This year Methodists celebrated 150 years of gathering together as the Southwest Texas Conference. This annual event was held in Corpus Christi from June 4-7, 2008.

Our church was represented by Lay Delegates, Lynn Oldham and Debbie Clark. Clergy in attendance were Rev. Ellen Ely and Rev. Dr. L.C. Johnston and Rev. Nancy McDougall. Laura Green also attended as she was accepting a pastoral position at Star and Center City communities.

The theme for this session was “Offering Christ to All-Connecting with our Communities”. There has been a renewed effort by our conference to become more visible in our community by sharing our faith stories with those who do not have a church family.

For those who have never attended an annual conference, there are many events and activities. Each morning different styles of Communion were offered from Celtic style to Traditional. During the day, normal business sessions were conducted with discussions of Clergy and Congregational Effectiveness Tools being introduced. You will be hearing more of these evaluation processes in the future. There were several dialogue sessions available to provide opportunities of learning more of what the United Methodists are involved in as an organization. Topics included subjects on Church and Society, Discipleship, Finance, Sharing our Faith at Home, Transformational Engagement for Congregational Growth, Hispanic Imperatives, Russian Initiatives, UMCOR and other missions and many others. There was also a new process introduced titled, “Charting the Course”, a way to help churches make disciples, not just add members.

We had the recognition of retired clergy and the ordination of new pastors, but perhaps the notable event throughout the conference was the retirement of our Bishop Joel Martinez. We have been blessed by his leadership and guidance. We wish him and his wife, Raquel the best years to come!!

If you are interested in learning more of the conference or perhaps attending, please contact the church office.

Annual Conference 2008 has come and gone and I am pleased to report that I have been re-appointed to serve as your pastor for another year. I am thankful for that privilege of serving with you while looking to the future to see what God has in store for us! Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor.

I also want to say a word of appreciation to Debbie Clark and Lynn Oldham who served as our lay delegates to annual conference this year. They were tireless and never complained as we sat through many reports, and also presentations from some of our United Methodist related institutions such as the Texas Methodist Foundation, The Methodist Mission Home and Lydia Patterson Institute. Also seated with us at the table during all the business sessions were Rev. Nancy McDougall and Rev. L.C. “Buddy”Johnston. Overall, it was a good conference session. I think Lynn said it best when as we left she said, “It made me proud to be a United Methodist”! Lynn, I agree!

With annual conference over the summer is upon us. Be sure and read your newsletter carefully to see which committees will be meeting this summer. Some will meet as needed; others will remain on their regular schedule. Of course, our worship and Sunday School opportunities will remain on schedule each week and I hope you will remain faithful in your attendance this summer. I will be spending the month of July on “Renewal Leave” (or “Sabbatical” as we have called it) but there are many exciting speakers lined up to preach in the weeks while I am away. Please be present for them as you are so faithful to be in worship when I am in town. You will be blessed by their messages and I will be eager to hear all about it. I will miss you and I appreciate your willingness to give your pastor this time for spiritual renewal and refreshment. In my absence, if you have a pastoral emergency, please call Rev. Johnston or the church office. I will hold you in prayer while we are apart and will be eager to see you all in mid-August.

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you…” Phil 1:3-4 NRSV

Celebration Sunday in June was a huge success! We were entertained with much food for thought during the service. Rev. Sue White gave us many interesting thoughts on how to reach people through evangelism. Lunch was enjoyed by a large group of hungry folks and Rev. White gave a talk on reaching people with God’s message during lunch.

The Arise! service celebrated its first birthday with a well attended outdoor praise service. The Praise Band was situated on a flat-bed trailor and everyone enjoyed singing, visiting and the great breakfast during the church hour. Those attending gave it a big “thumbs up!” and look forward to the second year celebration in 2009!!

Our church will have another Celebration Sunday on August 3^rd. There will be one service at 10 a.m. with The Rogers Family Band. They are a family that brings Gospel Music and shares it with their commitment to God during the service. Although we will have Sunday School at 9 a.m. breakfast will not be served. The Family Dinner will be immediately following the morning service/communion. This will be a fun day to celebrate summer and praise God at the same time. Be sure to mark August 3^rd on your calendars!

Our church family has been recognized by the Southwest Texas Annual Conference for the Arthur J. Moore Evangelism Award. The criteria for this prestigious award are that the congregation must bear fruits of its work in evangelism through any or all of the following:

Rev. Bob Allen, our district superintendent, nominated our congregation for this award. Congratulations to our church family! Let’s keep up the good work!

During May of this year La Care has furnished food to a total of 837 persons (251 household units). In April the total was 900. The clients receive food one time a month, and the food given amounts to a two or three day supply at the most and is based on the size of the family.

The once-a-month Angel Food Ministry is truly helpful and most generous. At the same time “shelf items” make up an ongoing need. There is constant need and room on the shelves for dry cereal, oatmeal, Raman soup, can soups, can vegetables, peanut butter, Jello and pudding mixes.

It is worth your visit to see the exceptionally nice facility that represents our caring and sharing spirit.

This year we awarded scholarships to ten graduates from Burnet High School who participated regularly in the activities our our church. This makes a total of 25 awards since the beginning of the program in 2003.

Thanks to the generousity of members of the congregation, their relatives and friends we have not only increased the amount of each scholarship to $750 but also allow the students to return at the end of their first semester to apply for another $750 provided they have maintained a B average.

The Scholarship Committee members (Rev. Ellen Ely, Joy Taylor, Donna Watson, Randall Jones and Bill Foulds) thank everyone for their generosity and ask for your continued support.

Anyone interested in purchasing a polo shirt with the First United Methodist Burnet logo on it can order one soon. The shirts will be available for display prior to purchasing in the narthex on Sundays.

17^th Jennifer Lagrone, Frankie Hendley, Donna Nantz, Aileen Williams, Jim Rogers

The Publisher apologizes for any birthdays left off this list. Please help us update our records. Call or email and give us your birthday!

BLUEBONNET COUNTRY PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS

WE’RE OUT FOR THE SUMMER!

If you would like information about fall registration, please call Director,

Gina Winn at 512-756-0709.

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JOIN US FOR A TRIP TO ISRAEL

Join James and Diane Craig and Overseas Adventure Travel for a 15 day trip to Israel: Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Golan and the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Masada and more. Led by professionals and limited to 16 people. We depart September 25^th, 2009. Optional 5 night pre-trip to Jordan and Petra ($1,195), 4 night post trip to the Sinai ($995). Approximate cost per person for the main trip leaving from Austin in $4,331. For more information call Diane Craig at 756-7971.

COMMUNITY FYI

The Herman Brown Free Library will be celebrating their 60^th anniversary on July 12^th. You will read all about it soon in the local papers, on fliers, etc. In the meantime, we have a plea! During the celebration we will have a used book table set up for people to help themselves to free books and will even furnish a tote bag to put them in. Hopefully people will see fit to give a donation to the Library Expansion Fund. If you have any books that are taking up room in your homes that you will like to donate we will be happy to get them. Please contact Donna Kladstrup at 756-2365 or Margaret (Butch) Reed at 756-7681. Thanks, in advance, for all the generosity I know we will see.

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You are invited

to celebrate

James Fry’s 80^th Birthday!

Saturday, August 2

2 – 4 pm

Family Life Center

First United Methodist Church, Burnet, TX

909 N. Vanderveer

The only gift requested is your presence.

Casual dress

“LA GRAN MERIENDA”

HONORING BISHOP JOEL & RAQUEL MARTINEZ

On August 9, 2008, at Alzafar Shrine Center (901 North Loop 1604 in San Antonio) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. the San Antonio Episcopal Area United Methodist Church will present a “Merienda” (afternoon tea) in honor of Bishop and Mrs. Martinez. All are invited to share in the festivities.

Cost for the afternoon is $15 per person payable to the SWTC, Treasurer with a note in your check’s memo “La Gran Merienda”

If you would like to attend, please come by the church office to be placed on the reservations list and drop off your check.

The church office must RSVP to the conference registrar by July 15^th so please inform the church office of your RSVP by July 14, 2008.

Notes from the edge

Moving is stressful. For those of you who aren’t aware, I’ve recently moved from a 1300 hundred square foot “trailer palace” – translated means mobile home- in Kingsland to a 904 square foot house here in Burnet. Right on 281. This brings with it blessings and challenges. The blessings are obvious: I’m closer to work. I won’t have to spend so much money on gas. If I leave something at the office or at home, I can simply run back and get the left item. The challenges however have presented themselves a little more slowly. I haven’t lived in town in over 22 years, much less on the highway. Sleep is a hot commodity at my little home these days. I failed to do the math correctly yet again…1300 minus 904 is a lot in square feet. Where will all this stuff go? How do I manage work, unpacking, repacking for the garage sale, upcoming camps, VBS, fundraisers, and maybe a day to go see my grandchildren? I have to admit that I’m having a hard time with all this change in my routine.

What about you? Is God calling you to clear away the clutter and excess in your life? Is he asking you to put aside all the extra “stuff” that you’ve accumulated and simplify your life? What do you need to put in the garage sale box in order to keep what is truly important?

As our youth begin camp season this month they will ponder these questions and more. Life for our teens is a challenge. There are many who deal with broken homes, broken hearts, and broken lives. They don’t dress like we dress, talk like we talk, or see things the way we see them. Yet they, like us are God’s children. Holy and beloved. Do we model compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience for the youth? Do we bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another? Do we forgive as the Lord has forgiven us? And do we choose love? Which binds all of these virtues together in perfect unity? (Colossians 3:12-14)

I ask you to please be an example of Christ’s love to our youth and to one another.

In His perfect love,

Donna

“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech,

in life, in love and in faith.”

1 Timothy 4:12

Nurse Ministry

Submitted by Marjorie Bronk

IS IT SAFE TO EXERCISE IN HOT WEATHER? Adapted from Health Journal, June, 2008 (Sports medicine)
Yes, as long as it is done properly, exercising in hot weather is generally healthy. A few simple precautions will help keep you safe.

First, acclimate your body to hot and humid conditions. If you are just beginning an exercise program, or if the temperature outside has turned hot, it is important to give your system a chance to adjust. Gradually increase the duration and then the intensity of the exercise. Most people limit the duration of intense physical activity during extreme heat. Also avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day — between 10 a.m. and 2 PM or in Texas, until 6 PM!
More than half our bodies are water, and our need for fluids is second only to our need for oxygen. Adequate fluid levels are crucial in helping control proper body temperature. A healthy person should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day, and more when exercising. Water is best, but you can drink other fluids, including sports drinks, juice, milk, and decaffeinated soda. Stay away from fluids that contain caffeine, because they can cause your body to lose fluids quickly.

After exercise, it is necessary to continue to replenish fluids. Remember, if you exercise with a pet, (especially running) make sure your animal companion also has an adequate water supply.
High heat and humidity can be dangerous without proper precautions. The body cools itself during exercise by sweating. When sweat evaporates it helps moderate our internal temperature. In high humidity, sweat doesn’t evaporate as easily, causing our core temperature to rise. Pushing too hard too soon in extreme heat without proper hydration can cause serious heat related illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses, include headache, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. Also, high heat and humidity are taxing on the cardiovascular system, and may lead to serious problems, such as a heart attack.

Limit the duration and intensity of activities in relation to the rising heat index. When temperatures are 80 to 90 degrees and the humidity is over 70 percent, a 10-minute rest is recommended every half an hour during training or exercise. Promptly change wet shirts to help regulate the body’s temperature. When the temperature is over 90 degrees, with more than 70 percent humidity, avoid intense workouts altogether or significantly shorten them.

Other tips include:
 Choose alternative locations. If you’re normally used to running on the road, for instance, try running on a shaded trial or path. Instead of doing an outdoor run, try a walk or a bike ride.
 Choose the right clothing. Consider loose-fitting clothing made from materials that help wick the sweat away from the body, including fabrics made from polypropylene. Light-colored clothing helps repel the sun, and there are even fabrics made today that have a sun protection factor or SPF.

Wear sunscreen. Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 15 to all exposed areas of the skin.
Exercising is a great way to enjoy the sunshine this summer, but remember to use common sense to help keep you safe. If you have questions about exercising in hot weather, talk to your doctor.

DEAR ELLEN AND CHURCH FAMILY,

“For the kind things you’ve done, for the happiness you’ve given, thank you.”

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who had a hand in presenting me with a cake and gifts last Sunday (June 1, 2008) afternoon!

It was very unexpected!

Once again, this congregation has had a very big impact on my life. I will always cherish the memories and experience that I have had as a member of this congregation. Love, Laura Green

A NOTE FROM DORTHA COLLINS

Dear Church Family,

I want to thank each of you for the caring thoughts and prayers for my grandson, Chad Collins. He was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, and after having major surgery twice, he is now considered cancer-free.

He is only 19 years old, and now has a future that looks bright again. We just have an awesome God-our prayers were answered. Thank you again and again. God bless you all! Dortha Collins

A NOTE FROM JO FOULDS

My blessings in life were already more than I could count and now your cards, your calls and your caring to help me get well have added to those gifts beyond measure. Thank you for your endearing friendship. My church family is as sweet as angel food cake.

MENDING MINISTRY

If you have clothes or most anything that needs to be mended and recycled back into your closet, please bring it up to the church office on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to Noon. Seams, rips, buttons, zippers, etc…I can repair it! I have 40 years of “Mother/Grandmother mending” experience and would be pleased to help you. There is no cost for my ministry, but if you feel the need to compensate me a donation to the Arise! Service funds would be greatly appreciated. Dee Donaho

NOTES FROM SOME FUMC-YOUTH

Thank you for my scholarship and Bible. Both will help me when I leave for college in the fall. It has been a blessing to be a part of this church family, and I will miss everyone when I leave for Galveston in the fall.

Thank you and God Bless, Dorothy Rowland

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Dear Church Family,

I just wanted to say I really appreciate the Scholarship and Bible. It means a lot that you took the time to care and think about me.

Thanks again. God Bless, Seth Collins

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Dear Church Family,

Shockingly, FUMC has given me more than just something to do on those wide-awake Sunday mornings. This church has been a haven for me and the other graduation seniors. Ellen and our other leaders have taught me about worship, the members have given me a second family, the youth group a foundation, and now the church has offered us money for college. I am sincerely thankful. With love, Ben Johnson

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1^st United Methodist Church,

Thank you very much for the money for college! This will help me very much in accomplishing my college goals! Thank you, Brandon (Graham)

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Thank you so very much for the scholarship. It will be very helpfully to me & my family come August. Gig’Em Aggies! Jessica Devaney

June Calendar