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We held our charge conference for church today. Fortunately very quick. Not too bad overall.
Here is the composite report my pastor asked me to write Thursday. She said I could say no. Yeah, right.
Composite Report
We love our church and we love one another. That’s the first thing we like people to know about Durkee United Methodist Church. The second thing is that this love not only has hands and feet, it has wings.
The most obvious outward sign of this is the care we take of the facilities that God has given us to use for His glory. Several of our dear trustees are just now conceding that they don’t have to do everything themselves. So they’ve pulled back to doing just 95% of everything. In addition to our own faithfulness in being good stewards, as shown by our second mile giving, we have received grants that enabled us to replace one of the air conditioning units in the sanctuary and also the water cooling tower that serviced our education building with a more efficient compressor. For additional work that needed to be done, such as painting, we were blessed with assistance from the Young Adult Sunday School class of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. We have also added crushed asphalt to the parking lot and sand to additional areas on the church and parsonage grounds to prevent a return of Lake Durkee. Our industrious pastor also undertook a parsonage improvement project. We have paid 100% of our Apportionments again this year, earlier than recent years.
We move from outward signs to inner with an account of our commitment to spiritual formation. We had two people attend this year’s Greater Houston Leadership School. We now have wonderful ideas and unbridled enthusiasm for creative ways to enhance our worship experience. A devoted Disciple Three class is coming to a close this month, while Disciple One is gearing up for a transforming journey through the Bible and into stronger bonds of Christian brotherhood and sisterhood. Two members of our very first Disciple One class completed Jesus in the Gospels, the second generation of Disciple Bible Study, earlier this year. It was led by our Lay Leader and classes were held at Airline UMC with some of their members.
But what good are love and study, if not to share with others. We began a prayer bear ministry last year that is still going strong. Teddy bears that have been prayed over and preached over are given to those who are ill; those who are hurting; those who need a tangible example of God’s love for them. Though perhaps less tangible, an excellent example of God’s love shines through our weekly Wesley Small Group. Most every Wednesday morning, a committed group gets together and shares coffee, fellowship and prayer. Prayer that is the cornerstone upon which the life of the church continues to build.
Our United Methodist Women deserve a report all to themselves for the endless work they do. The mission work they carry out from this small church in North Houston is far reaching. Not only have their efforts this year earned them an Emerald level award from the Conference, they have adopted a woman’s shelter called The Door.
On February 6, 2004, the very first Friday Night Live was held at Beneke United Methodist Church. The idea was to hold a praise and worship service the first Friday of every month, to rotate between Beneke, Durkee and Rose Garden. In less than eight months, the roster of churches has expanded by two. While that may not seem like a lot, factor in the cross cultural aspects - one church with strong Hispanic ties, two predominately Anglo churches and two predominately African American churches - and the sheer joy with which this shout to the Lord has been embraced, and you will surely see the hand of the Lord at work.
In our traditional Sunday morning services, we have been expanding the music used by the combined Durkee/Rose Garden choir. From praise music with CD accompaniment to old-time gospel and spirituals, we leave no stone unturned in our effort to touch the hearts of God’s children. With the guidance of our inspired choir director, we have grown not only in size, but confidence. Wednesday night choir practices are an hour filled with love, music, much laughter and the occasional right note.
One of the greatest joys of the past year has been our pastor’s ordination. From a student pastor to probationary elder to fully ordained elder, Durkee has been blessed to share the past three years with Kathy. With her heart for service, if not always organization, we look forward to what the next year will bring.
I figured out those stupid cut thingies. Yay me!!!
Here is the composite report my pastor asked me to write Thursday. She said I could say no. Yeah, right.
Composite Report
We love our church and we love one another. That’s the first thing we like people to know about Durkee United Methodist Church. The second thing is that this love not only has hands and feet, it has wings.
The most obvious outward sign of this is the care we take of the facilities that God has given us to use for His glory. Several of our dear trustees are just now conceding that they don’t have to do everything themselves. So they’ve pulled back to doing just 95% of everything. In addition to our own faithfulness in being good stewards, as shown by our second mile giving, we have received grants that enabled us to replace one of the air conditioning units in the sanctuary and also the water cooling tower that serviced our education building with a more efficient compressor. For additional work that needed to be done, such as painting, we were blessed with assistance from the Young Adult Sunday School class of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. We have also added crushed asphalt to the parking lot and sand to additional areas on the church and parsonage grounds to prevent a return of Lake Durkee. Our industrious pastor also undertook a parsonage improvement project. We have paid 100% of our Apportionments again this year, earlier than recent years.
We move from outward signs to inner with an account of our commitment to spiritual formation. We had two people attend this year’s Greater Houston Leadership School. We now have wonderful ideas and unbridled enthusiasm for creative ways to enhance our worship experience. A devoted Disciple Three class is coming to a close this month, while Disciple One is gearing up for a transforming journey through the Bible and into stronger bonds of Christian brotherhood and sisterhood. Two members of our very first Disciple One class completed Jesus in the Gospels, the second generation of Disciple Bible Study, earlier this year. It was led by our Lay Leader and classes were held at Airline UMC with some of their members.
But what good are love and study, if not to share with others. We began a prayer bear ministry last year that is still going strong. Teddy bears that have been prayed over and preached over are given to those who are ill; those who are hurting; those who need a tangible example of God’s love for them. Though perhaps less tangible, an excellent example of God’s love shines through our weekly Wesley Small Group. Most every Wednesday morning, a committed group gets together and shares coffee, fellowship and prayer. Prayer that is the cornerstone upon which the life of the church continues to build.
Our United Methodist Women deserve a report all to themselves for the endless work they do. The mission work they carry out from this small church in North Houston is far reaching. Not only have their efforts this year earned them an Emerald level award from the Conference, they have adopted a woman’s shelter called The Door.
On February 6, 2004, the very first Friday Night Live was held at Beneke United Methodist Church. The idea was to hold a praise and worship service the first Friday of every month, to rotate between Beneke, Durkee and Rose Garden. In less than eight months, the roster of churches has expanded by two. While that may not seem like a lot, factor in the cross cultural aspects - one church with strong Hispanic ties, two predominately Anglo churches and two predominately African American churches - and the sheer joy with which this shout to the Lord has been embraced, and you will surely see the hand of the Lord at work.
In our traditional Sunday morning services, we have been expanding the music used by the combined Durkee/Rose Garden choir. From praise music with CD accompaniment to old-time gospel and spirituals, we leave no stone unturned in our effort to touch the hearts of God’s children. With the guidance of our inspired choir director, we have grown not only in size, but confidence. Wednesday night choir practices are an hour filled with love, music, much laughter and the occasional right note.
One of the greatest joys of the past year has been our pastor’s ordination. From a student pastor to probationary elder to fully ordained elder, Durkee has been blessed to share the past three years with Kathy. With her heart for service, if not always organization, we look forward to what the next year will bring.
I figured out those stupid cut thingies. Yay me!!!