December 2016
What a great joy it is being with you wonderful people of Liberty First UMC. We had a great time at the Fall Festival. I could not believe all the desserts sold out!
Sheryl, my wife, and I have truly enjoyed meeting many of you and look forward to meeting more. She is a wonderful person and a great help to me in my ministry.
Sheryl is a graduate of University of Houston at Clear Lake with highest honors and was the Distinguished Student for the year. And she still married me, go figure...
We are moving into the Middleton Parsonage. We need roller skates to get from one room to the other.
Charlotte Daniel and the Trustees had some great work done at the parsonage. The painter finished up Monday.
Several things coming up soon. We will worship in the sanctuary with the new flooring installed the last Sunday in November which is also the first Sunday of Advent, November 27th. Felicia is lining up families to light the Advent Candles.
We will hold a charge conference after church on December 4th at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. All are invited to attend. We will present the Lay Leadership committee's report, the pastor's salry for July 1st to December 31, 2017 and formally receive what our apportionments for 2017 will be. This information will be taken to the HUB charge conference December 12th at 6:00 p.m. in Winnie UMC. (We will car pool to Winnie).
We had two join us in ministrty Sunday, November 13th: Peggy Paul and Kat Shannon (and her beautiful infant daughter is Claire).
Change and grow. Liberty First is doig both!! The best days are yet to be. We will be making changes and improving our spiritual and financial position.
Remeber you are blessed to be a blessing.
Harold Travis
July 2016
Dear Friends,
July begins a new conference year here in the Texas Annual Conference. We will begin the year with a celebration and an opportunity for service training.
July 3, 2016
An Order for the Celebration of an Appointment
at 10:00 a.m. Worship Service
July 9, 2016
Early Response Team Trining
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Lunch Provided)
Kountz, TX
$20 Payable at the door
To reserve your spot contact Rev. Scott Moore
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(936)697-2430
I am looking forward to our sixth year serving together.
Peace,
Lindsey
June 2016
Dear Members of Liberty First United Methodist Church,
Reverend Stan Warfield has been assigned to our church as a consultant. He is working with us to help us become a vibrant church.
Reverend Warfield has set an “Open Mike” meeting for May 25, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the chapel. The purpose of this session is to allow church members to express their feelings in a setting that Stan will be moderating. Boundaries will be set regarding time: five minutes per speaker; tone: all comments should be expressed in a civil Christian attitude; and topic: each participant will choose one of the following questions to address:
1) What do you like about FUMC, Liberty?
2) What would you like to be done differently at FUMC, Liberty?
3) What ministries would you like to see started at FUMC, Liberty?
4) What needs to happen at FUMC, Liberty for the Mission of the Church ...To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world...to better happen?
Everyone who wishes to speak must call the church office to have their name placed on a speaker’s list. The church office phone number is 936-336-6401. After you’ve addressed your chosen question, you may address any other issue you care to address.
If you have a concern or comment that you wish to be considered, but you do not want to stand and speak at this meeting, you can send Rev. Warfield an email at the following address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All emails should follow the same guidelines set forth for the speakers regarding time, tone, and topic.
This is an opportunity for each of us to be heard in this controlled venue. Everyone’s voice is important. Please give consideration to participating in this opportunity for “Holy Conversation.”
It is our prayer that a spirit of God’s love and peace will prevail, and that through your comments we can continue to grow in making disciples for Jesus Christ.
We are grateful for Rev. Warfield’s assistance in this process. You are invited to attend this meeting to listen or to speak. Mark your calendars:
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
6:00—8:00 pm
Chapel of Liberty FUMC
Sincerely,
Lindsey Smith, Jr.
Pastor
Stan Warfield
Consultant
Sara Brown
Chair, SPR Committee
May 2016
Dear friends,
There has been a lot of talk about the church finances. The balance for the General Fund of the church on March 31, 2016 is $911,401.69. This balance is down considerably. Some folks responded with ideas to raise money, some folks even increased their giving, some folks looked at ways to lower expenses while others have responded in less charitable ways. We will be transitioning away from our dependence on endowment earnings to a budget that is closer to the offering plate. Old habits are hard to break but the faithful members of the church are up to the challenge. I am glad to announce that I will be reappointed to Liberty next year and look forward to finishing the transitions that need to be made.
Shalom,
Lindsey
April 2016
Dear Friends,
We will be starting a new Bible study at the Wednesday evening Chapel Service on April 6th. We will be using the “Immersion Bible Study” on Matthew. Each participant will need a book and the books are $10. I have missed this time during the Lenten Season and look forward to our time together. We will have a time of communion at the close of the service. We meet from 5:15 - 6:00 pm.
Ray, Deborah and I spent last Monday in Deweyville along with about 50 other Methodists from around the District and the Conference office. Ray worked on a private home, Deborah worked with a group going door to door to register people and their needs, and I worked in the Deweyville church. The group accomplished a lot but the recovery work has only begun. Volunteers are still needed and I will keep you informed as to other opportunities. Please keep all people who have been harmed by the recent flood in your prayers and if you can help financially please give to the recovery effort by simply designating Flood Relief on your check or envelope.
Peace,
Lindsey