The Point Monthly (June 2015)

ISSUE 1 | JUNE EDITION

THE WOODLANDS UMC

MONTHLY THIS MONTH’S

NEWS:

NEW LEAD PASTOR JOINS LOFT WORSHIP TEAM

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MEET JOY JOHNSTON

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MEET BRENT PARKER

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MEET BERT SNYDER

STORY, PAGE 4

WELCOME NEW PASTORS Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Point Monthly newsletter! We’ve placed a heavy emphasis on digital communications in recent years, but I can’t help thinking there are many people in our community who still read and appreciate printed news. We know you’re busy, so we’ve developed this new publication to deliver the most important church news in a brief, easy-to-read format. Let me know how you like it.

Our first issue features new faces on our pastoral team. I am so pleased for you to get acquainted with these folks arriving at our church this summer. Rev. Bert Snyder is our new lead pastor for The Loft worship

community. Bert comes to us from Edenton Street UMC in Raleigh, NC. Rev. Brent Parker will lead our church planting effort in Woodforest, a master-planned community northwest of The Woodlands. Brent was previously serving First Christian Church in Longview, TX. Finally, Rev. Joy Johnston joins our team from Countryside UMC in nearby Splendora. Joy will play an important role in assisting Rev. Cliff Ritter in Caring Ministry.

If you’re like me, I know you will be instantly drawn to these dynamic new pastors. Bert and Brent join our staff on June 1; Joy will follow on July 1. Please join me in making them feel like family when you see them on campus!

Your Pastor,

Ed Robb

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Growth prompts addition of an associate pastor role in Caring Ministry.

Plans for new worship community in Woodforest gain momentum with addition of campus pastor.

Year-long search comes to conclusion with addition of new lead pastor in The Loft.

NEW FACES IN STUDENT MINISTRY Summer brings leadership changes in Rebelbase Student Ministry.

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CHURCH NEWS

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UPCOMING EVENTS

See Foundation donors.

See selected ministry programs and events in June and July.

“MY GREATEST PASSION IN MINISTRY IS SHARING THE GRACE, LOVE AND HOPE OF GOD WITH ALL PEOPLE...”

MEET JOY JOHNSTON Associate Pastor of Caring Ministry

FOLLOW JOY fb.com/joy.b.johnston @revjoyjohnston

Lyle Lovett’s song “That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas, But Texas Wants You Anyway)” is one of my favorite songs because it describes how I came to Texas. I grew up in west-central Indiana on our family farm raising grain and livestock. After graduating from high school, I attended Purdue University, majoring in geology. While at Purdue, I met and married my college sweetheart, Joel Johnston, who is a geologist for a major oil company. Joel and I have been married for 22 years and are blessed to have two children, Jeremiah (14) and Josephine (10). In my spare time, I enjoy going for power walks with our dog, Abby, taking spinning classes, serving as a Girl Scout leader, and helping children in orphanages in the countries of Latvia and Ukraine.

Although I did not grow up in the church, God brought me to Jesus Christ as a young adult through the kindness and hospitality of a United Methodist pastor.

My journey into ordained ministry began about 10 years ago after hearing God’s

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call to greater service. In preparation for ministry, I completed a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology in 2012. My ministry experience ranges from a large, urban church to a small, rural church. Through these different settings, I have seen how all people need God’s love regardless of their circumstances.

My greatest passion in ministry is sharing the grace, love and hope of God with all people, especially those experiencing difficult times. My favorite biblical character is Phoebe from Romans 16, who was known as a “servant of the church.” It is my desire to be known as a “servant of the church” who carries the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to a hurting world. I am excited to serve at The Woodlands United Methodist Church and look forward to meeting all the wonderful people here! •

MEET BRENT PARKER Woodforest Campus Pastor My wife, Kori, and our sons, Caedmon (12), Kai (nine) and Kingston (five months) are thrilled to be making our way back home to The Woodlands this summer. She and I met while I was serving as the youth director in my first ministry setting there in The Woodlands, and we are returning home to our extended family and a number of great friends in the area. In addition to my appointment as the Lead Pastor at the Woodforest Campus, Kori has also accepted the opportunity to become the Assistant Female Athletic Director at The Woodlands Christian Academy, where our older boys will attend school.

Our journey home has been orchestrated so clearly by God each step of the way.

Many prayers, conversations and a few tears shed have convinced us that God is inviting us into this new adventure!

We are honored, humbled and so grateful to be headed your way, and we anticipate the years ahead to be filled with incredible opportunities to serve alongside a church we have admired for many years in the work of growing a vibrant Christian community.

I have served in several different roles in church work and retreat settings with Disciples of Christ, United Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches, coming to value the beauty of the Church in all her facets and expressions.

Educationally, I have completed a B.S. in Education from the University of Houston, a Masters of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School and a Certificate in Youth and Theology through Princeton Theological Seminary.

I previously served as the Associate Minister at First Christian Church of Longview, TX and as a Lead Consultant for Ministry Architects, a church consulting firm.

as a basketball coach, bartender, youth pastor and waiter have prepared me well to engage all sorts of people. I am a huge fan of prayer and of the TCU Horned Frogs! Much of our family time is spent chasing my sons from one baseball field or basketball court to another, finding places to change diapers and sneaking in opportunities to enjoy a tasty meal or a nice cup of coffee with friends.

Our family is beyond excited to be joining The Woodlands UMC family as the Woodforest Campus Pastor. We have no doubts that God has invited us onto this new leg of the journey. We look

forward to meeting the rest of our new faith community and to begin working together to make Christ known and to uncover the Kingdom of God that is emerging all around us. •

FOLLOW BRENT fb.com/Brent.Parker.3914 @BelovedBrent

“OUR JOURNEY HOME HAS BEEN ORCHESTRATED SO CLEARLY BY GOD EACH STEP OF THE WAY.”

Many folks have described me as the most extroverted contemplative they’ve ever met. Basically, my life experiences 3

COVER STORY:

NEW LOFT LEAD PASTOR ANNOUNCED

MEET BERT SNYDER Lead Pastor, The Loft I’ve come to believe that God is with us.

That’s the case because I’ve experienced the truth of those words and the antonym. The living of the Truth is better. And this is why I get out of bed in the morning — to experience the best type of life, one lived in the freedom of God with me, for me. I can’t seem to contain the repercussions of this life — it’s not something that can be compartmentalized for my own enjoyment. I want others to enjoy. And this is what I do after I get out of bed in the morning, until noon, then night — enjoy God and help others figure out how to go about the same.

But I am human; therein I mess up. As such, I surround myself with others who are the same — human, prone to wandering, yet desiring something greater than aimlessness, no matter the ambiguity of the pursuit.

At the end of day, we all want the good life. My wife, Lara, and one year-old son,

integrity that oozes from such honesty.

These people are realists, operating on agendas that have no time for candycoated presuppositions concerning hope.

I thoroughly enjoy two types of people: first, I enjoy people who are passionately in love with Jesus Christ. I enjoy investing myself in these Jesus lovers, giving whatever I can to propel them into a grasp of God’s love that transcends immeasurably more than they could ever ask or imagine. Second, I enjoy those who either hate or remain ambivalent towards Jesus Christ, including but not limited to His church. I enjoy the honesty of these people and the inspiring

• Current Loft worship series: Hope Is Rising | Weekends in June 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sundays

I live for both types of people. I live to grow the lovers of Jesus — to point them to the height, depth and length of God’s love. I live to demonstrate the love of God to those who acknowledge the reality of a world that often points to the contrary.

I’m one who represents the Scripture passage from Paul where God “calls those who are not, as if they were.”

I’m nothing more than an average guy from a small island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I attended Duke Divinity School in Durham and didn’t live in a big city until the past couple of years.

WATCH

I love my wife. I love my son. I love Jesus and enjoy being loved by Jesus. I love people. I have an irresistible craving to hear people’s stories — everyone has

• Get to know Bert and his family on video: loftchurch.com/bert

“THE BEST OF ALL IS: GOD IS WITH US.” Rein, are two of those people. They make me better. Any success of mine is because of those two.

WORSHIP

a story, one that is worth hearing. I listen best in non-traditional environments; the pastor’s office is often a stuffy place.

Whether it be a coffee shop, bar, park, dugout or duck blind, I look forward to hearing your story.

• Live streaming online each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. watch.thewoodlandsumc.org/loft

• On-demand sermon podcasts at: loftchurch.com/messages

FOLLOW BERT fb.com/BertSnyderIV @BertsnyderIV @BertsnyderIV

I look forward to hearing how God moves in your life, especially in those thin places where you are most unaware.

I look forward to this new adventure that I will begin with you, Loft, as your pastor.

God knows I already love you more than you could know. •

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STUDENT MINISTRY STAFF UPDATE The student ministry team is preparing for a busy summer season with new staff assignments: Caitlin Dale moves from Director of Junior High Ministry to become Senior High Assistant (this move allows Caitlin to serve alongside her husband of five months, Michael Dale, who serves as Director of Senior High Ministry).

Shawn Gray moves from Recreation Ministry to become Director of Junior High Ministry. Julia Haynes joins the team as Junior High Assistant. •

CAITLIN DALE Senior High Assistant

SHAWN GRAY Director of Junior High

JULIA HAYNES Junior High Assistant

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This information removed for online viewing.

FOUNDATION GIFTS JANUARY 1 – MAY 12, 2015 In Memory of Sue Elizabeth Anna, mother of Steve Anna Kim and Sally Bacon Steve and Becky Hamrick In Memory of Tom Ault, husband of Norma Ault Norma Ault In Memory of Judith Bonds Dave and Dee Megee In Memory of Stan Cole, husband of Audrey Cole Abbie Gibson and Family Greg and Becky Hauptman Joseph and Joyce McGlohn Marjorie Neeper Jim and Betty Patton Carrie Strickland Ken and Kay Walter Maxine Wheaton In Honor of Abigail Perry Crabbe’s Baptism, daughter of Will and Katie Crabbe Pat and Bernice Norris In Honor of Virginia Cray’s 95th Birthday, mother of Helen Burgdorf Dave and Dee Megee In Memory of Rev. Lanny Curry, husband of Darla Curry Greg and Jane Jordan In Honor of Julia Claire Daniels’ Baptism and Confirmation, daughter of Joel and Patricia Daniels Joel and Patricia Daniels In Honor of B.J. Dunlap Pam Herron In Memory of Lynda Whitley Frank, wife of Jay Frank Kim and Sally Bacon In Memory of Karen Freeman’s mother Clarence Thompson In Memory of Charlie Hudson Jeff and Denise Seldenrust In Memory of Ann Jeffrey Jayne Smith In Honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Nolan and Tarrol Roberts In Memory of James Jongeward, husband of Glenda Jongeward Mari Lu Williams

In Memory of Martha Ann Kappel Kim and Sally Bacon Donald and Michelle Caudill Greg and Jane Jordan Bill and Mickey Nelson Mike and Amy Street Jim Street The Perspectives Class In Memory of Pete Laird, father of Kevin Laird Barry and Nancy Wertz In Honor of Katie Malek’s birth, daughter of Darin and Alli Malek David and Angel Cox In Memory of Joe Mulvey Thom and Glenda Hudson Evelyn Schilling Jim and Martha Sorrells In Memory of Delores Nelson Bill and Mickey Nelson In Memory of Thomas Norfleet Bill and Mickey Nelson In Honor of Bill and Lois Ramey Pam Herron In Memory of Mason Bennett Richardson, son of Richie and Katy Huchton Richardson Anthony and Donna Lannie Barry and Nancy Wertz

This information removed for online viewing.

In Honor of Jake Seldenrust’s Confirmation, son of Jeff and Denise Seldenrust Jeff and Denise Seldenrust In Memory of Max Sharpe, brother-in-law of Aletha Harris Jean Corbin Steve and Becky Hamrick Greg and Jane Jordan David Pozorski and Anna Romanski Elizabeth Ralston Cynthia Sharpe Harley and Martha Tripp In Honor of Jennifer Sims, 2015 Confirmation Director John and Deidre Northcott In Memory of Jim Stinson, husband of Marilyn Stinson Olin and Ferol Johnson Ken and Joyce Nesmith Clarence Thompson Foundation Unrestricted Marcus and Joyce Allen Amazon Smile Foundation Anonymous Kim and Sally Bacon Todd Gibson The Merck Foundation – Todd Gibson Jeff and Aletha Harris Vern and Judy Vincent 7

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PAID

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2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, TX 77380

INTRODUCING: THE POINT MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Inside: meet our new pastors arriving this summer

SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS

For details and event registrations visit thewoodlandsumc.org/register

JUNE

4 | Emerge College Ministry (weekly) 8-12 | Foundations in Personal Finance (HS students) 9 | Art With Vision (weekly)

JULY

1 | Children’s Mission 56

1 | Prime Timers Senior Adult Games & Lunch

5 | Patriotic Sunday (11 a.m. Traditional Worship)

16 | Willis Community Breakfast (weekly local missions) 12-21 | Guatemala Mission Trip

8 | Love and Respect Couples Course (meets weekly)

11-18 | Honduras Mission Trip

22 & 25 | Music Together (weekly)

12-17 | JH Mission San Antonio

22-26 | WOW! Science Camp

12-18 | UM Army in Bryan, TX (HS students + adults)

22-26 | Musical Theatre Summer Camp

20 | Breakfast in the Park (local missions)

6-10 | Foundations in Personal Finance (HS students)

26 | Senior Adults Afternoon at the Movie

23-27 | HS Edge Camp 29–7/2 | Basketball Camp 29–7/2 | Cheer Camp

18 | Single Life Zipline Adventures

15-19 | Children’s 247 Overnight Camp