Transformational Communities Network Receives $1.25 Million from Lilly Endowment Inc.

/ Rio Texas Annual Conference/

The Rio Texas Conference has received a $1,250,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Transformational Communities Network Academy for Congregational and Community Transformation (ACCT) of the Rio Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.

The project is funded through the Lilly Endowment Inc. Thriving Congregations Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to encourage the flourishing of congregations by helping them deepen their relationships with God, enhance their connections with each other, and contribute to the vitality of their communities and the world.

Transformational Communities Network (TCN) is a project of the Rio Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Its goal is to strengthen local congregations and revitalize communities by providing training and ongoing support for congregational work and community development. The TCN training helps congregations join with their neighbors to accurately assess their current reality, identify giftedness, map community assets, clarify and articulate a shared practical vision, formulate strategic directions, and develop an actionable plan for moving forward.

Recognizing that community transformation is “long work,” TCN provides ongoing training and support by connecting local church leaders with others doing similar work throughout the Rio Texas Annual Conference and beyond. TCN’s vision is to see a vital and ever-expanding network of thriving churches actively participating in the work of community transformation.

“TCN is excited about this next step to journey with congregations in their ongoing community engagement work and to celebrate the stories and learnings coming out of this work,” said Abel Vega, Rio Texas Conference Director of Mission, Service, & Justice Ministries. “It is hoped that in the next few years partnering with communities, we will see the vibrancy of transformation, healing, and wholeness needed for these days.”

Rio Texas Conference is one of 105 organizations that has received grants though a competitive round of the Thriving Congregations Initiative. Reflecting a wide variety of Christian traditions, the organizations represent mainline Protestant, evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, peace church, and Pentecostal faith communities.

“Congregations play an essential role in deepening the faith of individuals and contributing to the vitality of communities,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment Inc. Vice President for Religion. “We hope that these programs will nurture the vibrancy and spark the creativity of congregations, helping them imagine new ways to share God’s love in their communities and across the globe.”

 

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.

Contact:
Abel Vega
Rio Texas Conference
Director of Mission, Service, & Justice Ministries
(210) 408-4514

Are you ready to be a Lighthouse Congregation?

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After Annual Conference in June, Rio Texas Conference began working on what we felt were important and contextual pieces needed to become a Lighthouse Congregation. Other conferences began the concept earlier as they had churches disaffiliate as early as fall 2022. 

Rev. Karen Horan, Director of Creating and Vitalizing Congregations and Developing Leaders along with the Las Misiones Lay Leader Mark Mitchell began learning all they could about Lighthosue Congregations. We are so grateful to Rev. Rob Hutchinson of the Western North Carolina Conference who has shared their process and materials. Many congregations made the decision and taken the steps to become a Lighthouse Congregation. If your church desires to be a Lighthouse Congregation, please visit riotexas.org/lighthouse-congregations

If your church has voted to be a Lighthouse Congregation and you don’t see your name on the list below, please send your signed resolution to Rev. Karen Horan (khoran@riotexas.org) and Nicole Alabi (nicolea@riotexas.org) and we can get you on the list.

Current Lighthouse Congregations:

  • La Trinidad San Antonio

  • Colonial Hills UMC

  • St. Mark UMC McAllen

  • Manchaca UMC

  • Emanuel UMC

  • Kempner UMC

  • Travis Park UMC

  • FUMC Edinburg

  • Helotes Hills UMC

  • Oak Meadow UMC

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.