What is Happening This Week 1/24 – 1/27/2019

Greetings from your Intentional Interim Minister, Rev. Keith L. Head:

As a United Methodist pastor for 45 years, I should have learned by now that the nature of ministry can involve surprises! A week ago I had no idea that I would be sitting here at my friend Pastor Carol’s desk writing this note of introduction to you. Life is like that, of course. Certain days bring unexpected events into our lives. They can be happy or sad or uncertain, but the Boy Scouts taught me to always “Be Prepared!”

So, I wanted to share with you some of the experiences in my life that have prepared me to spend these next six weeks, January 22 to March 3, partnering in ministry with you. This time will allow Pastor Carol (an old friend and ministry colleague of mine) the time she needs for a sabbatical and for the continuing support of the wonderful ministries of the staff and laity of Holy Covenant UMC!

I retired from the itinerant ministry as Senior Pastor of First UMC, Terrell, in 2013, after 39 years of diverse experience as an ordained United Methodist Elder. In every appointment, my goal has always been to invite persons to a faith journey and equip them for sharing God’s epic story of love and grace through Jesus Christ in their daily lives – and all the surprises that living as a follower of Jesus brings! My retirement was actually a redirection toward specialized ministry in support of the local church. In the first year of my “retreadment,” I was trained as a United Methodist Transitional Intentional Interim Ministry Specialist (with an emphasis on Bowen Family Systems Theory) and was certified in the North Texas Conference Healthy Church Initiative. Since then I have been appointed as an intentional interim at three congregations and have worked with the national Transitional Intentional Interim Ministry Specialists Association (TIIMSA) as their Communications Coordinator. I have also served with the Healthy Church Initiative as coach/facilitator/consultant with over 15 churches.

Over the years, I have served churches in Oklahoma and Texas from small memberships to large memberships. This includes four appointments as a senior pastor, four as an associate pastor, and on the annual conference level in Oklahoma coordinating youth, campus ministries and media production. This experience along with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Broadcasting from Oklahoma State University (1973) and a Master of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology Methodist in Kansas City, Missouri (1977), led me to a nine-year role as an Associate Editor on a national independent religious newspaper, The United Methodist Reporter, located in Dallas. Today, the freedom of retirement now allows me this dual role of ministering to churches in unique circumstances and the creativity of working in various media.

On Sunday, you’ll get to meet my wife, Shirley Miller, who is the Associate Director of Pensions for the North Texas Conference, but has also served churches in Oklahoma and Texas as a professional Christian educator. We are “proud” parents of University of Texas 2018 graduate, Zachary, now living in Hollywood, and two married daughters, Tricia Toombs (and David) of Irving and Shannah Porter (and Andy) of Katy. Since retiring and thanks to the “creativity” of Shannah and Andy, we are now grandparents to Arthur (4) and Franklin (1)!

I love teaching biblical and theological studies and am particularly passionate about ensuring a reconciling spirit of openness to all people, especially those who have found organized religion to be oppressive and/or irrelevant. My own faith journey is always amazing me with God’s “amazing grace.” What a privilege it is to help people grow in a relationship with God that will nurture, sustain and empower them. AND, prepare them for whatever SURPRISE comes along!

In Christ,

Pastor Keith

 

Weekly Schedule

Saturday, 26th
7:00 AM BSA Pack 735 Pinewood Derby-CC
9:00 AM C.O.D.A.-202EB
Sunday, 27th
9:00 AM Sunday School for All Ages
10:30 AM UNITY WORSHIP SERVICE
11:45 AM Covenant Cafe-EB201-5
11:45 AM Safety Team-CC211+sanctuary
11:45 AM Worship Leader training-sanctuary
12:15 PM Elementary Singers-EB207
12:15 PM Preschool Singers-EB202
12:15 PM UMYF: EB201-205
12:45 PM Children’s Chimes-sanctuary

Sunday Highlights – January 27, Third Sunday After the Epiphany
Acolyte:
Eric Baumgardner

Ushers:
Cindy Baucom and Lorrie Hammons

A/V:
Ryan Baumgardner

Counters:
Ted Ditty and TBD

Worship Leaders Needed!
Are you interested in leading during worship? Would you like to serve communion to your church family? We will hold a Worship Leader Training on Sunday, January 27th for Lay Readers and Communion Stewards. Join us immediately after worship in the sanctuary for quick instructions and a chance to ask questions!

Next Week’s Highlights!
Feeding the Homeless
Holy Covenant is providing Breakfast at the Austin Street Shelter at 5:00 am on Sunday, February 3. We will provide breakfast for 400 men, women and children at the homeless shelter.
We ask for:
12 sandwiches (individually bagged)
12 pieces fruit
12 boiled eggs in shell in carton
Cases of bottled water/ juice boxes
Snack/granola bars
Austin Street is also collecting new and gently used sweaters currently.
We will receive all donations on Saturday, February 2, from 9am-noon in the HCUMC kitchen. All are welcome to travel with us to Austin Street Sunday morning at 5:15 am from the HCUMC kitchen. We will drive to Austin Street, set up and serve breakfast. We will also collect retail plastic bags for the residents to carry their food because all residents must leave the shelter at 7:00 am. For more information, contact Rick Davis 972-814-5325.

Chili Cook-Off
Join us Saturday, February 2 at 6 pm in the Covenant Center. Bring your best chili or soup to enter the competition, and vote (with $) for your favorites! Proceeds will benefit Holy Covenant’s People In Need Fund.

Food Pantry Needs
Sunday, February 3, is Communion Sunday. The Food Pantry team would appreciate your donations of canned meats, soups and canned fruit.

You Are Invited!
The Seekers class is studying The Top 10 United Methodist Beliefs by Don Adams. The study is moderated by Jim Guest. Everyone is welcome!

Sign Up Now!
QPR Training
Join Melissa Beard Sunday, February 10, after worship in Room 211 in the Covenant Center to learn how to become a suicide prevention gatekeeper in this great one-hour training. Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a clear, concise, and efficient emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. This class is for everyone – teens, parents, and adults. In QPR, you will learn how wide-reaching suicide is, signs of depression/mental illness, and how to help someone who is feeling suicidal get the help they need. Please reserve your spot by signing up in the narthex. The cost of this training is $3 to cover the cost of the take-home booklet.

2019: A Year in the Bible
We have begun the challenge of reading the Bible together as a congregation in one year. If you didn’t start January 1st, no problem! You can catch up in any of the following ways:
1. Download the free Bible app by You Version. This link should take you to the group from Holy Covenant that are doing this reading together: Invitation.
2. You can use the link above on-line as well. If you don’t want to be connected to others you can just go to bible.com. Go to plans and search The One Year Chronological Bible.
3. You can listen to The One Year Chronological Bible through Audible.com at Audiobook or you can download the app and listen to it on your phone.
4. You can buy a The One Year Chronological Bible in book form through Amazon at Amazon or download it to your Kindle or E-Reader.
5. You can use any Bible you want and follow this print out that tells you what scriptures to read each day: Reading Plan.

Support Holy Covenant While You Shop
You can support Holy Covenant while you shop. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to your favorite charitable organization. To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. Select Holy Covenant United Methodist Church to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

 

Highlights Outside Holy Covenant
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group
Third Tuesday of each month at 6 pm
Located on the third floor, Atria Carrollton – 1825 Arbor Creek Drive, Carrollton
Support for those supporting others. Surround yourself each month with people who offer kindness, understanding and togetherness to those who care for others. Refreshments provided by Atria Carrollton.