Special events draw visitors to
churches across conference

The Rev. Harold Onwiler said he couldn’t recall any members of his Corpus Christi congregation getting excited about September
Open House Month.
Events the previous month had exhausted the handful of leaders at St. Peter’s by the Sea UMC. August passed too quickly to plan special events for September. And most of the invitations printed to bring visitors to church remained in a pile on one table.
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Worker serves congregation
for 50 years

Birdie Pool has kept a gentle hand on the pulse of First UMC, San Angelo, for 50 years. She has warned pastors in love about potential issues she sees brewing and listened closely to hurts that need healing.
Those who know her say she is an example of “Christianity in action,” a good steward of the church’s resources, a soothing force to all.
Pool, 69, believes she is simply doing what Christ has called her to do.
She’s been part of the First UMC staff since June 1, 1957, providing wisdom and counsel, although they aren’t required in her job description.
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Web site gets new look, structure;
features 5 focused content areas

 The Southwest Texas Conference Web site got a new look Sept. 28.
The page at www.umcswtx.org is now a portal to five specialized content areas:
> Administrative resources and forms for such items as church insurance, clergy pensions and clergy wellness.
> Programs, ministries and events.
> Mount Wesley Conference Center.
> New church development and congregational transformation.
> Witness online.
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