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CHANGED LIVES

Church Unlimited Page 4 Pastor Bil Cornelius of Church Unlimited

AUGUST 2017

8/28

8/28

Reagan High School Rattler Roundup - Friday, Aug. 25, 5 – 8 p.m. Kick off the 2017-2018 school year. Festivities start with a BBQ dinner from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., in the RHS cafeteria for $10. Pep rally and athlete introduction starts at 7 p.m. Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive 78258.

Diamondbacker Sports Association; deniseajones@gmail.com.

American Wounded Heroes 10th Annual Golf Classic, - Monday, Aug. 28, 6:30 a.m., registration and breakfast; 8:30 a.m., shotgun start. Golf event is a Florida Scramble with lunch, raffle, live and silent auction and prizes.

The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd. 78258; www.americanwoundedheroesgolfclassic.com.

9/1

Alamo Beer Challenge 5K and 10K - Sunday, Aug. 20, 8 a.m. Scallywompus Run Alamo Beer Challenge, 415 Burnet St. 78202; www.scallywompus.com.

First Day of NEISD schools’ fall semester - Monday, Aug. 28. www.neisd.net.

Parents’ Night Out - Friday, Sept. 1, 6-10:30 p.m.

Drop off the kids at the Fellowship of San Antonio and enjoy and evening out. Fun, games, movies, activities and more. Ages nursery – 5th grade. Reservations required. The Fellowship of San Antonio. 23755 Canyon Golf Road 78258; www.thefellowshipofsa.org.

9/2

Sales Tax Holiday – Friday, Aug. 11 - Sunday, Aug. 13. The law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced less than $100 from sales and use taxes. Comptroller.texas.gov/taxes.

8/18

8/7-10

Reagan Rattler Football Camp – Monday, Aug. 7 - Thursday, Aug. 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Incoming 4th-9th graders. Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive 78258. Register online www.rankonesport.com.

8/18-20

THURS

Stone Oak Rotary Club – Thursdays, noon – 1 p.m. Guests speakers weekly. The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd. 78258; www.stoneoaksarotary.org.

Community Choral Concert – Friday, Aug. 18, and Saturday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20, 3 p.m. Free concert featuring popular music from Broadway musical and movies includes singers from the North San Antonio/Bulverde area. Bulverde United Methodist Church, 28300 Highway 281 North 78261; 830-980-7745.

8/20

3/4-11/25

Tejas Rodeo - Saturdays, March 4 – Nov. 25, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. Enjoy live rodeo action: bronco riding, team roping, barrel racing, mutton bustin’ and calf scramble. Live music at 9 p.m. Tejas Rodeo Company, 401 Obst Road 78163; tejasrodeo.com.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, Aug. 18, 5 - 9:30 p.m. Leave the kids with the staff of the Mays Family YMCA for a parents’ night out. Games and activities for kids 6 months to 13 years. Mays Family YMCA of Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco Road 78258; 210-497-7088.

8/25

sat/sun

Legacy Farmers’ Market - Saturdays/Sundays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Local market features produce and handcrafted wares from area farmers, artisans and cottage industries. Legacy Shopping Center, 18402 U.S. Highway 281 North 78259; legacyfarmersmarket.com.

8/11-13

Upcoming Events

Kids Workshop – Saturday, Sept 2, 9:00 a.m. – noon. Kids can make a craft, receive a free certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin, while supplies last. Home Depot, 20740 U.S. Highway 281 North 78259; 210-494-5580.

Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.

3

Changed Lives

Pastor Bil and Church Unlimited currently meeting in Lopez Middle School in Stone Oak

By Mike Bullock

I

n 1998 a young pastor by the name of Bil Cornelius felt a calling to build a new kind of church; this calling grew to a heart-ache he quickly realized couldn’t be ignored. He soon packed up his wife Jessica and their newborn son and moved a few hours south to Corpus Christi where they started what would become Church Unlimited, one of the fastest growing churches in the United States.

In just under twenty years, by following this specific vision, Pastor Bil has led the church from a handful of people in one school in Corpus Christi to over ten thousand across ten different locations. This God-led approach has grown Church Unlimited into one of the largest churches in America, with the newest location right here in Stone Oak. “Over the last few years God has put it on my heart to reach the people of San Antonio,” Pastor Bil said in a recent message to Church Unlimited. “As I drive around the area where we’re building our Stone Oak location, my heart just breaks for the people of that community. Just as He put it on my heart to reach the people of South Texas two decades ago, He’s now calling us to reach the people in San Antonio.”

to God. Knowing thousands upon thousands of kids and teenagers can’t wait to come to church every weekend is a true barometer of their success.

Practical messages inspire people to greatness, and help with everyday life.

Church Unlimited started in a school in Corpus Christi, and now they’ve started again in Lopez Middle School in Stone Oak. Following the same lead as before, Church Unlimited San Antonio has purchased a parcel of land right on 281 and is about to break ground on their permanent facility so they can better serve our community.

When the time came to appoint a leader to guide the future of Church Unlimited San Antonio, Pastor Bil turned to Pastor Garrett Neuman, a long-time Youth Pastor who has grown into a man filled with both passion and compassion for the local community.

One of the biggest differences of Church Unlimited is the unique, fast-paced, pop sound of the worship, that resembles a rock concert more than a church.

Pastor Bil knew this church God had called him to build had to be different. He knew it had to do what others wouldn’t to reach those who others didn’t. With the unending help of Jessica, they built what would become the largest youth and children’s ministries in all of South Texas, knowing that families – and especially children – were of great importance Kids Unlimited provides a place to learn and share about God for children ranging in age from infants, pre-school and elementary school up to middle school and high school.

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Sunday. Babies, pre-school, and elementary children all have a special place at Church Unlimited with age appropriate, appealing environments and activities.

“So many people end up coming to church because of their children,” Pastor Garrett said. “Little ones are asking about God and wanting answers - that really encourages people to try us out.

Church Unlimited is a great place with answers for you and your kids - answers to questions about God, values, who they are and who they can be,” he added.

Church Unlimited’s Worship experience is always relevant, passionate and excellent.

Pastor Bil, Pastor Garrett, and the entire church have hearts to reach out to people in authentic relationships that will positively impact their lives – and those of their families.

“To take as many people to Heaven as we can before we die.

Period!” is their mission statement.

“Jesus walked in the community, appreciated and connected with people – and brought help. That’s the kind of church we want to be - meeting needs and supporting people.” Pastor Garrett remarked.

Each Sunday morning an army of volunteers transforms Lopez Middle School to provide a comfortable, inviting atmosphere with space for worship, small groups, and children from babies to teens. Considerable effort is spent preparing the school to welcome attenders to the 10:00 and 11:30am services each

In addition, “Middle and high schoolers need a place that’s fun and safe where they can hear the truth of God’s word,” Pastor Garrett added. That’s the WHY behind Church Unlimited Students, meeting each Sunday at the 11:30am service time.

Messages are delivered live by Pastor Bil and broadcast to the satellite locations. Church Unlimited San Antonio combines with nine other churches via satellite to comprise tens of thousands of people worshipping together weekly.

“We value the truth of the Bible,” Pastor Garrett said. “God is good, and his word is so true.”

Pastor Garrett believes Church Unlimited’s video message strategy is an advantage to its satellite churches. Because Pastor Bil prepares the message, Pastor Garrett is able to devote time shepherding his church members: meeting their personal needs, developing leaders, visiting them in the hospital, and supporting them in times of loss.

If you want to know what Church Unlimited is all about, it can be summed up in these two words: Changed Lives.

Church Wherever You Are:

Church Services on Sundays at 10:00 am & 11:30 am at Lopez Middle School.

Check out the Church Unlimited App and follow us on Social Media:

Facebook@chrchunltdsa Instagram@chrchunltd.sanantonio YouTube Channel Church Unlimited Twitter@chrchunltd Pastor Garrett Neuman and his family have been with Church Unlimited San Antonio for the past 18 months.

Visit the new, redesigned website at wearechurchunlimited.com.

Join services online to connect and interact with others for worship and a message during the week.

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Animation Artist Student Spotlight

By Amy Morgan

E

ven to the untrained eye, the award-winning artwork drawn by Reagan senior Colin Lantz is breathtaking – extremely detailed and beautifully drawn. It is difficult to believe he received no formal art education until his sophomore year of high school. A football-ending back injury and the decision to switch from orchestra opened room for art class in the schedule of this multitalented student.

“The sun seems to shine a little bit brighter on Colin,” said Reagan art teacher Jessica Gonzales, who has instructed him in AP drawing and AP 2-D design visualization. “Colin is one of those kids everyone likes. He’s effortlessly charming, and friendly; he’s a great student academically. People gravitate to him.”

She also said his drawing is some of the best she’s seen.

Lantz’ artwork has won gold medals at the UIL Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) for the past two years. Last year, one of his pieces was awarded gold at the state level. Two of his watercolor submissions this year won regional gold and advanced to state level competition.

Lantz plans to pursue a career in animation, marrying his artistic talent with his computer programming skills, hoping to become a storyboard artist or director at Disney, Pixar or Dreamworks, inspired by studio creator Walt Disney himself.

“I was given a gift of a creative mind – but I’m also technically skilled – advanced math and computer programming are my strengths,” he said.

His first step toward that goal will be to attend Texas A&M University, where he is accepted into the visualization program in the school of architecture, as well as the famed Corps of Cadets.

He practices his technical skills on Sundays, where he sets up and runs the media production equipment at Rock Hills Church, a congregation his father, David, pastored until last year. Through Lantz’ volunteer service, he has learned programming and Photoshop in the church’s computer labs.

Last spring, God opened a path for his father to pastor another church closer to extended family in Michigan, Lantz said. To complete his senior year at Reagan, and retain his Texas residency, it was necessary for him to remain behind when his close-knit family moved. The Hasslers, a couple active at Rock Hill Church, invited him to live with them for the past year.

Colin Lantz plans to pursue a career in animation, marrying his artistic talent with his computer programming skills, hoping to become a storyboard artist or director at Disney, Pixar or Dreamworks.

“It was lonely at times,” he said. “Almost like going away to college a year early. My parents have been my biggest inspiration, always supporting me in everything.”

“I admire Colin, it’s a brave step to take, being away from family,” Gonzalez said.

“I have witnessed the challenges he has had to overcome and the daily joy that fills his life,” echoed his counselor, Matt Edison.

Lantz says he relies on his faith, which has been “a guiding factor in life ever since I remember,” also a reason he serves as leader in Reagan’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“God’s given me the talents that I have and the passions that I have. I don’t think there’s a lot of believers in this field (of animation/Hollywood); I can be a light or a testimony to them,” he said. Lantz graduated Summa Cum Laude in the top 11 percent of his class, with a GPA over 105.

Colin Lantz’ artwork won regional gold medals at UIL Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) competitions for the past two years.

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Silver-Screen Starlet

By Amy Morgan

N

inety-year-old Dottie McCammon “never does anything small,” she exclaimed, as she described highlights of her life. Her adventures included runway and television modeling, acting on Hollywood’s Silver Screen, and world travel as an Air Force officer’s wife.

Dottie was born in Houston, but moved to San Antonio where she attended Jefferson High School.

Her family moved to Burbank, California in 1941, for her father to work on warships. At age 16, Dottie started making the rounds of the film studios, taking small parts in movies. She received her Screen Actor’s Guild card under her stage name, Denise Kay, and signed a contract with Warner Bros. as an ingenue. Although a working actress contracted to Warner Bros., as was common at the time, she was “loaned out” to other studios and appeared in 15 films such as Sweetheart of Sigma Chi, Janie, Betty Coed, and Stage Struck. One Houston paper titled its story of her success, “’Deep In the Heart’ Girl Plans to Make Drama Career.”

“They had a big audition for a Texas girl for the movie Two Guys from Texas,” she said. “There must have been 500 girls there! But I still had my Texas accent and was not all gussied up with a lot of rouge, and that’s why I was picked.”

Working on that picture opened the door for her to travel with the rest of the cast to the grand opening of the Houston Shamrock Hotel, owned by Wildcatter Glenn MacCarthy, a notable figure of that day.

While acting, Dottie caught the eye of Barbara Brinton, a top designer of wedding gowns and bridal trousseaus. Dottie became a favorite bridal model, worked on the television show, Bride and Groom, and was on the cover of Bride Magazine in 1942.

Dottie said it was customary for the actors of that day to visit other sets hoping to catch the eye of a director or make an acquaintance. “We would meet the stars at the commissary or the studio when we weren’t on the set,” she said. “That’s how I got to know a lot of them. You wanted to put yourself in front of as many people of importance as you could.” She developed quite an exciting coterie, including Fred Astaire, Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Shirley Temple, whose signed pictures with personal well wishes still grace her copious photo albums.

In 1948, James (“Jimmie”) Lugar, a high school chum from San Antonio with whom she had corresponded throughout the war, came calling dressed in a hula skirt. His sudden appearance was shocking, as the military reports said he had perished in a submarine accident. Thankfully, he returned safely to ask for Dottie’s hand. She traded modeling bridal gowns for a real one of her own, and began the next phase of her life: as wife and eventual mother to two sons, Michael and Garry, and a daughter, Karen.

Dottie McCammon, model and Hollywood starlet in the 1940s, shares some of her modeling photos from her career.

You have to be 55 to live here...

Prior to her wedding, the family moved back to Texas where she continued her modeling career with Joske’s department store. After marriage, the couple travelled the world as Jimmie pursued an Air Force officer’s career. They were stationed everywhere from California to Tennessee, including a 4-year stint in Japan. Dottie fondly remembers their time at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where they lived across or down the street from John Glenn and other astronauts who piloted space crafts in the early years of the space program. She taught modeling tips remembered from her previous experiences, water ballet at the officer’s club pool, and organized charity fashion shows featuring officer’s wives and their children.

“I enjoyed being a military wife,” she said. “There’s such a bond.” During their 20 years in service, Dottie volunteered for everything from the Red Cross to Cub Scouts to Brownies, and hosted many cocktail parties in support of her husband’s career.

After Jimmie retired, the family moved home to San Antonio. After his death Dottie met and married “Mac” McCammon, and they blended their families to include his sons, Timothy and Rex. She credits her faith with the ability to manage five teenagers under one roof. The McCammons spent many years together until Mac’s death.

Dottie joined the Independence Hill Community and moved into her apartment in Assisted Living a few short months ago. She greatly enjoys the view of the greenery from her window and the plant-filled courtyard just outside her door, in which she can sit and greet fellow residents and friends. A people person, she is especially grateful for the camaraderie of her tablemates,with whom she enjoys sharing meals.

“I am so fortunate to dine with a group of loveliest people you could ever ask for,” she said.

Her daughter and two sons live in San Antonio and are able to visit often. Her family honored her with a glamorous 1940s movie starlet-style party complete with dancing and live music on her 80th birthday.

Headshot of Dottie McCammon from her days as a model, and hollywood movie starlet in the 1940’s.

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Sonterra Summer Sports

Heather Stewart, head golf pro, and Sonterra’s summer PGA Junior League Golf Team

By Amy Morgan

and activities have been in full swing this summer S ports at the Club at Sonterra. Kids of all ages have been busy

enjoying swim, golf and tennis while staying active, making friends and developing skills. Several have emerged as rising stars in their specialty. Check out highlights and updates from the coaches and pros.

The first practice and information session will be held Sunday, Aug. 13, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., for those under 12; 4 – 5 p.m., for the 14-18 year olds. Contact Joshua Wiedenfeld at the tennis shop at 210-491-9888.

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for fall leagues for the whole family. Sign-ups and practices start this month!

Junior Team Tennis (JTT) had an exiting spring season, according to Junior Director of Tennis Joshua Wiedenfeld. For the third year in a row, Sonterra qualified for sectionals in Austin, quite an accomplishment to win at city level, he said, as so many San Antonio teams are extremely competitive.

The determining factor came down to a single match, won by 10-year old team Jairo Kirk and Luke Paustian, which was the tiebreaker to claim Sonterra’s victory over the JCC. “It was a pretty epic season,” Wiedenfeld said.

“The boys won the 145th game in tie-breaking matches that ultimately propelled us to Sectionals.” He also noted Junior Team Tennis is a great bridge to prepare kids for competitive individual tournament play.

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Summer tennis campers enjoyed learning skills, improving techniques, and making friends.

Pictured with Joshua Wiedenfeld, director of junior tennis development.

The Sonterra Stingrays swim team took first place in Division 3 in the Maverick Summer Swim League. A bumper crop of 85 swimmers participated – many of them in the 12 and under age group said Aquatics and Fitness Director, Tim Roberts.

The Stingrays are coached by retired Trinity University Tigers’ coach John Ryan, who’s coached at Sonterra for more than 20 years.

“Coach Ryan is an incredible coach. We are really very proud and happy to have him here as head of our coaching staff,” Tim said.

The PGA Junior Golf League for those 13 and under was going strong this summer, said Head Golf Professional Heather Stewart.

By mid-July the team had locked in second place in the league, with a first place finish still in reach.

Many 9- and 10-year old boys from the Sonterra Stingrays Division 3 Championship Swim Team progressed to the All-Star meet this summer.

A standout was 13-year-old Lopez Middle School student Jaxon Tilley, whose play earned him a spot on the San Antonio All–Star Team. The best golfers from clubs in San Antonio will compete against their counterparts from Houston, Dallas, and other large areas through the fall.

“Jaxon only started a year ago.” Stewart said. “He has really improved a lot in a short period of time.” She added that his whole family has been inspired to take up golf, including younger brother Collin. Even his mother has begun taking her women’s Get Ready Golf lessons, a new session of which begins Thursday evenings in early September.

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PGA Junior Golf League standout, Jaxon Tilley (13), earned a spot on the San Antonio All–Star Team.

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for the fall Junior Golf Team will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6. The Junior program is open to those age 5-16, and friends of club members are welcome.

Call Heather Stewart in the Golf Shop at 210-491-9900 for more information.

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PET TIP

Pet Bereavement: Coping with the Loss

By Randi Pinner

N

othing can prepare you for losing a beloved family member, and the death of your dog can cause feelings of the same grief. Expert Laurel Lagoni has suggestions to help pet owners cope. She’s the co-founder and former director of the Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University and one of the authors of a groundbreaking textbook on grief and the human–animal bond. The institute was founded in 1984 to help prepare veterinary professionals to successfully meet the emotional needs of pet-owning families, particularly in times of grief, according to vetstreet.com.

It is important to allow yourself time to express and experience your grief. Lagoni recommends finding someone with whom you can talk and reminisce about your pet. Your vet or pet care professional can help you find a support group or hotline. Likewise, seek out supportive friends and fellow pet owners who appreciate the significance of your dog’s impact on your life and who will empathize with your loss.

Come to terms with your role as caregiver and decision-maker. You may have had to choose euthanasia. Many pet owners struggle with feelings of guilt at having to make that decision for their beloved friend. “Don’t think of it as taking your pet’s life, but see it as a privilege and a gift to spare them from those very hard end stages of the dying process, when there’s a lot of pain and suffering,” Lagoni said in vetstreet.com.

Consider a ceremony in an area that holds special memories for you and your pet. Many people find great comfort in gathering with others to remember their beloved furry family member. You can find a meaningful way to honor your pet. You might plant a tree or memorial garden, place a plaque in a special place in your yard, make a donation to an animal charity,

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create a photo album with pictures, journal some of your best memories, or post on social media in memory of your dog.

Include your children; they feel the loss deeply, too, Lagoni reminded. If this is your child’s first experience with death, make it clear the dog is not coming back, but emphasize its freedom from pain. Let your child know it’s ok to express grief, and allow them to talk as much as they need to about their sadness. Help them work through their pain with physical activity. Children can draw a picture, make a clay paw print or release a balloon into the sky in memory of their special pet. And don’t forget about other pets in the house.

They may also react to the loss of their companion. Give them extra attention during this time of transition.

Grief is an active process. It is important to understand that it’s completely normal to mourn the loss of your pet. “You have to realize it’s a significant loss, it’s going to be real and it’s going to hurt,” Lagoni said at vetstreet.com.

Information courtesy the American Kennel Club and vetstreet.com websites In memory of Harley Morgan, who passed June 8, 2017

University Blue, Through and Through

By Amy Morgan

the PICC line is crucial. The tube enters at the bicep and stretches internally through a vein, into the chest, until it reaches the edge of the right atrium of the heart. Vascular positioning technology (VPT) is used to ensure the catheter is positioned correctly and ready for immediate use.

“These patients may have been stuck multiple times, or need pain medication or to get ready for surgery,” Esparza said. “Now they can get the care and therapy they need to begin moving forward.” Before the use of VPT, placement of a PICC line needed to be confirmed by X-ray, which required several hours and the involvement of multiple professionals. Now with VPT, the line can be placed and cleared for use immediately, he added.

Last fall, Esparza was instrumental in helping University Health System become the first hospital in the state to implement a vascular positioning system technology, or VPT. As part of the evaluation process, he and the rest of the vascular access team each conducted 100 procedures to evaluate three different systems.

They also engaged hospital physicians in learning about this new technology.

“Our hospital is known for being pioneering in technology and procedures,” he said. “We were the first in the region to achieve Magnet status. And the teamwork between staff and physicians is one of our strengths. Maybe because we’re a teaching hospital, good communication is the norm.”

Chris Esparza, B.S.N., R.N., V.A.-B.C., plays an instrumental role on University Health System’s vascular access team. he tenure of Chris Esparza, B.S.N., R.N., V.A.-B.C., at University Health System, spans almost two decades. A hallmark of his T healthcare career is his ability to visualize the future. Esparza is not content simply to provide the prevailing standard of treatment; he looks beyond each situation for ways to elevate that care to the next level.

For the past eight years, Esparza’s work on the vascular access team has taken him throughout the hospital, affording him ample opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients and colleagues.

Vascular access is a specialty: well-trained, certified nurses visit patient rooms to place PICC lines (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters). A PICC line is an IV for patients who require long-term access to a vein – such as those undergoing chemotherapy, or receiving intravenous nutrition or antibiotics.

“We are the ones everyone has been waiting for. We don’t miss (the vein),” Esparza said with a laugh. “Once we insert a PICC line, that’s the only poke a patient needs.”

Esparza brings his equipment to the patient’s bedside, including a computer and Doppler ultrasound machine. Correct placement of

Esparza began his career at University Health System as a paramedic. With a thirst for learning and future advancement, he completed nursing school in 2000 and worked in the emergency room for 10 years. During that time, he also moonlighted for an air medical service, flying on helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes to those needing urgent care in the Caribbean. In 2010, he was awarded a scholarship from the University Health System Foundation that enabled him to pursue his master’s degree in nursing. Next on the horizon, his nurse practitioner degree from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, which he’ll complete in May of next year.

“I love interacting with patients,” he said. “When I would bring them to the hospital as a paramedic, I wanted to stay and see how they did. Then in the ER, I wanted to know their treatment. Now I’m with them on the floor. But as a nurse practitioner, I will be able to see them back home, where I can teach them how to get healthy.”

Esparza practices what he preaches. An avid runner, he participates on the University Health System team in San Antonio Sports’ annual Corporate Cup Challenge. He also runs marathons, completing 15 full races since his first in Chicago in 2002. During that first marathon, he carried an engagement ring throughout the race and proposed to his wife on the Magnificent Mile that night. They were married at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, the same Church where his three children, ages 8, 7 and 4 were baptized.

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