the grapevine

January 2019 | Newsletter of Oxford United Methodist Church

Charge Conference

The charge conference is the basic governing body of

each United Methodist local church and is composed of

all members of the church council. All members of the

charge conference must be members of the local

church. The charge conference must meet at least once

per year. The charge conference directs the work of the

church and gives general oversight to the church council,

reviews and evaluates the mission and ministry of the

church, sets salaries for the pastor and staff, elects the

members of the church council, and recommends

candidates for ordained ministry.

Please be in prayer for Oxford’s Charge Conference

which will take place on Sunday, January 6 at 3:30 p.m.

All members of the Church Council are expected to

attend. Our District Superintendent Rev. Greg Hackett will

be in attendance.

New Studies Wednesday Night Study “Love Does” begins January 23

at 6:30 p.m.

and

The C.E.O.’s Sunday School Class new study “It’s Not

Supposed to be this Way” starts January 20.

Sign up in the Narthex.

In this Issues:

Emmaus News

Equipping the Saints

Poinsettia Dedications

Reflections from Pastor

Doug

Obituaries

Prayers

January Birthdays

Worship Attendance

Our Annual Silent Auction raised $2,100.00!

Thank you to all who donated and to all

who made bids! Special thanks to Sandra

Peterson and Julie Thibodeaux for making

our Silent Auction so great again this year!

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Saturday, February 2, 2019, 9:00 – 12:15

Windcrest United Methodist Church

8101 Midcrown

San Antonio, TX 78239 Beginning at 9 A.M. with a plenary session in the

sanctuary, participants will have a choice of the fol-

lowing workshops: Fresh Expressions, Project Trans-

formation, VIM/ERT Training, Trusted Confianza

Training (PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST PRE-

REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP), Church

Communication, Justice for Our Neighbors, Youth

Ministry, ABCD, Asset-Based Community Develop-

ment, Trustees, Project Transformation, Finance, and

SPRC.

Contact Rev. Sharon Freeto at sharonf@riotexas.org

or on her cell at 830-613-1007 for any questions you

may have. Details to follow over the next weeks.

De Colores!

Chrissie Smith

For pilgrim applications or more information about The Walk to Emmaus, visit

Poinsettia Dedications

IN HONOR OF GIVEN BY Mary Jenkins J D Hamer Our children and grandchildren Doug & Teri Boldt Lyle H. Rosdahl & our children and grandson Glenice Rosdahl Jade and McKenna Felix & Linda Grace Solis Mr. and Mrs. Felix Solis Jr. & Grace Carriker Felix & Linda Grace Solis Doug & Teri Boldt The Oxford Chancel Choir Cecilia Garibay Michelle Carey Flo Jackson Michelle Carey IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY

Don & Emma-Dee Castle and

John & LaVerne Boldt Doug & Teri Boldt

Jeffrey Allen Castle Doug & Teri Boldt

Our parents, David & Etta-Belle Wise Doris Keeler & Frances Wise

Our son Frank Jim & Bonnie Hinkel

Tom Jackson and Randy Jackson Janette Jackson

Maxine (Rusty) Jacob Rene Jacob

Mary Pullin Karen Burgamy

Lilly Robinson Helen Robinson

My husband Glen Waldron Diane Waldron

Roy Snyder Rita Snyder

Vernon Hamer J D Hamer

Letta Hamer J D Hamer

Bobbie & John Maroney Jody Maroney

Kenny Carriker The Carriker family and

Felix & Linda Grace Solis

Our grandparents Felix & Linda Grace Solis

Reflections from Pastor Doug Let me introduce you to Joe. Joe had owned a restaurant for many years, the proverbial Joe’s Diner. And it had been an

icon in the community for decades, with patrons coming from miles around. Famous for gigantic burgers, creamy shakes,

homemade pies, and of course, the infamous “Mrs. Joe’s Pot Roast” – simply to die for! There was never any need for ad-

vertising (that was for the weaker big city cafes, Joe would often boast) because their stellar reputation simply spoke for

itself. Life was good for Joe and his wife, he had a “show” to be proud of.

But then a new century dawned, both literally and symbolically. Joe noticed that business began to wane, many of

the old customers were dying off, but the new generation was not replacing them. Joe needed to do something and do it

quick before he lost the business altogether. So Joe swallowed a huge gulp of pride, and surrendered to that which he

vowed he would never do: he set out to advertise his quickly fading establishment.

“And I have the perfect idea,” he announced to his wife one day. “New and improved, that’s it, new and improved

– isn’t that what all them city slicker restaurants are always saying?” A bewildered Mrs. Joe could only shrug her shoul-

ders and shake her head.

Thus a rejuvenated Joe proudly hung a new sign out front that boldly proclaimed, “New and improved! Bigger

burgers than ever, enormous shakes, and a whole new twist to Mrs. Joe’s pot roast!” Joe was convinced the customers

would come swarming in. All he needed to do was step up his game, and this would do it for sure.

But the new patrons never came and Joe’s enthusiasm began to fade even quicker than his business had. But dis-

couraged as he was, one day he stood in front of his restaurant and considered greeting potential customers as they passed

by on the sidewalk, and sure enough a young man stopped and read the sign.

Barely in his twenties, he called Joe by name, and Joe returned the favor, for he knew the boy well. “Joe, you

know that my daddy and my grandpa came here to your diner for years, and I grew up coming here too, but in all due re-

spect Joe, I don’t think you get it. You see, bigger burgers and shakes are not what people are looking for. It’s restaurants

in general that are the problem. The problem is, Joe, people don’t trust the food industry. They see places like Joe’s diner

as overpriced and out of touch. It has nothing to do with you personally, or what you serve. Increasing the size of your

servings and revamping recipes will not impress people. You’ve got to work on changing their image of restaurants over-

all. I have no idea how you do that, I just know that that is the crux of the problem. I’m sorry Joe.”

Alright then, Joe thought, I know exactly what I’ll do! The next day he hung out yet another sign that read “Shakes

now served with double the whipped cream on top! More toppings for burgers and 10 new menu items!” And as fate

would have it, the same young man walked by again and greeted Joe with a sadness in his voice. “You really don’t get it

do you Joe? You see…..” but he trailed off, and made no further attempt to make Joe understand for he could see the dis-

tant glint in Joe’s eyes as he pondered more culinary improvements, having lost himself in the fantasy that “if only I could

find that one perfect gimmick….”

Eventually the bank foreclosed on “Joe’s Diner” and Joe spent his last days forever scheming, looking for that one

hook that would bring the customers back. He never did get it….

And so it is with the church my friends. Like Joe, we spend so much time pondering new programs and events that

we are convinced the world will see and come flying through our doors as a result. Perhaps it’s the latest fad in Christian

education that will do the trick or building that new facility…as we drift off blindly imagining the endless possibilities. All

the while the world passes by and says to the church, you really don’t get it do you? We are not impressed with all the

hoopla. You are all impressed with each other and you’ve misinterpreted that as success in your churches. You see (the

voice of the world continues, if only we would listen), it’s the reputation of the church in general, moreover Christians spe-

cifically, that you need to work on. That’s where the problem, and consequently the solution lies. Yet the American

church presses on with its “new and improved” while the world shakes its head saying, you just don’t get it do you?

It’s 2019, a new year, and so what is the Christian to do about this fate? It’s an age old story, but it bears repeating:

The man was seen standing on the beach hurling starfish back into the ocean. A passerby inquired as to what he was do-

ing, to which the man replied, “I’m saving the starfish, you see if they’re out of the water too long, they’ll die.” The puzzled

inquirer replied, “But you don’t possibly think you can save all these millions of starfish, do you!” The man picked up yet

another of dying creatures, and quickly flung it back into the water. “There,” he replied, “just saved one more….”

And therein lies the answer. The reputation of the church and Christians will be forever changed as each one of us

sees every living human being in our path as one to which we can be the Jesus that they might not otherwise see. That’s

how it’s done, one soul at a time…..

Rev. Douglas C. Boldt

March 9, 1925 - December 5, 2018 Ruth M. Heskew entered eternal rest December 5,2018. Born in Staten Island,NY to Allen and Margaret Mildrum on March 9, 1925; she now reunites with her parents and sisters: Margaret, Dorothy, Audrey; and husband Marvin Heskew. Ruth's main passion was being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She put her family first, and chose to continue her education after her youngest child was in the 2nd. grade. She was persistent in obtaining her degree. After many years of flexibility and hard work, she obtained her Bachelor's in education, graduating Summa Cum Laude from St. Mary's University and taught for Northside ISD. Upon retirement, Ruth enjoyed traveling with her late husband. She leaves behind to cherish her memories her children: Linda, Ed-ward, and Carole (Paul) Wood; grandchildren: Scott (Princess), Karen (Nick), Kevin (Kristina); great-granddaughters Sara and Katie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Chance Leslie Lynn “Poker” Bert of San Antonio Texas, age 47, went to his heavenly father on Friday, Novem-ber 30, 2018. Chance was born on Janu-ary 17, 1971 in Lawton Oklahoma to Mary Alice Bert and raised by his father, Paul Washington.

On angel wings to Heaven, Mary Alice Bert, was born in March 12, 1948 to Parents Edward Howard Bert Sr. and Ramona Belle Tofpi Bert. She went to our heavenly father on Friday, Decem-ber 7, 2018. Mary Alice grew up in Carnegie, Oklahoma and raised her two children, Chance Leslie Lynn and Paula in San Antonio, Texas. She received her Associate’s degree in Applied Science from San Antonio College, San Antonio, Texas and studied Cosmetology for over 50 years. Mary Alice was a honor member of Oxford United Methodist Church, San Antonio, Texas and Cedar Creek United Methodist Church in Oklahoma. Mary, Kiowa Native American, loved attending her heritage Pow-Wow’s (a North American Indian ceremony involving feasting, singing, and dancing) and visiting her family and passing kin at the Carnegie Cemetery and Cedar Creek Cemetery in Carnegie, Oklahoma. Mary Alice Bert was preceded in death by her son, Chance Leslie Lynn Bert, and her first grand-daughter, Vivian Marie Goff Washington. Survived in memory, daughter, Paula Patricia Washing-ton, grand-daughter, Genevieve Geraldine Krueger Washington, sis-ters: Janel Bert Tonahcot,Lawton OK, Susan Elaine Bert Holmes, Edmond, OK, three loving brothers: Edward Howard Bert Jr., Den-ver CO, Raymond Lee Bert, Oklahoma City, OK, Mathhew Tofpi Bert, Lawton OK, nieces and nephews: Carla Rae Bert Guiterrez, David Anthony Morris, Michelle Lee Holmes, Samantha M. Holmes, Jessica Goingkeen, Andrea Yvonne Brinkman, Michael Von Asch, Jr., all her caring friends and her beloved Yorkshire Terrier dog, Cowboy.

A memorial gift may be made to the Oxford United Meth-

odist Church at 9739 Huebner Road San Antonio Texas 78240.

If we missed your Birthday this

month, please send your birthday

info to

michelle@oxfordumc.org

The January Birthday Bash will be

on January 27.

John 15:5

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much

fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Mia Carey 1 1

Jonathan Cantu 1 3

Berlene Eppright 1 5

Kierre Benton 1 6

Aaron Tarr 1 9

Laine Lee 1 12

Emmer McIntosh 1 16

Ryan Beckmann 1 16

Ben Cervantes 1 18

William Huggins 1 18

Kay Wright 1 22

Joseph Nava 1 22

Kristi Forister 1 23

Russell Huggins 1 23

Ruth Taylor 1 23

Barbie Tarr 1 28

Bill Howell 1 28

Michael Maxwell 1 29

Vijaymithran Komalatha 1 29

Mario Espino 1 30

Dec 23, 2018 Contemporary Worship 89

Dec 23, 2018 Traditional Worship 89

Dec 16, 2018 Contemporary Worship 126

Dec 16, 2018 Traditional Worship 95

Dec 9, 2018 Contemporary Worship 95

Dec 9, 2018 Traditional Worship 120

Dec 2, 2018 Contemporary Worship 87

Dec 2, 2018 Traditional Worship 91

Prayer List Our World

Our service men & women

Our nation

Our Bishop and Clergy

Kairos Ministry

Shepherd Ministry

Stephen Ministry

The Residents of The Heights

Meals on Wheels clients

Ongoing Prayer List:

Jimbo Frazier

Michele Frazier

Ernie Garibay

Robison family

Janie and Israel Garcia

Lyle and Glenice Rosdahl

Elda Flores

Family protection from ex- family members

John

Dave and Joanne Sygeel

Ruth Martinez

Helen Taulbee

Janet Haby

Ruth del Cueto

David and Henrietta Cervantes

Sharane Stanley

Dennis and Sue Moses

Nancy Kaminsky-Miyagi

Ray Davis

Matthew

Baby Logan McCall

Barbara Maxwell

Alicia Herrera

Linda Persyn

Audrey Howard

Olga Nava

Jose Moya

Jason Fenstad

Fred and Susan Mayfield

Melissa Alayli and family

Active Military: Andy Bravo, Jeff Davis, Josue “Rudy”

Garza, Damian, Mendez, Arturo Longoria Jr., Roland

Riley, Sarah Garibay, Peter Cortez, Kevin Rodriguez,

Shane Shovelton

Pray for our Troops

Join the Prayer Chain Join the Oxford Prayer Chain and receive weekly

emails! Contact Michelle Carey at

michelle@oxfordumc.org

Current Prayers

Julie Thibodeaux

Prayers for finances of church

1- year old Jackson

Rene Jacob

Prayers and guidance for Youth Group

Zachary Family

McCullers family

Ruth Campbell

Kellye Gray's family

Mom and family

Jeanine A Campbell and Sue McClaughlin

Allie and Katie Cortez

Jimmy Curtis

Rick Navarro

Pam Polonis

Jyothsna

Matt Lieber

Bill Lieber

Berlene Eppright

Mia

Valerie McCullers

Margaret Mason

Kristen Lockhart

Britt

Laura Lowman

Oxford United Methodist Church

9739 Huebner Road

San Antonio, TX. 78240 210-696-0192 www.oxfordumc.org

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor

Rev. Juan Cantu, Jr. revcantu@oxfordumc.org

Director of Programming & Communications Program Ministry Assistant Michelle Garibay-Carey michelle@oxfordumc.org Teri A. Boldt teri@oxfordumc.org Traditional Music Director Contemporary Music Director Douglas Boldt doug@oxfordumc.org Pat Carey pat@oxfordumc.org Facility Manager Mother’s Day Out Director and Nursery Coordinator Sandra Peterson sandra@oxfordumc.org Rosana Orr mdo@oxfordumc.org

Custodian Youth Ministry

Jose Moya Janie Rose Alejandro, Interim youth@oxfordumc.org

SUNDAY SCHEDULE Traditional Worship at 9:15 am ELEVATE Contemporary Worship at 11:30 am

Sunday School for all ages at 10:30 am Children’s Church at 11:30 am

O Positive Youth at 1:00 pm