Aldersgate Trinity’s Charity

Celebrity Chef James Brown of KFDM will be cooking up some tasty BBQ to serve at Aldersgate Trinity’s Charity BBQ scheduled for 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 22 in the church parking lot, 3600 Memorial Blvd in Port Arthur. While dining at the church, guests can enjoy the fabulous music of “Second Wind.”

This great band plays Sundays at the church, and they perform in other areas throughout the community. Their diverse musical selection includes top hits, spiritual and praise music, and they even play music written by their own band member Lowell Benoit!

Thanks to several businesses that have donated food and supplies, 100% of the ticket price will benefit local charities --- Port Cities Rescue Mission, United Board of Missions, Community Care Prayer Outreach and Salvation Army.

BBQ and all the fixin’s can be eaten there or orders can be picked up. Individuals or businesses purchasing 10 or more meals can have them delivered, too! Another special attraction will be a showcase of bikes. Bike Show awards will be presented in the categories of “radical custom, touring, sport and street-people’s choice.” This should be an especially interesting added attraction for all!

Tickets can be purchased at the church or from any member of the congregation. Call 985-8861 for further details about how you can help support with worthwhile effort.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Celebrity Chef James Brown of KFDM will be cooking up some tasty BBQ to serve at Aldersgate Trinity’s Charity BBQ scheduled for 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 22 in the church parking lot, 3600 Memorial Blvd in Port Arthur. While dining at the church, guests can enjoy the fabulous music of “Second Wind.”

This great band plays Sundays at the church, and they perform in other areas throughout the community. Their diverse musical selection includes top hits, spiritual and praise music, and they even play music written by their own band member Lowell Benoit!

Thanks to several businesses that have donated food and supplies, 100% of the ticket price will benefit local charities --- Port Cities Rescue Mission, United Board of Missions, Community Care Prayer Outreach and Salvation Army.

BBQ and all the fixin’s can be eaten there or orders can be picked up. Individuals or businesses purchasing 10 or more meals can have them delivered, too! Another special attraction will be a showcase of bikes. Bike Show awards will be presented in the categories of “radical custom, touring, sport and street-people’s choice.” This should be an especially interesting added attraction for all!

Tickets can be purchased at the church or from any member of the congregation. Call 985-8861 for further details about how you can help support with worthwhile effort.

From John W. Harrington, Restorative Justice Coordinator--Beaumont

Folks released from incarceration asking to be contacted by a local
area church.

Gatesville Womens Unit: Lonis Etta Wilson, 4710 Galveston Street, Beaumont,
TX 77705--409-892-1584 Attended AA

TDCJ: Robbie Swisher, 6610 Wedgewood, Beaumont, Texas
77706--409-866-0487

Richard Francis Sr., 47690 Hartel, Beaumont, TX 77705

From Angela Baker

RAISE REPORT

Hurricane Rita Recovery Efforts

Southeast Texas

It’s been 6 months since Hurricane Rita devastated Southeast Texas. The UMCOR office in Beaumont is in full operation with a staff of 8 working to assist individuals and families whose homes were damaged by the hurricane.

UMCOR has hosted 5 Family Advocate trainings in Beaumont, Orange and Port Arthur resulting in 22 volunteers agreeing to serve as Family Advocates. The Family Advocate is a special person acting out of a deep faith whose role is to enable/empower survivors to help themselves as much as possible. They identify survivors’ needs and connect them to resources. Working one-on-one with disaster survivors puts their recovery in motion.

The response from our Brothers and Sisters from across this great country has been heart-warming. We have had more than 1,600 volunteers from 10 states representing 295 churches and/or faith-based organizations working on homes in the affected areas (October 5, 2005-March 17, 2006).

Our “Tree of Restoration” is finally sprouting leaves. Each leaf represents a home that has been completed. As of March 31, the tree had 25 leaves. Another 75 homes are in progress or are ready to be assessed. Approximately 200 potential clients are waiting to be assigned to Family Advocates. Recovery is slow but we are making progress every day.

Even though it’s been 6 months since the disaster, the phones continue to ring daily in the UMCOR office from people who need our help. We have a long way to go, but with God guiding us, we will make it through the challenges that still lie ahead. We know that our God is bigger than any storm!

Small Membership Churches Banquet

The Conference Commission on Small Membership Churches will host its
annual banquet on Monday, Math 29, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. We will gather
in the Fellowship Hall at First UMC, 1320 Main Street, Houston. Our
speaker will be Dr. Karen Dorris, who will be the new director of the Office
of Congregational Excellence. Award presentations will be made for
Small Membership Church of the Year, Small Membership Church Lay Person of
the Year, and Small Membership Church Pastor of the Year. Cost for
reservations is $15 per person. Please mail check or money order
made out to Texas Annual Conference-SMC, and mail to Sue Sullivan, 6312
Chaparral, Texarkana, TX 75503. Last date to make a reservation is May 10th.
No tickets will be mailed. As always, check in with the registration
table at the banquet on May 29th. For additional questions, you may
contact Mrs. Sullivan at 903-838-7737 after 5:00 p.m. Come join us for an
> exciting evening with Small Membership Church pastors, laity and
friends.