First United Methodist Church
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
710 N. Austin St. ♦ Seguin, Texas 78155
(830) 379-4112 ♦ www.fumcseguin.com
email: office@fumcseguin.com
the
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 20
2010 State of the
Church Address –
Oral Report
October 12, 2010
Rev. Steve Purdy
Supposedly, it was October 12, 1492
that a sailor aboard the Pinta first spotted
land in the new world. Christopher Co-
lumbus was probably not really the first
one to discover the new world, but I want
to commend his courage and imagination.
All too often our imaginations get stifled
much too early in life.
The Apostle Paul urges us to imagine:
We look not at what can be seen but at
what cannot be seen; for what can be seen
is temporary, but what cannot be seen is
eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
As Christians, our challenge is to
live in a visible world and yet see what
is not visible! In the next chapter, Paul
writes, We walk by faith, not by sight. (2
Corinthians 5:7) Paul is looking towards
a heavenly home with the Lord and as
he summarizes, he gives this important
principle in verse 9: So whether we are
at home or away, we make it our aim to
please him.
Pastoring First United Methodist
Church, Seguin is both a joy and a chal-
lenge. The congregation is comprised of
the best people in the world! I believe
there is a spiritual depth and richness
that enables this to be fertile ground for
kingdom life! In addition to the laity and
the lay and pastoral staff members, we
have quite a flock of retired UM clergy
(Robert Bohmfalk, Kathy Edwards, Hans
Raj, Charles Laing, Jesse Mothersbaugh,
Teresa Pena, and Darlene Weidner) – not
to mention my two colleagues in the other
two of our Tri-Methodist Congregations
(Juan Cantu and Charles Purnell). God
has given more than a life-line; I have
a flotilla!
My challenge is to wisely lead. It is
not always easy to discern when and how
much to hold back on the reins and when
to let the church gallop at full speed.
The economy has been mighty tough
lately and yet I am encouraged by the
recent performance of the stock market;
though we know how fragile that is. We
have a good group of practical realists
who want us to pace ourselves financially
and make sure that we take care of the fa-
cilities that we already possess within our
stewardship responsibility, and we have a
good group of loving disciples concerned
with fulfilling the Great Commission of
reaching out to the spiritually lost.
In each camp are good, faithful disci-
ples who long to do God’s will – to serve
and honor Christ! We need to appreciate
our differences and acknowledge our
need for both: careful management with
a keen attention to details, and compas-
sionate and courageous outreach. Let’s
strive to see God in one another – respond
as God leads us – caring lovingly for all
has been entrusted to us and stretching to
venture into new territory to boldly carry
hope and life to those beyond our walls!
Let me tell you a little story:
Leonard Storm was a giant Norwegian
farmer who lived next to Eugene Peterson
when he was a small boy. Storm had a
large John Deere tractor Peterson wanted
to ride. Peterson watched Storm from the
fence line (at a safe distance) but when
Storm saw him and then motioned to
him, Peterson thought he was angry and
chasing him away.
At church the next Sunday, Storm
Continued on Page 4
NON-PROFIT ORG
SEGUIN, TX
PERMIT NO. 55
OCTOBER 29, 2010
Trunk-or-Treat
News
On Sunday, October 31st, your little
ones are invited to our Austin St. parking
lot for what has become a yearly event in
Seguin: Trunk-or-Treat. If you’re new to
our church or maybe this is the first year
your little one has been old enough to
Class
Christmas
Trick-or-Treat, bring them to the church
parking lot from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for a safe
Parties
evening of fun. Members of the church
bring their cars with trunks loaded with
candy and as your little one walk by each We have one Sunday School Class
car, they can “Trunk-or-Treat”. Join us Christmas party already booked. The
for what has become an annual event. Sharers Class will hold theirs on Decem-
ber 8th in Hierholzer Hall. If you are in
an adult class and have scheduled your
party, please contact Ed. Dir. Candace
Wilson. We want to be sure and get them
all on our calendars.
Children’s
Toothbrushes Calendar 3
During the 2010 Trunk-Or-Treat, there
Inside
will be a booth on oral health. This will Candace’s Corner 6
be a community health education proj- Events 3
ect. We are asking for donations of new,
Finances 5
individually wrapped children’s tooth-
brushes. These donations can be placed Memorials 4
in the Halloween Candy collection bags. Singles 6
Danna Dyess, Wesley Nurse
Page 2 First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas OCTOBER 29, 2010

New Members

Mark and Diana Gary and Martha

Phillips along with Shank joined on
children Nicole, August 29.
Courtney, Erica,
McKenna and Melissa
joined July 11.

Elena Calvo joined on

August 16.

Drew Dozier joined on

July 11
Church Staff
Rev. Steve Purdy Rev. Ron Welborn
Senior Pastor, Ext. 204 Associate Pastor, Ext. 203
pastorsteve@fumcseguin.com pastorron@fumcseguin.com

Rev. Patricia Jentsch Rev. Diana Phillips

Associate Pastor, Ext. 302 Lead Pastor Clear Springs, Ext. 206
dpjentsch@yahoo.com pastordiana@fumcseguin.com

Christie Hewitt Candace Wilson

Weekday School Director, Ext. 210 Education Director, Ext. 207
chewitt@fumcseguin.com cwilson@fumcseguin.com

Donna King joined on Danna Dyess Brandon Shook

July 25. Wesley Nurse Youth Director
bshook@fumcseguin.com
Worship Stats
ddyess@mhm.org

Robin Hogue Keith Robinson

Statistics for October 10, 2010
Collection
Needed Weekly $19,255.00
Needed to date $728,693.00
Needed in 2010 $924,221.00
Received to date $626,879.00
Worship Attendance
8:00 AM 110
10:30 AM 123
Seasons 115
Total 348
Sunday School Attendance 231
Music Director, Ext. 208
Statistics for October 17, 2010 Organist
birdie@swbell.net nkrobin@satx.rr.com
Collection
Needed Weekly $19,255.00
Needed to date $746,466.00 Dee Willen
Bonnie Dixon Season’s Music Director
Needed in 2010 $924,221.00 Financial Administrator, Ext. 202
Received to date $633,431.00 finance@fumcseguin.com
Mike McGrew
Worship Attendance Handbell Director
April Kortz mmcgrew@fumcseguin.com
8:00 AM 132
Nursery Director
10:30 AM 137
Seasons 74 Melissa DePalermo
Total 101 Charlie Rodgers Administrative Assistant, Ext. 201
Technology Director mdepalermo@fumcseguin.com
Sunday School Attendance 236
OCTOBER 29, 2010
Church Calendar
Sunday - October 31
8:00a Worship, Sanc
9:15a Sunday School
10:30a Worship, Sanc
10:30a Seasons Worship, GR
4:30p Beloved Disciple, Rm 10
5:00p Trunk or Treat, Parking Lot
5:00p Youth Group, GR
Monday - November 1
5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR
5:30p Into the Word, Into the World, 5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR
Library
6:30p The Way of Prayer, Rm 10
7:00p Substance Abuse Support 6:00p Emmaus Board Mtg, Parlor
Group, Shed
Tuesday - November 2
9:00a Butterfly Quilters, Rm 207
5:30p Yoga, GR
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
Wednesday - November 3
10:00a Gospel of John, HH
5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR
6:15p Handbell Rehearsal, MR
6:30p “The Invitation” Worship, Chapel
7:00p Substance Abuse Support
Group, Shed
7:30p Choir Rehearsal, MR
Thursday - November 4
10:00a Seniors Exercise Class, GR
2:00p Invitation to the New Testa- 6:15p Handbell Rehearsal, MR
ment, Rm 10
6:30p Rebuilding Class, Rm 10
7:00p Substance Abuse Support
Group, Shed
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
Friday - November 5
7:00p Substance Abuse Support 7:00p Substance Abuse Support
Group, Shed
Saturday -November 6
9:30a Unplug the Christmas Machine, Friday - November 12
HH
11:30a Youth Tent Revival, Bus
7:00p Substance Abuse Support
Group, Shed
First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas
Sunday - November 7
7:00a UMM Breakfast, GR
8:00a Worship, Sanc
9:15a Sunday School
10:30a Worship, Sanc
10:30a Seasons Worship, GR
4:30p Beloved Disciple, Rm 10
4:30p Christ Choir, MR
5:00p Youth Group, GR
Monday - November 8
5:30p Into the Word, Into the World,
Library
6:15p Emmaus Potluck, HH
6:30p The Way of Prayer, Rm 10
7:00p Emmaus Gathering, Sanc.
7:00p Substance Abuse Support
Group, Shed
Tuesday - November 9
9:00a Butterfly Quilters, Rm 207
5:30p Yoga, GR
6:00p Serve Team Mtg, Library
6:30p Esther Circle
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
Wednesday - November 10
10:00a Gospel of John, HH
5:30p Dance Aerobics, GR
6:00p Wkday School Brd, Library
7:00p Substance Abuse Support
Group, Shed
7:30p Choir Rehearsal, MR
Thursday - November 11
10:00a Seniors Exercise Class, GR
6:30p Rebuilding Class, Rm 10
Group, Shed
8:00p Members Basketball, GR
7:00p Substance Abuse Support what of their first fruits they are going to
Group, Shed
Saturday - November 13
9:00a Dance Aerobics, GR
7:00p Substance Abuse Support
Group, Shed
Page 3
Weekday School News
FUMC Preschool will be collecting
non perishable items for the Christian
Cupboard starting November 1st through
the 19th. The four year old classes will
deliver all donations to the Christian
Cupboard before the Thanksgiving holi-
days. If you have any items please drop
them off at any donation box outside each
classroom.
Window Decals
For Sale
First Fruits!
The Methodist Men of FUMC will be
selling window decals soon. The decals
Consecration Sunday will be similar to the decals that were sold
November 21, 2010 earlier by the Bell Choir. You will have
your choice of “Reach-Teach-Serve”or
What would it be like in our family “Share The Joy” wording. The flame and
if we offered our first fruits to God, then cross symbol will be part of the decal and
managed the rest according to His plan? the cost will be $12.00. Contact Henry
What if we approached stewardship Hill or the church office to order.
not based on what the church needs for
its ministries, but rather on our need to
worship God through our gifts, tithes and
offerings? Our need to give God the very
best that we have, not just the leftovers.
Our 2011 Stewardship Campaign
will get under way on October 31 with
a Prayer Vigil in the Chapel from 1:00
p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please come and go
as you feel led. We will be in prayer for
our church and its ministries. We will be
in prayer for our members as they decide
offer to God. We will be in prayer for our
pastors, our staff and our finance team as
they work on the 2011 budget.
The image for this year will be the Next Order deadline
“Garden” as we think about the beauty, November 10
abundance and provision of God’s work Next Pickup Date
in our lives. We will think about what it
might be like to offer our first fruits to
October 30
God in a worshipful manner. We will cel- 8:00-10:00 AM
ebrate our ministries as we will kick off
the Stewardship Campaign on November
7 and then build towards consecration
Sunday on November 21. That is going to the Scroll
be a Sunday to remember as we worship is a bi-weekly publication of
God with the offering of our First Fruits First United Methodist Church
Cards! It will be a family event that you 710 N. Austin St.
will not want to miss.
Seguin, TX 78155
The Stewardship Team
Page 4
Continued from Page 1
asked Peterson why he hadn’t come over
to ride and he told him he thought he was
mad at him. Storm asked Peterson or
“Little Pete” how he would indicate he
wanted someone to come over and “Little
Pete” showed him a small motion of curl-
ing a finger toward himself. Storm called
that ‘piddling’ and said on the farm they
did things big. (Under the Unpredictable
Plant, 158-160)
I think that sometimes I treat God the
same way as I try to lead this church.
Sometimes I believe that God longs for
huge arm-waving and I stand in the pulpit
using small gestures. At other times I wait
for God to make things super clear with
big arm-waving and God uses that “still
small voice.”
Well, I’d like to say that everything
will get clearer as I get older, but I am get-
ting pretty old already. Perhaps I should
follow the counsel of the SPRC and get
away more often for routine vacations,
spiritual retreats, and the “required sab-
batical” clearly mentioned in the Book
of Discipline.
During this past year, we have hired
four new staff members:
• Day School Director (Christie
Hewitt)
• Wesley Nurse (Danna Dyess)
• Nursery Director (April Kortz), and
• Youth Director (Brandon Shook).
We have a very strong staff! Also,
sadly for us but joyfully for him, Milo
Castellanos, long time staff member, died
and is walking in and caring for Christ’s
Garden.
For the purposes of this report, let me
mention three important matters in the
life of First United Methodist Church,
Seguin:
1. Our facilities are receiving plenty
of attention: Though everyone can point
to items in our 60 year-old facility need-
ing repair or maintenance, we have taken
action on three major items within the
past year:
• Window/Door Replacement Project
– After refurbishment of the large wooden
doors, all external doors/windows in the
Education Building were replaced for
$265,345. We have approximately an
$81,000 debt:
• The windows (200 for 73 openings)
are Jeld-Wen Premium Siteline EX high
efficiency (double pane) windows with
wood sash and frames, aluminum clad ex-
terior, natural wood interior, and painted.
• The doors (12) are Jeld-Wen Epic
Series Commercial Grade custom alumi-
num clad wood doors and frames.
• In addition, we added two handicap
accessible entry electric doors (Hierhol-
zer Hall/Education Building).
• Shutters – Though we hope to
First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas
place shutters in all the new windows
upstairs and downstairs, due to the cost,
we began by placing them only in Hier-
holzer Hall and the Parlor for $7234. The
remaining shutters for the entire Educa-
tion Building will run approximately
$19,000.
• Engineering/Architectural Study –
Thanks to a grant from the First United
Methodist Church Foundation, we enlist-
ed O’Connell Robertson, an engineering
firm, to assess the overall condition of the
entire facility including roofs, walls, gut-
ters, stained glass, and HVAC. Included
in the study are asbestos and lead paint
surveys. This study will help the Trustees
prioritize the necessary projects! We all
long for our facility to be in state of the
art shape!
2. Our Clear Springs ministry
focus has taken further shape this year.
Bishop James Dorff looked favorably
upon us and appointed the Reverend
Diana Kelley Phillips as our Associate
Pastor and the Lead Pastor of what will be
Clear Springs United Methodist Church.
Several members of our leadership team
attended the New Church Leadership
Institute in Mount Sequoia, Arkansas this
past February and then, the Basic Train-
ing Boot Camp for Mother-Daughter
Extension Campus Ministries in August.
There was much teamwork building on
behalf of Clear Springs as we planned and
held the first public event, The Blessing of
the Backpacks. The Clear Springs Team
has also designed the new church logo,
worked on a neighborhood study, mis-
sion outreach possibilities, and dialogue
sessions within our church.
A pastor misspoke when quoting 1
Corinthians 13: 13 KJV: “And now abi-
deth faith, hope, charity, these three; but
the greatest of these is clarity!” I want to
be clear on several items regarding our
role with this project:
• Pastor Diana’s salary and benefit
package is paid nearly entirely through a
grant from the Southwest Texas Confer-
ence New Church Development Office.
• We are not expected to underwrite
either the budget or the building of the
Clear Springs United Methodist Church.
We are parenting this church, providing
encouragement through the gifts and tal-
ents of our clergy team and program staff,
planning, office space, and any members
from our church who feel God’s leading
to participate in its forming or transfer-
ring of their membership to Clear Springs
will go with the blessing of our church.
• We will not directly ask our mem-
bers to contribute to the financial support
of the Clear Springs Church; however
there will be some costs we will bear. In
2010, we placed $2,500 in our budget and
in 2011, I recommend $5,000. Several of
our members are supporting the church
OCTOBER 29, 2010
beyond their support of First Church, but
that has been spontaneous on their part.
We do expect all our members to support
the Clear Springs church with prayer and
time! It is a phenomenal privilege to give
birth to a new church!
3. The most important aspect of Confirmation
2011
our future ministry is our mindset! What
is our focus? This is a super active church.
This church is involved in a variety of Confirmation 2011 will be held dur-
worship and discipleship building op- ing the Sunday School hour (9:15-10:15
portunities – we have many study groups a.m.) starting Sunday, January 9th. It will
at various times during the week. We do be held in room 309, the Youth Room not
have programming for all ages. We reach being used by the Youth Sunday School
out to our community and make a differ- class. The Confirmation Retreat has also
ence in the lives of many people. been set. It will be Friday night and Sat-
Do we have room for growth? Of urday, January 14-15, 2011 at Cathedral
course, but I would suggest that we are Oaks in Weimer.
being called to prayerfully and thought- Letters have gone out to those we have
fully examine our breadth of ministries on our 6th grade database. If you do not
and discern whether each involvement is receive a letter and have an older youth
furthering our primary ministry – helping who would like to take part, please con-
those apart from Christ come to know him tact Ed. Dir. Candace Wilson at 379-4112
and grow into mature disciples who will x207. Confirmation Sunday will be May
share Christ with others. 8th, Mother’s Day.
What is it that you see God doing in
our lives and through our lives in our
community? Imagine what God might
want us to do. I believe God longs for
us to:
• Worship and honor Christ together
in all we do;
• Follow and trust Christ every step
of the way as we care for what we already
have, that is, what is seen… and
• Encourage a new gathering of be-
lievers to reach forward in faith to build
a strong ministry and a facility that will
serve Christ into the decades, that is, what
is not seen!
In other words, God is calling us to Charity
Assistance
walk by faith, not by sight… or perhaps,
navigate by faith as we sail into a whole
new world… or perhaps, make our world,
Program
whole and new!
Perhaps we don’t feel big enough to
The charity assistance program at
do all we have set our sights upon. Let
FUMC is a widely used community out-
me tell you the rest of the story about
reach. The church staff works diligently
Leonard Storm and Little Pete:
to oversee the use of these funds and as-
A few days after the church reprimand,
sist as many families as possible.
“Little Pete” was at the fence line again.
Year to date assistance has resulted in
Storm again saw him and again motioned
the disbursement of $2184 in HEB gift
to him; this time “Little Pete” ran to him.
cards for food and gas assistance. We
“He let me stand in front of him, holding
have also given Angel Food and personal
the steering wheel, pulling the plow down
hygiene items when available.
that long stretch of field, my smallness
The need in this community for help
now absorbed into his largeness.” (197)
is never ending. If you would like to
We may indeed be small, but God
contribute to this program please mark
is plenty large! Let’s not give up – we
your donation “charity assistance” and
can’t see how it will come together, but
drop it in the collection plate on Sunday.
let’s make it our aim to please him. (2
Another way to help would be to donate
Corinthians 5:9)
toothpaste, shampoo or soap. A simple
frozen pizza is also a blessing.
“For I was hungry and you fed me.”
(Matthew 25:35)
OCTOBER 29, 2010 First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas Page 5

Report to Church Conference

FUMC Seguin
October 12, 2010
alongside the very dedicated and gifted
Rev. Diana Kelley Phillips
office, program staff and laity who are
Associate Pastor
working hard for the betterment of the
Lead Pastor Clear Springs UMC
Kingdom of God!
A Newly Forming Daughter
Currently, my main task and chal-
Community of Faith
lenge is in balancing the responsibilities
Memorial For: From: It’s still hard to believe…it all began
as Associate Pastor, as Lead Planting
Vivian Grein Atz & Maxine Trost Pastor, as well as my required two-year
seven and a half years ago when I walked
Memorial For: commitment to the Residency in Ministry
From: into my pastor’s office, after much
(RIM) program. As Associate Pastor my
Wilburn & Judy Brown Bill Steele discernment, and shared that I finally
primary duties include, but are not limited
Memorial For: From: understood that God was calling me to
to, preaching/assisting which includes
Melvin Kessler Karen Roberson ordained ministry in The United Method-
both the Traditional and Contemporary
Memorial For: ist Church! With a mixture of excitement
From: Season service, teaching (currently I am
Charlissa Tucker and fear I recall saying, “Now what?”
Wilburn & Judy Brown teaching a five-week United Methodist
Does God realize how crazy busy my
Memorial For: From: class and I anticipate teaching a small-
life is! Does God know I have five young
Virgil Turner Atz & Maxine Trost group Advent Study), pastoral care
children at home? My Pastor reminded
From: Memorial For: me to trust God, for when God provides
which includes hospital visits and other
John & Susan Brannan, Wilburn & Betty Welborn functions as relevant, I am one of the two
a Vision, God provides Provision! And
Judy Brown, Karen Roberson, Atz & From: pastors who serves on the Reach Team,
besides he said, “What else are you plan-
Maxine Trost Wayne & Nell Martin which includes (Evangelism/Outreach,
ning on doing for the next six or seven
Worship, Nurture/Assimilation of guests/
Memorial For: Memorial For: years?”
new members). Currently the Reach
Margaret Vinyard Mary Zengerle This time last year I was sharing my
Team is assessing and implementing new
From: From: report as an Associate Pastor at Colo-
ways in which to welcome and assimilate
John & Susan Brannan, Esther Huff, Karen Roberson nial Hills United Methodist Church in
guests/new members into the faith and the
Atz & Maxine Trost San Antonio. This has been a year of
Memorial For: life of this faith community.
transitions and milestones!! After being
Memorial For: Harold Brodt There Is Something Happening…Can
nominated for New Church Leadership
Theresa Bohl From: You Feel It? Yes, there is something hap-
Institute I completed my training at Mt.
From: John & Dorothy Anderson Sequoia, Arkansas this past February. It
pening here at FUMC Seguin! We are in
Stan & Susan Casto, Susie Brawner, the process of giving birth to a daughter
was there I first met Pastor Steve and Bill
James & Stephanie Evans, Teresa congregation in the Clear Springs area of
Knobles. In March, I received that much
Dellana, Tom & Carlene Smith New Braunfels. This past June, I was wel-
talked about and much anticipated phone
Memorial For: comed by a very energetic launch team. In
call from a member of the cabinet, notify-
Milo Castellanos August, Pastor Steve, my husband Mark
ing me of my first full-time appointment
and I along with several members of the
From: In Honor of: to First United Methodist Church Seguin
launch team participated and completed
Atz & Maxine Trost as an Associate Pastor as well as the Lead
the New Church Leadership Institute’s
Memorial For: Planting Pastor to what will become
(NCLI) Boot Camp, which provided
Eva Casto Clear Springs United Methodist Church,
the “nuts and bolts” of church planting.
From: In Honor Of: a newly forming daughter congregation
Since the completion of Boot Camp, the
Arline Mycue of FUMC Seguin.
Karen Roberson launch team held Clear Springs UMCs’
From: This past May I graduated with a Mas-
Memorial For: ters of Divinity Degree (MDiv), after a
first ministry event, a “Blessing of the
Helen Core Jim & Judy Johnson Backpacks,” which was held in the Avery
six- year seminary journey from Perkins
From: In Honor Of: School of Theology Southern Methodist
Park subdivision, in the heart of the mis-
Arline Mycue, Codi & Nell Downs, Charles Richey sion field. This event was well supported
University in Dallas, Texas. This past
Elaine Grimm, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Sto- From: by the parent church and our ministry
Annual Conference, I was commissioned
llewerk, Ethel & Glenn Pape, Wayne Milden & Mary Fox, Jr. clearly impacted several families in the
as a Provisional Elder in the Southwest
& Nell Martin, Donna Dice, Esther Clear Springs area.
Texas Annual Conference (SWTX).
Huff, John & Fern Broussard, Curtis & Currently, the following teams have
Following Annual Conference, I expe-
Dorothy Timmermann, American Bank been established from the launch team:
rienced the grief of endings, something
of Texas, Alvin & Doris Hewell, Bea InReach (education/communication
seminary does not fully prepare one for,
Turner, The Esther Circle, Mary Lange focused at FUMC Seguin); OutReach
at the same time, the joy of a new begin-
(networking and programming in the
Memorial For: ning! I was blessed to have received a
Clear Springs area); Mission/Vision;
William “Sony” Gerdes warm and inviting welcome from this
Communications/Website; Music/Wor-
From: community of faith! I have found it to
ship (currently a focus on securing a wor-
Elaine Grimm be a great privilege to work under the
ship leader and musicians); Property and
leadership of Rev. Steve Purdy as well
Memorial For: Facilities Management (assessing access
as in partnership with Rev. Ron Welborn
Polly Nash to the property and maintaining property);
and Rev. Patricia Jentsch. In addition, it
is a true privilege and blessing to work Continued on page 6
Page 6
Candace’s Corner
This and That
New Catalog
I am about to complete a new issue
of our church’s Christian DVD & Video
Catalog. I have been working on this for
some time and plan to have a copy of it
in each adult classroom by the time you
receive this issue of the Scroll. I do seem
to be missing a few videos that were
checked out some time ago however; my
problem being that the check-out cards
were borrowed along with the videos.
If you see an unfamiliar video or DVD
on your bookshelf or in your classroom,
bring it by and let me see if it is one of
the churches.
Has Christmas Stress Arrived?
Saturday, November 6th I will offer a
workshop to help those interested in cre-
ating a stress-free, joyful holiday season
– without breaking the bank! “Unplug the
Christmas Machine” will take those at-
tending through a self-discovery process
to help them succeed in having their most
stress-free Christmas season yet. There is
no charge for this class; however, I will
need a minimum of 8 participants for the
class to make. Childcare will be avail-
able if needed. Registration forms can be
found in your Sunday bulletin or you can
register by calling me at 379-4112 x207.
Schulenburg Painted Churches
Tour
Saturday, December 11th, I will take
those interested in visiting the beautiful
Painted Churches of Schulenburg on a
trip they won’t soon forget. We recently
took a trip to view the five Missions of
San Antonio (see pictures below) and
had a wonderful time. If you would like
to join us for the Painted Churches tour,
the cost will be $5/person plus extra
money for your lunch at a restaurant in
First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas
Schulenburg. Registration Forms will
soon be available.
Sunday Morning Enrollment
Forms
I appreciate parents returning the
enrollment forms requested on children
Nursery age through 5th grade. A copy
of each completed form has been given
to the teacher of the class that child is in
and another is kept in my office. In case
of an emergency or illness, we want to
know where parents can be located. If
you have not completed a form on your
child, please ask their Sunday School
teacher for one. It only takes a few min-
utes to complete and it can save a little
one a lot of stress if they suddenly need
Mom or Dad.
Do you have an MP3 player? Why
am I asking this question? Watch for
my article in the next Scroll and you
will have your answer!
Upcoming Activities
October 31st – Trunk-or-Treat for
children (5:00-7:00 pm)
November 6th – “Unplug the Christmas
Machine” Workshop
November 14th – First Place begins
(5:30-6:45 pm)
November 21st – Consecration Sunday
November 23rd – Community
Thanksgiving Service at Emmanuel
Lutheran
December 8th – Sharer’s Class
Christmas Party (6:00 pm)
December 11th – Tour of the Painted
Catholic Churches of Schulenburg
December 22nd – Children’s Christmas
Craft Party (10 am – 2 pm)
Registration Forms on many of these
are available.
OCTOBER 29, 2010
Continued from page 5 Training seminars (Directed by Rev. Gina
Social/Fellowship building; and other
Campbell) along with other New Church
Planting pastors. Through the same office
roles such as Financial Director (Bill
I have been offered a New Church Plant-
Knobles) and Historian (record keeping
ing Coach who I consult with on a weekly
of the process of church planting).
basis. This will continue to prove to be a
In addition, the Clear Springs UMC
valuable resource! In addition, I continue
logo has been finalized, a worship space
the second of a two-year commitment to
has been secured (beginning in Novem-
the SWTX Conference Bishop’s Com-
ber, Clear Springs UMC will have avail-
mission on Area Cooperative Ministries
able for worship/ programming the caf-
(BCOACM). In February I will have the
eteria at Clear Spring Elementary School
opportunity to attend a spiritual formation
the first Sunday of every month. Our
weekend retreat directed by Rev. Barbara
intention is to expand usage of this space
Brown Taylor and in March I will attend
to each Sunday as we progress forward
the Bishop’s Convocation. Finally, in
and as our worship services expand), a
May, I will participate in a week long
web address secured (clearspringsumc.
RIM mission trip.
com), as well as other essentials for com-
What an amazing privilege it is to
munication and mailings.
serve as one of your pastors and to assist
Over the last several months I have
in God’s vision and the vision of First
been actively engaged in getting to know
United Methodist Church Seguin in giv-
the folks in the mission field through out-
reach and networking. I have joined he
ing birth to the daughter congregation
of this amazing community of faith, in
Seguin Rotary Club, the New Braunfels
the Clear Springs area! I fully realize
Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s
there is a great deal at stake. Challenges
Service League. Most recently, I began
include but go beyond financial con-
serving as a Community In Schools men-
siderations. Currently, the only public
tor at Clear Spring Elementary, where I
location appropriate is the Clear Springs
mentor two young students on a weekly
Catfish Restaurant which has significant
basis. My husband Mark has also been
limitations. It would be so helpful if there
offered the Clear Spring Elementary PTA
(Parent Teacher Association) position of
were a coffee shop or something similar
to serve as a gathering place in making
Treasurer.
meeting folks in the mission field more
What’s Next? Both the InReach and
convenient. Challenges provide prayer
OutReach Teams are busy planning up-
and discernment opportunities.
coming events. The InReach Team will
This past weekend I had an oppor-
offer several opportunities in the com-
tunity to listen to a message offered by
ing weeks for the congregation to view
Bishop Dorff. His audience was a local
the New Church Development Church
congregation celebrating their fiftieth
Planting video as well as allow an op-
anniversary. The scripture text used was
portunity for any questions or concerns
from Eugene Peterson’s The Message,
to be addressed. The OutReach Team is
Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus the
putting their brainstorming to work and
second chapter. As I listened to his mes-
is planning ways to share God’s vision
sage I found that it spoke to our mission
of a new community of faith in the Clear
of planting a new community of faith.
Springs area. The other teams mentioned
Bishop Dorff reminded the congregation
are working diligently as well!
that “only God knows what our mission is
I continue to find ways in which to
all about, and that God is the one build-
expand my knowledge and skills in all as-
ing a home. However, God is using each
pects of my ministry through continuing
one of us—in what He is building. God
education opportunities, research, study
is using each one of us, brick by brick,
and relevant books. In addition, through
stone by stone (for us a metaphor for the
the New Church Development Office
folks in the Clear Springs area), with
I am participating in Family Systems
Christ as the cornerstone, holding all the
parts together.”
This journey will not be easy, how-
ever; I truly believe that we are all meant
to be in this together, planting a new
community of faith, a daughter congre-
gation is the mission of FUMC Seguin.
Indeed giving birth to ‘God’s vision is
an ongoing project.” But let us always
be reminded when God provides Vision,
God provides Provision!
Grace and Peace,
Diana K. Phillips
OCTOBER 29, 2010
Inviting special people to church
Terrance Hayes, District Superintendent
I was sitting in the barber’s chair. I saw
a young woman on the street that could
have been one of my daughters. She was
between the age of twelve and eighteen.
I asked the Barber who she was and he
said that she was a prostitute. I felt as
though someone had hit me with a stick!
The barber said, “Reverend you don’t
want to get involved. She might have a
pimp who will do anything to keep his
property. Reverend, you could get hurt.”
Well, after I got out of the barber’s
chair I approached her. I told her she
looked like one of my daughters. She
asked me if I wanted a date? No, I am
the local United Methodist Pastor! She
told me that if I were not dating I needed
to move on!
But she told me her name was Mary.
I invited her to church. For the next
several weeks I drove by her corner and
would say, “hello Mary”, and invite her
to church! Eventually, she started to smile
and say “hello, Reverend!”
She asked me one day if she would be
Distant drums are pounding:
much in the works for the
general church
Jay Brim
Southwest Texas Conference
Lay Leader
In preparation for a recent speech, I
read again the paragraph in the Discipline
(Paragraph 251) that sets out the duties
of the local lay leader. Prominent among
those duties, of course, are the require-
ments to “...foster awareness of the role of
laity ... in the home, workplace, commu-
nity and the world...”, and to “...serve as
an interpreter of the actions and programs
of the annual conference and the general
Church.” Almost from the first moment I
took the role of Southwest Texas Confer-
ence Lay Leader, it has been evident that
it is VERY difficult for local church lay
leaders to fulfill those expectations. It’s
something we, at the conference level,
have to offer lots of help to do. That help
is coming.
The Rev. David Seilheimer, secretary
of the conference (whose day job is
treasurer of the conference), hosted the
fall meeting of the Conference Agenda
Committee Sept. 28; the main task of
that group is to advise Bishop Jim Dorff
on how best to schedule the various
tasks that must be handled every June at
annual conference. The Rev. Seilheimer
First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas
accepted in church! I told her yes! The
church is God’s House. “They will love
you!!! You would gain brothers, sisters
and grandparents! Our people will love
you just because you came to church!”
And so, one Sunday she came to
church. It was a special Sunday with
special music. We had special guests. And
Mary came. As she entered the church I
noticed that she was getting a lot of atten-
tion. She was wearing a pale chiffon dress
probably, see through. When she saw me
in the pulpit I smiled and she smiled. But
then I notice that there was a disturbance
and movement amongst the ushers. I saw
an usher squeeze past several people. He
whispered in Mary’ ear. She got up and
she left. I never saw her again. I asked
the barber if he had seen her. He had no
idea what happened to her.
Mary haunts me to this day. I could
have brought her forward as a special
guest. Is she alive? Was she murdered?
Did she die alone? Mary was special too!
What are the theological implications for
this true story?
has spent 27 summers shepherding us
through the annual conference experi-
ence and has very little hair left from
those efforts. He continues to search each
year for just a few more good ideas of
how to make annual conference a better
experience for all of us. This year is no
different. The meeting on Sept. 28 bore
fruit, the sweetness of which is yet to be
determined.
This is relevant to the duties of local
lay leaders, first because to interpret the
actions of the annual conference, it’s good
for lay leaders to serve their church as its
lay member of annual conference, and
to attend. Many local lay leaders have
not been able to accept that opportunity
because annual conference in the past has
begun on Wednesday and run through
Saturday. However, the Agenda Commit-
tee voted this past Tuesday to recommend
to Bishop Dorff (and he signaled his will-
ingness to try this) that in 2012, annual
conference begin Thursday afternoon
and run through Sunday noon. The hope
is that many of our working laity will be
able to get two days off to come to annual
A culture of grow: Let’s get busy
being who Christ called us to be
Rusty Freeman, Director of Youth
Ministries, Southwest Texas Conf.
I realize I am not perfect. (It’s hard for
me to admit that, I know!) I fall. I fail. I
stumble. I also realize I am not the whole
Body of Christ. I’m not sure why it just
dawned on me but I was trying to be all
things for all people. Conservative for
the conservatives, liberal for the liberals,
moderate for the moderates. I was trying
to program and do youth ministry for the
whole of the Body.
Now some of you may think that’s
ok—but I think it weakens who I am and
what I have been called to do. I strive for
diversity, but in all honesty, the South-
west Texas Conference as a whole is not
diverse. I have speakers and leaders and
students from other ethnicities, but I still
take the folks who are sent to me by our
local churches. (But that’s another issue
all together!)
I guess what I am trying to say is that I
am not all things to all people. The youth
ministry of the conference is going strong
for three reasons: 1) we put Jesus at the
center through worship and purpose, 2)
we love students and encourage them to
live life in the Spirit, 3) we reach out and
care for the needs of the least, the last,
and the lost.
I know we don’t do this perfectly but
we are trying. We are trying to be the face
of Christ. However, I am going to stop
trying to be the entire body of Christ.
I don’t know if I am an arm or a foot.
Maybe I’m the ear and I hear what the
Spirit is saying. And sometimes I act like
a backside! But I need to be who Christ
has called me to be in the body—and so
do you. You are not the entire body - you
are one piece. So do that part well.
Which brings me to the Bishops’
theme of “Developing a Culture of
Growth.” As a part of the Body, I am
committed to this because this theme has
conference, rather than having to ask for
the three days necessary in the past.
There is more that we can do, we hope.
Much happens at annual conference that
is worth sharing back in your congrega-
tions, and we have encouraged lay leaders
and annual conference members in the
past to make notes of items to tell the
home-bodies about—those note cards
will be available again this year for that
purpose. We are also negotiating with
the staff on ways to get you some edited
bits of annual conference action from the
floor and worship on CD/DVD for show-
ing in your churches. If it works as we
are discussing it now, those discs will be
Page 7
been central to the Christian life forever.
Bishop Dorff is rooting us, grounding us,
seeking to plant within us who we are and
where we have been. But I believe he also
wants us to move ahead and get busy – to
begin to grow rather than simply maintain
life as a status quo Christian.
What am I doing about developing a
culture of growth, you ask? We are doing
four intentional things this fall. First, we
have Discovery Zone on Oct. 9 for youth
who feel called to ministry. Second, we
are planning the very first Methodist
Youth Tent Revival Nov. 6-7 for youth
who want to engage in a 24-hour prayer
and worship revival experience. Third,
we are offering Dive N Deeper Dec.
3-5 for leadership youth to go deeper
in faith and grow into the person Christ
has called them to be. And fourth, we
are starting a new resource arm of our
Web site, reachingyouth.org called Re-
Connect, an online help for adults who
work with youth.
Friend, my question to you is, “What
are you doing to develop a culture of
growth?” Are you giving to your church
your time, your money, your prayers
and your service? Are you dusting-off
your Bible and diving-in to God’s Holy
Word for the betterment of your soul?
Are you praying with your family, your
spouse and your friends at school? Are
you serving the homeless, the hurting,
and the blessed?
It’s time to get busy. You don’t have
to do it all, you are not the entire Body of
Christ, but you might be a hand, a foot,
an eye, an ear or a mouth. Be who Christ
has called you to be without reserve and
without hesitation. Don’t be ashamed or
embarrassed. Don’t retreat or give up.
For if the Spirit of God lives in you then
you can help develop a culture of growth.
It’s a culture that begins and ends with
Christ in you.
mailed out to you the week after annual
conference, in time for the information
to be up-to-the-minute.
There is more in the works for happen-
ings in the general Church, so that your
congregations can grasp the enormity of
what is being discussed. It is unlikely that
The United Methodist Church will con-
tinue to do ministry at the general Church
level in the near future as it has done in
the past. As we know more, we will share
it, and we hope you will share it too.
What it means to be a United Methodist
is wrapped up in that ministry, and Mr.
Wesley would want us to care about that!
Page 8 First United Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas
San Juan Hill
Theology
Pastor Ron
Welborn
I had to put a new battery in my Jeep
recently. The old one just up and died on
me. Not long ago I found myself pound-
ing the buttons on the remote control to
the TV and realized it needed new batter-
ies. (Why do I believe that if I just hit the
buttons harder they’ll work?) I notice the
garage door opener is becoming stubborn.
I suspect it needs a new battery. From
time to time the things we use need new
batteries, or at least the old ones need
recharging. What is true for my remote
control is true for me. Sometimes I need
to be recharged. Darlene and I did that
last week. We took time to be away, far
away and rest. We took time to refresh
our spirits. We took time to find new
energy. We took a vacation. Thanks for
letting us do that.
If you haven’t found some time to rest
and recharge you need to. Rest is part of
God’s plan for our lives. Sometimes the
rest needed is simply a good night’s sleep.
Sometimes the rest needed is a long
weekend. Sometimes the rest needed is
a vacation. All serve a special function
and all help us recharge.
I like that word – recharge. If you
break it down - (re) (charge) – you have
an interesting concept. Let’s begin with
the second half of the word, charge.
Try to forget charge in the economic
sense, of charging a bill or some expense
to your credit card. Think instead of an
army storming the defensive position of
the enemy. Think of Teddy Roosevelt and
the Rough Riders charging up San Juan
Hill. We look at the work in front of us,
see what needs to be done and then dive
into the fray. We charge up the San Juan
Hill of our workload whether it’s at the
office or around the house. We drag home
at the end of the day needing a little rest
so that we can get up the next day and do
it all over again.
The front half of recharge is a declara-
tive statement calling for some sort of
response on our part. Redo that assign-
ment. Renew that magazine subscrip-
tion. Replace that burned out light bulb.
Recharge could be seen as a call to charge
that hill again. But that’s hard to do when
the battery is dead. That is why each of
us needs to find time daily, weekly and
yearly to recharge so that indeed we can
recharge.
Here’s a prayer that you will remem-
ber that we don’t have lifetime batteries.
Our spirits grow weary, our souls need
refreshing. Long ago God set an example
for each of us to follow.
“Thus heaven and earth were com-
pleted with all their array. On the seventh
day God had completed the work he had
been doing. He rested on the seventh day
and made it holy, because on that day
he rested after all his work of creating.”
(Genesis 2:1-3)
Pastor Ron
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It has been a fun month out in the
Patch. My greatest blessing has been
visiting with all the folks who have volun-
teered out in the patch day after day! You
folks are saints and the Student Ministry
can not thank you enough for all of the
support you have given us through out
this month!!
We have started a video series called
“Made to Make a Difference” by Max
and Jenna Lucado through Blue Fish T.V.
Our students have been deeply moved by
this video series and will be putting into
action some of the missions opportunities
we can start here in our own back yard
to help those in need. We are so blessed
to have students that think so unselfishly
and are willing to get their hands dirty so
they can serve a greater cause in Christ’s
Kingdom. There has been a challenge
issued and our students are responding
greatly!! By the time you read this we
will have some wheels turning on our
Singles’ Ministry
Has Anyone Told You Lately
How Amazing You Are?
It’s about time you heard it again. I
hear you saying, “Who me?” I’m
saying right back, “Yep, you.
You...the one doing your thing,
making your difference, being a
glorious mess that God can use.
You... getting back up when you fall
down, trying again when it doesn’t
work out, doing the hard, the different,
taking those steps of faith.
You... wonderfully made just like you
are, and on your way to becoming all He
made you to be. I see you squirming in
that chair, squinting a little at that screen
and thinking,”That’s for others but I’m
not so sure about me.” Believe it, receive
it, it’s true. This is for YOU. By Holley
Gerth
I praise you because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; your works are
wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Sullivan Contracting Services, LLC.
Your “hometown” General Contractor
Licensed * Bonded Office: 830.372.3812
Fully Insured * Local 2299 Rudeloff Road
references Seguin, TX 78156
Owners: Kelle & Frank Sullivan, Jr.
OCTOBER 29, 2010
practical ideas to bring forth to the whole
congregation to help those in need!! So
proud of this group!
May Christ guide your steps and may
you answer his challenges as they come
Peace be with you,
Shook
There are two places online to see
what crazy things we are getting our-
selves into!
1) www.fumcseguin.com/Youth-
Ministry/tabid/139/Default.aspx
2) Facebook Search: FUMC
Seguin Youth Group
Dates to put on your Calendar:
Oct 31st: TRUNK OR TREAT 5pm-
7pm
Nov 6th &7th: Youth Tent Revival in
Spring Branch, TX
More info @ www.reachingyouth.org
(I can identify with the glorious mess
part! So I guess that means I really can
be good to myself because God has made
me, and God’s works are wonderful! I
will just try to keep growing into the
person God has called me to be... how
about you?)
Spanish class in January
Would you be interested? I asked Dee
to pray about leading a class in January
and February. She asked, “Do you have
any interest? I told her some had been
talking about it. Let us know if you would
be interested.
Mark your calendar
November 3rd: The Invitation, a Taize
inspired worship service;
November 14th: First Place 4 Health,
sign up ahead to get your kit;
November 15th: Spiritual Journey class
led by Suzanne Broussard, Spiritual
Director.
November 27th: Hanging of the
Greens at church.
Future Scroll
issue deadline is
Monday, November 1
Articles may be submitted to
office@fumcseguin.com