Project Transformation Rio Texas Names Sharla Bell as New CEO

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (June 13, 2023)- Project Transformation (PT) Rio Texas Board of Directors has selected Sharla Bell as the new CEO to lead the organization into the future of transforming communities through its impact for the 3 Cs, children, college, and church. This is prompted by the retirement at the end of the summer of PT's founder Kercida McClain.

"Project Transformation Rio Texas is as strong as it has ever been, led by a highly capable board of directors and staff," expressed McClain. "Sharla is the right person to take PT to the next level. Her non-profit and ministry experience is exactly what is needed for the next phase of PT's life."

Sharla Bell will begin mid-June. She has an MA in English and a Master of Theological Studies and has worked with young people her entire adult life. From working as a High School English teacher to being a tutor and later serving ten years in Children and Student Ministry at her home church.

"Meaningful relationships with God and with each other can change the world," Bell exclaims. "I am excited to lead Project Transformation Rio Texas, whose mission to transform communities by engaging children, college students and churches in purposeful relationships, so closely aligns with my core beliefs."

McClain is not stepping down just yet as she wants to help with the transition and celebrate the nonprofit’s 9th summer of improving children’s reading levels and setting college students on a trajectory of world-changing success.

Please join Project Transformation Rio Texas in welcoming the new CEO, Sharla Bell.

 

About Project Transformation

Project Transformation Rio Texas was founded in 2015 and has grown to serve in San Antonio, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley implementing literacy focused summer camps and out of school programming aimed at improving children’s reading levels and SEL skills. It does this by providing college students with paid internships where they receive professional skills and leadership development by implementing the summer camps in partnership with community focused churches.

A Message Regarding the Brownsville Migrant Tragedy

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“Today our hearts are heavy again as we learned an individual ran over a group of 18 migrants in Brownsville. The migrants were waiting at a bus stop across the street from the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center. The Rio Texas Conference continues to work in ministry with churches, nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations as agents of change in the midst of the immigration issues we see daily on our borders and beyond. We mourn for those who tragically perished and pray for the victims, the families, and the Rio Grande Valley communities we serve. We have been in contact with our pastors appointed in the area. We will continue to work towards justice and offer dignity in the best traditions of The United Methodist Church. We give God praises for the first responders who provided sincere care and safety. We wait to learn more about this tragedy.”   

Robert Schnase
Bishop
Rio Texas & New Mexico Annual Conferences

Bishop Announces New Appointments for Las Misiones and Capital Districts

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Bishop Robert Schnase of the Rio Texas Conference announces the appointments of Rev. Dr. Robert Ortiz as superintendent of Las Misiones District and Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman as superintendent of the Capital District. “I am so grateful for the leadership and sincere spirit of both Robert and Marcus. Their willingness to say yes and serve God through the work of the cabinet is deeply appreciated and profoundly significant during this unique time in the life of the church.”

Dr. Ortiz began his ministry in 1997 and he has served churches in the Rio Grande, Southwest Texas, and Rio Texas Conferences. He has served the past eleven years at Alamo Heights UMC. He is a native of San Antonio and graduated from Brackenridge (Wheatley) high school. He also graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio with a BA in sociology, master of divinity from United Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry in church leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. Robert is married to Diane and they have five adult children and one granddaughter, plus Bella the Dog and Juno the Cat.

The current Las Misiones District Superintendent Greg Hackett says, “Robert brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Las Misiones serving in both Rio Grande Conference churches and in Rio Texas churches in both small church systems and large systems (some at the same time!). He is constantly learning new strategies and developing close relationships. I am delighted to pass the mantle to such a colleague!”

Rev. Ortiz states, “I am honored and humbled to be asked by Bishop Schnase to serve as the superintendent of Las Misiones district. I am filled with hope as we take our next faithful steps in ministry together. I look forward to serving the churches of the district and getting to know many more of you. May our journey be filled with love for God and love for others. I will be praying for you and ask that you pray for me.”

Dr. Freeman is an experienced superintendent and has gifts in preaching and pastoral care. Marcus received both his master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Perkins School of Theology. Dr. Freeman will continue as the superintendent of record for the Crosssroads District. As the dynamic on the ground changes for districts and local congregations, the cabinet will seek creative ways to provide appropriate supervision for all districts of the conference.

Dr. Freeman mentions, “I am humbled and honored to be appointed by Bishop Schnase to represent him for the next couple of years as superintendent in the Capital District, which is the place where I grew up, began my ministry journey, and served for seven fulfilling years as a pastor. I now look forward to learning about the churches and pastors of the district and supporting them toward achievement of their fullest potential in the dynamic mission field that the Austin area has become. My wife, Janice, our daughters, Lillian and Leslie, and I are looking forward to being closer to the love and support of family as we begin this new chapter of ministry and life.”

Both appointments will begin July 1, 2023.

From the Rio Texas Cabinet

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En Español - Noticia del Gabinete de Río Texas

Thursday, January 26, 2023

As we begin a new year, we hold onto the promises of God and the never-ending hope that God is close and that the people of God are never alone. 2022 has brought forth unprecedented and unique challenges for our communities, congregations, clergy, and for this cabinet. The United Methodist Church has roughly 30,500 congregations and as of writing of this statement, approximately 2,500 have discerned to exit the denomination. We are grateful for the nearly 92 percent of the denomination’s congregations that have currently decided to remain United Methodist and embrace its future. We are also grateful for the nearly 70 percent of congregations in the Rio Texas Conference that have decided not to enter into the discernment process. (Disaffiliations approved by annual conferences - umnews.org). We understand these numbers may change.
 
Every individual in the Rio Texas cabinet has made a commitment to continue to serve God through The United Methodist Church. We represent a wide array of theological perspectives and value different voices at the table. We believe that there is and that there will be progressives, conservatives, centrists, traditionalists, and modern perspectives in our churches; and we believe that is a strength. While we may not agree on every detail or conclusion regarding our friends in the LGBTQIA+ community, we are all committed to serve God in The United Methodist Church. We feel called to the Rio Texas Conference and its future; a future where we will no longer argue about human sexuality, but rather engage in holy conversations and healthy dialogue that seeks justice and dignity for everyone.
 
We grieve when any clergy and/or congregation departs the UMC, and yet we give thanks for each person and congregation who shared the love of Christ over the years. We acknowledge we have friends who feel called to an emerging and arising expression of Methodism. We seek to walk with them during this time of transition and give thanks to God for this opportunity to offer ourselves in such a time as this. We also see the efforts and commitment of those who feel called to remain and appreciate you and look forward to our continued work together.
 
The United Methodist Church has an opportunity to re-vision its place in our communities. For those communities who have churches departing, we will make intentional efforts through our Creating Congregations office to gather those who desire to remain United Methodist and help organize new communities and faith expressions. Our own conference leadership teams are already connecting with other annual conferences and other leaders in the connection to help us reconsider what God might do this new year and years to come. (See Bishop Ruben Saenz episcopal address)
 
There will always be a need for grace-filled houses of worship with a Wesleyan foundation. As we journey through this season, let us focus on hope and bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to our congregations and communities. Let us focus on that news in the promises of God’s hopeful future.
 
Signed,

The Cabinet of the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church

Laura Brewster
Marcus Freeman
Greg Hackett
Karen Horan
Robert Lopez
Ricky Sanderford
Robert Schnase
Andy Smith
Kendall Waller

Native Plant Society of Texas-SA grantee first in Texas to be designated National Wildlife Federation Sacred Grounds congregation

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For 17 years, Northern Hills United Methodist Church (NHUMC) was surrounded by trees on adjacent properties.

Destruction of native habitat for public storage spaces and dense apartment dwellings in 2019, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, caused senior pastor Lupina Villalpando-Stewart to place emphasis on the community beyond the church campus. The resulting Beatitudes Prayer Walk (BPW) provides educational resources funded with a 2022 grant from the Native Plant Society of Texas-San Antonio, for members to learn about and utilize native plants at home.

“As respected community leaders, and also often large property owners,” National Wildlife Federation (NWF) considers faith groups to be “uniquely positioned” to influence group members, interfaith community and society by their stewardship practices.

NWF offers a “Sacred Grounds™ congregation” designation to faith groups who meet four criteria:

• Create and sustain a Certified Wildlife Habitat® at place of worship

• Leadership integrates faith and environmental conservation into religious activities

• Educate and engage the individual congregation members to participate at home and in group activities

• Connect and advocate for these practices in the greater community (NFW Website, Sacred GroundsTM)

Currently 800 faith groups have a Certified Wildlife Habitat® with NWF. Eighteen of them have also been recognized as Sacred Grounds™ congregations. The Northern Hills UMC congregation is the first in Texas to become a designee.

Reacting to this designation, Native Plant Society of Texas-San Antonio president Lee Marlowe, who is employed as a restoration ecologist by San Antonio River Authority, stated: “This project is a great example of natural resource stewardship and thoughtful ways of engaging people with nature. The first step was to understand the existing native plant communities on the property, and once that was known, the group worked to conserve and enhance those resources while providing ways that people can interact with and learn about them. Each person I spoke with expressed sincere care for the natural environment and appreciation for the diversity of native flora and fauna present. Conserving native plant communities in place, enhancing those communities through stewardship, and providing ways for people to interact with those communities are practices that yield many benefits for individuals and the larger community, and it’s wonderful to see these actions being taken in the San Antonio River watershed.”

San Antonio River Authority met with church leadership at the site, and provided technical support for native plant community conservation, Low Impact Development approaches, sustainable landscape practices and other types of nature-based infrastructure. Northern Hills UMC member Todd Phillips, who is a member of Native Plant Society of Texas and veterinarian by occupation, served as liaison to various community organizations. The project received a 2022 grant from Native Plant Society of Texas-San Antonio chapter. The organization offers its chapter members the funding to support members’ native plant projects with other nonprofit organizations.

During 2019, surrounding trees were felled on adjacent property. Natural habitat was replaced with public storage units and a dense apartment complex. A privacy fence hugged the edges of the church lots. Senior pastor Lupina Villalpando-Stewart considered new campus access points to open the space to the new neighbors. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the pastor’s contemplations toward moving ministries outdoors.

A vision for a Prayer Walk arose from the church’s Worship Director, Abel Stewart, during his participation in a doctoral Applied Arts course at Dallas International University. Church member Rebecca Futchel proposed
integrating the Beatitudes along the path. Stewart realized the suggestions potential to integrate spiritual concepts:

“We wanted to showcase the humble landscape—cactus, scrub brush, and wildflowers—as something valued and important. Through that embodied engagement with scripture and the environment, we can grow spiritually.”
Randy Jeffries, a recently retired architect and church member, volunteered his time to work as a commissioned artist on the project. Plans for a formal prayer walk turned into trail-building in 2020. Church member Sylvia Carpenter, an artist by profession, painted a mural on a cargo container at the trail head, and footprints marking the path on asphalt. Trail opening in May, 2022, was timed to the 20-year celebration of the congregation’s move from its previous suburban site. During two decades with a larger campus, many congregation members had advocated for integration of land stewardship and spiritual growth. The resulting community space for spiritual reflection and movement moves the congregation from focus on preserving habitat only on-site, to educating the community and encouraging members to restore natural habitat at their respective homes. To achieve goals of “empowering spiritual growth, empowering physical health and caring for God’s creation”, Northern Hills UMC used a non-traditional approach to trail-building, locating stations around the perimeter of its existing asphalt lots so that people walk around the lots to the stations of its Beatitudes Prayer Walk, where they can look at the trees rather than walk through them. Stewart said: “In the Prayer Walk, we intentionally chose limestone benches for the trail, because we hope it will still be in use 100 years from now. This is an investment for future generations, not just the present one.”

The congregation’s goal for its Beatitudes Prayer Walk is: That people will continue reconnecting with God’s shalom, encountering better holistic health as individuals and as a community. The trailhead is marked by a cargo trailer, painted blue, between the child care entrance and an area the congregation set aside for preservation. Most of the designated path circles an expanse of asphalt between the main entrance along the frontage road of Loop 1604 and the buildings. Painted footprints mark the path across asphalt, and timber outlines the walkway beyond the curbs. Around the perimeter are prayer stations with stone benches and metal plaques inviting pilgrims to reflect on foundational teachings of Jesus in short sentences collectively known as “Beatitudes” or “way of blessing”. QR codes link to devotional materials that are changed each season, and to information about highlighted native plants. Rather than lead walkers through paths between trees where they would cause soil compaction, the stations are sited to provide convenient access to step over the curb, sit on a bench and look at the plants.

As a Sacred Grounds™ congregation, Northern Hills UMC plans ongoing educational opportunities. November 14, 2022, Native Plant Society of Texas-San Antonio chapter vice president Pam Peck provided a “Nurturing nature in your landscape” workshop. Church members offered attendees potted native plants and “seed bombs” with instructions in English and Spanish explaining how to start home prairie restorations.

Reflecting on her site visits to prepare for and instruct the workshop, Peck praised the dedicated leadership of Phillips and Stewart “to preserve and highlight the remaining native trees, understory and forbes on the Northern Hills UMC property by linking these areas with a trail circling the property” and shared these observations: The trail affords users with a bit of spiritual solitude for reflection and prayer in the midst of urban development.  The trail is also an opportunity to educate congregants and other users as to the importance of stewardship within our urban properties, including our homes, worship centers, schools, and other public spaces. Protecting, nurturing and restoring native flora in all these areas is essential to preserving our increasingly fragile food web as urban development continues to push into our remaining undeveloped areas. I was gratified at the turnout of congregants interested in  learning about native plants for their landscapes. 

Increasing and diversifying the native flora in our urban yards attracts and supports native bees, butterflies, lizards, and birds. This provides an essential urban corridor through our large metropolitan areas for wildlife migration.

NHUMC plans to develop “outdoor campus” with more trails, an outdoor chapel, other amenities to make the space more accessible, and more native plants for habitat development. Stewart said, “We hope that walking in nature translates into valuing nature, cultivating a desire to care for the beauty around us.”

Abel Stewart shares these lessons learned for other faith groups:

1)         Start where you are. What is already around you that is beautiful and God-honoring? Start by showcasing that, and build on it from there. Start simple and faithfully grow it.

2)         Try. Don’t be daunted by the fact that no one has done something exactly that way before. Be open to listen, learn, and refine ideas. Take it step by step, and keep going.

3)         Follow through. Break the task down into manageable chunks: 1) draft the plans, 2) walk and mark the route, 3) provide seating and content for key landmarks (like the prayer stations), 4) make path signage to guide users, and 5) then just keep improving things from there.

Stewart offers to mentor other faith leaders and provide formal site visits of the Beatitudes Prayer Walk.

Written by: Rachel Cywinski

Andy Smith Appointed Interim District Superintendent of Capital District

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Robert Schnase, bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference, announces the interim appointment of Rev. Andy Smith as District Superintendent of the Capital District. Smith will follow Bishop Laura Merrill, who was assigned to the Arkansas Annual Conference last week.

The interim appointment of Rev. Andy Smith allows Rio Texas cabinet and Bishop Schnase time to process the finding of a superintendent for the Capital District. Smith previously served as District Superintendent for the Hill Country and West districts.

Below is a statement from District Superintendent Andy Smith to the Capital District:

I am so happy and thrilled for our sister Laura Merrill upon her election and consecration as bishop. So, when Bishop Schnase called to ask me to serve as interim Superintendent for the Capital District, I feel honored and blessed to say “yes.” I want to do what I can to make a smooth transition for Laura, and for the pastors and churches of the district as we prepare for the next season of ministry.

Robyn and I moved to Austin earlier this year upon my retirement after a 31-year career as a pastor and district superintendent. I spent about fifteen of those years in the former Austin District. In fact, we are both native Austinites, having graduated together from Anderson High School.

We are active members of Saint John’s UMC. Both of our adult children, and our three granddaughters, live in Austin, as well.

I look forward to serving the churches of the Capital District for the next several months.

Robert Schnase to Return to Rio Texas Conference as Episcopal Leader

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HOUSTON - On the Thursday evening of the 2022 South Central Jurisdictional Conference, it was confirmed that Bishop Robert Schnase will continue as the Episcopal leader of the Rio Texas Conference. Schnase will also serve as the Episcopal leader for the New Mexico Conference.

This announcement was made when the SCJ Committee on the Episcopacy reported the assignments of the Bishops within the South Central Jurisdiction.

The new SCJ Bishop assignments are:

  • Arkansas Annual Conference – Bishop Laura Merrill

  • Central Texas Annual Conference – Bishop Ruben Saenz

  • North Texas Annual Conference - Bishop Ruben Saenz

  • Great Plains Annual Conference - Bishop David Wilson

  • Louisiana Annual Conference - Bishop Dee Williamston

  • Missouri Annual Conference - Bishop Robert Farr

  • Northwest Texas Annual Conference - Bishop Jimmy Nunn

  • Oklahoma Annual Conference and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Annual Conference - Bishop Jimmy Nunn

  • Rio Texas Annual Conference - Bishop Robert Schnase

  • New Mexico Annual Conference – Bishop Robert Schnase

  • Texas Annual Conference - Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey

These Episcopal Assignments will begin January 1, 2023.

“It is an honor and a privilege to return to the Rio Texas Conference,” stated Bishop Schnase. “I will continue to serve two conferences with God’s guidance and a lot of prayer. The people I have met the past six years in this conference are true servant leaders and I look forward to our continued ministry partnership. Rio Texas is my home and I’m energized by this reassignment.”

Bishops are elected for life and serve in their assignment until retirement (required by the Book of Discipline to be the jurisdictional conference following their 68th birthday). Bishops are elected at Jurisdictional Conference and then are assigned to Episcopal Areas, which may include one or more Annual Conferences, within that Jurisdiction for a four-year term. Due to the pandemic and the rescheduling of the South Central Jurisdictional Conference, delegates will meet again in July 2024. Therefore, some assignments will be for two years.

During the 2022 South Central Jurisdictional Conference, delegates from the twelve annual conferences have gathered under the theme “Together in Christ; Rooted in Love.” They heard reports and voted on business matters and worshiped together.

South Central Jurisdiction Elects Laura Merrill as Bishop

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HOUSTON - The Rev. Laura Merrill, Capital District Superintendent in the Rio Texas Conference, has been elected as bishop in The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference.

Delegates elected Rev. Merrill on November 2, 2022 at the jurisdiction’s meeting in Houston, Texas, on the first ballot. She received 99 votes.

“It is a profound honor to be elected by colleagues to serve as a bishop in The United Methodist Church,” stated Merrill. “It is a critical time in the denomination and I look forward to offering my gifts and graces to a conference. With God’s help, we will work to create a fruitful United Methodist Church where the focus is on mission and ministry. I would like to thank the Rio Texas Conference for supporting me in numerous ways over the years. Rio Texas will always be home.”

"I am thrilled for Laura. She will serve The United Methodist Church with great distinction and courage," said Rio Texas Annual Conference Bishop Robert Schnase.

Merrill was elected by the South Central Jurisdiction’s total delegates, an equal number of United Methodist clergy and laity, from the eight states forming the South Central Jurisdiction. The assignments of bishops in the South Central Jurisdiction will be announced once all bishops are elected, usually Friday evening.

Her service as bishop begins January 1, 2023. In the United States, bishops are elected to serve for life tenure and assigned to serve in 4-year periods until retirement.

Rev. Merrill was the endorsed candidate of Rio Texas Conference. She was ordained an elder on June 1, 1999. She has served in numerous leadership roles in the Rio Texas Conference and in the United Methodist connection. She has served as a member of the Committee on Episcopacy and the Commission on General Conference. She is a former member of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. She currently serves as the board secretary for the Texas Methodist Foundation. She was previously endorsed as an episcopal nominee by the Rio Texas Delegation in 2022 and by the South Central Jurisdiction Women’s Leadership Team in 2020.

Rev. Merrill received her undergraduate degree in International Studies from Southwestern University and her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University where she was named the valedictorian. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Theta Alpha Kappa honor societies. She is the proud mother to Caroline and Joe. She enjoys music, theater, thrift shops, and daily walks with her dog.

In The United Methodist Church, bishops are ordained elders who are called to “lead and oversee the spiritual and temporal affairs of The United Methodist Church.” Bishops, in consultation with district superintendents, are responsible for appointing clergy. They also preside at annual conferences, jurisdictional conferences and General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly.