Bishop Schnase Announces Cabinet Appointment

Coastal Bend and El Valle

District Superintendent Announced

Bishop Robert Schnase is announcing the appointment of Rev. Laura Brewster as the superintendent of the Coastal Bend and El Valle Districts effective July 1, 2021. Laura is currently serving as the senior pastor at Northwest Hills UMC in Austin.

Laura is a native of Pharr, Texas, where her family has resided for generations. After graduating from PSJA High School, she earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Following graduation, she worked as a broadcast journalist with several television stations, including KAUZ-TV6 in Wichita Falls, KFDA-TV10 in Amarillo, KVOA-TV4 in Tucson, and KOTV-6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Laura considered her work a type of ministry because it allowed her to inform others about issues such as poverty and racism. She eventually felt God calling her into ordained ministry. “I went from sharing bad news on television to sharing good news from the pulpit!”

Laura earned her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology in 1995 and was ordained in the Oklahoma Annual Conference. She served in Oklahoma before transferring to the Southwest Texas Conference in 2000. Laura served as pastor of St. Andrews UMC in San Antonio, First UMC in Edinburg, St. Mark UMC in McAllen, and Newcastle UMC in Newcastle, Oklahoma. Laura currently serves on the Rio Texas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Conference Relations Committee, and Joint Medical Leave Committee, as well as the Capital District Committee on Ordained Ministry. She has been in the ordained ministry for 25 years. She is most passionate about mission work both local and beyond.

“I am humbled and grateful for being afforded the opportunity to serve in a new capacity, in a place that I have always considered home. I look forward to working alongside the many wonderful clergy and laity in the Coastal Bend and El Valle Districts, and together strengthening God’s church and its missions,” said Laura.

“For many years, I’ve appreciated Laura’s passion for ministry, her ability to work with people, and her thoughtful approach to leadership,” Bishop Schnase writes. “I look forward to the significant gifts she brings to the work of superintendent ministry.”

Laura is married to Scott Clear, who is employed with HUD. She is mom to Rachel, who is finishing her master’s degree at the UTHealth School of Public Health. In her spare time, Laura enjoys gardening, hiking, and spoiling her two cats, Selena and Shadow.

Bishop Schnase Announces Cabinet Appointments

Capital District Superintendent Announced

Bishop Robert Schnase is announcing the appointment of Rev. Laura Merrill as superintendent of the Capital District of the Rio Texas Conference, effective July 1, 2021. Laura currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence. She joined the conference staff as director of connectional ministries in 2016, after six years as superintendent of El Valle District. She grew up in Austin and attended public schools there, graduating from Lanier (now Juan Navarro) High School. She earned a B.A. in International Studies from Southwestern University and graduated first in her class from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1995. Laura is the daughter and granddaughter of United Methodist pastors, both of whom served in Austin churches.

As a young adult, Laura served as a missionary in Chile and with the Desert Southwest Conference Border Ministry in Tucson, Arizona, where she worked with Central American refugees and led immersion trips in Mexico. After seminary, she served as pastor at local churches in Victoria, Los Fresnos, and Wimberley, followed by her appointment to the Cabinet in 2010. She is fluent in Spanish and was actively involved in the unification of the Rio Texas Conference. Her experience working with the poor and in cross-cultural regions has shaped her approach to ministry in fundamental ways. 

Bishop Schnase writes, “Laura has done excellent work as a District Superintendent, as Assistant to the Bishop, and as a leader in the larger UMC.  She has deep roots in the Austin area and brings extraordinary experience to the task of superintendency.  She is deeply respected among clergy and laity alike.  I look forward to our continuing work together on the Cabinet.” Current Capital District Superintendent Teresa Welborn adds, “We welcome Rev. Laura Merrill to the Capital District with great joy! I could not be more pleased with this news and look forward to all that is ahead for the district under her leadership. She brings great wisdom and experience to her work, and she will bring new energy, vision, and fresh perspective to the district.” 

Laura is a member of the South Central Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy and the Commission on General Conference for the UMC. She is a former director of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and a current director at Texas Methodist Foundation and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. She is mother to Joe, who lives in Boston, and Caroline, a freshman at Texas State University. She enjoys music, thrift shops, and daily walks with her curious dog. 

Laura writes, “I am joyful and humbled by the invitation to serve the Capital District. In addition to returning home, I look forward to working with the creative, faithful laity and clergy of the district, in discipleship and service to Christ’s good news.” 

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Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence Announced

Bishop Schnase is also announcing the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Robert Lopez as Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence, effective July 1, 2021. Dr. Lopez is in his seventh year on the Cabinet, currently serving as superintendent of the Coastal Bend and El Valle Districts. Dr. Lopez has navigated the district work with God’s grace, leading during the initial phases of Harvey recovery in the Coastal Bend and engaging the challenges and justice issues along the border in the Rio Grande Valley with distinction. Bishop Schnase writes, “I have appreciated working closely with Rev. Dr. Lopez for the past five years, since being assigned to the Rio Texas Conference. Robert’s genuine faithfulness, creativity, energy, and humility will serve him well as assistant to the bishop. I look forward to working with him in this new role.”

Robert holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees, both from Asbury Theological Seminary. He was selected as a Beeson Scholar in 2008, which allowed him to experience a unique and meaningful Doctor of Ministry program. It included international travel to learn from other cultures and church leaders, group travel experiences with pastors doing outstanding ministry around the country, and an academic endeavor that culminated with his dissertation focusing on special needs ministry. Robert comes from the Rio Grande Valley, graduating from Rio Grande City High School and earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the honors program at the then-University of Texas Pan American. Rev. Lopez’s first appointment was in Dallas at El Buen Samaritano UMC (Rio Grande Conference). He subsequently served El Calvario in Las Cruces, NM; as well as El Buen Pastor and El Mesías in the Rio Grande Valley. Rev. Laura Merrill shares, “I am thrilled to know that Robert Lopez will be the next Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence. Robert will bring energy to this position, with a broad and innovative approach. He cares deeply about pastors and will seek new ways to support them in their work of leadership and service.”  

Robert has been married to Ruth for over 26 years, and they have 3 young adult children—Gabriela, Robert Jr., and Kerena. “I have learned so much from pastors, church friends, and community friends over the past seven years. I am eager to keep learning in this new role, and I am especially grateful to God for this opportunity to serve the church. I am humbled to be asked,” states Robert. 

Cabinet statement regarding Gov. Abbott's recent executive order

March 3, 2021

Friends:

Yesterday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order that lifts the mandated use of masks as protection against COVID-19 and returns all business and facility capacity to 100%. The governor’s stated purpose in lifting this mandate is to allow the state economy to begin to recover.

At the same time, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that relaxing protective measures now could subject the country to a “fourth surge.”

While the number of cases has dropped after the holidays, and COVID testing has become much more accessible, many of our citizens are still waiting on vaccines, and broad community protection from the virus is still weeks or months away.

In response, we are writing to strongly encourage the continued use of masks, social distancing, and sanitation practices in our churches, as a means of caring for one another in Christian love. We also continue to believe that these decisions are best made at the local church level, prayerfully and wisely.

While the state mask mandate and facility restrictions were never binding on churches under Texas law, many of our congregations have been committed to wearing masks, distancing inside facilities, and gathering outside or online to protect their participants. Churches are permitted to continue these practices. Given the high number of people who can carry the virus asymptomatically, we can easily infect others without knowing it. This process may become even more true as variants of the virus emerge.

In the words of Governor Abbott, “Today's announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others.” And in the words of our own tradition, “Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.” We know how to keep our neighbors and loved ones safe, while we wait for this crisis to pass.

When we keep our purpose clear—serving our neighbors with the love of Christ—God will bless and strengthen our path. We will continue to pray in earnest for you and for our communities as we navigate the days to come, and we give thanks to God for your faithfulness.

Grace and peace,

Bishop Robert Schnase
and the Rio Texas Conference Cabinet

Statement in English
Statement in Spanish

This statement was updated on March 7, 2021, to correct the previously posted version. The position expressed in the two versions is the same; the earlier version was intended as a draft. We regret the error.
Statement (Published March 3rd)

COB Press Release: Bishops call Special Session for May 8

Press Release
February 25, 2021
 
Bishops call Special Session of General Conference, create timeline for moving forward

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the further postponement of the 2020 General Conference, the Council of Bishops (COB) is calling a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened online on May 8, 2021.
 
According to the call letter signed by COB President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the Special Session will be held in accordance with Division Two - Section II - Article II of The Constitution of The United Methodist Church as recorded in Paragraph ¶14 of The Book of Discipline (2016).
 
The purpose of the 2021 Special Session of the General Conference will be limited to gaining a quorum in order to suspend the rules for the sole purpose of allowing the use of paper ballots to act upon 12 pieces of legislation that would enable the church to effectively continue its work until the postponed 2020 General Conference is held in 2022.  While other potential amendments were considered, it was agreed that these 12 pieces of legislation would enable the church to continue its administrative functions appropriately.  Click here to read the 12 pieces of legislation.
 
All decisions will be limited to paper ballots and confined to the designated twelve (12) amendments to the Book of Discipline in order to fulfill the mandate of ¶511.4.d., which calls for the Commission on the General Conference “to assure full participation of all General Conference delegates,… ” 
 
Bishop Harvey stated, “The exclusive use of paper ballots will allow for the fullest participation of delegates from across the denomination.  Full participation on the part of all elected delegates is a justice issue that must not be ignored or sacrificed. This is why the convened session online must be confined solely to gaining permission for the mailed in paper ballots.”
 
The decision to call the Special Session came in conjunction with the Commission on the General Conference’s announcement of a further postponement of the 2020 General Conference to August 2022.  The General Conference had been previously postponed to August 2021 due the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is now scheduled to take place August 29 to September 6, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Click here to read the Commission’s announcement.
 
“Our current Book of Discipline was never written with a worldwide pandemic in mind.  When we became aware of the need for a further postponement, we knew that some action needed to be taken in order to free the church to operate and continue to fulfill its current mission until we could gather in person,” Bishop Harvey stated, noting that substantive issues related to separation and regionalization should be reserved to an in-person forum where debate, amendment, and discernment could be conducted with integrity and full participation.
 
The Council of Bishops and the Commission on the General Conference have been working collaboratively to determine the best way for the General Conference to meet and maintain the Church’s current commitment to mission and ministry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
According to the Constitution of the Church, the Special Session of the General Conference shall be composed of the delegates elected to the postponed 2020 General Conference or their lawful successors.
 
The Secretary of the General Conference will communicate with annual conference secretaries regarding the logistics of the Special Session.
 
In addition, The Council of Bishops and the Commission on the General Conference have agreed on a timeline of events that will create a pathway for the church in this liminal time.  This timeline includes Special Sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences to be held virtually in July 2021 (for the purpose of retiring bishops, announcing coverage of areas, and determining if or how many bishops will be elected in each Jurisdiction) and regular in-person Sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences following the postponed 2020 General Conference in the Fall of 2022 (for the purpose of electing bishops, making assignments for the new quadrennium, electing members to General Boards/Agencies, etc.).
 
Under this timeline, General Boards & Agencies would maintain their current memberships until after the postponed General Conference in 2022.
 
Click here to read the full letter sent to the Secretary of the General Conference, the Chairperson of the Commission on the General Conference, heads of delegations to the 2020 General Conference (or successors) and conference secretaries.

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Media Contact: Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga

Director of Communications – Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church

mmulenga@umc-cob.org

202-748-5172

www.unitedmethodistbishops.org

General Conference Postponed until 2022

Commission on the General Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2021

General Conference Postponed to 2022

Meeting on February 20, the Commission on the General Conference made a decision to further postpone the 2020 General Conference until August 29 – September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minn. as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the safety of mass gatherings and travel.

It is the Commission’s responsibility to select the site and set the dates of General Conference. Further, the Book of Discipline requires the Commission on the General Conference to "take necessary measures to assure full participation of all General Conference delegates." The Commission concluded that mandate was not achievable by means of either an in-person meeting in 2021 or a virtual meeting.

In making the decision, the Commission determined that it was not feasible to safely hold an in-person meeting involving all delegates as currently scheduled for August 29 - September 7, 2021 due to a number of barriers:
 
•    The number of COVID cases continues to rise, with nearly 2.49 million confirmed cases the week of February 15.
•    Vaccine is not expected to be widely available this year in many countries, and new variants of the virus which may be resistant to vaccines are emerging globally.
•    International travelers to the U.S. must show proof of negative COVID-19 test results no more than three days prior to travel, but in many places, testing is not readily available or provided free of charge. 
•    Visa services remain limited in some areas.

There also remains the possibility that a temporary six-month visa bond program which requires bonds of $5,000 - $15,000 per person for residents of some countries could cost up to $2.5 million in bonds for affected delegates if the program should be extended beyond June.

The Commission’s decision was informed by the report of the Technology Study Team appointed to explore the implications of options for accommodating full participation at General Conference, including but not limited to the possibility of utilizing technology and online voting, in considering whether the meeting should be held virtually.

According to their report, “The study team considered a number of challenges and implications, including how to keep participants safe, providing for global participation, safeguarding the integrity of the voting and credentialing process, and meeting legal requirements …”

The Technology Study Team analyzed a variety of options, including an entirely electronic General Conference with participation from individual locations; an entirely electronic General Conference with delegates gathering at regional satellite hubs; and two sessions, with the first part being electronic and the second part in-person when it is safe to convene. None of these options were determined by the study team to be viable. 

The study team did find that a more traditional method—utilizing mail ballots to vote on emergency actions—could help The United Methodist Church to address important, urgent matters through the General Conference. Their report recommended utilizing mail ballots for making a limited number of “Emergency Interim Actions” on which the General Conference delegates would indicate a yes or no vote for each item. 

“The Commission shared the study team’s findings and recommendations with the officers of the Council of Bishops in a collaborative effort to jointly explore how this alternative might be utilized to address critical matters until an in person gathering of delegates can be safely convened next year,” said commission chair Kim Simpson.

Some of the concerns mentioned in the report regarding having a virtual session include:
•    Lack of infrastructure in some areas, including Internet access, Internet speed, and electricity
•    Lack of technology for equitable Holy Conferencing
•    Complexity of the legislative committee process
•    Concerns about accurate credentialing and verification of identity
•    Difficulties in seating reserve delegates properly
•    Security of voting
•    Safety concerns about regional satellite gatherings

Simpson said the August-September dates in 2022 will mean that General Conference will be one day shorter than planned for 2021; however, these dates were the only option available. Simpson said that the Commission regrets the fact that these dates once again conflict with the start of the academic year in the U.S. which a group of young adults had asked the Commission to avoid, but there were no other dates available.

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About General Conference
General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church. The assembly meets at the beginning of each quadrennium to consider revisions to church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs for the next four years. 

Media contact:
Diane Degnan ddegnan@umcom.org
615.742.5406 (o) 615.483.1765 (c)

Uniting Table - The work we are doing

In the past, the Uniting Table has met twice a year to discuss the work of the annual conference. For the past few months, thanks in part to the flexibility of a virtual format, the Uniting Table has met more often for wide-ranging conversation concerning our common life and ministry. Below, a few members of the Uniting Table share about the conversations, work, and hope that have come from these meetings.

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Rev. Dr. Ralph D. Mann
Rio Texas Conference
Uniting Table Chair

It has been five years since the Rio Grande Conference and the Southwest Texas Conference became the Rio Texas Conference (January 1, 2015).  This was after many years of working within our mission fields – both together and separate; many meetings – again, both together and separate; a Joint Unification Conference (2/8/14); and individual conference meetings to approve the action.  We said we were creating a bold new thing.  In the journal of the unification conference, we stated: “The conference is organized through structure, people and processes to focus on the mission field.  The Uniting Table will coordinate mission and ministry in the Rio Texas Conference.  The Uniting Table is intended to be inclusive and collaborative, include diverse voices, and promote unity and reconciliation.”

As the Chair, I voiced some concerns at our November meeting that we as a Uniting Table had gotten a little off track, and perhaps this bold new idea of the Rio Texas Conference had also.  I wanted transparency and a resurgence of clergy and lay confidence in the Annual Conference.  Yes, we have done great things, but I knew we could do better.  The conversation that started to emerge amazed me.  It may have begun as a way to draft an anti-racism statement, but what happened was a time of healing and hope for a new way to embrace the mission field from a fully unified front.  Since our November meeting, the Uniting Table has had 2 two-hour meetings (all via Zoom) where we processed what happened in the unification of five plus years ago, and what made each of the parent conferences unique.  What we began to realize is that the uniqueness of each of the parent conferences have become the identity of the new Rio Texas Conference, and it brought us joy.  Bishop Schnase led us in this process as he made certain that we heard from everyone, and there was a diversity and inclusiveness in the voices.  All voices mattered as we gathered.  In my almost 35 years in ministry these were some of the best meetings and conversations I have ever been part of.

When I look at the uniqueness of the two parent conferences, I see the following as some of the uniqueness of Rio Texas Conference:

Spanish Language as still being part of our foundation – a voice to remind the general church of inclusiveness.
Connecting to the community and the continuation of the MARCHA causes.
A sense of unity in our diversity, led by the presence and example of great leaders.
A truly largeness of heart that steps beyond any polarization.
A sense of familia/family that bridges geography and structure.
A leadership presence across the denomination.
A commitment to education of professional and spiritual growth.
A rich level of fellowship.
Truly lifting up women in ministry and leadership.
The sending conference(s) of many episcopal leaders.
Devotion to and love for the church.
An informality that creates a relaxed setting at our gatherings.

Well, there was much more to our discussion; but it was so rich and diverse, and it gave us all a great sense of hope.  I ask that you pray for the Uniting Table of the Annual Conference.  We are tasked with keeping the mission of the Annual Conference in front of the Annual Conference.  With COVID and everything else happening in the life of the church, I see a hope-filled future in the Rio Texas Conference.

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Marlee Claes
Youth Ministry Council Representative 

I was invited to be a part of the Rio Texas Uniting Table meetings in 2020. The subject at hand has been a reflection of the unification process when the Rio Grande and Southwest Texas conferences combined to form our current conference. 

Much time has been spent talking about the former conferences and what made them unique. We have had some honest conversations, sharing our hardships and disappointments with the way our unification was done - the loss of that feeling of “church family’ in the conference and churches feeling like they can’t work as a team - but we have also spoken about all the good we have been able to accomplish together and how we can amplify that good going forward in a way that caters to all.

As a youth, the goal of mending bridges and bettering our conference is especially important to me, because the Rio Texas Conference is the only conference I've ever known, and It's the one in which I will continue to grow in faith and leadership. My hope is we engage our youth and young adults as we continue this work in order to help the Rio Texas Conference have it’s best chance to be a Conference that will carry on for years to come.

I feel lucky to be a part of a group with such passionate people working towards bettering the Rio Texas Conference and in turn the United Methodist Church as a whole.

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Ralph Thompson
Conference Lay Leader/Connection/Role in Uniting Table

I love the lyric from the “Hamilton” play, “No one else was in the room where it happened.” So often, the excitement and promise of an idea fails to go beyond the walls of the room where it happened. Often, the enthusiasm of a plan wanes before it reaches those outside the room.

The unification of the former Rio Grande and Southwest Texas Annual Conferences was the result of ideas that, while well-conceived and well-planned, remain a work in progress. With the potential to be a shining example to the rest of the United Methodist denomination of the diversity that is the essence of who we are, the unification and resulting functioning of our Annual Conference continue to evolve into something new and exciting.

Recent Uniting Table discussions have revealed, among many other things, that we (regardless of ethnicity, race, culture, setting of ministry and service, and style of worship) have more that promises to unite us than to separate us. Especially in this age where outside forces dwell on “differences with the other,” God’s Word lived out through this unification offers proof that God’s Church is a blessed community of kindred spirits seeking the common mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Through programs, policies, initiatives, and ministries born of our discussions, I invite all who read this, and all who work, serve, and worship in the Rio Texas Annual Conference to the “room where it happens” by staying informed and engaged in helping to build up the Body of Christ. What happens in the gatherings we call the Uniting Table, is not self-serving. Instead, we exist to help seek out and offer solutions that can help every congregation within our sphere of influence to reach their goals.

I ask your prayers for those who gather at the Uniting Table of the Rio Texas Annual Conference.

Ministry Highlight - Impacto & FUMC McAllen

We would like to take the time to celebrate two transformative ministries in Rio Texas. Both of these ministries have received support and recognition from the Texas Methodist Foundation.

Impacto

Texas Methodist Foundation has awarded Iniciativa de Impacto Comunitario (Impacto) with a TMF Impact Investment for Racial Justice award. This award invests resources into organizations that are actively working to transform and support communities of color. Check out the video below and their website to learn more about Impacto.

Read TMF's press release about this award HERE.

Iniciativa de Impacto Communitario is changing their community in west San Antonio. Learn how they are doing this here.

FUMC McAllen

Feeding families is something FUMC McAllen has always worked to do, but when COVID-19 hit, a TMF grant allowed them to go from serving 40-50 families a month to serving almost 800 families a month. To learn more about the work FUMC McAllen is doing, check out the video below.

When faced with the pandemic and a hurricane, FUMC McAllen applied for a TMF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Grant to exponentially expand their food pantry outreach to those most in need.

Prayer Partners Conversation - How can we support one another?

Are you a part of the Prayer Partners conference email list? Would you like to help connect our conference in prayer in new ways? Join us online at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 16 for a conversation on how we can expand the conference network of sharing and praying for concerns.

2021 [Virtual] Annual Conference

Rio Texas Conference Delegates/Delegados de la Conferencia Río Texas, 

Our 2020-2021 Annual Conference year is in full swing, and ministry continues to impact lives and communities in the name and power of Jesus. As the Rio Texas Conference continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 virus, and the number of persons infected by the virus continues to grow, leaders from throughout the Conference have discussed the effect that this may have on conducting the 2021 Annual Conference in June. After discussions with the Uniting Table, the Cabinet, Bishop Schnase, and other district and conference leaders, it has been decided that we will hold a virtual 2021 Annual Conference. Planning is already underway. Our session will incorporate learnings and feedback from our virtual Annual Conference in October 2020, including a new voting system, improved processes for delegates to be recognized from the (virtual) floor, and opportunities for delegates to connect with one another. Information on these tools will be posted on the website and emailed to delegates as planning develops, so preparations can be made for our virtual time together.  

Nuestro año de Conferencia Anual 2020-2021 está en pleno apogeo, y el ministerio continúa impactando vidas y comunidades en el nombre y el poder de Jesús. A medida que la Conferencia Río Texas continúa siendo afectada por el virus COVID-19, y la cantidad de personas infectadas por el virus continúa creciendo, los líderes de toda la Conferencia han conversado sobre el efecto que esto puede tener en la reunión de la Conferencia Anual 2021 en junio. Después de conversar con la Mesa Unida, el Gabinete, el Obispo Schnase y otros líderes de distrito y de la conferencia, se decidió que llevaremos a cabo una Conferencia Anual virtual de 2021. Su planificación ya está en marcha. Nuestra sesión incorporará las lecciones aprendidas y comentarios de nuestra Conferencia Anual virtual en octubre de 2020, incluyendo un nuevo sistema de votación, mejorados procesos para que los delegados sean reconocidos desde el piso (virtual) y oportunidades para que los delegados se comuniquen entre sí mismos. La información sobre estas herramientas se publicará en el sitio web y se enviará por correo electrónico a los delegados a medida que se desarrolle la planificación, para poder hacer preparativos para nuestro tiempo virtual juntos.

Pray for the Rio Texas Conference as we continue our ministry in new and exciting ways. Pray for the team that is putting together our worship, teachings, workshops and business sessions for Annual Conference. Celebrate with us the opportunities all of us have to be creative in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. I look forward with eagerness to gathering, learning and celebrating in new, profound, and creative ways with you at our virtual 2021 Annual Conference in June. 

Ore por la Conferencia Río Texas mientras continuamos nuestro ministerio de maneras nuevas y emocionantes. Ore por el equipo que está organizando nuestra adoración, lecciones, talleres y sesiones de negocios de la Conferencia Anual. Celebre con nosotros las oportunidades que todos tenemos de ser creativos al compartir las Buenas Nuevas de Jesucristo. Espero con entusiasmo reunirme, aprender y celebrar de maneras nuevas, profundas y creativas con ustedes en nuestra Conferencia Anual virtual 2021 en junio.  

In Service/En servicio, 

Rev. Mickey T. McCandless 
Conference Secretary/Secretario de la Conferencia

PDF in Spanish
PDF in English

A Conversation on Racism

Join Bishop Schnase as he welcomes Bishop Tracy Smith Malone to a live online conversation about racism, especially as it is manifested in our work together as United Methodists. Bishop Malone served as a pastor and District Superintendent in the Northern Illinois Conference and is Bishop of the East Ohio Conference. She and Bishop Schnase will explore what is helpful in identifying and dismantling racism in conference operations and practices, and what simply does not work. What do we need to learn? What is the best approach for bringing change that makes a difference?

Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m.
Register HERE

Bishop Tracy S. Malone is the resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. She provides spiritual oversight; shares in equipping, teaching and encouraging mission, outreach, witness and service; and serves as a shepherd of the church in providing a prophetic witness of justice, mercy and unity.

Malone serves on the Boards of Trustees at the United Methodist-affiliated colleges, seminaries and organizations in East Ohio. She also is currently the president of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the secretary of the Council of Bishops, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Africa University.

Malone has a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Sociology, with a minor in Computer Science, from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She holds a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and earned her Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Malone grew up in The United Methodist Church and accepted her call to ministry at the early age of 13. She and her husband Derrick are the parents of two daughters.

Appointments Booklet

In a normal year, the lay and clergy members of the Rio Texas Annual Conference would have ended our conference session in June with our bishop setting the pastoral appointments for the coming year. Each delegate would have received a printed Appointment Book, which would then be reprinted in that year's conference journal. While this year we were not able to meet, Bishop Schnase has still made appointments! Please find attached the list of Rio Texas appointments, which became effective July 1, 2020.

2020 Appointment Booklet

Project Transformation - Adapting, Growing, & Moving

The Rio Texas Conference and Project Transformation would like to share an important update. This summer, Project Transformation (PT) will be moving out of the conference office and into a new facility. Details about this move can be found in the update written by Kercida McClain below. The ministry of PT is a blessing for the college interns who teach and lead grade-school students, for the churches, and volunteers, and donors that make PT possible.  We look forward to our continued work with Kercida McClain and the team that works with Project Transformation.

Robert Schnase, Bishop
Rio Texas Conference

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Grape Juice
An Update on Project Transformation Housing and Home

The long and short of it is that Project Transformation will have a fabulous new home by the end of June.

The details: PT has completely re-modified its summer 2020 program to be virtual out of love for all those we work with and beside. That means no interns living in the community this summer. The good news is that as we hit the typical speed bumps of construction, we are no longer on a compressed time table and everything is still being completed meeting high expectations and code requirements. The building looks fabulous. The transformation is remarkable.

The Capital Campaign that had just begun has been paused in light of people needing to support much more basic needs in the crisis. The good news is that gap funding had already been secured from TMF and it is being used and is enough. The generosity of the Las Misiones District and the Coker UMC Foundation got everything rolling and TMF will sustain us until we ramp the Capital Campaign back up in the fall.

PT has also had the privilege during COVID to stand in the gap for St. Marks’ neighbors needing food. When the church needed to close during COVID, so did the food pantry. PT kept serving those neighbors and that allowed us to get to meet and interact with our neighbors. Our presence on the campus has meant activity and interaction when things would have been very quiet otherwise.

Our immediate plan is to relocate the PT offices into two rooms in the Housing building so as to not have an amazing building sit empty and to continue the work anchoring in the neighborhood that began this spring. The goal is still for the Afterschool Fellow(s) to live there when it is safe to be back together physically and of course we are looking toward a full building next summer. PT is still planning to welcome guests visiting our community by offering low cost accommodations as they serve in our area.

We can’t wait to throw the doors open wide and celebrate this facility and all the potential it holds. Thank you for your partnership with us and so many yet to come.

Kercida McClain
Donor. Volunteer. CEO.
Project Transformation Rio Texas

Click here to see some pictures!

COVID-19 Check-In Survey is Now Open!

During the COIVD-19 pandemic, churches throughout the Rio Texas Conference have used their passion for ministry to find creative ways of serving their communities. It has been a privilege to witness countless acts of love and grace during this difficult time. Thank you for all the hard work each of you has done. 

Our conference and district staff are seeking positive ways to support you in this important work. At the link below, you will find a survey where you can share your experiences from this time and questions going forward. The survey is informal and quick.  

We are inviting both clergy and lay leaders to complete this survey. It is okay if multiple clergy or lay leaders from one church complete the survey, but each person should only participate one time. If you have any technical concerns about the survey, please contact Jozlin Parker through the form on THIS web page.  

We look forward to hearing from you and to continuing fruitful conversation and partnership. May God bless and inspire you in your ministry! 

Bishop Schnase's Statement Concerning Racism

June 5, 2020 

Dear Friends of the Rio Texas Conference,  

 Several people have asked if I would be releasing a statement about the killing of George Floyd.  I’ve read helpful statements from other bishops, pastors, and community leaders, and I have had to ask myself why I feel such an inner reluctance to prepare one.    

I served as bishop in Missouri when Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson.  He died a couple of blocks from a United Methodist Church.  I wrote a statement.  A week later, I wrote another one as events unfolded.  And another one after that.  To be honest, I’ve lost count of the number of statements I have written about the killings of black people during the sixteen years that I have been a bishop, and it grieves my spirit to wonder whether those words have done any good.   

Statements from leaders can be important in the moment but only go so far. Violence against black people and other people of color finds its roots in racism, systemic and profound, and forms such a continuing pattern that statements often sound weak, awkward, ineffective, empty, and utterly insufficient.  

The continuous video coverage of frustration, anger, and grief in the streets of Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC,  can have the effect of making the current crisis appear far away, removed from where many of us live and work.  Yet this coverage also puts the reality right before us, with graphic images, some of which come from our own communities.  What is clear is that the dynamics of racism exist in varying degrees in every community served by the Rio Texas Conference as well as in our churches.   

Conversations about race are difficult.  They are hard work.  They take courage, openness, listening, learning.  Exploring issues of access, equality, and human dignity is work that requires humility and a willingness to explore assumptions and perceptions that deeply shape us in ways we usually are not even conscious of. This is kingdom work.  It is work the Lord requires of us—to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.       

As the Holy Spirit descended upon the gathering at Pentecost, people of diverse nations, languages, and races suddenly understood one another as never before. How can we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this season to place ourselves in the most advantageous circumstances to learn what God would have us know?  

This moment provides an opening for us to learn things that we do not now know and to see what ordinarily we do not see about how other people experience us, our churches, and our communities.   We may not recognize how we play a role in perpetuating injustices that other people experience.   

I pray that our conference, our churches, our pastors, and the everyday disciples that seek to faithfully live out the commission of Christ are willing to lean into the hard conversations rather than to turn away from them.   

My heart breaks every time I think of Mr. Floyd and his final moments of life.  May this season not merely break our hearts but break open our hearts so that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of God.  

Yours in Christ, 

Robert Schnase, Bishop 

The Rio Texas Conference  
of the United Methodist Church

Statement in English

Statement in Spanish

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Queridos amigos de la Conferencia Río Texas,

               Varias personas me han preguntado si iría a publicar una declaración sobre el asesinato de George Floyd. He leído declaraciones útiles de otros obispos, pastores y líderes de la comunidad, y he tenido que preguntarme por qué me siento tan reticente a preparar una declaración propia.

               Serví como obispo en Missouri cuando Michael Brown fue asesinado en Ferguson. Murió a un par de cuadras de una Iglesia Metodista Unida. Escribí una declaración. Una semana después, escribí otra a medida que se desarrollaban más eventos. Y otra después de eso. Honestamente, he perdido cuenta de la cantidad de declaraciones que he escrito sobre los asesinatos de personas africano americanas durante los dieciséis años que he sido obispo, y me entristece preguntarme si esas palabras han hecho bien alguno.

               Las declaraciones de líderes pueden ser importantes en este momento, pero solo sirven hasta cierto punto. La violencia contra los africano americanos y otras personas de color encuentra sus raíces en el racismo, sistémico y profundo, y forma un patrón tan continuo que las declaraciones a menudo suenan débiles, incómodas, ineficaces, vacías y completamente insuficientes.               El reportaje continuo en video de la frustración, la ira y el dolor en las calles de Minneapolis, Nueva York, Los Ángeles y Washington, DC puede tener el efecto de parecer que la crisis actual parezca muy lejana, alejada de donde muchos de nosotros vivimos y trabajamos. Sin embargo, esta cobertura también pone la realidad ante nosotros, con imágenes gráficas, algunas de las cuales provienen de nuestras propias comunidades. Lo que está claro es que la dinámica del racismo existe en diversos grados en cada comunidad servida por la Conferencia Río Texas, así como en nuestras iglesias.

            Las conversaciones sobre raza son difíciles. Son un trabajo arduo. Requieren valor, apertura, escuchar y aprender. Explorar temas de acceso, igualdad y dignidad humana es un trabajo que requiere humildad y la voluntad de explorar suposiciones y percepciones que nos amoldan profundamente en formas en las cuales generalmente ni siquiera estamos conscientes. Este es el trabajo del reino. Es una obra que el Señor requiere de nosotros: hacer justicia, amar la bondad y caminar humildemente con nuestro Dios.

            Cuando el Espíritu Santo descendió sobre la reunión en el Pentecostés, las personas de diversas naciones, idiomas y razas de repente se entendieron como nunca antes. ¿Cómo podremos cooperar con el Espíritu Santo en esta temporada para ubicarnos en las circunstancias más ventajosas que nos permitan aprender lo que Dios quiere que sepamos?

Este momento nos brinda una apertura para aprender cosas que ahora no sabemos y para ver lo que normalmente no vemos acerca de cómo nos perciben otras personas, a nosotros, a nuestras iglesias y a nuestras comunidades. Quizás no reconozcamos cómo desempeñamos nuestro papel al perpetuar las injusticias que otras personas sufren.

Oro para que nuestra conferencia, nuestras iglesias, nuestros pastores y los discípulos que a diario desean vivir fielmente de acuerdo a la comisión de Cristo estén dispuestos a involucrarse en las conversaciones difíciles y no alejarse de ellas.

Mi corazón se quebranta cada vez que pienso en el Sr. Floyd y los últimos momentos de su vida. Que esta temporada no solo quebrante nuestros corazones sino que abra nuestros corazones para que podamos crecer en la gracia y en el conocimiento y el amor de Dios.

Un Servidor en Cristo,

Robert Schnase, Obispo

La Conferencia Río Texas de la Iglesia Metodista Unida

Interested in church planting?

We are excited that Rev. Karen Horan, Director of Creating/Vitializing Congregations and Developing Leaders will be teaching a class this fall on New Church Development (CM255A Special Topics: New Church Development). Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is allowing ANY Pastor of ANY Denomination to come audit the class. The flyer below contains the details for the class.

Download the application HERE. Once completed, submit the application HERE.

Deadline is August 15th, but we hope to get that extended.

Did your church earn a Safe Gatherings window cling?

Every year, Safe Gatherings recognizes their top performing churches. In 2019, Safe Gatherings recognized 87 Rio Texas Congregations for their excellent work in keeping children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe. These congregations (listed below) have 3.5% or more of their average weekly worship attendance approved by safe gatherings, with a minimum of 3 people approved for even the smallest churches. Churches recognized by Safe Gatherings receive window clings for their community to share their commitment to keeping children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe. Please join me in celebrating these churches for their excellent work!

Alamo Heights United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Art United Methodist Church-Art

Asbury United Methodist Church-Corpus Christi

Austin New Church-Austin

Bandera United Methodist Church-Bandera

Barksdale United Methodist Church-Barksdale

Bee Creek United Methodist Church-Spicewood

Bend United Methodist Church-Bend

Berkeley United Methodist Church-Austin

Bethany UMC of Austin-Austin

Blanco United Methodist Church-Blanco

Bracken United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Buda United Methodist Church-Buda

Bulverde United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Canyon Lake United Methodist Church-Canyon Lake

Cedar Creek United Methodist Church-Cedar Creek

Cedar Park First UMC-Cedar Park

Center Point United Methodist Church-Center Point

Chapel Hill UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

Christ Fellowship UMC-San Antonio

Christ UMC of Stockdale-Stockdale

Coker United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Colonial Hills United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Covenant United Methodist Church-Austin

Crestview United Methodist Church-Austin

Cross Tracks UMC of Liberty Hill-Liberty Hill

Cuero First United Methodist Church-Cuero

Divine Grace United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Dripping Springs UMC-Dripping Springs

Eagle Pass United Methodist Church-Eagle Pass

Edinburg First United Methodist Church-Edinburg

El Buen Pastor UMC-Edinburg

El Divine Redentor  UMC-McAllen

El Mesias UMC of Mission-Mission

Ernest T Dixon UMC-San Antonio

First UMC Marble Falls-Marble Falls

First United Methodist Church of Alice-Alice

First United Methodist Church of Austin-Austin

First UMC of Bastrop-Bastrop

First UMC of Bertram-Bertram

First UMC of Boerne-Boerne

First UMC of Brackettville-Brackettville

First United Methodist Church of Brady-Brady

First UMC of Bronte-Bronte

First UMC of Brownsville-Brownsville

First UMC of Burnet-Burnet

First UMC of Carrizo Springs-Carrizo Springs

First UMC of Corpus Christi-Corpus Christi

First UMC of Del Rio-Del Rio

First UMC of Devine-Devine

First United Methodist Church of Edna-Edna

First UMC of Eldorado-Eldorado

First United Methodist Church of Elgin-Elgin

First United Methodist Church of Elsa-Elsa

First UMC of Falfurrias-Falfurrias

First UMC of Ganado-Ganado

First UMC of George West-George West

First UMC of Goldthwaite-Goldthwaite

First United Methodist Church of Goliad-Goliad

First UMC of Gonzales-Gonzales

First UMC of Hallettsville-Hallettsville

First UMC of Harlingen-Harlingen

First UMC of Hondo-Hondo

First UMC of Johnson City-Johnson City

First UMC of Junction-Junction

First UMC of Kerrville-Kerrville

First UMC of Kingsville-Kingsville

First UMC of Lampasas-Lampasas

First UMC of Mason-Mason

First UMC of McAllen-McAllen

First UMC of Menard-Menard

First UMC of Mertzon-Mertzon

First UMC of Mission-Mission

First UMC of New Braunfels-New Braunfels

First UMC of Pflugerville-Pflugerville

First UMC of Portland-Portland

First UMC of Raymondville-Raymondville

First UMC of Rio Grande City-Rio Grande City

First UMC of Robert Lee-Robert Lee

First UMC of  Rockport-Rockport

First UMC of San Angelo-San Angelo

First UMC of San Marcos-San Marcos

First UMC of Seadrift-Seadrift

First UMC of Seguin-Seguin

First United Methodist Church of Sinton-Sinton

First UMC of Smithville-Smithville

First UMC of Sonora-Sonora

First UMC of Sterling City-Sterling City

First UMC of Three Rivers-Three Rivers

First UMC of Victoria-Victoria

First UMC of Weimar-Weimar

Flatonia United Methodist Church-Flatonia

Floresville United Methodist Church-Floresville

Fredericksburg UMC-Fredericksburg

Freer United Methodist Church-Freer

Gaddis Memorial UMC-Comfort

Grace United Methodist Church-Corpus Christi

Gruene United Methodist Church-New Braunfels

Helotes Hills United Methodist Church-Helotes

Hunt United Methodist Church-Hunt

Ingleside United Methodist Church-Ingleside

Jacob's Chapel UMC-San Antonio

Jefferson United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Jourdanton United Methodist Church-Jourdanton

Karnes City United Methodist Church-Karnes City

Kelsey Memorial UMC-Corpus Christi

Kempner United Methodist Church-Kempner

Kyle United Methodist Church-Kyle

La Feria First United Methodist Church-La Feria

La Grange First UMC-La Grange

La Santisima Trinidad UMC-Weslaco

La Trinidad UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

La Trinidad UMC of Seguin-Seguin

La Vernia United Methodist Church-La Vernia

Lakehills United Methodist Church-Lakehills

Laurel Heights UMC-San Antonio

Leakey United Methodist Church-Leakey

Leander United Methodist Church-Leander

Life in the City UMC-Austin

Lockhart First United Methodist Church-Lockhart

Lolita United Methodist Church-Lolita

Lometa United Methodist Church-Lometa

Luling First United Methodist Church-Luling

Lutie Watkins Memorial UMC-Llano

Lyford United Methodist Church-Lyford

Lytle United Methodist Church-Lytle

Manchaca United Methodist Church-Manchaca

Manor United Methodist  Church-Manor

Medina United Methodist Church-Medina

Medina Valley UMC-Castroville

Memorial United Methodist Church-Austin

Miles United Methodist Church-Miles

Monthalia United Methodist Church-Cost

New Fountain United Methodist Church-Hondo

North Shore United Methodist Church-Canyon Lake

Northwest Hills UMC of Austin-Austin

Northwest Hills UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

Oak Hill United Methodist Church-Austin

Oak Island United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Oak Meadow United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Odem First United Methodist Church-Odem

Oxford United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Parker Lane United Methodist Church-Austin

Pearsall United Methodist Church-Pearsall

Pleasanton United Methodist Church-Pleasanton

Point Comfort UMC-Point Comfort

Resurrection United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Rolling Hills Community Church-Lago Vista

Sabinal United Methodist Church-Sabinal

Saint John's UMC of Austin-Austin

Saint Paul UMC of Corpus Christi-Corpus Christi

San Pablo UMC of Alamo-Alamo

San Saba First UMC-San Saba

Schertz United Methodist Church-Schertz

Servant United Methodist Church-Austin

Sierra Vista United Methodist Church-San Angelo

Simpson United Methodist Church-Austin

Somerset United Methodist Church-Somerset

Spring Creek United Methodist Church-Fair Oaks Ranch

St. Luke UMC of Austin-Austin

St. Mark UMC of Austin-Austin

St. Mark UMC of McAllen-McAllen

St. Andrew's UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

St. John's UMC of Corpus Christi-Corpus Christi

St. Luke UMC of San Angelo-San Angelo

St. Luke's UMC of Corpus Christi-Corpus Christi

St. Matthew's UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

St. Paul UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

St. Paul's UMC of Kerrville-Kerrville

St. Peter's by the Sea UMC-Corpus Christi

St. Peter's UMC of Austin-Austin

Staples United Methodist Church-Staples

Tarrytown United Methodist Church-Austin

The Journey United Methodist Church-Buda

Travis Park United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Trinity Church of Austin-Austin

Trinity UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

Universal City United Methodist Church-Universal City

University UMC of Austin-Austin

University UMC of San Antonio-San Antonio

Utopia United Methodist Church-Utopia

Uvalde First United Methodist Church-Uvalde

Wesley UMC of Corpus Christi-Corpus Christi

Westlake United Methodist Church-Austin

Westlawn United Methodist Church-San Antonio

Wimberley United Methodist Church-Wimberley

Windcrest United Methodist Church-San Antonio