The Vine - News Blog

Glen Lake Camp Celebrating 75th Anniversary on September 27

 
Our friends at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Glen Rose are celebrating 75 years of ministry on Saturday, September 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
 
The ministry of Glen Lake Camp has been changing lives for three quarters of a century. Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center is a Christian retreat and conference center owned and operated by the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. The 55-acre main campus is situated on the Paluxy River in the heart of Glen Rose, Texas, where guests enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as they slow down, focus, and rejuvenate.
 

Begun in the 1930’s as a summer camp facility, Glen Lake has expanded to be one of the premier retreat facilities in the Central Texas area, serving the needs of non-profit organizations such as churches, para-church organizations, schools, universities, and government and community agencies while continuing the summer camp program.
 
Visit this page to register. For more details, call the Glen Lake Camp office at 254-897-2247.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Bishop Lowry Preaching at Arborlawn Sunday, July 13

 
Arborlawn is honored to host Central Texas Conference Bishop Mike Lowry who will be preaching at both Traditional services (8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary) on Sunday, July 13.
 

Bishop Mike Lowry is the resident bishop of the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church/Fort Worth Episcopal Area, where he is the spiritual lead for about 164,000 United Methodists in 320 congregations and developing faith communities.
 
At the time of his election and consecration as bishop in July 2008, he was serving as executive director of New Church Development and Transformation in the Southwest Texas Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to that, he was senior pastor at University United Methodist Church, a 5,800 member congregation in San Antonio that grew from 4,800 to 5,700 members during his tenure. His previous appointments include United Methodist Churches in Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, and Kerrville and, while a student, serving Plymouth Park in Irving, Texas. Churches under his leadership have received a number of awards and recognitions including Habitat for Humanity, the President's Award from Hutson-Tillotson College, the Churchmanship Award from San Antonio Community of Churches, and the Arthur Moore Evangelism Award three times. Bishop Lowry is a regular blogger at his post, "The Focused Center" and his "Generous Living" sermon was published in Best Stewardship Sermons of 2005. He was awarded the B'nai B'rith Award in Social Ethics by Perkins School of Theology. A 1972 graduate of Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, Bishop Lowry earned his Master of Theology from Perkins (at SMU) and his Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He and his wife Jolynn have a son Nathan and daughter-in-law Abigail; daughter Sarah, son-in-law Steven and granddaughter Grace. Family time over the years has included trekking in the national parks, an adventure they still enjoy as time and schedules permit.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Meet Mauan Missionary Rev. Jim Monroe on Tuesday, March 11

 
Central Texas Conference is hosting a visit with Mauan missionary Rev. Jim Monroe at Arborlawn on Tuesday, March 11. Everyone’s invited to the event at 6:30 p.m. in Room 260. Rev. Monroe serves at Maua Methodist Hospital in Maua, Kenya.
 

Maua Methodist Hospital (MMH) is an agency of the Methodist Church of Kenya and serves as a regional medical center in the Maua area. Serving a population of more than 1 million people, the hospital provides general medical services including maternity, surgery, dental, and optical.
 
In addition to the in-house services, the hospital has an extensive Community Health Department (CHD). The CHD also is extensively involved with teams of people from churches around the world who want to come to Maua to make a difference. Teams are involved with medical clinics, construction of small homes for orphans, deworming of children in school and elsewhere, delivering and planting kitchen gardens, and other activities.
 
United Methodist missionaries come from many places and backgrounds and witness and serve in dramatically different locales and cultures. Through visits like the one here on March 11, you can meet missionaries in person and learn about how you can support them.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

CTC Hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on February 22

 
The Central Texas Conference is hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 

Be part of the solution when – not if – disaster strikes. Disasters don’t just happen “somewhere else.” In the past two years, the CTC has been directly affected by wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and the explosion of a fertilizer plant that rocked the city of West. One of the primary ways the Central Texas Conference responds to disasters is via our Early Response Team (ERT).
 
The cost of the class is $30 and covers all class materials and lunch. Registration is limited to the first 35 attendees and there must be a minimum of seven persons registered a week prior to the training for it to make.
 
To learn more about the ERT program, read more at the registration link above.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

CTC Hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on February 22

 
The Central Texas Conference is hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 

Be part of the solution when – not if – disaster strikes. Disasters don’t just happen “somewhere else.” In the past two years, the CTC has been directly affected by wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and the explosion of a fertilizer plant that rocked the city of West. One of the primary ways the Central Texas Conference responds to disasters is via our Early Response Team (ERT).
 
The cost of the class is $30 and covers all class materials and lunch. Registration is limited to the first 35 attendees and there must be a minimum of seven persons registered a week prior to the training for it to make.
 
To learn more about the ERT program, read more at the registration link above.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

CTC Hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on February 22

 
The Central Texas Conference is hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
Be part of the solution when – not if – disaster strikes. Disasters don’t just happen “somewhere else.” In the past two years, the CTC has been directly affected by wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and the explosion of a fertilizer plant that rocked the city of West. One of the primary ways the Central Texas Conference responds to disasters is via our Early Response Team (ERT).
 
The cost of the class is $30 and covers all class materials and lunch. Registration is limited to the first 35 attendees and there must be a minimum of seven persons registered a week prior to the training for it to make.
 
To learn more about the ERT program, read more at the registration link above.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

CTC Hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on February 22

 
The Central Texas Conference is hosting Early Response Team Training at Arborlawn on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cost is $30, and registration will be available through the Conference office. Watch for more details on registration as the seminar draws closer. For more details, contact Bryan Bellamy.
 
Who Benefits: Volunteers who work with Early Response Teams (ERTs) are often the first people on the ground providing aid after a disaster strikes. Their mission is to create a caring presence. They immediately help to clean things up and make homes safe, sanitary and secure.
 
ERT volunteers must go through ERT training with UMCOR. This ensures that they will operate under specific guidelines that allow them to be productive and caring while causing no further harm or being a burden to the affected community. Topics covered in the class include the who, what, when, where and how of doing ministry, as well as hands on experience in the specific tasks that early responders are expected to accomplish.
 
After completing this training, scoring 70 percent or above on the ERT quiz, and passing a background check, volunteers will be eligible to receive an UMCOR ERT badge. Instituted May 1, 2009, this badge is part of a national effort to certify early response volunteers across multiple agencies. This was born out of “lessons learned” from 9/11 and the need for volunteers to hold specific credentials to enter the disaster site. UMCOR ERT badge holders will be eligible to receive national certification to assist following a US disaster. If you became an ERT before 2009, you can earn a badge by taking a re-certification class.
 
If you already have served on an ERT team and you are interested in becoming an authorized ERT trainer, UMCOR will provide a minimum of sixteen hours additional training upon request. If you then pass a background check, get a recommendation from your conference, and perform well in a class-setting evaluation, you can be authorized to teach ERT classes within your conference.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Bishop Lowry visiting North District on Tuesday, December 10

 
Central Texas Conference Bishop Mike Lowry's annual visit to the North District is Tuesday, December 10 at Edge Park United Methodist Church, 5616 Crowley Road, Fort Worth, 76134, Phone: 817-293-5140.
 

Everyone's invited to the Laity Meeting at 7:00 p.m. that night. If you are unable to be at Edge Park on December 10, Bishop Lowry will be at the East District on December 17 visiting St. Paul UMC in Hurst.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Annual Conference Volunteers Orientation: Monday, May 13

 
A special meeting for Annual Conference Volunteers Orientation is Monday evening, May 13. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. in the Worship Center.
 
Shirts and name tags will be available for you to pick up that evening. If you have not ordered a shirt or name tag yet, you will have an opportunity to do so at the meeting.
 
Also, the shift signups will be available again on Sunday, May 12 at the west Welcome Kiosk in the Lower Commons. Or you may contact Kelly Keller directly.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Special offering in response to explosion in West, Texas

 
Bishop Lowry is calling on the churches of the Central Texas Conference to receive a special disaster relief offering for the community of West in support of the immediate and long-term relief efforts for West and the surrounding area following the devastating explosion of Wednesday, April 17.
 
”In the upcoming days we will have an opportunity to live out our faith-based hope through generosity of spirit, time, and resources, including financial resources,” Bishop Lowry said. “We are calling on the churches of the Central Texas Conference to receive a special offering for disaster relief in West.”
 
Most of the needs and requests for assistance are still unknown at this time, as officials and early responders on the scene are still in the assessment phase of the recovery process. This will be a long-term recovery project, and the support of the CTC will be needed for months and months to come and in ways not yet realized or imagined. “This is a time to commit in faith for the long haul,” Bishop Lowry said. “After the cameras have been turned off and the news reports are stilled, we will remain in service and love to the community of West."
 
Please prayerfully consider contributing to this special offering. Checks should be made out to Central Texas Conference Disaster Response, with “The City of West” in the notes section. Donations should be sent to:
 
Central Texas Conference Disaster Response
464 Bailey Avenue
Fort Worth TX 76107
 
You can also make donations online.
 
Please continue to monitor the CTC web site for the latest updates on how this tragedy has affected our conference family in the area and how you can assist in the recovery efforts.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Central Texas Annual Conference: golf carts; volunteering

 
Golf carts sought for use during Central Texas Annual Conference here in June
 
We're looking for the use of two or three golf carts during the Central Texas Annual Conference. Arborlawn is hosting the Annual Conference June 9-12. We will use the golf carts to transport attendees from remote lots to various places around the Arborlawn campus to help with traffic flow. Responsible team members will drive the carts, or cart owners can drive their own vehicles if they would like to be on the team. Please contact Parking Lot Attendants coordinator Gary Harrell if you would like to help us with this request.
 
Share the spirit of Arborlawn by volunteering at Central Texas Annual Conference in June
 
As Annual Conference approaches – it’s Sunday through Wednesday, June 9-12 – Arborlawn invites its members and attendees to be part of a wonderful opportunity to offer hospitality and Christ’s love to the delegates of the Central Texas Annual Conference.
 
Please prayerfully consider the best way you can share the spirit of Arborlawn with our guests and visitors by volunteering in the following areas: Hospitality, Greeters, Ushers, Parking Lot Attendants, Runners, and Buildings/Grounds Setup and Teardown.   
 
Please sign up at the Welcome Kiosks, in your Sunday School Class, in the church office, or with the online form.
 
After you indicate your interests, a team leader of the area in which you want to serve will contact you about details and training. We thank you in advance for being willing to share and serve in these capacities.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Central Texas Annual Conference: golf carts; volunteering

 
Golf carts sought for use during Central Texas Annual Conference here in June
 
We're looking for the use of two or three golf carts during the Central Texas Annual Conference. Arborlawn is hosting the Annual Conference June 9-12. We will use the golf carts to transport attendees from remote lots to various places around the Arborlawn campus to help with traffic flow. Responsible team members will drive the carts, or cart owners can drive their own vehicles if they would like to be on the team. Please contact Parking Lot Attendants coordinator Gary Harrell if you would like to help us with this request.
 
Share the spirit of Arborlawn by volunteering at Central Texas Annual Conference in June
 
As Annual Conference approaches – it’s Sunday through Wednesday, June 9-12 – Arborlawn invites its members and attendees to be part of a wonderful opportunity to offer hospitality and Christ’s love to the delegates of the Central Texas Annual Conference.
 
Please prayerfully consider the best way you can share the spirit of Arborlawn with our guests and visitors by volunteering in the following areas: Hospitality, Greeters, Ushers, Parking Lot Attendants, Runners, and Buildings/Grounds Setup and Teardown.   
 
Please sign up at the Welcome Kiosks, in your Sunday School Class, in the church office, or with the online form.
 
After you indicate your interests, a team leader of the area in which you want to serve will contact you about details and training. We thank you in advance for being willing to share and serve in these capacities.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Share the spirit of Arborlawn with our guests this summer as we host the CTC Annual Conference

 
As Annual Conference approaches – it’s Sunday through Wednesday, June 9-12 – Arborlawn invites its members and attendees to be part of a wonderful opportunity to offer hospitality and Christ’s love to the delegates of the Central Texas Annual Conference.
 
Please prayerfully consider the best way you can share the spirit of Arborlawn with our guests and visitors by volunteering in the following areas: Hospitality, Greeters, Ushers, Parking Lot Attendants, Runners, and Buildings/Grounds Setup and Teardown.   
 
Please sign up at the Welcome Kiosks, in your Sunday School Class, in the church office, or by using the online form.
 
After you indicate your interests, a team leader of the area in which you want to serve will contact you about details and training. We thank you in advance for being willing to share and serve in these capacities.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Golf carts sought for use during Central Texas Annual Conference here in June

 
We're looking for the use of two or three golf carts during the Central Texas Annual Conference. Arborlawn is hosting the Annual Conference June 9-12. We will use the golf carts to transport attendees from remote lots to various places around the Arborlawn campus to help with traffic flow. Responsible team members will drive the carts, or cart owners can drive their own vehicles if they would like to be on the team. Please contact Parking Lot Attendants coordinator Gary Harrell if you would like to help us with this request.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Share the spirit of Arborlawn by volunteering at Central Texas Annual Conference in June

 
As Annual Conference approaches – it’s Sunday through Wednesday, June 9-12 – Arborlawn invites its members and attendees to be part of a wonderful opportunity to offer hospitality and Christ’s love to the delegates of the Central Texas Annual Conference.
 
Please prayerfully consider the best way you can share the spirit of Arborlawn with our guests and visitors by volunteering in the following areas: Hospitality, Greeters, Ushers, Parking Lot Attendants, Runners, and Buildings/Grounds Setup and Teardown.   
 
Please sign up at the Welcome Kiosks, in your Sunday School Class, in the church office, or by using the online form.
 
After you indicate your interests, a team leader of the area in which you want to serve will contact you about details and training. We thank you in advance for being willing to share and serve in these capacities.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Signups now available if you want to volunteer at the CTC Annual Conference at Arborlawn in June

 
As Annual Conference approaches - it's Sunday through Wednesday, June 9-12 - Arborlawn invites its members and attendees to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to offer hospitality and Christ’s love to the delegates of the Central Texas Annual Conference.
 

Below are some of the areas where we will be needing volunteers. Please prayerfully consider the best way you can share the spirit of Arborlawn with our guests and visitors. 
 
Area where we need help: Hospitality, Greeters, Ushers, Parking Lot Attendants, Runners, and Buildings/Grounds Setup and Teardown.   
 
Please sign up at the Welcome Kiosks, in your Sunday School Class, in the church office, or with the form in this week's Sunday Vine. Also, we encourage you to sign up using the online form.
 
After you indicate your interests, a team leader of the area in which you want to serve will contact you about details and training. We thank you in advance for being willing to share and serve in these capacities.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Arborlawn hosting CTC Annual Conference in June; we need your help in planning!

 
Arborlawn is pleased to host the Annual Conference gathering of lay and clergy leaders from every congregation in the Central Texas Conference from June 9-12. It’s a distinct honor and a huge logistical and spiritual undertaking on behalf of our congregation; and it will require the best of who we are to host the event. We’re excited to show them how hospitality is done at Arborlawn. In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing how you can help and participate as we prepare to host Annual Conference for the very first time. We need you!
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Firecracker Mission Moment: CTC's Center for Mission Support

 
This Sunday’s Firecracker Mission Moment features Rev. Dawn Phillips from the Central Texas Conference’s Center for Mission Support. The Center provides consultation, encouragement, and expertise to United Methodist churches that are developing and expanding mission programs. Join us at 9:50 a.m. in Room 160.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Arborlawn well represented at recent CTC Annual Conference

 
Nineteen people from Arborlawn participated in the Central Texas Conference Annual Conference in Waco, June 3-6. The Conference Preacher was Rev. Joy J. Moore from Duke University. The Conference Teacher was Gil Rendle, author and senior consultant with the Texas Methodist Foundation. Central Texas Conference Bishop Mike Lowry presided at all business meetings and also spoke. Arborlawn was recognized for effectiveness in the following ministry areas: Baptisms, Confirmation Classes, Professions of Faith, Growing in Worship Attendance, Sending Mission Teams, and Supporting United Methodist Missionaries. Arborlawn is hosting next year's CTC Annual Conference.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org