The Messenger | July 2020

JULY 2020

@MemorialDriveUMC @mdumc

LOVE AT THE CENTER I was 16 on my first date with Lesley. I drove my ‘88 Oldsmobile Cutlass to her house on Buckingham Drive, walked to the front door, knocked, and waited for her to arrive. However, Lesley was not the first person to open the door…it was her father, Kerry. He greeted me, shook my hand (firmly), and looked me in the eyes and said, “Take care of my daughter. I love her.” Now it wasn’t spoken with intimidation, but the point was made quite clear. I was driving someone about whom Kerry deeply cared. That night I drove from the restaurant to the movie and back to Lesley’s home with care and love at the center of my mind (and did so well before curfew).

For the past eleven weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in the driver’s seat at MDUMC. It’s been a true gift to witness the inner workings of this faith community and watch it thrive in unprecedented circumstances. We’ve traversed through a global pandemic, while also being awakened to a cultural pandemic of violence, racial tension, and indifference for one another’s sacred worth. With a combination of laughter, tears, stress, joy, and hand sanitizer, we have navigated through the terrain of online communication and worship to stay connected with you in moments of fear and uncertainty.

Now I’m sure there have been bumps along this roadtrip: moments where I didn’t fully stop at the stop sign, or forgot to turn my blinker on, or drove too fast or slow for someone in the backseat. But the heart of how the team at MDUMC has been driving these past eleven weeks has been keeping care and love for each of you at our center.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians has been fuel for this vehicle’s engine. Knowing the Corinthian community was wrestling with the changes of the society they lived within, he writes with full transparency. He reminds the church, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:1-3) Pretty straightforward. Still, it is easy to lose Paul’s imperative for love. So over the course of the last eleven weeks, we have doubled-down at MDUMC. We led through a lens of love in everything we did.

We established phases for re-entry onto MDUMC’s campuses, offered resources for justice and racial reconciliation, created engaging online worship offerings, curated ways to care for our community’s soul through missions and outreach, and prepared the way for Dr. Brad Morgan’s leadership to soar. It’s amazing what love has the power to do.

And so friends, let’s keep driving together. The road is long, but the ride is well worth it. There’s room for all of us on this trip. Most important, Jesus wants all of us to go together.

As for me, I’m happy to have had the opportunity to get the keys for a while. What an absolute gift it was.

It changed me for the better. My prayer is it did the same for MDUMC.

Honored and thankful,

REV. MICHAEL JARBOE SENIOR ASSOCIATE PASTOR

IN THIS

MESSENGER JULY 2020 FEATURES

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JUSTICE RESOURCES

A launching pad for education, conversation, direct action, and transformation.

CFF ANNUAL REPORT

How the Caring Forever Foundation supports MDUMC and our community.

MDUMC FEEDING MINISTRIES How can we support our neighbors during this season?

MEET PASTOR BRAD A note from our new Senior Pastor.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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MORGAN FAMILY WELCOME

A drive-thru opportunity to meet Pastor Brad and the Morgan family, and receive Communion.

POP-UP WORSHIP

Join us for a safe way to worship together outdoors.

JUSTICE RESOURCES

COMPILED BY MDUMC CLERGY AND STAFF

As we work individually and collectively on dismantling racism in our own lives and in our society, our clergy and staff have compiled this list of resources for our congregation. We hope this provides a launching pad for education, conversation, direct action, and transformation. This list is by no means exhaustive, and we will continue to add to it over time, alongside future activities and programming around racial justice through MDUMC. Find links to all listed resources at mdumc.org/justice.

READ:

WAT C H :

(Consider buying from independent/local stores.)

13th (Netflix)

How to Be an Anti-Racist – Ibram X. Kendi

I Am Not Your Negro (Amazon Prime and other platforms)

White Fragility – Robin DiAngelo

Fruitvale Station Just Mercy

Jesus and the Disinherited – Howard Thurman

Selma

Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates

LISTEN:

Me & White Supremacy – Layla F. Saad

Brene Brown & Ibram X. Kendi “How to Be an Antiracist” (Unlocking Us)

So You Want to Talk About Race – Ijeoma Oluo

Jen Hatmaker & Lisa Sharon Harper “Unequally Saved: The Church’s Role in Racism” (For the Love)

Cut Dead But Still Alive – Gregory C. Ellison II

Hannah Gronowsky & Christena Cleveland – “Racism, Bias and Privilege” (The Generation Distinct)

Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies & the Justice of God – Kelly Brown Douglas

Michael Martin & Jennifer Harvey “How White Parents Can Talk About Race” (All Things Considered clip)

Waking Up White - Debbie Irving

1619 podcast Code Switch podcast

F O R PA R E N T S : Raising White Kids – Jennifer Harvey & Tim Wise @theconsciouskid (on Instagram)

F O R PA R E N T S & CHILDREN: Something Happened in Our Town – Marianne Celano The Colors of Us – Karen Katz God’s Dream – Desmond Tutu and Doulgas Carlton Abrams Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer - Carole Boston Weatherford Hair Love – Matthew A. Cherry

TA K E A C T I O N & C O N T I N U E Y O U R E D U C AT I O N : Register to vote by Monday, October 5, and research your ballot.

Intentionally support Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and creatives in HTX. Ten Ways to Fight Hate (Southern Poverty Law Center) 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice (Medium) www.whiteaccomplices.org White Homework (Tori Williams Douglass) Black Coffee with White Friends (Marcie Walker) Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?

(The Atlantic)

F U N D & F O L L O W:

We March - Shane Evans

Restoring Justice

F O R PA R E N T S & YOUTH:

Lisa Sharon Harper

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (Remix) – Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

Austin Channing Brown

The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas Dear Martin – Nic Stone

NAACP

Osheta Moore

Britt Hawthorne Be the Bridge (Latasha Morrison) Rachel Cargle (The Great Unlearn)

Ghost Boys – Jewell Parker Rhodes Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults) – Bryan Stevenson

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Because you give, the Caring Forever Foundation

gave more than

How does the Caring Forever Foundation support Memorial Drive United Methodist Church?

$106,055

to MDUMC and the Houston Community in 2019.

Thank you for your gifts that have made all this possible. For more information about how to give to The Caring Forever Foundation to make a lasting impact on MDUMC and the greater community, contact Stacy Stepler at StacyStepler@ mdumc.org or 713-468-8356 ext. 241.

Caring Forever Foundation | 2019 Grants LEARNING Clergy Scholarships.....................$14,945 Harry Rankin Lecture Series.......$7,200 MDUMC Staff Leadership Retreat.......................$5,360 Moms Night Out Series..............$3,049 Alpha..............................................$2,068 Student Scholarship..................... $1,000

LIVING Choir Robes...................$10,000 Guest Organist.................$1,000

SERVING Community Grants ����������$40,000 Ministers’ and Communion Fund ������������� $12,000 CrossWalk Houston �������������$3,433 Memorial Assistance Ministries..............................$3,000 House of Amos..................... $1,500 Newspring.............................. $1,500

TOTAL LEARNING �������������������� $33,622

TOTAL LIVING.............$11,000

TOTAL SERVING.............. $61,433

WAYS TO GIVE

TOTAL GRANTS ������������������������������������� $106,055

CARING FOREVER FOUNDATION

For more information contact StacyStepler@mdumc.org.

THE CARING FOREVER FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ONLINE WORSHIP

The sudden shift to online church heightened MDUMC’s need for two new cameras, and The Caring Forever Foundation quickly awarded the church a $5,000 grant for this necessary technology upgrade. With these two new 4K cameras, the media department works faster and produces better quality videos. The cameras have improved the church’s many online offerings that have become a necessity in this season and will continue to be a vital tool for church’s media ministry beyond this season, as the media ministry creates engaging videos to share the church’s story.

To learn more about how you can support the Caring Forever Foundation, contact the CFF office at 713-468-8356 ext.

241 or StacyStepler@mdumc.org.

MEMORIAL GARDEN

MDUMC’s Memorial Garden on the east side of the church courtyard offers a quiet, comforting space to draw close to God, to give thanks, and to remember. It is a link with the Church Triumphant and proclaims the Christian faith: the beginning and the end of human life rest with God. Practically speaking, The Memorial Garden is a columbarium with niches held in a polished wall of granite engraved with personal markers for the deceased. Each niche has been entrusted to the perpetual care of MDUMC and is the responsibility of the Caring Forever Foundation. If you are a church member desiring to learn more about purchasing inurnment rights in The Memorial Garden, contact the CFF office at 713-468-8356 ext. 241.

FACE M A S K M I N I ST RY

For more information contact SheriKelley@mdumc.org.

FACE MASKS AVAILABLE

TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS | 10 AM - NOON ADULT MINISTRIES CENTER | MDUMC WEST CAMPUS | 13194 MEMORIAL DRIVE Fabric face masks made by our Face Mask Ministry are available weekly for a love offering. Stop by the Adult Ministry Center on our West Campus to pick up. A few more people are needed to sew face masks. We have several pattern pieces already cut out that are ready to sew. If you’d be interested in sewing a few, or if you need more information, please contact SheriKelley@mdumc.org.

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MDUM C FEED ING MINIS TRIE S Over the last few months as Covid-19 has impacted our global community, MDUMC has been serving the Houston area through our Feeding Ministries.

Our Soupmobile ministry that serves weekly brown bag lunches has continued with the help of staff members preparing meals every Thursday. It was important that this ministry not stop serving food insecure families and those experiencing homelessness where a guaranteed meal twice a week can make a huge impact. We were also able to provide 100 meals to Neighbors in Action in the Port Houston area each week throughout the end of school year and summer to help supplement lost school meals to help families in that community.

It is only through the continued generosity of our congregation toward this ministry that we’ve been able to continue serving.

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In April, we put asked for pantry food items in order to provide meal bags for area partners to distribute and for direct assistance to. Since that first drop off day, we’ve had countless pounds of food donated and have given over 650 family-sized grocery bags to families and homebound seniors. It has also been a blessing to have volunteers come weekly to help sort, pack, and deliver bags to partners around Houston. Our hope is to provide another 600 meal bags through August, and we will continue to collect non-perishable food items throughout the month of July.

Countless individual donors as well as Sunday School classes have given monetarily to this ministry which has provided the means to continue this service, along with those from our congregation and community members dropping off food items each week. We are so thankful for your generosity of both resources and time.

More information on how you can give to our summer food collections can be found at mdumc.org/missions.

M I SSI O N S A N D OU TREAC H

For more information contact KandiceKirby@mdumc.org.

SUPPORTING OUR PARTNERS IN JAMAICA FROM A DISTANCE THROUGH JULY

This month, our Jamaica Mission Team would have been leaving to serve for a week with our partners on the island.

When the decision was made that we would not be able to serve physically this summer, the team wanted to continue the ministry from afar. Through donations given by team members and funds allocated specifically to serve in Jamaica, we were able to provide resources to buy food supplies for two of the communities we serve alongside, as well as the hope that we can send more in the coming weeks for more food donations, VBS supplies, and construction materials.

It is important to continue our long-time partnership with the churches and organizations in Jamaica to provide these meals and support through funding until we can serve alongside them again in 2021. If you would like more information on how you can support our Jamaica team and other global partners, please contact KandiceKirby@mdumc.org.

BACK TO SCHOOL MISSIONS JULY 12 – AUGUST 30

Memorial Assistance Ministries has a unique approach to providing school clothes that allows children and parents to maintain their dignity and gain confidence for the school year.

School counselors and nurses identify children who may be in need of help with school clothing. MAM then distributes shopping vouchers to the school to give to families who need help purchasing clothing. Vouchers can be used at local retailers, like a gift certificate. Finally, parents use the vouchers to take their kids shopping for new school clothes, just like everyone else. Kids will be excited to meet their classmates on the first day of school thanks to Mom and Dad! MDUMC has committed to providing uniforms for 120 students at Thornwood Elementary. Just $50 can sponsor a voucher to help a family purchase new school clothing, plus all the accessories like belts, shoes, socks, and underwear for one child. Visit our online fundraising page found at mdumc.org/missions beginning July 12 through August 30 to support this ministry. If you have any questions about our Back to School missions, please contact KandiceKirby@ mdumc.org.

SERVING MINISTRIES DAY OF PRAYER JULY 17

Join us for a virtual day of prayer for our Outreach and Missions partners both locally and globally. We invite you to sign up for one or more 15-minute time slot. When you sign up, you will receive information on each partner or mission area, as well as some ways in which you can pray for each ministry. To register, please visit mdumc.org/missions.

CROSSWALK HOUSTON UPDATE The walls of CrossWalk Houston miss their many students, volunteers, and community lunches, but we have found inventive ways to stay connected. Many of our teachers meet with students via Zoom, giving them both educational and emotional support. Because of the successful food collection by Kandice Kirby and MDUMC members, many of our families can receive much needed groceries and diapers.

Finally, because of a thoughtful donation from the Probers Sunday school class, we supplied over 100 campers and counselors with ice cream treats, bottled water, and sports drinks.

Thank you for your continued support of CrossWalk Houston and its many ministries as we take the love of Christ into our community.

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L EAR N I N G AT H OM E How do you keep up and connected with friends who you love as family while socially distancing? How do you mesh together the creativity and spirituality of our members to make a difference in our lives and the church? How are you serving others during this time of physical distancing? Many of our church members are learning at home, and, as we are growing closer to each other, we are also growing in our faith! A few of our class leaders are sharing what they are doing and where they see God.

Adult Sunday School classes meet online on Sunday mornings and afternoons, Tuesday afternoons, and Saturday at noon. If you are interested in joining a class, please e-mail VickyHarris@mdumc.org for more information!

Where have you seen God while learning from home?

We’ve seen God working through our members to reach out to others to encourage and support them during this time. We can see and speak with each other, even via Zoom, and share our joys and concerns in a holy manner. God's work can be seen in the many heartfelt ideas being advanced to overcome current community and national challenges.

Such terms as tolerance, understanding, love, justice, communication, kindness, etc., are heard routinely throughout the discussions, and, along with God's loving guidance, are needed more than ever.

What are you learning?

Our class devotions are rich in topic with meaningful discussions.

Meeting virtually has been a remarkable experience for all of us and we are grateful for the opportunity. Some classes are having normal attendance and others are seeing average attendance increase dramatically. One class saw attendance increase by almost 50%. It has provided an opportunity for those who have second homes or are traveling to join in no matter where they are. We thought this format might be a deterrent to discussion and keeping our bonds, but it seems that we have traveled in the opposite direction. Our discussions are very good, and it seems to be something that everyone looks forward to. A few Zoom classes had the wonderful opportunity of getting to know Dr. Brad and Laura Morgan, and eagerly await being with them in person. How fortunate we are to have such wonderful people in our midst! One class studied Great Courses’ presentations on various religious topics. Recently the DVD subject was on the “Second Great Awakening” (1790 - 1840), and the historical context surrounding this period.

These presentations have generated robust discussions on the part of all class members, who have really taken to this format. Other classes have studied Longing for Revival: From Holy Discontent to Breakthrough Faith, a Max Lucado study, and the Book of Hosea. We can catch up with each other and spend time in prayer with and for our class members and others near and far. It helps us stay connected and supported by God and our members during these unusual times.

How are you serving?

One class of senior members who are especially housebound at this time found they could help others in need by raising about $2,400 to help others in their emergency needs.

How are you connecting?

Our classes have become very creative with meeting by Zoom, connecting through weekly newsletters, making many phone calls, and sending emails.

OL D E R ADULTS ( BO O M E RS , S E N I O R S , A N D S I N G L E S )

For more information contact SheriKelley@mdumc.org.

PHONE ANGELS ONGOING

As soon as the city and our church went into stay-at-home mode due to the virus, a Phone Angel Calling Team of 45 members was assembled to periodically call our members in the 75+ age category. Many of the Angels and recipients became friends and are looking forward to one day meeting face-to-face. Thank you to the devoted Angels who committed to calling regularly, and thank you to the call receivers for graciously accepting the calls and sharing their everyday joys and concerns as well as their stories! Being the church is all about connecting! If you’d like to join the Phone Angel Team, contact SheriKelley@mdumc.org.

FACE MASK MINISTRY ONGOING

Handmade fabric face masks have been lovingly made by the 45 people who are the MDUMC Face Mask Ministry!

You can pick yours up on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Adult Ministry Center from 10 AM - 12 PM. Love offerings are gratefully accepted. Proceeds go to the purchase of food items needed to assemble grocery bags. Many thanks to Initials Gifts & Monogramming for donating their services to embroider Christian symbols on each mask! It’s the finishing touch to these beautiful masks!

A few more people are needed to sew face masks. We have several pattern pieces already cut out that are ready to sew. If you’d be interested in sewing a few, please contact SheriKelley@mdumc.org.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE ONGOING

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is now testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The test will indicate if your immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether you ever showed symptoms. If you decide to donate, give them the church’s ID #4308, so MDUMC gets credit for your gift. Give the gift of life!

SACRED WEEK IN MISSION ONGOING

S.W.I.M., or Sacred Week in Mission, will look different this year. Instead of a solid week of mission work, we’re hoping to offer one opportunity each week, depending on the status of COVID-19. This year, there will be no daily registration fee, but love offerings will be graciously accepted. If you’d be interested in participating in any of the following opportunities, contact SheriKelley@mdumc.org.

July 23 – Deliver Bush Fire BBQ dinner to Camp Hope July 30 – Prepare and deliver lunch to Ronald McDonald House August 6 – Volunteer at Houston Food Bank

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M D UMC KIDS

For more information contact AllysonGeorge@mdumc.org.

MDUMC KIDS: STRONG AND COURAGEOUS T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE | $10

We are celebrating our strong MDUMC kids through this season! We love seeing these courgeous kids wearing their shirts. Youth shirts are still available and half of the proceeds support our MDUMC feeding ministries. Contact MelissaSimmons@mdumc.org for size availability and to order.

CONFIRMATION 2020 - 2021

PARENT ORIENTATION | AUGUST 23 | 7 - 8:30 PM | THE JOURNEY

It’s time to register your new 6th grader for MDUMC’s Confirmation! Confirmation is a combination of learning about what it means to be a Christian and church membership, and making new lifelong friends. Registration for Confirmation is open online now at mdumc.org/confirmation.

LOVE GOD, LOVE NEIGHBOR, SPREAD KINDNESS ONGOING

MDUMC Kids are spreading kindness in our community with home baked treats, thank you cards for our postal service, and even treats for the pets at home! We love seeing our kids Loving God, Loving Neighbors and spreading kindness.

If you would like to help us spread more kindness, contact LaurenBedevian@mdumc.org for your sign.

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THEMESSENGER

MEMORIAL DRIVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH JULY 2020

FA M I L I E S AN D YO U N G ADU LTS

For more information contact CarrieNeal@mdumc.org.

FAMILY & YOUNG ADULT THURSDAY NIGHT TRIVIA THURSDAYS | 8:15 PM | VIA ZOOM

Thursday Night Trivia has been a highlight of the week for our Families and Young Adults. Join us as we answer some challenging questions, laugh, and find community with one another. You can sign up with a team or as an individual. Contact CarrieNeal@mdumc.org with any questions and for the Zoom link!

“We have loved trivia with the Families and Young Adults. We look forward to it each week! It has truly filled a large part of our empty ‘social bucket.’

We also really enjoy the breakout rooms with our team. They have allowed us to have all kinds of conversations we otherwise might not be having right now. Everything from Beyonce to Jesus and in between. It has also been nice seeing so many of the faces we used to see on Sunday mornings and getting to put a name with a face. Join us!

- Lauren and Adam Oblath

YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY

MONDAYS | 7:30 PM | VIA ZOOM Join us for our weekly Bible study for 20-somethings led by Carrie Neal. We will look at different topics and Bible passages each week as we try to deepen our faith through community. E-mail CarrieNeal@mdumc.org for the link!

MUSI C MI N ISTRY

For more information contact AnnAbles@mdumc.org.

THE AGAPE SINGERS MEMORABLE MOMENTS LATE JULY

The Agape Singers Youth Choir will be releasing a video of clips from previous shows including Les Miserables, Narnia, Children of Eden, Esther, Godspell, and Prodigal. The collection will feature solos performed by this year’s seniors along with full group numbers from these shows. Look for Memorable Moments from Agape Musicals to be posted online in late July. The Agape Singers would like to thank our Mission Supporters and all of our congregation for your love and support through these years!

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G RACE AND PEACE TO YOU IN T HE NAME OF OUR LORD J E SU S CH RI ST, When my son John was just a preschooler, we made a trip to the airport. He was so excited to see the big planes moving, and then incredulous as he watched the first one take off and become airborne. As we waited for our departure, John would jump up and down and make sure that we noticed how amazing each plane was as it took off and then gaze in awe and wonder as they flew. As I was taking in his joy, he came over to me and asked, “Dad, how does a plane fly?”

Thoughtfully, I began to explain that there are numerous forces at work in each take off. Some are simple and others complex. And, between my explanation of lift and the explosive nature of jet fuel, he hugged me as if he understood and ran back over to the windows to watch the planes again. And about then, I realized that I could explain something, but often what was being experienced was more wonderful than the explanation.

As my family have begun to learn about the great ministries of MDUMC, I feel like John on that day. Each time I learn about the ways God is moving in the life of this great congregation, I become excited and thrilled. I hope that we together never miss the awe and wonder that God’s love alive in us can bring into our world. We are so blessed to have a God who loves us abundantly more than we can ever imagine.

And the experience of that love shared is greater than anything we can explain.

In preparation for our time together, I have developed a 90-day plan that has been shared with the clergy, staff, and SPR. During my first 90 days at MDUMC, my time will be spent Preaching, Meeting, and Learning. During the current pandemic, these plans remain flexible to accommodate proper social distancing protocols. As we are meeting and getting to know each other and I am learning about you, I will be asking three questions consistently. What drew you to MDUMC? What do you love about MDUMC? What is God dreaming for MDUMC to be or become?

As we are welcomed into the MDUMC family and I serve as the Senior Pastor of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, I hope to continue the work of the pastors who have gone before me in loving people into possibilities of what God can do in their lives. I am humbled and honored by their service and hope to live into the standard they set. You are blessed with an amazing staff of laity and clergy who are each phenomenally gifted. I look forward to leading them and collaborating with them in ministry. And, I look forward to learning from you about how God is at work in your life, the ways God is moving here at MDUMC, and what God will do in our future together.

Please know that I cherish each story of faith like a little boy watching planes take off. I never get tired of how God is moving in people’s lives. And, as we look forward, let us not miss the awe in our shared faith together. I look forward to learning more about this great church as together we live into the amazing love we have from God’s grace embodied by Jesus the Christ.

Grace and peace,

DR. BRAD MORGAN SENIOR PASTOR

N EW WORSHIP SERIES

BEGINS JULY 12

NE W WO RSHIP SERIES Stay connected online throughout the week at

mdumc.org/stream .

WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE EACH WEEK

Classic and Contemporary Worship | Streamed at 9:30 & 11 AM Available throughout the week at mdumc.org/stream.

12955 MEMORIAL DRIVE

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HOUSTON, TX

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(713) 468 - 8356

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MDUMC.ORG