Watch Bishop Schnase Discuss Reopening Churches During The Coronavirus Pandemic.

Read Why Reopening a Church is Different By Rev. Alex A. Shanks.

Annual Conference Update

On March 30, 2020, Rio Texas Conference Secretary Mickey McCandless shared the decision to suspend Annual Conference registration in light of the COVID-19 crisis, along with the intention to share a final announcement concerning Annual Conference on May 1, 2020. As of today, Bishop Schnase and the Annual Conference Design Team do not have a final decision to share.  

The commitment to protect the health and safety of the Rio Texas community is simple, but the complexities required to make a final decision cannot be overstated. Bishop Schnase and the Annual Conference Design Team have been in dialogue with United Methodist leaders across the nation. All are working to discern appropriate and creative ways of accomplishing the work of the Annual Conference in accordance with the Book of Discipline, without compromising the health and safety of our communities. 

Bishop Schnase and the Annual Conference Design Team appreciate the patience and understanding shown by the Rio Texas Conference community. A final decision will be announced next week.

Important Update On Annual Conference

March 30, 2020 

Rio Texas Conference Delegates 

After consultation with Bishop Robert Schnase, the Annual Conference Design Team, and the Uniting Table, (whose function it is to coordinate mission and ministry in the Rio Texas Conference) I have determined that it is wise to suspend registration for the 2020 Rio Texas Annual Conference. Through discussions with United Methodist leaders across the nation, the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the shelter in place orders in many local communities, the Annual Conference Design Team will continue to monitor the continuing and developing COVID-19 pandemic. We expect to make a final decision by May 1 concerning holding Annual Conference in June, 2020.  

The staff of the Rio Texas Conference are working from their homes and are using internet platforms to stay in touch with each other and our congregational leaders. We continue to be informed on the complex situation presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our congregations are being creative in sustaining their members and community with The Word of God through Jesus Christ as they gather electronically for prayer, worship, Bible study and connection. The safety and well-being of our staff, our leaders, our congregants and the persons in our communities is at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers. 

Bishop Schnase and the Annual Conference Design Team have been and will continue to be in dialogue with United Methodist leaders across the nation to discern appropriate and creative ways to accomplish the work that must be done in the Clergy Session and at Annual Conference.  We have guidance from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and General Board of Finance and Administration on meeting the administrative and Disciplinary mandates for Annual Conference. We will make a final decision by May 1 concerning holding Annual Conference in June, 2020. Pray for our nation, our churches, our leaders and all of us as we seek to be sustained by our faith in Jesus Christ through this pandemic. 

In Christ’s service, 

Mickey T. McCandless Rio Texas Conference Secretary 

PDF in Spanish
PDF in English

A Statement Concerning the Coronavirus Outbreak

Churches all over the world and in our conference are having to consider what effect the spread of COVID-19, also called the coronavirus, will have on their congregation. The CDC has recommendations for faith-based organizations, businesses, and individuals. The World Health Organization also has recommendations specific to COVID-19. Many of these recommendations are healthy practices we can use throughout the year and every flu season. The simple habit of handwashing has radically changed the course of diseases around the world. Promoting hand washing and taking other small steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and the flu can help our church communities feel safer and be healthier. Staying informed will be very important in the coming weeks. 

Rio Texas Conference Office 

Unless otherwise instructed by the CDC, state health officials, or the City of San Antonio, the Rio Texas Conference office will continue to maintain our normal business hours. In response to COVID-19, the Rio Texas Conference staff is taking some steps to help promote good health. 

• Extra attention is being given to cleaning doorknobs, door handles, handrails, and other public surfaces.  

• Hand sanitizer is available throughout the office.  

• Staff exhibiting signs of illness are being asked to stay home.   

Our Churches 

We are recommending churches in our conference to continue meeting and worshipping together. If a person within one of our church communities has a confirmed case of COVID-19, we will follow the recommendation of the CDC and state health officials. The Rio Texas Conference also recommends churches consider taking steps to help promote good health. In addition to recommendations by the CDC, many churches are making small changes to their worship and gathering practices to help ease growing concerns. Below are some recommendations churches may consider implementing. 

Worship Services 

• While passing the peace and greeting one another, offer alternative greetings to your community. For example, a person could place their hand over their heart to indicate they would rather not make physical contact. 

• Work with janitorial staff for regular environmental cleaning with bleach and to keep the restrooms stocked with hand soap. 

• Ask your hospitality volunteers to make sure that there are facial tissues and hand sanitizer stocked and available for worship services. 

• Give people permission to stay at home if they are experiencing illness symptoms (i.e., cough, shortness of breath) of any kind. 

• For churches with live streaming, remind your community that it is a great way for individuals to recover from an illness at home while staying connected to the church.  

Communion 

• Limit communion servers to those who do NOT appear to have illness symptoms (i.e., cough, shortness of breath). 

• Be sure that Communion chalices, cups, trays, cup fillers, and patens (plates) are washed as thoroughly as any other dishes you might use at home (hot water, dish soap or detergent) before and very soon after each use and stored in a dry, clean cabinet. 

• If your congregation is still using individual cups, be sure to have a server who has washed his or her hands give the cup to each recipient, being careful not to touch the hands of the recipient. The server should not touch any used cups, nor should those receiving place used cups back into the trays. The use of disposable communion cups is another option that can be considered.  

• Prepare fresh elements with clean hands. People who have any communicable illness, including colds, should not prepare or serve communion. 

• Prior to the Eucharistic prayer, have Communion stewards exit the worship space to wash hands with soap and water at the nearest facility. 

• Include the “Sacrament of Purell” as a part of the preparation. Have all servers publicly use alcohol-based hand sanitizer prior to handling the elements. Allow your hands to dry naturally prior to reaching for the elements. 

• Instruct servers not to touch their face after washing their hands and using the sanitizer. 

• If Holy Communion is received by intinction (dipping the bread in the cup), be sure to have only the servers touch the loaf. (The practice of individuals breaking off the bread for themselves greatly increases the risk for contamination). 

• Instruct servers of the bread to provide pieces of bread that are large enough to be dipped into the cup without the recipient's fingers needing to touch the juice. 

• Instruct servers of the cup to tilt the cup slightly toward the recipients to enable the juice to flow toward the bread, thus eliminating a perceived need to "plunge" the bread (and perhaps fingers!) into the cup. For this season, you might ask parents to help dip their children’s bread into the cup. 

Communication 

• Take time to keep your community informed of the steps your church is taking in response to COVID-19.  

• Reach out to the groups that may use your facility but are not part of your community. Partner with them to help support community health.  

• Stay informed and keep your community informed.   

PDF in Spanish

PDF in English

Statement from Bishop Schnase concerning, “A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.”

January 10, 2020

Dear pastors, members, and friends of the Rio Texas Conference,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

            A statement was released last week entitled “A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.”  The eight-page document represents work done by a group of United Methodists from across the world who embody diverse voices and constituencies of our church.

            The writing of this Protocol was done in collaboration with Kenneth Feinberg, PC, noted mediator known for his work with the September 11th Victim’s Compensation Fund, the Virginia Tech and Boston Marathon victims, and the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster.  Mr. Feinberg, who is not a United Methodist, offered his professional guidance to us pro bono. 

            The Protocol was prepared to serve the United Methodist delegates who will gather this May in Minneapolis for the 2020 General Conference. While not perfect, the Protocol addresses many important concerns of United Methodists from across the global church.  The work was unanimously affirmed and signed by the sixteen participants. 

            This Protocol does not represent a final decision for a course of action for the United Methodist Church.  Rather, the General Conference will receive this recommendation and proposed legislation at their May meeting and will have the authority to adopt it, modify it, or to adopt something different. 

Key features of the Protocol include:

• The continuance of The United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church remains The United Methodist Church.  All churches desiring to remain United Methodists will not need to do anything different or to make any further decisions.

• A gracious way of departure for a traditionalist conservative Methodist Church as a denomination, with a financial settlement to help form the new church.

• The creation of four regional conferences—Africa, U.S., Europe, Philippines—each with its own ability to adapt the Book of Discipline according to its context.

• The removal of restrictive language related to ministry with LGBTQ persons in the U.S. post-separation United Methodist Church following the May General Conference.

• Holding in abeyance any administrative or judicial processes regarding restrictions in    the Book of Discipline related to LGBTQ persons, as of January 1, 2020.

• Creation of a fund to strengthen the Black Church, ethnic ministries, and work among marginalized persons.

• No annual conference or local church is required to vote.  By default, churches and conferences remain in the continuing United Methodist Church unless they decide they wish to vote to leave.

• No one is asked to leave the United Methodist Church, and every pastor, member, and   church is invited to stay.  However, those who desire to separate from the United Methodist Church are given a graceful means to do so.  The plan provides a timeline for orderly separation.

• Wespath will offer service across the various Methodist expressions, assuring the continuity of pensions and benefits.                  

        This Protocol seeks to offer a respectful path forward that treats United Methodists from varying contexts, and with diverse life experiences and differing theological understandings, with grace and dignity. 

        Since this is a negotiated proposal, everyone will likely feel that it does not completely satisfy all their personal desired outcomes.  The denomination needs to look for the best solution to address the current long-standing impasse on LGBTQ inclusion, a solution that fosters vibrant communities of faith in as many places and forms as possible to bear witness to the grace of God.  Please reflect on the content and spirit of the proposal. Carry the future of the church with you in your prayers during these months to come.

        I invite you to read the news release, the full proposed agreement, and the Frequently Asked Questions found by the links below.   Read these materials prayerfully.  Do not rely merely on news stories in the press or opinions shared on social media. Take special note of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A Press Release 
The Signed Protocol
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

       Friends, I am proud of the way we’ve remained united in in the Spirit of Christ to fulfill God’s mission in our work together in the Rio Texas Conference.  I appreciate the civil and respectful conversations that so many of our pastors and laity are having about the future of the church they love.  I give God thanks for the love you have for our life together in Christ and for the mission field God has entrusted to us in the Rio Texas Conference.  It’s a privilege to serve as your bishop.

       This June, when pastors and laity representing all our congregations gather together for the Rio Texas Annual Conference in Corpus Christi, we will know what actions General Conference has taken and we can begin to determine the implications for our conference and our churches.

       There are no actions or decisions that need to be taken at this time, except to familiarize ourselves with the proposal, pray for one another, and stay in touch with our elected General Conference delegates from the Rio Texas Conference. The delegation will be planning information sessions for the conference, once legislation already submitted has been published and they have had time to review it.

        In the meantime, we continue in our ministries, proclaiming the good news that God has met our highest hopes and deepest needs in Jesus Christ.

      Yours in Christ,
Robert Schnase

Estimados pastores, miembros y amigos de la Conferencia Río Texas,

               Gracia y paz a Uds. en el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

               La semana pasada se publicó una declaración titulada “A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.” ("Un Protocolo de Reconciliación y Gracia a Través de la Separación"). El documento de ocho páginas representa el trabajo formulado por un grupo de metodistas unidos de todo el mundo que encarnan diversas voces y grupos de nuestra iglesia.

               La redacción de este Protocolo se hizo en colaboración con Kenneth Feinberg, PC, destacado mediador reconocido por su trabajo con el Fondo de Compensación de Víctimas del 11 de septiembre, las víctimas de Virginia Tech y del Boston Marathon, y del desastre de BP Deepwater Horizon. El Sr. Feinberg, que no es un Metodista Unido, nos ofreció su orientación profesional pro bono.

               El Protocolo fue preparado para servir a los delegados metodistas unidos que se reunirán este mayo en Minneapolis en la Conferencia General 2020. Aunque no es perfecto, el Protocolo aborda muchas preocupaciones importantes de los metodistas unidos de toda la iglesia mundial. El trabajo fue unánimemente afirmado y firmado por los dieciséis participantes.

               Este Protocolo no representa una decisión final como curso de acción para la Iglesia Metodista Unida. Más bien, la Conferencia General recibirá esta recomendación y la legislación propuesta en su reunión de mayo y tendrá la autoridad de adoptarla, modificarla o adoptar algo diferente.

Las características claves del Protocolo incluyen:

• La continuación de la Iglesia Metodista Unida. La Iglesia Metodista Unida sigue siendo La Iglesia Metodista Unida. Todas las iglesias que deseen permanecer como Metodistas Unidos no necesitarán hacer nada diferente ni tomar más decisiones.
• Una forma de partida en gracia para una Iglesia Metodista conservadora tradicionalista como denominación, con un acuerdo financiero para ayudar a formar la nueva iglesia.
• La creación de cuatro conferencias regionales: África, los Estados Unidos, Europa, las Filipinas, cada una con su propia capacidad de adaptar el Libro de Disciplina de acuerdo con su contexto.
• La eliminación del lenguaje restrictivo relacionado al ministerio con personas LGBTQ en la Iglesia Metodista Unida de los Estados Unidos después de la separación siguiente a la Conferencia General de mayo.
• Retener a partir del 1 de enero de 2020 cualquier proceso administrativo o judicial con respecto a las restricciones en el Libro de Disciplina relacionadas con personas LGBTQ.
• Creación de un fondo para fortalecer a la Iglesia Negra, los ministerios étnicos y el trabajo entre las personas marginadas.
• No se requiere conferencia anual o iglesia local para votar. Por defecto, las iglesias y conferencias permanecen en la continua Iglesia Metodista Unida a menos que decidan que desean votar para separarse.
• A nadie se le pide que abandone a la Iglesia Metodista Unida, y cada pastor y a cada miembro e iglesia está invitado a quedarse. Sin embargo, aquellos que deseen separarse de la Iglesia Metodista Unida reciben medios de gracia para hacerlo. El plan proporciona una línea de tiempo para permitir una separación ordenada.
• Wespath ofrecerá sus servicios a través de las diversas expresiones metodistas, asegurando la continuidad de pensiones y beneficios.

         Este Protocolo busca el modo de ofrecer un paso respetuoso hacia más adelante que trate con gracia y dignidad a los Metodistas Unidos en sus diferentes contextos, con diversas experiencias de vida y diferentes interpretaciones teológicas.

               Como se trata de una propuesta negociada, es probable que todos sientan que no satisface completamente todos sus resultados personales deseados. La denominación debe buscar la mejor solución para abordar el estancamiento actual de largo trazo acerca la inclusión LGBTQ, para iniciar una solución que fomenta comunidades de fe vibrantes en tantos lugares y formas como sea posible y para dar testimonio de la gracia de Dios. Reflexione sobre el contenido y el espíritu de la propuesta. Eleve el futuro de la iglesia en sus oraciones durante los próximos meses.

               Los invito a leer el comunicado de prensa, el acuerdo propuesto completo y las Preguntas Frecuentes que se encuentran en los enlaces a continuación. Lea estos materiales en oración. No confíe simplemente en las noticias en la prensa u opiniones compartidas en las redes sociales. Tome nota especial de las Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)

Comunicado de Prensa

El protocolo Firmado

Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)

                Amados amigos, me orgullo de la forma en que nos hemos mantenido unidos en el Espíritu de Cristo para cumplir la misión de Dios en nuestro trabajo conjunto en la Conferencia Río Texas. Aprecio las conversaciones cordiales y respetuosas que muchos de nuestros pastores y laicos están llevando a cabo sobre el futuro de la iglesia que todos aman. Le doy gracias a Dios por el amor que tienen por nuestra vida unida en Cristo y por el campo misionero con el que Dios nos ha confiado en la Conferencia Río Texas. Es para mí un privilegio servirles como su obispo.

               Este junio, cuando los pastores y los laicos que representan a todas nuestras congregaciones se reúnan para la Conferencia Anual Río Texas en Corpus Christi, sabremos qué acciones la Conferencia General ha tomado y podremos comenzar a determinar las implicaciones para nuestra conferencia y nuestras iglesias.

               No hay acciones o decisiones que se deban tomar en este momento, excepto el familiarizarnos con la propuesta, orar unos por los otros y mantenernos en contacto con nuestros delegados electos a la Conferencia General de la Conferencia Río Texas. La delegación planificará sesiones de información para la conferencia, una vez ya que la legislación sea presentada se haya sido publicada y que todos hayan tenido tiempo de repasarla.

               Mientras tanto, continuamos en nuestros ministerios, proclamando las buenas noticias que Dios ha cumplido nuestras más altas esperanzas y necesidades más profundas en Jesucristo.

               Aténtamente en Cristo,

             Robert Schnase