Jan, Feb, March 2013 Together Magazine

JAN | FEB | MAR 2013WESTBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

together

Global footprintsExploring meaningful missions in Haiti and Cameroon

2012 year in reviewHighlighted stories and photos

House of prayerPraying for the nations this Lent

All the children of the worldFostering and adopting orphans

2 / together JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2013

FEATURE

04 Global footprints Going into all the world requires taking some first steps

SPOTLIGHTS

08 Year in review Photos, quotes and summaries of 2012 church highlights

16 House of prayer Learning to pray for all nations throughout the season of Lent

17 All the children of the world Accepting the risk and blessing of caring for orphans

MORE

03 Introducing the issue

07 The New Normal: Our January worship series and small groups

16 Westbury cares

18 Coffee With the Pastors

19 MLK Service Day at The Beacon

20 PrimeTimers fellowship and more

JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2013

C O N T E N T S

CONTRIBUTORS Ida Bathey, Amy Behrman, Yvonne Canida, Fran Cheadle, Cody Cruise, Susan Edge, Steve Ewing, Wava Fick, Sadie Garcia, Elsa Garza, Janel Gillespie, Lindsey Heathcock, Ken Henderson, Jenny Hester, Roy House, R. DeAndre Johnson, Romonica Malone-Wardley, Donna Meador, J. L. and Barbara Parks, John Patlan, Alisa Strength, Laurie Sturdevant, Hannah Terry, Adam Walmus, Steve Welty, Bethany Williams, and Tommy Williams

EDITOR & DESIGNERKelsey Johnson

ON THE COVER Handicrafts produced by Haitian artisan women,

through the HAPI economic development program in the community of Mizak, Haiti.

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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE A COLLABORATIVE PUBLICATION SPOTLIGHTING STORIES OF MINISTRY, MISSION AND TRANSFORMATION AT WESTBURY UMC.

ASSISTANT EDITORSCindy Parker and Martha Upton

PHOTOSTommy Behrman, Kelsey Johnson, R. DeAndre Johnson, John Patlan, Vincent Sanders, Alisa Strength, and Hannah Terry. Stock images from www.sxc.hu and www.creationswap.com.

WESTBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH5200 Willowbend BoulevardHouston, Texas 77096(713) 723-0175 | www.westburyumc.org

WE’RE LISTENING.Send your suggestions, corrections and comments to Kelsey Johnson, Director of Communications, at [email protected] write to Westbury UMC at 5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, TX 77096.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a special issue that encompasses three months (January, February and March) rather than the typical two. On occa-sion, depending on the season and the life of the church, we will change the publication schedule to best accommodate these rhythms. More often than not though, the magazine will stay on track as a “once-every-other-month” printing. Look for the next issue due out in early April 2013.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2013 together / 3

together

We can learn what joy can come from praising God no matter what the circumstance as we put our hope for the future in God alone!

Rev. Romonica Malone-Wardley Associate Pastor

John and Charles Wesley adopted the tradition of “Watch Night” from the Moravians. In 1755, they called them Covenant Services where the community could rededicate and affirm their faith monthly. Eventually the services evolved to an annual event held on December 31. The idea was

to watch and meditate over their past and their current state to see if they were ready for the possible coming of God in the New Year. This tradition took on particular importance to African Americans on December 31, 1862, as they waited with great anticipation and prayer for the news of their impending freedom. Called Freedom’s Eve, they congregated in churches and homes awaiting President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Thus, January 1, 1863, was cause for great celebration, prayer and praise. Many churches still celebrate this tradition annually on December 31 with testimonies of how God has blessed them and their families—some with food, confession, prayer, and worship of our faithful God.

We all stand with such a great cloud of witnesses who suffered greatly and endured much hardship but never lost hope in a God who promised to always be their God. In a traditional fashion, we approach the New Year with a sense of repentance, expectation, preparation and watching. Looking back to see where God has brought us from and watching to see where God will take us as individuals, families and a faith community.

We stand ready to open the door to a New Year of possibilities and close the door on things that keep us distracted from doing the will of God. It may seem nebulous as to what difference can happen in our lives from 11:59 pm on December 31 to 12:00 am on January 1. Well, you’re right—it’s not a magical minute where we’re suddenly, automatically transformed. So why, why do we spend so much time focusing on the New Year? Why did the Moravians and the Wesleyans and the African Americans of 1862 spend so much time celebrating, preparing, waiting for the New Year?

It’s the idea of laying our lives before God Almighty, expecting God to do something in our lives and being open to who God is calling us to be. What better way to enter into a New Year but with hope, alertness and expectation? From each group of those early “wait-ers” we can learn what joy can come from praising God no matter what the circumstance as we put our hope for the future in God alone!

As you stand at the door…what are you praying for God to free you from?

This community of faith will offer many ways to celebrate our freedom in 2013—our freedom from sin and death that was given to us through the gift of Jesus Christ. This church will surround you with love, support and encouragement to be free from whatever hinders you from being fully available to God. Through discipleship groups focused on strengthening our walk and witness, worship that connects us to Christ, each other and the world, a day of service on the MLK holiday, new ways to connect to the community through outreach, establishing a global partnership through relationship building, and continuing to connect our children and youth to the mission and vision of the church.

May it be that each of us stands at the door of a New Year ready to open our hearts and lives to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

FEATURE

Global footprintsWESTBURY UMC IS STEPPING OUT IN NEW GLOBAL MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES AS GOD

PROVIDES WAYS TO “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD.” EXPLORE WITH US AS WE TAKE PART IN

EMERGING PARTNERSHIP POSSIBILITIES WITH PROJECTS IN HAITI AND CAMEROON.

A HEART FOR HAITI Above: Dr. John Patlan and Rev. Romonica Malone-Wardley went to Haiti to explore a potential missions partnership.

Making strides in Haiti (October 2012)BY REV. ROMONICA MALONE-WARDLEY AND DR. JOHN PATLAN

Q. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOURNEY TO HAITI?

John: Romonica and I had been looking for global mission partners for almost a year. For me personally, I feel incredibly blessed to be able to work as a physician, and have felt that God is calling me to use my skills and training to benefit the poor, and to reach out to His people in the developing world where there is a shortage of physicians and medical resources. Plus, I had a mission experience in Mexico last year that was one of the richest experiences of my faith journey.

Romonica: Then we were invited by the missions and outreach team from St. Paul’s UMC here in Houston to accompany

them on a trip they were planning in October 2012 to visit a potential ministry partner in Haiti. They were planning to go to Mizak, a small town in rural southeast Haiti, to learn more about a program there called HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International). HAPI is a Haitian-run organization affiliated with the Haitian Methodist Church that has three main goals: economic development, improved healthcare, and expanding educational opportunities.

Q. WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU WERE THERE?

Romonica: Unfortunately, our trip was impacted by Hurricane Sandy, which passed through the Caribbean before it struck the East Coast of the U.S. For the first three days of our trip, we were stuck inside just watching the rain and listening to the wind and trying to stay dry!

John: We were blessed by the hospitality of our host, Paul Prevost, a lay pastor in the Haitian Methodist Church. He is a remarkable man who is self-educated, having taught himself English and theology. He has worked hard to build the church that is the center of the community and to help create the community development aspects of HAPI.


Q. WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT HAPI?Romonica: Their main focus is on economic development by helping local artisans create handicrafts for sale to the U.S. They provide the women with skills training and teach them how to produce goods that American buyers would find appealing. They also help them market and sell their goods internationally. HAPI is building a two-story, 7,000-sq-ft facility called the Merlet Center that will be the main work space for the artisans.

John: They also have a health ministry with a small, one-room clinic staffed by a nurse. They do health education there, and focus mainly on prenatal care and women’s health. There is no doctor in this area. People with more significant health issues or emergencies (such as women in labor who might need an emergency Cesarean section)—they have to travel over 30 miles of unpaved roads to the nearest city. Previous short-term medical mission teams to Mizak have provided medical, dental, and optometry services.

Romonica: When the Merlet Center is finished, it will have electric power, computers, and a satellite Internet connection.

They want to use these resources for increased educational opportunities for the community via distance learning. Haitian young people are very hungry for education to try to better themselves and their community. We met several folks who had taught themselves English. Ask any local Haitian schoolchild what they want to be and they will say, “A doctor, or an engineer, or an agronomist.”

Q. SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE HERE IN THE U.S., WHY SHOULD WE SPEND RESOURCES SENDING PEOPLE TO PLACES LIKE HAITI?

John: It is certainly true that we only need to look around us to see people who are struggling financially and in other ways, in our own neighborhood and our city.

And if someone feels that God is calling them to reach out to the disadvantaged here in Houston, I would urge them to answer that call. There are people in need, and opportunities for us to serve all around us, if we only open our eyes, and pay attention. If anyone wants to do more to help those in our own area, they should get involved with Westbury UMC’s Community Ministries team. There is always a place for someone with ready hands and a willing heart in a local context. But what we cannot do is ignore the poor and those who are suffering—wherever they are in the world. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Romonica: We truly feel called as a Global Ministries team and a church to live out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) by being actively involved in our community, our city and beyond. But this effort is not a one-way street—we are not rich Americans going over there to help the poor Haitians, and solve their problems for them. We are looking to create a partnership. And when

we say partnership, we do mean the give and take of ministry where we are learning from one another, and each of us are blessed by the other.

Q. WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS HERE AT WESTBURY UMC?

Romonica: Now, Westbury as a community, is being prayerful about establishing this partnership.

John: And we will also be in conversation with other local churches (St. Paul’s and Chapelwood UMC) about coordinating our efforts and resources in supporting this ministry. We are tentatively considering a return trip to Haiti in the spring, possibly in April (before hurricane season starts!)

Q. WHAT CAN INTERESTED WESTBURY MEMBERS DO NOW?

John: I would invite you to join the Global Ministries team if you feel led to help discern and plan the missional outreach of our church. If you are interested, contact me at

“This effort is not a one-way

street—we are not rich Americans

going over there to help the poor

Haitians, and solve their problems

for them. We are looking to create

a partnership.”

ART, HEALTH AND EDUCATION Above left: An artisan stands near her handiwork, empowering her to earn a fair wage. Above right: HAPI’s health clinic provides basic exams, prenatal care and health education.


Ready for the trek to Cameroon (February 2013)BY REV. R. DEANDRE JOHNSON AND KELSEY JOHNSON

Q. WHAT IS THIS TRIP TO CAMEROON ALL ABOUT?

Kelsey: Do you remember Rev. John Thornburg who came as Westbury’s guest for World Communion Sunday last fall? He has invited DeAndre and me to join his next mission team to Africa this February! The United Methodist Mission in Cameroon, with support from the General Board of Global Ministries, is hosting the team. Back in 2005, Rev. Thornburg was charged with helping to develop Cameroon’s first bilingual hymnal, Mille Voix Pour Chanter Tes Louanges (O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing). The purpose of this particular trip is centered around a six-day intensive conference for Cameroonian pastors and musicians.

DeAndre: So, basically our team will facilitate workshops on keyboard, songleading and using the new songbook in worship. We’ll share times of worship and fellowship with people from the local churches, and I’m sure we’ll be mutually encouraged in the faith. We’ll be flying in and out of the capital city of Yaounde, and the training will be in Buea, one of the rainiest places on earth! We will lodge in a modest hotel and eat a simple diet: fish or chicken with plantains and rice.

Q. WHY DID YOU SAY ‘YES?’

DeAndre: This kind of work has been a dream of mine from the very beginning of my call into ministry. It is part of what led me to a place like Westbury. This trip will provide another avenue for God’s voice to become clearer in my own personal life as well as in the life and ministry of Westbury.

Kelsey: For quite a while, I couldn’t say “yes” because I was torn between my desire to go and my fear to leave our two young children behind for the duration of the 10-day trip. But all throughout my wrestling, I sensed the Spirit pushing me forward, out of my fear, and into this new destination for ministry. The closer it gets, the more excited I grow.

[email protected] or by phone at 713-283-6076.

Romonica: This January, you can attend a 4-week small group study about global missions. We will be studying the book When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor (see p. 7) to prepare our hearts and our minds for this ministry. Or you can donate to HAPI through the United Methodist Church through The Advance (Advance #3020490). This is a great ministry striving to bring peace, hope and possibilities in a holistic way to their community through access to health care, educational opportunities and fair-trade artisans to teach sustainability.

WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS Top of page: The Methodist Church pavilion is the center of the community, seeking to create “shalom” (peace). Middle: A collection of paintings by Haitian artisans. Bottom: Hurricane Sandy caused this river to flood, so the missionary team relied upon Haitians to carry them across the swollen waters in order to make their flight back to the United States.

A LESSON FROM THE BIBLE STORY OF PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN OFFICIAL Above: During the Finck lecture weekend, Rev. DeAndre Johnson receives a wall hanging on behalf of Westbury UMC as a gift from Rev. John Thornburg, reminding us that in missions we are both learners and teachers.


Q. WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT GOD WILL DO?

Kelsey: I have yearned to be a part of global missions for many years, and I’ve really caught hold of the vision of it being best lived out as we expect these endeavors not to be charity in an arrogant sense of one more privileged people taking pity on another less privileged. Missions should be a mutual forma-tion of brotherhood/sister-hood and sharing in Christ. We have much to learn from each other, in all corners of the world. I’ve been on only one global missions trip (to Mexico) when I was a teenag-er. The most meaningful part of the trip, for me, was not in the medical clinics we orga-nized, but in a simple house of worship where the locals invited our team to sing praises to God. I could catch only phrases of the language that I actually understood. But the presence of God was very familiar. I expect to come back from Cameroon forever changed with new songs in my heart and layers of understanding that en-hance diverse worship among the saints. I get to serve as the team’s “photojournalist” and it’s really amazing how God has been preparing us with our passions and pursuits for just such a trip.

DeAndre: I have long felt a calling to be a part of God’s work around the world. So far, my experience of the global church has been vi-carious at best. Through this trip, I hope to gain a deeper understanding and appre-ciation for how the gospel is being proclaimed and faithfully lived out by others in a context that is wholly different than my own. Please continue to pray for us and this endeavor. We anticipate God will do great things!

BY REV. TOMMY WILLIAMS

When God calls us to something new, it's not temporary or short-lived. God's invitation is for a new life transformed from now on. You might call this new-found life your “new normal.”

For January Sundays in worship, we will explore God's call in the Biblical stories of Abram, Jacob and others. Through the witness of Scripture, we pray that we will discover our own call for life in 2013 and beyond.

• January 6 | Go Where I Will Show You (Genesis 12:1-12)• January 13 | I Will Never Leave You (Genesis 28:10-28)• January 20 | Here’s My Promise to You (Numbers 13:1-3, 2-14:4, 10b-19)• January 27 | Remember Where I Have Brought You From (Deuteronomy 8)

Beyond the worship hour, check out our Winter 2013 Small Groups on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm (see below). We’re offering two classes that will help us to discern the life God has for us. Look for a purple brochure around the church or download the PDF from the church website. The deadline for registration is Monday, January 7.

The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your LifeThe Call is for all who desire a purposeful, intentional life of faith. Are you asking these questions: Why am I here? What is God’s call in my life? How should God’s calling affect my career, my plans for the future, my concepts of success? This study will help us discover answers to these questions, and more, through a corresponding workbook. To be led by church member and fellow disciple, Holly Welty, this small group is intended to be intergenerational—from teenagers exploring college and career options to retirees wondering what God has in store for the next phase of their lives.■ Duration: 5 weeks (January 9–February 6) ■ Leader: Holly Welty ■ Location: 102 ■ Cost: $15

When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the PoorOften times when we believe we are doing good, we are in fact doing harm. When Helping Hurts, discusses ways in which Christians can help those in poverty without harming those who are already suffering, and how to keep themselves from getting hurt. This study will be led by Thera Freeman. A graduate of Duke Divinity School, Thera worked in Uganda for three years before she began her current position as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Texas Annual Conference. All are welcome to attend this class to learn more about meaningful missions.■ Duration: 4 weeks (January 9–30) ■ Leader: Thera Freeman ■ Location: Parlor ■ Cost: $12


Year in ReviewWe praise God for the many opportunities He has given us to live

out our mission “to make followers of Jesus Christ who transform the community and the world through God’s love.” Westbury UMC

is organized around this very mission. In this article, each of Westbury’s team leaders reflect on the year. Check out what they have to say about how we have lived out the church’s mission in 2012.

GIVING TOWARD THE KINGDOM OF GOD Generosity is a marker of discipleship. We appreciate all those cheerful givers who have supported ministry and mission priorities through their financial offerings. All age discipleship ministries, as well as community and global missions, have been funded in significant ways this year. In addition, many gave generously mid-year to begin our new apartment ministry with an added staff leader. We continue to manage our facility so that it is equipped to do the ministry to which we are called. It proved a challenge in 2012 to repair the most aging portion of our facility. Many repairs were made and others are on the docket for 2013. We are praying and preparing for a campaign initiative that would reinvest in the facility for the sake of present and future ministry. As of December 20, 2012, our income was $819,097. As of the same date, our expenses were $861,204. Keep in mind that those numbers are incomplete for 2012, with still four more offerings in worship yet to be counted. We paid 100% of our District

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Opposite, clockwise from top left: The Day School celebrated its 45th anniversary of serving families with preschoolers in our community. This year saw the beginnings of faith-forming relationships with our neighbors in apartments along Fondren Road. The Braes Community Garden was one of several sites where volunteers worked during our Spring 2012 More Than Enough Love Community Service Day. Rev. Tommy Williams invites the congregation to the table on World Communion Sunday.

Same page: Colorful Easter people gather in the sanctuary for the resurrection celebration.


Apportionments (Cooperative Giving to Missions) totaling $7,100 and approximately $68,800 of our Conference Apportionments, which fulfills 70% (modified from our original 80% goal). We thank God for generosity and pray for it in a renewed and increased way in 2013!

– Rev. Tommy Williams, Senior Pastor

BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS A disciple not only follows Jesus, but loves Jesus, strives to be more like Jesus, and leads others to him. Westbury’s Discipleship Ministries has furthered our mission in many ways this year, and has also grown in doing so.

We were exceptionally blessed by the growth in our weeklong Vacation Bible School, where over 150 children were taught about the love of God. Faithful volunteers lovingly modeled being a follower of Jesus.

Additionally, our Living Water Caring Ministry is an excellent example of discipleship. This group has lovingly provided support for our members who are living in care facilities, serving in the military, ill or bereaved. They have poured out Christ’s love in the form of many meals, hundreds of personal visits, thousands of calls and cards and countless prayers.

They have also invited and encouraged others in our congregation to join the team, and added 23 new people to their team in 2012. One such new volunteer—5th grader Evan Byrd—and his dad, Richard, visited Evelyn Houghton, delivering the Upper Room devotional. Evan was fascinated with Evelyn’s frog collection, so on the next visit, Evan brought Evelyn a painting of a frog with a quote of the significance of the frog. She loved it! The Caring Ministry has also helped the Agape Youth Choir to expand their service to include our elders in care facilities and those homebound members, by regularly bringing worship and communion.

– Laurie Sturdevant, Discipleship Committee Chair

SUPPORTING THE LEADERSHIP OF STAFF The Staff Parish Relations Committee is the personnel committee of the church. 2012 has continued to see a strong staff grow and mature in leading us in the mission of worship, discipleship, community and global ministries. With the departure of Jana Kincannon, long-time staff person and most recently Director of Children’s Ministries, we will have very important decisions to make to invest strongly in children and

family ministries in the years to come. We continue to pray with, evaluate and support our staff as they seek with the lay leadership to guide us into the future God has for us.

– Rev. Tommy Williams, Senior Pastor, and Adam Walmus, SPRC Chair

OVERCOMING STRUCTURAL OBSTACLES TO MINISTRY2012 presented several challenges with plumbing and air conditioning. With the help of God and his children, we were able to correct the challenges with plumbing and some of the AC issues. The remaining AC issues will be corrected in 2013. With the correction of these challenges, all of Westbury’s ministries are able to continue.

– Ken Henderson, Trustees Committe Chair

FOCUSING ON MISSIONS BEYOND MONEY In dry discussions of financial matters, we tend to lose sight of what the mission of the church is, as well as the mission of the Finance Committee in supporting that mission. The Finance Committee is not about money—it is about ministry. We have to work with the tension between the growth of programs and infrastructure so vital for our congregation and community, and being responsible with

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

2012

MARCH

APRIL

A special delivery of school supplies was made to Anderson Elementary thanks to $1,200 worth in donations.

The Beyond Our Own stewardship initiative encouraged members to give toward the current and future ministries of the church.

More Than Enough Love Day sent out nearly 100 volunteers to neighbor-hood worksites.

The Agape Youth Choir began its new outreach in visiting nursing homes and the homebound for worship and communion.

40 Days Together was a churchwide spiritual journey where we worshipped, prayed and fasted throughout Lent.

Westbury UMC's festival choir and 30-piece orchestra performed The Rose of Calvary, a dramatic cantata, on Palm Sunday.

Youth, 10 in total, were confirmed on a glorious Easter Sunday that saw over 700 people in worship. A favorite tradition, the egg launch, delighted children in the Memorial Garden.

Through a 5th Sunday Sunday school presenta-tion, the church learned more about the work of Casa el Buen Samaritano, a local health clinic staffed by volunteers.

I’ve brought several friends and they say they love Impact. Impact is on Sundays from 5 to 7 pm. We play in the gym, eat dinner togeth-er, and then we have chapel time. I like the worship service because we do lots of singing, dancing and praising the Lord.

–Mekdim Sanders, 7th grader


Global Ministries aims to encourage and empower the congregation of Westbury to live out the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations.”

This year, we held the Jazz Brunch and Auction, a fundraising and fellowship event to raise money for Imagine No Malaria. In the fall, we scouted a partnership possibility in Haiti and will be praying about how our congregation can support that ministry with a potential return trip in Spring 2013 with volunteers from Westbury. Our “Good Gifts” market raised over $800 to provide fair wages for products of artisans and farmers worldwide, including about $650 to support future global mission projects of our church.

John Patlan Global Ministries Chair

u

God tells us to care for each other and help all we can. The Fondren Apartment Ministry is an opportunity to reach out to help (and to receive help, too). My wife Brenda and I have had a chance to visit with some of our neighbors who are from war-torn countries. Our conversations may have been about their background and their efforts to get a job and acclimate to life in Houston. But by simply being together, our presence gives them a window into our culture, plus a chance to practice English—basic tools we take for granted. –Joe Hallmark

”“ MAY

Initiated by parents of young children in the Shepherds Sunday school class and boosted by household items donated by many within the congregation, in a single day the Garage Sale for Orphans brought in $3,260 to help construct a safehouse for at-risk children in Haiti.

Our Change the World Day Jazz Brunch and Auction raised $4,200 to support Braes Interfaith Ministries and Imagine No Malaria.

Westbury UMC hosted a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon for the staff of Anderson Elementary; volunteers also assisted with Field Day on last day of classes.

Far top: Steve Stone serves as the auctioneer at the Change the World Day Jazz Brunch and Auction benefitting local and global missions.

Just above: Shoppers browse a gym full of items at the Garage Sale for Orphans, a fundraising event organized by parents of young children.

Far bottom: Senior adults enjoy musical entertainment, fellowship and a potluck lunch at the monthly PrimeTimers gathering.

our financial conditions. Our financial planning and budgeting are an amazing combination of faith, reason and prayer, and in serving on the committee, my personal prayer life has been enhanced

as we all give God control of our financial future and our role in meeting the mission of our church.

– Steve Welty, Finance Committee Chair


JUNE

JULY

Pastor Hannah Terry joined the Westbury UMC family to nurture the budding Fondren Apartment Ministry.

Westbury UMC appreciated the gifts of two pastoral interns throughout the summer.

We celebrated the ordination of Rev. DeAndre Johnson as a deacon in the United Methodist Church.

Our UM ARMY team of 16 youth and adults tackled mission projects in Fairfield, TX.

We created the premiere issue of Together Magazine, a collaborative publication to tell the stories of Westbury UMC.

For the past couple of months I have been spending one night a month at the children’s area of Casa el Buen Samaritano. I have the opportunity to play with the kids while their parents are treated in the clinic. It has been a lot of fun to color, make crafts and play games with the kids. They are a fun and ener-getic bunch. The clinic could use more volunteers in this area, especially for the nights when there are 18 or more children!

– Lindsey Heathcock

”“


u

Community Ministries is a vital and growing ministry of Westbury UMC that allows us individually and as a church family to live up to our mission of making followers of Jesus Christ who transform the community and the world.

In this past year, our church has engaged in volunteer service through two More Than Enough Love Service Days benefitting nine local sites in need (including the Houston Food Bank), an ongoing partnership with Anderson Elementary, Change the World Day Jazz Brunch to raise funds for our neighborhood’s Braes Interfaith Ministries, and a growing partnership with the health clinic, Casa el Buen Samaritano.

Without knowing the true widespread reach of Jesus Christ, we have planted the seeds of love and hope through more than 150 volunteers to over 10 local organizations or groups in need.

Amy BehrmanCommunity Ministries Chair

JULY (cont.)

Worship was centered around Heroes of the Old Testament.

Youth spent a week at Student Life Camp in Denton, TX.

Vacation Bible School drew over 150 pre-K and elementary kids for a week of Bible explora-tion through crafts, games and songs.

AUGUST

The Day School, in its 45th year of operation, had its recognized sta-tus renewed through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. Enrollment topped at 138 students with only one vacant spot in the preschool.

Many Westbury folks donned their More Than Enough Love t-shirts and became prayer warriors, walking the halls, class-rooms and grounds of Anderson Elementary to lift up every child, teacher, parent and community member involved with the school and asking humbly for educational success for all. We followed the prayer walk with some serious squeegee action, cleaning many windows and also clearing a large courtyard of fallen leaves.

– Elsa Garza

”“

Opposite page, clockwise from top: Pastor Romonica and Pastor Tommy stand with Anderson Elementary principal, Dr. Roslyn Vaughn and teachers at the Change the World Day Jazz Brunch. Youth confirmands stand at the altar on Easter Sunday. Children reach out to catch plastic eggs. The invita-tion of the communion feast brings all people to the table.

Same page, left: A physician at Casa el Buen Samaritano checks a patient’s pulse during an exam.

Below: Bringing the gift of song, teens in the Agape Youth Choir greet Clarewood House residents following a time of worship and communion.


OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

A newly visioned Children’s Choir for pre-K through 5th grade is launched by Westbury’s Music Ministries.

Fall small groups fostered opportunities for in-depth discipleship. Classes like Disciple I and a study on the Book of Romans were led by lay and clergy.

‘Come and See’ series in worship equipped us to invite our friends and neighbors to church.

World Communion Sunday highlighted global music with our Finck lecture guest, Rev. John Thornburg.

Rev. Romonica Malone-Wardley and Dr. John Patlan went on a mission trip to Haiti (p. 4–6).

The Houston Food Bank was the volunteers’ destination for the fall More Than Enough Love where they prepped 12,614 meals.

K–12 programs in southwest Houston shared information at Westbury’s 5th Annual School Expo.

The Apartment Ministry gathered with neighbors at Casa Miranda and Los Arcos for National Night Out and Trunk or Treat.

We had a great time on our first trip to Lakeview. It was a wonderful chance to bond with church members of all generations in a relaxed atmosphere. Having a whole weekend to visit and worship together allowed for a deeper, richer experience than just an hour or two on Sunday mornings sometimes allows.

– The Strength Family

[My friends in the youth group] have taught me about my faith and helped me a lot. They have influenced me to start a Bible study at my school.

– Sadie Garcia,

6th grader

Same page, top: Bible stories come alive at ‘Operation Overboard’ VBS. Middle row: The Batheys continue an annual tradition at the Lakeview Retreat. Confirmation students, with youth leaders Melanie Wiggs and Rachel Hodge, attempt a teambuilding game to untangle a human knot. Right: Rev. John Thornburg demonstrates African songs and rhythms at the Finck lecture and banquet.


NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

ADVENTure Night provided families with activities to make the holidays meaningful.

Carols from around the world rang out at the Houston Ebony Opera Guild concert.

In their 20th year, the Piecemaker Quilters donated 29 lap quilts to Houston Hospice.

Local and global artisans and farmers received a fair wage for products like scarves, jewelry, chocolate and coffee sold at the Good Gifts Fair-Trade Market.

Gratitude for ‘The Gift’ focused our Advent worship with Christmas candlelight and commu-nion services rounding out the season.

A group from Westbury participated in a week-end of fellowship at the annual Lakeview Retreat.

Adult and youth choirs, joined by orchestra, presented Mass in G by Franz Schubert as we remembered loved ones on All Saints Sunday.

We continued the annual tradition of sup-porting through song and finances the Braes Interfaith Ministries Service of Thanksgiving.

Same page, top row: Smiles erupt on the painted faces of Hannah Terry and a child at the Apartment Ministry’s Trunk or Treat party. The newly formed Children’s Choir debuts a song in worship. Inquiring parents get information about local magnet programs at the Southwest Houston School Expo. Middle row: Volunteers show some love at the Houston Food Bank for the Fall 2012 More Than Enough Love Community Service Day. Brenda Coleman serves up spaghetti to families at ADVENTure Night. Right: Voices combine for a Christmas concert with the Houston Ebony Opera Guild.

In Disciple I, we commit to reading several chapters of the Bible each day, which can take 30–45 minutes. And what we have found is that it is completely different from reading the Bible on our own. Through reading the Scriptures and discussing them every Sunday evening, the Scriptures have become much more meaningful for us. We now understand how different Scriptures apply to us. – Steve Ewing

Westbury Cares

In Memory of Charlene Chatfield from

Al and Ida Bathey

of Lucendia White from Al and Ida Bathey

of Tom Strait from: Officers and Board Members of Northbrook Property Owners Association; James McLean for the Pine-hurst Potters; Dale and Stephanie Wagoner; Janel Gillespie; Trevor Bray; and Al and Ida Bathey

of Evelyn Smith from Mrs. William Hazlett; Kathy Bulla; Delta Zeta Dinner Group (Melinda Redd); Al and Ida Bathey; and the Hamilton Family

of Joe Giudice from A. D. White

of the saints we remember from A. D. White

In Honorof Carmin Cleavenger

from Artie Crawford

BirthsTeagan and Tzion Brown (11/07/12)

Galen Mazzu (12/08/12)

DeathsPriscilla Brown (10/29/12)

Rev. Donald Daniel (11/11/12)

Rudy Saucillo (11/23/12)

Brian MacDonald (11/24/12)

Virginia Breedlove (12/01/12)

Mattie Bates (12/04/12

Joe Giudice (12/06/12)

Keefus Falls’ mother (12/08/12)

Evelyn Nelson (12/12/12)

BaptismElan Milena Wilkinson, daughter of Sheldon and Kayleen Wilkinson (11/18/12)

Devon Matthew Graves, grandson of Steve and Sharon Olson (12/30/12)

New MemberKayleen Wilkinson (11/18/12)

BY REV. R. DEANDRE JOHNSON

As we prepare for this Lenten season—a time of preparation

for Easter through penitence, fasting and prayer—we are reminded of these words from the prophet Isaiah: “Do what’s right and do it the right way…”

I think we are often ready and even eager to do what’s right, but I’m not so sure we’re any good at doing it the right way. Isaiah is pretty clear about what the right way looks like: keeping Sabbath and holding fast to the covenant.

Now, these may seem a bit archaic but it's essentially saying that we ought to keep up the daily practices that keep our relationship with

God vital and growing. John Wesley calls this “attending upon all the ordinances of God,” but I much prefer Rueben Job’s description as “staying in love with God” (Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living).

Now, there’s the rub: God calls us to prepare for the coming salvation by attending to the things that help us stay in love with God—the spiritual disciplines of prayer, worship, fasting, penitence, almsgiving and the like. Attending to these is not like a to-do list that can easily be checked off upon completion and thrown away. Instead, these are life-giving practices that remind us of God’s love for us and inform us of how we are to love the world...the whole world.

Doing the right things the right way means that we are particularly attentive to the “outsiders” and those who have been “physically mutilated” among us so that no one in our communities or our world can say, “I don’t really belong.” Doing things the right way means we get to tell the whole world that this promise, this hope, this love, this community, this salvation, this healing, this grace, this joy, this brand-spanking new life is for you…and you…and you.

And so, when we do the right things the right way we fulfill the words of the prophet, that “my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people.”

During Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 13), we’ll begin a new series for community life together entitled House of Prayer. Taking a cue from Isaiah, we’ll explore together through worship, prayer and study:

PrayerHouse of

PrayerHouse of

PrayerHouse of“Guard my common

good: Do what’s right and do it in the right way, for salvation is just around the corner, my setting-things-right is about to go into action. How blessed are you who enter into these things, you men and women who embrace them, who keep Sabbath and don’t defile it, who watch your step and don’t do anything evil! Make sure no outsider who now follows God ever has occasion to say, ‘God put me in second-class. I don’t really belong.’ And make sure no physically mutilated person is ever made to think, ‘I’m damaged goods. I don’t really belong.’ For God says: ‘To the mutilated who keep my Sabbaths and choose what delights me and keep a firm grip on my covenant, I’ll provide them an honored place in my family and within my city, even more honored than that of sons and daughters. I’ll confer permanent honors on them that will never be revoked. And as for the outsiders who now follow me, working for me, loving my name, and wanting to be my servants—All who keep Sabbath and don’t defile it, holding fast to my covenant—I’ll bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. They’ll be welcome to worship the same as the ‘insiders,’ to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to my altar. Oh yes, my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people.’ The Decree of the Master, God himself, who gathers in the exiles of Israel: ‘I will gather others also, gather them in with those already gathered.’” – Isaiah 56:1–8 (The Message)

We ought to keep up the daily practices that keep our relationship with God vital and growing.

continued on p. 18


Lord. And yet, not one of us is promised even tomorrow. We must rest in the blessing of being stewards today for God’s precious children—the ones who’ve come from our tummies and the ones who God has put in our hearts. Children in care need somewhere to be today. They need somewhere to be tonight. What a privilege that the Lord has trusted His children with us. >>

The Williams Family

One year ago, if someone had asked for my thoughts on adoption, my answers would have been brief: a few success stories I’ve known and then the admission that my husband and I sometimes talk about it. If

pressed, I would have declared that with two preschool-age children already, we aren’t open to risk and could never receive a child unless we knew they were ours forever. Oh yeah, and that we only want a newborn.

Today, if you ask me, you better pull up a chair and order some coffee. My answers would shock my last-year self. We are now a licensed foster-to-adopt home, and we are open to much more risk than we ever thought possible for us.

God did what God does. He opened our eyes to so many beautiful, creative, redemptive adoptions all around us. He whispered peace, affirmed us, grew us, and stretched us. God broke down barriers in our hearts and minds.

One night, overcome with fear, I had a clear mental picture of two futures before us. Our family life could be a neat, clean-edges kind of life, where we would limit risk at all cost. But we would be maintaining a false sense of security and possibly limiting our ministry as well. Or we could do what seems so risky and foolish (but what child does not bring risk?), and we could walk in

faith and receive the Lord’s dream for our family.

God gave us big faith that He “sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6), and we started to hear the truth when we sang to our little ones: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the

world,” or “He’s got the mamas and the babies in His hands.” We went from thinking, “Why us?” to “Why not us?” We realized our family, friends, and congregation are resources to help us do what so many children need.

Most importantly, God led us to lay down the false idea of ownership. It turns out that my last stand against full submission to the Lord has been my home and family, which really isn’t exclusively mine at all! I must admit that my children are not my own. This idea of possession is so deeply ingrained in our culture that we are almost incapable of noticing it anymore. My children are first God’s children.

In many situations, foster parents have no legal assurance that the little ones daily toddling through their homes calling them Mommy and Daddy will be adopted formally. Foster-to-adopt parents are called to root for reconciliation of birth families when safe and best, all while loving into becoming a forever family. We must love without guarding our hearts. Is love that guards love at all? This can be the terrible angst of the in-between time, the waiting on the

All the children of the world

WITHIN OUR CONGREGATION, SEVERAL FAMILIES HAVE HEARD THE CRY OF THE ORPHAN AND HAVE RESPONDED BY OPEN-ING THEIR HOMES AND HEARTS TO A LOVE BIGGER THAN THEY COULD HAVE IMAGINED. HERE ARE JUST TWO SUCH STORIES.

BY BETHANY WILLIAMS AND JENNY HESTER

God broke down barriers in our hearts and minds… My children are first God’s children.

Above: The Williams family recognizes that their role is to steward children whom God has placed in their care.


We have been unimaginably blessed through adoption. That isn’t to say that it was easy.

The Hester Family

Adoption stories are as unique as people themselves. In other

words, if you’ve heard one adoption story, you have not heard them all.

My husband Daron and I chose international adoption because our own heart-breaking experiences with pregnancy and loss left us incapable of dealing with someone else’s pregnancy or indecision. At the time, I had worked with people from China for many years and even been there once. After deciding to adopt, we began a process that lasted eighteen months, including a switch to the “special needs track.” We looked down a list of every special need that exists

and checked off yes, no or maybe to each one. Then we waited to get the call. It came much quicker than expected because no one else at our agency had checked off “albi-nism” as yes.

Imagine our surprise when our black-eyed, black-haired Chinese girl that we envi-sioned turned out to have blue eyes and white hair! She was two-and-a-half years old, and her name of Qin Jia Liang is now Helen Jia Liang Hester. She was and is the joy that healed our broken hearts.

Fast-forward a year and we were looking for a sibling. In this day of technology, it was a Yahoo group online con-sisting of parents who have adopted children from China with albinism (how specific is that?) that led us to our second daughter. Someone posted on the site that her social worker was looking to place an 8-month-old girl with albinism from Vietnam. They called her “Cupcake.” I emailed the social worker in New York and nine months later, we flew to Vietnam to be united with Nguyen Thu

Huong, now Daisy Huong Hester. She was 15 months old, and our family was com-plete at last.

We have been unimagin-ably blessed through adop-tion. That isn’t to say that it was easy. The mountains of paperwork alone are daunting; the governmental hoops to jump through are ridiculous; the financial cost is staggering; the emotional strain seemingly unending. We had to be re-fingerprinted because the wait was so long that our fingerprints expired! We had to endure a disagree-ment between the U. S. and Vietnamese governments that required unexpected DNA testing. We had to fly to the other side of the world and live for two weeks with babies who didn’t know us

(House of Prayer continued from p. 16)

“What does it mean to be a house of prayer?” and “What does it mean to be a house of prayer FOR ALL PEOPLE?”

1) Enter In: The Psalmist’s Guide to PrayerThis happens in worship and it’s the first step to becoming a house of prayer: we’re learning how to pray. The psalms are filled with prayers of praise, help and lament. They offer a great model for genuine prayer.

2) Make Room: Praying and Living MissionallyDuring the Sunday school hour, we will offer a churchwide opportunity to learn more about how to prayerfully be involved in places where the church is engaged in mission, with each week having a different focus and teacher:

• partnership with Anderson Elementary• the apartment ministry at SW Fondren• missions opportunities in Haiti and Cameroon• community outreach with youth and children

3) Say Grace: Midweek Prayer for the Soul and CommunityTo further our personal and communal prayer life, each Wednesday we will gather for Morning Prayer at 7:30 am and Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm in the Chapel. This rhythm of prayer will particularly focus on praying for the nations and our community. Those attending Morning Prayer will prepare and share breakfast together in the Servery.

Perhaps God has been calling you to go deeper in your discipleship. Perhaps you’ve felt that it was time to engage or re-engage the discipline of regular prayer. No matter where you are in your practice, perhaps God is calling you—calling us—to do the right thing by first learning how to do it the right way. Join us each week, and let’s learn together.

COFFEE WITH THE PASTORS

For the past few months, Gwen Johnson and I have helped host this time of welcome and Q&As. I enjoy talking with our visitors and letting them know what a great church Westbury is and encouraging them to join. If you’re new at Westbury, consider coming to one of our next events on Sundays, January 13, February 10 and March 10, just following worship at noon.

– Janel Gillespie


in countries that don’t speak our language. We spent years in therapy reversing the poor nutrition, the neglect, and the lack of a home.

Oh, but what we received in return! Helen: She was a singing, dancing, inquisi-tive barrel of energy who walked up to us and never looked back and that is still true today as we celebrated her sixth “Gotcha Day” on October 24. Daisy: Quite the opposite in that we received a limp, distraught, tearful baby who wouldn’t eat because she was so grieving the loss of her “nanny.” Today, she is the tiniest, sweetest little 5-year-old you’ll ever meet.

So where was God in all this? I’ll tell you honestly that dur-ing and after my pregnancies,

Right: The Hester family adopted internationally.

Daron and Jenny’s daughters, Helen

(age 7) and Daisy (5), are from China and

Vietnam respectively.

Do you sense God may be calling you to adopt? Christian families can help address the current reality of over 130 mil-lion orphans worldwide. For more details on foster care and adoption, visit www.hopefororphans.org.

(Adoption continued)

I was so sad and mad at Him that I didn’t care. But God gave me a wonderful hus-band, family and friends who took care of me. And He was that voice in my head that said, “Adopt,” and the other voice that said, “You can handle special needs.”

The “aha” moment for most people who hear our story is the revelation that my bio-logical brother has albinism. I grew up with it and out of all the children who could have been placed with us, we got a referral for a child with albinism. Probably, only God could have seen that coming.

MLK Service Day at The BeaconThe Beacon is a local organization dedicated to serving poor and homeless individuals by providing services that restore dignity, self-respect and hope. Since 2007, this day center has been providing hot meals, clothing, private shower and lavatory facilities, laundry services, and case management to people living on the streets of Houston.

On Monday, January 21, (the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday), Westbury UMC will staff volunteer service hours at The Beacon. The shifts are 9–11 am, 11 am–1 pm and 1–3 pm with 15 volunteers per shift. Childcare for birth through 2nd grade will be available at the church for families who take the first shift (9–11 am). The minimum age for volunteers is 13 and they must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone. Let us prepare to be in service together and bless our brothers and sisters through The Beacon. Please contact the church office to register and if you have question contact Rev. Romonica Malone-Wardley at [email protected].

United Methodist Church Westbury



5200 Willowbend Blvd.Houston, Texas 77096-5298

Main Office: 713-723-0175WestburyUMC.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No. 7821Houston, Texas

Address service requested

Catch the “fellowship spirit” at PrimeTimersBY MARTHA UPTON

The grace that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ, the love that is of God the Father, and the fellowship that is ours in the Holy Spirit be with you all! (1 Corinthians 13)

Fellowship in the Holy Spirit: when you happily meet your friends at a common venue, greet each other and anticipate a morning of conversation and fun

activities. The PrimeTimers group here at Westbury UMC enjoys that kind of fellowship every month.

J. L. and Barbara Parks say, “We love meeting with friends at church during PrimeTimers. We enjoy the visiting, sharing the food and entertainment together.”

If you just came for the program at noon, you might hear bagpipes, banjo players or a barbershop quartet. Perhaps you’d see Celtic dancers or a beautiful style show. But if you walked into Humphrey Hall for the 11:30 lunch, you would smell the rich aroma of dishes that each family or individu-al brings. There are definitely good cooks among the group!

“It’s a great opportunity for fellowship with our friends and a chance to meet new people,” echoes Wava Fick, whose banana pudding is the best in the universe.

“Many like to come early and play games,” offers Fran Cheadle. “It is fun to sit and talk and catch up on the news.”

Roy House delights in the fact “that this community minis-try is a fine way to start out the week.” Roy, along with Tom Mazzu, Nina Crawley, Marjorie Duval and the PrimeTimers

MARK YOUR CALENDARSJAN. 28 FEB. 25 MARCH 25

president, Jim Swearingen, work behind the scenes to make everything go smoothly.

“This group is an organiza-tion where people within our church and outside our church gather to socialize,” expresses Donna Meador, publicity chairperson. “It provides a diversion from most days in the week, leaving us with an uplifted spirit.”

The PrimeTimers usually meet on the fourth Monday of the month, with games at 10:00 am, a business meeting at 11:00 am, potluck lunch at 11:30 am, and entertainment at noon. Membership is open to those over 50 years of age and the dues are just $5 per year.

Jan, Feb, March 2013 Together Magazine

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Transcript of Jan, Feb, March 2013 Together Magazine