District lay speakers to launch Web site

The Austin District Lay Speakers have a new Web site. It has been especially designed to be informative, up-to-date and user friendly.
While updates and improvements continue, the site is available for viewing at www.umcad.org/layspeakers/home.html.
We welcome your feedback as we continue to upgrade and update this site. Contact Jim Huet at adls-jh@peoplepc.com with your questions, comments and suggestions.

Pastors appreciation dinner set for Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
The Austin District United Methodist Men and the District Office play host to a pastors appreciation dinner Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Westlake UMC, 1460 Redbud Trail, Austin.
All active and retired pastors and their spouses are invited to attend. We will honor and recognize pastors new to the Austin District.
Letters of invitation and reservation forms have been mailed to all church lay leaders, pastor-parish relations committee chairs and UM Men presidents.
For questions contact Ron Harrison, event chair, at (512) 345-6601 or ronharrison@rocketmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

District Amos Commission resumes meeting this month
The Austin District Amos Commission resumes meeting this month with a new roster of members:
Co-Chairs Jim McClain (First UMC, Elgin) and Bill Carter (The Rock UMC, Cedar Park), Karen Boehk (First UMC, Smithville), Kim Burke (Buda UMC), Brian Heymans (University UMC, Austin), Wanda Holcombe (Asbury UMC, Austin), Jim Mayfield (retired), Dennis Perryman (Simpson UMC, Austin), Mimi Raper (First UMC, Austin), Rocky Wilcox (Westlake Hills UMC, Austin), Bill Johnson (First UMC, Bastrop ) and ex officio members Kim Cape (district superintendent) and Jane McFarland (conference Church and Society chair). Miryam Bujanda of Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Bee Moorhead of Texas Impact continue to serve as nonvoting advisory members.
This relatively new commission adopted its first strategic plan this spring. Its mission is to “empower and equip members of each United Methodist congregation in the Austin District to influence public policy in ways that are consistent with the gospel and the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church.” The commission offers a brief guide on forming an Amos Commission in the local church, an e-mail discussion group and an introductory slide show. Programs in development include a comprehensive training and mentoring program to equip Amos Commissions in local congregations as well as a Web site.
Commissioners Brian Heymans and Bill Carter will present the new training program at two workshops Nov. 1-4 at the Living Faith—Seeking Justice Conference in Fort Worth (www.umc-gbcs.org/livingfaith). Other activities include following up on the very successful Amos clergy workshop in May with Peter Storey of South Africa.
To request more information or a slide presentation, please contact the District Office, or e-mail bbillccarter@netscape.net.

Health fair offers free screenings for children, adults Sept. 22
The 5th Health and Wellness Fair is planned for Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Manchaca UMC Family Life Center. The church is to offer free health screenings, including blood sugar and cholesterol, vision, hearing, and blood pressure checks. Bone density screenings will be $40 unless you bring an order from your doctor and have it billed to your insurance. The Blood Mobile will be accepting needed donations.
Please come and join us in promoting a safe and healthy lifestyle. There will be fun, learning and fellowship for the whole family. Nonperishable food items will be welcome the day of the fair for our church food pantry.
Manchaca UMC is at the corner of FM 1626 and Manchaca Road. For more information call (512) 282-7274.

Manchaca UMC schedules inspirational concert Sept. 15
Manchaca UMC is playing host to a concert Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. The concert is to feature “The Voices of Grace Mass Choir” from St. Paul UMC, San Antonio.
An open invitation is extended to all who enjoy inspirational music and seek refreshment for the soul.

Engaged Encounter experience planned for Nov. 30, Dec. 1
Are you concerned that your church isn’t providing engaged couples preparing to marry with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of marriage?
Bethany UMC, 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, is playing host to an Engaged Encounter United Methodist Experience Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. It is a somewhat compressed Engaged Encounter Weekend during which a pastor couple and two lay couples lead the group in exploring all areas of their future married lives.
This event is the first Engaged Encounter presented in Austin. The cost per couple is $225.
For more information and registration contact Larry Russell at (512) 331-7331 or at Larryrussell@Juno.com, or visit the Engaged Encounter Web site at www.encounter.org.

Online wellness assessment to run from Sept. 7 to Oct. 19
The Health Risk Assessment online component of the Clergy Care Well-ness program begins Sept. 7 and closes Oct. 19. The lab screening for Austin District is Sept. 20 at Tarry-town UMC from 8 to 11 a.m. You must fast for eight hours before coming.
Be sure to invite your spouse and church employees covered by Southwest Texas Conference insurance. They can participate in both the HRA and lab screening at no cost to them.
For more information go to www.umcswtx.org, or e-mail the Rev. Rick Waters, conference director of health and education, at rw-dir.h-ed@sbcglobal.net.

4th Annual Community Festival slated for Faith UMC Sept. 22
Faith UMC, Austin, is to present its 4th Annual Community Festival Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The church is at 2701 S. Lamar Blvd.
This family-oriented event includes a moonwalk, train ride, cake walk and other carnival-type games. Most activities cost 50 cents to $1.
Food, soft drinks, tea and water will be for sale. Craft items can be purchased from vendors and the church’s “General Store.” There will be a silent auction.
A registered nurse is to provide free health screenings. Musical entertainment includes gospel, holy hip hop, praise, bluegrass and cajun. Other amusement includes a magic show, bonzo crunch, a former Ringling Brothers clown and a fire truck on display from the Austin Fire Department.

First UMC, Austin, to welcome support group for adults, kids
My Healing Place, a ministry for children, youths and adults who are grieving, is to begin grief support groups for each age level Oct. 16 at First UMC, 1201 Lavaca, Austin.
All people in the Austin area are invited to participate in these groups. For more information about My Healing Place, visit www.myhealingplace.org.