WebmasterTJ - EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

PRESIDING ELDER JAMES OAKRY

WebmasterTJ — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:40:22 +0000

Contact

revjoakry@yahoo.com

9106 Millwood Drive

Rowlett, Texas 75088

469-734-9334

Reverend James Guy Oakry Jr. was born on August 26, 1960. He was raised and educated in the Plano public school system, graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1978. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Texas College in 2017 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Criminology at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Additionally, he holds a Certificate in Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

Ordained as a Deacon in 1997 and elevated to Elder in 1999, Reverend Oakry is actively involved in ministry and recently married Reverend Vernice Fowler. He is a proud father of three children and a grandfather to two beautiful granddaughters. In his leisure time, he enjoys golfing and fishing.

Currently, Reverend Oakry serves as the newly appointed Presiding Elder of the Tyler District within the Central Texas Region. His previous pastoral roles include leadership at Friendship CME Church, Holsey Chapel CME Church, and Mt. Zion CME Church in Ben Wheeler. After retiring from the City of Plano, where he served for 24 years, he has been driving a school bus for Garland Independent School District for the past 15 years.

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PRESIDING ELDER JONATHAN L JONES SR

WebmasterTJ — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 14:46:15 +0000

Website: www.houstondistrictcme

P.O. Box 1433

Hurst Texas 76053

817-812-9298

jonathansr303@gmail.com

Presiding Elder Jonathan L Jones Sr was born October 22, 1966. He is a native of Los Angeles, California. Elder Jones earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance in 1988 from the University of Texas at Arlington.

In 1986, he joined McIntosh CME church in Grand Prairie, TX under the Pastoral leadership of Rev James L. Smith. He served in many capacities at McIntosh. He sang in the young adult choir, served as Sunday School Superintendent, taught the adult Sunday school class, and led Wednesday night prayer meeting. While attending McIntosh CME church he answered his call into the ministry and received his license to preach in October 1992 under the leadership of Rev James L Smith.

In 1995, he moved his membership to Christian Chapel CME church in Dallas, TX under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Jerome E McNeil Jr. At Christian Chapel he was the worship leader for the 8:00 am worship service. He also taught new membership classes, participated in monthly prayer vigils, and visited and served communion to the sick and shut in. He was ordained as an Elder in June 2007 under Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham.

In June 2007, he was assigned to Morning Chapel CME church as an associate minister Bishop Cunningham. He served under numerous pastors at Morning Chapel. He served in numerous teaching capacities while at Morning Chapel. He taught the adult Sunday school class; he taught various classes during Vacation Bible School and The Rock Respect Academy as well as Wednesday night Bible study. He also visited and served communion to members that were sick or hospitalized.

He served as pastor of New Bethel CME church in Stephenville, TX under the appointment of Bishop LL Reddick III during the 2014 Dallas-Fort Worth Annual Conference. He pastored New Bethel from July 2014 to July 2017.

He was appointed Pastor of St. James CME church in Gainesville, TX by Bishop LL Reddick III during the 2017 Dallas-Fort Worth Annual Conference. His focus in his first two years at St. James was to lead the church in completing important renovations that would allow the members to return to the church building to worship.

He was appointed Pastor of Stewart Chapel in Fort Worth, TX by Bishop LL Reddick III during the 2021 Dallas-Fort Worth/Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He currently serves as an Episcopal Leader over the Economic Ventures. In this role he is tasked with seeking financial opportunities that would benefit churches in the Eighth Episcopal District. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School on the campus of Texas Christian University in December 2022.

He was appointed Presiding Elder of the Houston District in the 2022-2023 Southeast Texas Region Annual Conference by Senior Bishop LL Reddick III.

Rev. Jones is married to Mrs. Tina Jones. Together they have a total of seven children.

The post PRESIDING ELDER JONATHAN L JONES SR first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Apparel

WebmasterTJ — Wed, 22 May 2024 23:31:28 +0000

The post Apparel first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Jamaica Annual Conference

WebmasterTJ — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 18:22:05 +0000

Greetings!

To: CME Travelers to the 42nd Annual Conference of the Jamaica Region, April 10-14, 2023.

From: Beverly J. Ross, Travel Arrangements Coordinator, 8th Episcopal District.

Subject: Jamaica Region Annual Conference 2023.

Greeting My C.M.E. Brothers & Sisters: We are looking forward to a spiritually uplifting and successful visit to the Jamaica Annual Conference.
We plan to arrive on Monday (4/10) by 1:00 p.m. at the Montego Bay airport and will return Friday morning (4/14), departing, Black River. (Persons who arrive early and contact Bishop Reddick 205-515-7322 are welcome to visit Life Empowerment CME Church In Montego Bay on Easter Sunday.)
The Conference will meet 3 days, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. For newcomers and those returning, it will be an exciting time in the life of the church! Your presence and support are greatly appreciated.

Annual Conference location:
Good Mews CME Church
Fort Charles, St Elizabeth, Jamaica

Hotel: Idlers’ Rest Beach Hotel 29 Parottee Road, Black River, St Elizabeth Jamaica 1-876-965-9000

Mrs. Beverly Ross
Episcopal District Travel Coordinator
Email: bross11@comcast.net
713-557-6087 (cell)

D & D Travel
Travel Agent: Mrs. Dru Williams
drudon@earthlink.net
276-638-2093

SUGGESTED ESSENTIALS YOU MAY NEED
Jamaica has nice warm weather all year round so light-weight clothes are a must –
cotton is the coolest material to wear. Pack casual and comfortable clothing for 3 days
at the Conference. “Comfort and Church Presentable” is the key for dress.
Temperature is usually 90 to 95+ degrees daily!
Comfortable walking shoes, folding church fan
Snacks that pack well
In Jamaica, the sun is strong! Sun block with a high SPF is important since you’ll be
enjoying the outdoors for most of the day
Aloe will provide cool relief in case you get sunburn
Insect repellent is a must for tropical climates, especially at night. (Pocket size)
Hat or visor that pack well, sunglasses and reading glasses
Disinfecting Spray & Wipes (pocket size) tissues and hand wash
Necessary toiletries, shower shoes and personal meds
Mosquito spray for evenings
CME Discipline and Bible Access
Small flashlight, batteries, and folding umbrella
Camera, Cell phone and iPad chargers and cords for your technology
USE OF YOUR CELL PHONE IN JAMAICA
Ask your phone carrier to give you an international rate a few days before you leave. If you
basically, send texts, you will be ok. Otherwise, long distance calls international travel from
April 10-14, 2023.
HOTEL ROOM RATES AND MEAL COSTS
Single Room: $80 per night; Double: $80 per night; Quad Room: $150 per night. (Adding
another person is $20 per night.) Continental breakfast, served daily at hotel. (Tax and Service
charges included)
EMERGENCY NOTICE
Each traveler will be asked to complete a form that gives notice of who to call or contact in
the USA in case of illness or an emergency. Be sure to bring all of your medications. Keep
meds in the original prescription bottles in your carry-on bag. If you are Medicare Eligible,
please know that Medicare does not pay for medical care outside of the US borders. Medical
service will have to be cash or credit card.
RETURN TRIP TO THE USA
We will prepare to leave the hotel early Friday morning. Breakfast will not be served at the
hotel. We will possibly stop for a brief shopping. Then, travel on to Montego Bay to the
airport and board planes for the USA. Please Do Not Make Return Reservation before 12:00
noon.
THE CME SCHOOLS
The schools are generally closed during the week after Easter. We may arrange visits to tour the
three school buildings (“early childhood institutions”)
It is our prayer that…“The Lord will keep watch over your going out
and you’re coming in, from this time and forever.”
This is a CME Church Annual Conference and not a sea and sun adventure!!
CONTACTS: D and D Travel- Mrs. Dru Williams, Agent
(276) 638-2093/ Email: DRUDON@EARTHLINK.NET
Beverly Ross, Travel Arrangements Coordinator, 8th pal District
Telephone: 713-557-6087/Email: bross11@comcast.net

Social Media Sharing

The post Jamaica Annual Conference first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Health Ministry In The Eighth Episcopal District (VOL11)

WebmasterTJ — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 19:52:19 +0000

EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

HEALTH MINISTRY (VOL 11)

Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie

Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries

PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR NOVEMBER

A. National Bladder Health Awareness Month. Source American Urology Association, Urology Care Foundation.

https://www.Urologyhealth.org

FACTS:

“Bladder cancer is the 6^th most common cancer in U.S. Nearly 84,000 people were diagnosed in 2021. It is more common in males. Three times more men get the disease. Incidence is higher in the age group 75-84. More Caucasians than any other ethnicities. However, there are more African Americans who do not survive the disease. Bladder cancer may spread to lymph nodes nearby and it may reach the bones and the lungs. Talk to your Dr. if you notice the following: blood in your urine and often there is no pain, frequent and urgent urination, pain in lower abdomen and back. May get this cancer when you come into contact with tobacco, as smoking or breathing in tobacco smoke. Smoking is a big risk factor. In the workplace, exposure to chemicals used to make plastics, paint and textiles. Your Dr. may refer you to a Urologist for the needed tests. Your options for treatment will depend on how much the cancer has grown. You should expect to return to your Dr. for re evaluation and further test even after surgery. You may even need to be referred to a certified sex therapist/counselor. Some patients have participated in peer support groups to help them deal with Erectile Dysfunction. After treatment and surgery, healthy living will include recommendations for diet changes, a fitness plan and other lifestyle changes.”

B. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month.

Source: American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/

FACTS:

: “COPD is referred to as chronic bronchitis emphysema. This disease affects millions of Americans and is the leading cause of long-term disability and early death in U.S. It is often preventable and treatable, and there is no cure. The main cause is smoking, but nonsmokers can get the disease too. About 85-90% of cases are caused by smoking. Other causes include long term exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke, dust fumes and chemicals which are often work related. Five steps to risk your risk: 1. Stop smoking 2. Don’t start smoking 3. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke 4. Protect yourself from chemicals, dust and fumes in your home and at work 5. Fight for clean air in your community. Be alert to these symptoms and discuss with your Dr. Theses include chronic cough, shortness of breath while doing ever day activities, frequent respiratory infections, blueness of lips or fingernails, fatigue, wheezing, and producing a lot of mucus. Early detection is key to successful treatment. Your Dr. will ask you about your symptoms, write them down and share the list, and if family members have had COPD. You must understand your medical plan. Taking your medication at the right time can help you breathe better, do more of the things you enjoy, and have fewer flare ups or exacerbation of symptoms. A pulmonary rehabilitation program will include education, exercise training, nutrition advice and counseling. All are designed to help you rebuild strength and enjoy a fuller more active life. Also, getting emotional support is important and those professionals can help you handle feelings of fear, anxiety, depression or stress. To talk to experts, call the American Lung Helpline and Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) TTY for hearing impaired is 1-800-501-1068”.

National Diabetes Month. Source: American Diabetes Association,

https://www.diabetes.org/

FACTS:

“There is a short Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test. T A1C test is used to identify prediabetes. The goal for most adults is a reading of less than 7%. The higher the percentage, the higher the blood sugar level. Before you develop Type 2 diabetes, almost all persons will have prediabetes. There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes, so you may have it and not know it. The following symptoms are typical of diabetes-urinating often, feeling very thirsty, feeling very hungry even though you are eating, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, cuts/bruises that are slow to heal, weight loss even tough you are eating more, tingling pain or numbness in the hands/feet. Some people have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed. Early detection and treatment can decrease the risk of complications. Healthy living includes nutrition and diet changes, physical fitness, can’t be overweight, keep extra weight off with a balance of exercise, healthy food and portion control. No fad diets! Practice positive self-talk and set realistic goals to help you succeed (For example: say I’m glad I decided to get out for a walk. Some exercise is better than nothing.) Always check your glucose level before exercising; the range is about 100to180mg/dl. Confirm your level with your Dr. Know that your emotions can influence you’re eating habits. You can assess your physical hunger using their Hunger-Satiety-Rating Scale. Alternatives to eating may include: drinking a glass of water or another zero-calorie beverage, take a walk to change scenery, read a book or magazine, work on a hobby. If you feel an emotional strain, always seek a professional for mental help. There are ways to lighten your mental load. For example, try telemedicine instead of routine appointments, stay organized, simplify the mealtime, and plan ahead and not at the last minute. You can manage Type 2 Diabetes, but changes are required.”

November 17 “Great American Smoke out.

https://www.Cancer,org/

Plan:

Plan to adopt a friend/ family member and help them start their journey toward a smoke-free life. This day is important because almost 34 million American adults still smoke and smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death. Smoking causes about 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths. Those who smoke include people in lower socioeconomic level, those without a college degree and African American/Black communities. No matter how long the person has been smoking, quitting improves health outcomes.”

American Lung Association “E-Cigarettes and Vaping. Know the Risks Visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Reference: E-Cigarettes.SurgeonGeneral.gov Slogan: QUIT Don’t SWITCH.”

PART II.
HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD

Source:

www.balmingilead.org

Click on Education and Inspiration and find these topics-Sunday Morning Health Corner and Resources.

Facts:

A. Sunday Morning Corner-“Featured Health Literacy, Health and Wellness with download,” “”Coping with Seasonal Depression,” “The Importance of Handwashing During Cold and Flu Season,” “November is National Diabetes Month.”
B. Resources: “Diabetes,” “Obesity and Nutrition.”

PART III.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

www.cdc.gov/

“COVID-19 County Check.

FACTS:

”Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters-A. What You Need to Know: 1. Updated (bivalent) boosters became available September 2,2022. 2. CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age group. Children and teens ages 6 months to 17 years and adults ages 18 years and older. 3. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from infection provides added protection against COVID-19. 4. If you recently had COVID-19 you may consider delaying your next vaccine dose (primary dose or booster) by 3 months from when your symptoms started or if you had no symptoms, when you first received a positive test. 5. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations forCOVID-19 vaccines. Note: COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest COVID-19 data. B. Updated Boosters Are Recommended for Some People: CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was-1. Their final primary series dose or 2. An original (monovalent) booster. People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster. (Note: Posted 11/6/2022) CDC facts are intended to help you make decisions about getting COVID-19 vaccinations. See your Dr. for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

A helpful tool provided by CDC is the COVID-19 Community Level Report. You may check your county and find out the level. There are three levels High, Medium and Low with recommendations for safety protocols for each level. The numbers are tabulated and the Levels are updated every Thursday by 8pm ET. When you are traveling and gathering, check the County Level and protect yourself and others.

The post Health Ministry In The Eighth Episcopal District (VOL11) first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Water in Jackson, Mississippi:

WebmasterTJ — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 21:17:58 +0000

Water in Jackson, Mississippi:

Short Term and Long Term Efforts to Bring Relief

By Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Dear Eighth District Family,

Greetings!

The importance of water for drinking or bathing or cooking – or the lack thereof – has hit the people of Jackson, Mississippi in a serious way. As members of a Connectional Church that is more than local, we want to respond to the needs of people within our reach. Therefore, I am writing you about how we can provide some short-term relief and some longer-term efforts to assist persons in Jackson.

A Plan to Deliver Water and other Needed Supplies on Wednesday, September 7^th.

I am asking the assistance of the Texas part of the Eighth District to help us transport water and other needed supplies to Jackson. Most of us know about the water needs. In a communication from Bishop Carter of the Fourth Episcopal District, these are other specific needs: body wipes, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray, paper towels, small bottles of bleach, and 5-gallon buckets.

. The following is the plan:

Persons from various areas of the Eighth Episcopal District in Texas are asked to bring bottled water to five sites between Sunday and Tuesday afternoon.
1. Cedar Crest Cathedral CME Church, Dallas, will be one of those sites. If you have items from the DFW area, please take them to Cedar Crest Cathedral, which will be open from Noon to 3 PM on Sunday and from 11-3 PM Monday and Tuesday. You may also call Pastor Van Carl Williams at 773-879-3266.
2. St James CME Church, Tyler, will be one of those sites. If you are from the Central Texas Region’s areas, I am asking you to get items to St James in Tyler on Sunday between 9 AM and 2 PM, or on Monday or Tuesday between Noon and 5 PM. Please call Rev Brian Lightner if you desire to make arrangements to give donations outside of these times (501-707-7382).
3. Post Oak CME Church, near Longview, is also a site. East Texas persons, please drop your bottled water and/or other items at Post Oak between the hours of 11 AM to 4 PM on Sunday, between 10 AM to 2 PM on Monday; or between 1 PM to 4 PM on Tuesday.
4. Miles Chapel, Houston, will be a site for those in the Houston area to drop off items on Sunday. If you are from the Houston area, please drop off items on Sunday at Miles Chapel CME Church, Houston, between the hours of 9 AM and 2 PM. If you are able to donate but cannot do so between these hours, please contact Presiding Elder Mays about donating later or on Monday (832-428-1545).
5. St. Paul CME Church, Nacogdoches, is a site for the Beaumont-Nacogdoches area. Persons with items can drop them off between the hours of 8 AM and 4 PM on Sunday, and on Monday or Tuesday between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM.

Those of you who are highway travelers will notice that the journey from Dallas to Jackson is along Interstate 20 – and you will also notice that Tyler and Longview are along that line. Persons from the Houston and Nacogdoches areas will be driving up to meet the pick-up site in Longview.

A longer term solution, which is a part of the Connectional network, and is the relief that comes through the support of the Committee on Emergency Relief.

Previously the Committee on Emergency Relief assisted several of our southeastern Texas churches after storm and water damage.

And already, that committee – led by Bishop Sylvester Williams, Jr., – is asking that all of our CME churches take an offering tomorrow (Sunday) for relief in Jackson, Mississippi, and that checks from that offering are to be made payable to the Department of Finance, but that those checks will be sent to each Episcopal District Office.

So, then, please take an offering tomorrow, write your checks from that offering to the Department of Finance and send those checks to:

Eighth Episcopal District CME Church

ATTN: Mrs Barbara Brown

1616 E. Illinois Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75216

Thank you. I believe, if we follow these requests, we will bring short-term and longer-term relief to our sisters and brothers in Jackson, Mississippi.

Bishop Lawrence Reddick

205-515-7322

The post Water in Jackson, Mississippi: first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Don’t Rush Past Holy Saturday.

WebmasterTJ — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 03:02:10 +0000

Don’t Rush Past Holy Saturday.
Feel, Endure, and Hallow this Day

Dear CME Family:

Today is called “Holy Saturday” in some seldom used liturgical calendars – that day between Friday night at the end of the crucifixion and the dawning of Sunday morning when the women were astonished that “the stone [had been] rolled away.”

In some of the old liturgical calendars, Good Friday and Holy Saturday carry the liturgical color of black, symbolizing death.

Yet, like people who go under anesthesia in order not to feel the pains of a physical operation, many if not most of us run past emotional pains and uncomfortable, agonizing memories all the time. So, we generally do nothing on this day between Good Friday and Easter. We do nothing. We see nothing. We feel nothing (at least, not liturgically).

But what did the disciples do … see … feel on the day after the crucifixion? Surely they could not escape this day’s agony!

We may learn some lessons by pausing, reflecting, wondering … what could they have felt? What might have been the hollow hole in their hearts caused by their grief – on the day after the crucifixion? (Anybody carrying a hollow hole left from the death of a love one?) And there may be lessons to this day that can help us walk through the overwhelming nature of our own pains and sufferings – pains and sufferings that may touch us before we die … and from which we would rather be anesthetized, but may not be.

There is a picture in my mind from visiting the hospital room of a dying patient about 30 years ago, who – about a week before she succumbed – kept breathing loud enough for every breath to sound like a groan (audibly not anesthetized), and, with each breath, had to face as well an accompanying physical pain. Some of us will, of necessity, go through some agony. Could reflecting today on what the disciples and Mary had to feel on this holy Saturday help us endure when our times of great trial come?

We seem to want to rush through difficult times. We see in the Gospels a rush to get Jesus buried on Friday before sundown. We see Joseph of Arimathea (“a disciple but secretly”) begging Pilate for the body of Jesus. We see Jesus quickly buried in a borrowed tomb, while the “anointing of the body”

awaits the passing of the Sabbath – which, in the Jewish world, begins Friday at sundown, and ends Saturday at sundown.

But, following the rush, what might they have had to deal with inwardly … emotionally … prayerfully … agonizingly … for what were probably about 30-plus hours before the dawning of the day on Sunday and before the word of what you and I now know became “good news”?

Several years ago when our son Jon was in elementary school, a Jewish family of one of his classmates invited Jon and me to their home for the Passover seder meal. (There is nothing like learning about a faith from one of the faith’s adherents, rather than its critics.) There I learned from their perspective the sacredness of “remembering,” of “the wormwood and the gall,” of the patience of a teaching ritual of re-enacting in order to put ourselves where “they” were (“they” being those Israelites who fled Egypt hastily in escape from Pharoah and oppression).

I particularly remember that experience today as today is not only holy Saturday in our Christian calendar, but today is also (as of “sundown” last night and until sundown tonight) the first day of the Jewish Passover. That family would have eaten that meal last night.

And thinking of that meal with them, I also thought of Jews who have fled Ukraine who probably are celebrating Passover with a more nuanced “remembrance” … because it is more than a ritual of “remembrance”; this time it is present reality. (And they cannot escape their thoughts.)

I am wearing all black today. The last time I wore all black was the Sunday of mourning and identifying after the death of Michael Brown of Ferguson. As I prepared to dress, I remembered the Latino evangelical leader who embraced wearing black on that same Sunday and pressed his church to do so. He wanted to identify and emphatize with us. And so I wear black today to identify with those walking in anguish and pains and sorrows they cannot escape, but must endure today … and endure without anesthesia.

Stop long enough today to feel … to wonder … to imagine … what the earliest disciples of Jesus must have thought and felt and wondered as they faced “holy Saturday.”

Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick

The post Don’t Rush Past Holy Saturday. first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY

WebmasterTJ — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 19:59:17 +0000

Eighth Episcopal District Technology Ministry

WHAT TECH DOES?

By Tina Jones

Our churches depend on technology to communicate both live and online. Our Technical Ministry team is crucial in making that happen!

The Team will also continue to utilize the Zoom platform so that all members will be able to access the church services. We are referring to this service as a hybrid service.

Serving in a church ministry requires a boatload of grace and more patience than many people have left at the end of a busy week. In some churches, it means working with difficult people every weekend.

The tech support team depend on each other’s gifts to be at full capacity at every service.

The tech support team need to be in unity before, during and after the event. Being on the same page, spiritually, is the key ingredient to this recipe.

One principle I’ve relied on over the years is that anyone involved in tech support ministry needs to be F.A.T.— faithful, available, and teachable, in that order. Once they’ve joined the tech support team, these people must also be faithful to be there when they’ve promised to be there.

Some volunteers have professional tech training and willingly bring their skills to the 8th Episcopal District team, but many others had an interest and have been trained by the staff.

The team is giving the website an updated look and enabling easier navigation throughout the site. This will also enable us to embed the streaming source into the website, so that anyone accessing the website can easily find your services. We want to make the website more informative and more representative.

Tina Jones

Director of Technology
Text: 972-998-4574
Email: tjthecomputerlady@gmail.com

The post TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Annual Conference Planning Information

WebmasterTJ — Fri, 07 May 2021 12:30:49 +0000

Annual Conference Planning Information

By Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Dear Eighth District Family:

I’m sharing the following information about the projected Annual Conferences in July so that people can begin to make their plans. While the plans for the Conferences have not hardened as in concrete, they are close to having been made. Therefore, I am writing with the understanding that if you have a serious concern that you express in the next two weeks, it will be heard. However, bear in mind that time is of the essence if you have any suggested changes. Please write about any concerns within 2 weeks.

We have survived in this COVID-19 time also by being flexible and by being creative in our thinking and acting. Your serious suggestions to me – by email to llreddick3@yahoo.com or by phone to 205-515-7322 – will be heard.

This email does not yet cover the Annual Conference of the Jamaica Region. It is still in the thinking and talking phase. It does, however, cover the four annual conferences of the Texas Regions – for East Texas, Central Texas, Southeast Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth/Northwest Texas Regions.

Please hear this statement first: we have not found a usable software for the election of delegates on line which will also be usable for those persons among us who may have limited access to the internet. Many of our participants in last year’s conferences did so by telephone, and I believe many will be doing the same this year. Every delegate must have the right to cast a ballot and every one who casts a ballot has the right for their ballot to be private.

All four Regions’ annual conferences will begin with an in-person Friday session, starting at Noon. This session, which I anticipate will run from noon until about 5:30, will start with a noon session for preachers in full connection, preachers on trial, and others persons who are being recommended by the Committee on Ministerial Examination. We will hear the roll of preachers in full connection and preachers on trial, will hear the report of the Committee on Ministerial Examination, and then proceed to elect clergy delegates to the General Conference. Afterward, a lay session, planned to begin about 2:30, will continue until the lay delegates to the General Conference are elected. That time is anticipated to be about 5:00/5:30 PM. We will then recess until Saturday morning, starting at 9 AM until about 6 PM on Saturday.

Masks and social distancing will be required for the Friday in-person sessions. Gloves will be helpful. We will probably ask for persons who are vaccinated and separate them from persons who are not. We will be primarily about the business of electing delegates. We will set up, in the next few days, a system for persons to register to be on a ballot for delegates.

The second day will be on Zoom, not in person. It will mimic the organization and structure we had last year – only the Bishop, the Presiding Elders, the Secretary and Assistant(s), two members of the Committee on Ministerial Examination, the Joint Board of Finance, and the Host Pastor are asked to be at the church. Limited exceptions will be made for those persons who drive in Friday for a distance of 3 or more hours who desire to spend the night, attend conference in the church, and go home or to a hotel on Saturday night. However, the preference is for everyone to return to their homes on Friday evening and participate in Saturday’s sessions by Zoom.

Churches which are hosting are being asked to prepare no food. Lingering, loitering, hanging around (even what we call “fellowship”) will not be helpful at this time. Persons gathering in the churches’ fellowship halls and eating will not be helpful, either. Please prepare your boxed lunch to eat in your vehicles or find yourself using one of the fast food restaurants for your food breaks.

(Again, as you or others respond to this information, we may need to make some changes.)

The East Texas Annual Conference (clergy only) will convene at noon on Friday, July 9, 2021, at the Hughes Chapel CME Church, 307 Avenue B, Longview, Texas 75604. Lay delegates will be welcome to enter at approximately 2:30 PM. The Conference will meet on Saturday, July 10, 2021, via Zoom, beginning at 9 A.M. The Rev. James Hall is the host pastor.

The Central Texas Annual Conference (clergy only) will convene at noon on Friday, July 16, 2021, at the St. James CME Church, 408 N. Border Street, Tyler, Texas 75702. Lay delegates will be welcome to enter at approximately 2:30 PM. The Conference will meet on Saturday, July 17, 2021, via Zoom, beginning at 9 A.M. The Rev. Brian T. Lightner is the host pastor.

The Southeast Texas Annual Conference (clergy only) will convene at noon on Friday, July 23, 2021, at the Douglas Memorial CME Church, 1370 Ewing Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701. Lay delegates will be welcome to enter at approximately 2:30 PM. The Conference will meet on Saturday, July 24, 2021, via Zoom, beginning at 9 A.M. The Rev. Irma Wilson is the host pastor.

The Dallas-Fort Worth/Northwest Texas Annual Conference (clergy only) will convene at noon on Friday, July 30, 2021, at the Carter Metropolitan CME Church, 4601 Wichita, Fort Worth, Texas 76119. Lay delegates will be welcome to enter at approximately 2:30 PM. We will not be able to use the fellowship hall at all. The Rev. Dr. Clarence Kelby Heath is host pastor.

ELECTING ANNUAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES: Please be careful to elect the correct number of delegates to the Annual Conference from your local church. We will be measuring the membership of the church as given on pastoral reports in 2020 for the number of delegates to be elected (for churches of more than 150 persons). If you have increased your membership, that will need to be shown on this year’s 2021 Pastoral Report forms. Every church is entitled to 2 delegates; please elect a minimum of 2 delegates. Other churches, depending on membership, can elect more. Here is the interpretation of how many delegates are allowed:

Every church 2 delegates

151 or more members 3 delegates

451 or more members 4 delegates

751 or more members 5 delegates

1,051 or more members 6 delegates

1,351 or more members 7 delegates

1,631 or more members 8 delegates

1,931 or more members 9 delegates

2,231 or more members 10 delegates

2,531 or more members 11 delegates

2,851 or more members 12 delegates

3,151 or more members 13 delegates

3,451 or more members 14 delegates

3,751 or more members 15 delegates

[No one is reporting more than 3,800 members.]

We may – or may not – have the same number of delegates to the General Conference as we had in 2018. That number is decided by a formula that depends upon the number of preachers in full connection that we have and the number of lay delegates we have elected to the Annual Conference.

You may have other questions for Annual Conference. Please send an email to llreddick3@yahoo.com for those questions. Put as the subject, “Ann.Conf.Questions.”

Thank you!

Bishop Lawrence Reddick

The post Annual Conference Planning Information first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Empowerment

WebmasterTJ — Fri, 07 May 2021 11:50:01 +0000

Good evening my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us continue in prayer for one another and the success of our upcoming event.

Love and Blessings

Almighty God creator of all things, giver of every good and perfect gift. Father we bow in humble submission to Your will and Your way.

We ask for forgiveness of our sins, create in us clean hearts. We continue to earnestly seek Your wisdom, direction and guidance for the success of the Empowerment Dinner and Fundraiser. We want to be completely aligned with Your will as we seek Your provision for every need. We walk in obedience to the Spirit’s leading and we are believing for great success!!

Give us confidence and favor as we meet with potential sponsors and generous givers. We pray for their willingness to partner with us. We pray God’s Grace and blessings in the lives of the givers.

Give us faithful hearts deeply committed to the process. Let us not grow weary in the months and days ahead as we shall reap if we faint not.

We know that only what we do for Christ will last. And it is in His name that we pray. Amen! and Amen!

I John 5:14-15; Nehemiah 1:11; Numbers 6:24-27; Galatians 6:9

*Please contact one of the following committee members to get involved in this event.

District Representatives

Please contact your official district representative to the committee, to purchase ads in our commemorative booklet.

Aretha Preston Houston mrswap1003@aol.com

Arkalio Stein Beaumont-Nacogdoches astein@eastex.net

Vernice Coleman Fort Worth vernice_coleman@yahoo.com

Mary Wilson-Horsley Northwest ** mlwjubilee1951@gmail.com

Brenda Smith Dallas revsmith2015@gmail.com

Terrance Washington Greenville-Texarkana tlw2848@yahoo.com

Sharon Battee Longview-Marshall sbattee@suddenlink.net

William Johnson Tyler wfjohnson84william@aol.com

Yvonne James North Tyler yjames0315@yahoo.com

** Names were given before Annual Conference. An additional member will be named for Northwest District.

Committee Members at Large

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE:

Crystal Lewis crystal.lewis07@yahoo.com

Brenda Davis brendaedavis001@yahoo.com

Peggy Robinson peggyrob08@yahoo.com

Rita Washington ritawashington@sbcglobal.net

Please click on the box located below in the upper right hand corner of the order form below, save and print, or click

here to download

Please mail in to:

Rev William Johnson,

7209 Fossil Creek Drive, Arlington, Texas 76002
*If you have any questions, please let us know.

The post Empowerment first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

WebmasterTJ - EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

PRESIDING ELDER JAMES OAKRY

Contact

revjoakry@yahoo.com

9106 Millwood Drive

Rowlett, Texas 75088

469-734-9334

PRESIDING ELDER JONATHAN L JONES SR

P.O. Box 1433

Hurst Texas 76053

817-812-9298

Apparel

Order Request

Jamaica Annual Conference

Greetings!

Social Media Sharing

Health Ministry In The Eighth Episcopal District (VOL11)

HEALTH MINISTRY (VOL 11)

Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie

PART I. NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR NOVEMBER

A. National Bladder Health Awareness Month. Source American Urology Association, Urology Care Foundation.

FACTS:

B. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month.

FACTS:

National Diabetes Month. Source: American Diabetes Association,

https://www.diabetes.org/

FACTS:

November 17 “Great American Smoke out.

https://www.Cancer,org/

Plan:

Other Health Topics for This Month:

PART II. HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD

Source:

www.balmingilead.org

Facts:

A. Sunday Morning Corner-“Featured Health Literacy, Health and Wellness with download,” “”Coping with Seasonal Depression,” “The Importance of Handwashing During Cold and Flu Season,” “November is National Diabetes Month.” B. Resources: “Diabetes,” “Obesity and Nutrition.”

PART III. CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

www.cdc.gov/

“COVID-19 County Check.

FACTS:

Water in Jackson, Mississippi:

Water in Jackson, Mississippi:

Short Term and Long Term Efforts to Bring Relief

By Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Don’t Rush Past Holy Saturday.

Don’t Rush Past Holy Saturday. Feel, Endure, and Hallow this Day

TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY

Eighth Episcopal District Technology Ministry

WHAT TECH DOES?

By Tina Jones

Tina Jones

Director of Technology Text: 972-998-4574 Email: tjthecomputerlady@gmail.com

Annual Conference Planning Information

Annual Conference Planning Information

By Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Empowerment

PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR NOVEMBER

PART II.
HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD

A. Sunday Morning Corner-“Featured Health Literacy, Health and Wellness with download,” “”Coping with Seasonal Depression,” “The Importance of Handwashing During Cold and Flu Season,” “November is National Diabetes Month.”
B. Resources: “Diabetes,” “Obesity and Nutrition.”

PART III.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Don’t Rush Past Holy Saturday.
Feel, Endure, and Hallow this Day

Director of Technology
Text: 972-998-4574
Email: tjthecomputerlady@gmail.com