NEWS Updates

The official Newsletter of the EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

The Christmas Purpose: to Point Us to Jesus and to Our Holistic Salvation

 [This is a reprint of what I wrote two years ago while preparing to go to the polls.  So, note the context]

Dear CME Family:

            We awake every December 25th to be reminded that God is sovereign – especially over God’s creation, but beyond that creation into eternity.

            In many of our congregations, for the last four Sundays (beginning November 27th), we celebrated the Advent Season, lighting the Advent candles.  We gathered in and read – one person lighting the candle and reading in some services, one family on behalf of the church in some others, while all in some ways participated in the worship rituals that heralded God’s love, God’s hope, God’s joy, and God’s peace. 

HEALTH MINISTRY IN THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 12-2024)

PART I. NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR DECEMBER

A. WORLD AIDS AWARENESS MONTH

B. NATIONAL IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH

PART II. HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD

A. Sunday Morning Health Corner-
“Featured Health Literacy Eating Healthy for the Holidays,”
“Managing Screen Time and Promoting Healthy Tech Habits,”
“HPVA Awareness.”

B. Resources
“Diabetes,”
“HIV/AIDS.”

PART III. CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

A. Women and Heart Disease.

Community Updates

The Advent Season has arrived! Please click the link below to explore recommended music for this special time. Thank you! The playlist is designed to uplift and inspire as we anticipate the joy of the holidays. This season is not only a time for celebration but also an opportunity to extend warmth and compassion to those around us. Enjoy the music, and may your Advent be filled with peace and hope.

Upcoming Connectional Events

 

JAMAICA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

        Dates:       April 22-24, 2025

        Venue        St John CME Church, Hopewell, St Elizabeth, Jamaica

 

EAST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

        Dates:       July 9-12, 2025

        Venue:      Holiday Inn, Longview, Texas.

CENTRAL TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Dates:       July 16-19, 2025

Venue:      Holiday Inn, Tyler, Texas.

SOUTHEAST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

        Dates:       July 23-26, 2025

        Venue:      Sheraton North Houston, Houston, Texas.

DALLAS-FORT WORTH/NORTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

        Dates:       July 30-Aug. 2, 2025

        Venue:      To be Confirmed.

Daily Prayer Call

TEXAS warming shelters and emergency overnight accommodation centers are seeking your assistance to support local homeless communities. These organizations are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of individuals during severe weather conditions. To get the most accurate information about availability and services, it’s essential to contact these shelters directly.

*click the link below to get the list of places that need your help

2024 Book Recommendation:

I refuse to Lead a Dying Church

(2024) Paul Nixon – Second Edition (Clergy Focus)
Preorder Now by clicking the image above

We Refused to Lead a Dying Church!: Churches That Came Back Against All Odds

(2012) Paul Nixon( Lay Focus) Preorder Now by clicking the image above

Restoration

Vivian Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Longview, TX.

Pastor Jacqueline Tolbert

–Pastor Jackie is a true servant and not just on Sundays. She gives and gives and gives!
Pastor Jacqueline Minor Tolbert hails from Kilgore, Texas where she graduated from Sabine High School. She is currently the senior pastor of Vivian Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Longview, TX.

FIGHTING HUNGER

Jamaica Outreach

 These are pictures of the corn field in Jamaica resulting from the purchase of seeds by the Dallas-Fort Worth Northwest Texas Region WMS. The produce will be free to people in the community in an effort to alleviate hunger. They decided to grow one product to feed many rather than grow several different types of produce.

From Our Episcopal District Leaders

COORDINATOR FOR CONFERENCE MUSIC

Eighth Episcopal District Conference Music Eighth Episcopal District Conference Music Coordinator, and District Representative, and Coordinator of the Connectional Music and Arts Ministry By Rev.

Read More »

TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY

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

Read More »

ECONOMIC VENTURES

ECONOMIC VENTURES Strive to Be Good Stewards of Our Financial Resources By Rev. Jonathan L. Jones As the Coordinator of Economic Ventures, I am tasked

Read More »

EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LEADERSHIP PERSONNEL

Mr. Rickey Fontenot
Connectional Lay Ministry Vice President ernestbaptist13@hotmail.com

Mrs. Felecia Johnson
Connectional Ministers’ Spouses, Widow(er)s, Organization Vice President
fefejohnson@gmail.com

Dr. Patricia McKenzie
Connectional Stewardess Vice President
patriciamckenzieedd@hotmail.com

Rev. Pamela Blair
Coordinator of One Church One School Ministries
revpamelablair@gmail.com

Rev. Dr. Kai Horn El Amin
Coordinator of Women in the Ministry Conference
revhorn.kai@gmail.com

Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Christian, Sr.
Episcopal District Budget Director
jerrychristian@sbcglobal.net

Rev. Trever Barnett
Evangelism Team for Church Planting
preacher_06@yahoo.com 

Rev. Kenneth Hollingshed
Evangelism Team Coordinator of
Evangelism
hollingshedkenneth@sbcglobal.net

Mrs. Sue Alexander
Evangelism Team Coordinator for
Non-US Mission Journeys
Emery.alex@yahoo.com

Mr. Willie A. Jackson
Episcopal District Director of
Ministry to Men
willie.jackson@suez.com

Ms. Linda Woolage
Episcopal District Director of the
Missionary Institute
lindawoolage51@gmail.com

Rev. Clarence Ford
Episcopal District Director of Social Justice
Ministries
clarence.ford@sbcglobal.net

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We are pleased you have decided to visit with us. On this site you will find information about the MIGHTY Eighth Episcopal District, which is comprised of more than 200 churches within the state of Texas and Jamaica.

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