The GRUENE UMC
FEBRUARY 2018
An update from Pastor Brock Gillman Hey Gruene, First and foremost, what a true joy and blessing it is to be one of your pastors. Thank you thank you for allowing me to walk alongside you as we grow together and travel along this incredible journey of faith we find ourselves on. I want to take this opportunity to update you on what’s been happening in the life of my ministry and what is on the horizon. As some of you may know, back in January 2017, Gruene was approached by Path1 (the United Methodist national organization who helps train and lift up leaders for new faith communities) to consider hosting and training a Path1 Resident for the next appointment year (June to June). After much prayer and discernment your church leadership decided to apply. At the same time we also prayed about whether or not I would be a good fit for that resident position…one who would one day go and plant a church. And so, we communicated with the SPRC that we were applying and that I might be our resident. In March 2017 we got the official word that Gruene and I had both been approved! So started a new and exciting chapter of this ministry journey I find myself on. Included with the Residency was grant money to help cover my salary and other expenses while I remain here at Gruene.
This allowed the church to hire a second associate pastor, and now we are so blessed to have Pastor Aaron with us. What does all this mean? Well…this residency and grant has allowed me to remain at Gruene in my associate pastor role as I study and learn about church planting. From June 2017 to present I have been traveling the country attending various church planting conferences, visiting churches that have recent planting history and learning from the pastors that started those communities of faith. And, all at the same time I have been able to continue the joy and blessing of being one of your pastors. During this time I have also been meeting with various folks from the Rio Texas Conference to study potential church planting locations and the timing of all of that. Throughout all of that study, prayer and discernment a location has been decided on. I will be planting a church, a new community of faith, in Austin. Now that that location has been decided on I will start spending time in that mission field, meeting people and building relationships. So from now thru Easter I will be spending a few days a week in this new mission field (new to me but not new to God of course). After Easter that time commitment will continue to ramp up through June. For me this is so exciting and scary, all at the same time. I frequently ask, “How can one experience these two extreme emotions at the same time?”
Well, by looking back on my life I have discovered that almost every time I have had those two feelings together God has been up to something, AND every time I have said “yes” to God in those situations beautiful things have happened. Of course there are and will be plenty of challenges and I will not be able to do any of this alone. I will need your help. How can you help? You are part of my story and I want to continue that. Moving forward I would love it if you would pray for me and how God is already moving in this new mission field. God has amazing limitless dreams for His creation that he chooses to manifest through each of us. Pray that I can fully and completely live into my part of the Story God has already written. I would love to answer any questions you may have about all of this, would love to continue the conversation of what God is up to in this season. Hit me up via email brock@grueneumc.org or flag me down on campus, let’s visit. Blessings, Pastor Brock
Ash Wednesday Service February 14th at 6:30. p.m. at Motown (child care provided) Imposition of ashes Wednesday morning from 6:30a.m. - 8 a.m. In main building
The Gruene Garden Needs Some Gruene Thumbs Calling all Gruene Thumbs…we need to get our Gruene Garden prepped for Spring and I need your help! The raised beds are not that much trouble for me to prep, but the ground surrounding the beds needs some cleaning up! GTLC plans on growing vegetables again for Steve’s Pantry (our ministry that feeds the hungry) but as I always say it takes a village…we need YOU! Please email Rebecca Goossens at gruenetreelearningcenter@gmail.com.
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The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.� Matthew 18:1-5
Hey Gruene! My name is Michelle and I am the Wesley Nurse here in New Braunfels. Wesley Nurses are provided by Methodist Healthcare Ministries that partner with Methodist churches in specific areas. I am blessed to announce I will be partnering with Gruene to provide a health ministry to the homeless population here in New Braunfels. I will be working at Steve’s Pantry every month as well as attending “Church By The River” the last Saturday of every month. With any ministry, it takes a team effort and I am asking for the ever-gracious congregation at Gruene UMC to come forward and help us get this new ministry on its feet. We are currently seeking donations for LAUNDRY SOAP PODS, DRYER SHEETS and QUARTERS. The donation station is located in the gathering space. Thank you in advance for your prayers and donations. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or want more information about ways to help. Michelle, RN, Wesley Nurse (830) 627-9665.
REMIX GROUPS REMIX groups are small groups of people (8-12 folks) who meet together weekly in someone's home to connect with others and grow deeper in faith. If you would like to get connected to a Remix group, please sign up in the gathering area on Sunday or email Pastor Dan at Dan@grueneumc.org. February MEN'S HUDDLE Don’t forget to join us for lunch at the next Men’s Huddle at Noon on Wednesday, February 14th at the Buttermilk Café. Test your luck as we hold a drawing to see which of you will be the lucky recipient of a FREE lunch. For more information, contact Terry McCaffrey at (830) 837-0026.
By Pastor Brock Family Promise…Young Life/Lives New Braunfels… Connections Family Services…Children’s Advocacy Center of Comal County…UMCOR…Hurricane Harvey Relief …River City Advocacy…Emmaus Walk…Flood Relief…Appalachia Service Project…True Vineyard Ministries…Kids Club New Braunfels…Home In A Week…Living Water International…Little Lambs Diaper Bank…Run Feed Love Fun Run…Church By The River…Kairos Prison Ministry…Communities In Schools…Home Repairs…Backpack Ministry/Food For Kids…UM Army…Be The Church…St. Jude’s Ranch… Gruene UMC Food Ministries…Steve’s Pantry…College
Home In A Week Did you know that you gave one of the greatest Christmas presents ever this year? That’s right, you changed lives by helping to create a home. Funds were raised in the month of December and were used for the construction of a house for the De La Cruz family. To make this happen Gruene UMC partnered with Home In A Week. Home In A Week is a ministry that does amazing things in our greater community for families. To learn more about Home In A Week visit their website at http://www.homeinaweek.org or visit them on Facebook.
Mexico Mission Trip…Comal County Crisis Center… Community First Village…Global Ministries of UMC… Good Samaritan Rescue Mission…Options For Life… YMCA Camp…SOS Food Bank…Any Baby Can… Holding Institute of Laredo…Communities In Schools… CRRC of Canyon Lake…The Gabriel Project…Chosen… United Campus Ministry of Texas State. Okay, I will stop but I could go on and on. Above is a list of some of the many ministries, causes, organizations and individuals that were supported by YOU through YOUR Missions Team here at Gruene in 2017. Your support not only helps folks right here in our backyard of Gruene but also in the greater New Braunfels community, across the state and even across the globe. That support looks like LOVE and that love looks like a couple moving to Russia to be missionaries, local high school kids being introduced to the love of Jesus, homes and families being loved on in Appalachia, or an entire community being changed for the better because of clean water. Thank you for sharing your support, thank you for sharing your LOVE.
Steve’s Pantry Steve’s Pantry is an outreach ministry that helps folks with food, clothes, use of laundry facilities, showers and most importantly builds relationships with some great folks. It takes many hands to make all this work and we need your help. Please consider getting involved, I know that Stephanie would love to hear from you. If you want more information about Steve’s Pantry or want to volunteer, please email Stephanie at stevespantry@grueneumc.org.
Church By The River Did you know that Gruene puts on a service for our friends in need down by the river under the bridge at IH-35? Yep, and it is awesome. We worship with music and a brief message, we share Communion, we share a meal, we share donated clothes, food and toiletries. Most important of all, we love on some amazing folks. The next Church By The River is Saturday, August 26th. We meet at Gruene at 8:45 to load up supplies then we head down to the river. For more information or to help out with CBR please email Brock at brock@grueneumc.org.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! Thank you to everyone who helped make Family Promise a success. We appreciate everyone who came together with their time, food, and love to make our guests feel welcomed during their week here at Gruene UMC.
Hospitality Opportunities on Sunday Mornings Working in our hospitality area on Sunday morning is a GREAT way to meet people at Gruene UMC. We are in need of Early shift 8-10:30 a.m. and Late shift from 10:30 (or after the 9:40 service) until 11:45 a.m. Your Ideas Are Needed Your Missions Team wants to hear from you. The Team meets the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 in Steve’s Pantry here at Gruene. Come hear what your Missions Team is up to, come share your ideas and most important of all come help shape what LOVE looks like in 2018. Or you can email Brock at brock@grueneumc.org with any ideas of projects for your Missions Team to support. Love has it’s own power, a power that comes from
God and the only power ultimately capable of conquering the human heart. Watching you share your heart with this community and our world is a beautiful thing, thank you for that.
Pastor Brock
Each team will work once every 3 months which is 4 times a year! If you are interestedplease text or call Judy Ahrens at 832-265-0045 or email at jhahrens@gmail.com.
Church Directory is Here! If you got your photo taken with Lifetouch this fall, please stop by the table in the gathering space on Sunday and pick up your FREE Church Directory! You may also stop by the church office Mon-Fri 8am4:30pm to pick up!
Thursdays
Item of the Month This month Steve’s Pantry is collecting new underwear and Vienna sausages. These donations will help benefit our friends who visit Steve’s Pantry. Please drop your donations off in the baskets in the gathering space at the church. Thank you in advance for your donations and support!
Office Volunteers Needed! The Office Angels need volunteers to help fold Sunday bulletins on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. If you have an hour to spare on Friday mornings, we would LOVE to have you. Join us. For more information, please contact Nadia at the church office (830) 625-7200 or email at
Administrative Council Meeting Sunday, February 25th at 12:30 p.m.
nadia@grueneumc.org.
Do you or your ministry have an event you would like to share in the Gruene UMC Newsletter? Please email your event info to Nadia at nadia@grueneumc.org. The deadline is the 15th !
Rev. Dan Harrington - Senior Pastor Dan@grueneumc.org
Brandi Carnes - Nursery Director brandi@grueneumc.org
Rev. Brock Gillman - Associate Pastor brock@grueneumc.org
Amy Howell - Children and Family Ministry Director amy@grueneumc.org
Rev. Aaron Carter - Associate Pastor aaron@grueneumc.org
Alyssa Rowe - Director of Student Ministries alyssa@grueneumc.org
Nadia Hoffman – Administrative Assistant nadia@grueneumc.org
Rebecca Goossens - GTLC Director gruenetreelearningcenter@gmail.com
2629 E. Common St. New Braunfels TX 78130 (830) 625-7200 Fax: (830) 625-7208
www.grueneumc.org OFFICE HOURS M-F, 8:30 - 4:30
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30, 9:40 & 11:00 a.m. (Main Building) 9:50 a.m. (Motown) “Come…be you, be filled , be loved. Go…be joy, be hope, be love. Be His! ”
See What’s Happening There are so many fun and exciting groups here at Gruene! To find out what’s going on, check us out on the Gruene UMC facebook page or on our website, www.grueneumc.org.