District happenings

Preteen camp spots available, adult sponsors needed
Austin District Preteen Camp, to be held June 9-12 at Mt. Wesley, still has spots available for children who have completed the 3rd through 5th grades. We are also looking for enthusiastic adults to serve as counselors. Churches that are sending students are particularly encouraged to send adults as well.
The camp theme this year is “God is with Us!” The overnight camp includes activities like hiking and swimming.
Interested prospective campers and counselors should contact Rachel Wright in the district office at (512) 442-9444 or rachel@umcad.org.

Coffeeshop offers fellowship opportunity for Austin singles
 Beginning May 1, the Austin District Singles Council invites singles of all ages to come to Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., for good coffee and great conversation.
The Singles Council works to promote ministry and fellowship opportunities for single people throughout the district.
This is a great opportunity to network with people from other churches while enjoying a beautiful view of Lake Austin.
These informal gatherings will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the District Office at (512) 442-9444 or e-mail singles@umcad.org.

District UM Men meeting set for May 31 in Dripping Springs
The men of the Austin District will be gathering for their second quarterly meeting May 31 at Dripping Springs UMC, 28900 Ranch Road 12.
This meeting will focus on two specific cleanup/repair projects that will spring us into action. We hope it serves as a catalyst of change and a chance to get our feet wet in order to produce more of this kind of service to the community.
We strongly urge that you bring a young man with you to this event!
Coffee and registration is at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast at 8.
We will leave Dripping Springs to do work projects at Montopolis Friendship Center and in and around Dripping Springs. We will be through around noon.
Please bring white socks for the support of A.R.C.H. (Austin Resource Center for the Homeless). For more information, call Matt Bryant at (512) 789-7073 or e-mail him at matthewhbryant@yahoo.com or contact Jack Moncure at (512) 836-5134 or jmoncure@austin.rr.com.

Early Response Team training to be May 17 at Oak Hill UMC
Trainers for Disaster Early Response Teams will be at Oak Hill UMC May 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. training UM’s to respond to disasters.
The training includes six hours of instruction concerning purpose, protocols and hands-on skills needed to be an Early Responder. Cost is $30 and includes a meal, a T-shirt, an official ERT badge and training manuals.
For registration information, contact Emmett Eary at (512) 251-2145 or by e-mail at emmett.eary@sbcglobal.net.
Registration forms and fees should be mailed to: Registrar, SWTXC-UMC, 16400 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX,  78248-1693.

Annual Women’s Day worship service features guest speaker
The Annual Women’s Day worship service at Wesley UMC, Austin, is to happen May 18 at 10 a.m. Guest speaker is the Rev. Phyllis Drawhorn-Johnson from Dallas. Theme of the event is “Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things.” All are invited to attend.
Wesley UMC is located at 1164 San Bernard Street, Austin, TX 78702.
Amachi mentoring program targets children of incarcerated
The Austin District Men met at Oak Hill UMC March 15, 2008, where they were introduced to “Amachi,” a mentoring program of Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Amachi is different in that it is for children of incarcerated parents.
The word Amachi is a Nigerian word that means, “Who knows what God has brought us through this child?”
The presenter was Tracy Guthrie, partnership and marketing associate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas.
The mission of the program is to break the intergenerational cycle of crime and incarceration and give a forgotten (invisible) group of children the chance to reach their highest potential
Amachi Texas is a joint initiative between the Office of the Governor, The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Workforce Commission, OneStar Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Texas.
The United Methodist Men and Big Brothers/Big Sisters have joined in this partnership. See the Amachi Texas Web site at www.amachi-texas.org/ for more information.
For men and Austin District churches interested in finding out more about Amachi, a follow-up meeting led by Tracy Guthrie is to happen at a yet undetermined date in the future.
For more information about the program or dates, contact Jack Moncure at (512) 836-5134 or jmoncure@austin.rr.com.

Annual dodgeball tournament to be Oct. 26 from 2-6 p.m.
The District’s annual UMYF Dodgeball tournament is to be held at the West Austin Youth Association,1314 Exposition Blvd., Oct. 26 from 2-6 pm.
Mark your calendars for this opportunity to see friends from across the district, have lots of fun and enjoy a little bit of friendly competition.