THE FISHERMAN Southwest Texas leaders gathered for annual

East Saint Paul United Methodist Church
THE FISHERMAN
“and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1: 17
Volume 9 Issue 7
JULY 2013
ST. PETER
ICHTHI
Southwest Texas leaders
gathered for annual session

More than 1,500 clergy
members and lay delegates
met June 6-9 in Corpus
Christi’s American Bank
Center for the 44th session
of the Southwest Texas
Annual Conference,
themed, “You Are Now
Entering the Mission Field.”
During this year’s session,
the Unification Implementation Team presented its recommendations for the structure and organization of the
new Río Texas Conference,
a unification of the Southwest
Texas and Río Grande Conferences.
Both the Southwest Texas
Conference annual conference delegates and Río
Grande Conference delegates voted on the transitional structure of the new conference, including entertaining a
motion to suspend standing
rules to allow a transitional
leadership to be elected.
The leadership elected will be
working together during the
next 18 months to develop
the specific structure of the
new conference. Both the
Southwest Texas and the Río
Grande Conference nominations committees are working
on a slate of possible leaders
to present to both annual conferences. Each conference
will elect about 70 people.
Unification will happen One
Step at a Time
ABEL VEGA
Director of
Connectional
Ministry
Rio Grande
Conference
The UIT
(Unification Implementation
Team) has worked at a diligent pace in discerning God’s
will for the church we know
and love as The United Methodist Church and as experienced in our organizational
life as the Río Grande and
Southwest Texas Conferences.
So the UIT now pauses for a
moment to report on the work
completed thus far.
This has been an interesting
process to witness as we have
realized that the UIT is simply
the “starter” group, along with
current conference level leadership charged with initiating the
design and direction of the
“bold new conference,” and
begun to understand how best
to apply the technical mechanisms to support this bold endeavor. But now it is time to
take the conversation to the
streets. Because the learning
plan is to become missionally
driven—this could mean literally—“taking it to the streets.”
The implication here is that the
church’s new work rigor will be
discovered in our midst as we
strive to increase our presence
in the streets.
The essential aspects of the
report are the proposed structure of Río Texas and the affirmation of a transitional structure as the vehicle to help us
live into the new structure.
What makes these annual
conferences unique and perhaps even challenging is the
realization that we are entering into the deep change invitation and transformational
opportunity of this journey.
In preparation for this time,
Continued on page 3
Inside this issue:
REFLECTING
2
COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY
IS IT TOO COSTLY?
4
CHEF’S CORNER
SAMSON AND DAKOTA
6
7
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
10
ABOUT JESUS M ARK3:20-35
GOSPEL MUSIC REVIEW
JULY CALENDAR
OUR SICK AND SHUT-IN
14
8
THE FISHERMAN
Volume 9 Issue 7
A number of us church members participated in a National kidney Foundation “High Blood Pressure &
Chronic Kidney Disease’ screening program (2/2/2013), thanks to Ms. Linda McDonald who has been
a longtime advocate for this organization. Since that time, I have reflected on the importance of
screening, for ovarian cancer — particularly since my younger sister Marilyn (d. 2010) fell victim to its
ravages, along with countless other women. I wrote a brief exposé March 2006 to promote health
awareness for women to stave off this dreaded disease! I think it bears a reprint. What do you think?
MANAGING
EDITOR
Carlos Sheffield
The Fisherman Newsletter
k
s Des
Editor’
Written: March 2006
Page 2
Volume 9 Issue 7
Continued from page 1
Moving into unification
UIT report presentation sessions are scheduled to occur
throughout the San Antonio
Episcopal Area as listed in this
issue of the newspaper. The
intent is to walk annual conference delegates and all interested through the report and receive initial feedback regarding
the design and desired direction.
For Río Grande Conference
churches residing in other conference areas, discernment
conversations have begun
through consultations with and
between Río Grande Conference churches and the leaders
and some churches of the New
Mexico, North Texas, and Texas conferences, and, in late
May, with Northwest Texas.
Because of the nature of our
conference configurations, for
Río Grande Conference
churches, there has been
somewhat of a “dual” status—
referring to its own conference
affiliation and relationship with
other United Methodist churches in the area. This now unfolds as a “triple” affiliation status when the Methodist witness
seeks to bring a greater presence to its immediate mission
field.
These consultations have been
about facilitating conversations
with leaders in these areas; to
discern God’s call on their leadership in collectively and collaboratively reaching their mission
field; building, enhancing and
strengthening their relationships mutually; and understanding the meaning of this
unification process overall.
Most important, during incremental change, we feel we are
in control. Deep change differs
from incremental change in that
it requires new ways of thinking
and behaving. It is change that
is major in scope, discontinuous with the past and generally
irreversible. The deep change
effort distorts existing patterns
of action and involves taking
risks. Deep change means
surrendering control.”
Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we
ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work within us,
“Incremental change is usually to him be glory in the church
limited in scope and is often
and in Christ Jesus throughout
reversible. If the change does all generations, forever and
not work out, we can always
ever! Amen.”
return to the old way. Incremental change usually does not Enjoy the journey…one step at
disrupt our past patterns—it is a time.
an extension of the past.
Bishop
Northwest Texas/
New Mexico Episcopal
Area
Pastor
Northeast Community
United Methodist Church
San Antonio, Texas
Page 3
September 22, 2013
Volume 9 Issue 7
COLLEGE
AFFORDABILITY
DEBUNKING THE MYTHS
Think college isn't affordable? Think a degree is no longer a good investment? Think again.
ALLISON COLLINSWORTH
General Board of Higher
Education & Ministry
In 1873, a seminary student at Drew Theological Seminary received a
loan from the Board of
Education of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The amount:
$100. It was the only
loan made that year. It
was all the board could
afford.
The loan was the first
offered from what is today
the General Board of
Higher Education and
Ministry of The United
Methodist Church. A
churchwide "children's
offering" in 1866
amassed the amazing
sum of $56,674. Interest
from that fund provided
the money for the first
loan.
Today, the board's Office
of Loans and Scholarships sees more than
$4.5 million awarded every year to members of
The United Methodist
Church. Allyson Collinsworth, director, said the
money assists young
seminarians and active
lay leaders.
"We're operating under a
model to fund as many
eligible leaders for the
church as possible," she
said. The average scholarship award is between $500
and $1,000 for undergraduates, she said, and between
$1,000 and $2,000 for graduate students.
"We believe in an educated
clergy and lay leadership.
We affirm education to assist our leaders with what
they need," Collinsworth
said. She leads a task force
studying the roadblocks to
higher education for seminary students and others.
Cost is among them
‘Myths' about private
higher education
The Rev. David Warren is
also concerned about the
cost of higher education,
but says that private colleges and universities, including those related to The
United Methodist Church,
are more affordable than
most people realize.
Warren, president of the
National Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities since 1993, has
come up with "9 Myths"
about non-profit, higher education.
"Private higher education is
more affordable than most
parents and students believe," he said. "The average published tuition and
fees for these schools, according to the College
Board, is $29,056 per year.
However, the true cost is
closer to $13,400 when you
factor in financial aid and
tax benefits."
These numbers surprise
many people, he said. Another myth is that tuition
rates are skyrocketing. In
truth, the increases have
declined for the past decade
to 3.9 percent for the 2012-23
school year, the lowest since
1972.
Another myth is that private
colleges enroll only white,
wealthy, traditional students.
"About one-third of all undergraduates at four-year private
colleges are minority students," Warren said, noting
that private colleges enroll
the same percentage of racial
ethnic students as do public
institutions. In addition, he
said, 41 percent of students
come from families earning
$49,999 per year or less.
Graduates' debt load is another myth Warren wants to explode. He cites statistics from
the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York showing the average debt is $29,900.
Another myth about private
schools is that they enjoy the
benefits of large endowments.
In truth, Warren said, the median endowment is $20 million, and only 3 percent have
endowments of $1 billion or
more.
Many parents of collegebound high school students
are searching online, looking
for information on costs and
fees. Warren advised using
information generated from
tools such as the "net-price
calculator" with a grain of salt.
"This tool is good for ballparking costs," he said. A lack of
uniformity between the calculations offered on various
schools' websites means people often get conflicting responses, which create confusion, he said
Warren recommended using
www.ucan-network.org, the
website of the University and
College Accountability Network. The site hosts more
than 800 private colleges,
each of whom uses the
same net-price calculator.
Investing in young
clergy
Collinsworth's office and several partners have formed a
task force to look at how to
make seminary more affordable.
The Young Clergy Initiative,
created by the 2012 General
Conference, is also looking
at that issue while also trying
to lower the average age of
a United Methodist
clergyperson.
"We know that vital congregations require vital clergy
leaders," said the Rev. Kim
Cape, Higher Education and
Ministry's general secretary,
prior to a summit on the
topic.
Continued on page 5
FISHERMAN
Volume 9 Issue 7
JULY 2013
Rev. Charles Purnell, Jr.
Editor-In-Chief
Bro. Carlos Sheffield
Managing Editor
EAST SAINT PAUL
United Methodist Church
211 Lockhart Street
San Antonio, Texas
78202
210.225.8880 Office
210.223.0698 Fax
espumcevangelist@sbcglobal.net
Page 4
"Investing in young clergy,
understanding their challenges and addressing those challenges can encourage talented young people to see a
clear way forward in living into
their God-given call to ministry," Cape said
"Seminarian indebtedness is
a roadblock to many people
seeking to become ordained
clergy," Collinsworth said. The
average debt of a United
Methodist seminarian is about
$50,000.
Among those who have benefited from the scholarships the
board provides is Edgar Bazan. A student at Perkins
School of Theology, he also
serves as lead pastor at Oak
Cliff United Methodist Church
in Dallas.
His scholarship "has given me
the peace of mind knowing
that I don't have to pay back
another loan," said Bazan,
who received his bachelor of
theology degree from John
Wesley Methodist Seminary in
Monterrey, Mexico. He expects to be ordained an elder
in 2016. He has been a local
pastor for six years.
Bazan said the dividends from
his education are already apparent.
"My local church has benefited from it as I have become a
better pastor with more theological resources," he said.
"This has made an impact
and great difference in my
preaching, teaching and leadership."
Churches support
students
Other agencies in the church,
such as the General Board of
Global Ministries, also offer
scholarships, Collinsworth
noted, adding that her office's
funding for scholarships and
loans relies on churchwide
special Sunday offerings
(such as United Methodist
Student Day, Native American
Ministries Sunday and World
Communion Sunday). Her
Page 5
office receives no general
church funding.
Local churches are joining
general church agencies and
schools to help students pay
their bills.
The Rev. Ed Trimmer, executive director of the Cal
Turner Jr. Center for Church
Leadership at Martin Methodist College, works with 31
congregations that are now
providing scholarships for
members enrolling at the
school in Pulaski, Tenn. Another 14 are working to join
them as Church Partners.
Olivet United Methodist
Church, a rural congregation
in south central Tennessee
with around 70 people in
worship each Sunday, raised
more than $10,000 for these
scholarships, Trimmer said.
The funds become part of
the college's permanent endowment. Each year the
church can designate a
scholarship recipient.
"The college provides an
additional $1,000 out of institutional scholarships," said
Trimmer.
No matter the cost,
"education is to be held high
and is still worth it," Collinsworth said. Bazan would
agree.
"My vision for the church has
widened and my abilities to
minister have deepened," he
said. "I am extremely grateful
for having such support from
a church that I love and
cherish."
9 Myths about Private,
Non-Profit Higher Education
Myth 1: Private colleges
are not affordable.
Fact: The average net tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year colleges are
$13,380, less than half of
the average published tuition and fees of $29,056.
Net tuition and fees at private colleges dropped 3.5
percent in the past five
years, according to the College Board.
Myth 2: Federal student
aid drives up college
costs.
Fact: Studies have found no
causal relationship between
increases in federal student
aid and tuition. Over the past
four years, annual tuition
increases at private nonprofit colleges have grown at
3.9 percent.
Myth 3: Private colleges
enroll only white, wealthy,
traditional students
Fact: Private colleges are as
racially/ethnically and economically diverse as public
four-year schools. Many students are part-time, working
and older adults. About onethird of all undergraduates
are African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian or multiracial.
Myth 4: Many college
graduates leave school
heavy in debt.
Fact: Only 3.1 percent of all
graduate and undergraduate
students accumulate debt of
$100,000 or more. The average debt for students who
earned a bachelor's degree
from a private college in
2011 was $29,900, compared to $23,800 for borrowers at public universities.
Myth 5: A college degree
is no longer a good investment.
Fact: In the next five years,
six out of 10 American jobs
will require a college degree.
In 2010, workers with a
bachelor's degree or higher
averaged more than $78,000
per year; workers with an
associate's degree earned
about $49,000 per year; and
those with a high school diploma averaged $29,000
(U.S. Census data).
Myth 6: Private colleges
have billion-dollar endowments and could easily
use them to give current
students a break on tuition.
Fact: Most institutions—
including private colleges—
do not have large endowments. Only 48 of the nation's
1,600 private colleges and
universities have endowments of $1 billion or more.
The average is $20 million.
Typically, half of all funds are
earmarked by donors for special purposes.
Myth 7: Fewer students
are going to private colleges
Fact: Enrollment at private
non-profit colleges and universities grew nearly 2 percent in 2011. For the past 10
years, enrollment grew by
26.5 percent.
Myth 8: Private colleges
are not innovative or flexible,
Fact: More private colleges
are introducing flexible learning models, including online
courses, hybrid programs,
three-year degrees and satellite campuses. Many are offering degree and certificate
programs developed for fullor part-time adult learners,
with many classes offered at
night or on the weekend.
Myth 9: Private colleges
are not transparent and
accountable.
Fact: Private colleges come
under specific IRS rules on
governance and fiscal transparency. Through other federal and state regulatory and
reporting requirements, the
accreditation process and the
sharing of consumer information, private non-profit colleges are accountable to students, parents, policymakers
and taxpayers.
Adapted from "9 Myths about
Private Non-Profit Education,"
a publication of the National
Association of Independent
Colleges and Universities,
www.naicu.org/
special_initiatives/nine_myths.
—By Erik Alsgaard
United Methodist News Daily
CHEF’S CORNER
Chef
Paul
Easy Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
"A
creamy filling of chicken, sour cream, and cheese gets an added kick stirred into it with Pace® Picante Sauce. Rolled up
in
tortillas and baked until bubbly, these enchiladas couldn't be easier, or any more delicious."
Original recipe makes 6 enchiladas
Ingredients
1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed
Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or
Healthy Request®)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 flour tortillas (6"), warmed
1 small tomato, chopped
1 green onion, sliced
Ready In 50 mins
Directions
1. Stir the soup, sour cream, picante
sauce and chili powder in a medium bowl.
2. Stir 1 cup picante sauce mixture,
chicken and cheese in a large bowl.
3. Divide the chicken mixture among the
tortillas. Roll up the tortillas and place
them seam side up in 11 x 8" shallow
baking dish. Pour the remaining picante
sauce mixture over the filled tortillas. Cover the baking dish.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 min.
or until the enchiladas are hot and bubbling. Top with the tomato and onion.

EAST SAINT PAUL UMC
Page 6
Volume 9 Issue 7
Children’s Time
by Harrison Woodard
A
long time ago in Israel, there
was a nation of evil people
known as the Philistines. They were
mighty warriors with the most advanced
weapons and fighting tactics. God’s people living nearby were forced to pay high
taxes and live under the oppressive rule
of the Philistines. They asked God to
send them a champion.
And He did.
From birth, the Spirit of God was on Samson
and gave him divine strength. And, because
of this gift, Samson promised to never cut his
hair.
When Samson was a young man, he fell in
love with a Philistine woman. His parents
arranged for them to be married. But during
the engagement celebration, the Philistines
tricked Samson and gave his fiancé to another man. Samson was outraged and burned
the Philistines’ wheat fields.
The Philistines were scared of Samson and
planned to capture him. But every time they
tried, Samson would beat them. One time,
he removed the city gates of Gaza with his
bare hands and carried them away. Another
time, he killed 1,000 Philistines sent to capture him with a jawbone of a donkey.
The Philistines looked for a way of defeating
Samson. They paid a beautiful woman
named Delilah to find out the secret of his
great strength. She pretended to love Samson and pleaded with him to know what
made him so strong.
After many days, Samson told her his secret.
If he cut off his hair, he would break his
promise to God and be like any other man.
Delilah waited until Samson was asleep and
shaved off all his hair. The Philistines rushed
in and captured Samson. They blinded him
and took him to Gaza to work as a slave
grinding in the prison.
Samson thought his life was finished, but
God had one more job for him.
In the prison at Gaza, there lived a little dog
named Dakota. Every night she thanked God
for what she had. The prison wasn’t very
nice, but she was given food and a warm
place to sleep. She asked God for a real
home and knew that He would answer her
prayer. And He did.
One evening God spoke to her, “Dakota, a
Page 7
man will be placed in your prison. His name is
Samson and he is blind. I want you to protect
him.”
Dakota said, “I will.”
The next day, Samson arrived at the prison.
The other prisoners started teasing him and
stole his food. Dakota ran over and guarded
Samson, making sure that he received his
share. When Samson needed to go somewhere, Dakota would walk next to him and
guide him. At night, Dakota lay at his side to
keep him warm.
The two became great friends. Everywhere
Samson went Dakota would always be at his
side.
After several months, the Philistine leaders
planned a big celebration. They didn’t believe in
God. Instead, they worshiped a statue they
called Dagon. They believed Dagon had beaten
Samson’s God and would protect them.
The Philistine leaders invited nobles from all
around. The feast was held in Dagon’s Temple
and people from all over the country attended.
Many sat on the roof so they could watch the
celebration.
The Philistine leader ordered Samson to be
brought out to entertain the crowd. Samson was
led from the prison with Dakota at his side.
The crowd laughed at Samson and insulted
him.
near you,” joked one of them.
All the Philistines laughed at their prisoner.
They thought their statue would protect them.
But it didn’t. Samson placed his hands on two
of the great columns. Samson prayed, “Dear
God, give me strength one last time to punish
these evil people.”
He started pushing and the Spirit of God came
upon him. The building came crashing down,
killing everyone inside and on the roof.
After the dust settled, Dakota found Samson’s
body among the ruins. People came and removed their relatives’ bodies. Whenever they
got too close to Samson, Dakota chased them
away.
During the night, thieves came to steal items
from the temple. Dakota watched them fill their
bags and growled whenever they came near.
The next day, vultures came looking for a meal.
But Dakota wouldn’t let them get near Samson.
“God told me to protect Samson,” said Dakota.
“You’ll have to find a meal somewhere else.”
After a couple of days, God spoke to Dakota,
“Wake up Dakota.” “Yes Lord” answered Dakota.
“Samson’s family will come for him today,” said
God. “I want you to lead them to him. They
have come to take him home.”
Dakota waited patiently all day. It was late in
the afternoon when she saw a family in the
distance.
“Go,” said God, “Lead them to Samson’s body.”
Dakota immediately ran to Samson’s family.
She barked and ran around them, but they
didn’t understand her.
“What’s wrong with this dog?” asked Samson’s
mother. “Maybe she knows where we can find
Samson,” said his brother. “Show us where he
is.”
They followed Dakota to the body. Carefully,
they lifted it out of the rubble and placed it on
“Look at the great warrior, he sleeps with the
their donkey. Dakota was happy that Samson
dogs!” said one noble. “Show us your strength
was on his way home.
now, Samson,” said another. “Samson, where is “What about the dog?” asked Samson’s brothyour God?” added a third. They all laughed at
er. “Shouldn’t she come with us?”
Samson. “Dakota you must leave this place.
They all agreed that Dakota should live with
Go outside and don’t come back,” said Samson. them.
He stroked Dakota’s soft fir and she licked him The family returned home and buried Samson
on the cheek. “You’re a good friend,” said Sam- in a secret place. Dakota lived the rest of her
son. “Now leave this place. God will take care of life in a very good home. God had answered
you.” Dakota ran outside as the nobles
her prayer.
watched. “Look even the dogs don’t want to be
Sun
7
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
6
Sat
July 2013
Mon
5
26
ADMIN COUNCIL MTG
10 AM
27
Summer Nutrition Program
June 10 thru August 2 / 11:30am-1:30pm
School Children up to 18 yrs! Monday-Friday
•6:30 PM
EVANGELISM
COMMITTEE
MEETING
•6:30 PM
EVANGELISM
COMMITTEE
MEETING
INDEPENDENCE DAY
11
18
25
13
4
•7:00 PM
SANCTUARY CHOIR
REHEARSAL
10
•7:00 PM
SANCTUARY CHOIR
REHEARSAL
17
•6:00 PM
UM MEN’S
MEETING
•7:00 PM
MEN’S CHOIR
REHEARSAL
24
•7:00 PM
SANCTUARY CHOIR
REHEARSAL
31
12
3
9
• 10 AM & 6:30 PM
BIBLE STUDY
CLASS
• 7:00 PM
ANGELS OF
GRACE
16
• 10 AM & 6:30 PM
BIBLE STUDY
CLASS
• 7:00 PM
ANGELS OF
GRACE
23
• 10 AM & 6:30 PM
BIBLE STUDY
CLASS
• 7:00 PM
ANGELS OF
GRACE
30
•7:00 PM
SANCTUARY CHOIR
REHEARSAL
E
FRE
20
2
8
15
6:30 PM
FINANCE
MEETING
22
29
• 10 AM & 6:30 PM
BIBLE STUDY
CLASS
• 7:00 PM
ANGELS OF
GRACE
19
1
EAST SAINT PAUL
HOLY COMMUNION
14
•9:30 AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL
•11 AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
21
•9:30 AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL
•11 AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
28
•9:30 AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL
•11 AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
Page 8
HIDDEN PUZZLE
CAN YOU FIND THE 12 OBJECTS IN THIS PUZZLE?
THE FIRST CHURCH MEMBER TO TURN IN THEIR PUZZLE BEFORE THE 20TH OF JULY TO THE CHURCH SECRETARY WILL WIN
A GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM MARIE CALLENDER’S! DRAW A RED CIRCLE AROUND EACH ITEM FOUND. GOOD LUCK!
NAME ____________________________________________________
DATE

___________________________________________2013
Page 9
Misunderstandings about Jesus
Mark 3:20-35 Common English Bible
strong person and steals anything without first tying up the strong person. Only then can the house
be burglarized. 28 I assure you that human beings
will be forgiven for everything, for all sins and insults of every kind. 29 But whoever insults the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. That person is guilty
of a sin with consequences that last forever." 30
He said this because the legal experts were saying, "He's possessed by an evil spirit."
31
His mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent word to him, calling for him.
32 A crowd was seated around him, and those
He throws out demons with the authority of the
sent to him said, "Look, your mother, brothers, and
ruler of demons." 23 When Jesus called them
together he spoke to them in a parable: "How can sisters are outside looking for you."
Satan throw Satan out? 24 A kingdom involved in 33 He replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my
civil war will collapse. 25 And a house torn apart by brothers?" 34 Looking around at those seated
around him in a circle, he said, "Look, here are my
divisions will collapse. 26 If Satan rebels against
himself and is divided, then he can't endure. He's mother and my brothers. 35 Whoever does God's
will is my brother, sister, and mother."
done for. 27 No one gets into the house of a
20 Jesus entered a house. A crowd
gathered again so that it was impossible
for him and his followers even to eat.
21 When his family heard what was
happening, they came to take control of
him. They were saying, "He's out of his
mind!" 22 The legal experts came down
from Jerusalem. Over and over they
charged, "He's possessed by Beelzebub.
Parable of the soils
Mark 4:1-9 Common English Bible
1 Jesus began to teach beside the lake
again. Such a large crowd gathered that
he climbed into a boat there on the lake.
He sat in the boat while the whole crowd
was nearby on the shore.
because the soil wasn’t deep. 6 When the sun
came up, it scorched the plants; and they dried up
because they had no roots. 7 Other seed fell
among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and
choked the seeds, and they produced nothing. 8
2 He said many things to them in parables. While Other seed fell into good soil and bore fruit. Upon
growing and increasing, the seed produced in one
teaching them, he said, 3 “ Listen to this! A farmer case a yield of thirty to one, in another case a yield
went out to scatter seed. 4 As he was scattering
of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of one
seed, some fell on the path; and the birds came
hundred to one. ” 9 He said, “ Whoever has ears to
and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where listen should pay attention! ”
the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately
Page 10
“Fighting Hunger...FEEDING Addressing a major cause of
childhood hunger
HOPE!” within the Harvard
Place Community, especially
Y
HAPP
during the summer months
S
E
FAC
is paramount for East Saint
Paul.
On average, thousands of children in
San Antonio receive free or reduced
meals through their school’s free or
reduced meal program, however during the summer months thousands
of children are left undernourished
and hungry. Consequently, this is a
time when a number of our neighborhood children will go for long stretches of time before they will have a daily nutritional meal.
The doors of East Saint Paul Church
[soon-to-be 88 yrs old] will open to
small children and teens at exactly
11:30 am and close at 1:30pm
(Mon thru Friday).
Meek, mild and quietly they come.
Waiting patiently for their daily lunch
and the camaraderie of others who
will soon fill Napier Fellowship Hall
[average attendance number is 25].
They enjoy the climate controlled environment as they enjoy watching the
children’s program on the newly installed flat screened TV.
Some of the children are ‘new’ to
the neighborhood, while others are
well-acquainted with East Saint Paul
and its summer food program.
Members of the church who are participating in this summer program
have either been trained at the San
Antonio Food Bank Center (5200 Old
Hwy 90 West) or on-site. They are
trained in proper food handling techniques and safety, to ensure a clean
and sanitary environment.
Affectionately called the ‘Brown Bag’
Summer Nutritional Program, it is the
vision of Sister Angela F. Brown who
reasoned why the church should undertake such a concept. A native of
1. Promote healthy eating habits
Mississippi, she impressed upon the
and development, by providing
Evangelism Committee how a simple
children with the nourishment
‘brown bag’ lunch prepared and disrequired for adequate mental
tributed under a tree in a nearby
and physical health;
park, would help to stave off hunger
2. Make in-roads within the commu- during the summer months.
nity that will ‘connect’ with its
She helped the committee to underculturally diverse neighbors to
stand that such a program would be
promote a spiritual bond and tie both beneficial to the church and the
to those who have no church
children of the neighborhood. She
home;
reached out to the San Antonio Food
Bank to ascertain the guidelines that
This Evangelistic/Outreach approach
would be necessary to implement a
falls within the mission of The United
much needed program in the
Methodist Church ...‘disciple making
& transformation’ within the church’s church’s immediate area.
By aligning with the San Antonio
Food Bank’s ‘Summer Food’ program, East Saint Paul’s mission is
two-fold:
missional field.
Her findings were favorable and encouraging with the San Antonio Food
Who is being served?
Bank. The church met all the criteria
and became an official feeding site
The Summer Feeding program targets school-aged children under the (cold food only) that is now in its secage of 18. The meals are distributed ond year of operation for the summer
months. Through her efforts, East
to housing developments, summer
camps, daycares, and on-site feeding Saint Paul is learning to “Fight Hunger and Feed Hope!”
programs i.e. East Saint Paul that
are dedicated to providing for San
If you would like to be a part of this
Antonio’s less fortunate children.
Wonderful Summer Months Ministry
Call: 225-8880 for ANGELA BROWN
Page 11
THE FISHERMAN
East Saint Paul ‘Salutes’
It’s 2013 High School
Graduates
Daughter of:
Ms. TaShonne Davis
Son of:
Mr. Obie Hines
Page 12
2013
ANNUAL
SOUTH CENTRAL
JURISDICTIONAL
MEETING
HOSTED BY
SOUTHWEST TEXAS CONFERENCE
— Hebrews 12:1 NIV
La Quinta Inn & Suites
San Antonio Convention Center
303 Blum Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 1-210-222-9181
Fax: 1-210-228-9816
|
REV. JIM DORFF, BISHOP | REV. CARL W. ROHLFS, SUPERINTENDENT | REV. BARBARA DOUGLAS, SCJ COORDINATOR | SIS. PAMELA MCCULLOUGH, CAUCUS CHAIR
GOSPEL MUSIC REVIEW
Hezekiah Walker
Azusa: The Next Generation
For over 20 years, Bishop Hezekiah Walker has been a force in the Gospel music industry.
Since recording his debut album for Sweet Rain Records (titled I'll Make It), he has set a standard for
choirs all over the world. Walker now returns with his 14th album, Azusa: The Next Generation, on RCA
Inspiration.
The leading single from the album, "Every Praise" has already given fans a taste of what they will
experience from what it said to be one of the most anticipated albums of 2013. When asked about the
album Bishop Walker states that it will honor the "legacy" of gospel music and that it will "provide the
next generation with a firm foundation of what Gospel music is".
The project is historic as it educates and pays homage to
The
project is
historic
as it educates
and "Azusa"
pays homage
a special
time
in Christianity;
the term
refers to
to aa
special
time
in Christianity;
term
"Azusa"
refers
to a
mighty
move
of GOD thatthe
took
place
across
the United
mighty
move
of phases
GOD that
place
across
the
States
in two
of took
life. The
first
began
in United
1906 with
States
in two
phases
of life. The
first began
in 1906
a
a revival
held
in Southern
California
and then
againwith
in the
revival
in Southern
California and
thenthis
again
the
earlyheld
1980s
in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
During
timeinof
revival
early
1980s
in Tulsa,praying,
Oklahoma.
this worship
time of revival
heavy
preaching,
and During
praise and
took
heavy
preaching,
praying,
and praise
and worship
took
place.
Singers and
musicians
from across
the country
place.
Singers
and musicians
from
across
the country
would
get together
during this
time
and record
songs of
would
get together
during
this
time
record songs
of adadoration
and praise
that
went
onand
to become
anthems.
oration and praise that went on to become anthems.
With Azusa: The Next Generation, Bishop Walker's prayer
With Azusa: The Next Generation, Bishop Walker's prayer
was to bring back a collective spirit of worship. He states,
was to bring back a collective spirit of worship. He states,
"This was the first time in the history of my career that I've
"This was the first time in the history of my career that I've
done collaborations with so many artists, and its monudone collaborations with so many artists, and its monumenmental for me. Its about us coming together in this season
tal for me. Its about us coming together in this season and
and standing as one".
standing as one".
Indeed, the guest appearances on this album are impressive, and include Deitrick Haddon, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor John P. Kee, Brian Courtney Wilson, and Love Fellowship Choir alumnus,
Timiney Figueroa. And yes, the legendary Love Fellowship Choir is featured on the project but is extended to include the over 500-voice Azusa Mass Choir lifting their voice in praise. GRAMMY-winning producer Donald Lawrence is brought on board to produce the unified and signature sound.
The smash radio hit "Every Praise" written by Bishop Walker and David Bratton starts the album.
The extended version of the song flows directly into the choirs' interpretation of Will Reagan's, "Break Every Chain", as made popular by Tasha Cobbs. Deitrrck Haddon takes the vocal lead, adding a unique twist
to the guitar-heavy arrangement.
Sherri Jones Moffett and Daniel Moore pen, "I Need Your Spirit" an up-tempo, war cry song that
Bishop Walker dedicates to his mentor, the late Bishop Kenneth Moales.
Get ready to experience "Breakthrough" with Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and the contemporary soulful
touch of "Grace" with United Tenor member Brian Courtney Wilson. Pastor John P. Kee delivers a life
changing empowering word like only he can with "Work in Your Favor". Bishop Walker's own personal
touch is heard through out the project as he co- wrote majority of the material.
Each listener will experience his heart behind rekindling this Azusa movement. From the melodic lyrics to
the rich arrangements, Azusa: The Next Generation sets the tone for the next generation of Gospel Music
to carry on the mantle of authentic praise and worship.
This album sends a message of unity that Bishop Walker believes will carry across the nation and bring
back the heart of GOD into our music and the future of Gospel Music
Page 14
Volume 9 Issue 7
THE FISHERMAN
Sunday School
Lifelong
Life-giving
Our Sick and Shut-In
About real Life
Connected to the
Source of Life
Sis. Bertha Drake
Sis. Mary H. Fields
Sis. Georgia Flowers
Bro. Edwin Flowers
Sis. Odessa North
Sis. Carol J. Word
Sis. Virginia Burton-Ford
What will your
child inherit?
For ESP Friends
Sis. Lydia Merrill North
Bro. Jamal Stenson
Sis. Cheryl Stenson
Bro. James Hartfield
Bro. Kermit Kines
Bro. James Bias, Jr.
Sis. Lillie Justice
Rev. James Williams
Bro. Bobby L. Edwards
Bro. Warren Eusan
Bro. Wayne McCulloch
Bro. Brendon Parks
Sis. Minnie Hill
Sis. Lillie Mae Singleton
Bro. Brian Mitchell
Bro. Johnny Ramsey
Sis. Jessie Freeman
Sis. Geraldine Anthony
Sis. Jerdine Butler
Bro. Christopher McDonald
Dear Lord, turn all weaknesses
into strength, suffering into
compassion, sorrow into joy,
and pain into comfort for the
infirmed.
May your servants trust in your
goodness, hope and love in the
middle of their suffering. May
they be filled with patience and
joy in your presence as they
wait for your healing touch.
Amen.
“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved, for you are
the one I praise.”
—Jeremiah 17 :14
CORNER
AMEN to the Finance Com- Dinner at Comanche Park.
mittee on a wonderful 2013
AMEN to the BMCR Caucus
‘Men’s and Women’s Day
Program!’
for another fabulous and
highly spiritual Fellowship
AMEN to Katheryne Miller for Dinner at the 44th Annual
Honor Roll Grades at Judson SWTX Conference;
High School; Way to go!
AMEN to Rev. and Mrs. PurAMEN to the United Method- nell and their new great grandchild; and for returning to
ist Men for service ‘Above &
ESPUMC as Pastor and 1st
Beyond’ at the annual Byron
Lady!
Miller Juneteenth Bar-B-Q
Winner of June’s
Hidden Puzzle Contest
You too, can win a Gift Certificate to Marie
Callender’s.
Be the first to submit your puzzle to the
church secretary,
Good luck!
Bible verse: Proverbs 22:1
“A
good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches, and loving favour
rather than silver and gold.” KJV
Page 15
THE FISHERMAN
East Saint Paul
United Methodist Church
211 Lockhart Street
San Antonio, Texas 78202
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
To:
Mission Statement
“W
e, the members of East Saint Paul United Methodist
Church, are a community of Christian believers,
who under the Lordship of Jesus Christ commit ourselves
to support one another, and other believers throughout
the world, by telling others of God’s unconditional
Love and Forgiveness.
We extend this love to ALL, by making disciples
of Jesus Christ of ALL people.
“
ESPUMC 3/2013