Jan 1
Mon - Jan 9
Sat - Jan 21
Sun - Jan 29
Tues-Fri - Jan 31-Feb 3
Have a Blessed New Year
REPORT DAY
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM - West District Mission Forum Christ UMC - College Station
3:00 PM - Lead Institute with Rev. Jim Leggett Christ UMC - College Station
Cabinet Meeting
FEBRUARY
Thurs - Feb 2
Fri -Sat - Feb 3-4
Sat - Feb 11 and 18
Wed - Feb 15
Mon-Wed - Feb 20-22
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
Email: dconway@txcumc.org Website: www.txcumc.org/youth
COLLIDE 2012
June 4-6 - Galveston
Ignite Mid-Winter Youth Retreats “ipromise 5”
Feb 17 - 19 - Forest Glen Retreat Center - Huntsville
Feb 24-26 - Lakeview Methodist Conference Center
DISTRICT SUMMER CAMP
July 16-20 - West District
CHOIR CLINIC
June 11-15
TEXAS YOUTH ACADEMY
June 25 - July 7
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
www.texasyouthacademy.org
YOUTH MISSION TRIP July 1-7
Mountain Top United Methodist Camp - Tennessee
Sponsored by Bellville UMC
Teens - Grades 7-12
Robert Stutes (979) 865-5976 or
robertstutes@hotmail.com and
www.mountain-top.org
www.campingatlakeview.com
ANNUAL COAT DRIVE - Now thru FEBRUARY 2012!
Contact: Rev. Mark Pickett, (936) 295-5441-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 77845
View calendar - www.west-district.org
The West District Office
Of the United Methodist Church
4205 State Highway 6 South
College Station, TX 77845
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
979-696-4420
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
2011.
 Rev. Sid Akin
 Rev. Ann Worrell, a new granddaughter on
 Vicki Bailey - loss of her husband
 December 8, 2011.
 Nancy Hinshaw

