ISSUE 3 | AUGUST 2015 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
MONTHLY
ANNOUNCING A NEW WORSHIP COMMUNITY
THIS MONTH’S
NEWS:
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IMAGINING A NEW FAITH COMMUNITY
Casting vision as a front porch church: being open, accessible and welcoming to neighbors
I am pleased to report we are making good progress on our plans to launch a new worship community in Woodforest. You’ll remember Rev. Brent Parker joined our ministry team in June, and I can honestly say he’s done a great job laying the groundwork for The Church at Woodforest. We anticipate worship gatherings starting at Jean Stewart Elementary School sometime around Advent. The school sits right across the street from 12.8 acres of church-owned property. There’s a buzz in the air of that community. Residents there are getting excited about what’s coming. You’ll remember this project is a key initiative of the Imagine capital campaign. We knew it was time to grow our ministry reach with a worship community outside The Woodlands in addition to expanding our existing campus and sending missions support to India and Angel Reach in Conroe.
Harvest communities. The only difference, really, is that it will be located seven miles northwest of The Woodlands in a rapidly growing area of Montgomery County.
Of course none of this would happen without your faithful involvement. That you would share our vision for this new church and partner with us to make it a reality is especially humbling and affirming to me. Thank you for whatever role you play in making sure we advance God’s kingdom in Woodforest both now and in the years to come. Your Pastor,
OUR NEW MEETING PLACE
A map of Woodforest shows future locations for worship gatherings and church property.
I am thrilled to think about all the ways God is already moving to build His Church in Woodforest; all the hearts and minds He is stirring to seek connection with us there — the seniors, the families, and especially the children who will grow-up in a strong family of faith.
Ed Robb We consider The Church at Woodforest a worship community of The Woodlands UMC, just like our Chapel, Traditional, Loft and
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FOCUS ON RESIDENTS
Existing church members who live in Woodforest are eager to get started.
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CHURCH NEWS
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UPCOMING EVENTS
See names of new members, births, deaths and Foundation donors.
See selected ministry programs and events in August and September.
COVER STORY:
THE CHURCH WITH THE FRONT PORCH IMAGINING A NEW FAITH COMMUNITY By Nathan Nix
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There’s a buzz in the air of Woodforest, a master-planned community off the Fish Creek Thoroughfare between The Woodlands and Conroe. The community finally has its church. Not a church, but the church.
Even people who currently go to other churches are stopping him and asking about “our community’s church.” Of course, the question on everyone’s lips is “When do the services start?”
“They’re so excited,” says Brent Parker, who started in June as Lead Pastor of the The Woodlands UMC’s Woodforest campus after a nationwide search. “When we go to the golf course for lunch, and there’s a church member working there. ‘Oh, you’re the new pastor for our church!’ they say. Our church.”
Since TWUMC purchased 12.8 acres as part of the Imagine Campaign, things seem to have moved relatively quickly. A pastor has been named, a deal has been worked out with Stewart Elementary to host the initial service, and many meetings have taken place between Brent and families interested in leadership roles. That said, the church’s current growth is most comparable to a pregnancy.
Woodforest is relatively new. Of the planned 5,500 single-family homes, only about 1,500 have been built so far. “A community of about 4,000 right now will eventually be about 16,000,” says Brent. “I think they feel like they’re a part of this new thing that’s kind of growing.”
“It’s like parents waiting on a new child,” Brent says. “You know it’s coming. You know it’s supposed to be here in this timeframe. But you’re just praying for it as it develops in the womb.” That doesn’t stop Brent from imagining what the church can become. He’s been conversing with neighbors, listening as they share their hopes and dreams for the new community and thinking about how to leverage simple things such as how the community is laid out, how
people get around (often on golf carts), and even the architectural features of the houses. “Many of the homes out there, they’re building front porches on them,” he says. “They want to almost force themselves to interact with their neighbors.” Brent has a vision of what he simply calls “The church with the front porch,” a way the community’s desire to interact with neighbors can carry over to the church’s approach to ministry. “I’ve had this vision of us ... interacting with people, being very engaged in the opportunities our community offers — not folks who are afraid of our neighbors … who get to our house and shut our garage door behind our car so that no one sees us and then head to our backyard behind our privacy fences and no one can see what we’re doing, but rather a church where we hang out in the front yard.”
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“Pray for me, pray for our community.”
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–REV. BRENT PARKER
STEWART S STEW ART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PreK-6th Grade THE CHURCH AT WOODFOREST Future Site
FIS HC REE KT HO URO UG H FA RE
Brent recently met with TWUMC member Virgil Yoakum, Vice President of The Johnson Development Corp., the award-winning developers behind Woodforest, and his staff about ways the church can support already-planned community events and spearhead others. “We are excited to welcome Rev. Parker and his family to the Woodforest community, not only as a minister, but also as residents,” said Mr. Yoakum. “Having worship services held in Woodforest just solidifies our community as a true hometown for our residents.” Many current TWUMC members who live in the area are excited not only about having a closer campus but also a smaller one where they can be more involved. While the members told Brent they understood the need for full-time staff to run TWUMC’s Main Campus, they missed the days when church didn’t happen unless they were there early and late to put out and pick up the chairs. “There’s this sense that people want to be a part of (the church) and necessary for this thing to happen,” Brent says. It ’s a sentiment he welcomes as he attempts to get an idea of what the church will look like. Fortunately, the fact that this campus is a plant of TWUMC and not a startup gives the church an advantage,
according to Jeff Olive, Director of New Church Development for The Texas Annual Conference. “The most successful and fastest growing new congregations today are those that are an extension campus of a healthy, growing congregation,” he says. “This new campus benefits greatly from The Woodlands UMC by leaning on previously established relationships, administrative oversight, prayer from a larger community, deep experience growing a congregation, and by being connected to a church known for being the heart of the community.” Brent anticipates that though he is the Lead Pastor, as an extension of TWUMC, its tradition of rotating speakers and worship leaders among the different worship venues will continue with Woodforest. He also sees other areas where the church’s DNA will be on display. “If folks who have been coming to the Main Campus want to imagine what we’ll be doing at Woodforest and compare it to something that’s already happening here, The Harvest is the closest thing,” he says. Though a start date closer to Advent has been discussed, no official kickoff dates have been set in stone yet. So what can people do in the meantime if they want to be involved?
“Number one,” Brent says, “just pray. Pray for me, pray for our community.” Many members have expressed interest in serving somehow, whether on a leadership team or simply as a greeter. “If you start thinking ‘God’s calling me to do such and such in this’ or ‘I feel strongly that God’s calling our community to be a people who are ,’ let me know what that is,” Brent says. “Email me, call me, connect, come by the office. I’ve had a lunch or coffee with interested folks multiple days every week.” He also encourages people to drive through Woodforest and get familiar with the layout, the spirit of the community and even the church’s undeveloped property. “Get out of your car, walk through the property and pray,” he says. “It’s all heavily wooded, but take a hike — take your kids in there and look for nature. You’ll see deer and bunnies every day. Walk through there and begin to dream — imagine what God’s going to do there.” •
CONTACT REV. BRENT PARKER: bparker@twumc.org fb.com/Brent.Parker.3914 @BelovedBrent
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LAYING A NEW FOUNDATION
This information removed for online viewing.
By Nathan Nix
After 13 years of living in The Woodlands, Brent and Dana Saxon were ready for change — something “a little slower-paced, a little smaller,” as Brent puts it. They chose the Woodforest community, about 15 miles northwest of The Woodlands UMC Main Campus. “It feels a little more secluded — a little bit of a country feel,” says Dana. Brent adds, “But you still get the draw of having a big city right there.” The main attraction was smaller schools for their three girls: MacKenzie, Lauren and Finley. Of course, moving farther away from The Woodlands also meant it would be less convenient to participate in life here at their church, The Woodlands UMC. When they heard the church would be opening a Woodforest Campus, though, they wanted to be involved “from ground zero.” “I think there’s a lot to going to church with friends and neighbors and people that you’re in the community with,” Brent says of their choice to attend the new campus when it opens in the near future. “We just want to play a small part, whatever that is. Whatever God’s got planned for us, we’ll do. We’ll be there from day one helping get it started.” 6
The Saxons are excited that their new congregation is a plant of TWUMC and not an independent start-up so MacKenzie, their oldest daughter, and her friends can still attend Crowded House at the Main Campus. “That’s awesome to be able to take advantage of that,” Brent says. “Not only the youth program — you can take advantage of the leadership that’s already there, the pastors that are already there, the media team that’s already there… marketing, advertising, sound — we get to take advantage of everything that The Woodlands UMC offers. Start-ups don’t get that. They’re starting from the ground floor, and you’ve got to build it over time.” Even with all that support, any change this big can be a challenge. Nonetheless, the Saxons are excited about this “whole new experience” and seeing how their new church grows. “I think God has a plan and the Woodforest Campus will do great things in the community (as we) continue the mission of winning people to Jesus Christ, discipling them in faith and helping those in need,” Brent says. •
THE POINT MONTHLY
Is published once a month by The Woodlands UMC. Dr. Ed Robb Senior Pastor Mike Sims Editor Creative Director Scott Brinkmeyer Publication Design Art Director Michelle “Micki” Mensio Traffic Manager Contributing Writers Dr. Ed Robb Nathan Nix Copy Editors Nathan Nix Sally Bacon
FOUNDATION GIFTS JUNE 12 – JULY 10, 2015
In Memory of Sue Elizabeth Anna, mother of Steve Anna Tommy and Marsha Williams In Memory of Tommy Ault, husband of Norma Ault Norma Ault In Honor of Chris and Kim Biggerstaff, Confirmation leaders Eric and Denise Lipar In Memory of Marilyn Cochran, mother of Brad Cochran Kim and Sally Bacon Maxine Cooper, Cindy, Denise and Families Bud and Betty Dole Richard and Barbara Fulmer Greg and Jane Jordan Steve and Becky Hamrick Harlan and Marie Hartman George and Sally Holtin Derle and Gay Lindner Dave and Dee Megee Bob and Judy Miller Ken and Joyce Nesmith Mary Jon Smith Ann Tannehill Clarence Thompson Elizabeth Voran In Memory of Anne Curtin Greg and Jane Jordan In Honor of Stephanie Gunter, Confirmation leader Eric and Denise Lipar In Memory of Jim Juergens, husband of Diane Juergens Greg and Jane Jordan In Memory of Vance LeCrone, husband of Amy LeCrone Dr. and Mrs. Ross Shipp
In Honor of Ashton Louis Miller’s Baptism, son of Matthew and Kathleen Miller Matthew and Kathleen Miller In Memory of Ralph Montgomery, son of Jacquie Weidemeyer Clarence Thompson In Honor of Sara Grace Schweiker’s Baptism and Confirmation, daughter of Christian and Brook Schweiker Jon and Worth Krenytsky In Memory of Max Sharpe, brother-in-law of Aletha Harris Tommy and Marsha Williams In Honor of Clarence Thompson’s 90th birthday Kim and Sally Bacon Dave and Dee Megee Charles and Sue Stephenson In Honor of Rick and Kim Ulasewich, Confirmation leaders Eric and Denise Lipar
This information removed for online viewing.
In Honor of Johna VanRoekel, Confirmation leader Eric and Denise Lipar FOUNDATION RESTRICTED The Woodlands Methodist School Scholarship Endowment Fund Kim and Sally Bacon Make a lasting gift to The Woodlands UMC Foundation. thewoodlandsumc.org/foundation
LEAVE YOUR LEGACY Many members have chosen to make a difference in Christ’s Kingdom by including The Woodlands UMC Foundation in their estate planning. We call you our Legacy Leaders and would like to recognize your importance to the future of our church in a publication coming out in September. Please contact Sally Bacon at sbacon@twumc.org so we can celebrate your generosity as a witness of your faith. Also, if you are considering a legacy gift to the Foundation, now is a great time to join the Legacy Leaders! Make a lasting gift to The Woodlands UMC Foundation. thewoodlandsumc.org/foundation 7
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SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS
Find details and event registrations at thewoodlandsumc.org/register
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
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Family Promise Senior Adult Ministry Lunch Bunch Willis Community Breakfast 5th & 6th Grade Boys’ / Girls’ Day Out Food Bank Backpack Buddies Little Lamb’s Closet Sale Upward Football Begins Confirmation Begins Kenya Mission Trip Begins Seniors’ Afternoon at the Movies Blood Drive Single Dad Small Group
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| DivorceCare | Resound Special Needs Choir | Upward Cheerleading | Radiant Bible Study Begins | Fit Kids! Begins | Single Life Bowling | New Roots Begins | Running United Begins | Quest for Men Begins
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