together {april, may, june 2015}

togetherBaptism,

the beginningWaters of grace offer spiritual renewal

Shaped by confirmationA process of “making firm” the Christian faith

Serve one another in loveOpportunities to serve through our neighborhood partnerships

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2015WE S T B URY U NI T E D ME T HODI S T C H UR C H

2 together APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2015

FEATURE

10 Baptism, the beginning Waters of grace at baptism

offer spiritual renewal

SPOTLIGHTS

04 Shaped by confirmation A process of “making firm” the

Christian faith

18 Serve one another in love Opportunities to serve through

our neighborhood partnerships

MORE

03 Intro: baptism as entry into new life

07 Youth trips to Haiti and Colorado

08 A Mile in My Shoes book study

09 Party on the Patio

Lunch + Learn

All-Church Retreat

The First Five

15 Coffee With the Pastors

Special Sundays

16 Anniversary Picnic

17 Vacation Bible School

20 Change the World Lunch

21 More Than Enough Love

22 60th Anniversary

Facilities for the future

Westbury cares

23 Photos from Lent 2015

24 Worship series: “Promises of God”

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2015

C O N T E N T S 10

09

04

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2015 together 3

Baptism is the starting

point, which enters

us into covenant

relationship with God.

One of the most powerful means of grace is baptism. Methodists believe that baptism is a gift from God. In Matthew’s gospel, when Jesus came to Galilee to be baptized by John, John tried to prevent it, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me.” Jesus

replied, “Let it be so now. It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”

We believe baptism is a solemn ceremony of admission into this new covenant community of faith called the church. John Wesley and others believed that baptism took the place of circumcision, which had marked the children of

Israel (Colossians 2:11–12). According to Wesley, the founder of the movement that became the Methodist Church, “baptism is the initiatory sacrament” (in other words, the starting point which enters us into this new covenant relationship with God). “Through baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church, incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation, and given new birth through water and the spirit,” The United Methodist Hymnal, p. 33.

Baptism is sacred to Methodists, as it is to all Christians. Yet questions are often asked about what we, as Methodists, believe about baptism. We believe, first and foremost, that the Christian gospel is the message of death and resurrection. Christ’s baptism and our own signifies our dying and rising with Christ. Just as death no longer has dominion over Christ Jesus, we believe that if we have died with Christ (been baptized), we shall also live with him (Romans 6:8–9). As the liturgy of the Service of Death and Resurrection says: “Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life. Christ will come again in glory. As in baptism Name put on Christ, so in Christ may Name be clothed with glory,” The United Methodist Hymnal, p. 870.

Beloved, when we are baptized into Christ—whatever mode of baptism was used, whatever age we were baptized—we were baptized into his death, and therefore into his resurrection as well. Don’t let nobody fool you. Through baptism we are united with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, and being united with him in this manner, we rise to new life, leaving behind our old self and rising to a new. Baptism is when our old self dies and our new life begins.

—Rev. Homer Williams, Associate Pastor

CONTRIBUTORS Alex Armstrong, Evan Byrd, Cameron Carter, Beverly Chatfield, Chris Claflin, Ashley Dill, Taylor Fuerst, Lindsey Heathcock, Viola Howard, Josh Lemons, Samuel Mugisha, Sebantu Mukanya, Samuel Nkurunziza, Pat Oliverires, Sarah Patlan, Hillary Peete, Judy Redenius, Juanita Rogillio, Rediate Sanders, Hannah Smith, Mike Sturdevant, Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, Andrea Taylor, Hannah Terry, Jack Tollefson, Linda Tollefson, Homer Williams, Van Williams, and Sarah Winkel.

EDITOR & DESIGNER

Kelsey Johnson

ASSISTANT EDITORCindy Parker

PHOTOSTommy Behrman, Kelsey John-son and Alisa Strength. Stock images: www.churchartpro.com, www.freeimages.com and www.creationswap.com.

WESTBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH5200 Willowbend BoulevardHouston, Texas 77096(713) 723-0175 www.westburyumc.org

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2015


BY JACK AND LINDA TOLLEFSON

Many of you have heard of Confirmation, but if you haven’t been closely involved with it, you may be asking, “What is this rite, and how does it relate to the

sacrament of baptism?”

We have all seen baptisms of young children during the worship service. The parents, sponsors and congregation promise to nurture the young child in the church by teaching and example, so that the child may be “guided to accept God’s grace for themselves and profess their faith openly.”

When these children have reached an “age of accountability”

(about 13+ years old), they are ready to take more responsibility for their own faith journey. They are called to “make firm” the promises that were made for them at their baptisms as an infant or small child. They are called to publicly claim the names “Christian” and “Methodist” and commit themselves to Christian discipleship.

In preparation for making the commitment to full membership in this church, the 6th-grade youth have participated in Confirmation classes, meeting for an hour each week for 23 weeks. They went on a weekend retreat, away from daily distractions, so they could draw closer to God and each other, while discussing various topics and faith issues. They visited

Shaped by Confirmation


other churches to appreciate other ways of worship and to experience our Jewish and Orthodox roots.

The class has used discussion, skits, music, videos and other materials to address the various topics in the class. These concepts include God as Creator and Sustainer, Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit as our empowering, comforting guide, the Bible and primacy of scripture, prayer, the problem of sin, the need for salvation and faith, the history of the church, Methodism and the organization of the church, the UMC’s Book of Discipline and social principles, the sacraments, our creeds and the liturgical symbols of the church.

The students grow in their understanding of what they pledge when they are confirmed as members of this church—including their public Profession of Faith and supporting the church with their “prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.” They are encouraged to understand that their faith is a journey and that Confirmation is not graduation but the beginning of a lifelong relationship with God and his people!

The people of Westbury have “passed on the faith” and nurtured these young people in their faith journey thus far. We ask that you share their joy as they are confirmed, and continue to nurture, pray for and support them in this important step and in their lives as young Christians.

The confirmation class made several visits to other houses of worship around the city, including the Co-Cathedral (above) and Vineyard Church (left and below).

I loved the field trips because we got to see how other people worship. I realized that I go to church every Sunday for a reason and that reason is to express my feelings about God. It’s not just a routine. Confirmation made me see a whole new side to the way I worship.

Rediate Sanders

I really enjoyed our church visits. At one church, they didn’t even use the Bible they just used [verses] printed on paper.

Sebantu Mukanya

My highlights for Confirmation are when we went to learn about the different religions and denominations of Christianity... and of course Ci-Ci’s Pizza after each field trip!

Alex Armstrong


All the mentors were there playing with us and hoping that we were having a good time.

Samuel Mugisha

STUDENTS BEING

CONFIRMED ON EASTERAlex Armstrong

Max Beard

Evan Byrd

Erica Lonard

Julia Lonard

Samuel Mugisha

Sebantu Mukanya

Samuel Nkurunziza

Hassan Nshimirimana

Rediate Sanders

Kevin Vega

MENTORSBrian Beard

Tommy Behrman

Amy Behrman

Ben Smith

Rebecca Smith

LEAD TEACHERSJack Tollefson

Linda Tollefson

GUEST TEACHERSLaralee DeHart

Taylor Fuerst

DeAndre Johnson

Kelsey Johnson

Hillary Peete

Hannah Terry

Homer Williams

Kicking off the year with a retreat, the students, teachers and mentors bonded over games and team-building activities.

I liked that things became more relevant to me. Josh words things differently, in a way that made me understand things I didn’t completely understand before.

Evan Byrd

Confirmation has been a lot of fun for me! I’ve enjoyed the class, the camps, and the field trips.

Samuel Nkurunziza

JACK TOLLEFSONWhen my wife Linda decided that she would teach the Confirmation class back in 1994, I was not sure that I was prepared to help much. But we took Disciple Bible studies and read curriculum and learned over the years a lot of theology and a lot about 6th-grade students. We found that we could work with the students well, and although the students do not always remember the same things, we always felt that we were planting seeds of knowledge and faith that would grow and be there when the students needed them in the future.

One thing that I have found personally rewarding and amazing is that when the students have asked me questions, I have sometimes answered in a way that seemed beyond my ability, and I have had to wonder where that answer came from. The only answer I have come up with is Luke 12: 11–12 “... do not worry about ... what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” We have had a number of former students come back after several years and tell us that they now understand the value of what they learned in Confirmation. That is about the best reward any teacher can hope for.

LINDA TOLLEFSONEach year there are many moments when the students touch our hearts, and this year was no exception. One of our students, on the way home from a field trip said, “This day was the second best day I’ve ever had—the first best was on the retreat!” Another student, on the way home from one of the field trips, said they had given up going to the fall dance at school to go on the field trip. They were not sure if they would be sorry about giving up the dance—but after the field trip they said they were really glad they had chosen to go because it was so interesting! It helped them understand the history of our faith, and the next time they attended a Bar or Bat Mitzvah for their friends they would understand what was happening!

We have been planting seeds and God does the watering! Many times we don’t know what’s happening in our students’ lives as they grow up, but it is so very special when we see some of our students and they tell us where their faith journey has taken them. And we hope they all know they are always in our prayers! n


Meet the team! For a week in June, these ten individuals (with one youth spot still open!) from Westbury UMC will travel to Haiti to engage in mission work. We will be partnering with an orphanage in Gressier to organize and put on a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for those in the orphanage and the surrounding community.

Join us in praying for the country of Haiti and the mission leaders who remain in country both before and after our arrival. Pray for our team’s safety as we travel. When we return, we will have a time of sharing and testimony for the whole congregation on Sunday, June 28, just after worship.

Summer Theme

Scripture is filled with historical incidents, symbols and parables involving food, farming and eating. A single bite from fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ushers sin into human history (Genesis 3:6-7) and that same history will end with God’s children living in the New Jerusalem around the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit (Revela-tion 22:1-2). God provided His chosen people with miraculous manna from Heaven on their journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 16). Esau sold his birthright for some stew (Genesis 25:29-34). Jesus told numerous parables centerd around food and farming. He fed crowds of thousands (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:29-38) and chose to commemorate His sacrificial death with the bread and wine of communion (Matthew 26:26-29).

Student Life Camp 2015 will present students with Jesus’ request to sit with Him at the table and eat (Revelation 3:20). We will explore com-mon areas of modern discontent and how looking to any source of satisfaction other than Christ ulti-mately leaves a person empty (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). Students will know that no matter what their heart longs for – love, popularity, significance, joy, wealth, etc. – only the Bread of Life promises to satisfy with perfection for eternity (Isaiah 55).

JOHN 6:35THEN JESUS DECLARED,

“I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. WHOEVER COMES TO ME

WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY.”

STUDENT LIFE SUMMER EVENTSHelping People Know Christ Through His Word 2015

CAMP + MISSION + @ the Beach + Urban Serve + Conference + Kids + Resources | 800.718.2267

7

Are you going into the sixth grade this fall? Or, are you already a middle school or high school student? If so, you are invited

to StudentLife this summer! Westbury UMC’s youth group will be taking a trip to the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, the week of July 11–18.

Register online at www.westburyumc.org/youth today! Join us—and bring a friend—for a great opportunity to engage in fellow-ship, worship and Bible study with your peers and thousands of youth from across the nation! The total cost of the trip ($450/ student) is due by Sunday, April 12; scholarships are available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Josh Lemons, Director of Youth Ministry, at 713-723-0175 or [email protected]. To learn more about StudentLife and to view a sample daily schedule, visit www.studentlife.com.

Mekdim Sanders Guess who!

Megan Farr and her mom

Betsy

Tyler Henderson and his dad Ken

SeanPatlan

SadieGarcia

JoshLemons

Ann Scherer

YOUTH [6th–12thgrades]


A semi-regular gathering of young adults (ages 18 to 30-ish) who meet after Sunday worship for lunch then watch and discuss a video and other topics in the Youth Wing.

WHEN? APRIL 12, APRIL 26, MAY 31, JUNE 14 & JUNE 28 (12:15–1:30 PM)

For a while, rather than giving our

church’s first fruits to support our connection with the larger United Methodist Church, we’ve been giving money only when we think we can spare it. What we have been practicing does not sound like what we believe. What we actually believe is that giving is a mark of our discipleship, and it is a means of grace, something that God uses to grow our faith. We believe in generosity.

What are apportionments?The apportionment system is the way that our congregation lives out God’s command to pass on a first-fruits offering for the work of the body of Christ. Through apportionment giving, our mission is extended—we are able to be part of ministry far beyond what we alone could do as a single congregation. Many of the dollars we send come back to fund local ministry by providing us resources here in Houston, but they also do things like providing tablet readers to pastors and seminary students in places where books are hard to come by. They fund internships and missionary programs for young people. They provide the United Methodist Church with staff to organize our shared work and mission together.

What have we decided to do differently?In February, Westbury UMC’s Finance Committee enacted a new commitment to direct the first 5% of each week’s offering to apportionments, our covenant offering to the United Methodist Church. As a result, in just the month of March, we were able to send $3,171.73 to extend our mission far beyond Southwest Houston. Meanwhile, we trust that God will continue to provide all we need to sustain our local mission.

Why 5%?For many of us, whether it’s the church or our families, jumping up to the biblical standard of tithing (giving 10% of our income) is a huge stretch. So, we’re simply starting somewhere. As your pastor, I encourage you to start somewhere too! Start at 3% or 5% or 7%—a place from which God may begin to stretch you, to show you who is really behind those gifts, and to show you what they can do. And from there, from that starting place, grow up to that 10% tithe.

In ever increasing ways, we are letting go and letting God guide us and grow us! Thanks be to God for providing faithful givers and stewards, so that God’s work might be done!

—REV. TAYLOR FUERST

Casa el Buen Samaritano Clinic invites you to a casual hangout with staff and volunteers who serve our neighbors. The clinic hopes to share the good things that the Lord has been doing through this ministry, and to engage and excite Westbury UMC’s members to get involved whether through volunteering, prayer or giving. Food, games, face painting for the kids, a volunteering/giving booth and live music will round out the evening on Westbury UMC’s brick patio and gym.

WHEN? SATURDAY, MAY 2 (6:30–8:30 PM)

lunch learnY O U N G A D U LT S

Eat lunch together

then watch & discuss video

12:15–1:30 pm in the Youth Wing

Feb 22, Mar 22, April 12, April 26,

May 31, June 14 & June 28

+

WHAT IS IT? | Westbury Without Walls is a weekend for our church family to gather in the piney woods to talk, eat, play, pray and be in nature. It is an intergenerational event—everyone is welcome!

WHEN IS IT? | October 3– 5 (Friday night through Sunday afternon). You can come up Friday night or Saturday morning, as is convenient for you.

WHERE IS IT? | The retreat will be held at Camp Allen in Navasota, about an hour northwest of Houston.

WHAT WILL WE DO? | As much or as little as you like! Our purpose in gathering is to get to know one another—whether you’ve been a member at Westbury for 20 years or recently joined, if you’re an empty nester or have young children—this is a time to stop, relax, and get to know the people sitting in the pews. You can sign up for horseback riding, go fishing, hiking, canoeing, or just hang out on the porch with friends!

WHAT WILL WE EAT? | We will prepare and eat community meals. The menu is planned, food purchased and brought to the kitchen. Everyone is encouraged to

volunteer to help prepare, set up, serve or clean up after each meal.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE? | There are dorm-style rooms with bunk beds in each room. The rooms have air conditioning and heat. The bathrooms are a short walk from the dorms. In the main building, there is a commerical kitchen, dining room, and an outdoor covered area with seating. Camp Allen is as barrier-free a facility as possible. There are paved walkways between buildings, but there are also large portions of land with grass, tree roots and pine needles (lots of pine nee-dles!). There is adequate comfortable space no matter your ability.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? | The cost is $60 per person, or a maximum of $200 per family. This covers lodging and meals. There are additional costs for activities such as canoeing, horseback riding, etc.

I WANT TO GO! HOW DO I SIGN UP? | There is a link to the Westbury Without Walls retreat online at WestburyUMC.org where you can reserve your spot! Contact Hillary Peete, Director of Children and Family Ministries, with any questions and for more details.

Autumn will be here before you know it! Reserve the first weekend in October for our all-church retreat at Camp Allen. If you require a more private room than the cabins at the campsite, please contact Hillary Peete to discuss our options this year.

WHEN? FRIDAY–SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2–4


hat is it about baptism? The water is at once so mysterious and so ordinary. It reminds me of Genesis, when the Spirit hovered over the water at the dawn of creation; but it also reminds me of my children’s nightly bath time. It conjures images of Jesus calming the wild waves; but it is also a simple refreshment on a hot afternoon.

By the sacrament of baptism, God makes water both ordinary and holy; a basic need and a God-given vehicle for new life. One might say that baptism forms the basis for the rest of our Christian life. When we are baptized, we are clothed with Christ—given a new identity! Then, we spend the rest of our years living more fully into that identity.

Over the past several years, I have become acquainted with Dr. Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki. Dr. Suchocki is a noted theologian and author, and a former seminary administrator. Best of all, she is a committed United Methodist laywoman, seeking to live out her own baptismal call through her tremendous gifts of teaching and writing. Dr. Suchocki graciously agreed to share with us some of her thoughts on baptism as the grounding of all ministry in Christ. Ministry doesn’t belong to pastors—it is all of our work together! I know you will enjoy what she has to share; I encourage you to read it, and then come back to it after a while, to see if you find something new that will encourage or challenge you in faith.

I pray that in this Easter season and beyond, as we celebrate many baptisms in our congregation, we would all be renewed by the Holy Spirit for a life of ministry, “that being born through water and the Spirit, we may be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.”

At whatever age, baptism demonstrates our inclusion in the covenant with God

and our access to the divine grace that claims, sustains and saves us.

“This Is Your Baptismal Liturgy” © 2001 General Board of Discipleship, The United Methodist Church

Introduction BY REV. TAYLOR FUERST

Baptism,

the beginning


Feature BY DR. MARJORIE HEWITT SUCHOCKI

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion) are the two sacraments of the church. They are called sacraments for three reasons:

1) Christ told us to do them;

2) They each involve something tangible like water for baptism, and bread and wine for communion; and

3) They are both instrumental in creating the church as “the body of Christ.”

Baptism births us into the body of Christ, and communion feeds us as the body of Christ—together equipping us to continue Christ’s ministry in the world.

Participants in the act of baptism are:

• God working through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring this baptized person into Christ,

• the community who promises to nurture the baptized person into growth in Christ,

• the clergyperson who administers the sacrament, and

• the person being baptized who either accepts this by faith in Christ, or is presented by parents who speak from their own faith for their infant.

The act of baptism, from the beginning of the church throughout its history, is the continuous creation of the body of Christ in the world. It is the primordial basis for all ministry, ordained and lay together. As a member of Christ’s body, the baptized person is called to continue Christ’s ministry in the world. In the words of Martin Luther, we are called to be “little Christs.”

Christ’s ministry involved revealing God’s nature as unbounded love through his compassion and his teaching. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, comforted the sorrowing, blessed the children and identified with the marginalized, lifting them to dignity and calling for justice. Christ’s ministry was also a teaching ministry, revealing the love of God in the world through his person, his words and his deeds. To be baptized is

to be called and empowered to continue these same ministries, because we are now Christ in the world.

Matthew 25:35–36 warns us that Christ’s presence in the world is not only in the baptized, but in the presence of all who suffer. Christ says: “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.”

We are given, then, a double presence of Christ in the world: Christ’s presence in the baptized and Christ’s presence in those who suffer without regard to whether or not they are baptized. This twofold presence of Christ compels us to ministry, captured in Paul’s statement that “the love of Christ controls us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). On the one hand, the love of Christ is Christ’s love toward us; on the other, it is our love toward Christ.

Because we love Christ, we cannot bear to see Christ suffer and simply stand by impassively. To see Christ suffering is to do what we can to alleviate that suffering, both by addressing the causes of suffering—be they political, economic, social, or otherwise—and by directly caring for those who suffer. We must feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, minister to the sick, care for those imprisoned. To minister to Christ in those who suffer is to come to value deeply the unique personhood of all in whom Christ dwells. The love of Christ calls the baptized to ministries infused with care and compassion.

To be the body of Christ involves laity and clergy in a ministry that reveals God’s love through word as well as deed. Laity fulfill this call and live out their baptismal promises as they serve in the educational ministries of the church, and also as they are prepared to “give a reason for the hope that is within them” in their ministries in the world. Laity permeate the society in which they live, and thus as the body of Christ literally become Christ’s presence in the world, manifesting Christ’s presence through lives of care and compassion. Baptism inaugurates the lifelong task of ministry, lay and ordained together, through which Christ continues to be present in the world, ministering to the needs of the world. n

When you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

COLOSSIANS 2:12


HANNAH SMITH

From resentment to healingI was baptized in a Presbyterian church

as an infant so naturally I don’t remember

anything past my parents’ memories and

the pictures of my cute white dress.

As I grew older I came to resent my

baptism as an infant. I came to identify

more with the Baptist idea of a baptism

of believers and wished I had been able

to make a decision for myself as an adult.

In middle school, my parents required

me to be confirmed in our church, which

was explained to me as an affirmation of

my infant baptism. Unfortunately, I didn’t

consider myself a Christian at the time so

the resentment continued to grow.

Only in coming to Westbury and seeing

the baptisms here and celebrating our

baptism through the services of baptismal

remembrances have I started to embrace

and affirm my own baptism. The past year

here has been a joyful, healing process

of coming to know the Lord through my

baptism even though I don’t remember

it. Understanding myself as sealed for

the Lord before I even knew it myself has

become an integral part of my faith.

VAN WILLIAMS

A tangible memoryThe submersion lives on in my mind today!

It took place in a central Texas church that

now displays an historical marker.

JUDY REDENIUS

Nurtured by communityAs I held each of my four children at

their baptisms, I had a feeling of love

and responsibility to raise each child to

be a loving, caring human being and a

Christian. The love of the congregation and

the care of the minister was overpowering.

LINDSEY HEATHCOCK

Sunrise in HawaiiI was not baptized this way, but my

favorite baptisms to watch were growing

up in Hawaii. Our church had a yearly

group immersion baptism in the Pacific

Ocean at Easter sunrise. It was always

incredibly beautiful, and I saw many

friends baptized. It was a special time for

me and my family. I think of it every Easter.

JUANITA ROGILLIO

Down to the riverWhen I was nine years old, I attended a

summer camp where several missionaries

spoke to us about the need to accept

Christ and to let Him direct our lives,

possibly even into the mission field. I

seemed to feel God’s presence very close

to me and felt that I wanted to become a

follower. The next Sunday, I went forward

when the invitation was given in the little

country church my family attended and

made my decision known.

That afternoon I was baptized in the

Ocmulgee River in Georgia, along with two

others. My family was Southern Baptist,

so I was immersed fully. Since I am now a

Methodist, I like to teasingly tell my friends

whenever a discussion of our baptism

comes up that I was baptized the “real

Jesus way”—fully immersed in a river. I

didn’t hear the voice of God speaking from

heaven that day, but I have tried to follow

Him faithfully ever since, and I pray that He

is pleased with the way I live my life, trying

to be of service to Him and to others.

BEVERLY CHATFIELD

You are a child of GodI was baptized at Westbury UMC as an

infant and raised in this church. Although I

don’t remember my baptism, I have lots of

memories of other people, mostly infants,

being baptized here.

The first pastor I remember was J. D.

Phillips. I remember this huge man with

the great booming voice telling some tiny

little baby, “YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD”

and walking them around the sanctuary to

introduce them to their new family.

Sitting still for a whole church morning

has always been pretty difficult for me

and most mornings I was in such a rush to

get home and get out of my itchy church

clothes. But I never minded staying long for

baptisms. I never minded staying to watch

the water being sprinkled and saying, “yes,

we will be a family to this child.”

Remembering the Water


PATRICIA OLIVERIRES

Filled with the SpiritI felt filled with the Holy Spirit and that I was entering a new phase of life by inviting God

into my life. I wanted to serve him in all ways.

SARAH WINKEL

Glimpsing heavenI was in 1st grade and going to First Methodist Cedar Bayou. There were six of us at the

baptism, all dressed in white. During the service, twin sisters played harp and wore long

white robes. They played as we were at the altar; in my 7-year-old mind, I thought that

this must be what heaven looks like. Now, many years later, I believe that heaven will look

like our beautiful congregation at Westbury. Thanks be to God.

ASHLEY DILL

My mother explained to meI was 4 years old and wasn’t fully aware of why I was getting baptized initially. I

remember my mother telling me it was a way of giving myself to God and being saved

although I did not fully understand. I wore white clothing and I remember the church

singing “Wade in the Water” as I was going under. I could not understand why but I recall

being very happy after. I ran straight to my mother’s arms.

MIKE STURDEVANT

The support of familyI was baptized by my grandfather who was a Methodist minister. He used a rose dipped

in water to sprinkle me. (I still have it!) I love to see a large family gathering that shows

great support and affirmation for the child and his upbringing in the church.

SARAH PATLAN

Gathered by the lakeI have seen many of my friends get baptized through my campus ministry, The Texas

Wesley. One that sticks with me was the baptism of my friend Kaitlyn. The Wesley was on

our fall retreat. Everyone walked down to the lake together. Kaitlyn waded into the water.

For a moment, we all stood in silence while she was under. Then Rusty pulled her back

up, the water was disrupted, and Kaitlyn stood, smiling and wet. God was there, moving

through the ripples that moved out from where she stood. God made joy fill my heart as I

saw clearly my beautiful sister in Christ. Everyone gathered around and gave lots of hugs.

God’s joyful love was shown and recognized that day.

CHRIS CLAFLIN

Celebrating in communityI remember the strong presence of community and celebration around each baptism.

ANDREA TAYLOR

Sacrament by phone Sophia, my niece, was baptized at my home church in December 2013. My son Evan and I

were not able to be there in person. That morning, however, my phone buzzed and it was

my sister connecting me to the baptism through FaceTime (video conferencing). She held

the phone so Evan and I could see it all and be included. We could, in this new way, be a part

of this essential experience in her life. To pledge to support her in her spiritual growth—how

cool is that!

VIOLA HOWARD

Felt like I was flying My baptism is one of the most memorable times in my life. I was fully immersed in water

in a small church in New York City where I was born and raised. I was baptized at the age

of 12. After the baptism, on my way home, I felt like I was flying, my feet not touching the

ground. My grandmother explained I received the Holy Spirit.

Based on the results of a short survey to which 75 of Westbury UMC members responded in March 2015.

FAQs About BaptismDoes it matter how much water?Throughout our history, Methodism has offered adults and parents of infants the choice of three modes—sprinkling, pouring and immersion. In the absence of scriptural information on the subject, we believe that baptisms in the early church were probably conducted in a variety of styles. Although it is common among some groups to insist that Jesus was baptized by immersion, there is no clear evidence to this effect. Descriptions of Jesus and others going into or coming out of the water may simply refer to their stepping off from and back onto the shore. Indeed, the very early use of a shell as a symbol of baptism offers evidence that water may have been poured over the head of an individual who was standing in or being held over water. All three traditional modes have rich symbolic value.

Isn’t it better to wait until children can decide for themselves to be baptized?No. We no more wait for our children to decide about being in the family of God than we wait for them to decide if they would like to be a part of our human family. As parents, we make many decisions—in matters of health, safety, education, for example—for our children. Of course, they may later reject what we have done for them. But, this possibility does not relieve us of the responsibility to do all that we can for them spiritually, as we do in other aspects of their lives. Baptism is a divine act, a pledge and gift God gives to us. Baptism of infants includes the reaffirmation of the vows of the baptismal covenant by parents, sponsors and the congregation; but chiefly it celebrates what God is doing and will do in the life of the infant.

From By Water and The Spirit: Making Connections for Identity & Ministry by Gayle Carlton Felton

More at www.umc.org/what-we-believe/baptism

Meet and greet at Coffee With the Pastors in the Café following worship. This is a time for anyone who is new to Westbury UMC and would like to find out more about the ministries and mission of the church. Coffee, pastries and other refreshments will be served as you have casual conversation with our pastors and church members. Everyone is welcome on any of these Sundays: April 12, May 3 and June 14.

Special Sundays

APR IL 1 2Last day for collection of eyeglasses to send to UM mission in Cameroon

APR IL 19More Than Enough Love/FAM celebration in worship

MAY 3Children’s Sunday (books/Bibles for

3-year-olds, 2nd graders and 5th graders)

MAY 10Joining Sunday ( for those wanting to

become members of the church)

MAY 1 7Graduate Sunday (honoring high

school and college graduates)

MAY 24Pentecost Sunday

JUNE 7Moving Up Sunday ( for those rising

6th graders entering youth ministry)


Fine Arts Camp Monday–Friday, June 15–19 (9 am–12:15 pm)For the third summer, we are collaborating with Willow Meadows Baptist Church to offer Fine Arts Camp for children ages 3 through 5th grade. Sign up online at www.wmbc.org. Contact Hillary Peete if you would like to volunteer as a guest reader or any other kind of helper before or during the camp.

Missions & Me | Friday–Saturday, May 15–16, (Fri. @ 7 pm–Sat. @ 1 pm)Through acts of service, we reveal our deep dedication to loving and serving our neighbors. Times of service are naturally woven into the life of Westbury UMC and Missions & Me is an opportunity for families to serve side-by-side. Our 3rd-5th graders are invited to a weekend retreat that will be a time of fun, learning and giving back to our community. We will meet Friday night, go to dinner together and come back to the church for a lock-in. Saturday morning parents and ALL families (with kids of all ages!) will join us for a local service project. Save the date and stay tuned for more details!

Children’s Sunday | Sunday, May 3 (10:45 am)At Westbury UMC, we are passionate about encouraging and equipping families to support their children’s spiritual development. On Children’s Sunday we recognize important moments in that development. Our 3-year-olds will receive the “Images of God” book to help them explore the many ways God is present with us; 2nd graders receive the “Deep Blue Bible,” an age-appropriate Bible that empowers them to dive deeper in their faith. Our 5th graders are presented with a study Bible, geared towards guiding them through Confirmation and their maturing faith. This year, Children’s Ministry will partner with parents and families to allow them to present their child/grandchild in front of the congregation.

Will you volunteer at Vacation Bible School?

Monday, August 3–Friday, August 79 am–noon

This summer, we are excited to welcome 150+ kids to “Everest” VBS where we will gear up for a cool expedition of faith!

Volunteers should plan to attend a training workshop on Sunday, June 28, at noon in the Parlor to prepare for their roles. We’ll go over the theme, activities and ways volunteers can help us prepare. Pizza and childcare will be provided. For more details, contact Hillary Peete, Director of Children’s Ministries.

To volunteer, please fill out this form and return it to the church office no later than June 21.

Your Name _________________________________

Preferred Contact (Email or Phone) ____________________________________________

Do you have a preference for working with preschoolers or elementary students?

____________________________________________

In which area(s) would you like to serve? r Planning and preparation r Decorating/Set Up/Tear Down r Crew Leader (move with kids from station to station)

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SPECIAL THANKS TO REBECCA SMITH, CHAIR OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES

As a congregation, we partner with organizations making a difference in our community. We commit our prayers, our presence, our gifts (financial, physical and spiritual), our service and our witness of the

love and hope these organizations are bringing to our neighborhood.

Below, you’ll find a brief overview of our neighborhood partners, as well as the best person to contact for more details about volunteering. But heads up! The best way to really explore these opportunities is to attend More Than Enough Love Day on Saturday, April 18, from 11 am to 2 pm. Hosted at Los Arcos Apartments (the hub for FAM), this event will feature ministry booths to highlight what each of these organizations do in our community and how to get involved. We’ll enjoy a shared meal, live music and a spoken-word poet; then in worship on Sunday, April 19, we’ll celebrate our mutual ministry with photos/videos and bilingual sermon in English and Swahili.

Yes, it really is something to celebrate! Together we are living out our church’s mission: to make followers of Jesus Christ who transform the community and the world through God’s love.

C A S A E L B U E N S AM A R I T A N OCONTACT: John Patlan, [email protected]

This free clinic makes it their mission to share the love of Jesus Christ while providing whole-person—body, soul, spirit—healthcare to the low-income and uninsured population in our community. They are averaging over 100 patient visits each month and are currently looking to open the clinic on Saturdays, in addition to the current Tuesday/Thursday evening hours. In February, Casa held its annual fundraising gala, which brings in half of its support each year. This was the largest event yet. On Saturday, May 2, at Party on the Patio, Westbury will have its own fundraiser benefiting Casa. Financial donations go to securing medical equipment and covering building costs. Casa is always looking for committed volunteers and medical supplies.

Ongoing Volunteer NeedsMedically trained nursesPhysiciansSpanish speakers who can help with translatingNursery workersHelpers to clean the facility

A N D E R S O N E L EM E N T A R YCONTACT: Erin Oropeza, [email protected]

With dedicated teachers led by a dynamic principal, Anderson Elementary is a wonderful school faced with its share of challenges. To encourage and support Anderson’s staff and students, Westbury UMC has become more and more engaged in service over the past four years.

One-time Special EventsSchool Supply Drive (August)Literacy Night (December)Adopt-a-Family for Christmas (December) Field Day (May)Teacher Appreciation Day (May)Prayer Walk (certain days during the year)


Neighborhood Ministries1 ) C A S A E L B U E N S AM A R I T A N O C L I N I C2) A N D E R S O N E L EM E N T A R Y S C H O O L3) B R A E S I N T E R F A I T H M I N I S T R I E S4 ) F AM ( F O N D R E N A P A R T M E N T M I N I S T R Y )

1

2

34


Ongoing Volunteer NeedsTeacher Encouragement TeamsMath Lab Tutor2nd Grade Bilingual (Spanish) TutorFront Office & Reception AreaLunch MonitorsLiteracy Library (assist teachers in checking out books for their classroom)Nurse’s OfficeM.A.L.E “Men and Literacy Evolving” Reading Initiative (1st Monday of month, men come read any time, 10 am to noon)

B R A E S I N T E R F A I T H M I N I S T R I E SCONTACT: Judy Redenius, [email protected]

Eric Brown, [email protected]

Westbury UMC is among the five original churches who formed Braes Interfaith Ministries, a neighborhood ministry now composed of 12 congregations representing Protestant, Jewish and Catholic faiths. BIM’s mission is to provide physical, spiritual and emotional assistance to persons in need within the southwest area of Houston. BIM collects school supplies, has a food pantry and recently acquired a new space to house their consignment shop. February marked the grand opening of the consignment shop where every dollar spent is equivalent to $7 worth of food at the Houston Food Bank and $11 buys the school supplies for one child for a year. BIM is also looking for volunteers to help serve in the food pantry or the resale shop.

One-time Special EventsChange the World Lunch & Silent Auction (May)Day School Toiletry Item Drive (October)Canned Food Drive (February)

Ongoing Volunteer NeedsFood pantry organization and serving clientsResale shop assistanceBIM garden upkeep (weeding, mulching, harvesting, etc)

It’s a Small World4TH ANNUAL CHANGE THE WORLD LUNCH & SILENT AUCTIONSunday, May 17, noon–2 pm | Humphrey Hall

Enjoy a delicious lunch and live music by Westbury UMC’s talented musicians. We will explore traditional music, fashion and food from the many cultures represented in our community and congregation.

Last year—thanks to you—we raised over $4,000 for community and global ministries! Consider donating items, services or parties for the silent auction:

• General Items: Jewelry, Store Gift Cards, Restaurant Gift Cards, Household Wares, Themed Gift Baskets, Wall Hangings or Paintings, etc.

• Services: Professional services like graphic design or photography, voice or piano or guitar lessons, babysitting services, etc.

• Parties: Family Bunco, Ice Cream Social, Groovy Girls Party, Pool Party, Theme Party (like Mexican Dinner, Luau, Crab Boil), Ladies Brunch

All proceeds will benefit Braes Interfaith Ministries and one of our global ministry partners. Look for ticket sales and ways to contribute items for the auction beginning in April!

F AM ( F O N D R E N A P A R T M E N T M I N I S T R Y )CONTACT: Rev. Hannah Terry, [email protected]

FAM is a community of neighbors, friends and members of Westbury UMC, discerning how God is at work in our neighborhood and daily joining God there, for the sake of making disciples of Jesus Christ who transform the community and world through God’s love. We are planting and tending missional Christian community shaped by prayer, hospitality and justice in apartment complexes in southwest Houston.

As refugees, immigrants, transplants and local Houstonians, we are discovering through bridge-building and holy friendship that we belong to one another. Discovery of belonging to one another is transforming our habits, perceptions, worldviews, and our very lives in Houston and beyond.

One-time Special EventsAnnual Celebration Christmas Service

Ongoing Volunteer NeedsTransportion TeamFinancial Sustainability Team Ministry Translators (Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili)ESL Tutoring Photography & Videography


friendship musicFAM

(Fondren Apartment Ministry)

Casa el Buen Samaritano

Braes

Interfaith Ministries

Anderson Elementary

IEDA (International Emergency & Development Aid Relief)

Plant it Forward Farms

community connections

United Methodist ChurchWestbury




bConnect the Dots


Facilities for the future

Y E A R S 1955–2015

W E S T B URY U NI T E D ME T HODI S T C H UR C H

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE ANNIVERSARYOver the decades, the people of Westbury UMC have shared in God’s dream for this church and the surrounding community. We want to hear your stories for upcoming magazine issues. Please send your memories, mementos and photographs to Kelsey Johnson, Director of Communications, at [email protected] or mail them to Westbury UMC at 5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, TX 77096.

Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people. Many of us are familiar with this children’s rhyme. And while much of the church’s ministry is actually done outside these walls, the physical space of Westbury UMC shapes the way we go about existing ministry and dream of revitalized ministry.

In November 2014, Westbury UMC’s Church Council approved a set of strategic goals, one of which was “Building Updates for Ministry Needs.” As a result, the Council commissioned a study committee:

(1) to assess the buildings and grounds to determine if they adequately facilitate current and future ministries, and

(2) to provide a range of ideas and options to expand, remodel or relocate facilities, along with preliminary cost estimates, to

support a capital campaign (if so

approved by the congregation).

Since then, a committee has been

formed and begun the work of

consulting with architects and

capital campaign consultants.

The committee is preparing

recommendations to the Church

Council for developing a master plan

for facilities and initiating a capital

campaign to complete a first phase

of building updates.

Already, this is exciting work, as

we imagine the potential of how

God might use us to prepare for the

future of Westbury United Methodist

Church. The congregation can

expect to hear more news in the late

spring, when we will be asking your

opinion about the facility needs and

your interest in and support of a

capital campaign. n

Westbury Cares

In Memory Of Donald Scherer from

Jo and Fred King

Sam Meador from the

Harmony Class, Donna

Babin, Dick and Fran

Cheadle, J. L. and Barbara

Parks, Randall and Brenda

Wright, Will DeVaney,

Marguerite Kelley, Randy and

Janette Zercher, Al and Ida

Bathey, and Roger Thompson

DeathsDick Whanger (01/09/15)

John Howard (01/18/15)

Millicent Banks (date unknown)

Billie Davidson (01/26/15)

Walter Haller (03/12/15)

New MembersJohn Goddin (02/01/15)

Tom and Marjorie Reichard with

their daughters Maddy and

Olivia (02/15/15)

Cornelia Lewis (03/29/15)


Top to bottom, left to right: Pastor Taylor marks the forehead of Charlice Finck with ashes. Worshippers at the Ash Wednesday noon service greet one another with signs of peace. Naima Cole races through obstacles with a plate of pancakes at the Shrove Tuesday celebration. During Lent, times of fellowship are shared over a Simple Supper of soup and bread on Wednesdays. Lenten pilgrims make prayerful steps along the prayer labyrinth.





5200 Willowbend Blvd.Houston, Texas 77096-5298

Main Office: 713-723-0175WestburyUMC.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No. 7821Houston, Texas

Address service requested

Life can be quite an adventure—thrilling, dangerous, tedious, joyful. And it’s almost always unpredictable. So what can you count on? In the Bible we find

faithful people at all different points along their journey of life with God. On

the way, God offers promises to give them sure footing and courage for the

next step. From April 12 through May 24, join your fellow travelers in worship

each Sunday at 10:45 am to hear and claim God’s promises for your life.

together {april, may, june 2015}

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