District happenings

Banquet for Wesley Centers scheduled for Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
Dr. Scott Elliff, superintendent of Corpus Christi Independent School District, is to be the guest speaker Feb. 7 for the Nueces County Wesley Community Centers annual banquet at the Corpus Christi location. The priority focus of both the Robstown and Corpus Christi centers is “It’s All About the Children!”
The evening is to begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., hosted by the Wesley Community Centers of Nu-eces County board of directors. The meal, catered by Johnny Carino’s, is to be served at 7 p.m.
The evening’s festivities are to focus on the theme “For the Love of Children.” Entertainment includes special music by Kim and Laurie Bryce of St. John’s UMC, Corpus Christi.
Awards and special recognitions are planned. Newly elected board members and officers are to be installed.
Tickets, which include valet parking, cost $30 per person. Corporations, businesses, groups or individuals are invited to purchase a table for $300. A marker will be placed on the tables indicating the donor, and donor names will be printed in the program.
All proceeds above expenses are to go to the capital funds campaign to pay off the Corpus Christi center’s outstanding loan to the Carmelite Nuns.

Godly play workshop planned for Jan. 26 at Portland church
A Godly Play workshop is planned Jan. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First UMC, 4545 Wildcat Drive, Portland.
Godly Play is an approach to religious education that uses sacred stories, parables and liturgical actions of the Christian faith as tools for approaching the larger questions of life. These stories and actions become the starting points for discussion.
Following the Montessori tradition, materials are always available for children to use in retelling the story, thus helping them make the stories their own.
The Godly Play workshop is to focus on:
> Classroom management.
> Storytelling.
> Spiritual development of children.
An optional extended session is available from 3:15 to 5 p.m. on program startup and development.
Cost is $25, including lunch. To register, contact Carol Ann at (361) 777-2000 or portlandfumc-carolann@ ainternet.biz.

District lay leader offers thanks for prayers, kindness during ’07
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
These little words are not enough to express my family’s gratitude for all of your prayers, cards, gifts and encouraging words during this last year.
For those who do not know, my 16-year-old daughter, Sarahann, was diagnosed with leukemia the day after Thanksgiving in 2006. She is now on maintenance therapy (the easiest stage of the three-year treatment plan), has a little hair coming back and is back at school.
How blessed we feel to be surrounded by so many loving, compassionate people, not only in our home church, First UMC, Portland, but all over the Corpus Christi District and Southwest Texas Conference.
Thank you so much for your prayers. They worked and are continuing to work!
Stephanie Creech
District Lay Leader—South