Walking Together
The Crossroads District Strategy Team hosted a working retreat at Cathedral Oaks on Monday, September 16th with over 50 pastors and lay people in attendance representing our District churches. During this meeting, all were encouraged to think creatively to find ways to support small churches and communities,as well as finding ways to encourage activities for young people and children.
The meeting began focused on prayer. Each pastor and church was lifted up in prayer individually, asking for guidance and strength for the leaders as well as the plans in place for ministry in each church. The Spirit was evident as hands were outstretched and voices raised in unison.
Let us continue to prayerfully seek the Lord's guidance and celebrate the growth in our ministries.
Matthew 18:19 
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."
Having consistent and transformational encounters with God while on earth is meant to be foundational to the Christian life. Our God has not left us. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we've been filled with the very Spirit of God who longs to reveal to us daily the nearness and love of our heavenly Father.

We are never alone.

There is nowhere we can flee from the presence of God. He longs for us to call to him as our source of life, wisdom, guidance and truth. He longs to answer our calls by shepherding us into a lifestyle of continually seeking and receiving revelation from His word and Spirit. But in order for us to truly engage with God in prayer, we must learn what it is to listen. In stillness we grow in our knowledge of who God truly is.

May each day be filled with transformational encounters with the living God as we learn what it is to seek the face of the one who has formed us, knows us and loves us unconditionally.
KOINONIA

At the beginning of August, the Crossroads District held a family picnic at Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center where we were joined by clergy, laity and their families. We had a wonderful afternoon singing, praying and sharing a meal together, competing in own "Ninja warrior" games, and recognizing new and returning pastors.

What is Koinonia? The Greek translation for Koinonia means communion or fellowship. It is a vital part of the ministry to take time to commune together, share and pray for one another.

We encourage you to find ways to have Koinonia with those in your church and
communities.
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Already, there are several tropical storms being monitored in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Storms like Hurricane Dorian have caused much damage to the communities in Florida.
Stay informed and try to be prepared with essentials like water, canned foods, flashlights, etc.

Organizations like UMCOR and the Rio Texas Response & Recovery teams strive to offer support to communities after disasters like this and they are always looking for more volunteers or supplies.
Visit the Rio Texas Response web page for details on training dates, updates on severe weather around the District and how you can help.
PTSD and Trauma
Ministry Impartation and Healing service
September 28, 2019 * La Grange FUMC
 
Dear brothers and sisters,

Dr. Mike Hutchings, Director of Education, Global Awakening, will be our featured instructor on Sep 28, 9AM-4PM, here at La Grange First. Mike will not only speak to the afflictions of PTSD symptoms but he will teach how you can minister the healing power of Jesus to those you know suffering from PTSD. There is no medical or psychiatric cure for PTSD; it must addressed as a spiritual attack by the enemy. Mike's teaching will equip you to minister to PTSD and trauma victims with Biblical truths to set people free from this terrible affliction. Please distribute this notice to those who minister to PTSD and trauma victims.

At 7PM on Sep 28 we will host a healing service focusing on people suffering with PTSD and trauma who would like to receive God's healing touch. Please distribute this information to all who may benefit from God's healing touch.

The link below is just one of many testimonies that you may wish to share.

Please call me if you have any questions - cell 817-360-6375
Blessings,
Ed Murphy, La Grange FUMC


"Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depths of our hearts ."

~Mother Teresa
Greetings Christian Friends of the Crossroads District,

I hope you have had an enriching summer and are ready for an impactful Fall season of ministry. We got our post-summer period off to a fun start in August with our 2 nd  annual Koinonia District Fellowship/Picnic this year. We built on last year’s event and had a great time just enjoying one another’s company in fellowship at the beautiful Cathedral Oaks Worship and Retreat Center. We next went to work with a very meaningful District Strategy Planning Retreat in September led by our District Strategy Team. Every church and leader in the district was lifted in prayer. We were inspired to envision ways we can enhance our Christian witness in the communities where our Churches are located. 

Don’t forget our invitation for churches to submit to the Crossroads district office your application to receive one of the ten special Mission Funding Grants for an amount up to $500.00 by  October 16, 2019 . The funds will be given to the ministries from the ten churches that the District Strategy Team feels to have the best chance at building new relationships for Christ. Please see information about the special grant in this edition of the Hub.

I am also grateful for the hard work that has gone into making preparations for 2019 Charge Conference. Our theme this year is “Walking Together”. We will celebrate ways the congregations of the Crossroads district are walking together to offer a faithful Christian witness in their communities, while discerning how to strengthen their efforts to do so. I am thankful for the assistance of the leading Elders along with pastors in each of the clusters who assisted in setting the Charge Conference schedule for this year. I feel we achieved our goal which will allow us to visit more of our churches individually this year and experience first-hand some ways congregations are walking together with Christ to make disciples. You can view the Charge Conference schedule on the District calendar at  www.gocrossroadsdistrict.org .
 
As we prepare to walk together through another busy Fall season of ministry ahead, “may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Marcus
Missions Sunday at Martindale UMC
Warm Martindale UMC greetings. 
On August 18 2019, our famous "Little Green Church" in Martindale hosted a Missions Sunday service that was a phenomenal expression of love and generosity in the Body of Christ! We highlighted a Christ-centered missions work in Malawi (East Africa), the poorest country on Earth, where half the country's 18 million citizens are below the poverty line; where the average daily income is a $1.95; where HIV-AIDS has ravaged the adult male population, leaving too many widows with small children. Poverty, hunger, lack of education and medical care are common, everywhere. 
Northwest Hills UMC in San Antonio has been the PRIMARY supporter for a Christian missions work in Malawi called "Abundant Life Global Ministries," a full-service missions work. ALGM feeds 6,500 nutritious meals a day, provides basic medical care, teaches reading and writing, trains people in cottage industry businesses, and trains pastors. Senior Pastor Dave Trawick Sr of Northwest Hills has sent teams of volunteers from San Antonio every year on short-term missions works in Malawi, as well as monthly financial support. 
San Antonians Jill Hart and Ms. Marcelle shared with Martindale UMC their first-hand experiences of working in Malawi with these beautiful people. The Martindale UMC congregation were so moved by this "call to missions" that they opened up their wallets and hearts with a large love offering and monthly pledges of support. Said, Pastor Ron Leininger of Martindale UMC, "I've never seen a finer local church missionary presentation. Jill and Marcelle were so authentic and passionate about this Malawi mission. I strongly endorse their efforts."

Pumpkin Patch Season is here!
All over the Crossroads District, there are churches, schools and other community organizations that are gearing up for Pumpkin patches, festivals, carnivals and other Fall events.
If your church or community has a fall event, let us know! We would love to help spread the word.
United Methodist Women Meeting in Edna, TX
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Upcoming District Events
September 20th * Crossroads Emmaus Gathering
Seadrift UMC at 6:30 pm (103 W. Baltimore Ave., Seadrift 77983)

September 21st * Crossroads United Methodist Women's Meeting
Edna FUMC at 9 am - (216 W. Main St. Edna, 77957)

Charge & Church Conferences
Visit the District website for the calendar of the scheduled charge conference for 2019. Keep the District staff and churches in prayer as they travel and prepare reports.

October 11th * Crossroads Emmaus Gathering
John Wesley UMC at 6:30 pm (8300 NE Zac Lentz Pkwy, Victoria 77904)

October 16th * Mission Funding Requests due to the District Office
Funding Request form available on the District website LINK

November 1-2nd * Lay Servant Ministry Training
Basic & Advanced courses offered; $50 fee Register by October 18th
Cathedral Oaks Retreat Center - 6 pm on Friday through 6:30 pm Saturday
(1225 CR 248, Weimar 78962)

November 15th * Crossroads Emmaus Gathering
Salem Lutheran in Port Lavaca at 6:30 pm (2102 N. Virginia St. Port Lavaca, 77979)

November 19th * District Pastors & Professionals meeting
Location to be determined

January 18, 2020 * Know Your Joy Workshop
SAVE THE DATE - Details to follow

January 3-April 1, 2020 * Scholarship Opportunities
Check these out at https://riotexas.org/scholarship-opportunities from the Rio Texas Conference for both church-related careers and general scholarships.
Conference Upcoming Events
September 27-29th * United Methodist Women's Annual Meeting
St. Mark's UMC in McAllen, TX
(301 W. Pecan Blvd. McAllen, 78501)
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Bishop Minerva Carcano,
California-Nevada Annual Conference

Friday, 27th at 12:30 PM -
Sunday 29th at 1:30 pm


October 4: Fresh Expressions Vision Day
Coker UMC - (231 E. North Loop Rd, San Antonio, 78216)
8 am-5 pm $35 per person (Includes lunch)


October 13th: Texas Wesley United Methodist Campus Ministry Open House
2 pm- 5 pm Open House to celebrate the new Texas Wesley facility in Austin