Prayer asked for Russell Memorial UMC

Only days after fire destroyed their historical sanctuary, Russell Memorial United Methodist Church (Wills Point, Texas) members move forward with their mission and ministry. During worship service on Sunday morning, the church offered prayers and began the healing process as over 300 persons gathered only yards from where agents for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms sought the cause of the fire.

“They got the building – not the church,” stated member Nathan David only hours after the Thursday morning, February 4, blaze. Even as the fire still burned and the church roof collapsed, church members were already witnessing to God’s presence in their midst as they began setting up chairs in two-year-old Dean Hall in anticipation of Sunday worship.

(To the rest of this story, please see this link)

A Letter from the Conference Treasurer

Grace and peace to you in the name of Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please relate to your congregation how proud I am to be associated with a church which is so generous and committed to living out its faith as pat of the United Methoidst Church. During 2009 you were one of 279 churches in the Southwest Texas Conference which gave 100% of their connnectional share of ministries. As a conference, we gave 95.92% of all funds apportioned to our churches.

This year particularly, your generosity makes me proud. Because of the apportioned funds which were received, The United Methodist Church was able to immediately be in Haiti after the tragic earthquake. We are able to support the surviviors of that earthquake through UMCOR knowing 100% of the money goes directly to relief efforts because your apportioned giving supports the "overhead" of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM)and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) itself. This especially came home to many of our members of the Southwest Texas Conference, when the life of one of our own clergy, the Rev. Clint Rabb, was lost in Haiti. He was in Haiti as a staff member of the GBGM working to facilitate ministries in that country in which our church was already involved.

I am also proud because I know that 2009 was a tough year financially for many of our members and many of our churches. We had difficulty making our dollars stretch far enough to support our families and to support our church. Fortunately, those who were able to do more stepped up and gave more. I also know that many churches gave more to local ministries and support of those in their communities who were in need because of the economy.You and your church have been faithful servants of the Lord. You have been a blessing to Christ's work in the world. Because of your faithful giving, I am especially proud to be joined with you as members of The United Methodist Church, connected in faith and ministry.

Blessings,

Rev. David A. Seilheimer

(Treasurer & Secretary, Office of Finance and Administration, SWTX Conference)

February 7th in Iraan

Worship at First UMC in Iraan began with a treat, Kirke McKenzie adding the sounds of his trumpet to the hymns. Our service today had a special atmosphere with twenty-five in attendance. We are looking forward to continuing to grow in both numbers and as disciples!

On the way to worship this morning, Belinda and Pastor Charles watched three deer stroll across the road in front of their car. Then they watched as the deer crossed back and nimbly leaped over the fence. Isn't God's creation amazing?

UMCOR Health Kit Update

From Gini Christian, San Angelo District Program Director
"Sending a HUGE thank you to all that brought in/or mailed Health Kits for Haiti ! We received an email yesterday from the Conference Office with a deadline date. Please share with the teams that continue to assemble these kits. "

From Marta Rose, SWTX Conference
"We have had a wonderful response to our request for the Health Kits - 3,000+. We need to let you know that we will need them by Monday or Tuesday of next week (2/8-9/2010). We will be renting a U-Haul truck to take the kits to Sager Brown. We would like to thank each of your churches for the wonderful response."

For a complete list of the Health Kit contents, please visit the UMCOR Health kit page.

Dorothy Young's Funeral Service

With gentle rain falling on Iraan throughout the day, the community gathered to say goodbye to Dorothy Young. The fellowship hall was filled with family and friends who shared in an amazing bounty of food and fellowship.

Pastor Charles had invited Rev. Mike Wright, from First Baptist Church in Iraan, a long-time family friend of the Young's, to bring a message of hope and resurrection. It was wonderful to see the sanctuary filled on this rainy, blessed day.

Thanks to Pat Schneider for her ministry of hospitality before the service. We also want to thank the ladies from St. Francis Catholic Church for taking the lead on providing the lunch and to First Baptist Church for providing the musical leadership.

Obituary for Dorothy Young

Dorothy Evelyn (Gentry) Young of Iraan, or as she would say, “Happy Valley,” passed away January 29, 2010 at the McCamey Convalescent Center. She was born April 23, 1921 to Cecil and Anna Gentry on the family farm in White County, Arkansas.

As a young girl she helped her father with the family farm, store/café, and helped with her three brothers. As a young lady she headed west to California where during WWII she became a welder in the ship yards, after the war she worked in a box factory. She then came to Texas where she owned and operated “The Happy Valley Package Store and Station” for twenty two years.

Dorothy married her late husband Gerald Young on January 30, 1968 in Pecos, Texas. Gerald Young preceded her in death on February 4, 2002. During their thirty four years of marriage they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family, friends, and loved ones. Dorothy was also preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Anna Gentry as well as her brother Leon Gentry.

Although Dorothy never had children of her own she helped her brother Leon raise his two sons Frank and Cecil. She made sure everyone knew they were “her boys.” In her last years “her boys” along with Lavita and other close family and friends where there to help and take care of her.

Dorothy is survived by: her brother Tom and his wife Mary Gentry of Kensett, Arkansas, brother Paul (Buster) and wife Algeria Gentry of Searcy Arkansas, step-son Eugene and wife Patty Young of Salt Lake City, Utah, and step-daughter Lavita Young Reed of Midland, Texas; Nephews Frank and Cecil Gentry of Iraan Texas; Grandchildren Brenon Young of Andrews, Texas; Bradley Young of Roswell, New Mexico, Michelle and Chris Houck of Sandy, Utah, Jubel and Heather Reed of Midland Texas, Judson and Amy Reed of Midland, Texas, Brandon and Laci Gentry of Odessa Texas, and Cullie Gentry of Iraan, Texas.

Dorothy also had nine great grand children and a number of nieces and nephews. Dorothy was known to all of us as Mamaw.

Dorothy enjoyed playing cards with long time friends Imogene Bryant and Wanda Watts along with many other friends and family. Dorothy was an exceptional cook and loved to entertain family and friends.

The family wishes to extend many thanks to all who cared for Dorothy during her illness. In place of flowers donations may be made to Dorothy’s favorite charity “The West Texas Boys Ranch” in San Angelo, Texas, or a charity of your choice.

February 1st in Iraan

Pastor Charles met Wanda Morrow at the Iraan General Hospital today and was given a tour of the facility, incuding the beautiful chapel. Wanda also introduced the pastor to a number of the hospital staff and volunteers. Thanks to Wanda for taking part in this very public ministry! Pastor Charles also took time today for lunch at the Senior Center which is the place to be in Iraan, it is a great place to see and be seen by a terrific bunch of folks.

In the afternoon, Pastor Charles met with some of Dorothy Young's family to discuss some of the details of Wednesday's service. The funeral lunch will be at 12 noon and the funeral will be at 2:00 pm with internment following at the cemetary in Iraan.

Pastor Charles enjoyed a treat today at the church, when taking out some trash, he noticed a cedar wax-wing in a tree behind the kitchen. Such a simple thing really, seeing a bird in a tree, but when it is part of the church it takes on a special aura.