Austin District news

Two training events offered for those who work with children
The Weekday Ministries Team is offering two training events for those who work with preschoolers. The theme is “In Harmony with Children,” and Rev. Leanne Hadley of the First Steps Spirituality Center will be keynote speaker at both events. Dates are July 26 at Northwest Hills UMC, Austin; and Aug. 9 at First UMC, Kingsville. Contact Marcy Williams, chair of the Weekday Ministries team, at (210) 654-0404 or m.williams@windcrestumc.org for more information.

Austin District men’s meeting to feature array of sessions
 Men of all ages will choose among four sessions when they gather for the third quarterly men’s meeting Aug. 2 at Crestview UMC, Austin. Coffee is at 7:30 a.m., and breakfast is at 8. Holy Communion, a devotional, music and fellowship will complete the morning. The morning’s activities will end at around 10 a.m.
Those who attend may choose one of the following sessions below:
> “Amachi, Help Break the Chain,” led by Tracy Guthrie, Partnership and Marketing Associate, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas.
> “General Conference Update,” led by Jay Brim, Southwest Texas Conference Lay Leader.
> “Mobilizing Men to Pray,” led by Matt Bryant, member of Bethany UMC, Austin and member of the Austin District UMM Steering Committee.
> “UMM Overview, What you Need to Know,” led by John Walters, training coordinator for Austin District UMM.
For session details go to www.austinumm.org. Crestview is located at 1300 Morrow Street, Austin, TX, 78757. For more information call Jack Moncure at (512) 836-5134 or e-mail him at jmoncure@austin.rr.com.
Please bring WHITE SOCKS for the support of A.R.C.H., the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless.

Interfaith Team to make Pilgrimage of Peace to Istanbul
You are invited to participate in an interfaith opportunity for dialogue in Istanbul Nov. 10- 20. The Interfaith Team will spend eight full days in Istanbul and three days of travel to share their faith with each other, worship together and visit each other’s historical places in Istanbul.
Travelers will leave from Houston International Airport and arrive in Istanbul. The trip schedule will include daily study and reflection with the group, a visit to the home of a Turkish family and a chance to attend a Sufi Liturgical Dance. Participants also have the option to enroll in a six-day additional elective trip to the Aegean Coast of Turkey. Visits will be made to Ephesus and Troy.
This opportunity is sponsored by the General Board of Church and Society, Tarrytown UMC and Peace with Justice. The base cost of the trip is $2,950. Registration forms and a $400.00 are due by Aug. 4.
For more information, contact Wanda Holcombe at (512) 619-3469 or wanda60@earthlink.net.

Cedar Creek church invites all to Bluegrass/Gospel worship
First UMC, Cedar Creek will present “The Rogers Family” for a special benefit bluegrass gospel worship service
July 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Jack and Marymichael Rogers have been playing music together for 20 years. Their love for God and each other has allowed them to answer the call to, “Go where I send Thee.” They have served in churches and prisons throughout the state of Texas and Southwest United States and have even taken their music and their witness to China in 1996 and again in 1998.
Their son John began playing fiddle and mandolin with them when he was 12. He has been accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston for the fall 2008 semester. Berklee is one of the most prestigious music schools in the country, and people audition from around the world to attend there. John was one of only 29 percent of worldwide students who auditioned and were accepted for the fall semester this year.
Cedar Creek presents this worship experience as a benefit in support of the young man’s talents and to help defray the cost of the educational opportunity. Cedar Creek UMC is located at 5630 FM 535.

Save the date for Transform 2008
The Austin District will host an event for people who minister to youth—that’s paid youth leaders, volunteer youth leaders, sponsors and parents—Sept. 27 at Bethany UMC, Austin.
We believe that youth ministry has the power to impact our students’ world view so that they can transform their world. Workshops will be offered in a variety of topics, with a special emphasis on how those who work with students can take care of their own souls and strengthen their spiritual lives for this amazing work. There will also be two powerful opportunities to worship together.
The cost for those who register before Sept. 11 is $25 and $35 at the door (price includes lunch.) Childcare is available and must be requested by Sept. 11.
For more information, contact District Youth Coordinator Amy Howell at (512) 251-2575 or amy@umcad.org or Rachel Wright at (512) 444-1983 or rachel@umcad.org.