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Letter From The Bishop

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in this challenging time.

Across our Horizon Texas Conference, we are witnessing profound hunger and hardship among our neighbors. Since November 1, some 3.5 million Texans - more than one in 10 of our state's residents - have faced the abrupt loss of SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown. Food banks, churches and community organizations are stretched to meet an urgent crisis. Our sisters and brothers are fearful. Children go to bed uncertain about tomorrow's meals. Elders wonder how they will nourish themselves with dignity.

On November 3, Rev. Andrew Fiser, HTC assistant director of care and healing, in collaboration with Rev. Beth Stuyck of Project Transformation Greater Tarrant, gathered 96 United Methodist leaders from across the conference on Zoom to pray, listen and discuss a unified response. Churches of all sizes and locations are living out the gospel, doing their part to support those made vulnerable by the government shutdown.

On October 23, our Council of Bishops President, Bishop Tracy S. Malone, offered these words, which speak powerfully to this moment:

"We call on the people of The United Methodist Church to join together in prayer—for our elected leaders to act with wisdom and courage, for individuals and families whose livelihoods are at risk, and for justice and compassion to prevail. May we respond with tangible acts of compassion and kindness to those experiencing hardship during this time."

I urge you to respond to this crisis with the full measure of your discipleship. Let me offer specific ways you can join in this sacred work:

Pray with intention and fervor. Hold our elected leaders in prayer with a deep longing that their hearts be opened to the cries of the hungry. Intercede for the families facing devastation, that they might experience not only material provision but also the comfort of knowing they are held by a community of faith.

Serve with generous hands. Mobilize your congregations to volunteer at food pantries, community kitchens and local charities. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you. There is dignity in working together to restore hope.

Give with open hearts. Your financial contributions and food donations are essential. Ask God to guide you toward organizations and efforts that will have the greatest impact. Do not underestimate the power of faithful generosity.

Accompany with presence and wisdom. Sometimes the most pastoral act is simply walking alongside someone in their suffering. Gather accurate information about resources available in your community. Ask people what they truly need. Listen. Be present.

Several organizations stand ready to help you connect with needed resources:

• Feeding America can help you locate your local food bank.
• Meals on Wheels America provides elder nutrition support.
• 211 Helpline connects families to food and services. Access assistance by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.211.org.

Advocate faithfully. Contact your elected representatives. Share the stories of those you serve - stories of real people facing real hunger. Tell them of your hopes and prayers for the restoration of SNAP funding and an end to the suffering this shutdown has caused. Bread for the World has long been a faithful prophetic voice on these issues and can guide your advocacy efforts, as well as offer liturgical and devotional resources for your communities.

Beloved, we serve a God of abundance, a God whose heart burns for justice. At such a time as this, let us be instruments of hope. Let us embody the reign of God in tangible ways. Let us show our hurting neighbors that they are not forgotten, not abandoned, and deeply loved.

I am grateful for your faithful witness. Together, by God's grace, we shall walk through this valley and emerge with stronger communities and deeper compassion.



In Christ's service,

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.

Horizon Texas Conference

The United Methodist Church

GIVING AND RECEIVING: CREATING ATTITUDES OF GRATITUDE

(This is rather lengthy; but read it all. You will be blessed.)

Bishop Saenz and the Council of Bishops recently sent out a letter (see above) with some suggestions on how churches might respond to the impact of the government shut down and the recent threat of the disruption of the SNAP program. BEFORE receiving the Bishop’s communication, Carol Dugger (Principal of Hay Branch Elem, FUMC, Killeen member, and South Dist. Lay Leader), was ALREADY on the move in this effort!

    Recognizing the impact of the government shutdown on the children and families in her school, Carol led the way in finding solutions to help those whom she serves in the Killeen Independent School District. The school traditionally provides monthly food boxes to parents. However, in anticipation of a “food scarcity crisis” which could result from the shut-down and threat to the SNAP program participants, Carol knew she needed to do more. She also knew she could not do it alone. She reached out to her FUMC, Killeen, Sunday school class and other church members, asking for help in providing DINNER MEALS for the children in her school. Her Sunday school class and church members responded immediately. They provided Carol (in two separate offerings), a total of $750 to buy non-perishable food products: macaroni and cheese, rice, SpaghettiOs, Ravioli, etc.

    Now, hold on…this gets better! As Carol was in the grocery store, piling her grocery cart with food items, out of curiosity, people inquired about the purpose of the voluminous amount of non-perishable goods. Upon discovering she was feeding her school children and their families, PEOPLE IN THE GROCERY STORE DONATED MONEY for the cause (Yes, I am tearful as I write this newsletter article!)

    Several members contributed to the Hay Branch food collection. John Helen Purser is one of our oldest members (in terms of time with the church, not age…although, this MIGHT apply too), and her daughter Sue Van Zanten took a vehicle full of food donations to the school. Principal Dugger knew THIS was the perfect opportunity for the children to PARTICIPATE in the process. She began to allow them to do their part, by bringing the food from the vehicle to the room where the food is stored. She encouraged the children to introduce themselves to the ladies and tell them they had come to help take the food inside. Once the vehicle was empty, one of the students said, “I have learned more today than I have learned in a long time!” What he learned, were valuable lessons of giving and the gratitude of receiving and being part of the process! Other students helped to organize the food into specific types.

    Another one of our church members, Mr. Eric Madrid, is a teacher’s aid in a Skill’s Class at Hay Branch Elem. His students participated by sorting and putting the food in boxes.

    Our church was not the only church to participate in the GIVING. Nearby, Liberty Christian Church added their support and food items as well.

    THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED...Hay Branch provided 350 hot dinner meals to their student population. Initially, bus students could not benefit from the hot meals, because they are not allowed to eat on the bus. Principal Dugger began having servers prepare and offer the meals BEFORE students got on the bus.

    This is the ripple effect that giving can have on those who understand Jesus’s message, “Feed my sheep!”

    Stay tuned for Parts Two and Three of Hay Branch’s cultivation of ATTITUDES OF GRATITUDE and how it is motivating and changing the hearts of the students, parents, teachers, and staff!

GIVING AND RECEIVING: CREATING ATTITUDES OF GRATITUDE,

PART TWO

   Killeen is a military town. Recently, at our Veteran’s Day and All Saints Day Remembrance Service, David Erickson and Jeff Bain helped us to honor our service men and women (deceased, retired, and active-duty military from all branches). The choir sang a beautiful medley, highlighting each service branch, as members of the specific branches stood up. David and Jeff presented them with special bronze medallions (like those pictured above).

    The music director and pianist who directed that beautiful choir medley at our church, happens to be the music teacher at Hay Branch elementary, where Carol Dugger serves as principal. Carol has had a November theme, dedicated to honoring and giving thanks for our military veterans. Another member of our church, named Bonnie Olson, serves the soldiers and their families in countless ways and has for many years. She and her group make crosses, send gifts, and boxes to active-duty soldiers, who are deployed and away from their families. Bonnie provided Hay Branch with the plastic cross and star frames and the yarn to fill in the holes, enabling them to make beautiful cross and star ornaments or bookmarks.

    On November 18, Hay Branch Elementary had the first annual, choir performance of songs honoring the men and women who have served our country. Every grade level of students did their part to prepare for this gathering. For example: Third Graders made prayer beads and cards to give to the honorees. Pre-K students made paper hearts and glued colorful tissue paper on them. Every grade level made cards expressing their thankfulness.



    Carol reports that the cafeteria was TEAMING with people there to celebrate soldiers. Many of the students’ grandparents were veterans. One grandfather, hearing the songs and seeing the children, offering their special, handcrafted gifts and cards said, “I have never seen this before in my life.” There was hardly a dry eye in the room (yes, I am again, wiping the tears from my eyes)!

GIVING AND RECEIVING: CREATING ATTITUDES OF GRATITUDE

(Part Three)

    What has been the result of having a principal who loves God and serves Him as a part of serving others? The school now has a Good News Club on campus. They have so many parents coming to be with their children as they learn about God and hear the stories of Jesus. In fact, the school has 50 members of the Good News Club. I must admit, we had a Good News Club on my own campus when I was a teacher; but we NEVER had 50 participants at one time. Carol had to use two classrooms to accommodate the club members!



    Friends, THIS is what giving, receiving, and creating attitudes of gratitude is ALL about…REACHING OTHERS WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS!

(Okay, I am finished telling this beautiful story in three parts; and yes, I am going to need another tissue)!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

Our ongoing response to food scarcity and helping our neighbors is our FEED THE NEED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM

Our 2025 Angel/Giving Tree will be up in the Welcome Center area beginning Nov. 23rd and will be available till December 11th as we will need to return the gifts - cash to Aldersgate and presents to the local office of the Methodist Children's Home for distribution December 12th.

Aldersgate Enrichment Center began as a ministry of the United Methodist Men here in Central Texas. In 1987, the Central Texas Conference approved the development of this ministry which consists of both housing and employment for mentally challenged adults, offering a safe work environment and has become a unique vocational community that this church continues to support. If you would like to make a donation to Aldersgate, please mark so on your check or envelope and we will be forwarding one check to them for their staff to purchase gifts for the residents.

Methodist Children's Home Family Outreach in Killeen. The primary goal is to strengthen families to help them provide a safe, stable, and healthy family environment. They believe families are the strength of our community and the natural place to help children develop to their fullest potential to build safe and healthy children and communities. Our church, through United Women in Faith, circles and classes, have worked to foster a good working relationship with this outreach center.

Please Sign Out A Methodist Home Ornament On The Sheet Provided At The Welcome Desk!!

Come with us, November 19th to lay wreaths on the graves of Veterans at Central Texas state Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542.

Please remember our Connectional Missional Giving Obligation is due by December 31st, 2025. You have already been so generous; however, any amount you can give will be appreciated.

- "Fun" Raisers -

Proceeds for the Nut Sale go towards Abigail Circle Mission Projects.

THIS SATURDAY,

don't miss the God Is Big Enough Workshop with Rev. Steve Ramsdell

(9:00 -11:30, doors open at 8:30).

Everyone is invited to join Reverend Steve Ramsdell for the

God Is Big Enough Prayer Conference

We hope you’ll join us for the November 22^nd God is Big Enough Event where we will center on the spiritual discipline of prayer.  We will separate sessions with a brief intermission. During the first session we will discuss the power of big prayers as we look at how to pray the biggest prayers possible effectively following the Biblical models of prayer.

Session 2 will lead us into the promise God has for each of us to guide us through the mountain tops and valleys of life. Our God is a guiding God and he will guild you and the Bible shows us the map.

Session 3 is all about how to apply your faith. Unapplied faith is of no value, but applied faith is where miracles happen!

There are free pamphlets provided for every participant that will help us put application to four prayers, path and faith.  The pamphlets will help us follow along as we learn something new in regard to our prayers.

We will also provide a free booklet Pastor Steve has written on Daniel’s patterns of prayer.

There will be an opportunity for a love offering but all materials are provided free of charge.

Come prepared to take notes, to laugh, to fellowship, To have fun and to learn something new about the power of prayer as we fill in a few blanks.

As a former pastor of FUMC of Killeen it will be my privilege to reunite with old friends and make new friends.   We’ll also open with short time of music provided by Gary Beard.

See you on the 22^nd!

- Opportunities at FUMC - Killeen -

Click to view the Church Calendar

Below is a list of highlighted events for the upcoming week. Items in italics indicate off-site events. Click on the link above to view the full church calendar.

Sunday, November 23

Giving Tree for Methodist Children’s Home & Aldersgate Enrichment Center

8:00 AM & 11:00 AM | Worship

9:30 AM | Adult Sunday School Classes & Emmaus Prayer Group

9:30 AM | Guiding Young Minds (GYM) Sunday School Class

9:30 AM | Children's Sunday School Class

11:00 AM | “Kids Korner” Group

4:00 PM | Youth Group Meeting

Monday, November 24

8:30 AM | Frisch Park Workday

Tuesday, November 25

9:30 AM | Mary Ruth Circle Meeting - Book Study

10:00 AM | Dominoes/42 Group

10:30 AM | Quilting Circle

5:30 PM | Abigail Circle Meeting

5:30 PM | Trustee Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 26

Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day

ALL DAY | Church Office, CDC, And Building Closed

7:00 AM | Faith Point Church Meal Preparation for Meals on Wheels clients

Friday, November 28

8:30 AM | Frisch Park Workday

Saturday, November 29

10:00 AM | Place wreaths at Central TX Veteran’s Cemetery

Sunday, November 30

10:00 AM | ONE Worship Service

8:30 AM | Carter Blood Drive

9:00 AM | Youth Group Ornament Sale

9:00 AM | Adult Sunday School Classes & Emmaus Prayer Group

9:00 AM | Guiding Young Minds (GYM) Sunday School Class

9:00 AM | Children's Sunday School Class

10:00 AM | “Kids Korner” Group

11:00 AM | Meal provided by United Methodist Men